Photography – Plural image recording
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-04-24
Mathews, Alan A. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Plural image recording
C355S020000, C355S040000, C347S230000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223002
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a mechanism for and a method of pre-exposing camera film with decorative and/or message images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cameras designed to use a roll of negative film which is pre-exposed with images such as greeting messages and decorative borders on respective normal exposure frames, are known. Conventionally, the pre-exposure of such images is carried out by using hard copies of the images taken on, for example, positive films. This pre-exposure method is found to be inflexible in terms of the combination and/or order of the images to be pre-exposed on the film rolls.
The invention seeks to mitigate and/or at least alleviate such problems by providing a new mechanism for and a new method of pre-exposing camera film with images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a mechanism for pre-exposing a camera film with images, which mechanism comprises a control unit having a storage device for storing said images, a light generator controlled by the control unit to produce a scanning light beam for pre-exposing the film with the images, and a lens aligned with the tube for focusing the light beam onto the film for the image pre-exposure, the mechanism being arranged to be used at least partially in an absolute dark environment.
Preferably, the mechanism includes a color filter provided between the light generator and the lens for changing the color of the light beam.
More preferably, the filter is provided by a filter wheel which incorporates a plurality of filters of different colors.
It is preferred that the filter wheel is automatically rotatable under the control of the control unit.
In a preferred embodiment, a first support is provided for supporting a film feed spool holding a roll of the film, a second support is provided for supporting a film take-up spool to receive the film fed from the film feed spool, and the light generator and the lens are provided at an intermediate position between the two supports for pre-exposing the film in transit.
It is preferred that the mechanism includes a platform which is provided at the same intermediate position for supporting the film in transit for pre-exposure.
It is preferred that the mechanism includes an enclosure providing the absolute dark environment for housing the light generator and the lens.
More preferably, the enclosure has a central chamber for housing the light generator and the lens and opposite side chambers for housing the respective spools.
Advantageously, the mechanism is adapted to pre-expose a bulk roll of film for subsequently cutting into a plurality of shorter film roll strips for individual use in a camera.
The mechanism preferably includes a sensor arranged to detect a preformed hole of the film for determining the position of the film.
In a preferred embodiment, the light generator is provided by a cathode ray tube.
The invention also provides a method of pre-exposing a camera film with images, which method comprises the steps of providing an absolute dark environment, providing a control unit having a storage device, storing the images in the storage device, providing a light generator to produce a scanning light beam, under the control of the control unit, for pre-exposing the film with said images, and providing a lens aligned with the tube for focusing the light beam onto the film for the image pre-exposure.
Preferably, the method includes the step of providing a color filter between the light generator and the lens for changing the color of the light beam.
It is preferred that the method includes the steps of providing a first support for supporting a film feed spool holding a roll of the film, providing a second support for supporting a film take-up spool to receive the film fed from the film feed spool, and placing the light generator and the lens at an intermediate position between the two supports for pre-exposing the film in transit.
More preferably, the method includes the step of providing a platform at the same intermediate position for supporting the film in transit for pre-exposure.
In a preferred embodiment, the method is adapted to pre-expose a bulk roll of film, and includes the step of subsequently cutting the pre-exposed film into a plurality of shorter film roll strips for individual use in a camera.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4536848 (1985-08-01), D'Entremont et al.
patent: 5307108 (1994-04-01), Yamanouchi et al.
patent: 0692738A (1996-01-01), None
patent: 0766128A (1997-04-01), None
Mathews Alan A.
Samuels Gauthier & Stevens
LandOfFree
Film pre-exposure mechanism and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Film pre-exposure mechanism and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Film pre-exposure mechanism and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2443887