Full frame/panoramic photographic printing apparatus and method

Abstract

A photographic printing apparatus for processing both full frame and panoramic prints from a roll of film containing negatives which have been selectively exposed in either full frame format or panoramic format is disclosed herein, along with its method of operation. The apparatus includes a printing station for receiving successively exposed negatives from the roll of film and an arrangement for electro-optically determining the density of each negative within the printing station at a number of sensing points on the negative. A format status determining arrangement, preferably one which is computerized, responds to the density of the given negative at the various sensing points for determining if the negative contains a full frame image or a panoramic image, or is blank or entirely fogged. If the particular negative at the printing station is determined to contain a full frame image, the printing apparatus makes a print from the negative in the full frame format and if it is determined that the negative contains a panoramic image, the print in made in the panoramic format. On the other hand, if the negative is determined to be a blank or entirely fogged, the apparatus moves that negative out of the print station without making a print.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.