REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT FOR A COLOR STANDARD PROJECT WITH DATA CORPORATION AT A COST OF $75,058 FROM FY-1970 FUNDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2012
• Sequence Number: 42
• Publication Date: June 10, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

fig S!~af~ ~-.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
NPIC/D-171-70
. 0 JUG 1"R
MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant Deputy Director for Intelligence ~ZOV
Contract for a
SUBJECT Request for Approval of a
.
25X1
Color Standard Project wit
from FY-1970 Funds 25X1
1. This memorandum requests approval for the commitment
of R&D funds for a NPIC contract. The specific request is stated
in paragraph 9.
2.. The advent of high definition color film as an oper-
ational acquisition material has necessitated the development
of color image evaluation standards and techniques. Methods
and equipment suitable for analysis of black.and white imagery
require extension and modification before they may be applied
to color imagery. For certain more routine functions, e.g.,
chemical process control and film exposure requirements, stan-
dard operating conditions and instrumentation have already
been established. This is not the case for applications such
as the determination of object color from measurements made
on the fine detail of color imagery, the measurement of color
modulation transfer function and power spectral density, micro-
'image resolution, and-other color image quality parameters. In
addition, the response of color film layers during the scanning
operation in digital image manipulation must be quantitatively
determined.
.3. As a prerequisite to making any of the measurements
mentioned above, standard instrumentation and data collection
techniques must be developed. For image evaluation and manipu-
lation applications, most of the data required can'be collected
by an instrument called a microdensitometer. Because the
measurements made are concerned with image areas on the order
of several microns (millionths of a meter) the microdensitometer
itself must be calibrated extremely accurately so that varia-
tions in its output data can be assigned the proper cause, i.e.,
electrical, mechanical, optical or photographic.
Pr
Cao i t
ExcluCad frsm aA^iatir
dawf+g6Qi6 att1
_ deClilSiillCa{.1611-. ,.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
SUBJECT: Request for Approval of a Contract for a
Color Standard Project with
E s
4. Currently, a microdensitometer for measuring black
and white and color film is available in Applied.Photo-Science
Division (APSD). This instrument was designed in 1965 for use
with materials then available. While an excellent instrument
for black and white image analysis, precalibration experiments
on current color imagery have shown that (1) new optics will
be required and (2) electronic, mechanical, and optical cali-
bration standards'must be developed. As currently designed
the objective lenses on the microdensitometer do not have
adequate depth of field to focus the three images in a single
image position as required. As a consequence, the output data
are dependent upon, rather than independent of, the focus posi-
tion. The situation is analogous to an improperly focused color
TV set where color fringing can be observed and the objects are
obviously not correctly reproduced. After the microdensitometer
has been properly calibrated, quality control procedures are
necessary to assure proper day-to-day operation.
25X1
25X1
5. The proposed contract with) .s designed 25X1
to overcome the problems discussed above. It will be executed
in three overlapping phases during a nine-month period.. Phase
one will be concerned with acquisition and calibration of new
objective lenses. Phase two will involve electronic, mechan-
ical and optical system calibration. The optics in this phase
-will include filters, mirrors, and condensers in concert with
the new objective lenses. Phase three will be concerned with
the application of the microdensitometer to color transfer
function analyses, the formulation of quality control proce-
dures, and the preparation of a color microdensitometer hand-
book. This handbook will spell out in detail the procedures
for use of the instrument and the techniques for analyzing the
data collected. Monthly and final reports, the quality control
film standards, and the Handbook constitute the deliverable items.
6. has been selected as the sole source 25X1
for this project because of their intimate knowledge of the
APSD Mann 1032T microdensitometer (they installed it origi-
nally), and their extensive experience with micro image quality
assessment on both black and white and color films. Accordingly,
the risk associated with the calibration portion of the project
is very low. The adequacy, of the objective lenses, however,
cannot be determined in detail before the other variables are
pinned down. Consequently, the - risk involved here is somewhat
greater: contingency plans for the redesign or modification of
the objectives have been made. i
2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
. ?
SUBJECT: Request for Approval of a Contract for a
from FY-1970 Funds
7. Follow-on action is anticipated in the development
of more advanced and sophisticated color imagery analysis
techniques. The level of such follow-on action cannot now be
estimated and will not necessarily be with the same contractor.
This project has been coordinated with APSD.
8. The . sterility de is appropriate; the project
officer, will assign security classi-
fication to the individual reports.
or a contrqct to duct the program described at
a cost not to exceed e approved.
9. It is requested that the negotiation with
Color Standard Project with
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
ARTHUR C. LUNDAHL
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Attachments:
1. Proposal
2._ Form 2420
APPROVEDI
ZL e7
Assistant Deputy.. irec or r elligence (pate
Distribution:
Original - NPIC/TSSG/SC&PS (After Approval)
1 - ADDI
2 - NPIC/ODIR
1 - NPIC/TSSG.
1 - NPIC/TSSG/RED
T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30 CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
 LJ UI' LH 7:71t iL J L1 vivriL. t ; lfaL U ,;L(?KL- U -_ tspec.t]~ .
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
? ? I L ) 1 I V rr VIV URLMLf`f I U I V I J 1 Vi\ F LII V I JLJ
ler than property or building maintenance d repairs)
OFFICE/DIV/DR
REQUEST NO.
DATE OF REQUEST
I CERTIFY THAT F"N", I HE ESTIMATE^
25X1
AMOUNT OF
TSSG/RED/ATB
5500-6115-70
26 May
_^A
0155-5350
V
I
A
A
LABLE. CHARGE To AN
PROJECT TITLE
25X1
Color Standards-
(Physical)
CONTRACTOR (if known)
25X1
APPLICABLE ONLY TO REPAIRS AND MODIFICATIONS
TYPE OF SERVICE REQUESTED
TECHNICAL INSPECTION IS REOUIRED BY
X
RESEARCH/DEV
TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO
O RECEIVING DEPOT T & I TECHNICAL MONITOR
-
GRANT
OTHER GOVT. AGENCY
(specify ifapplicable)
ITEMS TO BE PICKED UP OR SERVICES PERFORMED AT:'
R E P A I R
MAINTENANCE
ITEMS TO BE REDELIVERED TO:
MODIFICATION
STERILITY
CONTRACT CLASSIFICATION
WORK CLASSIFICATION
HARDWARE CLASSIFICATION
REPORTS CLASSIFICATION
S c D
UP TO
X
sc t
SECRET
UP TO TKH
UNCLASS
TKH
SC 2
SHORT SUBSTANTIVE TITLE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE TO BE PERFORMED
Test and assist in selection-of color corrected microdensitometer objectives*
that will permit accurate density measurements from color film in one scan of all
three layers.
Develop techniques and procedures for determining MTF, effective exposure
,
power spectrum, etc.
Develop quality control and operating procedures for the APSD tri-chromatic
microdensitometer.?
Prepare detailed operating and quality control handbook for routine operation of
the microdensitometer.
*For use on the APSD Mann Trichromatic Microdensitometer
(See reverse for specific information
required on R&D requests.)
APPROVAL
DESIGNATION
E
DATE
25X
moo
~-/~ -
PROCUREMENT DIVISION USE
DATE RECEIVED IN PD R
ECORDED BY
SECTION ASSIGNED TO
NEGOTIATOR
3067 2420 2420A AND 2416 =UNCLASSIFIED
0
CONFIDENTIAL ? SECRET 0 (specify)
1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
 M UNCLASSIFIED - - (spec
EJ CONFIDENTIAL ATTAt HEFNT; fR STATEMENTS 5 SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0
I IR 25X1
installed the microdensitometer concernedhas modified it previously
(to improve sampling) and has developed the color image assessment which will be
investigated with the microdensitometer when calibrated.
The instrument concerned is one of two, both installe 25X1
2. PROPOSAL
Attached
3. DELIVERABLE ITEMS
25 NO. OF COPIES MONTHLY INTERIM QUARTERLY FINAL
P
RE
ORTS REQUIRED
HARDWARE (state type and number) (1) objectives (2) (Zeiss(, apochromats
: designed for
.
use with APSD microdensitometers, 400 mm working distance
,
OTHER . single scan for three accurate traces. (2) Microdensitometer
color standard measuring targets (Qty)? to be determined)
4. GFE REQUIRED
-80 man hours microdensitometer scanning & testing time is required and'
has been agreed to by c/APSD_
5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
ref proposal task I, part III par 2c - delete requirement to use color
or dye targets. Metric accuracy not affected here.
UNCLASSIFIED Q CONFIDENTIAL ? SECRET (specify)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873A000800010042-0