Methods and apparatus for transporting and positioning film in a digital film processing system

A digital film development transport system, comprising:

• a film support adapted to support developing film;
• a drive mechanism adapted to move the developing film over the film support;
• and
• a trap door mechanism adjacent to the film support and adapted to move between a closed position configured to allow film to travel over the trap door mechanism and an open position configured to allow film to travel through an opening.

A method for creating a digital image file from a developing film, comprising:

• applying developer to film to cause the film to begin to develop;
• placing the developing film in tension;
• applying radiation to a frame on the tensioned film during a first development time;
• sensing first radiation from the frame during the first development time;
• and
• creating a first digital image file using the sensed first radiation.

A modular digital film development system, comprising:

• a first film scanning module including a first mounting member holding:
• a film guide assembly adapted to receive developing film, a source of radiation, and a sensor adapted to sense radiation from the developing film;
• and
• a second film scanning module including a second mounting member holding:
• a film guide assembly adapted to receive developing film from the first module, a source of radiation, and a sensor adapted to sense radiation from the developing film;
• wherein the first and second mounting members are separable members.

A method for creating a digital image file from a developing film, comprising:

• attaching a leader strip to a lead edge of the film;
• threading the leader strip and attached film through first and second scanning modules, wherein the scanning modules are separable;
• attaching tape to the film such that the tape extends from a film side edge;
• applying developer to the film to cause the film to begin to develop;
• contacting the tape with belts and moving the belts to move the tape and attached film through the first scanning module;
• scanning the film using the first scanning module to create a first digital image of the film during a first film development time, wherein the film is placed in tension during the scanning;
• moving the film through an opening between the first and second modules;
• and
• scanning the film using the second scanning module to create a second digital image of the film during a second film development time.

In a film processing system, a system for transporting strip of photographic film, comprising:

• (a) a processing unit, the processing unit having a process space for processing the photographic film;
• (b) a first pair of belts spaced by a selected distance and extending along a process path through the processing space of the processing unit, the first pair of belts being spaced and adapted to contact opposite lateral portions of a first side of a film strip without contacting a central portion of the first side of the film strip between the opposite lateral portions of the first side;
• (c) a second pair of spaced belts spaced by the predefined distance and extending along the process path through the processing space of the processing units, the second pair of belts spaced and adapted to contact lateral portions of a second side of the film strip without contacting a central portion of the film strip between the opposite lateral portions of the second side;
• and
• (d) a drive assembly for moving the first and second sets of belts through the process space in unison, the first and second pairs of belts being arranged so that one of the belts in the first pair cooperates with a corresponding belt in the second pair to capture one of the lateral portions of the film and the other one of the belts in the first pair cooperates with a corresponding belt in the second pair to capture the other of the lateral portions of the film, the first and second sets of belts jointly transporting the interposed film strip along the process path without contacting the central portion of the film.

An apparatus for transporting a film strip having first and second sides through an scanning assembly, comprising:

• a light source for passing light through a film strip as the film strip is passed through the scanning assembly;
• a control surface operative to control the position and orientation of the film strip as the film strip is moved through the scanning assembly;
• and
• a belt assembly including at least one movable belt operative to engage a first surface of a film strip and to urge the film strip against the control surface, the belt assembly and the control surface being jointly operative to capture an interposed film strip and move the interposed film strip in a predetermined orientation and position relative to the scanning assembly.

A method of presenting a portion of a film strip to an imaging station, comprising the steps of:

• (a) urging a portion of a film strip against an arcuate control surface;
• (b) rotating the control surface to move the portion of the film strip to a scanning location;
• (c) subjecting a portion of the film strip to a radiation source at the scanning location;
• and
• (d) sensing radiation from the film strip at the scanning location.

A method for transporting film through a scanning system, the method comprising the steps of:

• attaching a tape strip to a film strip such that a portion of the tape extends from a side edge of the film strip;
• engaging the portion of the tape strip extending from the side edge of the film strip to move the tape strip and attached film strip;
• and
• scanning the film strip attached to the tape strip to create a first digital image file.

A digital film development system, comprising:

• a tape strip;
• a film strip attached to the tape strip;
• a transport mechanism adapted to contact the tape strip and to move the tape strip and the attached film strip;
• a source of radiation adapted to apply radiation to the film strip;
• and
• a sensor adapted to sense radiation from the film strip and to create a digital image file of an image on the film strip.

A method for creating an image from film, the method comprising the steps of:

• attaching a trailing edge of a leader strip to a leading edge of a film strip;
• threading the leader strip through a film transport system;
• using the film transport system to move the leader and attached film;
• applying developer to the film to cause the film to begin to develop;
• applying radiation to the developing film;
• and
• sensing radiation from the developing film.

A digital film development system, comprising:

• a splicer configured to attach a leader strip to a film strip;
• a film transport system configured to move the leader strip and attached film strip;
• a developer dispenser adapted to apply developer to the film strip;
• a radiation source configured to apply radiation to the developing film;
• and
• a sensor adapted to sense radiation from the developing film and to create a digital image file from the sensed radiation.

A film transport system comprising:

• a photographic film strip having sprocket holes near opposing edges of the film strip;
• a leader strip narrower than the photographic film strip and attached to a lead end of the photographic film strip;
• a pair of oppositely disposed sprockets having teeth engaging the sprocket holes on the photographic film strip;
• and
• a roller connecting the sprockets and supporting the leader strip.

A digital film development system, comprising:

• a developer dispenser configured to apply developer to a film;
• a source configured to apply radiation to the developing film;
• a sensor configured to sense radiation from the developing film;
• and
• a single drive mechanism adapted to move the developing film past the source and sensor.