US 6,147,779 A · Digital automated roll carrier film scan mechanism

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing localized control of film, allowing high speed and high resolution continuous digital scanning of the film. The method includes continuously and precisely transporting the film, capturing successive slit images, and storing the images. The apparatus includes the use of a drive system to control the transport of the media being scanned. In a preferred embodiment, a dual capstan drive system under the control of a single motor provides localized tension and location control for the continuous transport of the film to be scanned, the capstans comprising a metal shaft. The preferred embodiment further comprises pinch rollers immediately adjacent to the capstans, the pinch rollers comprising a metal shaft covered with an elastomeric material. As a result of the accurate localized control of the film, high speed scanning is possible.

Claims17

Dependent claims

In a method of scanning a film containing a plurality of visual images and converting the plurality of visual images after such scanning into digital form, the improvement comprising the steps of:

a) providing a scanning means including a scan slit;
b) providing a transport means for transporting the film to be scanned in close proximity to said scan slit, said transport means including a supply film reel with the film to be scanned wound thereabout, a pair of capstans, a pair of pinch rollers, and a take-up film reel;
c) automatically threading the film to be scanned through said transport means to said take-up film reel;
d) continuously driving said capstans to accurately and locally with respect to said scan slit, transport the film to be scanned past said scan slit;
e) projecting, with said scanning means, a slit image from said scan slit;
f) capturing a one-dimensional representation of said projected slit image;
g) converting said slit image to digital form;
h) storing said digital image;
and
i) repeating steps a) through h) until the film has been completely scanned.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digital automated roll carrier film scan mechanism

Life of this patent

Digital automated roll carrier film scan mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17