Patent ID: 6147779
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
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; andi) repeating steps a) through h) until the film has been completely scanned.