System and method for process and/or manipulating images

• US 6,222,607 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1999
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Szajewski, Richard P., Sowinski, Allan F.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUTLEDGE, DELLA J
• Application Number:
  US09/456,613
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 396/567, 396/578, 396/564, 396/626, 355/40, 355/41, 355/68, 355/77, 355/27-29, 358/487, 358/527, 399/8
• US Class Current: 355/27
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 13/00 Processing apparatus or accessories therefor, not covered by groups G11B3/00 - G11B11/00

Abstract

A digital photofinishing station is capable of being loaded with one or more distinct films in need of photofinishing. The digital photofinishing station has the capability to identify the film and apply a specific correction algorithm based on the identified film. More specifically, the digital photofinishing station is capable of handling films of different density forming properties, process these films using a common developing process, and apply a proper correction algorithm based on the type of film. Further, chemical constituents of the developer solution in the development process can be monitored, and based on known deviations in development caused by specific deviations in the developer solution, a proper correction algorithm is applied. In a further feature of the present invention, film can be developed and scanned at the digital photofinishing station. When the proper correction algorithm for either the film type or the developing solution deviations is not available locally, a remote server can be accessed.

Claims

1. A processing system comprising:

a reader for obtaining a digital record of images on a film supplied to the processing system;

a film type identifier which identifies a film type of said film; and

a controller which receives a signal from said film type identifier indicative of the film type of said film, such that when the identified film type is one which is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a modifying algorithm to said digital record to create a first modified digital record of said images based on the identified film type.

2. A processing system according to claim 1, wherein said reader is a scanner which scans said film.

3. A processing system according to claim 2, wherein said scanner is a digital scanner.

4. A processing system according to claim 3, wherein said digital scanner is a film scanner.

5. A processing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a developing station which applies a chemical development process to said film before said film is scanned by said scanner.

6. A processing system according to claim 5, wherein said film type identifier is adapted to identify the film type of said film based on an output response of said film to said chemical development process.

7. A processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote server, said controller being adapted to send a remote signal to said remote server when the film type identified by said film type identifier is not recognized by said controller, said remote server being adapted to identify the film type not recognized by said controller and provide a remote algorithm to said controller which is applied to said digital record to create a second modified digital record of said images based on the film type identified by said remote server.

8. A processing system according to claim 5, further comprising a monitoring system which monitors chemical constituents of processing solution at said developing station, said monitoring system identifying a chemistry based digital record modifier based on deviations in development caused by specific deviations in the processing solution and providing a signal to said controller indicative thereof, wherein if said chemistry based digital record modifier is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a chemical development correction algorithm to said first modified digital record.

9. A processing system according to claim 8, further comprising a remote server, wherein if said chemistry based digital record modifier is not recognized by said controller, said controller calls said remote server to request a remote chemical development correction algorithm, said controller thereby applying said remote development correction algorithm to said first modified digital record.

10. A processing system according to claim 1, wherein said film is carried within an enclosure having an identification code thereon, said identification code comprising information on at least the type of film in said enclosure, said film type identifier being adapted to read said identification code and identify the film type of said film based on said identification code.

11. A processing system according to claim 1, wherein an identification code is provided on said film in one of a magnetic, optical or mechanical manner, said identification code comprising information on at least the type of film on which is provided said identification code, said film type identifier being adapted to read said identification code and identify said film based on said identification code.

12. A processing system according to claim 1, wherein an identification code is provided on a microchip located on one of said film or an enclosure in which said film said provided, said identification code comprising information on at least the type of film, said film type identifier being adapted to read said identification code and identify said film based on said identification code.

13. A system for manipulating digital images, the system comprising:

a reading device which obtains a first digital record of first images obtained from a first film type and a second digital record of second images obtained from a second film type, said first and second film types each having a different output response after being exposed to the same development process for development of the first images on said first film type and the second images on the second film type; and

a controller which applies a first computer algorithm to the first images obtained from the first film type so as to provide a first modified digital record of said first images having a first predetermined color characteristic, and applies a second computer algorithm to the second images obtained from the second film type so as to provide a second modified digital record of said second images having a second predetermined color characteristic.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said reading device is a digital scanner.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said digital scanner is a film scanner.

16. A system according to claim 13, further comprising a monitoring system which monitors a chemical development process used to develop the first and second film types, said monitoring system providing a signal to said controller for applying a correction algorithm to the first and second images based on deviations in development caused by deviations in processing solution used in the chemical development process.

17. A system according to claim 16, further comprising a remote server operationally associated with said controller and accessed by said controller to retrieve any of said first and second computer algorithms and said correction algorithm which is not recognized by said controller.

18. A processing method comprising the steps of:

reading a film to obtain a digital record of images on said film;

identifying a film type of said film; and

providing information regarding the film type of said film to a controller;

wherein;

when said identified film type is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a modifying algorithm to said digital record to create a first modified digital record, said modifying algorithm being based on said identified film type and being stored in said controller; and

when said identified film type is not recognized by said controller, said controller accesses a remote server which is adapted to identify the film type not recognized by said controller and provide a remote algorithm to said controller which is applied to said digital record to create a second modified digital record, said remote algorithm being based on the film type identified by said remote server.

19. A method according to claim 18, comprising the further step of:

applying a chemical development process to said film prior to said reading step.

20. A method according to claim 19, comprising the further step of:

monitoring chemical constituents of processing solution applied in said chemical development process; and

identifying a chemistry based digital record modifier based on deviations in development caused by specific deviations in the processing solution and providing a signal to said controller indicative thereof;

wherein;

when said chemistry based digital record modifier is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a chemical development correction algorithm to said first or second modified digital record, said chemical development correction algorithm being stored in said controller; and

when said chemistry based digital record modifier is not recognized by said controller, said controller accesses said remote server to request a remote chemical development correction algorithm which is applied to said first or second modified digital record.

22. A method according to claim 20, comprising the further steps of:

monitoring a chemical development process used to develop the first and second film types so as to detect deviations in development caused by deviations in processing solution used in the chemical development process; and

applying a correction algorithm to said first and second images based on said detected deviations.

21. A method of manipulating digital images, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first digital record of first images obtained from a first film type and a second digital record of second images obtained from a second film type, said first and second film types each having a different output response after being exposed to the same development process for development of the first images on the first film type and the second images on the second film type;

applying a first computer algorithm to the first images obtained from the first film type so as to provide a first modified digital record of said first images having a first predetermined color characteristic; and

applying a second computer algorithm to the second images obtained from the second film type so as to provide a second modified digital record of said second images having a second predetermined color characteristic.

23. A method according to claim 21, comprising the further step of accessing a remote server to obtain any of said first and second computer algorithms and said correction algorithm.

24. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having a computer program thereon which when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps;

read a film to obtain a digital record of images on said film;

identify a film type of said film; and

provide information regarding the film type of said film to a controller;

wherein;

when said identified film type is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a modifying algorithm to said digital record to create a first modified digital record, said modifying algorithm being based on said identified film type and being stored in said controller; and

when said identified film type is not recognized by said controller, said controller accesses a remote server which is adapted to identify the film type not recognized by said controller and provide a remote algorithm to said controller which is applied to said digital record to create a second modified digital record, said remote algorithm being based on the film type identified by said remote server.

25. A computer program according to claim 24, wherein the program further causes the computer to perform the step of:

applying a chemical development process to said film prior to said reading step.

26. A computer program according to claim 25, wherein the program further causes the computer to perform the step of:

monitoring chemical constituents of processing solution applied in said chemical development process; and

identifying a chemistry based digital record modifier based on deviations in development caused by specific deviations in the processing solution and providing a signal to said controller indicative thereof;

wherein;

when said chemistry based digital record modifier is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a chemical development correction algorithm to said first or second modified digital record, said chemical development correction algorithm being stored in said controller; and

when said chemistry based digital record modifier is not recognized by said controller, said controller accesses said remote server to request a remote chemical development correction algorithm which is applied to said first or second modified digital record.

27. A processing system comprising:

a reader for obtaining a digital record of images from an electronic image bearing file supplied to the processing system;

an image capture device type identifier which identifies an image capture device type of said file; and

a controller which receives a signal from said image capture device type identifier indicative of the image capture device type of said file, such that when the identified image capture device type is one which is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a modifying algorithm to said digital record to create a first modified digital record of said images based on the identified image capture device type.

28. The processing system according to claim 27, wherein said image capture device type is a photographic film.

29. A processing method comprising the steps of:

reading an electronic image bearing file to obtain a digital record of images from said file;

identifying an image capture device type of said file; and

providing information regarding the image capture device type of said file to a controller;

wherein;

when said identified image capture device type is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a modifying algorithm to said digital record to create a first modified digital record, said modifying algorithm being based on said identified image capture device type and being stored in said controller; and

when said identified image capture device type is not recognized by said controller, said controller accesses a remote server which is adapted to identify the image capture device type not recognized by said controller and provide a remote algorithm to said controller which is applied to said digital record to create a second modified digital record, said remote algorithm being based on the image capture device type identified by said remote server.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said image capture device type is a photographic film.

31. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having a computer program thereon which when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps;

read an electronic image bearing file to obtain a digital record of images from said file;

identify an image capture device type of said file; and

provide information regarding the image capture device type of said file to a controller;

wherein;

when said identified image capture device type is recognized by said controller, said controller applies a modifying algorithm to said digital record to create a first modified digital record, said modifying algorithm being based on said identified image capture device type and being stored in said controller; and

when said identified image capture device type is not recognized by said controller, said controller accesses a remote server which is adapted to identify the image capture device type not recognized by said controller and provide a remote algorithm to said controller which is applied to said digital record to create a second modified digital record, said remote algorithm being based on the image capture device type identified by said remote server.

32. A computer program according to claim 31, wherein said image capture device type is a photographic film.