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US4783672A
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Method and apparatus for coding photographic materials
Assignee: AB Dick Co
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Filing: 1987-10-07
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2007-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A system for coding photographic materials is provided wherein a code pattern disposed on a cassette containing photosensitive material is read by an optical code reading unit associated with a photographic apparatus adapted to receive the cassette. Preferably, a grey reference patch is provided and the code is a tertiary code defined by black, white and grey printed patches. The type of photosensitive material contained in the cassette is identified from the tertiary code and appropriate exposure and/or development settings can be made by the photographic apparatus. The absence of a recognizable code pattern indicates use of an authorized supply material.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Wirtz
- 👤 David C. Nellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A n apparatus for coding photosensitive material comprising: an optical code pattern disposed on a cassette containing a supply of photosensitive material, said code pattern defining a tertiary code; an optical code reading unit associated with a photographic apparatus adapted to receive said cassette, said code reading unit reading said code pattern when said cassette is inserted into said photographic apparatus to determine the type of photosensitive material contained in said cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A n apparatus for coding photosensitive material comprising: an optical code pattern disposed on a cassette containing a supply of photosensitive material, said code pattern defining a tertiary code; an optical code reading unit associated with a photographic apparatus adapted to receive said cassette, said code reading unit reading said code pattern when said cassette is inserted into said photographic apparatus to determine the type of photosensitive material contained in said cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said code pattern includes three printed code patches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said printed code patches are black, white or grey.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said code pattern further includes a grey reference patch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said optical code reading unit includes at least one transmitter-sesnsor corresponding to each of said grey reference patch and said code patches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said optical code reading unit reads said grey reference patch and standardizes each transmitter associated with said code patches in response to the grey reference patch reading, whereafter each said code patch is read and the tertiary code defined thereby is decoded to identify the type of photosensitive matreial contained in the cassette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the type of photosensitive material is identified with reference to a look-up table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said photographic apparatus automatically sets exposure parameters appropriate for the type of photosensitive material identified by the code-reading unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said photographic apparatus records in memory the absence of a code pattern or the presence of an unrecognizable code on any cassette inserted into said photographic apparatus.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for coding photosensitive materials comprising: an optical code pattern disposed on a cassette containing a supply of photosensitive material, said code pattern defining a tertiary code; an optical code reading unit associate with a photographic apparatus adapted to receive said cassette, said code reading unit reading said code pattern when said cassette inserted into said photographic apparatus to determine whether said cassette is from an authorized source.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for coding photosensitive materials comprising: an optical code pattern disposed on a cassette containing a supply of photosensitive material, said code pattern defining a tertiary code; an optical code reading unit associate with a photographic apparatus adapted to receive said cassette, said code reading unit reading said code pattern when said cassette inserted into said photographic apparatus to determine whether said cassette is from an authorized source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said code pattern includes three printed code patches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said photographic apparatus records for future reference the use of a cassette from an unauthorized source in the absence of an authorized code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said photographic apparatus becomes inoperable in the absence of a recognizable code.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of coding photosensitive materials comprising the steps of: providing an optical tertiary code pattern on a cassestte containing photosensitive material; reading said code pattern with an optical code reading unit; determining, from said code pattern, the type of photosensitive material contained in the cassette.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of coding photosensitive materials comprising the steps of: providing an optical tertiary code pattern on a cassestte containing photosensitive material; reading said code pattern with an optical code reading unit; determining, from said code pattern, the type of photosensitive material contained in the cassette.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of: automatically setting exposure, parameters on a photographic apparatus associated with said optical code reading unit based upon the determination of the type of photosensitive material contained in the cassette.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said tertiary code pattern is defined by black, white and grey patches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein said code pattern further includes a grey reference patch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein said optical code reading unit includes at least one transmitter-sensor corresponding to each of said grey reference patch and said code patches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 18 further comprising the following steps performed prior to said reading step: optically reading said grey refernce patch; and standarizing each transmitter corresponding to said code patches based upon the reading of said grey reference patch.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of: automatically setting development parameters on said photographic apparatus based upon the determination of the type of photosensitive material contained in the cassette.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4248512A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |