METHOD OF MAKING PRINTS FROM PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES

• US 3,576,369 A
• Filed: 12/19/1968
• Issued: 04/27/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1964
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard Wick, Roland Kohler, Schneider Othmar
• Original Assignee: Richard Wick, Roland Kohler, Schneider Othmar
• Inventors: Wick, Richard, Kohler, Roland, SCHNEIDER OTHMAR
• Application Number:
  US04/785,134
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• US Class Current: 355/77
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/24 with means for separately producing marks on the film, e.g. title, time of exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/245 Optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/002 using detachable memory means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/004 using markings on the photographic material, e.g. to indicate pseudo-panoramic exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/243 Optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/246 Details of the markings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/462 in enlargers, e.g. roll film printers
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 5/08 Photoprinting G03C5/18 takes precedence; Processes and means for preventing photoprinting
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/003 Marking, e.g. for re-printing
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter

Abstract

A method of making paper prints from photographic negatives which comprises providing customer films with coded information including a frame positioning mark adjacent to each satisfactory negative, splicing the films to form a strip, and conveying the strip through a printing station where the films are scanned to detect the marks to insure proper positioning of negatives during exposure of images on print paper. Successive marks are counted and appropriate serial numbers are applied to the rear sides of prints. A correction strip is conveyed with the prints to receive coded information including the serial numbers of unsatisfactory prints and information pertaining to the correction of exposure of negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints. The two strips are then returned to the printing station for corrected exposure of negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints.

Claims

1. A method of making paper prints from photographic negatives, comprising the steps of precoding a plurality of strip-shaped customer films each of which includes a series of negatives by providing such films with coded information which is punched into one end portion of each film and represents a customer number in binary code;

splicing the films into an elongated strip, one of said precoding and splicing steps being completed prior to completion of the other steps, conveying the strip through a printing station; and

decoding said information as the strip passes through said printing station.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said films are stored in magazines and said one end portion of each film extends from the respective magazine, said customer numbers being punched prior to withdrawing the films from their magazines.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said precoding step further comprises punching into one edge of each film a code mark in the region of the respective customer number, said decoding step including scanning said one edge of each customer film to detect the code mark and scanning the film for the presence of the respective customer number in response to such detection of a code mark.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of decoding the customer numbers at said printing station, storing the thus decoded information in a printer, and Utilizing the printer to apply customer numbers to corresponding prints.

5. A method of making paper prints from photographic negatives, comprising the steps of precoding a plurality of strip-shaped customer films each of which includes a series of negatives by providing such films with coded information, said precoding step including punching into each film frame positioning marks in regions adjacent to satisfactory negatives;

splicing the films into an elongated strip, one of said precoding and splicing steps being completed prior to completion of the other step, conveying the strip through a printing station, including scanning the films for the presence of frame positioning marks and arresting the strip in response to detection of consecutive frame positioning marks; and

decoding said information as the strip passes through said printing station.

6. A method of making paper prints from photographic negatives, comprising the steps of precoding a plurality of strip-shaped customer films each of which includes a series of negatives by providing such films with coded information;

splicing the films into an elongated strip, one of said precoding and splicing steps being completed prior to completion of the other step, conveying the strip through a printing station;

decoding said information as the strip passes through said printing station;

exposing the negatives seriatim onto print paper while the negatives advance through said printing station;

developing said paper to form prints thereon;

visually inspecting the prints on developed paper to detect unsatisfactory prints;

recording information on detection of unsatisfactory prints; and

utilizing such recorded information for renewed exposing of the respective negatives.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein said recording step comprises storing information pertaining to exposure correction for renewed exposing of the respective negatives.

8. A method of making paper prints from photographic negatives, comprising the steps of precoding a plurality of customer films each of which comprises a series of negatives by providing such films with coded information including a frame positioning mark in the region of the satisfactory negative;

splicing the thus precoded films to form an elongated strip;

conveying the strip through a printing station;

scanning the strip at said station to detect said frame positioning marks;

exposing at said station those negatives which are identified by said frame positioning marks onto print paper to form a succession of prints;

counting successive frame positioning marks on said strip and applying to successive prints serial numbers indicating the location of corresponding frame positioning marks on said strips;

inspecting successive prints for quality;

conveying with such prints a correction strip; and

encoding on said correction strip the serial numbers of unsatisfactory prints and information pertaining to the correction of exposure of negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the information pertaining to the correction of exposure of negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints is encoded manually upon visual inspection of prints.

10. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein said serial numbers are applied to the rear sides of the respective prints.

11. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising the steps of returning said elongated strip with said correction strip to said printing station and automatically exposing those negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints on the basis of said information pertaining to correction of exposure of such negatives.

12. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein said first mentioned step further comprises applying a code mark to the leading end of each film and wherein said counting step comprises scanning the code marks on said elongated strip and applying to successive prints fresh series of serial numbers in response to detection of successive code marks. Pg,26

13. A method of making paper prints from photographic negatives, comprising the steps of splicing a plurality of customer films each of which comprises a series of negatives to form an elongated strip;

precoding the thus spliced films with coded information including a frame positioning mark in the region of each satisfactory negative;

conveying the strip through a printing station;

scanning the strip at said station to detect said frame positioning marks;

exposing at said station those negatives which are identified by said frame positioning marks onto print paper to form a succession of prints;

counting successive frame positioning marks on said strip and applying to successive prints serial numbers indicating the location of corresponding frame positioning marks on said strip;

inspecting successive prints for quality;

conveying with such prints a correction strip; and

encoding on said correction strip the serial numbers of unsatisfactory prints and information pertaining to the correction of exposure of negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the information pertaining to the correction of exposure of negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints is encoded manually upon visual inspection of prints.

15. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising the steps of returning said elongated strip with said correction strip to said printing station and automatically exposing those negatives which yielded unsatisfactory prints on the basis of said information pertaining to correction of exposure of such negatives.