Quality control method and apparatus for photographic pictures

• US 4,344,683 A
• Filed: 09/18/1980
• Issued: 08/17/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG (Agfa-Gevaert N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG (Agfa-Gevaert N.V.)
• Inventors: Stemme, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Donald A.
• Application Number:
  US06/188,278
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 355/40, 355/77, 354/106, 354/107, 354/109, 354/110, 354/202 FF, 356/390
• US Class Current: 396/317
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/245 Optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/004 using markings on the photographic material, e.g. to indicate pseudo-panoramic exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/006 of the bar-code type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/52 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/521 Arrangements for applying a supplementary information onto the sensitive material, e.g. coding producing marks on the film in cameras G03B17/24
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 11/02 Marking or applying text
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 5/08 Photoprinting G03C5/18 takes precedence; Processes and means for preventing photoprinting

Abstract

A test pattern in form of a raster or the like is imaged in a camera onto a margin of a film frame. When the film frame is subsequently converted into a negative which is thereafter printed as a positive, the test pattern is printed in the margin of the photographic image on the positive. Should the image be blurred, it is possible to determine whether the cause of blurring occurred in the camera or during printing, by examining the test pattern which, if blurring occurred in the camera, will be sharp but will itself be blurred if the blurring of the image occurred during printing. The pattern can also be applied to the film frame by the film manufacturer or else in a pre-splicer prior to developing of the exposed film. A method, an apparatus and a pattern carrier are disclosed.

Claims

1. A quality control method for photographic pictures, comprising the steps of imaging a test pattern onto a marginal area of a film frame, the test pattern being a raster pattern having zones of different raster frequency and including a component indicative of image sharpness;

upon conversion of the film frame into a negative, printing the test pattern in a marginal area of a positive made from the negative so that, in the event the photographic image on the positive is blurred, the absence or presence of blurring of the printed test pattern indicates whether blurring of the photographic image occurred during picture-taking or during printing of the positive; and

wherein the step of imaging is carried out during manufacture of the photographic film.

2. Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, comprising means for carrying a test pattern to be imaged;

and an imaging station in a pre-splicer.

3. Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, by imaging a test pattern onto a film frame in a photograhic camera having a film window in which the film frame is exposed, comprising first means for carrying a test pattern to be imaged, said first means being situated outside the film window;

second means activatable for imaging the test pattern onto a portion of a film frame located in a marginal zone of the film window; and

wherein said test pattern comprises a first component indicative of image sharpness, and a second component having at least three zones which are respectively colored in the three additive or substractive primary colors.