Method and apparatus for producing modified photographic prints
First Claim
1. In a photographic projection printer having a light source and a means for holding a film negative in the optical path of said light source to form an image from the negative on a photosensitive element also mounted in said printer, the improvement comprising:
- a video camera positioned to view the image produced by the film negative and to produce a video signal representative of that image;
processor means coupled to said video camera for digitizing the video signal and storing the video signal in a matrix array;
control means coupled to said processor means and operable to selectively modify elements of said matrix array; and
a matrix array of liquid crystal display elements interposed between the light source and said negative and coupled to said processor to receive said digitized video signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for adjusting the density or contrast of a photographic print includes a projection lens system (18) for projecting an image from a negative (10) onto photosensitive paper (20). A matrix array (24) of liquid crystal display elements is interposed in the optical path in front of the print paper (20) and transmissivity of the individual LCD elements is controlled to provide an LCD mask to control the intensity and/or color of the light falling upon the print paper (20). Preferably, a television camera (16) is used with a beam splitter (14) to provide a real-time image of either the LCD mask (24) or the combined image of the mask (24) and negative (10) to allow adjustments in the mask (24) to be viewed as they are made. In printing black and white photos on multicontrast paper, the color transmissivity of the LCD elements is adjusted on an element-by-element basis to provide a localized adjustment of the contrast range of the print paper. Density and contrast can be simultaneously adjusted by controlling both the color balance and overall transmissivity of the LCD elements.
155 Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a photographic projection printer having a light source and a means for holding a film negative in the optical path of said light source to form an image from the negative on a photosensitive element also mounted in said printer, the improvement comprising:
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a video camera positioned to view the image produced by the film negative and to produce a video signal representative of that image; processor means coupled to said video camera for digitizing the video signal and storing the video signal in a matrix array; control means coupled to said processor means and operable to selectively modify elements of said matrix array; and a matrix array of liquid crystal display elements interposed between the light source and said negative and coupled to said processor to receive said digitized video signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for locally varying the contrast of a multiple-contrast photosensitive paper whose contrast range is dependent upon the color of light striking the photosensitive paper comprising the steps of:
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interposing a matrix array of liquid crystal display elements in the optical path of the printer; and varying the color transmissivity of the matrix array element by element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for locally varying the contrast of a multiple-contrast photosensitive paper whose contrast range is dependent upon the color of light striking the photosensitive paper comprising:
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a holder for holding the photosensitive paper; a light source; means for mounting a negative in the path of light from the light source; a lens system positioned to project an image from said negative on said paper; a matrix array of liquid crystal display elements positioned in the optical path from said light source to said paper; and control means connected to said matrix for varying the color transmissivity of said liquid crystal display elements on an element-by-element basis. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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16. The apparatus of claim 16, further including means for reciprocating said matrix in a plane transverse to said optical path.
Specification