Apparatus and method for obtaining special images from a one time use camera

• US 20020164160A1
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Fredlund, John R., Testa, Carl A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,628,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/5
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/24 with means for separately producing marks on the film, e.g. title, time of exposure

Abstract

A system for capturing an image of an instruction provided on a card by a camera. The fixture includes support surface having a cradle for receiving a camera. A support member extending from the support surface for supporting the support surface a fixed distance from a surface on which the fixture is placed. The instruction card is placed in the fixtures. The photofinisher during scanning of the developed film automatically reads a coded instruction and fulfills the order in accordance with the instruction.

Claims

1. A fixture for capturing an image of an instruction card by a camera, said fixture comprising,

support surface having a cradle for receiving a camera;

a support member extending from said support surface for supporting said support surface a fixed distance from a surface on which said fixture is placed.

2. A fixture according to claim 1 wherein said support member defines a retaining area in which an instruction card may be placed so that said camera placed on said cradle can capture an image of said instruction card.

3. A fixture according to claim 1 wherein said instruction card has an outer perimeter that substantially mates with the inner periphery of said retaining area so that the instruction card will be properly aligned with respect to the lens of camera.

4. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein said instruction card includes at least one machine readable code for providing instructions to a photofinisher.

5. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein said instruction is captured on film provided in said camera.

6. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein said instruction is captured in digital memory in said camera.

7. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein said instruction comprises providing of goods and/or services.

8. A fixture according to claim 1 wherein said instruction card is part of an order envelope.

9. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein said instruction includes information that a good and/or service is prepaid.

10. A fixture according to claim 1 wherein said instruction is integrally part of said fixture.

11. A system according to claim 7 wherein said goods and/or services comprises at least one of the following:

providing of a special image;

processing the images from film in a specific manner;

adding of text;

ordering of multiple prints;

ordering of particular size prints

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein said support member defines a retaining area in which said instruction card may be placed.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said instruction card has an outer perimeter that substantially mates with the inner periphery of said retaining area so that the instruction card will be properly aligned with respect to the lens of camera.

15. A system according to claim 13 wherein said instruction card includes at least one machine readable code for providing instructions to photofinisher.

16. A system according to claim 13 wherein said instruction is captured on film provided in said camera.

18. A system according to claim 13 wherein said instruction is captured in digital memory in said camera.

19. A system according to claim 14 wherein said instruction comprises providing of goods and/or services.

20. A system according to claim 12 wherein said instruction card is part of an order envelope.

21. A fixture according to claim 12 wherein said instruction includes information that a good and/or service is prepaid.

22. A fixture according to claim 12 wherein said instruction is integrally part of said fixture.

23. A system according to claim 21 wherein said goods and/or services comprises at least one of the following:

providing of a special image;

processing the images from film in a specific manner;

adding of text;

ordering of multiple prints;

ordering of particular size prints

24. A method for obtaining goods and/or services from a using a camera and the fixture of claim 1, comprising the steps of;

a. capturing an image of an instruction card placed in said fixture on film in a camera that is positioned on said cradle, said instruction card having at least one machine readable code thereon;

b. developing said film;

c. scanning said developed film so as automatically read said machine readable code; and

d. providing at least one goods and/or services with respect to said machine readable code.

25. A method for obtaining goods and/or services from a using a camera and the fixture of claim 1, comprising the steps of;

a. capturing an image of an instruction card placed in said fixture on film in a camera that is positioned on said cradle, said instruction card having at least one machine readable code thereon;

b. forwarding the captured image of said instruction card to a photofinisher; and

c. providing at least one goods and/or services with respect to said machine readable code.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said forwarding of said captured image is accomplished over a communication network.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said communication network is the internet.

28. A method according to claim 25 wherein an associated digital image is also forwarded to the photofinisher.

12. A system for capturing an image of an instruction card by a camera, said system comprising,

a fixture having support surface having a cradle for receiving a camera and a support member extending from said support surface for supporting said support surface a fixed distance from a surface on which said fixture is placed;

and

an instruction card for placement in said fixture so that said camera placed on said cradle can capture an image of said instruction card.