Eastman-kodak Company

Konica Corporation

David C Smart

David A Cipolla

Thomas E Dussinger

Dennis R Zander

Edward N Balling

Joel S Lawther

Edward B Gindele

Douglas H Pearson

Dennis E Baxter

Anthony Dirisio

Robert P Cloutier

Douglas W Constable

Jeffrey R Stoneham

Craig A Baker

David A Hodder

Robert Luke Walker

John Randall Fredlund

Daniel M Pagano

John K McBride

Loretta E Allen

Joseph A Watkins

Wayne Edward Stiehler

J David Cocca

Stephen H Miller

Roger G Covington

Eugene Sisto

Ralph M Lyon

Michael L Wash

Randy E Horning

John H Alligood

Tetsufumi Takaba

Leonard R Richiuso

Duane B Kirk

Hiroshi Yamaguchi

Michael T Wolf

Neil G Seely

Masaru Yamazaki

Conrad Diehl

Susan J Metler

Steven C Sitter

Takashi Shirahama

Kiyohide Itoh

Kauyoshi Sugano

Paul F Black

William G Peters

In a photographic processing method, an image unit having a plurality of printable image frames is received. The image frames include a data frame having subchannel information. An indicator of the presence of the subchannel information is detected. A bitstream of all of the image frames is generated. Responsive to the indicator, the data frame is extracted from the bitstream and subchannel information is read from the data frame. Fulfillment of image frames of the bitstream is provided in accordance with the subchannel information. If no indicator is detected, then the image frames are fulfilled in accordance with a different, default subchannel.

Controlling photofinishing using data frame designated photofinishing subchannels

In a photography method, a film image is scanned and digitized to provide a digital image. An identifier associated with the film image is read. The identifier points to a group of filter effects. Each filter effect has a preassigned digital modification. The modifications are not remedial for the respective filter effects. One of the filter effects is detected in the digital image. Responsive to the detecting of that filter effect, the preassigned digital modification is applied to the digital image.

Photography systems and methods utilizing filter-encoded images

In a photography method, a determination is made that a set of captured images includes one or more encoded captured images having a partial shading encodement. The encodement has a predetermined edge pattern and is disposed within a predetermined subarea of an image. An encoded captured image is digitized to provide a digital image having a plurality of pixels. A plurality of pixel templates of an edge pattern and the pixels in the subarea of the digital image are convolved to provide a plurality of template position metrics. Each pixel template has the same shape. Each pixel template is differently located in said subarea. The highest of the template position metrics and a predetermined threshold template position metric value of the edge pattern are compared. The digital image is digitally modified when said highest template position metric matches the threshold template position metric value.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for detecting partial-shading encodement filtering

A camera has a body having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. The exposure frame has a window. A mask core is mounted in the body. The mask core has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the exposure frame. The mask core has a plurality of sectors arranged about the axis of rotation. Each sector has an active position adjoining the window. Each sector shades the window differently in the respective active position. A drive is coupled to the mask core. The drive selectively rotates the mask core between the active positions of each of the sectors.

Camera having transverse optical encoder

A camera has a body and a film holder having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. A taking lens system is mounted to the body. The taking lens system has an optical axis. The taking lens system transmits a scene image through the exposure opening. A screener is mounted to the body. The screener is movable, relative to the exposure frame, between a primary position and a plurality of different secondary positions. The screener shadows the exposure frame differently in each secondary position. The exposure frame is unshaded when the screener is in the primary position.

Cameras, methods, and systems with partial-shading encodements

A camera, used with photographic film, has a body having an exposure support surrounding an exposure opening. The body defines an encoder light path. An encoder is mounted in the body in alignment with the encoder light path. The encoder has an axis of rotation. The encoder has a marker occupying part of the encoder light path. The marker has a pair of subunits. The subunits are opposed relative to the axis of rotation. A drive is coupled to the encoder. The drive selectively rotates the encoder about the axis of rotation between a primary position and a plurality of secondary positions. The subunits are both disposed in the encoder light path in all of the positions.

Camera having rotary optical encoder

An interface control assembly for a one-time-use camera having a recording device includes a controller for receiving and storing photofinishing information and a communication device that transfers the information from the controller to the recording device of the camera to cause the information to be written on a filmstrip. The photography arrangement includes a one-time-use camera as well as the interface control arrangement. This permits the one-time-use camera to be customized with a magnetic recording on the film while providing the expensive components involved in magnetic recording on the film outside of the camera.

Interface control assembly for a one-time-use camera having a recording head

An exposure count indicator for providing a visible indication of the number of frames that remain available to be exposed or are actually exposed on a filmstrip in a camera, comprises a numerical scale of successive exposure count indicia at least divided into an initial range of indicia that are evenly spaced from one another a particular distance and a remaining range of indicia that are evenly spaced from one another a different distance less than the particular distance the exposure count indicia that are in the initial range are spaced from one another, in order that when one views the respective indicia in the remaining range after all of the indicia in the initial range have been viewed it can serve as a warning that one is coming closer to the end of the filmstrip because the indicia in the remaining range are spaced apart a lesser distance than the indicia in the initial range. Preferably, a movable indicating element is supported for movement relative to the exposure count indicia to first operate as a pointer successively at the respective indicia in the initial range and then operate as a pointer successively at the respective indicia in the remaining range.

Exposure count indicator for camera

In a method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, a first copy of a unique identifier is recorded on the film unit. A logical memory unit and the identifier are associated. The logical memory unit is physically remote from the film unit. The film unit is loaded in the one-time use camera body. A second copy of the unique identifier is recorded on the one-time use camera body. The second copy is accessible independent of the film unit.

Method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera

In a method and system for handling photofinishing customization data for a film unit having a unique identifier, a logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. The logical memory unit has the identifier and a plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit. Changes in the photofinishing parameters are written in the logical memory unit from remote input.

Method for handling film customization data and system

A photography system includes a plurality of film units and a remotely-accessed look-up table. The film units each have an access code that can be accessed independent of a filmstrip or digital image store. The look-up table has a read-write logical memory unit allocated to each of the film units. The logical memory units each have an access right secured by a respective access code. In a method, the access code is generated, the logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit, and the film unit is sold or otherwise transferred. The film unit is accompanied by the access code for that film unit.

Film unit, method for enabling secure customization of a film unit, and system

A method authorizes the holder of a film unit to access a look-up table having stored data The film unit bears an access code having an encrypted first segment. In the method, the film unit is registered and the first segment is detected. The first segment is decrypted to obtain a code value. The code value is matched to a second segment and access to the stored data is allowed.

Image capture package secure database access method

A method and system that handle user and producer photofinishing customization data for a film unit having a unique identifier. In the method, a user access code is generated. A logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. The logical memory unit indicates the identifier. The logical memory unit has a user subunit and a producer subunit. The subunits are each independently writable and have separate access rights. The user access code, but not the producer access code, accompanies the film unit when it is sold or otherwise transferred.

Method for handling user and producer film unit customization data and system

A method is provided for storing information related to a photographic film unit that includes a local data memory such as magnetic media or an electronic memory unit. In the method, a logical memory unit and the film unit are associated. The logical memory unit is physically remote from the film unit. Exposure-independent information for the film unit is written to the logical memory unit. Exposure-dependent information is written to the local data memory.

Method for storing exposure dependent and exposure independent information related to a photographic film unit

A photofinishing system includes film units, a remote look-up table, and photofinishing apparatus. The photofinishing apparatus has a reader to read identifiers on the film units, a communicator to interface with the look-up table to poll the table for photofinishing parameters for the film units, and a processor that generates digital images responsive to the photofinishing parameters. In a method, a film unit containing a plurality of captured images is received. A remote look-up table having a logical memory unit uniquely associated with the film unit is accessed. The logical memory unit designates a plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit. The film unit is processed responsive to the photofinishing parameters. Information about the processing of the film unit is recorded in the logical memory unit.

Photofinishing method, photofinishing apparatus, and system

Growing community of inventors

Fairport, NY, United States of America

David C Smart