Optical code reader head for photographic film

An apparatus (274, 276) for reading optical code on an edge of a web of photographic film includes a housing (284) having a slot (286) through which an edge of the web may be transported; a light source (290) mounted on one side of the slot; a code reader (294) mounted on the other side of the slot; a frame (138, 140) for supporting the housing; and a mechanism (302-310) for moving the housing relative to the frame to adjust a location of the code reader relative to an edge of a web.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention is related in general to optical code reader heads for 
photographic film. More particularly, the invention concerns such heads 
which include features for precisely adjusting their lateral position 
relative to an edge of a moving web. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In high volume photographic printers, features are known for flattening a 
processed film strip to facilitate printing. For example, commonly 
assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,874 discloses a film flattening apparatus of 
the type shown in FIG. 1 of this description. Such known apparatus 10 is 
particularly suitable for use in photo-finishing apparatus in which the 
film enters and leaves along paths disposed in essentially the same plane 
as an exposure aperture. One such photo-finishing apparatus is a high 
speed printer currently available from Eastman Kodak Company under the 
designation KODAK

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following is a derailed description of the preferred embodiments of the 
invention, reference being made to the drawings in which the same 
reference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each of the 
several Figures. 
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9, various features of the apparatus of the 
invention can be understood. Film strip 12 includes a film code 60 along 
one or both edges, such as a bar code identifying the product type and 
frame number, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,139. Such a film strip 
is fed across a support or deck plate 62 having apertures 64, 66 for 
mounting the plate to an associated apparatus, such as a photographic 
printer. A shallow image relief slot 68 is provided across the deck plate 
to avoid scratching images in frames 20. A film deflector support plate 70 
is positioned just above an opening 72 through the deck plate. For some 
applications, support plate 70 may be lowered to close opening 72 and 
bypass the film code reader of the invention. So, an image relief slot 68a 
is provided across the support plate, to align with slot 68. A frame 74 is 
mounted to an under side of deck plate 62. 
As seen best in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9, frame 74 includes a pair of vertically 
extended slide surfaces 76, 78 which engage a pair of flanges 80, 82 on a 
cantilevered carriage frame 84. A pair of keeper plates 86, 88 hold the 
flanges against the slide surfaces. A pair of guide rollers 90, 92 are 
mounted to flange 82 and extend into a pair of vertically extended slots 
94, 96 formed through slide surface 78. Thus, carriage frame 84 can move 
vertically relative to frame 74. A mechanism for moving the carriage frame 
will be described subsequently. 
Frame 84 includes an essentially vertical back wall 98 from which extend a 
pair of parallel cantilever arms 100, 102 whose outer ends are joined by a 
front wall 104. A motor 106 is mounted to back wall 98, with an output 
shaft 108 of the motor extended through the back wall. A driver gear 110 
is mounted for rotation with shaft 108. As best seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, 
a pair of bearings 112, 114 are supported by walls 98, 104, respectively, 
and rotatably support a lead screw 116. As viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7, lead 
screw 116 includes on one half a right hand threaded portion and on the 
Other half a left hand threaded portion. Those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that a pair of oppositely threaded, coaxial lead screws also 
could be used rather than a single, integral lead screw. Mounted on one 
threaded portion is a traveling nut 118; and on the other threaded 
portion, a traveling nut 120. Thus, when the lead screw is rotated, the 
two traveling nuts will move toward or away from each other. A pair of 
flexures such as coil springs 122, 124 are mounted around the lead screw 
between the traveling nuts, along with sliding collars 126, 128. A driven 
gear 130 is mounted to an end of the lead screw near back wall 98, in 
position to mesh with driver gear 110. Thus, rotation of motor 106 will 
drive the traveling nuts back and forth on the lead screw. 
Cantilever arms 100, 102 are provided on their upper surfaces with a pair 
of parallel guide tracks 132, 134 separated by an open center slot 136. 
Within slot 136, a pair of carriage members 138, 140 are mounted, each 
carriage member having on its under side a pocket or holder 142 for one of 
nuts 118, 120, one of springs 122, 124 and one of collars 126, 128. As 
best seen in FIG. 9, each carriage block includes a pair of laterally 
extended flanges 144, 146 whose under surfaces engage tracks 132, 134, 
respectively. Below the tracks, a pair of keeper plates 145, 147 are 
attached to the sides of the carriage members to limit vertical movement, 
as seen in FIGS. 6 and 9. Thus, movement of traveling nuts 118, 120 causes 
the carriage members to slide toward or away from each other on tracks 
132, 134. 
Attached to the front vertical surface of each carriage block is a vertical 
edge guide member 148 having spaced vertical wall segments 150, 152, 154 
for engaging the very edges of a film strip. A pair of identical 
horizontal edge guide members 156, 158 are mounted with one in front of 
each vertical edge guide member. As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, each guide 
member 156, 158 includes an undulating, horizontal contact surface 160 
having a general serpentine configuration much like that described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,055,874. Contact surface 160 engages an under surface of a film 
strip immediately adjacent one of edges 16, 18. As shown in FIG. 8, 
contact surface 160 includes a centrally positioned curved portion 162 
flanked by further, downwardly curved portions 164, 166, all shaped to 
provide lateral strength to a film strip wrapped onto them, in the manner 
previously described. Although central portion 162 preferably is curved, 
it alternatively may be essentially flat without departing from the scope 
of the invention. Adjacent to curved portions 164, 166 are a pair of 
valley portions 168, 170 into each of which a film deflecting roller is 
lowered, in a manner to be described subsequently. Outboard of the valley 
portions, a pair of upwardly curved portions 172, 174 are provided. An 
undulating, upwardly sloped wall portion 176 is provided to guide a film 
strip upward to engagement with contact surface 160 and wall segments 150, 
152, 154. A pair of fasteners 178 secure guide members 148 and guide 
members 156, 158 to their respective carriage members. 
In operation of the adjustable edge guides thus far described, a film strip 
is threaded between guides 156, 158, which initially are separated by a 
distance greater than the transverse width of the film. Motor 106 is then 
operated to rotate lead screw 116 and cause traveling nuts 118, 120 to 
move toward each other. As the nuts move, they tend to compress springs 
122, 124 which press on collars 126, 128 to transmit force to carriage 
members 138, 140. Movement of the carriage members proceeds until a 
position is reached corresponding to a separation between guide members 
148 approximately equal to the transverse width of the film. As the edge 
guides move into engagement with the film, the film rides up sloping 
surface 176 onto undulating support surface 160, where the edges of the 
film contact vertical guide members 148. The corresponding position of the 
carriage members is detected by one or more sensors 179, visible in FIGS. 
8 and 9, mounted on an under surface of cantilever arm 100 or 102 or both. 
Sensor 179 may be a conventional proximity type of sensor which responds 
to presence of magnets 179m carded by a transverse flange on keepers 145, 
147. Sensor 179 can detect a plurality of spaced positions of the carriage 
member corresponding to different widths of film. Separate sensors for 
each film width may be used, plus a further sensor for a reference 
position when the edge guides are separated to a maximum extent. A signal 
from sensor 179 is sent to the controller for the apparatus, to be 
described subsequently, which stops motor 106 after a predetermined amount 
of additional rotation. The additional rotation compresses springs 122, 
124 to provide a precise, resilient load against edges 16, 18. As a 
result, the apparatus can handle films of different widths and, due to the 
resilient loading of the edge guides against the film, is insensitive to 
variations in the width of the film. The edge guides will not 
over-constrain the film path since they will track with the film rather 
than track the film. 
Turning now to FIGS. 10 to 13, additional features of the apparatus of the 
invention can be understood. A slide support plate 180, seen in FIGS. 10 
and 13, is mounted in spaced relationship to the back of frame 74 by means 
of a pair of shafts 181, 183 which support a pair of pivot blocks 182, 
184; and by a fastener 185. On the back surface of support plate 180, a 
vertical slide 186 is mounted in position to pivotably mount support plate 
70. A pair of guide rollers 188, 190 are mounted to the front of slide 186 
in position to engage slots 192, 194 through support plate 180. A pair of 
guide tracks 196, 198 secure the slide for vertical movement and are 
attached to support plate 180 by fasteners 200, 202. Thus, slide 186 is 
free to move vertically between limits set by slots 192, 194. 
Between support plate 180 and the back of frame 74 is mounted a mechanism 
for vertically moving carriage frame 84 and slide 186. As seen best in 
FIGS. 10 to 13, this mechanism comprises a pair of cam follower or 
elevator levers 204, 206 mounted to pivot blocks 182, 184. Between the 
elevator levers, a dual cam plate 208 is mounted for rotation on an axle 
209 cantilevered from frame 74. Cam plate 208 includes in each of its 
opposite faces a cam slot 210, the slots on the opposite sides being about 
180.degree. out of phase. Approximately midway along each elevator lever, 
an axle 212 supports a cam follower 214, shown in phantom in FIG. 11, 
which engages one of slots 210. To rotate cam plate 208, a motor 216 is 
mounted to the front side of frame 74, the motor having an output shaft 
218 which extends through a bore in the frame. A driver pinion gear 220 is 
mounted on shaft 218 and engages a larger gear 222 fixedly mounted on a 
common shaft with a smaller gear 224 which engages a gear 226 on the 
periphery of the cam plate. Thus, when motor 216 is energized, the cam 
plate will rotate and cause the elevator links to pivot in opposite 
directions. 
As best seen in FIG. 13, a slot 228 at the free end of elevator link 204 is 
engaged with a rotary connector 230 which extends through a slot 232 in 
frame 74 and connects to carriage frame 84. Similarly, a slot 234 in 
elevator link 206 is engaged with a rotary connector 236, shown in the 
upper part of FIG. 13, which extends through a slot 238 in support plate 
180 and connects to slide 186. Thus, movement of elevator links 204, 206 
in the manner previously described will cause carriage frame 84 and an 
assembly of slide 186 and support plate 70 to move toward or away from 
each other. Movement of the carriage frame and slide is monitored by means 
of a disk 240 resiliently mounted on shaft 209. A plurality of magnetic 
inserts 242 on the disk influence a magnetic sensor 244 mounted to support 
plate 180. Sensor 244 then provides a signal to the controller for the 
apparatus, to indicate the relative vertical positions of the carriage 
frame and slide, for a purpose to be described subsequently. A spring 246 
separates disk 240 from the cam plate. 
At the top of slide 186 is provided a horizontally extended mounting 
bracket 248. An axle 250 and a pair of springs 252 resiliently pivot film 
deflector support plate 70 to bracket 248. A captured screw, not 
illustrated but operable by an external knob 253, may be used to hold 
support plate 70 against bracket 248 in the horizontal position shown in 
FIGS. 2 and 3. When the screw is turned out of engagement with bracket 
248, support plate 70 can pivot upward to provide access to the interior 
of the apparatus for cleaning or adjustments, its motion being limited by 
a pair of stops 254, 256. As seen best in FIGS. 12 and 13, support plate 
70 includes on its under side two pairs of downwardly extended bosses 258, 
260 which rotatably support a pair of film deflector rollers 262, 264 on 
axles 266, 268. Each roller includes a pair of raised edges 270, 272 for 
contacting the opposite edges of the film, outside frames 20 to prevent 
damage to the photographic images. 
In operation of the apparatus described thus far with reference to FIGS. 10 
to 13, motor 216 is energized to move carriage frame 84 upward and support 
plate 70 downward. Deflector rollers 262, 274 engage the film. The edge 
guides then are moved into position in the manner previously described. As 
a result of these movements, the film is deflected into a serpentine path 
along surface 160 to provide lateral column strength in the manner 
previously described and to constrain the film against central curved 
portion 162. The depth of movement of rollers 262, 264 into valley 
portions 168, 170 will determine the final serpentine path of the film. 
For thicker films, the depth of engagement will be less than that required 
for thinner films, to provide the desired lateral column strength. For 
stiffer films, the depth of engagement will decrease. For a film of given 
thickness and stiffness, an increase in transverse width of the film will 
require a deeper engagement. Sensor 244 is used to signal the controller 
of the apparatus when carriage frame 84 and support plate 70 have reached 
the proper position for a given film format. 
FIGS. 9 and 14 show features of a pair of optical code reader heads 274, 
276 used to read optical codes on the film as it moves over curved central 
portion 162. Reader heads are provided for both edges of the film in the 
illustrated embodiment; however, a single reader head one only one 
carriage member may be used when the optical codes will appear on only one 
edge of the film. Each of carrier members 138, 140 includes a pair of 
parallel guide tracks 278, 280 which act as a frame to support transverse 
slider flanges 282 of a housing or body 284 of the reader head. Only one 
of flanges 282 is visible in FIG. 9. As seen in FIG. 14, body 284 includes 
a horizontal slot 286 through which an edge portion of a film strip passes 
during use of the apparatus. A vertical bore in body 284 receives a light 
emitting diode 290 whose beam is projected upwardly through a plano-convex 
lens 292 and through vertically extended opening 293 provided in central 
portion 162 of each edge guide. On the opposite side of slot 286, a code 
reader chip 294, of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,139, is 
mounted on a carrier 296 behind a glass window 298. Preferably, window 298 
is coated with a conventional infrared filter material to filter out the 
infrared range and reduce noise in the output of the reader chip. A cover 
plate 300 protects the chip from damage. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, a pair 
of keeper plates 312 hold each reader head in position on guide tracks 
278, 280. As a film strip moves through the apparatus, light from diode 
290 is projected through the transparent edge of the processed film, thus 
enabling reader chip 294 to detect and interpret the bar codes and provide 
the resultant information to the controller of the apparatus. 
A mechanism is provided to precisely position each reader head relative to 
wall segment 152 of its associated edge guide. A shaft 302 is rotatably 
captured within block 284. A threaded end 304 of shaft 302 is in threaded 
engagement with a frame member 306 attached to carriage member 140. Within 
the block, a fourteen tooth pinion gear 308 fixed on shaft 302 is engaged 
by a rotatable worm gear 310. Thus, by rotating the worm gear from outside 
block 284, pinion 308 will rotate shaft 302 and cause threaded end 304 to 
rotate into or out of frame member 306. Block 284 thus can be traversed 
back and forth on guide tracks 278, 280 to position reader chip 294 
relative to a fixed reference provided by the vertical surface of wall 
segment 152. For example, if threaded end 304 has an 8-36 thread and worm 
gear 310 is a 1/4-20 set screw, then one full rotation of the worm gear 
will cause 0.002 inch (0.051 mm) movement of the reader head along the 
guide tracks. Thus, even though the edge guides are movable in the manner 
previously described, each reader head can be accurately adjusted to 
ensure its alignment with wall segment 152, thus greatly simplifying the 
set up of the apparatus. 
Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 9 and 15, the edge notch detector according to 
the invention can be understood. By "edge notch" is meant a cut out 
portion or opening near or at the edge of the film, such as notch 24 which 
opens through the edge of the film or perforation 22 which opens inside 
the edge. The detector of the invention can be positioned to detect either 
type. Formed integrally with each carriage member 138, 140 are support 
blocks 314, 316 for a notch or opening detector. Each support block 
includes a worm gear 318 coupled to a pinion, not illustrated, and a 
threaded shaft 320, to provide an adjustment mechanism of the type 
described in the preceding paragraph. A pair of apertures 319 in support 
plate 70 permit rotation of worm gears 318 without raising the support 
plate. Shaft 320 is in threaded engagement with an upwardly extended tab 
322 on a sensor support block 324. A guide pin or track 325, visible in 
FIG. 15, is captured in support block 324 and extends into a bore, not 
illustrated, in the associated support block 314, to constrain block 324 
to horizontal movement. A slot or guide track 327 on an under side of edge 
guide 156 or 158, visible in FIG. 8, further constrains movement of block 
324. A downwardly extended, L-shaped hanger bracket 326 is mounted to one 
side of block 324 to support an incandescent, coaxial optical fiber sensor 
328 having an upwardly extended optical fiber probe 330. An essentially 
vertical bore through block 324 receives probe 330 which extends into a 
slot 334 formed in contact surface 160 at the top of curved portion 172, 
as best seen in FIG. 8. Because detectors are provided for both edge 
guides 156, 158, the apparatus can detect notches on both sides of the 
web. An electrical connector 336 provides notch detection signals to a 
controller 338 which may be mounted to an under side of deck plate 62, as 
indicated schematically in FIG. 3. 
In operation of the notch or opening detector, a moving web of photographic 
film moves past slot 334. Unless a perforation 22 or notch 24 is present 
above slot 334, reflection occurs from an underside of the film, causing 
sensor 328 to produce a signal indicating no notch present. But, when a 
notch or opening appears above slot 334, no reflection or greatly reduced 
reflection causes the sensor to signal presence of a notch or opening. The 
output of sensor 328 is directed to controller 338, which signals a 
downstream photographic printer when a notch is present, thus indicating 
that a downstream frame of the film is in position for scanning and 
projection onto photographic paper in the familiar manner. 
Controller 338 is shown only schematically since those skilled in the art 
are familiar with the structure and function of such devices. In a most 
general sense, the controller energizes motor 216 to cause carriage 84 to 
move upward and slide 186 to move downward to engage rollers 262, 264 with 
the film. Eventually, the controller receives a signal from sensor 244 to 
indicate that the desired depth of engagement has been reached for the 
particular film. The controller then energizes motor 108 to cause edge 
guides 156, 158 to move toward each other to engage a film strip and, 
eventually, receives a signal from sensor 179 to indicate that the desired 
spacing has been reached. The controller then causes motor 108 to rotate 
an additional amount to cause the resilient loading previously described. 
A signal indicating the width and physical properties of the film being 
transported through the apparatus is provided from one of readers 274, 
276, depending on which edge of the film bears the bar codes. As 
previously indicated, the width and physical properties of the film will 
indicate the desired spacing of the edge guides and the depth of 
engagement of the serpentine path. When a different type of film is to be 
run, the controller energizes the motors to separate the edge guides and 
disengage the rollers until the new film has been inserted. 
Parts List 
10 . . . film flattening apparatus 
12 . . . photographic film strip 
14 . . . thin web 
16, 18 . . . edges of 12 
20 . . . frames 
22 . . . perforations 
24 . . . spaced notches 
26 . . . base 
28 . . . flat surface 
30, 32 . . . cylindrical portion 
34, 36 . . . curved contact surface of 30, 32 
38, 40 . . . film deflector member 
42, 44 . . . curved contact surface of 38, 40 
46, 48 . . . reliefs in 42, 44 
50, 52 . . . cylindrical elements 
60 . . . film code 
62 . . . support or deck plate 
64, 66 . . . apertures for fasteners 
68 . . . shallow image relief slot 
68a . . . image relief slot on 70 
70 . . . film deflector support plate 
74 . . . frame 
76, 78 . . . vertical slide surfaces on 74 
80, 82 . . . flanges on 84 
84 . . . cantilevered carriage frame 
86, 88 . . . keeper plates 
90, 92 . . . guide rollers on 80, 82 
94, 96 . . . slots in 74 
98 . . . back wall of 74 
100, 102 . . . cantilever arms 
104 . . . front wall 
106 . . . motor 
108 . . . output shaft 
110 . . . driver gear 
112, 114 . . . bearings 
116 . . . lead screw 
118, 120 . . . traveling nuts 
122, 124 . . . springs 
126, 128 . . . sliding collars 
130 . . . driven gear engages 110 
132, 134 . . . parallel guide tracks 
136 . . . open slot between 132, 134 
138, 140 . . . carriage members 
142 . . . holder or pocket in 138, 140 
144, 146 . . . lateral flanges to engage 132, 134 
145, 147 . . . keepers 
148 . . . vertical edge guide member 
150, 152, 154 . . . wall segments 
156, 158 . . . horizontal edge guide members 
160 . . . undulating, horizontal contact surface 
162 . . . central curved portion 
164, 166 . . . further, downwardly curved portions 
168, 170 . . . valley portions 
172, 174 . . . upwardly curved portions 
176 . . . sloping wall of 156, 158 
178 . . . fasteners 
179 . . . sensor 
179m . . . magnet on 145, 147 
180 . . . slide support plate 
181, 183 . . . shaft 
182, 184 . . . pivot blocks 
185 . . . fasteners 
186 . . . vertical slide for 70 
188, 190 . . . guide rollers 
192, 194 . . . slots in 180 
196, 198 . . . guide tracks 
200, 202 . . . fasteners for 196, 198 
204, 206 . . . elevator levers 
208 . . . dual cam plate 
209 . . . axle 
210 . . . cam slot 
212 . . . axle for 214 
214 . . . cam follower 
216 . . . motor 
218 . . . output shaft 
220 . . . gear 
222 . . . gear 
224 . . . gear 
226 . . . gear on 208 
228 . . . slot in 204 
230 . . . rotary connector 
232 . . . slot in 74 
234 . . . slot in 206 
236 . . . rotary connector 
238 . . . slot in 180 
240 . . . disk 
242 . . . magnetic inserts 
244 . . . sensors 
246 . . . spring 
248 . . . mounting bracket on 186 
250 . . . axle 
252 . . . springs 
253 . . . external knob 
254, 256 . . . slops 
258, 260 . . . downward bosses on 70 
262, 264 . . . rollers 
266, 268 . . . axles 
270, 272 . . . raised edges of 262, 264 
274, 276 . . . optical code reader heads 
278, 280 . . . guide tracks on 138, 140 
282 . . . transverse slider flanges on 284 
284 . . . housing or body of 274, 276 
286 . . . slot for edge of 12 
288 . . . bore 
290 . . . light emitting diode 
292 . . . plano-convex lens 
293 . . . opening in 162 
294 . . . reader chip 
296 . . . carrier 
298 . . . window 
300 . . . cover 
302 . . . shaft 
304 . . . threaded end of 304 
306 . . . frame member attached to 140 
308 . . . pinion 
310 . . . worm gear 
312 . . . keepers 
314, 316 . . . support block for notch or opening detector 
18 . . . worm gear 
19 . . . apertures in 70 
320 . . . shaft 
322 . . . tab 
324 . . . sensor support block 
325 . . . guide pin or track 
326 . . . L-shaped hanger bracket 
327 . . . slot or guide track on under side of 156, 158 
328 . . . incandescent coaxial optical fiber sensor 
330 . . . optical fiber probe 
332 . . . bore through 324 
334 . . . slot in 160 at 172 
336 . . . electrical connector 
338 . . . controller 
While our invention has been shown and described with reference to 
particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand 
that other variations in form and detail may be made without departing 
from the scope and spirit of our invention.