Eastman-kodak Company

Christopher T Mattson

John J Niedospial, Jr

Daniel M Pagano

Michael L Wash

Duane J Farling

Christopher P McCormick

David B Kemp

James W Cannon

Russell J Butler

David A Dieterich

James E Stocks

A method is provided for recording metadata elements using a predetermined portion of a photographic filmstrip. The method comprising the steps of recording a primary data field including the entire set of data elements using a first share of the predetermined portion; and recording at least two secondary data fields on a second share of the predetermined portion; wherein at least one of the secondary data fields contains less than all of the metadata elements associated with an image.

Method and apparatus for magnetic communication via a photographic filmstrip

A latched film unit has a support, a filmstrip held by the support, and a latch mounted to the support. The latch is reversibly switchable between a first state and a second state and can enable or disable an access right of a memory element in the film unit. A latching device operates the film unit.

Latched film unit, latching device, system, and method

In photographic equipment for reading magnetically recorded data on a film strip, gradual degradation of the read data signal caused, for example, by material buildup on the magnetic read head is detected by monitoring the read data signal to indicate when the signal falls below a normal signal level but is still above a minimum threshold at which data loss would result. Apparatus useful for this purpose includes first and second comparators for sensing the decline of the data signal level into a range falling between a first predetermined normal signal level threshold and a second lower predetermined signal level preferably at or slightly above minimum detectable signal level. With such an arrangement, even though data is still capable of being read and decoded, the operator of the data read equipment is given advance warning of the incipient read data problem sufficiently in advance of read failure condition to allow corrective action, e.g. cleaning of the read head, before actual data read failures occur.

Monitoring of magnetically recorded data on film in photofinishing and

A method, and apparatus for performing the method, of detecting excessive core set film curl of a filmstrip wound within a film cartridge of the type having a light trapping film slit through which the leading end of the filmstrip may be advanced or retracted, whereby excessively curled filmstrips may be pre-sorted prior to photofinishing operations. The method and apparatus comprises the steps of and means for positioning the film cartridge with the light trapping slit thereof oriented in a predetermined position, unwinding the leading end of the filmstrip a predetermined distance out of the light trapping slit of the film cartridge, whereby the unwound leading end of the filmstrip may freely curl back in the direction in which the filmstrip is wound within the film cartridge to the extent that the filmstrip exhibits core set film curl, and detecting an excessive degree of core set film curl by the amount to which the unwound leading end of the filmstrip curls back toward the film cartridge. Thereafter, the leading end may be rewound into the cartridge and cartridges found to contain excessively curled filmstrips may be separated from those containing filmstrips exhibiting a normal range of core set film curl.

Method and apparatus for sorting excessive core set film

A film cassette comprises a cassette shell, a spool core supported inside the cassette shell for rotation in an unwinding direction to advance a filmstrip coiled about the spool core out of the cassette shell and in a winding direction to draw the filmstrip into the cassette shell, at least one flange coaxially coupled with the spool core to prevent the filmstrip from uncoiling about the spool core and to permit the flange and the spool core to be rotated relative to each other in the unwinding and winding directions, and cooperating means located on the spool core and the flange for fixing the flange and the spool core to each other to make the flange rotate with the spool core in the unwinding direction but releasing the flange to permit it and the spool core to be rotated relative to each other in the winding direction. According to the invention, stop means are connected to the cassette shell, and the flange has engageable means for being engaged by the stop means when the flange is rotated with the spool core in the winding direction to prevent the flange from further rotating in that direction, whereby the flange will impose a frictional drag on the filmstrip as the filmstrip is wound onto the spool core to cause the filmstrip to be wound tightly to the spool core.

Film cassette

A new film cassette assembly comprises a thrust type cassette and a roll of a photographic film having particular properties. One such property is a low coefficient of friction between the emulsion side and back side of the film. In preferred embodiments the film has a stiffness sufficient to avoid buckling of the film when the film spool is rotated in the unwinding direction and is very thin. Most preferably, it is formed from a hydrophilic copolyester having the desired stiffness.

Thrust-type film cassette assembly

Magnetic recording apparatus for a photographic still camera comprises a magnetic head mounted on a flexure attached to the rear door of the camera. The head is positioned so that when the rear door of the camera is closed, it will enter an opening in the cartridge lip and engage the film. The portion of the lip and the plush material underlying the film provides a complient support for the film.

Camera apparatus for magnetically recording on film

A film cassette is disclosed wherein a film spool is rotatable within the cassette shell in film unwinding and rewinding directions, a convoluted film roll whose outermost convolution is a film leader is coiled about the spool, a pair of film constraining flanges are coaxially arrnaged on the spool to radially confine the film leader to prevent the leader from substantially contacting an interior wall of the cassette shell, and a film stripper-guide is received between the leading end of the film leader and the next-inward convolution of the film roll succeeding the leader to remove the leader from the flanges and guide it through a film passageway to the exterior of the cassette shell responsive to rotation of the spool in the flim unwinding direction. According to the invention, the cassette shell and the film leader include mutual engagement means for securing the leader substantially proximate its leading end responsive to rotation of the spool in the film rewinding direction to prevent the leading end from coming to rest between the stripper-guide and the next-inward convolution. If, conversely, the leading end was stored between the stripper-guide and the next-inward convolution, the film leader might develop an inward curl sufficient to keep it of range of the stripper-guide.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Christopher T Mattson