Eastman-Kodak Company

Cynthia S Bell

David Lynn Patton

Stephen J Rowan

James D Gresko

Michael J Gaboury

Paul M Williams

Joseph Anthony Manico

Timothy John Tredwell

Daniel M Pagano

Constantine N Anagnostopoulos

Paul L Ruben

Arthur A Whitfield

Richard S Keirsbilck

William C Archie

Wayne F Niskala

Gary L Robison

Martin A Parker

Roger S Van Heyningen

James R Koudelka

John D Meierdiercks

Lynn Kwasny Neff

Helen Swede

Goodwin Ting

An icon reader reads picture identification data from a data icon on an image print. This data is used to determine the location of a corresponding sound bite contained in a memory module and for playing the sound bite. The memory module contains sound bites recorded at the camera during picture taking. The icon reader includes a data reader module that optically scans the data icon from one location to read the picture identification data. The icon reader further includes a decoder for decoding the encoded picture identification data, and a data port for selective communication with the memory module. In one embodiment, the icon reader is structured to be a self-contained sound playback apparatus in which a sound IC card is docked to the data port and, in another embodiment, the icon reader is coupled with a wireless communication device for communicating the decoded picture identification data to a remote memory archive unit having built-in sound playback apparatus. The archive unit is capable of storing a plurality of sound IC cards or memory modules.

Image with sound playback apparatus

A photofinishing system for automatically processing image and associated image data pursuant to customer output requests. The system includes an order manager operative to receive and control processing of the output requests and at least one source of image related data corresponding to the output request. An input interface receives the image related data from the source and converts the data to a digital data stream. A memory is included for storing the digital data stream. The system further includes a data parser disposed in communication with the memory to extract selected data streams according to the order manager and to reduce the data into respective image files having respective groups of data fields. An output module is responsive to the order manager and is operative to produce a photofinished output organized with respect to the data fields.

Photofinishing system and method for automated advanced services

An image holder such as a picture album (10) includes a plurality of pages (14) that receive printed images (18). The pages (14) also have markers (20) placed thereon, with each marker corresponding to one of the images. A memory (25) stores audio segments associated with the respective images. A user may place the printed images in any order in the image holder. A controller (22) performs an initialization routine to match the image locations with corresponding audio segments for future playback. Once the initialization is complete, whenever a user selects a marker associated with an image, the audio segment associated with that image is played back.

System for initialization of an image holder that stores images with

An image and an associated audio segment are recorded on a film negative. The information on the film negative can be printed as encoded sound data on photographic paper or the like. For displaying, the sound data is scanned, decoded to create an audio segment data stream, and the data stream is played, typically by a computer while a monitor displays the image at the same time. More realistic sound playback is achieved by recording audio segments with plural microphones and playing back the audio segments recorded by the microphones from one or more of the sources based on a user-selected area of interest on the corresponding visual image.

Printing and decoding 3-D sound data that has been optically recorded

Personalized story presentations, such as video movies, are prepared with the aid of a kit including a film camera, pose instruction set and chroma-key backdrop. The camera is preferably a special single-use camera having a visual aid strip seen in the viewfinder showing a series of poses associated with a selected story line. An optional audio accessory is provided to capture spoken phrases and other sounds to be associated with the presentation. The exposed film and sound recording are submitted to a photofinisher/image processor where the images and audio are digitized and incorporated into a preexisting digitized story using existing image processing programs. When completed, the personalized story is recorded on suitable playback media and returned to the customer. The same process can be used to create interactive game programs.

Animated image presentations with personalized digitized images

An image-audio print has either a single image or a set of images on a first side and an accessible audio data storage means preferably on its backside. The accessible audio data storage means contains an audio data segment associated with the image on single image prints and a set of audio data segments, one for each image on multi-image prints, for example, index prints. A player receives and locates the image-audio print with the accessible audio data storage means accurately positioned in electrical contact with the player apparatus. The player apparatus can play an audio data segment associated with the print from a single image print or by appropriate interaction with the user who selects a audio data segment associated with the selected image on multi-image prints. Preferably, a touchscreen is used to select the image for which the audio is to be played. The player also can record audio into the accessible audio data storage means and copy audio from one print to another. The prints can be manufactured by using a backing substrate into which a recess is created for the audio data storage means and which is, preferably, adhesively attached to the back of ordinary paper print substrate. The backing paper provides not only the recess for the audio data storage means, but also adds heft to the print. Alternatively, the audio data storage means can be formed integrally with a full print-sized back of the print and affixed to the back by hand or automatically. Further, the print can be formed by taking a full print-sized backing with an integral audio data storage means and applying an image to the frontside of it, by inkjet printing, thermal dye transfer, electrophotographic or other hard copy imaging means.

Image-audio print, method of making and player for using

A photographic film cartridge canister provided with an integrally formed, separate compartment for storage of a sound device, such as an IC sound card, used to record sound in association with still images captured on the photographic film stored in the canister.

Film cartridge canister with sound device storage

An image capture apparatus includes means for recording an image of a scene and means for recording audio information. The camera further includes means for determining that a request has been made for the recording means to record an image and means for ascertaining whether or not audio information has already been recorded for the requested image recordation.

Image capture apparatus with sound recording capability

A method of processing photographic still image film orders having sound information recorded at the camera in association with one or more images captured on the film in which the sound information is downloaded at an order entry station to create a sound file for transfer to the photofinishing laboratory. Order identification data linking the recorded sound information to the film order is created and assigned to the sound file and the film order. The order identification data is employed at the photofinishing laboratory to create a sound recording medium from the sound file which is linked to prints produced from the film order, the sound recording medium then being attached to the image prints using the linking order identification data. Sound information associated with individual image prints may also be accumulated and recorded on a single sound recording medium for attachment to an index print produced from the film order.

Processing of sound media with still image films in photofinishing labs

Film image display method and apparatus adapted to display image frames on film normally stored in a cartridge in a user selected sequence. The film carries a magnetic recording layer and the apparatus is programmed to allow the user to view image frames and hear sound recorded in association with the frames in a pre-determined viewing sequence, that may be user-determined. The viewing sequence is different from the chronological sequence of frames on the film. The apparatus and method also records data on the film which identifies the viewing sequence. Sound may be recorded in association with frames in the viewing sequence during user selection of the viewing sequence. When viewed later, the recorded sequence data is read from the film and used to control the sequence in which the film images are displayed.

Film image display apparatus and method

A display apparatus capable of displaying a plurality of still images having an audio subsystem for selectively storing and playing back audio information corresponding to at least one displayed still image. According to the invention, the audio subsystem can alternatively be releasably attached, such as to a camera to selectively store audio information, or to an album displaying the images.

Talking photoalbum

Recording of data segments on film in a photographic still camera continuously along a length of film spanning interframe locations between image frame regions is interrupted at predetermined intervals corresponding to multiples of image frames at which the film is normally cut into strip at a photofinishing facility. Codes are recorded at the beginning and end of a recorded segment and upon recommencement of recording following each interruption such that continuous, uninterrupted playback of the data segment is facilitated.

Photographic camera with data recording on film

Audio to be recorded in a photographic film camera in association with individual exposed frames is first digitized and stored in a temporary storage memory in the camera allowing playback through a speaker mounted in the camera to permit playback review and editing, as needed. When the film is advanced in the camera to the next exposure frame, the digital audio signal is recorded on a magnetic layer formed on the film. At the photofinisher, the digital audio signal is read and converted to suitable encodement format, such as bar code or binary coded blister marks which are impressed on the photoprint for subsequent playback.

Photographic film still camera system with audio recording

Off-the-film metering in a photographic film camera is improved by measuring actual film reflectivity at the time of film manufacture and recording a film adjusted exposure constant on a magnetic recording layer on the film. Camera apparatus is provided to read this film adjusted exposure constant value and generate an adjustable reference level representative of actual film reflectivity which is then used in confunction off-the-film metering apparatus to control exposure of the film in accordance with actual film reflectivity values rather than a fixed or assumed value. Measured film exposure aim may also be recorded at film production and used to control film exposure in the camera.

Photographic system with off-the-film exposure metering

A contrast autofocus mechanism for a still camera automatically controls the displacement of an imaging lens (10) so as to cause an image of a subject (32) to be quickly brought into focus upon the len's image-receiving plane (24) in response to successive contrast measurements taken at different conditions which produce different depths of field. The change in depth of field may be accomplished by changing the aperture setting for successive contrast measurements. Based upon difference in contrast for the two measurements, the extent to which the lens is out-of-focus is calculated. This calculation is used to define the displacement of the lens to a new position which should be at or nearly at a position of peak contrast. If at the new position further refinement is necessary, a trial and error subroutine is conducted to determine in which direction the lens should be moved to attain focus. In addition, during this contrast measurement, the amount by which the lens is to be displaced in the correct direction is calculated and the lens is displaced to what should be an in-focus condition. To accommodate low contrast scenes an auxiliary default position measurement sequence may be carried out to determine when focus has been achieved or is incapable of being achieved. For each set of contrast measurements a blur circle (b') difference value, representative of the difference in contrast, is compared with thresholds to determine in which direction the lens should be moved.

Growing community of inventors

Webster, NY, United States of America

Cynthia S Bell