Color imaging apparatus producing visually matched displays of perceptually distinct reproduced images

• US 4,958,220 A
• Filed: 12/27/1988
• Issued: 09/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Alessi, Paula J., Madden, Thomas E., Koop, Donald A., Faul, William H., Giorgianni, Edward J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US07/290,676
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 358/76, 358/80
• US Class Current: 358/527
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6052 Matching two or more picture signal generators or two or more picture reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6097 depending on the characteristics of the output medium, e.g. glossy paper, matt paper, transparency or fabrics

Abstract

Color image reproduction apparatus includes a video monitor for displaying a reproduced image (a soft copy) to appear on any of a variety of image-receptive output media (reversal film or negative film to print material or reversal film to print material) in which color of the reproduced image may vary from one type of output medium to another. A computer-based workstation, having a series of look-up tables for transforming imaging data to a variety of monitor-dependent RGB color spaces, enables the video monitor to show a series of displays of the reproduced image with each version of the reproduced image being visually matched to the reproduced image as it would appear on a particular one of the image-receptive output media.

Claims

1. In color image reproduction apparatus including a video monitor for displaying a reproduced image to appear on any of a variety of image-receptive output media in which perceptible color of the reproduced image varies from one type of output medium to the next, wherein the improvement comprises:

control means coupled to said video monitor and arranged for manipulating a first set of signals corresponding to an original input image, to produce a second set of signals corresponding to a reproduced image relating to a modification of the original image, said control means further being arranged for showing on said video monitor a series of displays of the reproduced image with each reproduced image shown being visually matched to the reproduced image as it would appear on a particular one of the image-receptive output media.

2. In color image reproduction apparatus including a video monitor for displaying a reproduced image to appear on any of a variety of image-receptive output media in which the look of the reproduced image varies from one type of output medium to the next, wherein the improvement comprises:

programmable computer-based control means, coupled to said video monitor, programmed for manipulating a first set of signals corresponding to an original input image, to produce a second set of signals corresponding to a reproduced image relating to a modification of the original image, said computer-based control means being further programmed for showing on said video monitor a series of displays of the reproduced image with each reproduced image shown being visually matched to the reproduced image as it would appear on a particular one of the image-receptive output media.

3. Color reproduction apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein one type of output medium is a photographic film of the reversal type.

4. Color image reproduction apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein a hard copy of the reproduced image is formed by optically printing a photographic film of the negative type onto a print material.

5. Color image reproduction apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said control means is programmed for displaying multiple versions of the reproduced image simultaneously on said video monitor.

6. Color image reproduction apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said control means includes means for displaying the reproduced image sequentially on said video monitor in accordance with the type of output medium selected.