US6429924B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photofinishing method
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 2000-11-30
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2020-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A photofinishing method, including the steps of: exposing machine readable metadata and a scene image within an entire safe frame area on a filmstrip; processing the filmstrip to produce a visible image including the machine readable metadata and the scene image; scanning the safe frame area to produce a digital image; extracting the machine readable metadata from the digital image; extracting the scene image from the digital image; and processing the scene image according to the extracted machine readable metadata.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Milch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; H04N1/00135; G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001; H04N1/00167; H04N1/00249; H04N1/00267; H04N1/0027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A photofinishing method, comprising the steps of: a) exposing machine readable metadata and a scene image within an entire safe frame area on a filmstrip; b) processing the filmstrip to produce a visible image including the machine readable metadata and the scene image; c) scanning the safe frame area to produce a digital image; d) extracting the machine readable metadata from the digital image; e) extracting the scene image from the digital image; f) processing the scene image according to the extracted machine readable metadata; g) recording a distinctive pattern in the entire safe frame area at a beginning and end of the filmstrip to indicate that the filmstrip contains the machine readable metadata; and h) detecting the distinctive pattern on the filmstrip prior to extracting the machine readable metadata from the digital image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A photofinishing method, comprising the steps of: a) exposing machine readable metadata and a scene image within an entire safe frame area on a filmstrip; b) processing the filmstrip to produce a visible image including the machine readable metadata and the scene image; c) scanning the safe frame area to produce a digital image; d) extracting the machine readable metadata from the digital image; e) extracting the scene image from the digital image; f) processing the scene image according to the extracted machine readable metadata; g) recording a distinctive pattern in the entire safe frame area at a beginning and end of the filmstrip to indicate that the filmstrip contains the machine readable metadata; and h) detecting the distinctive pattern on the filmstrip prior to extracting the machine readable metadata from the digital image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: reformatting the processed scene image; and printing the processed scene image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the machine readable metadata and the scene image are exposed in separate portions of the safe frame area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 3 , wherein the machine readable metadata is isolated from the scene image by a distinctive color pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: a) passing the filmstrip through hardware interfaces; b) passing the filmstrip through software interfaces; c) delivering the filmstrip to a computational engine; d) decoding the filmstrip; and e) modifying the scene image data to produce a digital image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of creating the machine readable metadata from a light emitting diode (LED).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the machine readable metadata comprises one or more discrete dots in a predetermined pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the machine readable metadata comprises at least one barcode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
A photographic system for transmitting information from a film camera to a processing device, comprising: a) a means for producing optical marks within a normal picture frame of filmstrip having a captured scene; b) a means for processing film to convert a latent image to a visible image; c) a means for detecting a distinctive pattern at both ends of the filmstrip, wherein the distinctive pattern declares that the filmstrip contains metadata; d) a means for separating the visible image arising from the captured scene from the optical marks; and e) a means for converting the visible image to a digitally formatted image produced corresponding to the optical marks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A photographic system for transmitting information from a film camera to a processing device, comprising: a) a means for producing optical marks within a normal picture frame of filmstrip having a captured scene; b) a means for processing film to convert a latent image to a visible image; c) a means for detecting a distinctive pattern at both ends of the filmstrip, wherein the distinctive pattern declares that the filmstrip contains metadata; d) a means for separating the visible image arising from the captured scene from the optical marks; and e) a means for converting the visible image to a digitally formatted image produced corresponding to the optical marks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A photo finishing system, comprising: a) means for exposing metadata and scene image within a safe frame area on a film-strip; b) means for recording a distinctive pattern in the safe frame area at the beginning and end of the filmstrip to indicate that the filmstrip contains the metadata; c) means for chemically processing the filmstrip to produce a visible image and detectable metadata; d) means for scanning the safe frame area to produce a digital image; e) means for detecting the distinctive pattern on the filmstrip; f) means for extracting the metadata from the digital image; g) means for extracting the scene image from the digital image; and h) means for processing the scene image according to an extracted metadata.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
A photo finishing system, comprising: a) means for exposing metadata and scene image within a safe frame area on a film-strip; b) means for recording a distinctive pattern in the safe frame area at the beginning and end of the filmstrip to indicate that the filmstrip contains the metadata; c) means for chemically processing the filmstrip to produce a visible image and detectable metadata; d) means for scanning the safe frame area to produce a digital image; e) means for detecting the distinctive pattern on the filmstrip; f) means for extracting the metadata from the digital image; g) means for extracting the scene image from the digital image; and h) means for processing the scene image according to an extracted metadata.
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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) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |