Image handling method using different image resolutions

An image handling method comprising:

• (a) scanning at least a first resolution of a hardcopy image at a first location;
• (b) transmitting a second resolution image signal of the same image which second resolution is lower than the first resolution, from the first location to a receiver at a second location remote from the first location, by a first network;
• (c) establishing an optimum time period for transmitting the first resolution image signal according to a predetermined set of parameters;
• (d) providing a condition monitor to identify when the optimum time periods occurs;
• (e) communicating the first resolution image signal from the first location to the receiver at the second location, by a communication method during the optimum time period.

An image handling system comprising:

• (a) a scanner to scan at least a first resolution of a hardcopy image;
• (b) a first communication means for communicating a second resolution image signal of the same image which second resolution is lower than the first resolution, from a first location to a receiver at a second location remote from the first location, by a first communication method;
• (c) means for establishing an optimum time period for transmitting the first resolution image signal according to a predetermined set of parameters;
• (d) a condition monitor to identify when the optimum time periods occurs;
• (e) a second communication means for communicating the first resolution image signal from the first location to the receiver at the second location, by a second communication method during the optimum time period.

An image handling method comprising:

• (a) processing exposed photographic film at a processor-scanner station which has both a scanner and a processor at the same location, to produce a hardcopy image set at the processor-scanner location;
• (b) scanning the hardcopy image set at the same processor-scanner location at which it was processed, to obtain a corresponding first resolution image set signal;
• (c) communicating a second resolution image set signal of the same images which second resolution is lower than the first resolution, from a first location to a hub station at a second location remote from the first location, by a first communication method;
• (d) establishing an optimum time period for transmitting the first resolution image signal according to a predetermined set of parameters;
• (e) providing a condition monitor to identify when the optimum time periods occurs;
• (f) communicating the first resolution image set signal from the first location to the hub station, by a second communication method during the optimum time period;
• (g) storing the communicated first and second resolution image set signals at the hub station;
• and
• (h) transmitting at least one image signal of the first and second resolution image set signals to any of a plurality of terminals remote from the hub station and the processor-scanner station.