The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 03, 1994
Paul C Schubert, Marine on the St. Croix, MN (US);
Richard R Lemberger, Forest Lake, MN (US);
Terrence H Joyce, Lakeville, MN (US);
Todd G Langmade, Maplewood, MN (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A multi-user digital laser imaging system for imaging film from bar coded cartridges as a function of image values representative of the images to be printed. The imaging system includes memory for storing transfer functions and film models for each of several users. The transfer functions characterize the relationships between image values and expected imaged film transmittance quantities. The film models characterize the relationship between the transmittance quantities and laser drive values that will provide the appropriate film exposure. An image management subsystem generates lookup tables characterizing the relationship between image values and laser drive values on the basis of user-selected transfer functions and film models selected by the system through the use of film identification information read from the bar code. During imaging operations the image management subsystem accesses the lookup tables as a function of the image values to obtain the appropriate laser drive values. The transfer functions can be modified to accommodate user preferences. Test wedge calibration procedures are periodically implemented to correlate the film models to measured sensitometric characteristics. Density patch calibration procedures are performed during each imaging operation to correct for drifts caused by the film developing subsystem.