System and apparatus for accomodating user preferences in reproduced images

• US 5,300,974 A
• Filed: 07/08/1993
• Issued: 04/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Stephenson, Stanley W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUCCILLO, NICHOLAS
• Application Number:
  US08/089,162
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 354/75, 354/76, 354/105, 354/106
• US Class Current: 396/311
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/24 with means for separately producing marks on the film, e.g. title, time of exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/00 Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/002 using detachable memory means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/244 Magnetic devices

Abstract

Apparatus for determining camera user'"'"'s preference in reproduced images includes a display of a series of images with varying color balance characteristic and means to record color balance preference data associated with a user-selected image. The data is stored and transferred, along with camera film bearing images of scenes taken by the camera user, to the photofinisher for use in controlling reproduction of the image prints in accordance with the image preference data. The data may be stored on a storage medium, such as a memory card, for direct transfer to the photofinisher or it may be stored in a camera internal memory for recording on the film medium, the latter approach assuring the preference data is available at the printer for use in the image reproduction process.

Claims

1. Photographic image preference determining apparatus for operation by a camera user in determining preferences for reproduction of scene images captured on film by the camera user, the apparatus comprising:

display means for presenting a plurality of user-selectable test images of at least one representative scene type, the test images corresponding to a scene type having progressively different color balance characteristics;

means operable by the user for selecting a test image having color balance characteristics that are preferred by the camera user for the scene type being presented in the display means;

means for generating data representing the user'"'"'s selected image color balance preference; and

means for outputting said data to a storage medium for transfer with the user'"'"'s exposed film to a photofinishing operation for use in reproducing images from the film in accordance with the color balance preferences of the camera user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display means is adapted to display groups of test images for each of a plurality of representative scene types, each group being comprised of a plurality of test images having progressively different color balance charateristics.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test images are grouped as a plurality of replicated images for a scene type, the plurality of images within a group including a reference image having reference color values providing a color balance characteristic representive of how the image would appear with normal printing of the image and with two or more other images that represent both an increase and a decrease in color value from the corresponding color value in the reference image for at least one spectral color.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outputting means includes a memory card data recorder and said storage means comprises a removable memory card.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outputting means includes a data communication coupling adapted to couple data to a camera storage means.

6. Photographic system for producing photographic prints with image characteristics incorporating a camera user'"'"'s preferences, the system comprising:

a user-interactive station having means for presenting user selectable images with progressively different color balance characteristics from which the user may select an image having color balance characteristics representing the user'"'"'s preference in reproduced prints and having means for generating image preference data representative of said user-selected preferences in color balance characteristics;

means for outputting said image preference data to storage means in a photographic camera;

camera means for capturing scene images on photographic film and including data storage and recording means for storing said preference data from the user-interactive station and for recording the data onto the photographic film;

and printer means for producing positive prints from said film images and including means for reading the preference data from the film and for controlling the printing process in accordance with the image preference data.

7. Photographic scene image capture and reproducing system for reproducing images of captured scenes in which the reproduced image incorporates color balance adjustment in accordance with a user'"'"'s viewing preference, the system comprising:

camera apparatus for capturing an image of a scene, the apparatus having data input and storage means;

a user-interactive station including

(a) means for presenting a sequence of user selectable images having progressively different color balance characteristics,

(b) means operable by the user for selecting an image having a preferred color balance characteristic and

(c) means for generating data representing the user'"'"'s color balance preference in reproduced images;

means for transferring said image preference data to said image capture apparatus for storage therein; and

image reproducing means for receiving image information and said image preference data and for producing positive images with adjusted color balance characteristics in accordance with said image preference data.