Abstract: An image forming method and device utilizes an imaging member to expose a photosensitive media to form a latent image on the media. The photosensitive media is of the type that comprises a plurality of microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material. The device and method of the present invention is adapted to utilize the application of pressure to create a compressive force on the media that is sufficient to rupture selected microcapsules in developing an image. In the arrangement of the present invention, a shim member arrangement is adapted to locate a thin member such as a plastic or film member over an imaging side of the media so as to protect the imaging side of the media during the application of pressure on the medium.

Abstract: A control tool for monitoring a predetermined process condition in a photographic process and method of making the control tool. The control tool includes a support element having a plurality of rows, each row having a plurality of visual density patches and representing a different process condition. At least one of the rows is used for monitoring a process condition being monitored and at least one of the other of the rows identifies an out-of-control process condition. The plurality of rows of visual density patches are designed to be correlated with a process control strip that has been processed in the photographic process to be monitored, the support element further having textual information identifying at least one process condition and describing the process condition that may need to be corrected in response to correlation of the control strip to the control tool.

Abstract: A method and system for photofinishing, includes generating a unique roll ID number for a roll of photographic film to be finished; recording customer order information for the roll of film; associating the customer order information with the unique roll ID number in a central computer facility; marking the roll of film with a machine readable version of the unique roll ID number; and reading the roll ID number on the roll of film, and accessing the customer order information from the central computer facility to control a photo finishing operation, whereby the roll of film can be transported to a photofinishing laboratory without the use of an envelope bearing customer order information.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a printer of a photofinishing system includes a reference film strip carrying at least one reference image; a reference chart carrying multiple renderings of the reference image representing different printer exposures; and a substrate carrying printer correction factors needed to change a photographic print obtained from the reference image on the reference film strip, to match any desired rendering on the reference chart. A method of producing the above reference chart, and a method of calibrating a printer of a photofinishing system, are also provided.

Abstract: A control tool and method for calibrating a photographic printer and a photographic processor. The tool comprises an exposed unprocessed photographic filmstrip having a first image section for use in calibrating a photographic printer and a second image section for use in calibrating a photographic processor with respect to a predetermined aim. The first image section comprises a plurality of exposures of the same image, each image having a different exposure level, and the second image section comprising a plurality of density patches, each having a different exposure level. The exposed tool is developed so to determine the exposure levels. The exposure levels are compared with predetermined aims. The tool is printed if the measured data is within prescribed limits, or the film processor is adjusted in accordance with corrective measures if the measured data is outside said prescribed limits.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a printer of a photofinishing system, comprising:(a) a reference film strip carrying at least one reference image;(b) a reference chart carrying multiple renderings of the reference image representing different printer exposures; and(c) a substrate carrying printer correction factors needed to change a photographic print obtained from the reference image on the reference film strip, to match any desired rendering on the reference chart. A method of producing the above reference chart, and a method of calibrating a printer of a photofinishing system, are also provided.