US5051341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color imaging process and apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-10-20
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Granted: 1991-09-24
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Expires: 2009-10-20
Abstract
Abstract There is described a process for recording a positive or negative continuous tone color copy having the same or lower contrast than a continuous tone original image, comprising the steps of: providing a photographic element comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a yellow image, a silver halide emulsion unit capable of formign a cyan image, and a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a magnenta image, each image-forming unit having a maximum spectral sensitivity at a different wavelength of radiation, and at least one of the image-forming units having a gamma as described herein, receiving image data representing the densities of the yellow, magenta, and cyan records of the original image, modifying said image data and using it to control three exposure sources, each emitting radiation in the region of maximum spectral sensitivity for a corresponding one of the image-forming units, so that, after exposure, the recorded image density range for at least one of the yellow, magenta, and cyan image-forming units is substantially the same as or lower than the image density range for the corresponding yellow, magenta, and cyan records, respectively, of said original image, and exposing said photographic element to said exposure sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Annabel A. Muenter
- 👤 James C. Owens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C7/00; G03C7/18; G03C5/00; G03C5/16; G03C5/164; G03C7/30; G03C7/3041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A process for recording a positive or negative continuous tone color copy of a continuous tone original image, comprising the steps of: providing a photographic element comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a yellow image, a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a cyan image, and a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a magenta image, each image-forming unit having a maximum spectral sensitivity at a different wavelength of radiation, and at least one of the image-forming units having a gamma of greater than about 1.5, receiving image data representing the densities of the yellow, magenta, and cyan records of the original image, modifying said image data and using it to control three exposure sources, each emitting radiation in the region of maximum spectral sensitivity for a corresponding one of the image-forming units, so that after exposure, the recorded image density range for at least one of of the yellow, magenta, and cyan image-forming units is substantially the same as the image density range for the corresponding yellow, magenta, and cyan records, respectively, of said original image, and exposing said photographic element to said exposure sources.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A process for recording a positive or negative continuous tone color copy of a continuous tone original image, comprising the steps of: providing a photographic element comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a yellow image, a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a cyan image, and a silver halide emulsion unit capable of forming a magenta image, each image-forming unit having a maximum spectral sensitivity at a different wavelength of radiation, and at least one of the image-forming units having a gamma of greater than about 1.5, receiving image data representing the densities of the yellow, magenta, and cyan records of the original image, modifying said image data and using it to control three exposure sources, each emitting radiation in the region of maximum spectral sensitivity for a corresponding one of the image-forming units, so that after exposure, the recorded image density range for at least one of of the yellow, magenta, and cyan image-forming units is substantially the same as the image density range for the corresponding yellow, magenta, and cyan records, respectively, of said original image, and exposing said photographic element to said exposure sources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said image-forming units has a gamma of greater than about 2.0.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said original image is contained in a photographic element having a gamma of between about 0.5 and 1.1 for at least one of its image records.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the range of exposure intensity of at least one exposure source for exposing said element less than about 2.0 log exposure units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the range of exposure intensity of at least one exposure source for exposing said element is less than about 1.5 log exposure units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the image separation between the units of at least one set of two image-forming units in said element is less than about 1.7 log exposure units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said modification of the image data is accomplished with the use of a look-up table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said exposure sources are solid state lasers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein said lasers emit in the infrared region of the spectrum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said modification of the image data includes color correction by manipulating the minimum density to compensate for unwanted absorbance of one or more of the yellow, cyan, and magenta image dyes in said element, and said photographic element is substantially free of any colored masking coupler compounds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the modified image data is used to control said exposure sources so that the distribution of the differences in image density from the mean value of image density, or the distribution of these differences with reversed sign, for at least one of the yellow, magenta, and cyan image-forming units is substantially the same as the distribution of image density differences from the mean for the corresponding yellow, magenta, and cyan records, respectively, of the original image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said image data is generated by a scanner.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-23 | 1995-03-25 | 1995-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-23 | 1999-03-25 | 1999-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-23 | 2003-03-25 | 2003-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |