Patent US5281993A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5281993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photofinishing apparatus and method
Assignee: IMIP LLC
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Filing: 1992-03-03
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2012-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved photofinishing packaging apparatus and related method is described in which a film bar code is read, and identification indicia which may be different from the film bar code is encoded onto the corresponding prints generated from the film. The film bar code is then paired with the identification indicia, which pairing is stored in a computer. Later, the packager uses the pairing to match up the film with the corresponding prints.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond H. Crochetierre
- 👤 Michael T. O'Leary
- 👤 John R. Reuss
- 👤 Walter R. Hadank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001; G03D15/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for packaging prints with a corresponding film comprising: reading first identification indicia from a film; generating second identification indicia; encoding the second identification indicia onto corresponding prints, the prints being in a print roll having first and second edges, and boundaries between successive prints, by selectively making notches in either the first or second edges of the print roll at the boundaries between successive prints in accordance with said second identification indicia; forming a pairing between the first and second identification indicia; storing the pairing; and packaging the prints with the corresponding film using said pairing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for packaging prints with a corresponding film comprising: reading first identification indicia from a film; generating second identification indicia; encoding the second identification indicia onto corresponding prints, the prints being in a print roll having first and second edges, and boundaries between successive prints, by selectively making notches in either the first or second edges of the print roll at the boundaries between successive prints in accordance with said second identification indicia; forming a pairing between the first and second identification indicia; storing the pairing; and packaging the prints with the corresponding film using said pairing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first identification indicia is different from said second identification indicia.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second identification indicia is a predetermined value if the first identification indicia was unreadable from the film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second identification indicia is a randomly generated number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second identification indicia is a sequentially generated number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generating step takes place before the reading step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reading step takes place before the generating step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
A photofinishing packaging apparatus comprising: a decoder for decoding first identification indicia from a film; control means for generating second identification indicia; an encoder coupled to the control means for encoding the second identification indicia onto prints corresponding to the film, the prints being of in a print roll having first and second edges, and having boundaries between successive prints, wherein the encoder is adapted to selectively make notches in either the first or the second edges of the print roll at the boundaries between successive prints in accordance with said second identification indicia; wherein the control means is further coupled to the encoder and to the decoder and is adapted to receive and form a pairing between said first and second identification indicia and store the pairing; and a packager coupled to the control means for accessing the pairing and matching the film with the corresponding prints using said pairing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A photofinishing packaging apparatus comprising: a decoder for decoding first identification indicia from a film; control means for generating second identification indicia; an encoder coupled to the control means for encoding the second identification indicia onto prints corresponding to the film, the prints being of in a print roll having first and second edges, and having boundaries between successive prints, wherein the encoder is adapted to selectively make notches in either the first or the second edges of the print roll at the boundaries between successive prints in accordance with said second identification indicia; wherein the control means is further coupled to the encoder and to the decoder and is adapted to receive and form a pairing between said first and second identification indicia and store the pairing; and a packager coupled to the control means for accessing the pairing and matching the film with the corresponding prints using said pairing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control means is adapted to generate said second identification indicia which is different from said first identification indicia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control means is adapted to generate said second identification indicia which is a predetermined value if said first identification indicia is undecodable by said decoder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control means is adapted to generate said second identification indicia randomly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control means is adapted to generate said second identification indicia sequentially.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means for moving the film along a predetermined path between the decoder and the encoder in a direction of film travel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the encoder is situated after the decoder along the path in the direction of film travel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the encoder is situated before the decoder along the path opposite to the direction of film travel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a tachometer situated along the path between the encoder and the decoder, and coupled to the control means for detecting the direction of film travel, and communicating the detected direction to the control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the film has an edge with sprocket holes along the edge, and the tachometer is adapted to count at least some of the sprocket holes along the edge of film moved past the tachometer, and to communicate the detected count to the control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4779122A
Cited
US5093684A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |