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US 3,934,081 AGranted
Method and apparatus for improving photomechanical reproduction by contrast decrease
OwnerErnst E. Schumacherinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reproducing black and white and color copy having improved contrast of highlight and shadow areas of the copy by recording an optically-produced main image on a light-sensitive emulsion, directing the light emanating therefrom via television camera and electronically inverting the same and sending this signal through a video monitor having contrast and brightness control, and projecting the secondary negative image therefrom onto the light-sensitive emulsion in register with the main positive image.
Claims7
A method for reproducing black and white transparent copy and improving photomechanical reproduction thereof by contrast decrease comprising the steps:
- a. Optically directing the projection of a main positive video image of the transparent copy along a first optical axis through a first process lens onto a first video-imaging plane,
- b. Photographically recording said main positive video-image on a light-sensitive emulsion placed on said first video-imaging plane,
- c. Optically directing the projection of a secondary positive video-image along a second optical axis onto the second imaging plane of a television camera lens,
- d. Converting the secondary positive video-image therefrom on the photo-cathode of the picture tube in said TV camera to an electronic signal,
- e. Electronically amplifying said electronic signal output from the TV camera in an amplifier,
- f. Electronically inverting the amplified electronic signal from the amplifier so received to a negative electronic signal on an electronic signal image inverter,
- g. Converting the negative electronic signal output from the electronic image inverter to a secondary negative video-image on the plane telescreen of the picture tube of a television monitor having optoelectronic image contrast and brightness control,
- h. Optically directing the projection of the secondary negative video-image so contrasted and brightened through a second process lens onto the first video imaging plane in register with the main positive video-image thereon, and
- i. Photographically recording said negative and positive video-images in mutually reciprocal registry on said light-sensitive emulsion.
6 more elements
An apparatus for reproducing transparent copy and improving photomechanical reproduction by contrast decrease comprising:
- a. A light-box having optical cooperation with a diffusing screen on one side thereof and a first optical axis extending therethrough in perpendicular relation therewith
- b. a copy plane lying on said first optical axis in perpendicular relation thereto having optical cooperating with light emanating from said diffusing screen,
- c. A means for supporting the transparent copy in optical cooperation with the light diffusing screen lying on said first optical axis,
- d. A first reflecting or refracting means having one optical axis lying on said first optical axis in optical cooperation with the transparent copy and having a second optical axis intersecting said first optical axis,
- e. A first process lens lying on said first optical axis in optical cooperation with the first reflecting or refracting means,
- f. A TV camera lens lying on said second optical axis in optical cooperation with the first reflecting or refracting means,
- g. A TV picture tube lying on said second optical axis in optical cooperation with the TV camera lens and having an electronic signal output,
- h. An electronic signal amplifier operationally connected to the electronic signal output of the TV picture tube,
- i. An electronic signal image inversion means operationally connected to the output from the picture signal amplifier,
- j. A TV monitor having a picture tube with opto-electronic image contrast and brightness control operationally connected to the output of the electronic signal image inversion means,
- k. A plane telescreen operationally connected to the output of the picture tube of the TV monitor and having a third optical axis extending therethrough and intersecting said first optical axis,
- l. A second process lens lying on said third optical axis in optical cooperation with the secondary negative video-image on said plane telescreen,
- m. A second reflecting or refracting means having one optical axis lying on said third optical axis and its other optical axis lying on said first optical axis,
- n. An image plane lying on said first optical axis in perpendicular relation thereto having optical cooperation with light emanating from said first and second process lenses, and
- o. A means for supporting a light sensitive emulsion on said image plane.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.