METHOD OF RECORDING THE FIRST FRAME IN A TIME INDEX SYSTEM

• US 3,877,799 A
• Filed: 02/06/1974
• Issued: 04/15/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: O'Donnell, Leopold Henry
• Original Assignee: O'Donnell, Leopold Henry
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Leopold Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Monroe H.
• Application Number:
  US05/439,918
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 352/92 354/105
• US Class Current: 352/92
• 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 2217/243 Optical devices

Abstract

This invention relates to a system for recording an identification code at the beginning frames of each shooting sequence on film in a movie camera. In applicant'"'"''"'"'s co-pending application Ser. No. 371,492, apparatus is described which records indexing information on the edge of a film in a movie camera. The apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources adjacent the film edge and in a position in a camera to expose the film edge. The sources are disposed across the film edge so that the indexing signal produced by the sources will be exposures in the direction of travel of the film. In the above application, it is proposed two successive fifteens be used to identify the first frame of a shooting sequence. The present application teaches a system for producing this code, or other codes, which will be recorded adjacent to the beginning frames of a shooting sequence. The system comprises a detector for detecting the camera motor speed and for providing an output when the motor reaches the operating speed of the camera. The output controls a means for activating the light sources (which are preferably LEDS) on receiving the output from the detector. The system also includes means for measuring elapsed frames and for deactivating the light source driving means after a predetermined number of frames elapses, preferably four frames.

Claims

1. A system for recording an identification code on the beginning frames of a shooting sequence on a film in a movie camera, and used in conjunction with a multi-track format apparatus for exposing indexing information on the edge of said film;

said camera comprising a driving motor;

said apparatus comprising a source with a plurality of light sources placed adjacent the film edge and disposed across said film edge; and

said system comprising, detecting means for detecting the speed of said drivinG motor;

said detecting means providing a driving signal when the driving motor reaches its operating speed;

light source activating and elapsed frame counting means connected to said detecting means for connecting an activating signal to at least one of said plurality of light sources for a predetermined number of frame periods on reception of said driving signal and for counting frames elapsed after the activating signal has been connected;

said activating signal being disconnected from said at least one of said plurality of light sources after said predetermined number of frame periods, and during alternate frame periods within said predetermined number of frame periods.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of light sources is equal to four light sources whereby said apparatus comprises four track apparatus.

3. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein an inhibiting signal is connected to said beams to which said activating signal is not connected, whereby, when said beams which are activated are activated, the remainder of said beams will be inhibited.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined number of frame periods is equal to four frame periods.

5. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said activating signal is connected to all of said four beams, whereby said identification code is 1,1,1,1 1,1,1,1.

6. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said detecting means comprises a tachometer.

7. A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said light sources comprise LEDS.

8. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said first frame identifying means comprises three D-type flip-flops, each said flip-flop comprising a data input terminal, a trigger input terminal and Q and Q output terminals;

said first frame identifying means further comprising two two-input AND gates;

said system further comprising a shift pulse generator;

the output of said detecting means being connected with the data input terminal of a first one of said three flip-flops;

the Q output terminal of said first flip-flop being connected to the data input terminal of a second one of said three flip-flops;

the Q output terminal of said second flip-flop being connected to the data input terminal of a third one of said three flip-flops;

the Q output terminal of said third flip-flop being connected to one input terminal of a first one of said two AND gates;

the Q output terminal of said first flip-flop being connected to the second input terminal of said first AND gate;

the output terminal of said first AND gate being connected to one input terminal of a second one of said two AND gates;

the output terminal of said shift pulse generator being connected to the second input terminal of said second AND gate;

the output terminal of said shift pulse generator being further connected to the trigger input terminals of said first, second and third flip-flops;

the output terminal of said second AND gate being connected to said sources to activate said sources when an output appears at the output terminal of said second AND gate.