Eastman-kodak Company

James T Samuels

Roger D Ellsworth

Michael Newman

Robert E Dickerson

Alan S Fitterman

David G Sherburne

Ronald J Perry

Peter J Kelch

James K Bober

William A Richards

Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing of such elements can be achieved using a processing kit and a two-stage process carried out in the same light- and fluid-tight processing apparatus. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a non-sulfite fixing agent is introduced into the processing apparatus or container to provide a combined developing/fixing composition, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorizes or deactivates the particulate dyes. The processing kit includes the photographic element, a first vessel containing a developing composition, a second vessel containing a fixing composition, and a container for holding an exposed element. The first and second vessels have manually actuated dispensers for dispensing developing composition and fixing composition into the container for processing of the exposed element.

Manually actuated dispensers and kit for roomlight processing of

A temperature control system (10) of an automatic film processor (12) includes developer and fixer recirculation paths (30, 40) having thermowell heaters (34, 44) and thermistors (35, 45), and a cooling heat exchanger (37) in the developer path (30) which passes in heat exchange relationship with water in a wash tank (23). The system (10) also has a blower (48), heater (49) and thermistor (52) in an air path of a dryer (24). Heater (34, 44, 49) and cooling heat exchanger (37) operation is normally controlled on a closed loop, feedback mode basis by comparing measured current temperatures in real time with preestablished setpoint temperatures. When system errors cause an absence of current valid measured temperature data, shutdown or lockout can be overridden, and temperature control continued on an open loop basis using stored historical measurement data and on-off duty cycle profiles.

Control of temperature in film processor in absence of valid feedback

A temperature control system (10) of an automatic film processor (12) includes developer and fixer recirculation paths (30, 40) having thermowell heaters (34, 44) and thermistors (35, 45), and a cooling loop (37) in the developer path (30) which passes in heat exchange relationship with water in a wash tank (23). The system (10) also has a blower (48), heater (49) and thermistor (52) in an air path of a dryer (24). Actual heating and cooling rates of heating and cooling cycles are determined based on temperature measurements by the thermistors (35, 45, 52). Heater (34, 44, 49) and cooling loop (37) operation is controlled by comparing measured temperatures with preestablished setpoint temperatures. Malfunctions of system (10) are identified by comparing actual rates with rates characteristic of normal operations. Measured temperature data is validated based on comparing measured temperature with temperature predictions calculated based on heat gain or loss relationships associated with particular heating or cooling cycles. Randomly occurring invalid data is disregarded for control and error diagnosis purposes.

Method for detecting non-valid states in film processor temperature

A temperature control system (10) of an automatic film processor (12) includes developer and fixer recirculation paths (30, 40) having thermowell heaters (34, 44) and thermistors (35, 45), and a cooling loop (37) in the developer path (30) which passes in heat exchange relationship with water in a wash tank (23). The system (10) also has a blower (48), heater (49) and thermistor (52) in an air path of a dryer (24). Actual heating and cooling rates of heating and cooling cycles are determined based on temperature measurements by the thermistors (35, 45, 52). Heater (34, 44, 49) and cooling loop (37) malfunctions are identified by comparing actual rates with rates characteristic of normal operations. Periodic readings of a precision resistor (89) are made to check for failures in analog-to-digital (87), multiplexing (86) and thermistor (35, 45, 52) circuits. An error-responsive fresh film inhibit feature, with user selectable override, is provided.

Method and apparatus for out-of-rate error detection in film processor

A temperature control system (10) of an automatic film processor (12) includes developer and fixer recirculation paths (30, 40) having thermowell heaters (34, 44) and thermistors (35, 45). The heating rate of a heating cycle is determined based on temperature measurements by the thermistor (35). The duty cycle of heater (34) is controlled in proportion to the difference between measured actual temperature and a preestablished setpoint temperature. When replenishment occurs, until the cooler slug of replenishment becomes mixed, heater duty cycle is chosen based on prereplenishment temperature as well as measured temperature. In a modified embodiment, until the slug is mixed, a single predefined heater duty cycle is set.

Modification of film processor chemistry proportional heating during

An automatic film processor having control circuitry including a microprocessor and a plurality of electrically alterable programmable read-only memory (EAPROM) elements for respectively storing main operating program and language codes for control of the processor, has a non-volatile read-only memory (ROM) element containing a bootstrap program including instructions for reprogramming the main program and language ROMs, using addresses and code downloaded from a laptop computer using an RS232 interface. Initialization or reprogramming occurs without the necessity for physically removing or replacing the ROMs, and in response to flags set by software.

System for updating software in automatic film processor

An automatic film processor sets new reference developer chemical temperatures and film transport speeds in accordance with user input at a keypad and establishes a new delay time to provide constant fixed spacing along the transport path between trailing edge of one film sheet and leadfing edge of a next film sheet regardless of transport speed. 'Wait' and 'ready' lights are controlled to signal when a next sheet is to be fed. A microcomputer calculates the delay time and loads a counter. A buzzer signals countdown to zero.

Processor with speed independent fixed film spacing

An automatic film processor having control circuitry including a microprocessor and an electrically alterable programmable read-only memory (EAPROM) with a stored main program for control of the processor, has an auxiliary read-only memory (ROM) containing a bootstrap program including instructions for reprogramming the EAPROM using addresses and data from a disk drive or RS232 port. Reprogramming occurs in response to manual or automatic setting of a switch, without physically removing or replacing the EAPROM.

There is described a film processor wherein an improved heat exchanger is provided for the liquid chemicals of two of its baths. The method of heat exchanging is also described. Specifically, the heat exchanger is a thermoelectric Peltier device that cools the developer at its heat sink and heats the wash water at its heat-emitting source.

Heat exchanger for film processor

An automatic film processor sets new reference developer chemical temperatures and film transport speeds in accordance with user input at a keypad and disengages the film transport motor under microcomputer control to prevent further introduction of film until sensed actual developer temperature is within an acceptable tolerance of the new set temperature. A 'wait' light is modulated to flash with increasing frequency as the gap between actual and set reference temperature is narrowed. Manual override is provided to re-engage the film motor even though the new set temperature has not been reached. A buzzer signals a feed in the override mode.

Processor with temperature responsive film transport lockout

In order to detect the presence and make measurements of the dimensions of web which travels along a path, for example film, such as X-ray film and equipment which develops such film, a linear array of light emitting devices (e.g. LEDs) is disposed opposite to an array of corresponding photodetectors to define a gap through which the web travels. The web is scanned by sequentially applying pulses of electrical power to the emitting devices. Output signals are provided from each photodetector representing the presence of the web. In order that the brightness is sufficient to detect the presence of low density (semi-opaque) webs and to maintain uniformity of brightness of illumination from emitter to emitter, the current to the emitters is computer controlled by means of a control system which responds to the signals from the photodetectors and increments or decrements the current from an initially preset level during selected scans, for example on scans which occur every 15 seconds. The preset level is sufficient so that the photodetectors detect a substantial reduction in illumination and provide corresponding output signals even when blocked by a semi-opaque film. The width of the web may be determined by counting the number of photodetectors producing these output signals during each scan and the web area passing through the detection arrays may be determined by counting output signals representing the detection of the web. In X-ray film development when a count is registered corresponding to a predetermined area of film, the developing chemicals are replenished.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

James T Samuels