Automated photofinishing apparatus

• US 5,649,260 A
• Filed: 12/21/1995
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Wheeler, Richard Bruce, Pagano, Daniel Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): RUTLEDGE, DELLA J
• Application Number:
  US08/576,721
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 354/298, 354/308, 354/309-313, 354/319-324, 354/334, 364/479, 364/525, 355/38-41, 355/29, 355/27, 355/28, 355/77, 396/569, 396/570, 396/578, 430/30, 430/398-400
• US Class Current: 396/569
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/004 using markings on the photographic material, e.g. to indicate pseudo-panoramic exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/243 Optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/735 in dependence upon automatic analysis of the original
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 13/007 Processing control, e.g. test strip, timing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/001 Counting; Classifying; Marking

Abstract

A method and apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer. The apparatus includes a mechanism for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film. The film has a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images. A mechanism is also provided for providing a reference exposure onto the first unexposed area. The apparatus also includes a processing section for processing the exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and the reference exposure on the first area a section for scanning the first and/or second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film. The apparatus prints the film in accordance with the information data received from the scanner. A storage and dispensing mechanism is provided for each customer order.

Claims

1. An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising:

means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images;

means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area;

means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area;

means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film;

means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning;

means for processing said prints; and

means for delivering said prints to said customer.

2. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising payment means for accepting payment from a customer.

3. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by credit card payment.

4. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by cash.

5. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising display means for providing instructional information to the user.

6. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said display means comprises a video display tube.

7. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising data entry means for supplying customer order information and/or instructional information to the apparatus.

8. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said data entry means comprises keypads.

9. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said data entry means comprises a touch sensitive CRT screen.

10. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said data entry means comprises a customer ID order card.

11. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for sorting and packaging prints made by said apparatus in accordance with individual customer orders.

12. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 1 where said film comprises a strip of film.

13. An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising:

means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images;

means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area;

means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area;

means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film;

means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning;

means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards;

means for storing said data;

means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing;

means for processing said prints; and

means for delivering said prints to said customer.

14. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising payment means for accepting payment from a customer.

15. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by credit card payment.

16. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by cash.

17. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising display means for providing instructional information to the user.

18. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said display means comprises a video display tube.

19. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising data entry means for supplying customer order information and/or instructional information to the apparatus.

20. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said data entry means comprises a touch sensitive CRT screen.

21. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said data entry means comprises a customer ID order card.

22. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said data entry means comprises keypads.

23. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means for sorting and packaging prints made by said apparatus in accordance with individual customer orders.

24. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 13 where said film comprises a strip of film.

25. An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising:

means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images;

means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area;

means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area;

means for printing said film;

means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards, said second area having reference patches provided by the film manufacturer;

means for storing said data;

means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing;

means for processing said prints; and

means for delivering said prints to said customer.

26. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising payment means for accepting payment from a customer.

27. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by credit card payment.

28. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said payment means comprises a device for receiving payment by cash.

29. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising display means for providing instructional information to the user.

30. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said display means comprises a video display tube.

31. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising data entry means for supplying customer order information and/or instructional information to the apparatus.

32. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data entry means comprises keypads.

33. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data entry means comprises a touch sensitive CRT screen.

34. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data entry means comprises a customer ID order card.

35. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising means for sorting and packaging prints made by said apparatus in accordance with individual customer orders.

36. An automated photofinishing apparatus according to claim 25 where said film comprises a strip of film.

37. A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints therefrom for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image;

b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area;

c) developing said photosensitive material;

d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom;

e) printing the images on filmstrip in accordance with said determined information; and

f) processing the images on said filmstrip so as to produce prints and returning the prints to the user.

38. A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image;

b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area;

c) developing said photosensitive material;

d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom;

e) printing the images on photosensitive filmstrip in accordance with said determined information;

f) processing the images on said photosensitive filmstrip so as to produce prints;

g) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards;

h) storing said data;

i) adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing; and

j) returning the prints to the customer.

39. A method according to claim 38, further comprising the steps of:

using said data to identify the prints that do not meet said predetermined standards;

reprinting said prints that do not meet said predetermined standards using corrected values derived from said data.

40. A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image;

b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area;

c) developing said photosensitive material;

d) printing the images on photosensitive material;

e) processing the images on said photosensitive material so as to produce prints;

f) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards;

g) storing said data;

h) compiling sensitometric data based on said at least one photosensitive filmstrip;

i) returning the prints to the customer;

i) providing a calibration roll of a photosensitive filmstrip having a first area of film of known exposures designed to film manufacturing specifications and a second unexposed area, and developing prints made from said calibration roll;

k) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said second unexposed area;

l) developing said photosensitive material; and

m) scanning said first area and second areas of said calibration filmstrip and developing prints made from said calibration roll so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the calibration filmstrip; and

n) comparing the senistometric data obtained from said calibration roll with said compiled sensitometric data from said first at least one photosensitive filmstrip and adjusting the apparatus to provide conformance.