Eastman-kodak Company

William C Atkinson

Robert P Cloutier

Michael L Wash

Roger A Fields

Arthur A Whitfield

A method of making more visible some characteristic to be included in a hard copy of a recorded image includes reading a variable visible characteristic within a predefined area of the recorded image to determine the visible composition of the variable characteristic. At least one stored variation of the variable characteristic is selected, based on the visible composition of the read variable characteristic, from a plurality of stored variations of the variable characteristic. The selected stored variation of the variable characteristic will have greater visibility within a predefined area of the hard copy, which corresponds to the predefined area of the recorded image, than the variable characteristic within the predefined area of the recorded image. The selected one or more characteristics are included in the predefined area of the hard copy.

Methods of changing the visibility of some characteristic or information

A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a photographic film strip. Information exchange between various users of the film such as, for example, the film manufacturer, the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher, is facilitated by plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that begin and end within individual frames. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters relating to the corresponding frame, for easy access by a particular one of the various users. Each user has the capability to read and/or write information in self-identifying data fields in the corresponding tracks.

Film information exchange system using dedicated magnetic tracks on film

A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a photographic film strip. Information exchange between various users of the film such as, for example, the film manufacturer, the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher, is facilitated by plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that begin and end within individual frames. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters relating to the corresponding frame, for easy access by a particular one of the various users. Each user has the capability to read and/or write informaton in self-identifying data fields in the corresponding tracks.

A film cassette is disclosed wherein a filmstrip in roll form is stored within the cassette shell and has a leader that projects from an exterior end of a film passage slit in the cassette shell to permit the filmstrip to be drawn out of the shell. According to the invention, the leader has a forward edge portion that is folded back onto a successive portion of the leader to prevent the leader from being moved completely through the exterior end of the film passage slit into the cassette shell. Preferably, the forward edge portion of the leader is secured to the successive portion of the leader to form a looped portion of the leader between the forward edge and successive portions which may be engaged in a camera, for example, to draw the filmstrip out of the cassette shell.

Film cassette and method of assembling the same

A film cassette is disclosed wherein a filmstrip in roll form is stored within the cassette shell and has a leader portion that projects from an exterior end of a film passage slit in the cassette shell to permit the filmstrip to be drawn out of the shell. According to the invention, a tow bar is secured to the leader portion. The tow bar normally is positioned in covering relation with the exterior end of the film passage slit to prevent the leader portion from being moved into the cassette shell and includes an engageable portion which may be engaged in a camera, for example, to separate the tow bar from the cassette shell to draw the filmstrip out of the shell for exposure purposes.

Film cassette

A particular type camera requiring the exposed film to receive special handling at the photofinisher is adapted for use with a film cartridge which includes a film spool having an elongate coaxial hole open at one end of the spool and a readily fracturable element located within the coaxial hole. When the cartridge is loaded in the camera, a shaft member of the camera is received in the coaxial hole to fracture the fracturable element and thereby provide an indication to the photofinisher that the cartridge was used in the camera. Preferably, the shaft member is keyed to engage an integral rib of the film spool to rewind the exposed film into the cartridge.

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Webster, NY, United States of America

William C Atkinson