Eastman-kodak Company

Gary W Ahlquist

Thomas J Clifford, Jr

Andrew Zwickl, Jr

John T Keech

Roger A Morton

John Patrick Spence

Wayne K Shaffer

Walter C Slater

Christopher E Wheeler

Walter W Jacobe

Bruce G Rockey

Michael K Milley

Donald D Eggleston

A system for providing motion picture photographic film with encoded information, such as unique film footage and frame identification, which can be machine read prior to film processing. This system provides machine readable encoded information markings on the raw stock film which may be read in a camera or other photoprocessing device with a reader prior to or concurrent with the film image capture process. The machine readable encoded information markings may be easily converted into a &ldquo;video image&rdquo; for display in a real time video from a CCD imager in the film camera or other device. Furthermore this pre-processing machine readable encoded information may be used in conjunction with optical latent image recorded information which becomes machine or human readable after processing as presently provided by film manufacturer's according to industry standards.

System for providing pre-processing machine readable encoded information markings in a motion picture film

A method of placing a two-dimensional barcode symbol on a photographic element, the barcode symbol comprising collections of modules arranged in a regular array with a plurality of defined orientation directions, the photographic element exhibiting linear defects in a predominant direction and having a maximum width, includes the step of orienting the barcode symbol so that each defined orientation direction is rotated relative to the predominant direction sufficient so that no single collection of modules aligned in a defined orientation direction is completely obscured by the defect.

Barcode and data storage arrangement on a photographic element

Equipment (100) for coating photographic media (14), such as photographic film and paper, has an apparatus (10) for printing bar code indicia (12) on a moving photographic media and a printer means for printing human readable indicia (16) on the media. The printer (20a, 20b) moves into print position along a lateral edge (28) of the media (14) in response to input signals received from a controller (22) having computer readable medium for directing the printing and movements of the printer (20a, 20b).

Equipment for coating photographic media

An apparatus (10) and method for reading bar codes (12) on a moving web (14) has a LED light source (16) that transmits a beam of light (18o) through the advancing web (14). A scanner (20) is arranged on a side of the web (14) opposite the light source (16) for detecting the characteristic light intensity levels corresponding to various optical densities of the web (14). Output signals from the scanner (20) are processed and manipulated for adjusting the light intensity levels of the light source (16) to within predetermined limits.

Apparatus and method for reading bar codes on a moving web

Photographic apparatus is provided for combining film and prints with packaging material including an image of customer inscribed graphics, such as a return address, provided with the order. The graphics are captured and stored electronically as an image that is linked to the film and prints and reproduced on packaging or other material for returning the order. The packaging is provided at the finishing station in a plurality of different formats corresponding to the size of the prints or the thickness of the completed order. The finishing station selects the appropriate format for the order and reproduces the image of the customer inscribe graphics on the selected format.

Order finishing

Apparatus for measuring the length of each of a series of continuously advancing and non-transparent articles, each article possessing an actual length L distributed about a predetermined or nominal length L.sub.o. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises two radiation/sensor pairs spaced apart by the nominal length L.sub.o. The radiation/sensor pairs are positioned along an axis parallel to the direction of article advancement. One radiation/sensor pair acts as a trigger to indicate when either the leading or trailing edge of the advancing article reaches a predetermined position, at which time the signal developed from the remaining radiation/sensor pair is memorized or recorded. This memorized voltage is an indication of the position of the leading or trailing edge of the advancing article and thus is a measure of the article's actual length. Disclosed apparatus includes a circuit to compensate for the effects of temperature variations, component drift, etc.

Growing community of inventors

Webster, NY, United States of America

Gary W Ahlquist