Multiresolution digital imagery photofinishing system

Abstract

A photoprocessing, photofinishing apparatus enables an unskilled consumer to personally customize and obtain high quality prints of photographic images without the intervention of a skilled technician. It also provides for the storage and retrieval of high resolution digitized color still images for playback to a variety of reproduction devices. The apparatus comprises a high resolution film scanner which scans 35 mm film and outputs high resolution image signals. These signals are digitized and coupled to a host image data processing unit, which stores each image file in a multiresolution, hierarchical format that facilitates retrieval of images for reproduction by a variety of devices the resolution of which may vary from device to device, such as a low/moderate NTSC television monitor or a very high resolution color thermal printer. The host processor is coupled to an interactive display terminal, through which the customer may manipulate a low resolution version of a selected image file. The apparatus may also be used by a skilled photofinishing minilab operator to produce a permanent record of images that have been digitized from one or more photographic image sources. In this application, the host computer may be coupled to drive an optical compact disc recorder which writes each hierarchical image file and an appended header file to an optical compact disc. The customer may then play back the disc on a CD player modified for display on a home television monitor.