US5872591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film scanner
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1996-02-21
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Granted: 1999-02-16
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Expires: 2016-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A photographic film scanner for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images is disclosed. The film strip is continuously advanced through the scanner and a digital image of the film strip is created. Individual images contained in the digital image of the film strip are located and displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Truc
- 👤 Doug Peterson
- 👤 James Anderson
- 👤 Gregg J. Ovsak
- 👤 Rob McLean
- 👤 James A. Hogenson
- 👤 Bradley Johnson
- 👤 Dennis Deutsch
- 👤 Peter Wolter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00249; H04N1/00267; H04N1/0027; H04N1/04; H04N1/0402; H04N1/0405; H04N1/0408; H04N1/0411; H04N1/042; H04N1/0435; H04N1/0449; H04N1/0455; H04N1/0458; H04N1/12; H04N1/387; H04N1/393; H04N1/40; H04N1/407; H04N1/4072; H04N3/00; H04N3/36; H04N3/38; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/253; H04N9/00; H04N9/11; H04N1/121; H04N1/19; H04N1/191; H04N1/192; H04N1/193; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/04; H04N2201/0402; H04N2201/0404; H04N2201/0408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a constant film drive for continuously advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a constant film drive for continuously advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light sensor apparatus includes a linear array of photosites and the longitudinal direction of the array of photosites is perpendicular to the direction of the advancement of the film strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light sensor apparatus includes three linear arrays of photosites, each array of photosites being parallel to the other arrays of photosites, each array of photosites being perpendicular to the direction of the advancement of the film strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for bending the film strip longitudinally as it passes between the light source and the light sensor apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the scanning resolution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the light sensor apparatus includes a multiplicity of photosites and the means for adjusting the scanning resolution comprises: a plurality of lenses, each lens adapted to focus light on a specified subset of the photosites; and an actuator to automatically control the positioning of the lenses in response to user input of resolution data so that only one lens focuses light on the photosites at one time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the means for adjusting the scanning resolution includes means for selecting a subset of the generated pixel data, and wherein the means for generating a digital image of the film strip generates the digital image only from the selected subset of the generated pixel data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the film drive further comprises: means for retaining a portion of the film strip in the scanner after it has been scanned; and means for reversing the direction of advancement of the film strip, the film drive continuously advancing the film strip in the reverse direction for rescanning of selected photographic images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light sensor apparatus comprises: a circuit board; a light sensor mounted on the circuit board; a lens located above the light sensor; a spacer located between the light sensor and the lens; spring means for exerting a force against the lens and the circuit board so that the distance between the lens and the light sensor remains substantially constant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an infrared light filter located between the light source and the light sensor, the infrared light filter for preventing infrared light from being projected on the light sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a light tunnel located between the film strip and the light sensor, the light tunnel preventing substantially all light from reaching the light sensor except the light projected through the film strip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for displaying the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the film drive comprises: a motor; a shaft that is driven by the motor; a first roller mounted on the shaft, the first roller rotating when the shaft is driven by the motor; and a first pressure roller in frictional contact with the first roller so that the first pressure roller rotates when the first roller rotates, the film strip being advanced by being forced between the first roller and the first pressure roller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: a second roller mounted on the shaft, the second roller rotating when the shaft is driven by the motor; and a second pressure roller in frictional contact with the second roller so that the second pressure roller rotates when the second roller rotates, the film strip being advanced by being forced between the second roller and the second pressure roller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A scanning system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means for identifying, edge portions in the digital image of the film strip, with the edge portions representing edges of the film strip where there are no photographic images; means for locating images of coded data in the edge portions; and means for identifying the images of coded data by comparing the images of coded data to stored image data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
A scanner for generating pixel data from a photographic film, the scanner comprising: multiple inlet tracks, each inlet track adapted to receive a photographic film, the inlet tracks merging together at a common point; an outlet through which the film exits the scanner; a common guide track located between the common point and the outlet, the common guide track for guiding the film from the common point to the outlet; a drive mechanism for continuously advancing the film through the common guide track; a light source for projecting light through the film; and a light sensor for sensing the light projected through the film and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
A scanner for generating pixel data from a photographic film, the scanner comprising: multiple inlet tracks, each inlet track adapted to receive a photographic film, the inlet tracks merging together at a common point; an outlet through which the film exits the scanner; a common guide track located between the common point and the outlet, the common guide track for guiding the film from the common point to the outlet; a drive mechanism for continuously advancing the film through the common guide track; a light source for projecting light through the film; and a light sensor for sensing the light projected through the film and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 16 wherein the common guide track includes a left guide to guide a first edge of the film, a right guide to guide a second edge of the film, and means for adjusting the distance between the left guide and the right guide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 17 wherein the left guide and the right guide come in contact only with the edges of the film and do not come in contact with any photographic images on the film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 17 wherein each inlet track includes a sensor to detect if film is present in the inlet track, and wherein the distance between the left guide and the right guide is adjusted based upon signals output by the sensors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a light tunnel located between the light source and the light sensor, the light tunnel preventing substantially all light from reaching the light sensor except the light projected through the film strip.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 20 further comprising means for adjusting the size of the light tunnel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 16 wherein the scanner includes a sensor located adjacent to the outlet, the sensor indicating whether film is in the outlet of the scanner.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of scanning a photographic film containing a plurality of photographic images and creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, the method comprising: advancing the film between a light source and a light sensor; projecting light through the film with the light source; imaging the light projected through the film onto a first set of photosites of the light sensor with a first lens; sensing the light projected through the film with the light sensor; generating pixel data based upon the light sensed; generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film; and automatically adjusting the scanning resolution in response to user input of resolution data by replacing the first lens with a second lens that images the light projected through the film onto a second set of photosites of the light sensor.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of scanning a photographic film containing a plurality of photographic images and creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, the method comprising: advancing the film between a light source and a light sensor; projecting light through the film with the light source; imaging the light projected through the film onto a first set of photosites of the light sensor with a first lens; sensing the light projected through the film with the light sensor; generating pixel data based upon the light sensed; generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film; and automatically adjusting the scanning resolution in response to user input of resolution data by replacing the first lens with a second lens that images the light projected through the film onto a second set of photosites of the light sensor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 further comprising: reversing the direction of advancement of the film; identifying a subset of the plurality of photographic images to be rescanned; and rescanning the identified subset of photographic images at the adjusted scanning resolution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 further comprising displaying the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 further comprising: identifying edge portions in the digital image of the film, with the edge portions representing edges of the film where there are no photographic images; locating images of coded data in the edge portions; and identifying the images of coded data by comparing the images of coded data to stored image data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
142 words
A vertical scanner for generating pixel data from a photographic film, the scanner comprising: a light tunnel having a longitudinal direction that is substantially horizontal, the light tunnel having a first and a second opening; an inlet located above the light tunnel through which the film is inserted; an outlet located below the light tunnel through which the film exits the scanner; a drive mechanism for advancing the film from the inlet to the outlet; a light source adjacent to the first opening of the light tunnel, the light source for projecting light through the film and into the first opening of the light tunnel; and a light sensor adjacent to the second opening of the light tunnel, the light sensor for sensing the light projected through the film and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
142 words
A vertical scanner for generating pixel data from a photographic film, the scanner comprising: a light tunnel having a longitudinal direction that is substantially horizontal, the light tunnel having a first and a second opening; an inlet located above the light tunnel through which the film is inserted; an outlet located below the light tunnel through which the film exits the scanner; a drive mechanism for advancing the film from the inlet to the outlet; a light source adjacent to the first opening of the light tunnel, the light source for projecting light through the film and into the first opening of the light tunnel; and a light sensor adjacent to the second opening of the light tunnel, the light sensor for sensing the light projected through the film and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 27 further comprising means for adjusting the scanning resolution.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
A scanner as claimed in claim 27 further comprising: means for retaining a portion of the film in the scanner after it has been scanned; and means for reversing the direction of advancement of the film.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
266 words
A method of creating a plurality of digital images from a corresponding plurality of photographic images contained on a strip of photographic film, the method comprising: scanning the film strip to create a digital representation of the film strip, the digital representation of the film strip including a digital image of each of the plurality of photographic images, the digital representation of the film strip and the digital images made up of a multiplicity of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it; determining an original range of intensity values in the digital representation of the film strip by identifying the lowest and the highest intensity values in the digital representation of the film strip; generating an expanded range of intensity values from the original range of intensity values by linearly mapping each intensity value in the digital representation of the film strip to an intensity value in the expanded range; generating a gamma-corrected range of intensity values by nonlinearly mapping each intensity value in the digital representation of the film strip to an intensity value in the gamma-corrected range according to a nonlinear graph that compensates for the nonlinear relationship between the density of deposits on a film and the exposure of the film; determining a beginning range of intensity values in each digital image by identifying the lowest and the highest intensity value in the digital image; and generating an enlarged range of intensity values for each digital image by linearly mapping each intensity value in the digital image to an intensity value in the enlarged range for the digital image.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
266 words
A method of creating a plurality of digital images from a corresponding plurality of photographic images contained on a strip of photographic film, the method comprising: scanning the film strip to create a digital representation of the film strip, the digital representation of the film strip including a digital image of each of the plurality of photographic images, the digital representation of the film strip and the digital images made up of a multiplicity of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it; determining an original range of intensity values in the digital representation of the film strip by identifying the lowest and the highest intensity values in the digital representation of the film strip; generating an expanded range of intensity values from the original range of intensity values by linearly mapping each intensity value in the digital representation of the film strip to an intensity value in the expanded range; generating a gamma-corrected range of intensity values by nonlinearly mapping each intensity value in the digital representation of the film strip to an intensity value in the gamma-corrected range according to a nonlinear graph that compensates for the nonlinear relationship between the density of deposits on a film and the exposure of the film; determining a beginning range of intensity values in each digital image by identifying the lowest and the highest intensity value in the digital image; and generating an enlarged range of intensity values for each digital image by linearly mapping each intensity value in the digital image to an intensity value in the enlarged range for the digital image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as claimed in claim 30 further comprising: generating a positive range of intensity values for each digital image by mapping each intensity value of the digital image to an intensity value in the positive range according to the equation P=M-N, where N represents an intensity value of the digital image, M represents the largest available intensity value, and P represents an intensity value in the positive range.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
233 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for continuously advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of rows of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each row of pixels and comparing the average intensity of each row of pixels to a threshold value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
233 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for continuously advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of rows of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each row of pixels and comparing the average intensity of each row of pixels to a threshold value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
233 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for continuously advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of columns of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each column of pixels and comparing the average intensity of each column of pixels to a threshold value.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
233 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for continuously advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of columns of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each column of pixels and comparing the average intensity of each column of pixels to a threshold value.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
218 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of rows of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each row of pixels.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
218 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of rows of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each row of pixels.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
218 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of columns of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each column of pixels.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
218 words
A photographic film scanning system for scanning a film strip containing a plurality of photographic images and for creating a corresponding plurality of digital representations of the photographic images, each digital representation of a photographic image including a plurality of image boundaries, the system comprising: a light source for projecting light through the film strip; a light sensor apparatus for sensing the light projected through the film strip and for generating pixel data based upon the intensity of the light sensed; a film drive for advancing the film strip between the light source and the light sensor apparatus; means for generating a digital image of the entire film strip, including both the photographic images and regions surrounding the photographic images, from the generated pixel data, the digital image of the film strip made up of a plurality of columns of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it, the digital image of the film strip including the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images; and means for locating the plurality of digital representations of the photographic images in the digital image of the film strip by identifying the image boundaries of each digital representation of a photographic image, wherein an image boundary is identified by calculating the average intensity of each column of pixels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |