Eastman-kodak Company

Kevin J Klees

Daniel M Pagano

Badhri Narayan

James E Roddy

Donald O Bigelow

Richard B Wheeler

Thomas F Powers

Craig A Caprio

Mitchell Lawrence Wright

Laurie L Voci

Robert H Cuffney

Mark Rollin Mosher

Apparatus for exposing reference calibration patches onto photosensitive medium, includes: a light source; a plurality of optical fibers, one fiber for each element to be exposed; a light collector having an input port for receiving light emitted by the light source and an output port for delivering light to one end of the optical fibers; a plurality of light attenuators located with respect to the optical fiber for individually attenuating the light transmitted by each fiber; a projection print head located at the other end of the optical fibers for directing light from the fiber onto the photosensitive medium; and a controller connected to the light source for measuring and controlling the light output of the light collector.

Apparatus for exposing sensitometric and bar code data onto photosensitive media

Printer and method with an electromagnetic interference reducing optical data link for transmitting image forming data. The printer comprises a print head capable of being actuated to form the image on a receiver. A photodetector is connected to the print head for detecting image forming data carried by an infrared light beam. The photodetector also actuates the print head in response to the image forming data detected by the photodetector. Also provided is a light source in optical communication with the photodetector for emitting the light beam. The photodetector detects the image forming data as the light source emits the light beam and the print head is actuated as the photodetector detects the image forming data. The print head forms the image on the receiver in accordance with the image forming data as the print head is actuated. The printer apparatus also comprises a controller, which may be a computer, connected to the print head for supplying control data to the print head in order to control the print head.

Printer and method with an electromagnetic-inhibiting optical data link transmitting image forming data

Printer apparatus and method of forming multiple image pixel sizes on photosensitive media. The printer comprises a light source for projecting a light beam onto the photosensitive media to form the image pixel on the photosensitive media. An aperture system is interposed between the light source and the photosensitive media for adjustably sizing the light beam, the aperture system having an adjustable aperture plate for receiving the light beam therethrough. The aperture system is adjustable for variably masking a predetermined portion of the light beam, so that the image pixel obtains a predetermined size as the predetermined portion of the light beam is masked. The aperture system includes a guide member having parallel spaced-apart grooves therein. An aperture plate, which slidably engages the grooves, has a first aperture of a first size and a second aperture of a second size spaced-apart from the first aperture. The aperture plate is slidable in the grooves from a first position thereof for allowing the light beam to be received through the first aperture, so as to expose a first image pixel size on the photosensitive media. The aperture plate is also slidable to a second position thereof for allowing the light beam to be received through the second aperture, so as to expose a second image pixel size on the photosensitive media. A transport mechanism transports the light source and aperture system relative to the photosensitive media. Actuators engage the aperture system due to excess travel of the transport mechanism beyond the side edges of the media. When this occurs, the actuators actuate the aperture system, so that the desired aperture is selected.

Printer and method of forming multiple image pixel sizes on

A consumer interactive apparatus and method for ordering photofinishing services for a photosensitive film. The photosensitive film is provided with a device for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services available. The apparatus includes an input device for allowing entry of a photofinishing order, a mechanism for receiving a film containing a magnetic media for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services, and reading device for reading the magnetic media for determining the amount of prepaid photo services available. The input device allows the user to select the desired type of photofinishing services with respect to the film being supplied to the apparatus. The apparatus allows the customer to order photofinishing service as desired by the customer and also allows debiting of the magnetic layer such that the amount remaining after the placement of the order is placed on the magnetic layer.

Photofinishing system having customized customer order payment feature

A stored image capture system intended to provide an image capturing device for use by the general public at sites having objects of interest. The stored image capture system is designed to accept a user's image recording medium and allow the user to capture on the user's image recording medium a stored image of an object of interest. The system generally includes a compartment for receiving an image recording medium, a memory device to store an image, a display device to display the stored image for viewing by the user, a projection device to project the stored image onto the image recording medium, and a control mechanism to control the operation of the memory device, the display device and the projection device.

Method and apparatus for capturing a stored preexisting image on a

An apparatus for receiving undeveloped film and for delivering prints and developed film to a customer. The apparatus comprises a workstation for interaction of a customer at the apparatus thereby providing instructions to the customer for ordering processing of an undeveloped photosensitive material. The workstation includes a first display device for providing instructions and information to the customer for use in said apparatus, for entering data responsive to said instructions; an acceptance device for receiving image data; a printing mechanism for issuing a customer claim check having a unique identification indica; and a second display visually separate from the workstation for displaying the status of various customer orders.

Automated photofinishing apparatus with convenient order status checking

An apparatus for processing a filmstrip contained in a film cartridge, the filmstrip having a trailing end secured to the cartridge. The apparatus includes at least one processing tank for holding a processing solution therein and a holding mechanism for holding and retaining a film cartridge containing a filmstrip. The holding mechanism includes a reel assembly for receiving and holding a portion of the filmstrip as it exits the film cartridge. The reel assembly capable of being positioned within the at least one processing tank so that the filmstrip will be submersed within a processing solution contained in the at least one processing tank. The apparatus further includes a transport mechanism for moving the holding mechanism along the apparatus so that the holding mechanism can be located the at least one processing tank, an agitation mechanism for agitating the processing solution contained in the tank and causing the processing solution to flow adjacent the filmstrip and a baffle for minimizing the introduction of air into the processing solution within the at least one processing tank.

Photographic processing apparatus

An automated image media processing station includes a image media processing apparatus for processing a customer's image media in accordance with a transaction sequence and a video display allowing the customer to view images during processing. The station includes a customer interface in communication with the processing apparatus interfacing the customer with the apparatus and a customer detector in communication with at least one of the customer interface and the processing apparatus for detecting the presence of the customer within a range and field of view of the detector whereby such presence allows the video display to display the images captured on the image media for the customer, and undetected presence discontinues further display of the images.

System for an automated image media process station which displays

An image capture system intended to provide an image capturing device for use by the general public at sites having objects of interest. The image capture system is designed to accept a user's image recording medium and allow the user to capture on the user's image recording medium either a real image or a stored image of the object of interest. The system generally includes an objective lens, a viewing screen, a compartment for receiving an image recording medium, a memory device to store a stored image, a display device to display the stored image capable of being capture on the image recording medium, a projection device for projecting the stored image onto the image recording medium, and a control mechanism to control the operation of the memory device, the display device and the projection device.

Image capture system

An apparatus for automatically advancing or removing a filmstrip from a reel and a reel for holding a photosensitive filmstrip during photofinishing. The reel includes a first side wall and a second side wall substantially parallel to the first side wall. The first and second side walls each having a wall member disposed in a spiral pattern so as to form a spiral path for receiving the edges of a photosensitive filmstrip between said side walls. A clutch mechanism is provided on each side wall for advancing the filmstrip along the spiral path in a first direction and preventing movement in the opposite direction. A spring member is provided for disengaging the clutch mechanism so as to allow removal of the filmstrip from the spiral path. The clutch mechanism may include a movable ramp for allowing movement of the photosensitive material in either direction along the spiral path.

Automatic processing reel for use in photofinishing

A method and apparatus for processing of filmstrip contained in a film cartridge. The apparatus having at least one processing tank for holding a processing solution, a holding mechanism for holding and retaining a film cartridge containing a filmstrip having a leading edge and trailing edge, the trailing edge being secured to the cartridge, a transport mechanism for moving the holding mechanism along the apparatus so that the holding mechanism can be located at a workstation located at one of said at least one processing tank, and a film drive mechanism for moving the film out of or back into the film cartridge while the end of the film is still attached to the cartridge.

Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive film

An automatic image capture station employing a pressure sensing pad to provide position signals to a controller for use directing the subject to appropriate position in the field of view of the camera or, alternatively, to control the camera operation to improve composition of the image to be captured.

Automatic image capture station

A thermal printer for printing a continuous tone image includes an image signal source, a thermal printhead for printing one line of image pixels at a time, and an image signal converter that transforms each line of image signals into print pixels that are applied to the heat elements of the printhead. The image signal converter includes an image memory that stores the set of successive lines of image pixel signals for the entire image obtained from an image source and a memory for storing a subset of the successive lines. A control processor transfers the set of successive image signal lines to the image memory and then sequentially transfers one successive line at a time to the subset memory. The stored subset comprises the line of image pixel signals being converted, a plurality of lines of image pixel signals preceding the line of image pixel signals being converted and a plurality of lines of image pixel signals succeeding the line of image signals being converted. An image signal processor cooperates with the subset memory to modify the image pixel signals of the image signal line being converted in response to the image signals of the line of image signals being converted, the image signals of the plurality of image signal lines preceding the image signal line being converted and the plurality of image signal lines succeeding the line of image signals being converted.

Thermal printer with image signal processing

Method and apparatus for detecting that a facsimile machine is being installed with stored information within the machine being used to aid the installer during installation and/or operation using either image and text information or verbal information stored in the memory of the facsimile machine.

Method and apparatus for assisting in the installation of a facsimile

A three-color laser scanner using a holographically-generated plane linear grating disk (hologon). The disk includes peripherally-arranged facets having identical multiplexed diffraction gratings. Each multiplexed grating is formed from plural superimposed interference patterns accumulated by multiple exposures to light from a single monochromatic laser beam source. The multiplexed grating is optimized to diffract certain light wavelengths in a single, multichromatic (plural wavelength) input laser beam. The diffracted output beam comprises respective wavelength beam components that simultaneously scan in collinear fashion. Modulation of the plural wavelength components in the incident beam allows the output beam to scan expose a multicolor image at the image plane.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Kevin J Klees