Film recorder with interface for user replaceable memory element

• US 5,406,380 A
• Filed: 07/23/1993
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electronics For Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Management Graphics, Inc. (Electronics For Imaging Incorporated)
• Inventors: Teter, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US08/097,267
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 358/332, 358/333, 358/344, 358/345, 358/346, 358/347, 358/348, 358/102, 358/140, 358/302, 358/93, 358/906, 358/909, 358/214, 358/209, 346/110 R, 346/161, 354/21, 355/40, 348/180, 348/189, 348/190, 348/191, 348/96, 348/207, 348/97
• US Class Current: 386/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00002 Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00283 with a television apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1004 using two-dimensional electrical scanning, e.g. cathode-ray tubes using two-dimensional arrays H04N1/195
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2307 Circuits or arrangements for the control thereof, e.g. using a programmed control device, according to a measured quantity H04N1/27, H04N1/29 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2323 according to characteristics of the reproducing medium, e.g. type, size or availability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/843 on film
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/793 for controlling the level of the chrominance signal, e.g. by means of automatic chroma control circuits

Abstract

A film recorder includes a digital image generator and a central processing unit operatively associated with the digital image generator for controlling the generation of images output from the image generator for recording. A film transport is provided to carry a photographic film. An image output from the image generator is projected onto a film plane of the film transport. An interface provides a data path between the central processing unit and a user accessible receptacle provided in the film recorder. A user replaceable memory element is inserted into the receptacle for communication with the central processing unit via the data path. The user replaceable memory element can provide various features. It can contain color look up tables for new photographic film types. Credit balance information can be provided in the user replaceable memory element to enable a user to make a predetermined number of exposures using the film recorder. Diagnostic information can also be stored in the replaceable memory element. The film recorder can be upgraded to incorporate new features through the use of a new replaceable memory element.

Claims

1. A film recorder comprising:

a digital image generator;

a central processing unit operatively associated with said digital image generator for controlling the generation of an image output from said image generator for recordal;

a film transport;

means for projecting an image from said image generator onto a film plane of said film transport;

interface means for providing a data path between said central processing unit and a receptacle provided in said film recorder, said receptacle being readily accessible to a user via an opening in a housing of said film recorder;

a user replaceable memory element adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle for communication with said central processing unit via said data path during the regular use of said film recorder to record images, said memory element providing (i) read only storage of data relating to a type of film to be exposed by said film recorder and (ii) a read/write memory;

a plurality of different sensors coupled to said central processing unit for monitoring the operation of said film recorder; and

means for coupling said read/write memory contained in said user replaceable memory element to said data path for accumulating diagnostic information for said film recorder received over time from said central processing unit in response to said sensors during said regular use of said film recorder while said user replaceable memory element is inserted in said receptacle;

wherein said diagnostic information is adapted to be read from said read/write memory when said user replaceable memory element is not inserted in said film recorder for analysis of said diagnostic information by means separate and independent of said film recorder and use in the maintenance of said film recorder.

2. A film recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said user replaceable memory element contains a color look up table for a photographic film carried in said film transport; and

said central processing unit accesses data in said color look up table to control the generation of said image output from said image generator.

3. A film recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said user replaceable memory element contains read/write memory for storing credit balance information identifying a remaining number of film exposure credits purchased in advance by a user; and

said central processing unit accesses said credit balance information to permit or deny a film exposure to said user;

said replaceable memory element and credit balance information being separate and independent of the film to be exposed.

4. A film recorder in accordance with claim 3 wherein said central processing unit decrements a credit balance contained in said user replaceable memory element when a film exposure is made.

5. A film recorder in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

said user replaceable memory element contains read/write memory for storing credit balance information identifying a remaining number of film exposure credits purchased in advance by a user; and

said central processing unit accesses said credit balance information to permit or deny a film exposure to said user;

said replaceable memory element and credit balance information being separate and independent of the film to be exposed.

6. A film recorder in accordance with claim 5 wherein said central processing unit decrements a credit balance contained in said user replaceable memory element when a film exposure is made.

7. A film recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said user replaceable memory element comprises means for providing an optional feature in said film recorder; and

said central processing unit communicates with said means for providing an optional feature to implement said feature.

8. A film recorder comprising:

a digital image generator;

a central processing unit operatively associated with said digital image generator for controlling the generation of an image output from said image generator for recordal;

a film transport;

means for projecting an image from said image generator onto a film plane of said film transport;

interface means for providing a data path between said central processing unit and a receptacle provided in said film recorder, said receptacle being readily accessible to a user via an opening in a housing of said film recorder;

a user replaceable memory element adapted to be removably inserted into said receptacle for communication with said central processing unit via said data path-during the regular use of said film recorder to record images, said memory element providing a read/write memory;

a plurality of different sensors coupled to said central processing unit for monitoring the operation of said film recorder; and

means for coupling said read/write memory contained in said user replaceable memory element to said data path for accumulating diagnostic information for said film recorder received over time from said central processing unit in response to said sensors during said regular use of said film recorder while said user replaceable memory element is inserted in said receptacle;

wherein said diagnostic information is adapted to be read from said read/write memory when said user replaceable memory element is not inserted in said film recorder for analysis of said diagnostic information by means separate and independent of said film recorder and use in the maintenance of said film recorder.

9. A film recorder in accordance with claim 8 wherein:

said user replaceable memory element contains a color look up table for a photographic film carried in said film transport; and

said central processing unit accesses data in said color look up table to control the generation of said image output from said image generator.

10. A film recorder in accordance with claim 8 wherein:

.

said user replaceable memory element comprises means for providing an optional feature in said film recorder; and

said central processing unit communicates with said means for providing an optional feature to implement said feature.