US 2004/0170425 A1 · System and method for digital film development using visible light

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is a system for digital dye color film processing. In one embodiment, a developer station applies a processing solution to film to initiate development of metallic silver grains and at least one dye image within the film. A scanning system illuminates the coated film with light having at least one frequency within the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light interacts with the silver and at least one dye image within the film. The scanning station measures the light from the film and produces sensor data that is communicated to a data processing system. The data processing system processes the sensor data to produce a digital image. The digital image can then be output to an output device, such as a printer, monitor, memory device, and the like.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method for preparing a roll of film for development, the method comprising:

receiving a film magazine having a roll of film therein at a film unload station of a film processing system;
extracting a tongue of said roll of film from said magazine;
unwinding the roll of film from said magazine;
cutting the trailing end of the film from said magazine;
transporting a leading end of said film to a leader splicing apparatus of the film processing system;
and
splicing a trailing end of a leader to the leading end of said film, wherein a leading end of the leader is threaded at least partially through a developing apparatus of the film processing system;
wherein during said unwinding step, the method further comprises inspecting the film for defects and imperfections.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/797,708Filed 10 Mar 2004

Priority

16 Jul 2001

Published

2 Sep 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H04N 1/00262
With an apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials: reading a film during its processing, e.g. generating image signals from a film…
G03D 5/00
Liquid processing apparatus in which no immersion is effected
H04N 1/00249
Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture…:…
H04N
Pictorial communication

Family

Application60/305,934Us provisional application · filed 16 Jul 2001

Application10/197,620Continuation · filed 16 Jul 2002

Application10/797,708Continuation · filed 10 Mar 2004

US 2003/0133710 A1Published application

US 6,805,501 B2Related patent

US 6,916,125 B2Related patent

US 2004/0170425 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

System and method for digital film development using visible light

Life of this patent

System and method for digital film development using visible light

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8