Intelligent electronic control system for high-speed film cameras

Abstract

A new electronic control system provides intelligent (computer) control features for high speed film cameras. This system incorporates the most significant advances made since the advent of analog servo controls in high speed cameras a generation ago. All of the camera's former electronics are replaced with digital electronics operating under 32-bit microprocessor control which directs and monitors each camera function. Typical camera control functions include selection of: camera operating speed, phase-lock synchronization, shutter phasing delay in multiple-camera installation, film load, acceleration time, etc. Entries are made on a keypad, on the camera housing, or may be made by an external data link. Keypad inputs are displayed on a 16 character liquid crystal display (LCD) located adjacent to the keypad panel. A 15- character LED numeric display, at the edge of the film aperture, prints the IRIG-B time code on film, or real-time data supplied via an RS232 input from sensors associated with the test or process being filmed. This data can also be stored in a RAM memory so that it precisely matches the numerically recorded information on each frame of film. The stored data can then be downloaded to an external computer for analysis, thereby speeding the data reduction process and eliminating the likelihood of human error in reading frame-by-frame film data.