Abstract: A method of producing a kaleidoscope image which is usable in a scrapbook. The method includes the steps of providing a first display area for displaying an image; providing a window which is movable by a user relative to the image displayed in the first display area to produce a windowed image comprised of a portion of the image; and simultaneously displaying, in a second display area adjacent the first display area, the kaleidoscope image having a symmetrical design produced by arranging a series of the windowed image displayed in the first display area.

Abstract: An image-forming device comprises a rotating belt that includes a plurality of micro-members. The micro-members are preferably spherical members or hook and loop members. The rotating belt having the micro-members thereon is adapted to contact microencapsulated media with a force sufficient to rupture unhardened microcapsules on the media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for storing at least photographic prints. The arrangement of the present invention is in the form of an envelope or wallet-type member and includes a tab arrangement which permits a user to customize the location of the tabs on the wallet-type member. The tab arrangement comprises removable tabs on the wallet-type member which provides a customer with the opportunity to chose which tab is to be used for providing identifying information on the envelope. Further, the wallet-type member includes a planar member which is adapted to have an opening to reveal an index print or a photographic print representative of the prints stored in the wallet-type member. The opening and the tab or tabs are provided on the same side or the same planar member of the wallet-type member so as to enable the viewing of both the tab or tabs and the displayed index or photographic print at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of identification of sky in a digital image made up of a set of points that can be located in the plane of the image. Each point of an image being associated with a color and a brightness. According to the invention process the image is filtered and the filtered image is then segmented into several portions. A mosaic image is then produced for which a color is associated with each portion. Portions having at least one point on the image edges are then selected and identified as sky. The portions have colors varying within a color range containing at least blue colors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic processor and a method of processing photographic material. The photographic processor is adapted to achieve a high speed processing of photographic material by utilizing the combination of a vacuum platen and a stacker arrangement that is adapted to hold the media for a time necessary to process and/or dry the media. The system permits media to be fed to a first vacuum platen where a first solution is applied. The platen transports the media to a first vertical stacker arrangement, which holds the media for a desired processing time for the first solution. The media can then be pushed through a stop solution, if needed, and onto a second vacuum platen where a second solution can be applied. The media is then delivered to second vertical stacker arrangement that is designed to assure the proper amount of processing time for the second solution.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of devices enabling the sticking of splicing tapes to the ends of strips put into rolls, to prevent their later unwinding. The present invention relates to a device (1) for applying splicing tapes (22) on a strip (30) made of flexible material. The device (1) is equipped with a passive device (50) enabling the elimination of the electrostatic forces that disturb the operation of the device. The device (1) according to the invention is mainly used on photographic film or paper slitters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of shadow identification in a digital image. The digital image comprises a set of image points that can be located in a plane of the image, with each image point being associated with a color and brightness. The color is defined by chromatic components that can be located in the color space of an acquisition system, and the brightness is determinable from the chromatic components. According to the process of the present invention, for each image point, the brightness is determined; color standardization is carried out, leading to standardized chromatic components r, g, b; a chromatic brightness is determined from the standardized chromatic components r, g, b; and the chromatic brightness is compared with the brightness, to identify the presence of a shadow on the relevant image point.

Abstract: A method of preparing a roll of film for development. The method involves inspecting the film for defects and imperfections as the film is unwound from a magazine. A method of preparing a roll of film for development and developing the film is also disclosed. The development of the film involves conveying the film to a development station and controlling a temperature of the development station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing arrangement that includes a processing section and a scanning section. The scanning section includes a scanner that is adapted to scan processed photographic film. The scanning section also includes a plate member with a guide slot therein and a plurality of film holding casings movably located in the guide slot. The film holding casing are adapted to receive the processed dried film from the processing section and queue the processed dried film for scanning in the scanner. With the arrangement of the present invention, it is possible to collect and queue multiple films to be scanned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a makeover workflow method or system that can be associated with a digital photofinishing arrangement and allows selected images or products to be made again to replace a product which has been damaged, incorrectly produced, or which may need correction to the image content for appearance defect removal. The makeover workflow system or method of the present invention utilizes processing data or metadata used to process the original image to remanufacture the same or improved product or image. With the processing data or metadata from the original processing of the image, changes can be made by adjustment to the first time corrections which are added to or subtracted from the original metadata or processing data. The makeover process of the present invention permits a reproduction of a defective image from the acquired image without having to go back to the original film or input media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographic processing system and a method of processing photographic media, wherein a conveying member having slots therein is provided on top of a vacuum chamber and is used to convey photographic media to be processed. A processing solution supply member applies processing solution onto the photographic media on the conveying member, and a vacuum air source is adapted to apply a vacuum suction force to the vacuum chamber to hold the sheet of photographic media flat either during the application of processing solution to the media or after the processing solution is applied to the media.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of photography and is used to measure the sensitometric characteristics of a photographic element, such as a photographic film strip. The present invention relates more particularly to an exposure system that enables the production of a sensitometric control patch and the measurement of the sensitometric characteristics of the photographic element. The exposure system comprises a light energy source servo connected to a management module of the exposure parameters. The exposure system enables the production on the exposed film strip of the unique sensitometric control patch, so that this sensitometric control patch includes gradient of exposure areas that enables all the sensitometric characteristics of the photographic film to be obtained.

Abstract: A method to transmit drawings or images comprising text to low display ability terminals, and more particularly to cellular phones or equivalent mobile devices. The transmission is possible in the best conditions and automatically. The transmission enables the consultation or display by the user of these drawings or images comprising text, on a low display ability terminal. These images can have the form of a plate of several images or an individual image comprising text. This operation is possible by automatically transforming the drawings or images via image analysis into image entities formed by an image zone and a text zone; and without requiring any extra work by the publisher or author of the drawings or images comprising text.

Abstract: A method of developing a latent image on a photographic element (such as imagewise exposed photographic film) by absorbing a dye precursor into the film, applying a developer solution to the film to develop the latent image and form a dye in the film, scanning the film with light, and detecting at least one of light reflected away from and light transmitted through the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanner and a method of conveying and scanning photographic media. In the invention, an entrance roller pair and an exit roller pair are used to convey the photographic media thorough the scanner. The entrance roller pair and the exit roller pair each include idler rollers that can be selective moved toward their respective drive rollers and away from their respective drive rollers so as to selectively provide for an engaged or a disengaged position for each of the entrance roller pair and the exit roller pair. With the system of the present invention it is possible to lift the idler rollers before the leading and trailing edges of the media passes over the respective drive rollers to thus minimize any disturbance of media motion during scanning.

Abstract: Reproduction apparatus is periodically calibrated using only one member of a group of receivers. A correction is applied for other members of the group based on their relative differences from the one member. The one member to be calibrated periodically is designated the “key” member. Whenever a new member of the group comes into the lab, it, along with the key member are calibrated. The ratios of the density outputs over the full exposure range are calculated and saved for the new member. Then, at each reproduction apparatus calibration, the density outputs for the key member are determined and the ratios of density outputs are applied to predict the corresponding density outputs of the other group members, as if they were being calibrated at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-forming device for processing photosensitive media. The photosensitive media is of the type that includes microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material such as coloring material. The image-forming device includes a photobleaching system that is adapted to eliminate or minimize undesired coloration in a final print.

Abstract: 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.