US4065661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photofinishing apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1976-02-18
•
Granted: 1977-12-27
•
Expires: 1996-02-18
Abstract
Abstract Photofinishing apparatus for producing photographic prints from originals such as positive transparencies, negative transparencies or positive reflection prints and for printing a customer bill is controlled by an electronic computer. Some data required for producing prints in the photographic printer is entered into the computer via an operator keyboard. Other data may be entered into the computer via a device that measures the size and format of the original, an exposure determining station, and a code reader for reading a code on the photofinishing envelope. The data is stored in a memory associated with the computer and is used to control the photographic printer. Pricing data is also contained in a memory associated with the computer. After the originals have been printed, the computer uses the pricing data and the data that was used to control the printer to control the customer billing printer. Such an arrangement eliminates the need for an operator to handle some of the same data twice, thus substantially reducing possibilities for error.
Inventors
- 👤 Jorg Jaskowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:02
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/46; G03B27/462; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001; G03D15/005; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
Photofinishing apparatus, comprising: a. photographic printing means for producing photographic prints from originals; b. data entry means for producing signals representative of the requirements for producing the prints; c. bill printing means for printing a customer bill; d. storage means for storing pricing data for the photographic prints; and e. electronic computer control means electrically connected to said photographic printing means, said bill printing means, and said pricing data storage means for controlling said photographic printing means in response to said signals produced by said data entry means and for controlling said bill printing means in response to said signals produced by said data entry means and said pricing data stored in said pricing data storage means, whereby said data entered into said data entry means is entered only once thereby reducing the possibility of error in the printing of the bill.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
Photofinishing apparatus, comprising: a. photographic printing means for producing photographic prints from originals; b. data entry means for producing signals representative of the requirements for producing the prints; c. bill printing means for printing a customer bill; d. storage means for storing pricing data for the photographic prints; and e. electronic computer control means electrically connected to said photographic printing means, said bill printing means, and said pricing data storage means for controlling said photographic printing means in response to said signals produced by said data entry means and for controlling said bill printing means in response to said signals produced by said data entry means and said pricing data stored in said pricing data storage means, whereby said data entered into said data entry means is entered only once thereby reducing the possibility of error in the printing of the bill.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein the originals are contained in envelopes bearing coded data, said data entry means further including means for reading the coded data on the envelopes and said photofinishing apparatus further comprising means for printing an alphanumeric designation corresponding to said coded data on the envelope, said printing means being controlled by said electronic computer control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein the originals are received in photofinishing envelopes and said photofinishing apparatus further comprises: a. an order assembly station where the originals, the prints, the customer's bill and the photofinishing envelopes are assembled together; b. conveyor means for transporting the photofinishing envelopes from the data entry means to said order assembly station; and c. sensing means for sensing the presence of a photofinishing envelope on said conveyor means and responsive thereto for providing an end of order signal to said electronic computer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein the originals are received in photofinishing envelopes bearing coded information and said data entry means includes means for reading the coded data on the photofinishing envelopes and producing signals representative of the coded data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention claimed in claim 4 further comprising: means for printing an alphanumeric designation on the photofinishing envelope corresponding to the coded data, said alphanumeric printing means being electrically connected to said electronic computer control means; and said electronic computer control means including means for controlling said alphanumeric printer in accordance with the signals representative of the coded data from the data entry means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-26 | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-26 | 1989-06-27 | 1989-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |