US6128447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intermediate storage unit for use with electronic film
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1998-07-14
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Granted: 2000-10-03
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Expires: 2018-07-14
Abstract
Abstract An intermediate storage unit for use with electronic film of the type having a body in the shape of a film cartridge and a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, such as a computer. The intermediate storage unit includes a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film and a communication interface connected to the data connector. A non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film is provided in the storage unit. A microcontroller connected to communication interface and the non-volatile memory controls the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Nelson
- 👤 Gregory J. Lukins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An intermediate storage unit for use with electronic film having a body in the shape of a film cartridge and a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, the electronic film being capable of storing a predetermined number of images, the intermediate storage unit comprising: a) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; b) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; c) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; d) a rechargeable battery connected to provide power to the memory and the microcontroller; e) a battery charger for recharging the rechargeable battery; and f) means responsive to the insertion of electronic film into the unit to initiate power up of the intermediate storage unit and download of the images.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An intermediate storage unit for use with electronic film having a body in the shape of a film cartridge and a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, the electronic film being capable of storing a predetermined number of images, the intermediate storage unit comprising: a) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; b) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; c) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; d) a rechargeable battery connected to provide power to the memory and the microcontroller; e) a battery charger for recharging the rechargeable battery; and f) means responsive to the insertion of electronic film into the unit to initiate power up of the intermediate storage unit and download of the images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intermediate storage unit claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for cleaning the image sensor upon insertion of the electronic film into the intermediate storage unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The intermediate storage unit claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic film contains a rechargeable battery and the intermediate storage unit further comprises battery charging means for charging the battery in the electronic film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intermediate storage unit claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display screen for previewing the images stored therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intermediate storage unit claimed in claim 4, wherein the display is an LCD display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intermediate storage unit claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is a removable memory card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intermediate storage unit claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is non-removable and the intermediate storage unit further comprises an interface for downloading images to another electronic device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electronic film system, comprising: a) an electronic film, including i) a body in the shape of a film cartridge, and ii) a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, the electronic film being capable of storing a predetermined number of images; and b) an intermediate storage unit, including i) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; ii) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; iii) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; c) a rechargeable battery connected to provide power to the memory and the microcontroller; d) a battery charger for recharging the rechargeable battery; and e) means responsive to the insertion of electronic film into the unit to initiate power up of the intermediate storage unit and download of the images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electronic film system, comprising: a) an electronic film, including i) a body in the shape of a film cartridge, and ii) a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, the electronic film being capable of storing a predetermined number of images; and b) an intermediate storage unit, including i) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; ii) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; iii) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; c) a rechargeable battery connected to provide power to the memory and the microcontroller; d) a battery charger for recharging the rechargeable battery; and e) means responsive to the insertion of electronic film into the unit to initiate power up of the intermediate storage unit and download of the images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic film system claimed in claim 8, further comprising a personal computer, and wherein the intermediate storage unit further comprises an interface for downloading images to the personal computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic film system claimed in claim 8, wherein the electronic film contains a rechargeable battery and the intermediate storage unit further comprises battery charging means for charging the battery in the film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic film system claimed in claim 8, wherein the intermediate storage unit further comprises a display screen for previewing the images stored therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic film system claimed in claim 8, wherein the display is an LCD display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic film system claimed in claim 8 wherein the non-volatile memory in the intermediate storage unit is a removable memory card.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
An intermediate storage unit for use with electronic film having a body in the shape of a film cartridge and a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, the electronic film being capable of storing a predetermined number of images, the intermediate storage unit comprising: a) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; b) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; c) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; and d) means for cleaning the image sensor upon insertion of the electronic film into the intermediate storage unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
An intermediate storage unit for use with electronic film having a body in the shape of a film cartridge and a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device, the electronic film being capable of storing a predetermined number of images, the intermediate storage unit comprising: a) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; b) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; c) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; and d) means for cleaning the image sensor upon insertion of the electronic film into the intermediate storage unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electronic film system, comprising: a) an electronic film, including i) a body in the shape of a film cartridge, and ii) a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device; and b) an intermediate storage unit, including i) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; ii) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; iii) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; and iv) means for cleaning the image sensor upon insertion of the electronic film into the intermediate storage unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electronic film system, comprising: a) an electronic film, including i) a body in the shape of a film cartridge, and ii) a tab, extending from the body and bearing an image sensor adapted to be located in the film plane of a conventional photographic camera and having electrical contacts for interfacing the electronic film with another electronic device; and b) an intermediate storage unit, including i) a data connector for connecting to the electrical contacts on the tab of the electronic film; ii) a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing at least twice as many images as the electronic film; iii) a microcontroller connected to the data connector and the non-volatile memory for controlling the transfer of data from the electronic film to the non-volatile memory; and iv) means for cleaning the image sensor upon insertion of the electronic film into the intermediate storage unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5561458A
Cited
US5742339A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |