Patent ID: 6088136
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A method for producing index prints having a selectable number of small positive images from photographic originals having picture content wherein said method comprises the steps of:(a) photoelectrically scanning each of the photographic originals in a scanning station of a photographic printer using both:(i) a color-sensitive scanning system with low to medium local resolution, in a plurality of first scanning regions to obtain a first scanning data and;(ii) a locally high-resolution density scanner in a plurality of second scanning regions to obtain a second scanning data; wherein said first plurality of scanning regions and said second plurality of scanning regions correspond to the same regions of the photographic original(b) using the first scanning data to ascertain respective light exposure values for producing photographic copies of the originals and determining a digital color data set for each original wherein said data set includes representative color data for each of said plurality of first scanning regions;(c) determining a digital density data set for each original using the second scanning data, said density data set including density data representative of the original and having a higher local resolution than the color data set;(d) producing a digital representation of the picture content of each of said originals from the digital color data set and the digital density data set; and(e) grouping into a digital composite picture the digital representations of said originals that belong to a selectable number of small images such that an index print can be made on an output medium.