ENCODED FILM DIGITISATION

Abstract: There is provided a method of digitising encoded Sapp and Rackwell film. The method comprises scanning the hard copy image, identifying the encoded image and creating a digitised record of said image. This provides the advantage of allowing previously unusable Sapp and Rackwell films to be converted into a usable digital format.

Description: ENCODED FILM DIGITISATION This invention relates to a process of digitising Sapp and Rackwell encoded films plus other suitable film systems which may be capable of a similar application. Sapp and Rackwell encoded films were primarily designed in the early 1980' s and late 80' s to be production systems within the publication production procedure. More recently, the production systems that are used have changed to digital systems, and the older Sapp and Rackwell encoded films are no longer used. In fact, no Sapp systems and very few Rockwell systems are capable of further production. Due to the very singular use of these systems it became apparent that transferring the stored data to a digital format was not something that was a natural development step, so companies have been left with an unusable back catalogue. It is important to understand the problems and technical issues before attempting to solve the global problem of digitising back catalogue publications which are held in a format of Sapp and Rackwell. These system films by their very nature were developed for the sole purpose of the publication and book markets. The global picture appears to be of a massive scale. A conservative estimate is that there are 1.5 million titles which relate to Sapp and Rackwell systems. Extensive links in the graphic and printing networks return to the same conclusion - there is a universal requirement to invent a system that deviates from the original format of Sapp and Rackwell in a graphics standard digital format compatible directly to a PC or Mac. Various attempts to convert the back catalogues of these systems have been tried and tested. Kodak graphics saw the market potential early to mid 90' s but no serious solutions were developed. It can be seen that it would be advantageous to provide a method of digitising these specially tailor made film systems. It is a first object of this invention to digitise Sapp and Rackwell film systems. A further object of this invention is to provide practical and usable methodology for digitising film systems . Another object of this invention is to provide a cost effective method for digitising film systems. A yet further object of this invention is to provide a method for digitising film systems which maintains image resolution. Another object of this invention is to provide a method of controlling of image positioning. A still further object of this invention is to provide a method for digitising film systems which allows image enhancement when required. A final object of this invention is to provide control of encoded Sapp and Rackwell film for imposition purposes. All of the above objects are fulfilled by the present invention. According to the present invention there is provided a method of converting Sapp and Rackwell films into a digitised format comprising the steps of scanning the hard copy image, identifying the encoded image on the file and creating a digitised record of the said image. Preferably a basic stream fed scanner is used to scan the hard copy image. Optionally the scanning resolution may be 200, 300 or 400 dpi. Preferably a drive mechanism is used to accommodate the various types of gauges which enabled the Sapp and Rackwell films to flight through the scanner head. Most preferably the drive mechanism comprises specially constructed spindles. Preferably the loading of encoded films is via a sprocket driven loader which allows the flow of work to be constant and controlled. Optionally the film may be lβmm or 35mm roll film. A further option is that the film may be lβmm cartridges. Preferably vertical and horizontal positioning is considered. Preferably, linear edge technology is used to enable Sapp and Rockwell systems to be controlled in one direction. Preferably a template overlay is added to the hardware being used to provide control of the images in all directions. Preferably the process has a speed of 200+ images converted to digital format per hour. Preferably, a final file format is used which lends itself to the consistency and quality required of the system. Most preferably any number of images may be digitised and file formatted in 1 complete segment. Preferably, newly created digital files are routed to a printer and the image resolution status is checked. Optionally the digitised files are stored on CD-ROM or on the Internet. Optionally, newly created digital files are made available online. Optionally the electronic transfer method of the present invention provides an online process for digitising back catalogues of Sapp and Rackwell files. In order to provide a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only. A Sapp or Rackwell encoded film is scanned using a basic stream fed scanner with a resolution of 400 dpi. The film is fed through the scanner using a drive mechanism comprising specially constructed spindles, and the film is loaded via a sprocket driven loader. The feeding of the film allows the flow of work to be constant and controlled. Both the vertical and horizontal positioning of the film is controlled. The positioning is controlled using both linear edge technology and a template overlay which is added to the hardware which is being used. The combination of the two technologies provides control in all directions of the images being digitised. A final file format is used which allows the digitised images to be viewed on a computer. The format that is used provides both consistency and quality. The newly created digital file is then routed to a printer and the resolution of the image is checked. The digital files can then be placed in a database or provided in an online format for viewing over a computer network such as the Internet. The embodiment disclosed above is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in different forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the Claims and for teaching one skilled in the art as to the various uses of the present invention in any appropriate manner.

Claims: Claims 1. A method of converting Sapp and Rackwell encoded films into a digitised format comprising the- steps of scanning the hard copy image, identifying the encoded image on the file and creating a digitised record of said image. 2. A method according to Claim 1 where the hard copy image is scanned using a basic stream fed scanner with a resolution of 200-400 dpi. 3. A method according to Claims 1 or Claim 2 where a drive mechanism comprising specially constructed spindles is used. 4. A method according to any of the previous Claims wherein the encoded film is loaded via a sprocket driven loader. 5. A method according to any of the previous Claims wherein the images are controlled in both vertical and horizontal directions using a template overlay and linear edge technology. 6. A method according to any of the previous Claims wherein the digitised file is routed to a printer to allow the resolution of the file to be tested. 7. A method according to any of the previous Claims wherein the digitised file may be stored on CD-ROM or on the Internet . An online system according to any of the previous Claims for digitising back catalogues of Sapp and Rackwell files.

Inventors: CONNELL ALEXANDER, CONNELL, ALEXANDER
Applicants: CONNELL ALEXANDER, CONNELL, ALEXANDER
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1