Abstract: An image handling method comprising: (a) processing an exposed photographic film at a processor-scanner station which has both a scanner and a processor at the same location, to produce one or more hardcopy images at the processor-scanner location; (b) reading data on the film which indicates that a set of one or more of the hardcopy images, is to be communicated to a hub station, which hub station is remote from the processor-scanner station; (c) scanning the set at the same processor-scanner location at which the film was processed, to obtain a corresponding image set signal; (d) communicating the image set signal from the scanner to the hub station; and (e) storing the communicated image set signal at the hub station. A system and components useful in the method are also provided.

Abstract: An index imaging system includes: a scanner for scanning a plurality of photographic images to produce a corresponding plurality of digital images; a computer connected to the scanner for receiving the digital images and generating a corresponding plurality of thumbnail digital images and containing index imaging software for writing an application program for manipulating the digital images; a printer connected to the computer for receiving the thumbnail digital images and producing an index print; and a floppy disc writer connected to the computer for recording the thumbnail digital images and the application program on a floppy disc. Computer program products carrying thumbnail digital images and optionally particular application programs, are also provided.

Abstract: System components provide for a method of: processing an exposed photographic film at a processor-scanner station which has both a scanner and a processor at the same location, to produce one or more hardcopy images at the processor-scanner location; reading data on the film which indicates that a set of one or more of the hardcopy images, is to be communicated to a hub station, which hub station is remote from the processor-scanner station; scanning the set at the same processor-scanner location at which the film was processed, to obtain a corresponding image set signal; communicating the image set signal from the scanner to the hub station; and storing the communicated image set signal at the hub station.

Abstract: An image handling method and apparatus for executing the method. The method comprises scanning at least a first resolution of a hardcopy image. A second resolution image signal of the same image which second resolution is lower than the first resolution, is communicated from a first location to a receiver at a second location remote from the first location, by a first communication method. The first resolution image signal is communicated from the first location to the receiver at the second location, by a second communication method which is physically independent of the first communication method, or following communication of the second resolution image signal, waiting until a predetermined condition independent of the communication of the second resolution image signal, then communicating the first resolution image signal from the first location to the receiver at the second location by the first communication method.

Abstract: An image handling system, and a method which can be executed on such a system comprising a plurality of processor-scanner stations remote from one another, interfaced with a hub station that is in turn interfaced with a plurality of terminal. Each processor-scanner station having at the same location: a processor which can process exposed photographic film to produce a hardcopy image set; a scanner system which can scan the hardcopy image set to obtain a corresponding image set signal; and a first communication interface for communicating the image set signal to a remote hub station. The hub station, which can be remote from each of the scanner stations, comprises: a second communication interface to receive image set signals from each of the plurality of scanner systems; a first storage to store the image set signals; a third communication interface for transmitting the image set signals to any of a plurality of terminals remote from the hub and each of the processor-scanner stations.

Abstract: An image handling system and method which can be executed by such a system.