Patent US4719494A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4719494A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of detecting negative film frame which need not be printed

Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 1987-03-27
•
Granted: 1988-01-12
•
Expires: 2007-03-27
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A method of making a judgement as to whether or not a negative film frame needs to be printed on a photographic sheet of paper is employed using for the judgement the photographic density of the image on the frame. According to the method, a negative film frame is divided into a multiplicity of small regions, and photographic density values are measured at the small regions. It is judged that a negative film frame need not be printed when a minimum value of the photographic densities measured in relation to any portion or the whole of the frame, or a value which is higher than the minimum value by a predetermined degree, is larger than another specific value.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kazuo Shiota

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 01:19
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72; G03B27/80

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: dividing a negative film frame into a multiplicity of small regions; measuring a photographic density value at each of said small regions, wherein said photographic density value is a weighted mean value of respective photographic densities of certain color elements, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of the color element in the color developing layer closest to the base of the film than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; determining whether a minimum value of the photographic densities measured in relation to any portion or the whole of the frame is higher than a predetermined value; and if the minimum value is higher than the predetermined value, excluding the negative film frame from printing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 147 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: dividing a negative film frame into a multiplicity of small regions; measuring a photographic density value at each of said small regions, wherein said photographic density value is a weighted mean value of respective photographic densities of certain color elements, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of the color element in the color developing layer closest to the base of the film than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; determining whether a minimum value of the photographic densities measured in relation to any portion or the whole of the frame is higher than a predetermined value; and if the minimum value is higher than the predetermined value, excluding the negative film frame from printing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 1, wherein said photographic density value is a mean value of respective photographic densities of certain color elements, that is, red, green and blue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 1, wherein said photographic density value is a photographic density value of only a color element in the color developing layer closest to the base of the film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 1, wherein said photographic density value is a photographic density value of only a red color element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 113 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 1, wherein a negative film frame is divided into a plurality of regions, both vertically and horizontally, and the determining step comprises the step of determining whether a minimum value of the photographic densities respectively measured at said regions in said frame is larger than a predetermined value, each of said regions being defined by the number of divisions i counted in the vertical direction from one of the widthwise edges of said frame and the number of divisions j counted in the horizontal direction from one of the longitudinal edges of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 106 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 5, wherein said negative film frame is divided into n pieces of regions in the horizontal direction, and the determining step comprises the step of determining whether a minimum value of the photographic densities measured within an area in said frame is larger than a predetermined value, said area ranging from the first region to the k th region, where k is less than n, or ranging from the l th region to the n th region, where l is greater than 1, in the horizontal direction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 158 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: dividing a negative film frame into a multiplicity of small regions; measuring a photographic density value at each of said small regions, wherein said photographic density value is a weighted mean value of respective photographic densities of certain color elements, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of the color element in the color developing layer closest to the base of the film than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; determining whether a first value which is higher than a minimum value of the photographic densities measured in relation to any portion or the whole of the frame by a predetermined degree is larger than another specific value; and if said first value is larger than said specific value, excluding the negative film frame from printing.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 158 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: dividing a negative film frame into a multiplicity of small regions; measuring a photographic density value at each of said small regions, wherein said photographic density value is a weighted mean value of respective photographic densities of certain color elements, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of the color element in the color developing layer closest to the base of the film than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; determining whether a first value which is higher than a minimum value of the photographic densities measured in relation to any portion or the whole of the frame by a predetermined degree is larger than another specific value; and if said first value is larger than said specific value, excluding the negative film frame from printing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 59 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 7, wherein when a film has such a flaw as to allow light to pass therethrough in an emulsion surface the m th lowest value of the photographic densities is employed to determine that the film need not be printed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 8, wherein the m is 1/5 or less of the total small regions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 7, wherein said photographic density value is a mean value of respective photographic densities of certain color elements, that is, red, green and blue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 7, wherein said photographic density value is a photographic density value of only a color element in the color developing layer closest to the base of a film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 7, wherein said photographic density value is a photographic density value of only a red color element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 113 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 7, wherein a negative film frame is divided into a plurality of regions, both vertically and horizontally, and the determining step comprises the step of determining whether a minimum value of the photographic densities respectively measured at said regions in said frame is larger than a predetermined value, each of said regions being defined by the number of divisions i counted in the vertical direction from one of the widthwise edges of said frame and the number of divisions j counted in the horizontal direction from one of the longitudinal edges of said frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 106 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 13, wherein said negative film frame is divided into n pieces of regions in the horizontal direction, and the determining step comprises the step of determining whether a minimum value of the photographic densities measured within an area in said frame is larger than a predetermined value, said area ranging from the first region to the k th region, where k is less than n, or ranging from the l th region to the n th region in the horizontal direction, where l is greater than 1.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 156 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: dividing a negative film frame into a multiplicity of small regions; measuring respective photographc density values of certain color elements, that is, red, green and blue at said small regions, and obtaining a plurality of weighted mean values of said photographic density values at said small regions, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of the red color element than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; determining whether a minimum value of said mean values in relation to any portion or the whole of said frame, or a value which is higher than said minimum value by a predetermined degree, is larger than another specific value; and if said minimum value is larger than said specific value, excluding said negative film frame from printing.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 156 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: dividing a negative film frame into a multiplicity of small regions; measuring respective photographc density values of certain color elements, that is, red, green and blue at said small regions, and obtaining a plurality of weighted mean values of said photographic density values at said small regions, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of the red color element than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; determining whether a minimum value of said mean values in relation to any portion or the whole of said frame, or a value which is higher than said minimum value by a predetermined degree, is larger than another specific value; and if said minimum value is larger than said specific value, excluding said negative film frame from printing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 54 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 15, wherein said mean values of said photographic density values are values in relation to a specific portion of a negative film frame which is divided into a plurality of regions, both vertically and horizontally.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 42 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed according to claim 15, wherein said mean values of said photographic density values are obtained at a plurality of desired positions on a negative film frame.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 149 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: measuring photographic density values of at least a red color element at a multiplicity of spots in any portion or the whole of a negative film frame; determining whether a minimum value of either said photographic density values or weighted mean values of said photographic density values and photographic density values of another color element, or a first value which is higher than said minimum value by a predetermined degree, is larger than another specific value, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of said red color element than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; and if said minimum value or said first value is larger than said specific value, excluding said negative film frame from printing.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 149 words
A method of detecting any negative film frame of a film which need not be printed, said method comprising the steps of: measuring photographic density values of at least a red color element at a multiplicity of spots in any portion or the whole of a negative film frame; determining whether a minimum value of either said photographic density values or weighted mean values of said photographic density values and photographic density values of another color element, or a first value which is higher than said minimum value by a predetermined degree, is larger than another specific value, said weighted mean value being obtained by giving more weight to the photographic density of said red color element than to the photographic densities of the other color elements; and if said minimum value or said first value is larger than said specific value, excluding said negative film frame from printing.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS513224A Cited
JPS57192941A Cited
US4542984A Cited
US4492458A Cited
US4523839A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-01-11 1991-07-13 1992-01-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-01-11 1995-07-13 1996-01-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-01-11 1999-07-13 2000-01-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag