Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers (1930-1949)

676 PATENT ABSTRACTS [J. S. M. P. E. tioned in front of a camera a series of pictures of a moving object in different positions upon a materially larger scale than the base pictures and providing each with a dark, blank background. A corresponding companion series of dark silhouette pictures of the object of the same size as said object picture is drawn and in the same respective positions on the sheet material and providing each with a light blank background. The base of the picture is placed with an unexposed negative film in a camera, with the base film in front of the negative film, and both back of the camera lens. The silhouette pictures are successively placed in front of the camera lens and photographed in reduced size upon the negative film through successive picture areas of the transparent base picture film. The base pictures are printed by reflection of light from the light, blank backgrounds of the silhouette pictures, whereby the base pictures will be projected upon the negative film with a portion of each negative picture area corresponding in outline with the dark silhouette, left unexposed The base film is now removed from in front of the negative film and the pictures of the object placed with the dark background successively in front of the camera lens and photographed in reduced size upon the unexposed portion of successive picture areas upon the negative film. The process is intended to reduce the labor of making animated pictures and render the making of such pictures commercially profitable. 1,815,455. Using Principle and Secondary Images for Avoiding "Jerky" Pictures. F. WALLER. Assigned to Paramount Publix Corp. July 21, 1931. A motion picture film having a plurality of frames where each frame bears images of successive phases of action of a subject. The images on each frame are of different degrees of intensity to provide a principal image and a secondary image, the principal image on one frame appearing as a secondary image on a succeeding frame. The purpose is to avoid the jerky and unnatural movement of the images in reproduction of the pictures. If five images are to be exposed they may be exposed respectively Vio, Vio, Yio, Vio, and 1/io of the normal exposure period. The motion picture positive produced by the method described will show upon projection a natural movement of the character desired. 1,815,481. Automatic Switching Mechanism for Recording or Reproducing Apparatus. F. H. OWENS. Assigned to Owens Development Corp. July 21, 1931. An automatic switching mechanism is provided for rendering the motors and the recording or reproducing lamp inoperative while the film is being threaded through the camera or projector. The switch mechanism is operated while the film retaining means is shifted out of engagement with the film moving means during the process of threading up. After the film has been threaded through the mechanism adjacent the light station, the film retaining means is shifted into engagement with the film moving means and the circuits to the driving motors and lamps completed. 1,815,486. Film Viewing Machine. I. SERRURIER. July 21, 1931. A film is moved past a viewing aperture by a driving motor mounted in compact assembly in a casing which also contains a lamp for illuminating the fihn. The film is moved under the guidance of a -pair of rail members which presses the film against the light aperture for permitting the successive frames of the film to be viewed in step-bystep order. The step-by-step movement which is imparted to the film is applied by the movement of a sprocket actuated by the driving motor. 1,815,692. Film Recording System Employing a Stylus. F. VON MADALER.