US4299479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic printer with sensitivity control for classification of negatives
Assignee: Pako Corp
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Filing: 1980-09-11
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Granted: 1981-11-10
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Expires: 2000-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A photographic printer includes a sensor system for measuring the optical characteristics of each photographic film frame to be printed at a plurality of defined areas. Based upon the measured optical characteristics, the printer identifies and classifies the film frames into various types of scenes. The exposures used in printing each film frame depend upon the classification of that film frame. A user-selectable control permits the user to vary the sensitivity of the classification of one or more of the types of scenes in essentially a linear fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald B. Harvey
- 👤 Jan T. Freier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72; G03B27/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for identifying and classifying photographic film originals into various types of scenes, the apparatus comprising: means for measuring optical characteristics of film originals; means for classifying film originals based upon the measured optical characteristics; and user-selectable sensitivity control means for adjusting the sensitivity of the means for classifying to a particular type of scene in an essentially linear fashion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for identifying and classifying photographic film originals into various types of scenes, the apparatus comprising: means for measuring optical characteristics of film originals; means for classifying film originals based upon the measured optical characteristics; and user-selectable sensitivity control means for adjusting the sensitivity of the means for classifying to a particular type of scene in an essentially linear fashion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: means for storing a plurality of sets of classification parameters which provide different levels of sensitivity to particular types of scenes; wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means selects one of the sets of classification parameters; and wherein the means for classifying film originals classifies the film originals based upon the measured optical characteristics and the selected set of classification parameters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each set of classification parameters has an associated numerical value, and wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means selects one of the sets of classification parameters by its associated numerical value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sensitivity to particular types of scenes increases with increasing numerical value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the change in sensitivity from one set of classification parameters to the next is an essentially constant increment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: exposure control means for controlling exposures of the film originals in a photographic printer as a function of the classification of the film originals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means adjusts sensitivity of the means for classifying to backlit scenes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means adjusts sensitivity of the means for classifying to vertical oriented scenes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means adjusts sensitivity of the means for classifying to outdoor scenes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means adjusts sensitivity of the means for classifying to backlit, vertical oriented and outdoor scenes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means varies sensitivity to particular types of scenes in essentially equal steps as it is varied from a minimum to a maximum setting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for identifying and classifying photographic film originals by types of scenes contained in the photographic film originals, the apparatus comprising: means for measuring optical characteristics of photographic film originals; means for storing a plurality of sets of classification parameters which provide different levels of sensitivity to particular types of scenes; user-selectable sensitivity control means for selecting one of the sets of classification parameters; and means for classifying the photographic film originals based upon the measured optical characteristics and the selected set of classification parameters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for identifying and classifying photographic film originals by types of scenes contained in the photographic film originals, the apparatus comprising: means for measuring optical characteristics of photographic film originals; means for storing a plurality of sets of classification parameters which provide different levels of sensitivity to particular types of scenes; user-selectable sensitivity control means for selecting one of the sets of classification parameters; and means for classifying the photographic film originals based upon the measured optical characteristics and the selected set of classification parameters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each set of classification parameters has an associated numerical value, and wherein the user-selectable sensitivity control means selects one of the sets of classification parameters by its associated numerical value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the levels of sensitivity to particular types of scenes vary in essentially equal steps from the set of classification parameters having a minimum associated numerical value to a set of classification parameters having a maximum associated numerical value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sets of classification parameters provide different levels of sensitivity to backlit scenes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sets of classification parameters provide different levels of sensitivity to vertical oriented scenes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sets of classification parameters provide different levels of sensitivity to outdoor scenes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sets of classification parameters provide different levels of sensitivity to backlit, vertical oriented and outdoor scenes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising: exposure control means for controlling exposure in a photographic printer as a function of the classification of the photographic film originals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4168120A
Cited
US4168121A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-09 | 1985-05-11 | 1985-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-09 | 1989-05-11 | 1989-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-09 | 1993-05-11 | 1993-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |