Magnetics-on-film, multi-track image area interleaved record/reproduce system

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: between transporting and recording steps, shifting the relative transverse positions of said recording heads and said filmstrip such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a further sub-set of m data tracks interleaved with respect to previously recorded sub-sets of m data tracks.

Claim 6

The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: transporting said filmstrip in a fast direction while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks; and after shifting the relative transverse positions of said recording heads and said filmstrip such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a second sub-set of m data tracks, transporting said filmstrip in a second direction while recording a second sub-set of photographic data in a second sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: after shifting the relative transverse positions of said recording heads and said filmstrip such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a third sub-set of m data tracks, transporting said filmstrip in said first direction while recording a third sub-set of photographic data in said third sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 8

The method of claim 2 wherein said magnetic recording heads are spaced apart in a head array at a certain pitch and further comprising the step of: between transporting and recording steps, laterally shifting said magnetic head array with respect to the width of said filmstrip a distance less than the pitch distance between the spaced apart magnetic recording heads such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a further sub-set of m data tracks interleaved with respect to previously recorded sub-sets of m data tracks.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: transporting said filmstrip in a first direction while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks; and after shifting said head array into alignment with a further sub-set of m interleaved data tracks, transporting said filmstrip in a second direction while recording a further sub-set of photographic data in said further sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 10

The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: transporting said filmstrip in a first direction from a starting position while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks; transporting said filmstrip in said second direction back to said starting position prior to recording a second sub-set of photographic data in a second interleaved sub-set of m data tracks; and transporting said filmstrip in said first direction while recording said second sub-set of photographic data in said second interleaved sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 13

The method of claim 9 wherein: said first positioning step further comprises the step of positioning said first set of individual, spaced apart recording heads in a first array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip on a first side of a photographic image frame gate; and said second positioning step further comprises the step of positioning said second set of individual, spaced apart recording heads in a second array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip on a second side of a photographic image frame gate.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 wherein said transporting step further comprises the steps of: first, transporting a filmstrip image frame in a reverse direction out of said photographic image frame gate past said first set of recording heads after an exposure of the image frame has been made in said exposure gate; halting said transporting of said filmstrip in said reverse direction; secondly, transporting said filmstrip in a forward direction back past said first set of recording heads, through said photographic image frame gate, and past said first said second set of recording heads; and halting said transporting of said filmstrip in said forward direction when a next filmstrip image frame area to be exposed is located in said exposure gate.

Claim 15

The method of claim 11 wherein: said first energizing step further comprises first energizing said first set of recording heads and recording a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said rewind direction past said first set of recording heads; and said second energizing step further comprises secondly, energizing said second set of recording heads and recording one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward direction past said second set of recording heads such that said subsequent sub-sets of data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first sub-set of data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 16

The method of claim 11 wherein: said first energizing step further comprises first energizing said first set of recording heads and recording a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward direction past said first set of recording heads and back into said photographic image frame gate; and said second energizing step further comprises secondly, energizing said second set of recording heads and recording one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward direction past said second set of recording heads such that said subsequent sub-sets of data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first sub-set of data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 17

Apparatus for recording or reproducing first and second sub-sets of a photographic data set related to a photographic image frame of a photographic filmstrip bearing a magnetic recording layer by means of a magnetic record/reproduce head array into parallel data tracks in said magnetic recording layer extending lengthwise of said filmstrip and arranged across said image frame, the apparatus comprising: means for recording or reproducing a first data sub-set associated with an image frame in or from a first sub-set of parallel data tracks on said magnetic layer as the filmstrip is transported past said magnetic record/reproduce head array; and means for recording or reproducing a second data sub-set associated with said image frame in or from a second sub-set of parallel data tracks interleaved with said first set of parallel data tracks on said magnetic layer as the film is transported past said magnetic record/reproduce head array.

Claim 18

Apparatus for recording or reproducing first and second sub-sets of a photographic data set related to a photographic image frame of a photographic filmstrip bearing a magnetic recording layer by means of a magnetic record/reproduce head array into parallel data tracks in said magnetic recording layer extending lengthwise of said filmstrip and arranged across said image frame, the apparatus comprising: means for recording or reproducing a first data sub-set associated with an image frame in or from a first sub-set of parallel data tracks on said magnetic layer as the filmstrip is transported past said magnetic record/reproduce head array; and means for recording or reproducing a second data sub-set associated with said image frame in or from a second sub-set of parallel data tracks interleaved with said first set of parallel data tracks on said magnetic layer as the film is transported past said magnetic record/reproduce head array.

Claim 19

Apparatus for recording n/m sub-sets of a photographic data set in relation to a photographic image frame into like n/m interleaved sub-sets of m or fewer data tracks in a magnetic recording layer on a photographic filmstrip comprising: at least one set of m individual, spaced apart recording heads in a head array positioned to extend laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip; means for transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m recording heads and through a photographic image frame gate in a transport direction; first means for energizing said m recording heads and recording a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in a first sub-set of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction; and second means for energizing said m recording heads and recording one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in a one or more further sub-sets of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction with respect to said m recording heads such that said subsequent sub-sets of m data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first and each preceding sub-set of m data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 20

Apparatus for recording n/m sub-sets of a photographic data set in relation to a photographic image frame into like n/m interleaved sub-sets of m or fewer data tracks in a magnetic recording layer on a photographic filmstrip comprising: at least one set of m individual, spaced apart recording heads in a head array positioned to extend laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip; means for transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m recording heads and through a photographic image frame gate in a transport direction; first means for energizing said m recording heads and recording a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in a first sub-set of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction; and second means for energizing said m recording heads and recording one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in a one or more further sub-sets of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction with respect to said m recording heads such that said subsequent sub-sets of m data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first and each preceding sub-set of m data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: means for shifting the relative transverse positions of said m recording heads and said filmstrip after the recording of each sub-sets of m data tracks whereby said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a further sub-set of m data tracks interleaved with respect to previously recorded sub-sets of m data tracks.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said transporting means further comprises: means for transporting said filmstrip in a first direction while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks and, after shifting the relative transverse positions of said recording heads and said filmstrip such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a second sub-set of m data tracks, transporting said filmstrip in a second direction while recording a second sub-set of photographic data in a second sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said transporting means further comprises: means operable after shifting the relative transverse positions of said m recording heads and said filmstrip such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a third sub-set of m data tracks, for transporting said filmstrip in said first direction while recording a third sub-set of photographic data in said third sub-set of m data tracks transporting means further comprises: means for transporting said filmstrip in a first direction while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks and, after shifting the relative transverse positions of said recording heads and said filmstrip such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a second sub-set of m data tracks, transporting said filmstrip in a second direction while recording a second sub-set of photographic data in a second sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said magnetic recording heads are spaced apart in a head array at a certain pitch and said shifting means further comprises: means for laterally shifting said magnetic head array with respect to the width of said filmstrip a distance less than the pitch distance between the spaced apart magnetic recording heads such that said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a further sub-set of m data tracks interleaved with respect to previously recorded sub-sets of m data tracks.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said transporting means further comprises: means for transporting said filmstrip in a first direction while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks; and after shifting said head array into alignment with a further sub-set of m interleaved data tracks, means for transporting said filmstrip in a second direction while recording a further sub-set of photographic data in said further sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said transporting means further comprises: means for transporting said filmstrip in a first direction from a starting position while recording said first sub-set of photographic data in said first sub-set of m data tracks; means for transporting said filmstrip in said second direction back to said starting position prior to recording a second sub-set of photographic data in a second interleaved sub-set of m data tracks; and means for transporting said filmstrip in said first direction while recording said second sub-set of photographic data in said second interleaved sub-set of m data tracks.

Claim 27

Apparatus for recording two sub-sets of a photographic data set related to a photographic image frame of a photographic filmstrip into parallel data tracks in a magnetic recording layer formed on said filmstrip, said parallel data tracks extending lengthwise of said filmstrip and arranged across said image frame, comprising: a first set of individual, spaced apart magnetic recording heads in a first head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip such that said recording heads may record in a first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks in said magnetic recording layer; a second set of individual, spaced apart magnetic recording heads in a second head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip at a predetermined distance from said first set such that said recording heads may record in a second sub-set of spaced apart data tracks extending lengthwise in said magnetic recording layer and interleaved with said first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks; means for transporting said filmstrip in a transport direction past said first and second head arrays; first means for energizing said first set of recording heads and recording a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction; and second means for energizing said second set of recording heads and recording one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction such that said subsequent sub-sets of data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first sub-set of data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 28

Apparatus for recording two sub-sets of a photographic data set related to a photographic image frame of a photographic filmstrip into parallel data tracks in a magnetic recording layer formed on said filmstrip, said parallel data tracks extending lengthwise of said filmstrip and arranged across said image frame, comprising: a first set of individual, spaced apart magnetic recording heads in a first head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip such that said recording heads may record in a first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks in said magnetic recording layer; a second set of individual, spaced apart magnetic recording heads in a second head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip at a predetermined distance from said first set such that said recording heads may record in a second sub-set of spaced apart data tracks extending lengthwise in said magnetic recording layer and interleaved with said first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks; means for transporting said filmstrip in a transport direction past said first and second head arrays; first means for energizing said first set of recording heads and recording a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction; and second means for energizing said second set of recording heads and recording one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction such that said subsequent sub-sets of data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first sub-set of data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein: said first set of individual, spaced apart recording heads are positioned in a first array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip on a first side of a photographic image frame gate; and said second set of individual, spaced apart recording heads are positioned in a second array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip on a second side of a photographic image frame gate.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said transporting means further comprises: means for first transporting a filmstrip image frame in a reverse direction out of said photographic image frame gate past said first set of recording heads after an exposure of the image frame has been made in said exposure gate; means for halting said transporting of said filmstrip in said reverse direction; means for secondly transporting said filmstrip in a forward direction back past said first set of recording heads, through said photographic image frame gate, and past said first said second set of recording heads; and means for halting said transporting of said filmstrip in said forward direction when a next filmstrip image frame area to be exposed is located in said exposure gate.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein: said first energizing means is operable to energize said first set of recording heads and record a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said rewind direction past said first set of recording heads; and said second energizing means is operable to energize said second set of recording heads and record one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward direction past said second set of recording heads such that said subsequent sub-sets of data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first sub-set of data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein: said first energizing means is operable to energize said first set of recording heads and record a first sub-set of said photographic data set associated with an image frame in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward direction past said first set of recording heads and back into said photographic image frame gate; and said second energizing means is operable to energize said second set of recording heads and record one or more subsequent sub-sets of said photographic data set associated with said image frame in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward direction past said second set of recording heads such that said subsequent sub-sets of data tracks are recorded in parallel and interleaved with respect to said first sub-set of data tracks across said image frame area of said filmstrip.

Claim 33

Apparatus for reproducing n/m sub-sets of a photographic data set in relation to a photographic image frame from n/m interleaved sub-sets of m or fewer data tracks in a magnetic recording layer on a photographic filmstrip comprising: at least one set of m individual, spaced apart magnetic heads in a magnetic head array positioned to extend laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip; means for selectively transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m magnetic heads in a forward transport direction; first means for enabling said m magnetic heads for reproducing a first sub-set of said photographic data set in a first sub-set of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer extending across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward transport direction; means for selectively transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m magnetic heads in a reverse transport direction; means for shifting the relative lateral positions of said m recording heads of said magnetic head array and said filmstrip after the reproduction of photographic data from each sub-set of m data tracks whereby said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a further sub-set of m data tracks interleaved with respect to previously reproduced sub-sets of m data tracks; means for selectively transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m magnetic heads in said forward transport direction; and second means for enabling said m magnetic heads for reproducing a second sub-set of said photographic data set in a second sub-set of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer extending across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward transport direction.

Claim 34

Apparatus for reproducing n/m sub-sets of a photographic data set in relation to a photographic image frame from n/m interleaved sub-sets of m or fewer data tracks in a magnetic recording layer on a photographic filmstrip comprising: at least one set of m individual, spaced apart magnetic heads in a magnetic head array positioned to extend laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip; means for selectively transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m magnetic heads in a forward transport direction; first means for enabling said m magnetic heads for reproducing a first sub-set of said photographic data set in a first sub-set of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer extending across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward transport direction; means for selectively transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m magnetic heads in a reverse transport direction; means for shifting the relative lateral positions of said m recording heads of said magnetic head array and said filmstrip after the reproduction of photographic data from each sub-set of m data tracks whereby said m recording heads are positioned into alignment with a further sub-set of m data tracks interleaved with respect to previously reproduced sub-sets of m data tracks; means for selectively transporting said filmstrip transversely with respect to said m magnetic heads in said forward transport direction; and second means for enabling said m magnetic heads for reproducing a second sub-set of said photographic data set in a second sub-set of m data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer extending across the image frame area thereof as said filmstrip is transported in said forward transport direction.

Claim 37

Apparatus for reproducing two sub-sets of a photographic data set related to a photographic image frame of a photographic filmstrip recorded into parallel data tracks in a magnetic recording layer formed on said filmstrip, said data tracks extending lengthwise of said filmstrip and arranged across said image frame, comprising: a first set of individual, spaced apart magnetic reproduce heads in a first head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip such that said magnetic heads are aligned with a first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks extending lengthwise in said magnetic recording layer; a second set of individual, spaced apart magnetic reproduce heads in a second head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip at a predetermined distance from said first set such that said magnetic heads are aligned with a second sub-set of spaced apart data tracks extending lengthwise in said magnetic recording layer and interleaved with said first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks; means for transporting said filmstrip in a transport direction past said first and second head arrays; first means for enabling said first head array for reproducing a first sub-set of said photographic data set recorded in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction; and second means for enabling said second head array for reproducing a second sub-set of said photographic data set recorded in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction.

Claim 38

Apparatus for reproducing two sub-sets of a photographic data set related to a photographic image frame of a photographic filmstrip recorded into parallel data tracks in a magnetic recording layer formed on said filmstrip, said data tracks extending lengthwise of said filmstrip and arranged across said image frame, comprising: a first set of individual, spaced apart magnetic reproduce heads in a first head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip such that said magnetic heads are aligned with a first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks extending lengthwise in said magnetic recording layer; a second set of individual, spaced apart magnetic reproduce heads in a second head array extending laterally across the width of said photographic filmstrip at a predetermined distance from said first set such that said magnetic heads are aligned with a second sub-set of spaced apart data tracks extending lengthwise in said magnetic recording layer and interleaved with said first sub-set of spaced apart data tracks; means for transporting said filmstrip in a transport direction past said first and second head arrays; first means for enabling said first head array for reproducing a first sub-set of said photographic data set recorded in said first sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction; and second means for enabling said second head array for reproducing a second sub-set of said photographic data set recorded in said second sub-set of data tracks on the filmstrip magnetic layer as said filmstrip is transported in said transport direction.