Patent GB-342284-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in sonorous or kinematograph films
IPC: G03B31/00
Filed: 1929-07-26
Abstract: 342,284. Kinematograph films. SEMAT, J. L., 9, Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, and CHAMPILOU, F. G. E., 12, Rue de la Tour des Dames, both in Paris. July 26, 1929, No. 23072. Convention date, March 20. Void [Published under Sect. 91 of the Acts]. [Classes 97 (i) and 98 (ii).] Kinematograph films or combined kinematograph and sound record films are adapted to control the operation of apparatus, such as a number of loudspeakers arranged in an auditorium, or to operate light-effect devices, " act-drops " &c. As regards the application of the invention to loud-speaker operation, a number of loud-speakers A, B, C, D, E, F, I may be arranged in an auditorium as shown in Fig. 1 and connected together in circuits which are controlled so as to set into operation in a pre-determined sequence any one or more of the loud-speakers. The armatures of four electromagnets 17 .. 20 are arranged to work in association with two, four, eight, and sixteen contacts respectively as shown in Fig. 5, and the contacts controlled by the electromagnet 20 are connected in a series of circuits comprising fifteen electromagnets which control by means of their respective armatures the operation of the loud-speakers in the desired combination according as to which of the electromagnets 17 .. 20, or combination of these is in operation. An amplifier 25, Fig. 5, is connected with a switch 27 which may be placed in circuit with a plate 26 and carbon contact 29 delivering to the armatures of the fifteen electromagnets controlling the loud-speakers. The volume of sound emitted by the loud-speakers may be controlled by varying the pressure of the plate 26 on the contact 29 by means of an electromagnet 20. The switch 27 may, alternatively, be positioned so that the output of the amplifier is delivered to a switch 32 which may be placed so as to deliver direct to a loud-speaker A or to switch contacts 21 .. 24 enabling one or more of the loud-speakers A, B, C, F to be set into operation. The electromagnets 17 .. 20 are each adapted to be operated by optical means under the control of a trace 1 .. 4 on the film as shown in Fig. 7 so that according to the form of the traces one or more of the electromagnets may be energized. In addition, a trace R of varying density adjacent to the control traces 1 .. 4 is adapted to influence a photo-electric cell in the circuit including the electromagnet 20, Fig. 5, whereby the volume of sound may be controlled. In recording the control traces 1 .. 4, a series of keys 1 .. 15, Fig. 21, in a keyboard device is arranged so that any of the keys may be caused to contact with certain of a number of stretched wires and thereby energize one or more electromagnets 37 .. 40. The armatures of the electromagnets are each provided with a screen movable relatively to an aperture 43 .. 46 in a sheath 41. A light beam associated with each aperture makes a record on the film, which passes beneath the screen, whenever the corresponding aperture is unscreened through energization of one of the electromagnets 37 .. 40. An additional screen of varying density for recording the trace R is mounted on a pivoted member 47 which is under the control of a solenoid 53, such screen being adapted to work in association with an aperture 42 in the sheath 41 whereby a light beam records a trace of varying density on the film in accordance with the control effected by a rheostat 55 in circuit with the solenoid 53. If desired, alternate series of kinematograph pictures in the film may relate to different scenes and only one series may have a sound accompaniment. Either series of pictures may be projected. A combined sound record and kinematograph film may have the pictures so arranged that the film must be passed horizontally through the projector. In another modification, two sound record traces, together with the associated control traces for each, may be provided on a single film. Where the control traces are provided on a kinematograph film, the synchronized sounds may be recorded on a separate film or disc. The control traces may be replaced by perforations in the films.