US6106166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photoprocessing apparatus for sensing type of photoprocessing consumable and method of assembling the apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1999-04-16
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Granted: 2000-08-22
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Expires: 2019-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A photoprocessing apparatus for sensing type of photoprocessing consumable and method of assembling the apparatus. The invention includes a photographic printing and developing apparatus (10) adapted to allow the apparatus to sense types of supplied consumable photosensitive paper and photoprocessing chemicals and method for assembling the consumable paper and chemicals for sensing. An electrically programmable read/write memory contained in a transponder (54) is integrally attached to the consumable paper or chemicals package. The transponder (54) is capable of receiving a first, RF frequency electromagnetic field and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. A transceiver (50) is disposed within the photographic printing and developing apparatus (10) with antenna (56) and support components for polling each transponder (54). As instructed by a control logic processor (14), transceiver (50) can both read manufacturing data from the transponder (54) about the consumable paper or chemical and write usage and processing data to the transponder (54) for storage in memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Spurr
- 👤 Timothy J. Tredwell
- 👤 Lynn D. Dann
- 👤 Arthur A. Whitfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising: (a) a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; and (b) a transponder with a memory associated with the consumable, said memory having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, said transponder capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by said transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in said memory.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising: (a) a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; and (b) a transponder with a memory associated with the consumable, said memory having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, said transponder capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by said transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in said memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transceiver transmits the first electromagnetic field at a predetermined first radio frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory transmits the second electromagnetic field at a predetermined second radio frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is a read/write memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to a photosensitive film consumable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to a developer consumable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to a bleach consumable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to a fixer consumable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to the photoprocessing consumable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to a chemical package containing a developer consumable, a bleach consumable, or a fixer consumable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is coupled to a photosensitive paper consumable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a take-up member adapted to engage the photosensitive paper consumable for taking-up of the photosensitive paper consumable, said take-up member having said memory integrally attached thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said take-up member is a spindle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said take-up member is a cartridge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an exposure section disposed relative to the consumable for exposing the consumable to produce a photographic print.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said exposure section comprises an optical exposure device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said exposure section comprises an LCD exposure device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said exposure section comprises a laser exposure device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said exposure section comprises a CRT exposure device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising: (a) a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; (b) a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable; and (c) a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable, each of said first and second memories having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, so that a selected one of either of said transponders is capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by said transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in said memory associated with said selected transponder generating the second electromagnetic field.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising: (a) a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; (b) a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable; and (c) a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable, each of said first and second memories having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, so that a selected one of either of said transponders is capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by said transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in said memory associated with said selected transponder generating the second electromagnetic field.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first consumable is a paper consumable and the second consumable is a paper chemicals consumable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first consumable is a paper chemicals consumable and the second consumable is a film chemicals consumable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first consumable is a paper consumable and the second consumable is a film chemicals consumable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a third transponder with a third memory coupled to a third consumable, said third memory having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first consumable is a paper consumable, the second consumable is a paper chemicals consumable and the third consumable is a film chemicals consumable.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of assembling a photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; and (b) providing a transponder with a memory associated with the consumable, the memory having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, the transponder capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by the transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in the memory.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of assembling a photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; and (b) providing a transponder with a memory associated with the consumable, the memory having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, the transponder capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by the transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in the memory.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of disposing a transceiver comprises the step of disposing a transceiver adapted to transmit the first electromagnetic field at a predetermined first radio frequency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory adapted to transmit the second electromagnetic field at a predetermined second radio frequency.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a read/write memory.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to a photosensitive film consumable.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to a developer consumable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to a bleach consumable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to a fixer consumable.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to the photoprocessing consumable.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to a chemical package containing a developer consumable, a bleach consumable, or a fixer consumable.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a transponder with a memory comprises the step of providing a transponder with a memory coupled to a photosensitive paper consumable.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of providing a take-up member adapted to engage the photosensitive paper consumable for taking-up of the photosensitive paper consumable, the take-up member having the memory integrally attached thereto.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the step of providing a take-up member comprises the step of providing a spindle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the step of providing a take-up member comprises the step of providing a cartridge.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of disposing an exposure section relative to the consumable for exposing the consumable to produce a photographic print.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the step of disposing an exposure section comprises the step of disposing an optical exposure device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the step of disposing an exposure section comprises the step of disposing an LCD exposure device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the step of disposing an exposure section comprises the step of disposing a laser exposure device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the step of disposing an exposure section comprises the step of disposing a CRT exposure device.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of assembling a photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; (b) providing a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable; and (c) providing a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable, each of the first and second memories having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, so that a selected one of either of the transponders is capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by the transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in the memory associated with the selected transponder generating the second electromagnetic field.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of assembling a photoprocessing apparatus adapted to sense photoprocessing data associated with a photoprocessing consumable to be loaded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a transceiver spaced-apart from the consumable for transmitting a first electromagnetic field and for sensing a second electromagnetic field; (b) providing a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable; and (c) providing a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable, each of the first and second memories having data stored therein indicative of type of consumable, so that a selected one of either of the transponders is capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field and generating a second electromagnetic field in response to the first electromagnetic field received thereby, the second electromagnetic field being sensed by the transceiver and characteristic of the data stored in the memory associated with the selected transponder generating the second electromagnetic field.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 45, (a) wherein the step of providing a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable comprises the step of providing a first transponder with the first memory coupled to a paper consumable; and (b) wherein the step of providing a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable comprises the step of providing a second transponder with the second memory coupled to a paper chemicals consumable.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 45, (a) wherein the step of providing a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable comprises the step of providing a first transponder with the first memory coupled to a paper chemicals consumable; and (b) wherein the step of providing a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable comprises the step of providing a second transponder with the second memory coupled to a film chemicals consumable.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 45, (a) wherein the step of providing a first transponder with a first memory coupled to a first consumable comprises the step of providing a first transponder with the first memory coupled to a paper consumable; and (b) wherein the step of providing a second transponder with a second memory coupled to a second consumable comprises the step of providing a second transponder with the second memory coupled to a film chemicals consumable.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of providing a third transponder with a third memory having the data stored therein.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 49, wherein the first consumable is a paper consumable, the second consumable is a paper chemicals consumable and the third consumable is a film chemicals consumable.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a photoprocessing apparatus that takes, as input, unexposed photosensitive paper on a supply roll that has an attached first memory component and provides, as output, exposed photosensitive paper on a take-up roll that has an attached second memory component, a method of copying data from the attached first memory component to the attached second memory component, comprising the steps of: (a) reading the data from the first memory component on the supply roll; (b) transmitting the data read from the first memory; and (b) writing the data to the second memory component on the take-up roll after receiving the transmitted data.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a photoprocessing apparatus that takes, as input, unexposed photosensitive paper on a supply roll that has an attached first memory component and provides, as output, exposed photosensitive paper on a take-up roll that has an attached second memory component, a method of copying data from the attached first memory component to the attached second memory component, comprising the steps of: (a) reading the data from the first memory component on the supply roll; (b) transmitting the data read from the first memory; and (b) writing the data to the second memory component on the take-up roll after receiving the transmitted data.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 51, wherein the first and second memory components are coupled to a first transponder and a second transponder, respectively.
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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) | 2003-08-22 | 2004-02-21 | 2004-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-22 | 2008-02-21 | 2008-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-22 | 2012-02-21 | 2012-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |