System and method for image recovery

Method for use in correcting for the effects of storage medium imperfections on an image stored therein comprising

• directing infrared energy to said medium;
• detecting energy in the infrared spectrum from said medium resulting from said directed infrared energy corresponding to said imperfections;
• and
• mapping said imperfections from said detected energy;
• directing non-infrared energy from said medium;
• generating a second image from said detected infrared and detected non-infrared energy;
• generating a corresponding infrared image and plurality of non-infrared images from said medium;
• and further wherein said second image is a combination of said infrared image and said plurality of non-infrared images.

Apparatus for use in correcting for the effects of recording medium imperfections on an image stored therein, comprising the steps of

• means for generating an infrared image of said medium containing indications of imperfections with respect to said medium;
• and
• means for generating from said infrared image and said stored image a second image;
• means for detecting non-infrared energy from said medium, and wherein said means for generating said second image comprises means for
• generating said second image from said infrared image and said detected non-infrared energy from said medium;
• means for directing infrared energy to said medium;
• and wherein said means for generating an infrared image generates said infrared image in response to portions of said infrared energy from said medium;
• and
• means for directing energy from the visible portion of said electromagnetic spectrum to said medium;
• and wherein said means for detecting non-infrared energy comprises
• means for detecting energy from said visible portion of said electromagnetic spectrum from said medium in response to said means for directing of energy from said visible portion of said electromagnetic spectrum.

Apparatus for use in correcting for the effects of recording film medium imperfections on an image stored therein, comprising the steps of

• means for generating an infrared image of said medium containing indications of imperfections with respect to said medium;
• and
• means for generating from said infrared image and said stored image a second image and wherein
• means for generating said infrared image substantially excludes infrared energy from said imperfections.

Apparatus for use in correcting for the effects of recording film medium imperfections on an image stored therein, comprising the steps of

• means for generating an infrared image of said medium containing indications of imperfections with respect to said medium;
• and
• means for generating from said infrared image and said stored image a second image and wherein said means for generating said second image further comprises means for detecting infrared and non-infrared energy, and comprises
• means for generating plurality of non-infrared images from said medium;
• and further wherein said second image is a combination of said infrared image and said plurality of said non-infrared images.

Apparatus for use in correcting for the effects of recording film medium imperfections on an image stored therein, comprising the steps of

• means for generating an infrared image of said medium containing indications of imperfections with respect to said medium;
• and
• means for generating from said infrared image and said stored image a second image and wherein said imperfections are comprised of a first portion substantially impeding transmissions of said infrared energy therethrough;
• and
• a second portion only partially impeding transmission of said infrared energy therethrough.

Apparatus for use in correcting for the effects of recording film medium imperfections on an image stored therein, comprising the steps of

• means for generating an infrared image of said medium containing indications of imperfections with respect to said medium;
• and
• means for generating from said infrared image and said stored image a second image and wherein said means for generating an infrared image further includes
• means for storing information functionally related to the intensity and location of said infrared energy passing through respective locations on said medium.

Apparatus for use in correcting for the effects of recording film medium imperfections on an image stored therein, comprising the steps of

• means for generating an infrared image of said medium containing indications of imperfections with respect to said medium;
• and
• means for generating from said infrared image and said stored image a second image wherein said infrared image is functionally related to measurements of said infrared energy attenuated by said imperfections;
• and wherein said means for generating said second image comprises
• means for adjusting said plurality of non-infrared images in response to said measurements.

Method for use in correcting for the effects of storage medium imperfections on an image stored therein comprising

• directing infrared energy to said medium;
• detecting energy in the infrared spectrum from said medium resulting from said directed infrared energy corresponding to said imperfections;
• mapping said imperfections from said detected energy;
• detecting non-infrared energy from said medium;
• and
• generating a second image from said detected infrared and detected non-infrared energy, and wherein said imperfection deflects infrared energy transmitted therethrough so as to be partially excluded from said detected energy.

Method for use in correcting for the effects of storage medium imperfections on an image stored therein comprising

• directing infrared energy to said medium;
• detecting energy in the infrared spectrum from said medium resulting from said directed infrared energy corresponding to said imperfections;
• mapping said imperfections from said detected energy;
• detecting non-infrared energy from said medium;
• and
• generating a second image from said detected infrared and detected non-infrared energy, and wherein said imperfection partially refracts said infrared energy transmitted therethrough.

Method for use in correcting for the effects of storage medium imperfections on an image stored therein comprising

• directing infrared energy to said medium;
• detecting energy in the infrared spectrum from said medium resulting from said directed infrared energy corresponding to said imperfections;
• mapping said imperfections from said detected energy;
• detecting non-infrared energy from said medium;
• generating a second image from said detected infrared and detected non-infrared energy and wherein said imperfections are comprised of a first portion substantially deflecting infrared energy transmitted therethrough so as to be substantially excluded from said detected energy;
• and
• a second portion only partially deflecting infrared energy transmitted therethrough whereby only a portion of said infrared energy transmitted through said second portion is in said detected energy;
• and wherein said generating said second image includes estimating occluded portions of said image based on areas of said image partly occluded and recovered.