Electronic film development
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorAlbert D. Edgar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for electronically developing an image recorded on film by applying a developer to and then scanning the film during the development at a number of spaced timed intervals. Images are captured during each of the spaced scans and are stored as digital representations of that scan. The stored digital representations are combined on a pixel-by-pixel basis to produce an output image that differs from any one of the stored representations. This combination of digital images allows for optimal image development without actually forming or storing the image on the film itself.
Claims27
A method for electronically developing an image recorded on a film, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying developer to the film to cause an image to be developed on the film;
- scanning the film during development at plural spaced time intervals;
- storing a digital representation of the image containing a plurality of pixels from each scan of the film;
- and
- combining the stored digital representations on a pixel by pixel basis to produce a single output image that differs from any one of the stored digital representations.
A system for electronically developing an image captured on a film, the system comprising:
- development means for applying a developing solution to said film;
- a first light source for illuminating said film;
- a first scanner for digitally capturing light reflected from a same area on said film at two or more spaced time intervals during development to form two or more digital scan images each having a plurality of pixels;
- digital image combination means for combining the digital scan images on a pixel by pixel basis to form a single final image that differs from any one of the digital scan images.
A system for electronically developing a final image digitally scanned at two or more points in time from a film during development using a developing solution, the system operating on a computer system having storage means and processor means, the system comprising:
- means for storing said two or more digitally scanned images scanned at spaced time intervals during development in said storage means;
- and
- means for determining an optimal value for each pixel in said single final image based upon the pixel values in each of said digitally scanned images.
A system for electronically developing an image captured on a film, the system comprising:
- development means for applying a developing solution to said film;
- a light source for illuminating said film;
- a scanner for digitally capturing light transmitted through said film at two or more spaced time intervals during development to form two or more digital scan images;
- and
- digital image combination means for combining the digital scanned images on a pixel by pixel basis to form a single final image that differs from any one of said digital scan images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.