Patent ID: 6783902
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: G03D

Abstract:
An apparatus for thermal development comprising a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film element, an accumulator for gathering said thermal film element, a drive for advancing said thermal film element from said receiver to said accumulator, a heater located between said receiver and said accumulator for developing said thermal film as it passes between said receiver and said accumulator, a compound image scanner for scanning said thermal film after it has been thermally developed, said scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed thermal film element by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image formed on said developed thermal film element by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed on said developed thermal film element by transmission, wherein said third sensor may be the same or different than said first sensor and said third light source maybe the same or different than said second light source, a light-tight container for said receiver and said heater, and wherein said apparatus comprises a stand alone imaging station.