Film scanner with variable rate image enhancement

Abstract

The system and method are used to convert images on motion picture film or slides to video signals. Color corrections in the video signals are made by adjusting not only the color balance, but also the color hue and saturation, as well as the separate component parts of the luminance signal. During the first phase of operation, the 'load' mode, a 'standard' set of color correction values is selected so as to provide a video picture which is pleasing to the eye. Then the whole film is color-corrected by providing incremental adjustment signals to be added to or subtracted from the 'standard' values for each different scene on the film. The incremental adjustment values are stored in the memory of a digital computer. A frame counter provides a count of the frame at which a color correction is made. Furthermore, each color correction of a frame is given an 'event' number. The event and frame numbers are stored together with the adjustment values for each scene or frame. During the second phase of operation, the 'run' mode, a video tape recording of the color-corrected video signals is produced by re-running the motion picture film through the system, while reference values for the color corrections, together with incremental values previously stored, are read out, added together, and sent through a film chain. The color-corrected video signals from the film chain are sent to a video tape recorder which records them in a continuous record on tape.