Eastman-kodak Company

Wlodzimierz S Czarnecki

George W Brock

Kent R Gandola

Tomasz Marek Jagielinski

Peter VanderSalm Koeppe

Jeremiah F Connolly

Russell D Shon

Joseph De Lellis

Richard R Tuyn

Christopher P Mencher

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

Magnetic recording and reproducing linear thin film head arrays particularly for use for recording and reading information on a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips and particularly a configuration and mounting of such heads to achieve high compliance with the relatively stiff filmstrip and MOF layer in cameras or other filmstrip handling apparatus without damaging the filmstrip. When constrained in the film transport path, the filmstrip assumes a convex cross film curvature on the MOF layer side approximated by a sixth order polynomial having even terms only. A base line for the deposition of thin film head layers of each head of the array on a linear substrate is approximated by the sixth order polynomial having even terms only. After deposition of the thin film layers, the linear head array is shaped to the cross film curvature, and the lapped head surfaces are aligned with the base line. Preferably, at least one electrical lapping guide is deposited on the substrate in relation to the linear array of magnetic head elements and the base line, wherein the head element layer height is controlled in the head fabrication processing by monitoring the electrical resistance of the electrical lapping guide during shaping of the convex curvature of the head surface.

Patterned multi-track thin film heads for image area record/reproduce on

Magnetic recording and/or reproducing schemes and systems particularly for use for recording and/or reproducing information in data tracks of a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of a photographic filmstrip in a camera or in other photographic equipment. Recording of a photographic data set related to captured images is effected in n lengthwise extending, total interleaved tracks effected in the alternative by a single one or plural magnetic head array(s) of m magnetic recording heads arranged to extend across the filmstrip width and positioned in the camera alongside the photographic image frame gate. In one embodiment, the photographic data set is prepared in n/m data sub-sets, and a stepping mechanism is provided for stepping the magnetic head array between n/m positions to effect the recording of each data sub-set in the respective sub-set of m interleaved tracks such that the full data set is recorded in a single image frame area or in a single sub-set of m tracks extending for more than one image frame. In a further embodiment, n/m head arrays of m recording heads are fixedly mounted in the camera in a staggered fashion so that the n/m data sub-sets are recorded in the n/m sub-sets of m interleaved tracks. The n/m recording heads may be mounted on one side or on both sides of the photographic image frame gate.

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

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

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

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 recording or reproducing information on or from the magnetic layer in the image frame areas 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 near one side of the exposure aperture. A plurality of inverted gull wing shaped, spring flexure elements are positioned to extend across the magnetic layer at the side of the exposure aperture. Each flexure element has a fixed mounting plate attached to the backing plate coupled through an angled fixed leg to a mounting platform which in turn is coupled through a further angled leg back to a further plate such that the mounting plate is suspended toward the filmstrip magnetic layer. Magnetic recording head elements mounted to the mounting plates contact the magnetic layer across a variable spacing. Pitch motion is provided through the flexible legs in response to changes in filmstrip advancement tension. Roll motion compliance with the concave cross-film curvature is provided by a mounting platform gimball mechanism.

Magnetics-on-film image area recording head 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 multitrack head assembly has a plurality of magnetic heads arranged side-by-side along a transducing gap line extending across an upwardly facing tape-engaging surface which includes a series of elongated coplanar ribs alternating with low-pressure channels on both sides of and orthogonal to the gap line. For continuous in-contact recording, each rib is aligned with a particular one of the magnetic heads and has a width that is greater than the width of the transducing gap of the head with which it is aligned; furthermore, each rib has a gently curved tape-engaging surface with a radius of curvature R.sub.1 in a direction orthogonal to the gap line and a radius of curvature R.sub.2 in a direction substantially parallel with the gap line, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are not necessarily the same.

Multitrack magnetic head assembly having a tape-engaging surface

A bi-directional magnetic head assembly comprises a first write head adjacent to a read head, adjacent to a second write head. The three heads are in-line, so that the tape engages one or the other write head followed by the read head for either direction of tape motion. The central read head has slots on either side of its transducing region for skiving of entrained air and debris from the tape before the tape engages the transducing element of the read head for either direction of tape travel. On the other hand, each write head has only a single slot for skiving entrained air and debris; a slot being located in each write head structure outboard from the write transducing gap. In reading while writing during bi-directional operation, the write head first approached by the tape for a given direction of motion is the active, writing head. Because the slot is on the outboard side of each write head structure, skiving action occurs prior to the tape reaching the active write transducing gap. However, after the tape successively passes over the writing head and read head, it approaches the second, presently inactive write head from the inboard side of the second write head structure. The approach to the head gap from this direction is over a gently curved, unslotted portion of the second write head. Attendantly, there is minimal skiving action, and entrained air causes the tape to fly without substantially contacting the inactive write structure.

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Rancho Santa Fe, CA, United States of America

Wlodzimierz S Czarnecki