US6275656B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1998-12-28
•
Granted: 2001-08-14
•
Expires: 2018-12-28
Abstract
Abstract In a method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, a first copy of a unique identifier is recorded on the film unit. A logical memory unit and the identifier are associated. The logical memory unit is physically remote from the film unit. The film unit is loaded in the one-time use camera body. A second copy of the unique identifier is recorded on the one-time use camera body. The second copy is accessible independent of the film unit.
Inventors
- 👤 David Cipolla
- 👤 David C. Smart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/04; G03B2219/00; G03B2219/02; G03B2219/04; G03B2219/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said film unit, said logical memory unit being associated with said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit and readable by a photofinishing unit; loading said film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit, reading one of said first and second copies of said identifier with a photofinishing unit; remotely reading with said photofinishing unit, said photofinishing parameters in said logical memory unit associated with said identifier; and photofinishing said film unit with said photofinishing unit, in accordance with said photofinishing parameters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said film unit, said logical memory unit being associated with said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit and readable by a photofinishing unit; loading said film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit, reading one of said first and second copies of said identifier with a photofinishing unit; remotely reading with said photofinishing unit, said photofinishing parameters in said logical memory unit associated with said identifier; and photofinishing said film unit with said photofinishing unit, in accordance with said photofinishing parameters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said one-time use camera body has an image quality defect and said photofinishing parameters include a digital compensation for said image quality defect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said photofinishing parameters include user-input information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising capturing a plurality of images in said film unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of maintaining said logical memory unit associated with said identifier, from said allocating through said photofinishing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said posting follows said allocating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising, following said allocating and loading, reading said second copy of said identifier; and consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier, said identifying being prior to said posting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said second copy is subject to destruction by separation of said film unit and said one-time use camera body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising vending said camera prior to said reading.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising, following said posting, capturing a plurality of images in said film unit; and following said capturing, posting additional photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising recycling said one-time use camera body independent of said film unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating said first recording, allocating, loading, and second recording steps for said one-time use camera body and a new film unit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit and readable by a photofinishing unit; loading the film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; placing said one-time use camera body in packaging; recording a third copy of the unique identifier on said packaging, said third copy being accessible independent of said film unit; following said recording steps, reading said third copy of said identifier; consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; and following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit and readable by a photofinishing unit; loading the film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; placing said one-time use camera body in packaging; recording a third copy of the unique identifier on said packaging, said third copy being accessible independent of said film unit; following said recording steps, reading said third copy of said identifier; consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; and following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising vending said camera prior to said reading.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising maintaining said logical memory unit accessible to a photofinishing apparatus, following said posting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
A methods for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recarding a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit; loading the film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; vending said film unit; and maintaining said logical memory unit accessible to a photofinishing apparatus, following said vending.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
A methods for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recarding a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit; loading the film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; vending said film unit; and maintaining said logical memory unit accessible to a photofinishing apparatus, following said vending.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising: during said maintaining, reading said second copy of said identifier; consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; and following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for associating individual film units and one-time use cameras, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of an identifier on each film unit, said identifiers each being unique to a respective film unit; allocating a different logical memory unit to each said identifier, said logical memory units being physically remote from said film units; loading the film units in respective one-time use camera bodies; recording a second copy of the unique identifiers on the respective one-time use camera bodies, said second copies being accessible independent of the respective film units; vending said cameras, following said allocating and said recording of said first and second copies; posting photofinishing parameters for said film units to respective said logical memory units following said vending; following said posting, photofinishing said film units, responsive to said photofinishing parameters in respective said logical memory units.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for associating individual film units and one-time use cameras, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of an identifier on each film unit, said identifiers each being unique to a respective film unit; allocating a different logical memory unit to each said identifier, said logical memory units being physically remote from said film units; loading the film units in respective one-time use camera bodies; recording a second copy of the unique identifiers on the respective one-time use camera bodies, said second copies being accessible independent of the respective film units; vending said cameras, following said allocating and said recording of said first and second copies; posting photofinishing parameters for said film units to respective said logical memory units following said vending; following said posting, photofinishing said film units, responsive to said photofinishing parameters in respective said logical memory units.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: capturing a plurality of images in said film units; and processing said images responsive to respective said photofinishing parameters in respective said logical memory units.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of maintaining said logical memory units associated with respective said identifiers from said allocating through said processing.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said film unit, said logical memory unit being associated with said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit; loading said film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; following said recording and loading steps, reading said second copy of said identifier; consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit; following said posting, reading one of said first and second copies of said identifier; consequent to said reading following said posting, remotely accessing said logical memory unit associated with said identifier; and following said accessing, photofinishing said film unit responsive to said photofinishing parameters in said logical memory unit.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said film unit, said logical memory unit being associated with said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit; loading said film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; following said recording and loading steps, reading said second copy of said identifier; consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit; following said posting, reading one of said first and second copies of said identifier; consequent to said reading following said posting, remotely accessing said logical memory unit associated with said identifier; and following said accessing, photofinishing said film unit responsive to said photofinishing parameters in said logical memory unit.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said film unit, said logical memory unit being associated with said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit; loading said film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; placing said one-time use camera body in packaging; recording a third copy of the unique identifier on said packaging, said third copy being accessible independent of said film unit; following said recording, loading, and placing steps, reading one of said second and third copies of said identifier, consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit; following said posting, reading one of said first and second copies of said identifier; consequent to said reading following said posting, remotely accessing said logical memory unit associated with said identifier; and following said accessing, photofinishing said film unit responsive to said photofinishing parameters in said logical memory unit.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of a unique identifier on the film unit; allocating a logical memory unit to said film unit, said logical memory unit being associated with said identifier, said logical memory unit being physically remote from said film unit; loading said film unit in the one-time use camera body; recording a second copy of the unique identifier on the one-time use camera body, said second copy being accessible independent of said film unit; placing said one-time use camera body in packaging; recording a third copy of the unique identifier on said packaging, said third copy being accessible independent of said film unit; following said recording, loading, and placing steps, reading one of said second and third copies of said identifier, consequent to said reading, identifying said logical memory unit from said identifier; following said identifying, posting photofinishing parameters for said film unit to said logical memory unit; following said posting, reading one of said first and second copies of said identifier; consequent to said reading following said posting, remotely accessing said logical memory unit associated with said identifier; and following said accessing, photofinishing said film unit responsive to said photofinishing parameters in said logical memory unit.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for individually associating a plurality of film units and a plurality of one-time use cameras, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of an identifier on each film unit, said identifiers each being unique to the respective said film unit; allocating a different logical memory unit of a plurality of logical memory units, to each said identifier, said logical memory units being physically remote from said film units; loading said film units in the one-time use camera bodies; following said loading, recording a second copy of each of said indentifiers on the respective said one-time use camera body, said second copies each being accessible independent of the respective said film unit.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for individually associating a plurality of film units and a plurality of one-time use cameras, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of an identifier on each film unit, said identifiers each being unique to the respective said film unit; allocating a different logical memory unit of a plurality of logical memory units, to each said identifier, said logical memory units being physically remote from said film units; loading said film units in the one-time use camera bodies; following said loading, recording a second copy of each of said indentifiers on the respective said one-time use camera body, said second copies each being accessible independent of the respective said film unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said logical memory units are remotely readable by a photofinishing unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising posting photofinishing parameters for said film units to respective said logical memory units.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising, following said posting, capturing a plurality of images in each said film unit; and following said capturing, posting additional photofinishing parameters for respective said film units to respective said logical memory units.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said one-time use camera bodies each have an image quality defect and respective said photofinishing parameters include a digital compensation for said image quality defect.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said photofinishing parameters include user-input information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said logical memory unit is remotely readable by a photofinishing unit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of: capturing a plurality of images in each said film unit; and processing said images in accordance with respective said photofinishing parameters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said second copies are subject to destruction by separation of the respective said film unit and one-time use camera body.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising placing said one-time use camera bodies in packaging; and recording a third copy of the unique identifier on the respective said packaging of each said camera body, said third copies being accessible independent of the respective said film units.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for individually associating a plurality of film units and a plurality of one-time use cameras, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of an identifier on each film unit, said identifiers each being unique to the respective said film unit; allocating a plurality of different logical memory units to said identifiers, said logical memory units each being uniquely associated with a respective said identifier; said logical memory units being physically remote from said film units; loading said film units in the one-time use camera bodies; recording a second copy of each of said identifiers on the respective said one-time use camera body, said second copies each being accessible independent of the respective said film unit; posting photofinishing parameters for said film units to respective said logical memory units; and following said posting, photofinishing said film units, responsive to said photofinishing parameters in respective said logical memory units.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for individually associating a plurality of film units and a plurality of one-time use cameras, comprising the steps of: recording a first copy of an identifier on each film unit, said identifiers each being unique to the respective said film unit; allocating a plurality of different logical memory units to said identifiers, said logical memory units each being uniquely associated with a respective said identifier; said logical memory units being physically remote from said film units; loading said film units in the one-time use camera bodies; recording a second copy of each of said identifiers on the respective said one-time use camera body, said second copies each being accessible independent of the respective said film unit; posting photofinishing parameters for said film units to respective said logical memory units; and following said posting, photofinishing said film units, responsive to said photofinishing parameters in respective said logical memory units.
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