US5006873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implicit mid roll interrupt protection code for camera using dedicated magnetic tracks on film
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1989-12-05
•
Granted: 1991-04-09
•
Expires: 2009-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as (for example) the film manufacturer, the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that begin and end in individual frames. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters related to the corresponding frame. All data is recorded as N-bit character where N is preferably six. Each track is preceeded by certain six-bit character called an ID sentinel. On-film magnetic data recording by the film manufacturer uses an ID sentinel different from that employed in the camera. The camera automatically prevents exposure of any frame bearing a camera ID sentinel, thus providing protection from double exposures.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Wash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:10
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/62; G11B5/633; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/24; G03B2206/00; G03B2206/004; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/24; G03B2217/242; G03B2217/244; G03B2217/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In a camera having a magnetic read/write system with a magnetic head and adapted to receive magnetically coated film, a method of preventing double exposures of individual frames of said film, said film adapted to recording of magnetic data therein by the manufacturer, thereof prior to being received in said camera, said method comprising: recording data, including a camera-dedicated ID sentinel, with each exposure by said camera of a frame in said film so as to record at least one magnetic track in said film which starts at a location proximal said frame; transporting successive frames of said film past said magnetic head while causing said magnetic system to search for data corresponding to said camera ID sentinel until finding one frame in which said magnetic system senses an absence of camera-dedicated ID sentinels, and thereupon juxtaposing said one frame in said camera in preparation for the exposure of said one frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a camera having a magnetic read/write system with a magnetic head and adapted to receive magnetically coated film, a method of preventing double exposures of individual frames of said film, said film adapted to recording of magnetic data therein by the manufacturer, thereof prior to being received in said camera, said method comprising: recording data, including a camera-dedicated ID sentinel, with each exposure by said camera of a frame in said film so as to record at least one magnetic track in said film which starts at a location proximal said frame; transporting successive frames of said film past said magnetic head while causing said magnetic system to search for data corresponding to said camera ID sentinel until finding one frame in which said magnetic system senses an absence of camera-dedicated ID sentinels, and thereupon juxtaposing said one frame in said camera in preparation for the exposure of said one frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said film manufacturer records on said film a manufacturer-dedicated ID sentinel different from said camera-dedicated ID sentinel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said data is representable by a set of symbols excluding said camera-dedicated ID sentinel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
A photographic camera comprising film transport means operated to position successive unexposed frames of a filmstrip normally stored in a lighttight cassette for exposure, is characterized by including: read/write means responsive to exposure of respective film frames for providing corresponding film encodements at locations along the filmstrip proximate the respective film frames to indicate each film frame is exposed, and for sensing whether a film encodement exists for an individual frame to determine whether that frame is exposed; and control means, responsive to said read/write means sensing whether film encodements exist for respective film frames during operation of said film transport means, for operating the film transport means to position the next-available unexposed frame for exposure when a cassette containing a filmstrip that is partially exposed is placed in said camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
A photographic camera comprising film transport means operated to position successive unexposed frames of a filmstrip normally stored in a lighttight cassette for exposure, is characterized by including: read/write means responsive to exposure of respective film frames for providing corresponding film encodements at locations along the filmstrip proximate the respective film frames to indicate each film frame is exposed, and for sensing whether a film encodement exists for an individual frame to determine whether that frame is exposed; and control means, responsive to said read/write means sensing whether film encodements exist for respective film frames during operation of said film transport means, for operating the film transport means to position the next-available unexposed frame for exposure when a cassette containing a filmstrip that is partially exposed is placed in said camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The camera of claim 4 wherein said read/write means comprise magnetic head means for recording and sensing magnetic signals in a magnetic layer in said film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The camera of claim 5 wherein said magnetic head means record and sense said magnetic signals in said magnetic layer in respective longitudinal magnetic tracks within respective ones of said frames while said transport means moves said film with respect to said magnetic head means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The camera of claim 6 wherein said read/write means further comprise means for controlling said magnetic head means to record and sense magnetic signals in one of a plurality of longitudinal mutually parallel magnetic tracks in each frame in said film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a photographic camera comprising film transport means operated to position successive unexposed frames of a filmstrip for exposure, the improvement comprising: read/write means responsive to exposure of respective film frames for providing corresponding exposure indicia in the filmstrip in locations thereon which are spatially correlated to exposed ones of said respective frames, and for sensing whether an exposure indicia exists for an individual frame; and control means coupled to said read/write means, for operating the film transport means to position the next-available frame for which said read/write means senses an absence of said exposure indicia whenever a filmstrip is loaded into said camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a photographic camera comprising film transport means operated to position successive unexposed frames of a filmstrip for exposure, the improvement comprising: read/write means responsive to exposure of respective film frames for providing corresponding exposure indicia in the filmstrip in locations thereon which are spatially correlated to exposed ones of said respective frames, and for sensing whether an exposure indicia exists for an individual frame; and control means coupled to said read/write means, for operating the film transport means to position the next-available frame for which said read/write means senses an absence of said exposure indicia whenever a filmstrip is loaded into said camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said read/write means comprise magnetic head means for recording and sensing magnetic signals in a magnetic layer in said film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said magnetic head means record and sense said magnetic signals in said magnetic layer in respective longitudinal magnetic tracks within respective ones of said frames while said transport means moves said film with respect to said magnetic head means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein said read/write means further comprise means for controlling said magnetic head means to record and sense magnetic signals in one of a plurality of longitudinal mutually parallel magnetic tracks in each frame in said film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said read/write means comprise means for recording and reading encoded magnetic signals representing predetermined binary values.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2937914A
Cited
US3379095A
Cited
US3603974A
Cited
US3736849A
Cited
US3718074A
Cited
DE2159466A1
Cited
US3828356A
Cited
US3797025A
Cited
US3782947A
Cited
US3807851A
Cited
US3889281A
Cited
US3810218A
Cited
US3971049A
Cited
US3843956A
Cited
DD225088A3
Cited
FR2295453A1
Cited
US4025931A
Cited
US4001846A
Cited
US3995289A
Cited
US4384771A
Cited
US4079388A
Cited
US4054920A
Cited
US4182560A
Cited
US4211558A
Cited
US4074294A
Cited
US4073588A
Cited
US4120572A
Cited
US4042298A
Cited
US4117502A
Cited
US4112444A
Cited
US4150882A
Cited
JPS53106115A
Cited
US4199242A
Cited
DE2746036A1
Cited
US4198136A
Cited
US4194817A
Cited
US4235544A
Cited
US4215920A
Cited
EP0011086B1
Cited
US4340286A
Cited
US4251156A
Cited
US4270854A
Cited
US4422752A
Cited
US4270853A
Cited
US4344683A
Cited
US4362369A
Cited
US4349272A
Cited
US4327979A
Cited
JPS5695232A
Cited
US4500183A
Cited
US4443077A
Cited
US4368967A
Cited
GB2083652A
Cited
US4437742A
Cited
US4361388A
Cited
US4574319A
Cited
US4365882A
Cited
US4497552A
Cited
US4400457A
Cited
JPS58128893A
Cited
US4441807A
Cited
US4443099A
Cited
US4577961A
Cited
US4548492A
Cited
JPS59104635A
Cited
US4553833A
Cited
US4515452A
Cited
JPS59162549A
Cited
JPS59201055A
Cited
US4511229A
Cited
JPS6014239A
Cited
US4544259A
Cited
JPS6053952A
Cited
US4554591A
Cited
US4613911A
Cited
US4493547A
Cited
JPS60185941A
Cited
JPS60185940A
Cited
US4684229A
Cited
US4659198A
Cited
US4583831A
Cited
US4659213A
Cited
US4689696A
Cited
JPS62112142A
Cited
JPS62112141A
Cited
US4774534A
Cited
JPS61246730A
Cited
US4779145A
Cited
US4728978A
Cited
US4702580A
Cited
EP0246799A1
Cited
US4797713A
Cited
US4705372A
Cited
US4736215A
Cited
JPS63165836A
Cited
JPS63165835A
Cited
EP0293887A2
Cited
US4811042A
Cited
US4864332A
Cited
US4878075A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-08 | 1994-10-08 | 1995-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-08 | 1998-10-08 | 1999-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-08 | 2002-10-08 | 2003-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |