Eastman-kodak Company

George W Brock

Wlodzimierz S Czarnecki

Jeremiah F Connolly

Kent R Gandola

Robert E Swanson

Sheldon W Hower

Christopher A Lacey

Charles D DeBoer

Michael Edgar Long

William H Simpson

Tomasz Marek Jagielinski

Thomas D Carr

Maurice L Gray

Susan L Dawson

John M Favrou

Richard R Tuyn

Christopher P Mencher

Joseph De Lellis

A reusable thermal dye donor element for a dye transfer thermal printer comprising: a base support having a plurality of wells which preferentially adsorb and desorb dye; and an overcoat on the base support which has a thickness less than the depth of the plurality of wells.

Reusable donor layer containing dye wells for continuous tone thermal

A reusable thermal dye donor element for a dye transfer thermal printer comprising: a base layer; and a donor layer on said base layer, said donor layer having a plurality of wells which preferentially adsorb and desorb dye into said wells.

Reusable donor layer containing dye wells for thermal printing

A thermal printing donor sheet comprising a support having first and second opposing surfaces; a transferable dye layer on the first surface of the support; and a thermally conductive layer on the second surface of the supporting including a metal undercoat layer with a converted outer layer in the form of a thin wear resistant material.

Thin wear resistant and heat conductive slip layer for a reusable

Photographic apparatus for recording/reproducing information in a magnetic region along an edge of photographic film, the apparatus comprising:

Magnetic head interface having a single narrow band of contact for

In a photographic system including means for magnetically recording/reproducing data relative to magnetically coated film, an assembly for conforming a thin film magnetic head array to the nonplanar magnetic surface during data transfer only, the assembly comprising: a platen for holding magnetically coated film in a film plane; a magnetic head array including first and second thin film heads located side-by-side and a third thin film head located fore or aft the first and second heads and forming an equilateral triangle of their centers; a head mounting spring fixed at one end to the platen and having a free end for mounting the magnetic head array adjacent to magnetically coated film transported through the film plane the mounting spring allowing pitch and roll movement of the head assembly; and a loading spring for biasing the magnetic head array into contact with the magnetically coated film so that the point of contact is at the center of gravity of the three head magnetic head array.

Horizontal head assembly and suspension method for magnetically coated

In a photographic apparatus which handles film having a magnetic layer on one side for magnetically storing data on the film, a photographic film transport mechanism including a magnetic head suspension system that allows balanced roll motion of two magnetic heads while in contact with the nonplanar magnetic recording surface of film, and allows for in contact magnetic recording during transfer of data only, with release of the contact pressure at all other times, the mechanism comprising: a platen for confining film that is transported past the platen; a cantilever spring having one end fixed to the platen and a free end, the spring extending in the direction of transport of the film; a pair of magnetic heads; means for mounting the pair of magnetic heads side-by-side on the free end of the cantilever spring which allows the heads to rotate about a roll axis parallel to the film transport direction; and means coupled to the free end of the spring for moving the heads into and out of contact with the film.

Retractable two track head assembly with controllable roll stiffness

In a camera having an exposure gate and a transport for transporting film past the exposure gate, the film having a series of perforations along at least one edge of the film, wherein the number of the perforations are an integer per exposure frame, the film having a substantially transparent magnetic layer at least in the region of the perforations, a mid-roll change apparatus. The mid-roll change apparatus includes a source of a steady-state magnetic field located downstream of the exposure gate and adjacent to the series of perforations for magnetizing the magnetic layer between the perforations as film is transported past the source; a magnetic field sensor located upstream of the exposure gate and adjacent to the series of perforations for sensing fringing magnetic fields emanating from perforation edges, the area between which have been magnetized; and a perforation sensor located to sense the series of perforations of the film.

Mid-roll change for film having edge perforations and magnetic layer on

A magnetic recording and/or reproducing head system particularly for use for writing and/or reading information on tracks in a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips, wherein the system provides for mounting of such magnetic heads on a suspension and translation system to move the magnetic heads from track to track of the MOF layer and longitudinally along a selected track. The filmstrip exhibits a lengthwise curvature of a predetermined sign and a cross-film curvature. The filmstrip is advanced to a stationary position in a curved transport path in the length dimension of the filmstrip, the curved transport path having a curvature radius of the same sign as the predetermined curvature sign of the filmstrip. The filmstrip edges are engaged in edge guides such that the transport path curvature and the edge guides negate cross-film curvature. The magnetic head is lengthwise translated along the selected track following the curvature radius on a head track selection assembly which includes a head track guide connected between first ends of a pair of positioning arms extending across the film edge guides for supporting the magnetic head for engagement and lengthwise translation with the filmstrip selected track by pivotal movement thereof. A head track motor drives the magnetic head along a head track selection assembly to a selected track position. The head track selection assembly includes a guide rod and a rotatable lead screw extending between free ends of the positioning arms and across the film transport path. Head mounting means for mounting the magnetic head in relation to the film transport path have a guide opening for engaging the guide rod for inhibiting rotation of the head mounting means about the lead screw on rotation of the lead screw and have a threaded bore for engaging the lead screw, whereby rotation of the lead screw effects translation of the head mounting means along the lead screw and guide rod and across the film transport path to a selected track.

Magnetic head translation system for recording and reproducing on

A magnetic recorder includes multiple permanent magnetic elements having magnetic orientations that impart a sequence of magnetic transitions to magnetic media of a photographic filmstrip contained within a camera. The permanent magnetic elements are external to the camera. The sequence of magnetic transitions comprise information that can be subsequently retrieved and provided to the photographic processor and/or photographer. The information can include identification of locale or other information of interest to the photographer. The magnetic recorder requires no power supply and is easily operated by a photographer virtually without regard to weather conditions.

Passive data recording onto magnetic layers of photographic film

A magnetic read/write head suspension assembly for achieving high magnetic head compliance with at least one edge track of the MOF layer of relatively stiff photographic filmstrips particularly during photofinishing operations. The filmstrip has an emulsion layer side opposite to the MOF layer side and exhibits a positive cross-film curvature toward the emulsion side when unrestrained. Filmstrip edge guides including parallel angled channels extending in a film transport path receive the filmstrip edge regions. One or more magnetic read/write head is mounted in the edge guides with the magnetic head gap length oriented in alignment with the angle of the MOF layer of the filmstrip edge region received in the channel and makes compliant line contact of the magnetic head gap with the MOF layer side in the edge region without imparting drag on the central region of the filmstrip. A backing support member formed of an elastic, deformable reed-shaped backing member trapped in a cavity of the edge guide is thereby biased in relation to the magnetic read/write head to make contact with the emulsion layer side of the filmstrip edge region. Channel angles of a positive 20.degree. to 40.degree. transverse to the direction of film transport plane of the filmstrip may be provided to receive an unrestrained filmstrip exhibiting normal, positive cross-film curvature. Alternatively, the filmstrip may be restrained to exhibit a negative cross-film curvature and directed into channels angled at a negative 3.degree. to 7.degree.. In this case, the backing support may be unnecessary.

Longitudinal bending interface for thick film magnetic recording

Magnetic record/reproduce apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a magnetic layer of a filmstrip in a camera, and more particularly, modular magnetic recording apparatus for optional attachment to photographic still cameras. Power and control signals supplied from within the module define the format and content of information recorded or reproduced from tracks in a substantially transparent magnetic layer. In one embodiment, the camera contains a record/reproduce head in the film transport path. In a further embodiment, the module contains the record/reproduce head, and the camera is adapted to receive the record/reproduced head in a record/reproduced aperture and position it in the film transport path on attachment of the module to the camera housing. In both embodiments, the magnetic head is preferably an elongated multi-head element array. Preferably the magnetic head aperture of the second embodiment is shaped to receive the elongated multi-head array as either a single elongated opening or a row of individual head receiving openings aligned in the cross-film direction, and a light tight flexible, opaque membrane is stretched over the magnetic head aperature so that the multi-head array may be inserted therein and physically bear against the membrane and the magnetic layer of the film strip adjacent to the membrane. A further external movable door or cover may be provided over the magnetic head aperture that is movable out of the way when the module attachment to the camera is made.

Magnetic record/reproduce module for camera

A photographic still camera for receiving an elongated filmstrip having a cross-film curvature and having a substantially transparent magnetic layer deposited on the film surface and for recording or reproducing information on or from the magnetic layer in relation to the exposure of image frames of the filmstrip. The filmstrip is transported from supply to takeup chambers between film rails and a backing plate past a camera image frame exposure aperture with the magnetic layer facing the backing plate and having a concave cross-film curvature across the image frame area. A magnetic recording multi-head array formed of a plurality of recording heads mounted on flexure elements of a flexure support is positioned to extend across and contact the magnetic layer in the image frame area at the side of the exposure aperture. Each flexure element includes an elongated, cantilever spring fixed at one end to the backing plate and terminating in a mounting platform having a gimbal mechanism for providing pitch and roll compliance with film motion and the cross-film concave curvature. Each magnetic recording head element is shaped with contoured profiles in the cross-film and film transport directions for ensuring compliance with the filmstrip magnetic layer during roll and pitch motions of the magnetic recording head without causing damage to the filmstrip.

Magnetics-on-film image area recording head and suspension system

Magnetic recording and/or reproducing heads particularly for use for recording and reading information on a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips exhibiting a cross-film curvature in cameras or other filmstrip handling apparatus. A magnetic record/reproduce multi-head array is formed of a plurality of magnetic head elements mounted to extend across the width of the filmstrip and across the filmstrip image frame area, each head element contacting the magnetic layer at a predetermined cross-film position in a film transport path. The surfaces of the head elements aligned to contact the filmstrip magnetic layer are burnished or lapped by an abrasive tape lapping of the head as a final contouring operation on the head to remove all edges that can scrape or scratch the magnetic surface of the filmstrip. An elongated, compliant backing support, e.g. a free wheeling roller, pad or brush, having a low friction contact surface, is positioned to bear against the filmstrip emulsion layer opposite to the multi-head array. Light pressure is applied through the backing support to conform the filmstrip magnetic layer to the magnetic head elements in the cross-film and film advance directions.

Magnetics-on-film image area recording head with film flattening

A photographic still camera for receiving an elongated filmstrip having a cross-curvature in the cross film direction across said filmstrip and having a substantially transparent magnetic layer deposited on the film surface and for recording or reproducing information on or from the magnetic layer in the image area in and relation to the exposure of image frames of the filmstrip. A magnetic head is formed of a plurality of frustums including inner frustums supporting a plurality of active head gaps in an interior region and at least one further outer frustum on each side of the inner frustums in the cross film direction. The frustums and active head gaps have a contoured height profile in the cross film direction positioned to penetrate the film plane and to wrap the filmstrip around the frustums in a cavity in the film transport path, the contoured height profile in the cross film direction ensuring elastic compliance of the active head gaps with the magnetic on film layer tracks, with or without applied film tension or film compression. Contouring is effected by lapping the head mounted in the film transport path to approximate the cross-curvature of the filmstrip.

Magnetics-on-film image area recording head and interface

A print head applies electrical energy to an electrically resistive and grounded transfer ribbon bearing heat transferable dye, during sliding pressure contact and relative movement between the head and ribbon, for resistive heating of the dye to a transfer temperature for transfer to a receiver to form images of selective pixel size thereon. The head has a row of electrodes with end faces and an electrically non-conductive substrate with an end face, the end faces lying in a contact plane for contact with the ribbon. A groove in the substrate end face separates such end face from the electrode end faces. The width of the groove is sufficient to inhibit heat transfer at the groove from the ribbon to the substrate for controlling the dye amount heated to transfer temperature adjacent the groove during the relative movement and in turn the image pixel size.

Growing community of inventors

La Jolla, CA, United States of America

George W Brock