Photocopying – Projection printing and copying cameras – Identifying – composing – or selecting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-07
2001-04-24
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Photocopying
Projection printing and copying cameras
Identifying, composing, or selecting
C355S027000, C355S038000, C355S039000, C355S072000, C358S487000, C358S506000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222612
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process and a device for the output of electronic imaging signals, in particular to a process for an output of electronic imaging signals on a light-sensitive recording material in a photographic copying apparatus in which an image master of a photographic film can be copied on light-sensitive recording material. In such system, a transmissive display element, in particular a liquid crystal display (LCD), is controlled by the imaging signals, with a beam of light passing through the display element in the direction of the light-sensitive recording material.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional photography based on silver halide film is increasingly replaced by electronic components both on the recording end, e.g. the camera, and also during subsequent processing of the film. For example, modern cameras are capable of recording additional information, such as the date the image was acquired, greeting messages and other information, together with the image on the film inside the camera. Other types of film are provided with a magnetic recording layer on which information is recorded in the camera specifying how the film should be subsequently processed. A film of this type and a corresponding processing procedure is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,313.
Frequently, customers ask that additional information, such as greeting messages, be printed on or next to the photographic prints after the film is processed. There is also increasing demand to print images in photographic quality on photographic paper directly from an electronic image source, e.g. a computer or a scanner.
More and more often, customers also request from photo finishers so-called index prints. A process to produce index prints is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,827. In this case, all images recorded on a photographic film are also electronically scanned and electronically merged to form a picture which includes every image of the film. Other relevant information, such as an identification number of the film, the number of the image, the exposure date of the image, a motif text and the like, are added to the individual images and the merged image is outputted in form of an index print. This system has a disadvantage that the device for outputting of electronic imaging signals is relatively complex and has a large footprint.
Photographic photo finishing processes are divided into so-called offline index print systems and inline index print systems. In the so-called offline index print system, the index prints are outputted on a separate printer separately from the other photographic prints and then added to the other pictures. An inline index print system, on the other hand, produces the index prints at the same time and with the same device as the individual prints of the photographic film. This device can therefore print conventional images optically on a copying material as well as output electronic imaging signals on the same copying material. The inline index print system has the significant advantage that the index prints are already properly associated with the images of the print order. Consequently, a sorting step is no longer required.
JP 6-19 106 A describes a device for the output of electronic imaging signals on light-sensitive recording material. Image signals are here displayed on a display element and applied directly to the recording material.
DE 38 25 887 C2 describes a video printer for printing different individual images on a common output sheet. The last two references relate to filly electronic systems which cannot be directly integrated with a photographic copying device in which an image master of a photographic film can be optically copied on light-sensitive material.
DE 41 13 594 A1 describes a device for printing leaflets which includes a retractable calibration test pattern.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to provide a process and a device capable of outputting electronic imaging signals with a high, i.e. preferably photographic quality on a light-sensitive recording material, wherein the device is of simple construction and suitable to operate as an inline index print system.
The object is solved in that during an image output, the display element can be positioned so close to the recording material that a sharp image is produced on the recording material, without the need to position additional optical focusing means between the display element and the recording material. Further, for an output of the imaging signals, the display element can be positioned in the same optical beam path in which an image master is also positioned during the copying operation of the image master.
In one aspect of the invention, a transmissive display element is controlled by imaging signals and is irradiated with the beam of at least one light source that passes through the display element in the direction of the light-sensitive recording material. A particularly suitable display element is a liquid crystal display. However, other light valve arrangements with transmission properties that can be controlled pixel by pixel, can also be used. During image output, the display element is located so close to the recording material that a sharp image is produced on the recording material without the need for additional optical focusing means between the display element and the recording material. The display element performs at least approximately a contact exposure. The imaging signals are discrete signals, in particular digitized signals.
The invention is particularly suited to retrofit photographic projection copiers to output electronic imaging signals of images that are composed of pixels. It is only necessary to add a transmissive display element and to modify the electronic control means. In particular, the display element for the output of the electronic image is moved, in particular tilted, into an illuminating position. The copying device can then be switched over from a conventional projection mode wherein a conventional film master is copied on light-sensitive recording material (in particular a color negative film master on a color negative recording paper) to a fully electronic mode wherein electronic imaging signals are outputted to the color negative paper, and vice versa.
The display element can be inserted not only by tilting about a rotation axis, but also, for example, by a linear translatory motion. With this modification, on one hand, an existing light source of the conventional projection copying device can be used to produce a conventional copy and, on the other hand, the same light source can also illuminate the transmissive display element to output the electronic imaging signal on the light-sensitive recording material. Advantageously, the display device is illuminated through a ground glass screen and a zoom objective which is positioned between the light source and the display element. The zoom objective is applied in two ways: to provide a sharp projection of a conventional copy master on the recording material, and also to illuminate the display element with a predetermined divergence. A preferred display element is a liquid crystal display.
When a copier is retrofitted in this manner, the display element is advantageously mechanically operatively connected with a conventional test negative which can be tilted into the illumination beam path if required. The two components then take up a minimal amount of space.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are intended solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4464045 (1984-08-01), Findeis et al.
patent: 4566784 (1986-01-01), Nitsch
patent: 5029313 (1991-07-01), Robison et al.
patent: 508
Auer Josef
Kluter Ulrich
Adams Russell
Agfa-Gevaert AG
Brown Khaled
Darby & Darby
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