Abstract: Apparatus for exposing reference calibration patches onto photosensitive medium, includes: a light source; a plurality of optical fibers, one fiber for each element to be exposed; a light collector having an input port for receiving light emitted by the light source and an output port for delivering light to one end of the optical fibers; a plurality of light attenuators located with respect to the optical fiber for individually attenuating the light transmitted by each fiber; a projection print head located at the other end of the optical fibers for directing light from the fiber onto the photosensitive medium; and a controller connected to the light source for measuring and controlling the light output of the light collector.

Abstract: Printer and method with an electromagnetic interference reducing optical data link for transmitting image forming data. The printer comprises a print head capable of being actuated to form the image on a receiver. A photodetector is connected to the print head for detecting image forming data carried by an infrared light beam. The photodetector also actuates the print head in response to the image forming data detected by the photodetector. Also provided is a light source in optical communication with the photodetector for emitting the light beam. The photodetector detects the image forming data as the light source emits the light beam and the print head is actuated as the photodetector detects the image forming data. The print head forms the image on the receiver in accordance with the image forming data as the print head is actuated.

Abstract: Printer apparatus and method of forming multiple image pixel sizes on photosensitive media. The printer comprises a light source for projecting a light beam onto the photosensitive media to form the image pixel on the photosensitive media. An aperture system is interposed between the light source and the photosensitive media for adjustably sizing the light beam, the aperture system having an adjustable aperture plate for receiving the light beam therethrough. The aperture system is adjustable for variably masking a predetermined portion of the light beam, so that the image pixel obtains a predetermined size as the predetermined portion of the light beam is masked. The aperture system includes a guide member having parallel spaced-apart grooves therein. An aperture plate, which slidably engages the grooves, has a first aperture of a first size and a second aperture of a second size spaced-apart from the first aperture.

Abstract: An automated image media processing station includes a image media processing apparatus for processing a customer's image media in accordance with a transaction sequence and a video display allowing the customer to view images during processing. The station includes a customer interface in communication with the processing apparatus interfacing the customer with the apparatus and a customer detector in communication with at least one of the customer interface and the processing apparatus for detecting the presence of the customer within a range and field of view of the detector whereby such presence allows the video display to display the images captured on the image media for the customer, and undetected presence discontinues further display of the images.

Abstract: An image capture system intended to provide an image capturing device for use by the general public at sites having objects of interest. The image capture system is designed to accept a user's image recording medium and allow the user to capture on the user's image recording medium either a real image or a stored image of the object of interest. The system generally includes an objective lens, a viewing screen, a compartment for receiving an image recording medium, a memory device to store a stored image, a display device to display the stored image capable of being capture on the image recording medium, a projection device for projecting the stored image onto the image recording medium, and a control mechanism to control the operation of the memory device, the display device and the projection device.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically advancing or removing a filmstrip from a reel and a reel for holding a photosensitive filmstrip during photofinishing. The reel includes a first side wall and a second side wall substantially parallel to the first side wall. The first and second side walls each having a wall member disposed in a spiral pattern so as to form a spiral path for receiving the edges of a photosensitive filmstrip between said side walls. A clutch mechanism is provided on each side wall for advancing the filmstrip along the spiral path in a first direction and preventing movement in the opposite direction. A spring member is provided for disengaging the clutch mechanism so as to allow removal of the filmstrip from the spiral path. The clutch mechanism may include a movable ramp for allowing movement of the photosensitive material in either direction along the spiral path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing of filmstrip contained in a film cartridge. The apparatus having at least one processing tank for holding a processing solution, a holding mechanism for holding and retaining a film cartridge containing a filmstrip having a leading edge and trailing edge, the trailing edge being secured to the cartridge, a transport mechanism for moving the holding mechanism along the apparatus so that the holding mechanism can be located at a workstation located at one of said at least one processing tank, and a film drive mechanism for moving the film out of or back into the film cartridge while the end of the film is still attached to the cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic image capture station employing a pressure sensing pad to provide position signals to a controller for use directing the subject to appropriate position in the field of view of the camera or, alternatively, to control the camera operation to improve composition of the image to be captured.

Abstract: A thermal printer for printing a continuous tone image includes an image signal source, a thermal printhead for printing one line of image pixels at a time, and an image signal converter that transforms each line of image signals into print pixels that are applied to the heat elements of the printhead. The image signal converter includes an image memory that stores the set of successive lines of image pixel signals for the entire image obtained from an image source and a memory for storing a subset of the successive lines. A control processor transfers the set of successive image signal lines to the image memory and then sequentially transfers one successive line at a time to the subset memory. The stored subset comprises the line of image pixel signals being converted, a plurality of lines of image pixel signals preceding the line of image pixel signals being converted and a plurality of lines of image pixel signals succeeding the line of image signals being converted.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting that a facsimile machine is being installed with stored information within the machine being used to aid the installer during installation and/or operation using either image and text information or verbal information stored in the memory of the facsimile machine.

Abstract: A three-color laser scanner using a holographically-generated plane linear grating disk (hologon). The disk includes peripherally-arranged facets having identical multiplexed diffraction gratings. Each multiplexed grating is formed from plural superimposed interference patterns accumulated by multiple exposures to light from a single monochromatic laser beam source. The multiplexed grating is optimized to diffract certain light wavelengths in a single, multichromatic (plural wavelength) input laser beam. The diffracted output beam comprises respective wavelength beam components that simultaneously scan in collinear fashion. Modulation of the plural wavelength components in the incident beam allows the output beam to scan expose a multicolor image at the image plane.

Abstract: A recursive spatial filter interchanges the value of a control pixel with that of the value of a predetermined one of the surrounding pixels in a pixel mask when a specific image pattern occurs in the digital image. The use of such a filter eliminates certain highly visible grain patterns from the halftoned digital image while preserving the average gray level.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting multilevel video images into a bilevel image having an accurate rendition of the original grayscale of the image. The apparatus can provide an improved rendition of low contrast images.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting multilevel video images into a bilevel image having an accurate rendition of the original grayscale of the image. The apparatus performs enhanced preservation of edge information in the image when using error diffusion techniques.

Abstract: A method for use in a recursive spatial filter which interchanges the value of a control pixel with that of the value of a predetermined one of the surrounding pixels in a pixel mask when a specific image pattern occurs in the digital image. The use of such a method eliminates certain highly visible grain patterns from the halftoned digital image while preserving the average gray level.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting multilevel video images into a bi-level image having an accurate rendition of the original multilevel grayscale of the image. The apparatus can correct for non-linearities introduced by current error diffusion techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus for a spatial filter that can function both recursively and non-recursively for removing noise from video images while substantially preserving fine detail, and a method for use therein are disclosed. Specifically, a look up table stores pre-defined filtered output pel values and pre-defined feedback pel values. This table is accessed by an address formed of the values of pels that constitute a pel mask for a current input pel. The pel mask contains pels from the incoming image as well as the current and past values of the feedback pel produced from the look up table. Each time the table is successively accessed, a filtered output pel value and a feedback pel value are generated. As long as the value of the feedback pel equals that of a corresponding pel in the incoming image, the filter operates non-recursively; when these pel values are different, recursive operation occurs instead.