Gretag Imaging Ag

Gretag Systems, Inc.

Gretag Imaging Trading Ag

Ciba-geigy Corporation

Imaging Solutions A.g.

Walter Kraft

Peter Zolliker

Werner R Von Stein

Beat Frick

Karl Ursprung

Jurgen Nehring

Marc Nussbaumer

Rudolf Wacker

Max Nussbaumer

A process for the image sharpening of a photographic image with a multitude of image elements is disclosed, wherein a correction mask for the change of the image sharpness is determined from the image data representing the image to be corrected, whereby the elements of the correction mask for the change of the image sharpness locally describe the degree of contrast change to be carried out for the individual image elements, and whereby additional information relating to the image is used for the determination of the elements in addition to information on the local contrast.

Local change of an image sharpness of photographic images with masks

Disclosed is a process for the location dependent correction of photographic image data representing an image with a multitude of image elements, whereby the image data determine color values and at least one image property for the image elements, including the steps of: determining a correction mask with a multitude of correction elements based on the photographic image data to be corrected, whereby the correction elements are assigned to the image data and determine correction changes for the image data corresponding to the image element, the correction changes corresponding to changes of the at least one image property; and applying the correction mask to the image data, whereby the image data are changed corresponding to the correction elements.

Local digital image property control with masks

Optimization apparatus for photographic image data with a data input device for input of first image data which are present in a first color space and represent a photographic image or a set of photographic images, an optimization device for optimizing the first image data and a data output device for output of the optimized first image data which optimally represent the photographic image or the set of photographic images, whereby the optimization device carries out an optimization transformation on the first image data, whereby the optimization transformation corresponds to a combination of at least the following transformations: a first transformation which transforms the first image data from the first color space into another, second color space; a correction transformation, which corrects the transformed first image data in the second color space; and a second transformation which transforms the corrected first image data into a third color space.

Optimization apparatus for photographic image data

Process for determining a mask for changing a brightness profile of a photographic copy with the following steps: photographic image data are derived from photographically recorded image information; optimized image data are obtained by correction of the photographic image data, wherein errors which were created to during the photographic recording of the image information are considered; a brightness mask, the values of which embody an influencing of the brightness profile of the photographic copy is determined based on the optimized image data.

Mask changing the brightness profile of a photographic copy

The present invention relates to a system for the optimization of a copying light profile during copying of photographic originals in a photographic copier. The photographic copier comprises a light source for producing copying light, a number of light conducting means for guiding the copying light along a light path, and a local transmission modulator. An element with a known transmission profile is provided in the light path for being shone through, whereby no photographic original to be copied and of unknown transmission profile is found in the light path, and furthermore a transmission profile specific for the local transmission modulator is provided. The resulting copying light is measured broken down by area, and the profile of the copying light is measured and compared with a desired copying light profile. Based on this comparison, the transmission profile preselected for the copying process is optimized.

Method for optimizing a copying light profile

The present invention relates to a photographic copier apparatus for projecting a photographic original onto a light sensitive copy material. The photographic copier has the following: (a) a light source for emitting light for the projection, (b) a number of optical, light guiding elements for guiding the light along a light path from the light source to the copy material as well as for the projecting of the original onto the light sensitive copy material, and (c) a liquid crystal matrix through which the light is guided by way of the light guiding elements, before it exposes the copy material. According to the present invention, the liquid crystal matrix has a plurality of elements, the transmission of which can be individually changed. The change in transmission of each element of the liquid crystal matrix is achieved by scattering of the light passing through the element, whereby the degree of the scattering is controllable by application of a voltage.

Photographic copier

In a method for producing index prints from photographic originals, each of the photographic originals is photoelectrically scanned in a scanning station of a photographic printer by a color- sensitive scanning system of low to medium local resolution in a plurality of first scanning regions. Using the scanning data, a digital color data set is determined for each original, with the aid of which set a digital representation of the picture content of the original is prepared for each original. The individual digital representations are grouped into a digital composite picture, from which an index print can be produced by an output device. The originals are also photoelectrically scanned in a scanning station by a locally high-resolution density scanner in a plurality of second scanning regions. From the scanning data of the density scanner, a digital density data set for each original is determined, which includes density data representative of the original and which has a higher local resolution than the color data set. In producing the digital representation of the picture content of the respective photographic original, both the associated color data set and the associated density data set are used.

Method for producing index prints

In a method for calibrating a photographic copy printer, developed copies are scanned regionally (such as dotwise), and the measured light transmitted or remitted by each scanned region of the copying material is supplied to a detector array, broken down spectrally, and converted into wavelength- and intensity-dependent measurement data. The electrical measurement signals are digitized, and with their aid, copy-specific measurement data are ascertained. On the basis of the copy-specific measurement data, the original-specific measurement data, and the exposure used in the copying, a model of the original adapted to the copy material and a model for the copy material, or the model (Pi) inverse to it, which forms the basis for calculating the requisite amounts of copying light, are checked with respect to specifiable accuracy criteria and optimized as needed.

Method for calibrating a photographic copy printer

In a method for producing photographic copies, first copies are produced in a first pass in a first printer, and any second copies needed are produced in a second pass by a second printer which is calibrated to the first printer by means of a setup test method. In this setup test method, the original-specific data ascertained in the first pass are delivered to a computing and control unit of the second printer. With the aid of these original-specific data and with the aid of an original model adapted to the copying material, the requisite quantities of copying light are ascertained in the computing and control unit of the second printer, and the second copies are made. The developed second copies are subjected to an analysis. Based on the analysis, the original model adapted to the copy material is optimized for the second printer until the second copies are substantially identical to the first copies.

Method for producing photographic copies from photographic originals

A method for producing copies of photographic originals, wherein an original is scanned regionally. With the aid of measurement data thus obtained, a decision is made in a test step, on the basis of specified criteria, whether the original is worth copying or not. On the basis of this decision, the particular original is or is not copied onto photographic copy material. In the test step, the scanned original is assigned to at least one of at least three categories of originals; namely a first category which includes originals that are unequivocally worth copying, a second category which includes originals that are unequivocally not worth copying, or a third category which includes originals that are neither unequivocally worth copying nor unequivocally not worth copying. Both originals assigned to the first category and originals assigned to the third category are copied onto photographic copy material, and the copies of originals assigned to the third category are specifically identified as belonging to that category and are not included in calculating the price for processing the customer's order.

Method for producing copies from photographic originals

The present invention relates to a process for making copies of photographic originals in a photographic copying machine, comprising the steps of sectionally scanning the original being copied by a measurement system in a measurement station of the photographic color copying machine, feeding measured light that is transmitted or remitted from each scanned section of the original being copied to a detector configuration, converting the measured light into electrical signals as a function of wavelength and intensity of the measured light, digitizing the electrical signals to obtain color data for processing in a computation and evaluation unit, and analyzing the color data in an analysis unit to establish correction values. The step of analyzing further includes steps of (a) subjecting the color data to a reversible linear or non-linear standardization transformation that is order or film type specific, (b) converting the color data into normalized color values to provide initial data for the analysis unit, (c) forming film specific normalized correction values in the analysis unit from the normalized color values, taking into account color, density, and structural characteristics of the original being copied, and (d) converting the film specific normalized correction values of the analysis unit into de-standardized correction values in a de-standardization unit that is attached to the analysis unit using a de-standardization transformation which is inverse to the standardization transformation, the de-standardized correction values also taking into account the color characteristics of the film material being copied. A required amount of copying light is determined from the de-standardized correction values in an exposure calculation unit, and copies are made from the original being copied in an exposure station based on said copying light.

Procedure for making copies from photographic originals

In a photographic copy process the copy master is scanned in intervals by a source of measuring light. The measuring light is spectrally split, detected and converted into electrical measuring signals. The n spectral measuring signals are converted into n spectral density values, compared with neutral densities and n spectral density differences formed. In a data compression the n spectral density differences are converted by an orthogonal transformation to m&lt;n transformation coefficients. The transformation coefficients are analyzed in a color and density correction routine and deviations computed. From the deviations the copy light quantities and exposure corrections adjusted to the copy material are determined. The photographic copies are produced by the exposure values determined.

Process for the preparation of photographic color copies

A photographic color copying apparatus and an exposure control process includes measuring filters variable as a function of the spectral sensitivities of different copy materials, in particular electro-optical filters. The variable measuring filters are constructed in the manner of Solc filters or Lyot-Ohman filters and include polarizers and electro-optical crystals, preferably liquid crystals.

Photographic color copying apparatus and exposure control process

The light emitted by a source of light is passed by means of optical fibers or bundles of optical fibers in lines over a master to be scanned. In the process, an orifice of a disk rotated by a motor sequentially projects the light onto one optical fiber or bundle of fibers leading to the master. The light exiting from the light emitting end of the optical fiber or bundle of optical fiber illuminates the master. On the other side of the master a corresponding optical fiber or bundle of fibers receives the light coming from the master and conducts it to a receiver.

Photoelectric scanner

Process wherein the slope of linear segments of color density curves of color copy material are affected in a controlled manner by homogeneous supplemental exposures. The quantities of light required for the supplemental exposures are determined by the analysis of the spectral density values of the copy master and by comparison with the color density curves of the copy material.

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Zurich, Switzerland

Walter Kraft