Patent US5649260A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5649260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated photofinishing apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1995-12-21
•
Granted: 1997-07-15
•
Expires: 2015-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer. The apparatus includes a mechanism for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film. The film has a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images. A mechanism is also provided for providing a reference exposure onto the first unexposed area. The apparatus also includes a processing section for processing the exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and the reference exposure on the first area a section for scanning the first and/or second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film. The apparatus prints the film in accordance with the information data received from the scanner. A storage and dispensing mechanism is provided for each customer order.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Bruce Wheeler
- 👤 Daniel Michael Pagano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72; G03B27/73; G03B27/735; G03D13/00; G03D13/007; G03B2206/00; G03B2206/004; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/24; G03B2217/242; G03B2217/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising: means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images; means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area; means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area; means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film; means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning; means for processing said prints; and means for delivering said prints to said customer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising: means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images; means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area; means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area; means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film; means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning; means for processing said prints; and means for delivering said prints to said customer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising payment means for accepting payment from a customer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by credit card payment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by cash.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising display means for providing instructional information to the user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said display means comprises a video display tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising data entry means for supplying customer order information and/or instructional information to the apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said data entry means comprises keypads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said data entry means comprises a touch sensitive CRT screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said data entry means comprises a customer ID order card.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for sorting and packaging prints made by said apparatus in accordance with individual customer orders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 where said film comprises a strip of film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
201 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising: means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images; means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area; means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area; means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film; means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning; means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards; means for storing said data; means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; means for processing said prints; and means for delivering said prints to said customer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
201 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising: means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images; means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area; means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area; means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film; means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning; means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards; means for storing said data; means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; means for processing said prints; and means for delivering said prints to said customer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising payment means for accepting payment from a customer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by credit card payment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by cash.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising display means for providing instructional information to the user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said display means comprises a video display tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising data entry means for supplying customer order information and/or instructional information to the apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said data entry means comprises a touch sensitive CRT screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said data entry means comprises a customer ID order card.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said data entry means comprises keypads.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means for sorting and packaging prints made by said apparatus in accordance with individual customer orders.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 where said film comprises a strip of film.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
178 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising: means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images; means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area; means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area; means for printing said film; means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards, said second area having reference patches provided by the film manufacturer; means for storing said data; means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; means for processing said prints; and means for delivering said prints to said customer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
178 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising: means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images; means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area; means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area; means for printing said film; means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards, said second area having reference patches provided by the film manufacturer; means for storing said data; means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; means for processing said prints; and means for delivering said prints to said customer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising payment means for accepting payment from a customer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by credit card payment.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by cash.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising display means for providing instructional information to the user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said display means comprises a video display tube.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising data entry means for supplying customer order information and/or instructional information to the apparatus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data entry means comprises keypads.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data entry means comprises a touch sensitive CRT screen.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data entry means comprises a customer ID order card.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising means for sorting and packaging prints made by said apparatus in accordance with individual customer orders.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 where said film comprises a strip of film.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints therefrom for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of: a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image; b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area; c) developing said photosensitive material; d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom; e) printing the images on filmstrip in accordance with said determined information; and f) processing the images on said filmstrip so as to produce prints and returning the prints to the user.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints therefrom for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of: a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image; b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area; c) developing said photosensitive material; d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom; e) printing the images on filmstrip in accordance with said determined information; and f) processing the images on said filmstrip so as to produce prints and returning the prints to the user.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of: a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image; b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area; c) developing said photosensitive material; d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom; e) printing the images on photosensitive filmstrip in accordance with said determined information; f) processing the images on said photosensitive filmstrip so as to produce prints; g) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards; h) storing said data; i) adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; and j) returning the prints to the customer.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of: a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image; b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area; c) developing said photosensitive material; d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom; e) printing the images on photosensitive filmstrip in accordance with said determined information; f) processing the images on said photosensitive filmstrip so as to produce prints; g) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards; h) storing said data; i) adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; and j) returning the prints to the customer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 38, further comprising the steps of: using said data to identify the prints that do not meet said predetermined standards; reprinting said prints that do not meet said predetermined standards using corrected values derived from said data.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
255 words
A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image; b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area; c) developing said photosensitive material; d) printing the images on photosensitive material; e) processing the images on said photosensitive material so as to produce prints; f) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards; g) storing said data; h) compiling sensitometric data based on said at least one photosensitive filmstrip; i) returning the prints to the customer; i) providing a calibration roll of a photosensitive filmstrip having a first area of film of known exposures designed to film manufacturing specifications and a second unexposed area, and developing prints made from said calibration roll; k) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said second unexposed area; l) developing said photosensitive material; and m) scanning said first area and second areas of said calibration filmstrip and developing prints made from said calibration roll so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the calibration filmstrip; and n) comparing the senistometric data obtained from said calibration roll with said compiled sensitometric data from said first at least one photosensitive filmstrip and adjusting the apparatus to provide conformance.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
255 words
A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image; b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area; c) developing said photosensitive material; d) printing the images on photosensitive material; e) processing the images on said photosensitive material so as to produce prints; f) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards; g) storing said data; h) compiling sensitometric data based on said at least one photosensitive filmstrip; i) returning the prints to the customer; i) providing a calibration roll of a photosensitive filmstrip having a first area of film of known exposures designed to film manufacturing specifications and a second unexposed area, and developing prints made from said calibration roll; k) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said second unexposed area; l) developing said photosensitive material; and m) scanning said first area and second areas of said calibration filmstrip and developing prints made from said calibration roll so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the calibration filmstrip; and n) comparing the senistometric data obtained from said calibration roll with said compiled sensitometric data from said first at least one photosensitive filmstrip and adjusting the apparatus to provide conformance.
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