Methods for the retrieval and differentiation of blue, green and red exposure records of the same hue from photographic elements containing absorbing interlayers

A method of obtaining from an imagewise exposed photographic element separate records of the imagewise exposure to each of the blue, green and red portions of the spectrum comprising

• (a) photographically processing an imagewise exposed photographic element comprised of
• a support and, coated on the support,
• a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon processing, one of the emulsion layer units forming a first emulsion layer unit in the sequence coated nearest the support, another of the emulsion layer units forming a last emulsion layer unit in the sequence coated farthest from the support and an intermediate emulsion layer unit located between the first and last emulsion layer units, and
• (b) obtaining separate blue, green and red exposure records from the photographic element,
• wherein
• (c) the photographic element is additionally comprised of
• interposed between the first emulsion layer unit and the intermediate emulsion layer unit a first interlayer for transmitting to the first emulsion layer unit electromagnetic radiation the first emulsion layer unit is intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region and
• interposed between the last emulsion layer unit and the intermediate emulsion layer unit a second interlayer for transmitting to the intermediate and first emulsion layer units electromagnetic radiation these emulsion layer units are intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region,
• (d) the imagewise exposed photographic element is photographically processed to produce a reflective image in each of the emulsion layer units,
• (e) the photographic element is reflection scanned utilizing the absorption of the first and second interlayers to provide a first record of the image information in one of the first and last emulsion layer units and a second record of the image information in one other of the emulsion layer units, and
• (f) the photographic element is scanned through the first and second interlayers and all of the emulsion layer units within a wavelength region to which the first and second interlayers are transmissive to provide a third record representing a combination of images in all of the emulsion layer units, and
• (g) the first, second and third records are compared to obtain separate blue, green and red exposure records.