Identifying, Composing, Or Selecting Patents (Class 355/40)
  • Patent number: 6341010
    Abstract: A film scanner for scanning an image formed on a film, is provided with a line sensor unit that scans the image in a main scanning direction, and a table supporting the film. The table is slidable in an auxiliary scanning direction. A geared transmission is provided to receives the driving force of a driving source and outputs, to a table driving mechanism, one of a first and a second driving force. The first driving force is a force with which the table driving mechanism drives the table in a forward direction at a first speed, and the second driving force is a force with which the table driving mechanism drives the table in a reverse direction at a second speed that is different from the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 6339465
    Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus in which it is determined whether comment information exists inside a frame image entered from a photographic film, and in the event that the presence of the comment information is confirmed, a pixel value of the comment information is replaced by another pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Takanashi, Teturou Kanafusa
  • Patent number: 6339466
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that includes a determining section for determining whether or not read-in image data of an image recorded on a photographic film will require distortion aberration correction for correcting distortion caused by a photographing lens employed to record the image on the photographic film. Additionally, a reading-range setting section is included for setting an image reading range to be substantially the same range that is used for an output image, when a determination has been made that distortion aberration correction is not required. Alternatively, the reading-range setting section sets the image reading range to be larger than the range used for the output image by a predetermined amount, when it is determined that distortion aberration correction is required. As a result, missing image regions on the output image can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Matama
  • Publication number: 20020003614
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for suppressing deviations in the application position of a light emitted from an optical box, thus preventing an image from being deteriorated. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has an image bearing body, a light source, a polarizing device for polarizing a light emitted from the light source, a lens for imaging a light polarized by the polarizing device onto the image bearing body, and an optical box for containing at least the light source, the polarizing device, and the lens, wherein the optical box is provided plurally and the plurality of optical boxes are stacked to be integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Yasuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6337735
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus for photoengraving stamps includes a light-proof cabinet having a flash light therein and a drawer adapted to be drawn out therefrom. A clamp is carried on the drawer for holding the stamp. The clamp includes a base fixed to the drawer and formed with a pair of parallel rails, a pair of opposed holders movable on the base along the parallel rails, and means for moving the holders along the parallel rails in opposite directions synchronously. Each of the holders is also provided with a lifter for lifting up the middle plank between the bars and a handle for operating the lifter. Therefore the stamp may be held between the planks just under the flash light when the holders are moved closer together and the middle planks are lifted by turning the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Shiny Shih
  • Publication number: 20020001072
    Abstract: A printer comprising a paper storage section provided at the lower portion of a printer body, a feed roller and a pinch roller for feeding paper being brought into contact with each other under pressure and positioned over the paper storage section inside the printer body, a thermal head and a platen capable of pressing and holding the paper therebetween and positioned at the downstream side of the feed roller in the paper feed direction, and a discharge tray for receiving the printed paper and positioned over the paper storage section at the downstream side of the thermal head in the paper feed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Suzuki, Genzi Oshino, Masayoshi Kikuchi, Makoto Saitou, Susumu Yagi
  • Patent number: 6336006
    Abstract: A magnetically recordable photographic film has perforations each being in at least one side edge region of the film lying between adjacent image areas (frames). A magnetic recording track region extends throughout the overall length of the side edge region adjacent to each frame in at least one side edge of the film. Camera information is recorded on the side edge track region. Information is read and rewrote on the film in camera. Film information is recorded on the leading end of film, and recording extension may be provided additionally. The film information is read and recorded on the film for each of the frames. Signals for clock and data are based on three-bit encoded data, and a pulse period can be varied depending on film transport speed. Such signals may be selected to have a frequency corresponding to the film transport speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Komori, Yoshiaki Kato, Satoshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20010055106
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photographic capturing device for the capturing of photographic image information from photographic media with a light source, with a stage for the photographic medium to preset a reference position for the projection of the photographic medium by way of a projection optics onto a detection element which detects the light originating from the light source and modulated by the photographic medium according to the image information, whereby a sample carrier with a sample is provided for the control of the focus of the projected image, and a positioning mechanism which removably places the sample carrier a the reference position for projecting the sample onto the detection element by way of the projection optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: GRETAG IMAGING Trading AG
    Inventors: Heiner Schaub, Willy Koch, Hansjorg Rotach, Peter Kobel, Georg Von Tobel, Mathias Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20010055109
    Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Loretta E. Allen, Yongcai Wang, Stephen M. Reinke, Yeh-Hung Lai
  • Patent number: 6333778
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a diffusion box unit comprising a plurality of diffusion boxes, which each correspond to different sizes of photographic films, and controls the unit in such a manner that the diffusion box, which corresponds to the size of a film whose image is to be read, is positioned on an optical axis of a light source. Accordingly, the responsibility imposed upon an operator can be reduced and the error of choosing a wrong diffusion box can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Katakura, Tatsuya Konagaya
  • Publication number: 20010052972
    Abstract: An image exposure apparatus in which positioning of a photosensitive material, such as a printing plate to be wound around a rotating drum, is implemented in a small space. A turning unit and a transport conveyor are provided at a plate supply/transport section. The turning unit trains the printing plate about the rotating drum and feeds the plate to the transport conveyor. At the transport conveyor, the printing plate is transported and a leading end of the printing plate abuts pin rollers. Then, a positioning motor is operated to move the turning unit and the transport conveyor integrally. Thus, the printing plate abuts another pin roller in a width direction to implement positioning of the printing plate. The leading end of the positioned printing plate is then fed to a puncher by the transport conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takao Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6332059
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit incorporates a mechanism for taking an exposure, and is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film. A telephoto selectable type indicia is imprinted previously on a first edge of the photo film outside imaging frames in an optical manner. An indicia recorder imprints a magnification indicia on a second edge of the photo film outside the imaging frames in an optical manner each time that one exposure is taken. A combination of the telephoto selectable type indicia and the magnification indicia designates a printing condition for each of the imaging frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kamata, Mitsuro Kamata
  • Patent number: 6331903
    Abstract: An order apparatus for print which does not require an index print, allows required printing order of frames to be designated and allows watching a replayed picture of the film. When a developed still film is set, plural frame pictures of the film are read out and stored in a picture memory to output picture signal showing plural frame pictures to a picture display apparatus to thereby display plural frame pictures. Accordingly, when designating the frames to be printed on the display apparatus by means of a touch pen and also designating the number of prints of the designated frame, the order information regarding print will be recorded in a record medium. The order information may be recorded on a modifiable recording medium on the developed film. The order apparatus for printing may include a card reader for reading order information including the number of prints per frame number written on an order card by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakazawa, Masaaki Orimoto, Toru Nishimura, Atsushi Itoh
  • Patent number: 6330051
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus in which a test operation of each image can be executed smoothly by effectively utilizing magnetic information or optical information, which is recorded on a recording medium. During test processing, when the number of frame images to be displayed on a test image 204 is less than 28, a display mode of magnetic information to be displayed correspondingly to the frame images is altered to the form of words and phrases. Further, when the number of frame images to be displayed on the test image 204 is 28 or more, the display mode of magnetic information to be displayed correspondingly to the frame images is altered to the form of abbreviation (FFy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruo Takanashi
  • Publication number: 20010048511
    Abstract: To achieve for a photographic film conveying device that no external force causing conveying speed to vary is applied to a photographic film during image reading, after a preceding photographic film is discharged from a reading conveying path, the time until a subsequent photographic film is conveyed to the reading conveying path is not long, or even if a photographic film set in a film supplying section is elongate, image reading of photographic films by an image reading section can be carried out efficiently, there is provided a photographic film conveying device comprising a section setting a discharge conveying section in a withdrawn state or a conveying state, a section controlling conveying of preceding and subsequent photographic films, or a section switching a conveying path of a photographic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO. LTD. and FUJI PHOTO OPTICAL CO LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ando, Yasuhiro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6323934
    Abstract: An image processing method in which at least one aberration of an optically recorded image selected from among lateral chromatic aberration, distortion, decrease in the brightness of the edge of image field and image blurring is corrected based on lens characteristics of a taking lens and position information of the image. Additionally, an image processing apparatus comprises an acquiring section for acquiring information identifying a taking lens; a storage section for storing lens characteristics associated with the type of the taking lens; and a correcting section which receives the corresponding lens characteristics of the taking lens from the storage section and corrects at least one aberration selected from among lateral chromatic aberration, distortion, decrease in the brightness of the edge of image field and image blurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6323933
    Abstract: It is an exemplified object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device and method that would realize a high-resolution image reading. The present invention connects to a movable optical system in a double-sided image readable device at least one of black and white references that a fixed side should referred to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Toshiaki Anzai
  • Publication number: 20010043316
    Abstract: A preexposure apparatus comprises a film supply station ST1 for arranging a film cartridge 14 containing a film 12 accommodated therein, a film-drawing station ST3 for automatically drawing the film 12 over its entire length, an exposure station ST5 for exposing a predetermined portion of the drawn film 12 with an image by the aid of an exposure section 32, a winding station ST6 for automatically rewinding the film 12 after the exposure into the film cartridge 14, and a withdrawing station ST8 for withdrawing the film cartridge 14. Accordingly, the predetermined portion of the film can be preexposed with a desired image automatically and efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20010043315
    Abstract: There is provided an image reproducing apparatus to reproduce input image data supplied from an image data supply source as a visible image, which comprises a display, a printer, and an image processing device which shares hardware for processing the input image data to obtain image data to be represented on the display and image data for image recording with the printer. The image processing device includes an image processing section to subject the input image data to specified image processing steps and a data converting section to convert the thus processed data to the image data for displaying and the image data for image recording. The apparatus can reduce the distinction between the image to be represented on the display and the image to be reproduced on the hard copy, or the distinction found on the images reproduced in the image output devices due to the output properties thereof, with reduced cost of the image processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: YASUHARU IWAKI
  • Patent number: 6321231
    Abstract: A digital data management and order delivery system is provided. The system includes a storage device for storing digital data and a searching engine for developing a subset of the digital data stored in the storage device in response to inputs received from a first user. The system is also provided with a job order developer responsive to inputs received from the first user for developing a job order which includes: a) at least one copy of the digital data contained in the subset and identified by the first user; and b) a file containing information developed by the first user outside the system. In addition, the system includes a router for electronically routing the job order compiled by the job order developer to a second user specified by the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Marshall, O'Toole, Gerstein, Murray & Borun
    Inventors: John H. Jebens, Lowell D. Carlson, Jeffrey Scott James
  • Patent number: 6320650
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image. The apparatus includes a support platen for receiving a document having a front image bearing side and a back side co-extensive with the front side. An image capture element is disposed below the platen for capturing an image on the front image side. A reticle forming device is provided for providing a reticle on the platen for assisting in positioning of the document when a positioning cover is placed over the document. A second cover is also provided for placement over the positioning cover. The second cover is substantially opaque and is used for when the image on the front image side is illuminating for capture of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Richard G. Mackson
  • Patent number: 6320643
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a light-sensitive material supply section, a light-sensitive material transport mechanism, an image recording section, a cutter, a distributor, a scan/transport section and an exposing unit, wherein a light-sensitive material supplied as cut sheets is distributed in a plurality of rows and digitally exposed at a time for a plurality of images and the cut sheets of the exposed light-sensitive material are delivered to a subsequent developing apparatus by the light-sensitive material transport mechanism. The productivity of the digital photoprinter is improved when a multiplicity of the cut sheets of the light-sensitive material are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Morita
  • Patent number: 6317194
    Abstract: A loop region in which a loop of a negative film is formed is provided between a pre-scan section and a fine scan section. When a frame image recorded on the negative film is read, a control circuit effects control such that respective processings in the pre-scan section and the fine scan section are performed concurrently in a state in which a length of the loop in the loop region is within a predetermined allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Yoshio Ozawa, Hideo Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 6317193
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided to smoothly form images corresponding to received image data even if the memory becomes full when collated printing is executed. If the memory never becomes full during collated printing, images for all of the pages are expanded to intermediate data, stored in a page memory, and complete collated printing is enabled. In the meantime, if the memory becomes full while the print data of part of a page is expanded to intermediate data and stored, the controller, controls so that the page memory can be written after collated printing is executed up to a page immediately before the partial page and the residual pages are printed in the form of collated printing. Therefore, even if the memory becomes full, printing can be executed in a form as close to collated printing as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 6313902
    Abstract: When the image processing method and apparatus output a reproduced image of a photographed image on a monitor and the like, designate whether correction of image quality deterioration derived from a taking lens is performed or not based on the reproduced image and perform the correction in accordance with the designation of the performance, the method and apparatus perform at least once a sequential process including the steps of designating a correction intensity of the image quality deterioration, perform the correction of the image quality deterioration with the designated correction intensity and output again the corrected reproduced image after the correction is done, establish the correction intensity and perform the correction of the image quality deterioration based on the established correction intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6313904
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit incorporates a mechanism for taking an exposure, and is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film. A telephoto selectable type indicia is imprinted previously on a first edge of the photo film outside imaging frames in an optical manner. An indicia recorder imprints a magnification indicia on a second edge of the photo film outside the imaging frames in an optical manner each time that one exposure is taken. A combination of the telephoto selectable type indicia and the magnification indicia designates a printing condition for each of the imaging frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kamata, Mitsuro Kamata
  • Patent number: 6307614
    Abstract: The footprint of a document scanning unit such as a copier, facsimile machine or document scanner or combinations thereof is reduced by causing overlap of the leading and trailing edges of long document sheets to be scanned in the document delivery roller system downstream of the scanning station. Differential slippage of the overlapping ends between a drive roller and a pinch roller is provided in a first embodiment. A second embodiment uses a moveable pinch roller in the document delivery system to selectively open and close a gap to permit slippage of the leading and trailing edges of the document. A third embodiment uses three document delivery rollers defining two spaced nips in which the leading and trailing edges of a long document are simultaneously present and a crenellated roller surface to guide the leading edge of the document to the desired nip in the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Glenn Gaarder, William Wistar Rhoads, Kevin Bokelman
  • Patent number: 6307615
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data, and a secondary storage unit for storing the image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit, a capacity of the secondary storage unit being larger than that of the temporary storage unit. In the apparatus, image processing of one unit to be executed is divided into an image input job to input the image data from an image input unit and an image output job to output the image data to an image output unit, and each of execution of the image input job and execution of the image output job is independently controlled according to an abnormality detection result of the secondary storage unit, whereby an unexecutable state of an image processing operation is avoided even if the secondary storage unit is in an abnormal state, and thus the image processing operation is effectively performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirohiko Ito
  • Publication number: 20010030738
    Abstract: A photographic image printer, method of printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Scott C. Robinson, Xin X.W. Wen, Mark S. Janosky
  • Patent number: 6304314
    Abstract: Optical scanning of a moving sheet of image-bearing material is carried out in a stand-alone apparatus. No drive is provided for the sheet in the scanning apparatus, and the sheet accelerates therethrough under its own momentum and under its own weight. Transmittance scans from an optical sensor are obtained at a uniform frequency, and are analysed to determine the final speed of the sheet. Computation then allows the data to be corrected such that the detected transmittance can be related to the actual area of the sheet under acceleration. The transmittance of the sheet is then combined with its measured area to determine the amount of image present on the sheet. The invention finds application in photoprocessing apparatus, and a signal dependent on the amount of image present on the sheet and its area is sent back to the photoprocessor to control the amount of replenishment chemicals added to the processing tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Rider, David A. Skye
  • Publication number: 20010028444
    Abstract: A photographic image printer, method of printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Scott C. Robinson, Xin Wen, Mark S. Janosky
  • Publication number: 20010028445
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus which outputs an index print of information representing a plurality of pictures having picture size of different aspect ratios, with each of the plurality of pictures being respectively assigned a number in numerical order. The image processing apparatus detects size information for each of the plurality of pictures based on the respective aspect ratios, and a picture output order different from the numerical order is determined based on the detected size information for each of the plurality of pictures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Isao Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6300999
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is provided with storage means for storing captured images taken beforehand within a range of directional variability of an optical imaging system. The direction of the optical imaging system is detected and an image obtained in the detected direction is read from the storage means and displayed in place of an image actually being taken by the optical imaging system. When the scene desired to be viewed is not clearly visible or hard to find owing to cloudiness or the like, the user can view a corresponding simulated scene and, based on the simulated scene, can quickly find and view the actual scene. The real or simulated scene can be displayed for a predetermined period of time in response to insertion of a coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kowa Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Komatsu, Yutaka Mizukusa
  • Publication number: 20010026359
    Abstract: A film carrier is provided with markers for encoding information relating to the film, such that this information may be read by a printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Coles Raymond
  • Patent number: 6297875
    Abstract: A polarizing plate and a double refracting plate, which are allowed to rotate around an optic axis, are provided to the light-exit side of a liquid crystal layer. The double refracting plate splits incident light into an ordinary ray which travels along a straight optic axis and an extraordinary ray which travels along a refracted optic axis, and supplies the same to a printing paper. The double refracting plate is laminated to the polarizing plate in such a manner that the splitting direction of the former matches with the polarizing plate of the latter, thereby allowing only the extraordinary ray to exit from the double refracting plate. By rotating the two plates together as one body by, for example, 90 degrees around the optic axis and exposing the printing paper each time, resolution attained without displacing the liquid crystal layer or printing paper with respect to the other is nearly as high as the one obtained by displacing the liquid crystal layer or printing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6297873
    Abstract: An image input/output characteristic is computed from environmental information obtained by a temperature sensor, a photographic printing paper type read by an identification sensor, photographic printing paper characteristic information stored in a photographic printing paper characteristic memory, and previous calibration history information stored in a calibration history memory. Results of computation are output to a laser driver, and an amount of exposure or the like is corrected so as to calibrate a printer. As a result, a number of times that a calibration test pattern is printed and density is measured can be reduced, thereby improving working efficiency and saving photosensitive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Furuya
  • Patent number: 6297874
    Abstract: A film scanner generates and stores data for display on a display monitor of a host Computer. A user can use the film scanner and the host computer to view thumbnail images recorded on a film roll and to verify, create, or adjust information recorded on the film roll. The information recorded on the film roll includes data regarding a) the film roll, b) images on the film roll, and c) parameters for printing the images. In particular, the data includes selections of film image frames for which duplicate prints are desired, as well as information regarding the type and characteristics of the film and shooting conditions for each exposed frame of the film. The film scanner can record data onto, and read is data from, magnetic regions of the film. The film scanner can also read bar code information recorded on the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Ikeda, Eisaku Maeda, Tadashi Ohta, Takuya Shirahata
  • Patent number: 6297870
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus can transfer an image to an image processing apparatus with a first recording medium. The photographing apparatus includes a discriminator which determines a state of a second recording medium for recording a photographed image, the recording medium being detachably provided to the photographing apparatus. The photographing apparatus also includes a selector which selects whether the photographed image is to be transferred to the first recording medium or to the second recording medium, based on the determined state by the discriminator, and a controller which controls a transfer of the photographed image to the recording medium selected by the selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Nanba
  • Patent number: 6297872
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a size detector for detecting a first size of a first image recorded on an original; an input device for inputting a second size of a second image to be recorded on a recording medium by an image recording apparatus; a determining device for determining a reading condition to read the first image according to the first and second sizes; and a reading device for reading the first image according to the reading condition to obtain information of the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Imamura, Yoshiaki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6295415
    Abstract: A camera having a magnetic recording circuit for recording information in a magnetic recording part of a film at each of photographing frames of the film is arranged such that, in an automatic exposure bracketing mode or an AE lock mode, information indicating that printing be performed under the same condition is recorded at each of the frames photographed in the above-stated mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ritsuo Kashiyama, Toshifumi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 6295117
    Abstract: There is described a system for producing prints, which includes inputting device to input image data and information corresponding to the image data, a selector to select either a first mode or a second mode and a printer to print images on a recording medium. In the first mode, the system performs inputting operation of the image data and information corresponding to the image data in addition to a print producing operation. While in the second mode, the system performs the print producing operation on the basis of the image data and information corresponding to the image data, which are stored in a memory during the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Haraguchi, Yutaka Ueda, Shigeharu Koboshi
  • Patent number: 6295115
    Abstract: An image processing system for processing digitized color images is described. The image processing system includes a color matching processor that automatically produces an optimized color image from a negative image and its developed print image. The optimized color image processed by the color matching processor has the image resolution and the color appearance of the better one of the negative and the developed print. A method of automatically producing an optimized color image from a negative image and its corresponding print image is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: HongJiang Zhang, Subutai Ahmad
  • Patent number: 6295114
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image recording apparatus for forming an image on a heat development photosensitive material or a light- and heat-sensitive recording material through a dry processing, said image recording apparatus being capable of continuously recording high-quality images over a long period of time by providing a heat development part with a cleaning mechanism therefor and including a storage part in which the recording material is stored; a latent-image forming mechanism which forms a desired latent image on the recording material conveyed from the storage part; a heat development mechanism which develops the recording material and includes a heating member for heating at a given temperature the recording material conveyed from the latent-image forming mechanism and a press contact member for pressing the recording material against the heating member; and a cleaning mechanism which cleans that contact surface of at least one of the heating member and the press contact member which comes into contact with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Agano, Nobuyuki Torisawa
  • Patent number: 6292253
    Abstract: An in-line index printing system includes a sensor that determines the average density value of a photographic frame, a programmable light source and a video camera. The average density value calculated by the sensor is used to set the current levels supplied to a set of red, green, and blue LEDs to produce light that compensates for the exposure and color characteristics of the photographic frame. The film is illuminated by the light produced by the programmable light source and the video camera captures an image of a frame on the film. The image is digitized, and stored in a memory of a computer where it can be manipulated, if desired to enhance the color. The images from the frames can be printed on a color laser printer, a CRT printer, or transmitted over a computer network, such as the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Digital Now, Inc.
    Inventors: William George Reed, Virginia Lee Aldrich, John Oliver Renn
  • Patent number: 6288770
    Abstract: A film feeding apparatus and method are disclosed that have improved operability and reliability using magnetic reading devices and read magnetic data frame by frame, store them in RAM and set flags indicative of the presence or absence of the magnetic data while a film is unwound. If a frame whose magnetic data has not been read yet is judged to be present with reference to the flags in RAM, the magnetic data are read and stored in RAM and the flags are set while the film is rewound. If the frame whose magnetic data has not been read yet is judged again to be present with reference to the flags in RAM even after the film is rewound, an operator is notified by means of a display. If the operator gives a command to reread the magnetic data by means of a keyboard, the magnetic data are reread again after the feeding speed of the film is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Hida, Yukimasa Naka, Yoshihiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 6288771
    Abstract: Conventional methods for producing photographic copies of film strips are highly intensive in terms of manual labor and involve a large number of different operating processes. In particular, the systems employed are not optimally designed for repeat orders. A new method is therefore proposed with which all of the images on the film strip are scanned completely during the film strip development process, and the scanned image data are stored for each image in a mass memory forming part of the production device. The first positive and all further positive images required for repeat orders are produced exclusively from these stored image data. The device according to the invention comprises a scanner disposed external to and immediately at the outlet of the strip film development device for completely scanning the film strip images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: ISI Fotoservice GmbH
    Inventor: Luitpold Greiner
  • Patent number: 6283646
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David William Dellert, Carl Joseph Tesavis
  • Patent number: 6285436
    Abstract: An image reading system to easily obtain a desired final image by displaying a plurality of images read under various image reading conditions for a direct comparison, and an image reading apparatus to output image data read under the various reading conditions with a single reading operation, and a memory medium to store the control procedures thereof. The image reading system includes an image reading device to read the image of a document by dividing the image into a plurality of areas and to output image signals corresponding to the plurality of areas. A reading condition input device sets a first and a second reading condition under which the image is read. An image processing device converts the image signal corresponding to a first area, among the plurality of areas, into a first image signal based on the first image reading condition, and converts the image signal corresponding to a second area into a second image reading based on the second image reading condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehisa Tsuchihashi, Tadashi Ohta, Takuya Shirahata
  • Patent number: 6282373
    Abstract: The system and method provide bin identification numbers for storage of developed film rolls in a system that provides reliable and effective notification to customers that film rolls they deposited with a vendor for processing are available for retrieval. The method determines whether the generated number is contained in a list of reserved bin numbers. If it is, another number is generated from the received data. This process continues until a generated number is generated that is not on the list of reserved bin numbers. That number is then added to the list and also stored in a data record corresponding to the received data. Upon retrieval of the developed film from the bin having the assigned bin number, the bin number is removed from the reserved list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Terence M. Glogovsky, Desmond A. Martin
  • Patent number: 6278513
    Abstract: A digital copier includes an image reading part and a printing part. The image reading part includes reading means for electrically scanning lines of image information of a document in a primary scanning direction at a predetermined cycle to output image signals for the lines; secondary scanning means for mechanically moving a primary scanning position with respect to the document at a constant secondary scanning speed V in a secondary scanning direction perpendicular to the primary scanning direction; and line thinning means for thinning out lines for the image signals to 1/N where N is an integer. The printing part prints an image on a printing medium based on the image signals supplied from the image reading part. The lines of image information of the document are copied at an arbitrary zoom ratio in the secondary scanning direction by combining a value of the integer N and a value of the secondary scanning speed V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Murata, Takehito Yamaguchi, Hideyuki Kuwano, Yuji Okada, Joji Tanaka, Naoki Takahashi, Kenji Hisatomi