System and method for latent film recovery in electronic film development
AssigneeApplied Science Fiction, Inc.
InventorAlbert D. Edgar
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Abstract
Recovering the dye image on film in electronic film development following a latent holding stage obviates the problem common in prior art electronic film development of film image destruction. Recovery of the image is accomplished using a developing agent containing couplers to form a dye image. These dyes do not affect the infrared scans of the image. Upon complete development of the dye image, further dye formation is halted by the application of a coupler blocking agent, while silver development and electronic scanning may continue or halt. After halting dye formation, the film is stable for an arbitrary time in a latent stage and may be dried and stored. Following this latent stage, silver is removed from the film with a bleach-fix leaving a conventionally usable film image.
Claims20
A method for latent film recovery in conjunction with electronic film development comprising:
- exposing a color sensitive film to a first developing agent containing couplers;
- forming a silver image from the first developing agent and a dye image from the couplers;
- illuminating the film with light chosen to substantially avoid absorption by the dye image;
- electronically scanning the film image;
- and
- halting further formation of the dye image when the dye image is complete.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.