Color Imaging Process Patents (Class 430/357)
  • Patent number: 5563024
    Abstract: An improved image display material comprising a light sensitive tabular grain silver chloride emulsion spectrally sensitized to a peak wavelength of less than about 475 nm, and a method of use comprising the step of optically printing a color image onto the improved color photographic display material is provided. The material and method enable reduced printing times, improved color reproduction and lowered image granularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anne E. Bohan, Jerzy A. Budz, Pamela M. Ferguson, Alberto M. Martinez, James P. Merrill, Scott F. O'Dell, Richard P. Szajewski
  • Patent number: 5541055
    Abstract: A heat developing photosensitive material of the present invention has, on a substrate, a photosensitive layer containing at least an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a photosensitive silver halide or a photosensitive silver halide forming agent, a cyanine dye and a cyclic carbonyl compound.In an image forming method of the present invention, an image is exposed on the heat developing photosensitive material and then the exposed photosensitive material is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Ooi, Tetsuro Fukui, Motokazu Kobayashi, Kazunori Ueno
  • Patent number: 5510232
    Abstract: Certain cationic hydroquinones are useful catalysts for persulfate bleaching agents in photographic processing methods. These compounds are oxidizable by persulfate and reducible by silver metal at a pH of from 1 to 7, and have a chemically reversible redox couple of from about -0.20 to about +1.5 volts. The persulate bleaching ability is enhanced by the presence of these compounds which are used in a step prior to bleaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Terrence R. O'Toole
  • Patent number: 5455150
    Abstract: A silver halide photographic negative has a red sensitive layer containing a coupler which reacts with oxidized color developer to form a cyan dye, a blue sensitive layer containing a coupler which reacts with oxidized color developer to form a yellow dye, and a green sensitive layer containing a coupler which reacts with oxidized color developer to form a magenta dye. The coupler in the green sensitive layer produces a magenta dye which has relatively low density in the 560-590 nm range as compared with magenta dyes produced by pyrazolotriazole type couplers or 1-phenyl-3-acylamino-5-pyrazolone couplers. The element additionally has an inert dye present, preferably positioned below the green sensitive layer containing the foregoing coupler. The inert dye has a peak absorption between 560-590 nm so that the negative has a ratio of density at 580 nm to density at 550 nm, both as measured at neutral midscale exposure, which is greater than exhibited by the element absent the inert dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jared B. Mooberry, Paul B. Merkel, Stephen P. Singer
  • Patent number: 5447831
    Abstract: The invention provides a silver halide color negative photographic element comprising a red sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a coupler which reacts with oxidized color developer to form a cyan dye, a blue sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a coupler which reacts with oxidized color developer to form a yellow dye, and a green sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a coupler which upon reaction with oxidized color developer forms a magenta image dye, the element additionally comprising a hue correction coupler associated with a green sensitive layer which coupler reacts with oxidized developer to form a magenta dye having a peak absorption between 565-600 nm so that the element has a D580/D550 ratio which is greater than that exhibited by the element absent the hue correction coupler. The invention also provides a process for forming an image in the element described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. Singer, Jared B. Mooberry
  • Patent number: 5434033
    Abstract: There is disclosed a silver halide color photographic material and a method for forming a color image using said photographic material. The silver halide color photographic material comprises photosensitive emulsion layers each containing silver halide emulsion grains having 95 mol % or more of silver chloride and a hydrophilic colloid layer containing a white pigment that is applied between the support and the photosensitive emulsion layer nearest to the support, the weight ratio of the white pigment in said hydrophilic colloid layer being 40 wt % or more, and the ratio of the total amount of the hydrophilic colloid applied on the support to the total coating amount of the photosensitive silver halide in the photographic material being in the range from 5.0 to 30.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kawai
  • Patent number: 5418116
    Abstract: The invention relates to providing a method of toning a black-and-white image formed with color couplers comprising providing a developed image, applying a hue changing material to said print wherein the hue of at least dye in said print is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Gottschalk, Joseph I. Varga
  • Patent number: 5418117
    Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide colour material by a redox amplification method in wherein colour developing solution is applied to the material in the presence of atmospheric oxygen and a hydroxylamine compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each an alkyl or aryl groups either of which may be substituted, andwherein the colour developer solution is agitated sufficiently for redox amplification to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Peter D. Marsden
  • Patent number: 5380624
    Abstract: A novel process is provided for processing a silver halide color photographic material with a color developing solution containing at least one aromatic primary amine color developing agent, wherein said silver halide color photographic material contains at least one of anti-bacterial agents represented by the general formulas (I), (II), (III), (IV) and (V) and that the processing is effected while said color developing solution is supplied in an amount of 20 to 120 ml per 1 m.sup.2 of said silver halide color photographic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Yoshida, Takatoshi Ishikawa, Yoshihiro Fujita, Genichi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 5334469
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of extracting two or more spectral image records from an imagewise exposed multicolor photographic element containing a plurality of tabular grain emulsions for individually recording imagewise exposure in at least two different regions of the visible spectrum. In each of the tabular grain emulsions tabular grains exhibiting a mean equivalent circular diameter of greater than 0.4 micrometer and a mean thickness of less than 0.2 micrometer account for greater than 90 percent of total grain projected area. No more than one of the tabular grain emulsions exhibits a mean tabular grain thickness of less than 0.07 micrometers, and each of tile remaining tabular grain emulsions exhibit a coefficient of variation of tabular grain thickness of less than 15 percent. The mean tabular grain thickness of emulsions for recording imagewise exposure to different regions of the visible spectrum differs by at least 0.02 micrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Sutton, John Gasper, Allen K. Tsaur, Ann Tarn
  • Patent number: 5328787
    Abstract: Sensitometric Quality Indicator Parameters (SQIP), including Color Radial Error (1), Average Density Error (2), Contrast Mismatch Error (3), HUE (4), and related Auxiliary Quality Parameters, are derived primarily from the deviations in aim values of the red, green, and blue density values over the standard range of exposure steps for a color photographic product. Normalized tolerance limit values common to SQIP 1-3 are established at one exposure reference level within the standard range of exposure steps. A composite graphical display of density deviations versus LOG H exposure, of SQIP 1-4 with associated tolerance limit values versus LOG H exposure, and of the Auxiliary Quality Parameters enables the rapid analysis and disposition of a batch of color photographic product with regard to sensitometric quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Clifford, Raymond J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 5314791
    Abstract: There are disclosed a fixing solution for a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material which comprises containing a water-soluble surfactant and a processing method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Ishikawa, Yutaka Ueda, Shigeharu Koboshi
  • Patent number: 5310628
    Abstract: There is described a process for recording a positive or negative continuous tone color copy having the same or lower contrast than a continuous tone original image, comprising the steps of:providing a photographic element comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a yellow image, a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a cyan image, and a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a magenta image, each image-forming unit having a maximum spectral sensitivity at a different wavelength of radiation, and at least one of the image-forming units having a gamma as described herein,receiving image data representing the densities of the yellow, magenta, and cyan records of the original image,modifying said image data and using it to control three exposure sources, each emitting radiation in the region of maximum spectral sensitivity for a corresponding one of the image-forming units, so that, after exposure, the recorded image density range for at least one of o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Annabel A. Muenter, James C. Owens
  • Patent number: 5296337
    Abstract: There are described a method for retouching photographic images, compositions adapted for such retouching, and photographic elements containing dye-forming couplers that yield dye images that particularly lend themselves to retouching by this method. The method comprises contacting a photographic element containing a dye image with a defined retouching composition to solubilize and remove selected areas or amounts of dye. The composition comprises an aqueous basic solution of a dinucleophile and a water-soluble organic co-solvent. The preferred photographic element for application of this retouching method comprises a dye image formed from a pyrazoloazole magenta dye forming coupler having a cleavable ballast group joined to the remainder of the molecule by one or two electrophilic cleavage groups. The retouching composition cleaves the ballast from the dye and solubilizes the dye, allowing it to be washed from the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: J. Ramon Vargas, John W. Harder, Phillip D. Knight, Paul A. Burns, Lynda D. Weber
  • Patent number: 5273865
    Abstract: A ready-to-use photographic color developing composition for the development of high bromide silver halide photographic element, said composition being substantially free of bromides, hydroxylamines and benzyl alcohol and comprising a color developing agent, a buffering agent, a complexing agent, an antifogging agent, a contrast promoting agent, an antioxidant agent and a polyol compound.A rapid access processing method of a high bromide silver halide photographic color element, said method comprising the steps of:developing said element for a period of about 75 to about 105 seconds in a ready-to-use color developing composition substantially free of bromides, hydroxylamines and benzylalcohol and comprising a color developing agent, a buffering agent, a complexing agent, an antifogging agent, a contrast promoting agent, an antioxidant agent and a compound of formula:R--(OH).sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marco Loiacono, Carlo Marchesano
  • Patent number: 5258247
    Abstract: A photoimaged article having a protected image composed of a colored image on a support; and a thin, transparent, flexible, nonself supporting, protective layer on the surface of the image. The layer is substantially nontacky at room temperature, and has at least a major amount based on the weight of the layer of one or more thermoplastic resins of a vinyl acetal, vinyl chloride, or acrylic polymer or copolymer having a Tg of from about 35.degree. C. to about 110.degree. C. The layer is capable of being adhesively transferred directly to the image when the layer is first applied on the release surface of a temporary support, and the image and protective layer are laminated together under pressure at temperatures of between about 60.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. with subsequent removal of the temporary support. The side of said layer opposite to the image is free from additional layers. The adhesive layer is one which does not cohesively block at temperatures of about 50.degree. C. or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corporation
    Inventor: Stephan J. W. Platzer
  • Patent number: 5250396
    Abstract: A method of continuously processing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic material using an automatic processor which has a color development bath, comprising the steps of a) developing with a color developer containing an organic preservative, and b) adding to the color developer during the continuous processing (i) a replenisher for the color developer containing a development agent and other components for the development in an amount of from 20 ml to 600 ml per m.sup.2 of the photographic material processed, and (ii) a water solution in an amount of from 0.1 to 1.2 times the amount of the developer which has evaporated from the bath at a frequency of about once per week or more often.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Ueda, Takatoshi Ishikawa, Hiroshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 5238788
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming a dye image which comprises a step of processing, with a color developing solution, a photo-sensitive silver halide photographic material comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer. The method is characterized in that said silver halide emulsion layer comprises silver halide grains having a silver chloride content of not less than 90 mol. %; said photosensitive silver halide photographic material comprises a white pigment in an amount of not less than 3.5 g per m.sup.2 of said photographic material; and said photosensitive silver halide photographic material is, after being processed with the color developing solution, processed with a bleaching solution (BL-1) and subsequently with a fixing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kajiwara, Takashi Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 5234802
    Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic material is disclosed, comprising a support and a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer provided on the frontside of the support, said photographic material being arranged in a processing container containing a processing solution to form a gap or series of continuous gaps adjacent to the surface of the light-sensitive layer between the frontside of the photographic material and the backside of the same photographic material, or between the frontside of the photographic material and a second photographic material, or between the frontside of the photographic material and a light-insensitive member, said gap or continuous series of gaps having a substantially constant gap width, comprising the steps of introducing a processing solution stream into each gap and replacing the processing solution thus introduced in an amount at least equivalent to the capacity of the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Toshio Kurokawa, Keisuke Shiba, Noboru Sasaki, Ken Kawada, Kouichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5188925
    Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, wherein a silver halide color photographic material A comprising silver halide grains with a total amount of silver coated of 2 g/m.sup.2 to 10 g/m.sup.2 and another silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material B comprising silver halide grains with a total amount of silver coated of not more than 1 g/m.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Moeko Hagiwara, Shigeharu Koboshi
  • Patent number: 5135841
    Abstract: Colored copies of outstanding quality are obtained from half tone originals by means of a color paper of extremely hard gradation if the silver halide emulsions of the color paper consists substantially of silver chloride and if, before the material is processed, a filtered, homogeneous exposure is carried out, extending from sub-threshold pre-exposure to an exposure which reduces the maximum color densities by 0.4 density units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ubbo Wernicke, Herbert Mitzinger, Udo Quilitzsch
  • Patent number: 5079132
    Abstract: A method for forming a color positive image which comprises steps of:(a) exposing a color positive type silver halide material including a support having thereon at least two silver halide emulsion layers which have different spectral sensitivity distribution from each other, to light passed through a filter having at least one absorption band where light is absorbed in a sharp width; at least one absorption peak thereof being in a wavelength of from 480 to 520 nm or from 580 to 620 nm, the optical density of the absorption peak being at least 0.8; the 3/4 value width of the absorption peak, designated as W 3/4, being at least 5 nm and the 3/4 value width of the absorption peak and the 1/4 value width of the absorption peak, designated as W 1/4, satisfying the following relation:W3/4= W1/4.ltoreq.30 nm.and(b) developing the exposed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Mitsui, Nobuyuki Kimura, Junichi Tamano, Mitsugi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 5051341
    Abstract: There is described a process for recording a positive or negative continuous tone color copy having the same or lower contrast than a continuous tone original image, comprising the steps of:providing a photographic element comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a yellow image, a silver halide emulsion unit capable of formign a cyan image, and a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a magnenta image, each image-forming unit having a maximum spectral sensitivity at a different wavelength of radiation, and at least one of the image-forming units having a gamma as described herein,receiving image data representing the densities of the yellow, magenta, and cyan records of the original image,modifying said image data and using it to control three exposure sources, each emitting radiation in the region of maximum spectral sensitivity for a corresponding one of the image-forming units, so that, after exposure, the recorded image density range for at least one of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Annabel A. Muenter, James C. Owens
  • Patent number: 5013621
    Abstract: A one-part coating composition for the backside of photographic prints and photographic prints so coated are described. The white coating is reflective, flexible, and water resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John F. Kistner
  • Patent number: 4987061
    Abstract: Color images with improved Dmin/Dmax-relationship can be obtained from color photographic recording materials comprising color providing compounds in association to silver halide emulsion layers and comprising an additional binder in said silver halide emulsion layers or in adjacent non-lightsensitive layers a polymer having recurring structural units of a polymerized monomer which contains at least one urethane and/or urea group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Reel/Frame Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunter Helling, Manfred Peters
  • Patent number: 4939547
    Abstract: A multicolor electrophotography apparatus for forming a color image on a rotatable photosensitive device shaped cylindrically and arranged to hold on its circumferential surface an electrostatic image optically formed by an exposing device. The apparatus includes a plurality of developing devices movably provided along the circumference of the photosensitive device for developing a plurality of different-color toner images overlapping each other. Each of the developing devices is selectively driven to take a developing position and a non-developing position, each of the developing devices being closed to photosensitive devices up to the developing position and being separated therefrom up to the non-developing position. When the exposing device is in the non-operated state, at least one of the developing devices takes the developing position and the other developing devices take the non-developing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Miyaji, Hiroshi Terada, Hayato Kamada, Hidenori Kunishige
  • Patent number: 4937177
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing and printing custom artwork such as, for example, photo greeting cards, allowing the creation of calendars, business cards, and the like using a plurality of colors. In the method, after all of the preparatory typesetting and artwork has been completed, special color filters are adhered to the base side of the high contrast film negative which is created from the pasted-up type and artwork. These filters are chosen based upon the desired finished product colors. The final color created is the photographic complement of the filter(s) used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Hubert
  • Patent number: 4904573
    Abstract: A method for forming an image by the steps of:(a) imagewise exposing a heat-developable color light-sensitive material;(b) uniformly exposing at least a portion of the heat-developable light-sensitive material; and(c) heat developing the imagewise exposed and uniformly exposed heat-developable light-sensitive material to form a color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hara
  • Patent number: 4902594
    Abstract: A photoimaged article having a protected image composed of a colored image on a support; and a thin, transparent, flexible, nonself supporting, protective layer on the surface of the image. The layer is substantially nontacky at room temperature, and has at least a major amount based on the weight of the layer of one or more thermoplastic resins of a vinyl acetal, vinyl chloride, or acrylic polymer or copolymer having a Tg of from about 35.degree. C. to about 110.degree. C. The layer is capable of being adhesively transferred directly to the image when the layer is first applied on the release surface of a temporary support, and the image and protective layer are laminated together under pressure at temperatures of between about 60.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. with subsequent removal of the temporary support. The side of said layer opposite to the image is free from additional layers. The adhesive layer is one which does no cohesively block at temperatures ofabout 50.degree. or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corporation
    Inventor: Stephan J. W. Platzer
  • Patent number: 4880726
    Abstract: A method of forming a color image wherein a color print original is printed on a printing color photographic material and the thus printed material is then subjected to color development to give a color print, which is characterized in that a band stop filter having a half width of the spectral transmittance curve of said filter in a wavelength range outside the region of the maximum spectral sensitivity wavelength (.lambda.max).+-.20 nm of at least one light-sensitive layer of the printing color photographic material is provided between the light source to be used in said printing step and the light-sensitive layer of said printing color photographic material, and in that a compound of a general formula (I):(C.sub.p).X (I)wherein C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Shiba, Seiji Ichijima, Kei Sakanoue, Seiichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 4837139
    Abstract: There are disclosed a processing solution of a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material, which comprises containing a compound represented by the formula (I) shown below, and a processing method of the same, which comprises subjecting a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material having at least one layer of silver halide emulsion layer on a support to imagewise exposure and then applying processing including at least a color developing processing, characterized in that the color developing solution to be used in the color developing processing contains a compound represented by the formula (I) shown below: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms substituted with an alkoxy group, and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms substituted with an alkoxy group, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be bonded with each other to form a ring containing an oxygen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Shigeharu Koboshi, Satoru Kuse, Masao Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4825246
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus wherein document information is separated by using an optical device into two colors that are complementary to each other, converted photo-electrically and processed by using a photo-electric conversion device, and extracted on the basis of the result of processing by using a color extraction information generation device, and a color information designated by the color extraction information of the color extraction information generation device is stored in a color information storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Fukuchi, Kiyoshi Akazawa, Masahiko Matsunawa, Hiroshi Niki, Shunji Matsuo, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Yoshinori Abe
  • Patent number: 4810602
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for improving the perceptibility of details on a hard-copy of a color image and for matching the color of a displayed image and a color hard-copy of the same image. In addition to the recording of the color information, at least one white light exposure modulated by the information of at least one color separation record is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Guido R. Wittocx, Emile P. Schoeters
  • Patent number: 4733269
    Abstract: A control device for a color copier which sets up an adequate color copying time for any particular size of transfer papers. A color document is repeatedly scanned by a scanning optical system to sequentially expose a single photoconductive drum, which is rotated at a constant speed, to a plurality of separated color components. Each of the latent images electrostatically formed on the drum is developed by a toner which is supplied from a developing device and complementary in color to the color component associated with the latent image, the resulting toner images being sequentially transferred to a transfer paper which is held on and rotated together with a transfer drum. The control device includes a paper size setting circuit for setting the size of a transfer paper to be used before a copying operation, a scanning sensor for sensing the start of a scanning performed by the optical system, and a home sensor for sensing the instantaneous angular position of the transfer drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kasahara, Tadahide Sawamura
  • Patent number: 4718757
    Abstract: Image-enhancement is achieved by the use of instant color film. Such film has a predetermined development time, and after exposure of one print, it is developed and then development is stopped, usually before the normal development time. Another exposure is made on a second film of the same type, such as another print from the same film pack, and development is stopped after a different time. At least one of the prints is developed for a time less than the normal development time of the film. The resulting prints are of different colors, and are viewed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: Clarence C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4719173
    Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for multistage contacting of two materials advantageously provides high chemical efficiency and low losses of components of one of the materials caused by that material being carried out of the process with the other material. The process comprises contacting, in a series of stages, a first material with a second material containing a component whose concentration therein is reduced by such contact. Replenishment material is introduced to at least one of the stages to compensate for such concentration reduction. The concentration of the component in the second material is highest in one of the stages, and the first material carries a part of the second material out of each stage. The first material is contacted with the second material at least one once in each stage of the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Paul T. Hahm
  • Patent number: 4717646
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for enabling amateurs and non-professionals to restore faded or discolored color photographs and snapshots to their original condition by treating the faded or discolored color photographs and snapshots to clean areas with a remover of anhydrous acetone-free diacetone and coating or coloring the cleaned areas with a color corrective restorer comprising a powdered dye embedded or dispersed in anhydrous diacetone preferably in the relative proportions of 40 grains dye: 30 ml anhydrous diacetone or by using wax cube compositions of alcoholic paraffin or other suitable wax with acetone-free diacetone in the relative proportions of 100 grams wax in alcohol: 1-3 grams powdered dye therein in the optional presence of liquid glycerin and/or lecithin. Procedure and equipment as described for carrying out the invention which is characterized by the slower evaporation rate of diacetone as compared to denatured alcohol to provide adequate time to carry out the process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Lewis A. Giorgi
  • Patent number: 4714334
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a photographic image in color of a continuous tone, e.g., black and white object, such as a black and white photograph or an X-ray. Instant color film of the type having emulsions developed in timed sequence after exposure to a developer, and a separable sheet carrying the developer is used. The object is exposed onto the film, the developer is activated, and the developer sheet is separated, perferably prior to development of all of the emulsions. The resulting color photographic image may be reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Clarence C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4609613
    Abstract: Permanent gray-scale reproductions including half-tone images. A refractory background region bears refractory thin-film dichroic filter means patterned to conform to the reproduced half-tone image. Preferred background region materials include metals, semiconductors, and ceramics; the thin-film materials are preferably oxides or nitrides of metals and semiconductors. If the refractory materials are appropriately selected, the reproductions are highly resistant to chemical and thermal deterioration and should have useful lives in the hundreds of thousands of years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Permanent Images, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Cogar, Robert E. Markle
  • Patent number: 4580889
    Abstract: A color image reproduction apparatus capable of producing a polychromatic reproduction of a color original is disclosed. The apparatus includes a light scanner for scanning the color original to be reproduced to thereby form a light image. A prism or a plurality of color filters are arranged for color-separating the light image into red, green and blue light images and a memory is provided for memorizing those color-separated light images. A plurality of marking units are arranged around a transfer drum carrying a copy paper thereon and cyan, magenta and yellow toner images are formed by the respective marking units and toner images are transferred onto the copy paper in substantially perfect registration. The drive timing of each marking unit in response to conveying timing of the copy paper is controlled by a system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hiranuma, Michio Hiraga
  • Patent number: 4472495
    Abstract: The color-intensity of exposed and developed Kodachrome color film in the form of color transparencies or continuous strip such as movie film can be reduced by treating selected areas or all of the emulsion side of said color film with an aqueous solution of a dichromate salt acidified with an inorganic mineral acid or formic acid. Any undesirable alteration in color tone is minimized by including a soluble salt of nickel or cobalt in said aqueous solution. The reduction in color-intensity is a function of time and/or acid concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Inventor: Edward Degginger
  • Patent number: 4455369
    Abstract: A method of creating designs and images on a color photographic sheet. The sheet is selectively exposed by passing light beams of preselected colors, i.e. preselected wave length ranges over selected areas thereof under darkroom conditions. Thereafter the sheet is processed by conventional photographic techniques to develop the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Norina M. Purro
  • Patent number: 4436405
    Abstract: In an electrographic copier forming related transferable images at spaced locations on an image-carrier and transferring such images seriatim to a receiver member by actuation of a movable transfer mechanism, an improvement for registering such related images in accurate superposition on such member. The image-carrier, moving along a path, is stopped in such path to position one transferable image at a predetermined location. The receiver member is clamped to the means for stopping the image-carrier. During movement of the transfer mechanism, the clamped receiver member is positioned in transfer relation with the transferable image on the stopped image-carrier, and the mechanism is actuated to transfer such image to the member. Following transfer, the receiver member is removed from such transfer relation while keeping such member clamped to the stopping means so that the image carrier can be stopped to position another related transferable image at such predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Kindt
  • Patent number: 4370402
    Abstract: There is disclosed an aqueous composition for removing or reducing the intensity of dyes in dye transfers and the intensity of dyes used by photo retouchers on transparencies and color prints. The composition comprises, per 100 parts by weight of water, from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of a thiourea and from about 5 to about 20 parts by weight of an ammonium nitrate compound. Application of this composition to dye transfers and/or to dyes used by photo retouchers on transparencies and color prints proportionally removes magenta, cyan and yellow dyes therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: Harry Anderson
  • Patent number: 4359280
    Abstract: A color photographic imaging process and system uses a photographic film and/or printing paper wherein blue, green and red light is radiated on corresponding yellow, magenta and cyan dyes to obtain an image and the peak transmittances of the blue, green and red light are modulated to vary the resulting contrast of the color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventor: Peter Krause
  • Patent number: 4317876
    Abstract: A method for producing a high resolution, multi-color recording medium comprises the steps of applying a photosensitive masking layer to a substrate, exposing the masking layer, and then developing the masking layer to expose a patterned portion of the underlying substrate. A reflecting layer is then applied over the remaining masking layer and exposed substrate, and then the remaining masking layer is removed, leaving only that portion of the reflecting layer directly over the substrate. A uniformly thick interference layer is then applied over the substrate and the remaining portion of the reflecting layer, and a second reflecting layer is then applied using the same procedures described above in connection with the first reflecting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Haering
  • Patent number: 4304837
    Abstract: A system of making custom transfers using as the image transfer implement clear or transparent polyvinyl chloride film in sheeting form that is pretreated in practicing the invention to have on its side that is to bear the image to be transferred a polyvinyl alcohol overcoated adhesion and release coating that forms an incipient image receiving transfer medium, in which system the image that is selected to be transferred is photographed to provide the image of same in the usual photographic negative format, and a section, of appropriate size, of the transfer implement serving film is severed from the stock of such film to provide a transfer sheet that is further processed for completing and sensitizing the sheet transfer medium for photographic application to same, and in enlarge form, the image to be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Inventor: Michael R. Viola
  • Patent number: 4264716
    Abstract: Photographic color developer compositions containing a primary aromatic amino color developing agent and an hydroxylamine are stabilized by incorporating therein a combination of sequestering agents, one of which is an aminopolyphosphonic acid compound and another of which is an aromatic polyhydroxy compound. Decomposition of the hydroxylamine, in the presence of heavy metals such as iron which act to catalyze the decomposition, and resultant formation of ammonia is effectively prevented by the presence in the developer composition of this combination of sequestering agents. Undesirable precipitate formation is also effectively avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sheridan E. Vincent, Michael D. Purol
  • Patent number: 4259423
    Abstract: A color photography printing process prints, a test print on the basis of color intensities of three color ranges transmitted through a small selected area of a test print. The exposure times for the three ranges are recorded besides the print in machine readable code. In the making of the final print the machine readable code controls the printing time. The times determined by the machine readable code may be corrected during the making of the final print by corrections determined by an expert observer of the test print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignees: Armando M. Merlo, Angelo Balsamo
    Inventor: Armando M. Merlo
  • Patent number: H1112
    Abstract: A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material improved in graininess, comprising a support having thereon a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein at least one of the red-sensitive emulsion layer and the green-sensitive emulsion layer has the three-layered structure, in which the low speed silver halide emulsion layer, medium speed silver halide emulsion layer and high speed silver halide emulsion layer are coated on the support in this order; and the coating amount of silver in the layer increases in the order of the medium speed layer, low speed layer and high speed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuo Ezaki, Keisuke Tobita, Hiroshi Ikeda, Hideaki Haraga