Method and apparatus for automatically recognizing photographic originals unsuitable for copying

Claim 1

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; using photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot to break down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements central-zone density signals containing information whose derivation necessitates the break-down of the image content of the central zone into such constituent surface elements; using photoelectric means to derive from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements; and applying the zonal density signals and the central-zone density signals to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate dont-copy signals in dependence upon the information contained in both the zonal density signals and the central-zone signals, the deriving of the zonal density signals comprising generating a foreground-zone zonal density signal and a background-zone zonal density signal, the deriving of the central-zone density signals comprising generating a central-zone maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density constituent surface element of the central zone, the generating of don't-copy signals comprising generating a don't-copy signal in dependence upon whether a preselected limit value is exceeded by the difference between, on the one hand, the maximum-density signal and, on the other hand, the smaller one of the foreground-zone zonal density signal and the background-zone zonal density signal.

Claim 2

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; using photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot to break down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements central-zone density signals containing information whose derivation necessitates the break-down of the image content of the central zone into such constituent surface elements; using photoelectric means to derive from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements; and applying the zonal density signals and the central-zone density signals to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate dont-copy signals in dependence upon the information contained in both the zonal density signals and the central-zone signals, the deriving of the zonal density signals comprising generating a foreground-zone zonal density signal and a background-zone zonal density signal, the deriving of the central-zone density signals comprising generating a central-zone maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density constituent surface element of the central zone, the generating of don't-copy signals comprising generating a don't-copy signal in dependence upon whether a preselected limit value is exceeded by the difference between, on the one hand, the maximum-density signal and, on the other hand, the smaller one of the foreground-zone zonal density signal and the background-zone zonal density signal.

Claim 9

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination, means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot operative for breaking down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements central-zone density signals containing information whose derivation necessitates the break-down of the image content of the central zone into such constituent surface elements; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements; and signal-processing means producing don't-copy signals in dependence upon the information contained in both the zonal density signals and the central-zone signals, the means deriving the zonal density signals comprising means generating a foreground-zone zonal density signal and a background-zone zonal density signal, the means deriving the central-zone density signals comprising means generating a central-zone maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density constituent surface element of the central zone, the signal-processing means comprising means generating a don't-copy signal in dependence upon whether a preselected limit value is exceeded by the difference between, on the one hand, the maximum-density signal and, on the other hand, the smaller one of the foreground-zone zonal density signal and the background-zone zonal density signal.

Claim 10

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination, means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot operative for breaking down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements central-zone density signals containing information whose derivation necessitates the break-down of the image content of the central zone into such constituent surface elements; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements; and signal-processing means producing don't-copy signals in dependence upon the information contained in both the zonal density signals and the central-zone signals, the means deriving the zonal density signals comprising means generating a foreground-zone zonal density signal and a background-zone zonal density signal, the means deriving the central-zone density signals comprising means generating a central-zone maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density constituent surface element of the central zone, the signal-processing means comprising means generating a don't-copy signal in dependence upon whether a preselected limit value is exceeded by the difference between, on the one hand, the maximum-density signal and, on the other hand, the smaller one of the foreground-zone zonal density signal and the background-zone zonal density signal.

Claim 17

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; using photoelectric means to derive from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and applying the foreground and background zonal density signals to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, generating the don't-copy because-overexposed signal when the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds one preselected limit value, furthermore comprising the steps of using photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot to break down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; using said signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when said maximum-density signal exceeds a further preselected limit value.

Claim 18

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; using photoelectric means to derive from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and applying the foreground and background zonal density signals to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, generating the don't-copy because-overexposed signal when the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds one preselected limit value, furthermore comprising the steps of using photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot to break down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; using said signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when said maximum-density signal exceeds a further preselected limit value.

Claim 20

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and at least one zone surrounding the central zone; using photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot to break down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; and applying the maximum-density signal to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when the maximum-density signal exceeds a preselected limit value.

Claim 21

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and at least one zone surrounding the central zone; using photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot to break down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; and applying the maximum-density signal to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when the maximum-density signal exceeds a preselected limit value.

Claim 22

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination, means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, the means generating the don't-copy-because-overexposed signal generating that signal when the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds one preselected limit value, furthermore comprising photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot operative for breaking down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; said signal-processing means comprising means generating a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when said maximum-density signal exceeds a further preselected limit value.

Claim 23

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination, means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, the means generating the don't-copy-because-overexposed signal generating that signal when the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds one preselected limit value, furthermore comprising photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot operative for breaking down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; said signal-processing means comprising means generating a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when said maximum-density signal exceeds a further preselected limit value.

Claim 25

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination, means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and at least one zone surrounding the central zone; photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot operative for breaking down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when the maximum-density signal exceeds a preselected limit value.

Claim 26

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination, means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and at least one zone surrounding the central zone; photoelectric scanning means of the type producing a small scanning spot operative for breaking down the image content of the central zone into constituent surface elements corresponding to the scanning spot and deriving from such constituent surface elements a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density one of the constituent surface elements; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-meaningless-motif signal when the maximum-density signal exceeds a preselected limit value.

Claim 27

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; using photoelectric means to derive from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and applying the foreground and background zonal density signals to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-because-over-exposed signal exclusively in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, irrespective of the density of the central zone, when said average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds a preselected limit value.

Claim 28

A method of automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising the steps of subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; using photoelectric means to derive from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and applying the foreground and background zonal density signals to a signal-processing means and using the signal-processing means to generate a don't-copy-because-over-exposed signal exclusively in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, irrespective of the density of the central zone, when said average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds a preselected limit value.

Claim 29

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination; means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, but independently of the density of the central zone.

Claim 30

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination; means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, but independently of the density of the central zone.

Claim 31

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination; means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, when said average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds a preselected limit valve, but independently of the density of the central zone.

Claim 32

An apparatus for automatically evaluating photographic originals with respect to suitability for copying, comprising, in combination; means subdividing the image-bearing surface of the originals into a central zone and foreground and background zones; photoelectric means deriving from the foreground and background zones respective zonal density signals containing zonal density information whose derivation does not necessitate break-down of the image content of the foreground and background zones into small constituent surface elements, including a foreground zonal density signal and a background zonal density signal; and signal-processing means generating a don't-copy-because-overexposed signal in dependence upon the average of the foreground and background zonal density signals, when said average of the foreground and background zonal density signals exceeds a preselected limit valve, but independently of the density of the central zone.