Abstract: A processed sheet of photographic film is guided into a channel of scanning equipment in which it is subjected to light from an elongate fluorescent tube. Light transmitted through the film is detected by a sensing arrangement in the form of an elongate solar cell strip. The strip is scored so as to divide it into 3 small subsidiary sensors and four longer sensors. All seven sensors form the main light sensor. As the leading edge of the film, which is assumed to be of uniform light density, enters the channel and totally obscures at least one of the subsidiary sensors, that sensor measures the transmittance of the film. This value, together with the reduction in light sensed by the main sensor, is then used to determine the width of the film. The film width is combined with the separately computed film length, to provide a signal used to control the amount of replenishment chemicals to be supplied to a photoprocessor.

Abstract: Recovery of silver from a photographic fixer solution in an electrolytic cell is controlled so as to maintain a high current efficiency whilst minimizing unwanted side effects. The difference between plating voltages when operating at two different current levels is monitored, and the plating current adjusted in response to detection of a maximum of said differences. Such control allows the cell to be operated continually at high current efficiency in response to changing chemical conditions within the cell.

Abstract: Recovery of silver from a photographic fixer solution in an electrolytic cell is controlled so as to maintain a high current efficiency whilst minimizing unwanted side effects. The rate of change of plating voltage at constant current through the cell is monitored, and in response to detection of a maximum value thereof the current is reduced to a new constant level. Such control allows the cell to be operated continually at high current efficiency in response to changing chemical conditions within the cell.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the safe removal of a wet, fully-plated cathode from a silver recovery cell and its replacement by a fresh cathode. The fresh cathode is brought to the recovery cell in a transport housing, which is then docked thereto. A drip tray is unfolded from the transport housing so as to extend across and surround the top of the recovery cell. The fresh cathode is removed from the transport housing and put to one side. The used cathode is removed from the recovery cell, preferably by being attached to the lid which is unscrewed therefrom. The cathode is then transferred to the housing over the drip tray which catches any liquid falling therefrom. The used cathode is screwed into the transport housing, and the housing removed to a refiner for safe disposal, while the fresh electrode is screwed onto the recovery cell.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus, by-products are produced due to the chemical reactions which occur during the processing of photographic materials. It is known to remove some of these by-products in accordance with the area of photographic material processed and a knowledge of the average level of production of the by-products. This leads to inaccuracies in maintaining a fixed level of the by-products in the processing solutions. Described herein is a method of controlling a subsystem which removes by-products from the processing solutions by using data relating to the exposure given to a photographic material in the printing stage of the processing apparatus to calculate the amount of by-products produced so that they can be exactly removed from the processing solutions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the rate of replenishment of chemical solutions in a photographic processing apparatus used for copying a photographic negative having a transmittance onto photographic material includes a number of steps and an apparatus for carrying out those steps. First, light is exposed onto the photographic negative to form a latent image of the photographic negative on the photographic material. Next, the latent image formed on the photographic material is developed by placing the photographic material in chemical solutions. The photographic material reacts with the chemical solutions to form an amount of dyes on the developed photographic material. The exposure given to the photographic material is measured and then the amount of dyes on the developed photographic material is obtained from the measured exposure.

Abstract: A photographic element is disclosed comprised of a support and a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon imagewise exposure and photographic development. A first interlayer unit overlies the emulsion layer unit nearest the support and is capable of transmitting to it imagewise exposing radiation this emulsion layer unit is intended to record. A second interlayer unit underlies the emulsion layer unit farthest from the support and is capable of transmitting to the emulsion layer units lying nearer the support imagewise exposing radiation these emulsion layer units are intended to record. The imagewise exposed photographic element is photographically developed and fixed to produce a silver image in each of the emulsion layer units.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of obtaining from an imagewise exposed photographic element separate records of the imagewise exposure to each of the blue, green and red portions of the spectrum comprising photographically processing an imagewise exposed photographic element comprised of a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon processing. A first interlayer overlies the emulsion layer unit nearest the support for transmitting to it imagewise exposing radiation this emulsion layer unit is intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region. A second interlayer underlies the emulsion layer unit farthest from the support for transmitting to the underlying emulsion layer units exposing radiation they are intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of obtaining from an imagewise exposed photographic element separate records of the imagewise exposure to each of the blue, green and red portions of the spectrum comprising photographically processing an imagewise exposed photographic element comprised of a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon processing (e.g., units lacking a dye-forming coupler). A first interlayer unit overlies the emulsion layer unit nearest the support and is capable of transmitting to it imagewise exposing radiation this emulsion layer unit is intended to record. A second interlayer unit underlies the emulsion layer unit farthest from the support and is capable of transmitting to the emulsion layer units lying nearer the support imagewise exposing radiation these emulsion layer units are intended to record.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of obtaining from an imagewise exposed photographic element separate records of the imagewise exposure to each of the blue, green and red portions of the spectrum comprising photographically processing an imagewise exposed photographic element comprised of a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon processing (e.g., lacking an incorporated dye-forming coupler). A first interlayer overlies the emulsion layer unit nearest the support for transmitting to it imagewise exposing radiation this emulsion layer unit is intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region.

Abstract: An optical article capable of modulating the reflection of polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation is disclosed comprised of a reflective metal layer, means acting as a support for directing the electromagnetic radiation to the reflective metal layer, an electrooptic medium that exhibits a refractive index which is a function of an applied electrical potential, and a counter electrode. At least one of the reflective metal layer and the counter electrode taking the form of laterally spaced segments. The reflective metal layer has a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, and a dielectric layer having a thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation and comprised of at least one metal oxide, metal fluoride, or low molecular weight aromatic compound is coated on the support. The electrooptic medium is a polymeric layer coated on the reflective metal layer exhibiting a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.

Abstract: An optical article capable of modulating the reflection of polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation is disclosed comprising a reflective metal layer having a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, means acting as a support for directing polarized electromagnetic radiation to the reflective metal layer, a dielectric layer interposed between the support and the reflective metal layer having a refractive index less than that of the support and a thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 times the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation directed toward the reflective metal layer, an electrooptic medium that exhibits a refractive index which is a function of an applied electrical potential, and a counter electrode. The optical article is characterized in that it is capable of modulating the reflection of polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation from differing wavelength sources to produce a multicolor image.

Abstract: An optical article is disclosed capable of modulating the reflection of electromagnetic radiation containing a reflective metal layer having a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, an optical coupler for directing polarized electromagnetic radiation to the reflective metal layer and serving as a support for the device, a first dielectric layer interposed between the reflective metal layer and the support having a thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, a second dielectric layer adjacent the reflective metal layer exhibiting a refractive index which differs from that of the first dielectric layer by less than 20 percent and can adjusted by an applied electrical potential gradient, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of the second dielectric layer remote from the reflective metal layer.

Abstract: An optical article for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed comprised of an electrically conductive support on which a poled polymeric film exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 80.degree. C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units is formed. A layer for enhancing the transmission of electromagnetic radiation is interposed between the electrically conductive support and the poled polymeric film. The transmission enhancement layer is an amorphous layer of at least 0.5 .mu.m in thickness having a refractive index less than that of the polymeric film and a resistance less than 10 times that of the polymeric film. The transmission enhancement layer being comprised of a mixture of (a) at least one metal oxide or fluoride and (b) a low molecular weight aromatic compound.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical article for the controlled propagation of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The article includes a reflective metal layer having a thickness in the range of from 100 to 1000 .ANG. and work function in the range of from 2.5 to 4.5 eV, an optical coupler, a dielectric medium comprised of a poled polymeric layer exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of the dielectric medium remote from the reflective metal layer. A protective metal fluoride or oxide layer having a thickness of less than 0.1 .mu.m is interposed between the reflective metal layer and the poled polymeric layer.