Eastman-kodak Company

Applied Science Fiction, Inc.

Texas Instruments Corporation

Robert S Young, Jr

Douglas E Corbin

Stacy S Cook

Marc C Digby

Rustin W Allred

Philip Cannata

Richard D Ball

Michael R Thering

Michael Joseph Tsecouras

Alexei L Krasnoselsky

George Gregory Mooty

Clyde W Hinkle, Ii

Christopher P Hansen

Leland A Lester

Mark S Bishop

Jon Isom

G Gregory Mooty

Richard A Coleman

Alexei L Krasnoselski

Roland W Porth

David N Jones

Digital audio tone control implemented using Shelving filters for the digital audio treble tone control exhibits artifacts (noise, distortion, etc.) as the tone control settings are changed. This was previously accomplished by changing filter coefficients in the traditional small equal (on a dB scale) filter steps of a fraction of 1 dB. While this worked for bass filters, artifacts were still present for treble. This invention eliminates these artifacts by changing the filter steps to small equal steps on a linear scale. Additionally, where the steps became too large for the resolution required, additional filter steps are added. Approximately 150 filter steps are used for treble control and 128 filter steps are used for bass tone control. An efficient way of implementing the filter steps for digital tone control stores () one set of filter coefficient values and a small amount of additional information and then increments the coefficients between all the other steps. This reduces the memory required by as much as 95% or the machine cycles for implementing filter coefficients by 40-200 times. This new efficient method is accomplished by: 1) defining the filter coefficients, 2) piecewise linearizing the plot of filter coefficients versus filter step to define the linear regions, 3) defining the initial set of filter coefficients, and 4) defining increments between the filter steps.

Digital tone control with linear step coefficients

The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system that pre-scans and pre-treats film for improved digital film processing. The apparatus for use with the invention includes, generally, a sensor for detecting one or more imperfections on the film and a microprocessor connected to the sensor that determines the amount and extent of imperfections of the film based on one or more reference readings. The present invention may also include a tape dispenser, cleaning rollers, a blower or vacuum to remove and/or correct any imperfections in the film. One embodiment includes a cleaning system for a particle removal member which removes particles from film. The cleaning system is relatively movable and selectively contactable with the particle removal member to clean particles from the particle removal member.

Method and apparatus to pre-scan and pre-treat film for improved digital film processing handling

One aspect of the invention is a method for locating an unexposed region of film. The method includes the step of illuminating film with a light source while the film has developing chemical applied thereto, the film comprising at least two edges along an x direction perpendicular to a y direction parallel to a surface of the film. The method also includes the step of identifying an unexposed region of the film as a region containing ones of a first plurality of columns of the film, the columns disposed generally in the y direction and captured using at least one sensor operable to capture light reflected from the film, and wherein a representative value for each of the ones of first plurality of columns exceeds a threshold.

Digital film processing feature location method and system

One aspect of the invention is a method for signal modulation adjustment. The method comprises illuminating a reference target and a region of film with a first light source for a first time interval. The method further comprises capturing image data from the film in response to a first amount of light reflected from the film with a first sensor for a first integration time. The method also comprises approximately simultaneously producing a first reference output in response to a first amount of light reflected from the reference target in a field of view of a reference sensor. More particularly, the method further comprises adjusting the data in response to the reference output. In a further embodiment, the method comprises adjusting an output illumination level of the first light source in response to the first reference output before a next time interval.

Pulsed illumination signal modulation control & adjustment method and system

A method for generating digital filters for equalizing a loudspeaker. First digital data is provided, for a tolerance range for a target response curve of sound level versus frequency for the loudspeaker. Second digital data is generated, for an actual response curve of sound level versus frequency for the loudspeaker. The first digital data is compared with the second digital data and it is determined whether the actual response curve is within the tolerance range. If the actual response curve is not within the tolerance range, digital audio filters are iteratively generated, and the digital audio filters are applied to the second digital data to generate third digital data for a compensated response curve. The frequency, amplitude and bandwidth of the digital audio filters are automatically optimized until the compensated response curve is within the tolerance range or a predetermined limit on the number of digital audio filters has been reached, whichever occurs first.

Automatic loudspeaker equalizer

One aspect of the present invention is a system for estimating sensor and illumination non-uniformities. The system comprises a first light source, and a first sensor operable to capture light reflected from a first side of film illuminated by the light source while the film has a developer chemical applied thereto and processing circuitry coupled to the first sensor. The processing circuitry is operable to capture a first plurality of readings from the sensor responsive to light reflected from an unexposed region of film to determine a first set of non-uniformity data and adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the first set of non-uniformity data. In a further embodiment, the processing circuitry is further operable to dim the first light source for at least a portion of the time that the sensor is being used to sense the unexposed region of the film. The processing circuitry may also capture a second plurality of readings from the sensor while the first light source is dimmed to determine a second set of non-uniformity data and adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the second set of non-uniformity data.

Method and system for estimating sensor dark current drift and sensor/illumination non-uniformities

One aspect of the invention is a system for digital dye color film processing. In one embodiment, a developer station applies a processing solution to film to initiate development of metallic silver grains and at least one dye image within the film. A scanning system illuminates the coated film with light having at least one frequency within the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light interacts with the silver and at least one dye image within the film. The scanning station measures the light from the film and produces sensor data that is communicated to a data processing system. The data processing system processes the sensor data to produce a digital image. The digital image can then be output to an output device, such as a printer, monitor, memory device, and the like.

System and method for digital film development using visible light

One aspect of the invention is a digital dye color film processing system. In one embodiment, the digital dye color film processing system includes a developer station, a processing station, a scanning system, and a data processing system. The developer station applies a developer solution to a silver halide based film to produce metallic silver grains and at least one dye image within the film. The processing station then applies at least one processing solution to the film to convert the silver halide and/or metallic silver to a substantially transparent silver complex. The scanning system then scans the coated film and produces sensor data that is communicated to a data processing system that processes the sensor data to produce a digital image The digital image can then be output to an output device, such as a printer, display monitor, memory device, and the like.

System and method for digital color dye film processing

A slot coater device is provided for applying a processing solution, such as developer, to film during film development. The slot coater includes a housing having an opening for dispensing the processing solution, a reservoir within the housing adapted to receive a predetermined amount of the processing solution, and a channel for delivering the processing solution from the reservoir to the opening.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Robert S Young, Jr