Silver Halide Image Formation with Regional Timing Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming methods using silver halide photographic photosensitive materials struggle to provide a time difference in image appearance recognition timings across different regions of an observation image, limiting the ability to control the visibility of images formed by chemical reactions.

Innovation Solution

An image forming method that involves creating specific drawing conditions for different regions of an observation image, allowing for intentional variation in image appearance recognition timings by adjusting the chemical reaction progression and colorant release in mono-sheet-type silver halide photographic photosensitive materials, enabling distinct visibility times for each region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the image is formed by chemical reaction of precursor in mono-sheet-type silver halide photographic photosensitive material, then the image can be completed quickly, but the image appearance recognition timing is the same for all regions, preventing temporal variation effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage formation speedVSAvoidimage appearance recognition timing variation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different drawing conditions for different regions of the observation image. Specifically, it sets a first drawing condition for a first image region and a second drawing condition for a second image region, where these conditions result in different image appearance recognition timings. This allows the image to have spatially varying temporal characteristics, enabling effects such as sequential appearance of different image parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the same drawing conditions are applied to all regions, then the image formation process is simple, but the temporal variation effect is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawing condition uniformityVSAvoidtemporal variation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the observation image into multiple regions (first image region and second image region) and applies different drawing conditions to each segment. This segmentation approach allows independent control of image appearance recognition timing for each region while maintaining the overall simplicity of the image formation process. The system divides the complex task of temporal variation control into manageable regional segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning distinct drawing conditions to different regions. The first drawing condition and second drawing condition are specifically designed to produce different image appearance recognition timings for their respective regions, enabling temporal variation effects while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward through localized parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If different drawing conditions are applied to different regions, then the image appearance recognition timing varies by region, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage appearance recognition timing controlVSAvoiddrawing condition variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves temporal variation control by changing drawing parameters (such as exposure conditions, development parameters, or chemical reaction conditions) for different regions. Instead of using complex control systems, it achieves the desired temporal variation effects through parameter changes in the drawing conditions, making the process manageable despite the increased complexity of handling multiple conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for a controlled temporal change in image visibility, enabling animation-like effects where different image regions appear at varying times, enhancing the dynamic presentation of information in the final observation image.

Implementation Method 1

forming an observation image by drawing and forming an image pattern on a support using a precursor of image forming material and causing a chemical reaction to progress on the precursor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a mono-sheet-type silver halide photographic photosensitive material for releasing and diffusion transfer of colorants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3926399A1Image forming method, image forming apparatus, and image forming program
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3926399A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926399A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3926399A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

There are provided an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming program capable of giving a temporal change to an observation image by intentionally providing a time difference between image appearance recognition timings for a plurality of regions of the observation image. There is provided an image forming method of forming an observation image by exposing a photographic photosensitive material using an input image and performing development processing. The observation image includes an image A of a first image region in which the image appearance recognition timing after a start of development processing is relatively earlier and an image B of a second image region in which the image appearance recognition timing after a start of development processing is relatively later. First, two original images are acquired, and a first original image and a second original image respectively corresponding to the first image region and the second image region are determined. For the first original image and the second original image, a first drawing condition that satisfies a condition of the image appearance recognition timing of the first image region and a second drawing condition that satisfies a condition of the image appearance recognition timing of the second image region are created. The input image which is to be used for forming the observation image is generated based on the first original image, the first drawing condition, the second original image, and the second drawing condition.