Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for monitoring one or more characteristics of a substrate are disclosed. Various embodiments of utilizing optical sensors (in one embodiment a camera) to provide data regarding characteristics of a fluid dispensed upon the substrate are described. A variety of hardware improvements and methods are provided to improve the collection and analysis of the sensor data. More specifically, a wide variety of hardware related techniques may be utilized, either in combination or singularly, to improve the collection of data using the optical sensor. These hardware techniques may include improvements to the light source, improvements to the optical sensors, the relationship of the physical orientation of the light source to the optical sensor, the selection of certain pixels of the image for analysis, and the relationship of the optical sensor frame rate with the rotational speed of the substrate.

Abstract: A high tone image is saved in a versatile image file format to enhance usability. There are provided an imaging unit that images an original image having a predetermined dynamic range, which is a ratio between minimum luminance and maximum luminance; a synthesized image generating part that generates a synthesized image data that is higher in tone than a tone width of the original image by synthesizing a plurality of original images imaged under different imaging conditions at the same observation position; a display unit that displays the images imaged by the imaging unit; a tone conversion part that converts the synthesized image data generated by the synthesized image generating part to low tone image data having a tone width capable of being displayed on the display unit; and a tone data saving part that generates a high tone data-attached display file including a high tone image region for saving the synthesized image data serving as a basis as an image file for saving the low tone image data.

Abstract: A method of detecting developer endpoint. The method includes illuminating a device region of a substrate with a first optical beam prior to initiating a development stage of processing and detecting a baseline optical signal reflected from the device region of the substrate. The method also includes illuminating the device region of the substrate with a second optical beam during a development stage of processing and detecting an endpoint optical signal reflected from the device region of the substrate. The method further includes comparing the baseline optical signal to the endpoint optical signal and determining a developer endpoint based on the comparing step.

Abstract: Method of processing photographs in a photographic laboratory by means of a photographic processing system, comprising the steps of: receiving customer orders and processing information respectively assigned to said customer orders, each customer order comprising at least one photographic image, controlling the processing of a customer order in accordance with an assigned processing information; checking each processing information to ascertain whether or not the processing information may be automatically processed by said processing system and identifying those customer orders which are to be processed according to a non-automatically processable processing information.

Abstract: A processing method has been provided for an exposed silver halide black-and-white negative working sound recording film element, said processing method comprising the steps of processing said sound recording film element in a processing apparatus providing processing ability in a daylight environment, said processing method comprising the steps of developing in a time of less than 20 seconds; fixing in a fixer; rinsing and drying; making use of an automatic processing machine, the mentioned processing steps being followed by a step of controlling black-and-white densitometry, therefor providing the processing machine with a densitometer; further recording in a motion picture color print film and processing therein image area frames originating from an exposed and processed color negative recording film and from (an) optical soundtrack(s) originating from a silver halide black-and-white negative working sound recording film element, wherein said film element has been processed, after having been exposed, by t

Abstract: A method of density correction in a heat developing apparatus of which photothermographic recording material is thermally developed by light or heat application, comprising the steps of outputting a density correcting chart for setting density correcting conditions, measuring the image densities of the density correcting chart with a densitometer using a monochromatic light source, and correcting density correcting conditions for image recording in the heat developing apparatus based on the measured densities, wherein the density correcting conditions are corrected by using only the densities of low to middle density areas out of the densities of low to high density areas as measured with the built-in densitometer and corrected based on the density correcting chart.

Abstract: One implementation of the invention is a self-service film processing system. In one embodiment, the self-service film processing system comprises a display and a film processing system. The film processing system operates to develop and digitize film provided by a customer to produce digital images that are then displayed to the customer. The self-service film processing system may include several additional components, such as various types of payment systems, image input systems, output devices, and customer input devices may be incorporated into the self-service film processing system. The film processing system may comprise a wet-chemistry film processing system or a digital film processing system. Another implementation of the invention is a prepaid photoprocessing card. In one embodiment, the prepaid photoprocessing card comprises a media and an encoded data device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed film by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.

Abstract: A system for regulating (e.g., terminating) a development process is provided. The system includes one or more light sources, each light source directing light to one or more patterns and/or gratings on a wafer. Light reflected from the patterns and/or gratings is collected by a measuring system, which processes the collected light. The collected light is indicative of the dimensions achieved at respective portions of the wafer. The measuring system provides development related data to a processor that determines the acceptability of the development of the respective portions of the wafer. The collected light may be analyzed by scatterometry and/or reflectometry systems to produce development related data and the development related data may be examined to determine whether a development process end point has been reached, at which time the system can control the development process and terminate development.

Abstract: An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, having the steps of: detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a system for digital dye color film processing. In one embodiment, a developer station applies a processing solution to film to initiate development of metallic silver grains and at least one dye image within the film. A scanning system illuminates the coated film with light having at least one frequency within the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light interacts with the silver and at least one dye image within the film. The scanning station measures the light from the film and produces sensor data that is communicated to a data processing system. The data processing system processes the sensor data to produce a digital image. The digital image can then be output to an output device, such as a printer, monitor, memory device, and the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate treating method comprising supplying a treating solution onto a substrate, and continuously discharging a first cleaning solution to the substrate from a first discharge region disposed in a nozzle, while moving the nozzle and substrate with respect to each other in one direction, wherein a length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first discharge region is equal to or more than a maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate, the nozzle continuously spouts a first gas to the substrate from a first jet region, and the length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first jet region is equal to or more than the maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate.

Abstract: An image information recording method, comprising the steps of: (a) imagewise exposing to light a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon a light-sensitive layer containing a silver halide and a color coupler; (b) subjecting the photographic light-sensitive material to color development so as to obtain an image in the photographic light-sensitive material; (c) converting the image in the photographic light-sensitive material to electric image information using a scanner comprising a light source part and a light receiving part while at least 80% of the developed silver and the silver halide remains in the photographic light-sensitive material; and (d) recording the electric information on a recording medium, wherein, the step (c) is carried out with the scanner that exhibits a light diffusion coefficient of at least 0.8.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for processing light sensitive photographic material, comprising the steps of exposing an image onto the photographic material, applying to the material in an imagewise manner at least one developer wherein the amount of developer applied at any point depends on the image density to be produced at that point, wherein the exposure is controlled to account for the response of the photographic material to the amount of developer applied. The invention provides a method and system for processing photographic material that is simple, chemically efficient and produces low or zero-effluent whilst also providing fully satisfactory photographic performance.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a digital dye color film processing system. In one embodiment, the digital dye color film processing system includes a developer station, a processing station, a scanning system, and a data processing system. The developer station applies a developer solution to a silver halide based film to produce metallic silver grains and at least one dye image within the film. The processing station then applies at least one processing solution to the film to convert the silver halide and/or metallic silver to a substantially transparent silver complex. The scanning system then scans the coated film and produces sensor data that is communicated to a data processing system that processes the sensor data to produce a digital image The digital image can then be output to an output device, such as a printer, display monitor, memory device, and the like.

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: A device to produce a video (analog) image, a digital image, a hard copy picture, and a high quality developed radiographic film from an exposed dental radiographic film is disclosed, comprising a film processing tank having an image enhancing video camera mechanically attached in a configuration to capture in a well-focused manner the positive image, similar in appearance to a normal black and white photographic print, forming on the film being processed. The positive image is captured for viewing on a video monitor or for digitization. The digitized image can then be stored, hard copy printed, or viewed on the computer monitor with, zooming, altering, and further enhancing capabilities. Methods for use of the device in dental diagnosis, and kits containing the device and instructional materials are also taught.

Abstract: An automatic correction method is used in connection with a device for correcting an image on a surface light source that can be reproduced with a high degree of quality on a print or a developed film by compensating for the effects of a lens system and the photosensitive material properties as well as the effects of the properties of the surface light source. Photographic printing paper is exposed to a calibration pattern and is transferred to the development section to be developed. Thus, the calibration pattern image is formed on the print paper. The density of each portion of the calibration pattern image on the print is measured in a density measurement section and stored in a memory device. A microprocessor reads the measured values out of a memory device and corrects the image data stored in a frame memory based on the measured values.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of testing the state of development of a photographic film in a light-proof cartridge. According to the invention, the leading edge of the film is pulled out of the cartridge, the film is positioned between a light source and a photosensor, and the amount of light passing between the light source and photosensor is measured. The state of the film is recognized as being undeveloped if a small amount of light passes therebetween.

Abstract: A method for determining a state of a processing solution in a printer processor which exposes a photosensitive material to a light emitted from a light source and processes the material with processing solution, the printer processor having a function to correct exposure conditions in response to at least the amount of light from the light source, a characteristic of the photosensitive material, and a state of the processing solution by adjusting a plurality of exposure condition correction parameter values, comprising the steps of: (a) storing change history of at least one of the exposure condition correction parameter values; and (b) determining whether or not the state of the processing solution is in a preferable state based on the stored change history of at least one of the correction parameter values. Therefore, the characteristics of the change in the processing solution state appear in the history of change of the exposure condition correction parameter values.

Abstract: A film digital radiological imaging apparatus to capture the image formed on a dental x-ray film during its developing process and convert it into a video and digital image, while allowing the completed development of the x-ray film, comprising a reaction tank having a window of tinted-clear material to allow a video camera to capture the image forming on a film during its development. A computer programmed to accept the image and to allow the image to be digitized for storage, modification, and transmission to a video monitor for display, or to a printer for printing is also provided. A method for capturing the image forming on dental x-ray film during the opaque stage of the development process and converting it into a video and digital image comprising developing the film to form an opaque image, capturing the image with a video camera, and transferring the image to a computer for digitizing, to a monitor for viewing, zooming, or further enhancing, and to a printer for printing is further provided.

Abstract: A modular photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor comprising a modular processing section containing at least one removable processing tank for holding a processing solution therein, the at least removable processing tank having an outlet port and an inlet port, and a modular recirculation system having a first end and a second end. The first end being connected to the inlet port by a first fluid connection and the second end being connected to the outlet port by a second fluid connection. The recirculation system including at least one replaceable fluid processing component which is connected to the recirculation system by a fluid connection.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus, the processing solutions need to be replenished as they are used up. It is known to effect replenishment of chemicals in a paper processor by determining the amount of exposure given to the paper in the printing stage of such apparatus when copying an image on a filmstrip onto photographic paper, and using that information to calculate the amount of replenishment required to compensate exactly for the chemicals used up in processing that print. Described herein is a method of using data relating to the measured optical transmittance of an image on a filmstrip in the printing stage to control replenishment of the processing solutions in the film processing stage of the apparatus and also removal of image-dependent by-products produced in processing that filmstrip.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a silver halide photographic material having an emulsion surface, includes a supply device to supply processing solution from a container to the emulsion surface through a space; a converter to convert one of density level of an image signal and a light amount of a exposure signal into a processing signal representing an amount of the processing solution; a regulating device to regulate an amount of the processing solution in accordance with the processing signal so that the regulated amount of the processing solution is supplied to the emulsion surface of the silver halide photographic material through the space by the supply device.

Abstract: Film handling apparatus for a multipass scanner and printer system has film receiving chambers at opposite ends of the apparatus above the film track to receive and temporarily store the coiled film between forward and reverse film transport phases. Film diversion spring fingers are provided at least at the film entry end of the film track between the track and bottom opening to the chamber to allow insertion of the film in one direction and diversion of the film into the chamber when the film transport direction is reversed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a photographic sensitive material capable of accurately controlling photographic characteristics and processing solutions. If exposures of images recorded on a negative film have been integrated, for a predetermined number of frames a mean exposure is calculated and a result of comparison thereof with a reference exposure is supplied to the film processor. The result of the comparison is used to control the processing performance of the film processor. A density meter measures the densities of an exposed portion and a non-exposed portion of a color paper processed in a processor portion. As physical quantities affecting the photographic characteristics, the throughput of color paper per unit period, temperature, pH, specific gravity and electric conductivity of processing solutions, quantity of replenishment of replenisher to be replenished to the processing solutions and quantity of water to be added to the processing solutions are detected.

Abstract: To provide a standard for determining an objective level of performance of photographic film developer processes, a production sensitometer, of the type commonly used in the field, is correlated with a high precision, master sensitometer, defined as a standard. Relative exposure values are computed for each step of a step wedge exposed by a production sensitometer with reference to a corresponding step of a step wedge exposed in the master sensitometer. The relative exposure values are recorded and stored in a read-only memory in the production sensitometer. In the field, the steps of a step wedge on a test film strip exposed by the production sensitometer and developed by the developer processor to be tested, are read by a densitometer which uses the stored relative exposure values to compute density values for the test strip correlated to the master sensitometer. The developer processor may then be adjusted such that the developed film will match quality control parameters, e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer. The apparatus includes a mechanism for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film. The film has a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images. A mechanism is also provided for providing a reference exposure onto the first unexposed area. The apparatus also includes a processing section for processing the exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and the reference exposure on the first area a section for scanning the first and/or second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film. The apparatus prints the film in accordance with the information data received from the scanner. A storage and dispensing mechanism is provided for each customer order.

Abstract: A photographic processing condition managing method applied to an image forming device equipped with a function for immersing a photosensitive material for photographing into a processing solution for photosensitive materials for photographing so as to process the photosensitive material for photographing.