Film drop-off apparatus and method

• US 6,233,399 B1
• Filed: 03/18/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Walter, Joanne S.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUTLEDGE, DELLA J
• Application Number:
  US09/272,041
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 396/564, 396/2, 235/381, 235/379, 235/380, 235/385, 705/401, 312/211, 345/961, 345/978, 345/344
• US Class Current: 396/2
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter

Abstract

A film drop-off apparatus which expedites film processing based upon delivery choice. The apparatus includes a computer; a display controlled by the computer which displays instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction; an input device controlled by the computer which records a customer choice for a photo delivery time; and communication circuitry which sends an alert message to the film laboratory based upon the customer choice.

Claims

1. A film processing method comprising:

displaying instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction by a film drop-off kiosk;

recording a customer choice for a photo delivery time by the film drop-off kiosk;

sending an alert message to the film laboratory if the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough by the film drop-off kiosk;

receiving the alert message by the film laboratory; and

assigning a film development priority to the transaction based upon the alert by the film laboratory.

2. A film processing method comprising:

displaying instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction by a film drop-off kiosk;

recording a customer choice for a photo delivery time by the film drop-off kiosk;

determining whether the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough to require an alert to be sent to a film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

if the alert is required, sending an alert message to the film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

receiving the alert message by the film laboratory;

notifying film processing personnel at the film laboratory that an alert has been received; and

assigning a film development priority to the transaction based upon the alert by the film processing personnel.

3. A film processing method comprising:

displaying instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options and prices during a film processing transaction by a film drop-off kiosk;

recording a customer choice for a photo delivery time by the film drop-off kiosk;

accepting payment from the customer based upon the customer choice by the film drop-off kiosk;

determining whether the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough to require an alert to be sent to a film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

if the alert is required, sending an alert message to the film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

receiving the alert message by the film laboratory;

notifying film processing personnel at the film laboratory that an alert has been received;

assigning a film development priority to the transaction based upon the alert by the film processing personnel.

4. A film processing method comprising:

displaying instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options and a special promotion during a film processing transaction by a film drop-off kiosk;

recording a first customer choice for a photo delivery time and a second customer choice for the special promotion by the film drop-off kiosk;

determining a price based upon the first and second choices by the film drop-off kiosk;

determining whether the photo delivery time associated with the first customer choice is short enough to require an alert to be sent to a film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

if the alert is required, sending an alert message to the film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

receiving the alert message by the film laboratory;

notifying film processing personnel at the film laboratory that an alert has been received;

assigning a film development priority to the transaction based upon the alert by the film processing personnel.

5. A film processing method comprising:

displaying instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options and prices during a film processing transaction by a film drop-off kiosk;

recording a customer choice for a photo delivery time by the film drop-off kiosk;

delivering a bar code label identifying the transaction to the customer;

determining whether the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough to require an alert to be sent to a film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

if the alert is required, sending an alert message to the film laboratory by the film drop-off kiosk;

receiving the alert message by the film laboratory;

assigning a film development priority to the transaction based upon the alert by the film processing personnel;

reading the bar code label by a bar code reader coupled to the film drop-off kiosk during a subsequent use of the kiosk by the customer; and

displaying a status of the transaction by the film drop-off kiosk.

6. A film drop-off apparatus comprising:

a computer;

a display controlled by the computer which displays instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction;

an input device controlled by the computer which records a customer choice for a photo delivery time; and

communication circuitry which sends an alert message to the film laboratory based upon the customer choice;

wherein the computer causes the communication circuitry to send the alert message if the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough.

7. A film drop-off apparatus comprising:

a computer;

a display controlled by the computer which displays instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction;

an input device controlled by the computer which records a customer choice for a photo delivery time;

a printer controlled by the computer which prints a bar code identifying the transaction for the customer;

communication circuitry controlled by the computer which sends an alert message to the film laboratory based upon the customer choice;

a bar code reader controlled by the computer which reads the bar code;

wherein the display also displays status information to the customer following reading of the bar code by the bar code reader during a subsequent use of the computer by the customer; and

wherein the computer causes the communication circuitry to send the alert message if the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough.

8. A film drop-off apparatus comprising:

a computer;

a display controlled by the computer which displays instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction and promotional messages;

an input device controlled by the computer which records a first customer choice for a photo delivery time and a second choice for promotional messages;

wherein the computer applies special discounts in response to the second choice;

a number of payment modules controlled by the computer which allow a customer to pay for the transaction; and

communication circuitry controlled by the computer which sends an alert message to the film laboratory based upon the first customer choice;

wherein the computer causes the communication circuitry to send the alert message if the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough.

9. A film drop-off apparatus comprising:

a self-service banking terminal, including

a display which displays instructions to a customer, including photo delivery options during a film processing transaction;

an input device controlled by the computer which records a customer choice for a photo delivery time;

communication circuitry which sends an alert message to the film laboratory based upon the customer choice;

wherein the computer causes the communication circuitry to send the alert message if the photo delivery time associated with the customer choice is short enough;

a number of payment modules which allow a customer to pay for the transaction, as well as complete a banking transaction; and

a film-drop counter containing a storage bin for film envelopes deposited by the customer.