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EP0809149A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Photofinishing system having customized customer order payment feature

Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1997-05-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-05-09
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Abstract

Abstract A consumer interactive apparatus and method for ordering photofinishing services for a photosensitive film. The photosensitive film is provided with a device for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services available. The apparatus includes an input device for allowing entry of a photofinishing order, a mechanism for receiving a film containing a magnetic media for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services, and reading device for reading the magnetic media for determining the amount of prepaid photo services available. The input device allows the user to select the desired type of photofinishing services with respect to the film being supplied to the apparatus. The apparatus allows the customer to order photofinishing service as desired by the customer and also allows debiting of the magnetic layer such that the amount remaining after the placement of the order is placed on the magnetic layer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kevin John Eastman Kodak Company Klees

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 95 words
A consumer interactive apparatus for ordering photofinishing services for a photosensitive film, said photosensitive film having means for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services available, comprising: a) input means for allowing entry of a photofinishing order; b) means for receiving a film containing means for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services; c) means for reading said indicating means for determining the amount of prepaid photo services available; and d) said input means allowing the user to select the desired type of photofinishing services with respect to the film being supplied to said apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises display means for providing instructions to the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said indicating means for indicating the amount of prepaid photofinishing services available comprises a magnetic layer provided on the film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said indicating means comprises a symbol placed on said film which is indicative of a predetermined amount of prepaid photofinishing services.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 84 words
A consumer interactive apparatus for ordering of photofinishing services for a photographic film having a magnetic layer on which a predetermined amount of prepaid photofinishing services is placed, comprising: means for receiving said film; means for reading the amount of photofinishing services credit available on said magnetic layer; and means for allowing the customer to custom order photofinishing service and allows debiting of said magnetic layer such that the amount remaining after the placement of the order may be placed on said magnetic layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said film is provided in a thrust film cartridge.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 67 words
A method of prepaying customized photofinishing services of photographic film, comprising the steps of: a) providing a photograph with a magnetic media for retaining of information; b) recording on said magnetic media an amount of credit available for use in ordering photofinishing services for said photographic film; and c) adjusting the amount of credit available on said media in accordance with the value of photofinishing services ordered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: adjusting the amount of credit available in response to payment of additional funds.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 58 words
A method of prepaying customized photofinishing services of photographic film, comprising the steps of: a) recording on said photographic film information relating to the amount of credit available for use in ordering photofinishing services for said photographic film; and b) adjusting the amount of credit available on said media in accordance with the value of photofinishing services ordered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein indica is printed on the film for indicating the amount of credit available.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

WO1989008901A1 Cited

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