Optimization of electronic color printing process functions based on prescan information data

In an electronic color printing process in which an array of images from respective frames of a filmstrip is provided on print receiver sheets or alternative storage media from information signals representing image information, a method for producing prints from the array of images, such method comprising the steps of:

• a) prescanning, at low resolution, an array of images contained on respective frames of a filmstrip;
• b) storing information data, obtained during low resolution prescanning, of the scene content of the respective images, and additional information data of at least the number of frames on a filmstrip, where frames of the image array are located in the filmstrip, and the conditions of each image;
• c) defining look-up-tables based on the information data stored in step (b);
• d) calculating operating parameters, based on the stored information data to determine required process functions of the electronic printing process;
• e) based on the determined required process functions, setting optimum process functions for the electronic printing process including regulating replenishment of marking particles used to develop images to be printed;
• and
• f) scanning, at high resolution, the aforementioned array of images;
• and
• g) processing the information data obtained during high resolution scanning with information data stored in step (b) and with the look-up-tables defined in step (c) to produce prints of the array of images under the optimized electronic printing process as set in step (e).

In an electronic color printer in which an array of images from respective frames of a filmstrip is provided on print receiver sheets from information signals representing image information, said electronic printer including a photoconductive recording member, marking particle development stations for developing electrostatic latent images on such photoconductive recording member, a transfer device for transferring marking particle developed images from such photoconductive recording member to a receiver sheet, and a fusing device for fusing transferred images to such receiver sheet, a control device for producing prints from the array of images, said control device comprising:

• a) means for prescanning, at low resolution, an array of images contained on respective frames of a filmstrip, and producing an information data stream representative thereof;
• b) means, responsive to said information data stream for storing information data, obtained during low resolution prescanning, of at least the scene content of the respective images;
• c) means for calculating electronic color printing process operating parameters, based on the stored information data to determine required process functions for the electronic printing process;
• and
• d) means for setting process functions, based on the determined required process functions, for the electronic printing process in a manner to optimize such process including regulating replenishment of marking particles used to develop images to be printed.