Patent US5406380A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5406380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Film recorder with interface for user replaceable memory element
Assignee: Electronics for Imaging Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-23
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Granted: 1995-04-11
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Expires: 2013-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A film recorder includes a digital image generator and a central processing unit operatively associated with the digital image generator for controlling the generation of images output from the image generator for recording. A film transport is provided to carry a photographic film. An image output from the image generator is projected onto a film plane of the film transport. An interface provides a data path between the central processing unit and a user accessible receptacle provided in the film recorder. A user replaceable memory element is inserted into the receptacle for communication with the central processing unit via the data path. The user replaceable memory element can provide various features. It can contain color look up tables for new photographic film types. Credit balance information can be provided in the user replaceable memory element to enable a user to make a predetermined number of exposures using the film recorder. Diagnostic information can also be stored in the replaceable memory element. The film recorder can be upgraded to incorporate new features through the use of a new replaceable memory element.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Teter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00962; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00281; H04N1/00283; H04N1/23; H04N1/2307; H04N1/2323; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/793; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/1004; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/84; H04N5/843
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A film recorder comprising: a digital image generator; a central processing unit operatively associated with said digital image generator for controlling the generation of an image output from said image generator for recordal; a film transport; means for projecting an image from said image generator onto a film plane of said film transport; interface means for providing a data path between said central processing unit and a receptacle provided in said film recorder, said receptacle being readily accessible to a user via an opening in a housing of said film recorder; a user replaceable memory element adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle for communication with said central processing unit via said data path during the regular use of said film recorder to record images, said memory element providing (i) read only storage of data relating to a type of film to be exposed by said film recorder and (ii) a read/write memory; a plurality of different sensors coupled to said central processing unit for monitoring the operation of said film recorder; and means for coupling said read/write memory contained in said user replaceable memory element to said data path for accumulating diagnostic information for said film recorder received over time from said central processing unit in response to said sensors during said regular use of said film recorder while said user replaceable memory element is inserted in said receptacle; wherein said diagnostic information is adapted to be read from said read/write memory when said user replaceable memory element is not inserted in said film recorder for analysis of said diagnostic information by means separate and independent of said film recorder and use in the maintenance of said film recorder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A film recorder comprising: a digital image generator; a central processing unit operatively associated with said digital image generator for controlling the generation of an image output from said image generator for recordal; a film transport; means for projecting an image from said image generator onto a film plane of said film transport; interface means for providing a data path between said central processing unit and a receptacle provided in said film recorder, said receptacle being readily accessible to a user via an opening in a housing of said film recorder; a user replaceable memory element adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle for communication with said central processing unit via said data path during the regular use of said film recorder to record images, said memory element providing (i) read only storage of data relating to a type of film to be exposed by said film recorder and (ii) a read/write memory; a plurality of different sensors coupled to said central processing unit for monitoring the operation of said film recorder; and means for coupling said read/write memory contained in said user replaceable memory element to said data path for accumulating diagnostic information for said film recorder received over time from said central processing unit in response to said sensors during said regular use of said film recorder while said user replaceable memory element is inserted in said receptacle; wherein said diagnostic information is adapted to be read from said read/write memory when said user replaceable memory element is not inserted in said film recorder for analysis of said diagnostic information by means separate and independent of said film recorder and use in the maintenance of said film recorder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said user replaceable memory element contains a color look up table for a photographic film carried in said film transport; and said central processing unit accesses data in said color look up table to control the generation of said image output from said image generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said user replaceable memory element contains read/write memory for storing credit balance information identifying a remaining number of film exposure credits purchased in advance by a user; and said central processing unit accesses said credit balance information to permit or deny a film exposure to said user; said replaceable memory element and credit balance information being separate and independent of the film to be exposed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 3 wherein said central processing unit decrements a credit balance contained in said user replaceable memory element when a film exposure is made.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said user replaceable memory element contains read/write memory for storing credit balance information identifying a remaining number of film exposure credits purchased in advance by a user; and said central processing unit accesses said credit balance information to permit or deny a film exposure to said user; said replaceable memory element and credit balance information being separate and independent of the film to be exposed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 5 wherein said central processing unit decrements a credit balance contained in said user replaceable memory element when a film exposure is made.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said user replaceable memory element comprises means for providing an optional feature in said film recorder; and said central processing unit communicates with said means for providing an optional feature to implement said feature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
259 words
A film recorder comprising: a digital image generator; a central processing unit operatively associated with said digital image generator for controlling the generation of an image output from said image generator for recordal; a film transport; means for projecting an image from said image generator onto a film plane of said film transport; interface means for providing a data path between said central processing unit and a receptacle provided in said film recorder, said receptacle being readily accessible to a user via an opening in a housing of said film recorder; a user replaceable memory element adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle for communication with said central processing unit via said data path-during the regular use of said film recorder to record images, said memory element providing a read/write memory; a plurality of different sensors coupled to said central processing unit for monitoring the operation of said film recorder; and means for coupling said read/write memory contained in said user replaceable memory element to said data path for accumulating diagnostic information for said film recorder received over time from said central processing unit in response to said sensors during said regular use of said film recorder while said user replaceable memory element is inserted in said receptacle; wherein said diagnostic information is adapted to be read from said read/write memory when said user replaceable memory element is not inserted in said film recorder for analysis of said diagnostic information by means separate and independent of said film recorder and use in the maintenance of said film recorder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
259 words
A film recorder comprising: a digital image generator; a central processing unit operatively associated with said digital image generator for controlling the generation of an image output from said image generator for recordal; a film transport; means for projecting an image from said image generator onto a film plane of said film transport; interface means for providing a data path between said central processing unit and a receptacle provided in said film recorder, said receptacle being readily accessible to a user via an opening in a housing of said film recorder; a user replaceable memory element adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle for communication with said central processing unit via said data path-during the regular use of said film recorder to record images, said memory element providing a read/write memory; a plurality of different sensors coupled to said central processing unit for monitoring the operation of said film recorder; and means for coupling said read/write memory contained in said user replaceable memory element to said data path for accumulating diagnostic information for said film recorder received over time from said central processing unit in response to said sensors during said regular use of said film recorder while said user replaceable memory element is inserted in said receptacle; wherein said diagnostic information is adapted to be read from said read/write memory when said user replaceable memory element is not inserted in said film recorder for analysis of said diagnostic information by means separate and independent of said film recorder and use in the maintenance of said film recorder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 8 wherein: said user replaceable memory element contains a color look up table for a photographic film carried in said film transport; and said central processing unit accesses data in said color look up table to control the generation of said image output from said image generator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A film recorder in accordance with claim 8 wherein:. said user replaceable memory element comprises means for providing an optional feature in said film recorder; and said central processing unit communicates with said means for providing an optional feature to implement said feature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-10 | 1998-10-10 | 1999-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | 2003-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-10 | 2006-10-10 | 2007-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |