Photographic printing and processing apparatus

A method and apparatus for exposing and developing the photographic material at a single workstation. The apparatus comprises a digital device for exposing a photographic material located at a workstation and a developing mechanism for developing the photographic material at the same workstation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the field of digital printing and 
processing of a photographic material. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Conventional photographic printers and processors typically involve an 
optical printing system where an image is exposed optically onto a 
photosensitive material, such as photosensitive paper, and then the 
photosensitive paper is passed through a plurality of processing tanks 
where the image exposed is developed by typical photographic processing 
chemicals. 
There has been suggested in the prior art a coupling together of a digital 
laser printer with a conventional processor, such as illustrated in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,723,151. However, this reference is directed to processing of 
x-ray films as opposed to color silver halide photosensitive material. 
Further, in order to write a color image onto a conventional photographic 
material using a laser technique, it requires a complex three-channel 
laser system. This laser printing technique is very expensive. 
Additionally, the system still requires use of conventional processing 
techniques, thus the overall system requires a substantial amount of 
expense and requires the use of substantial amounts of space at the 
facility. 
There has also been suggested in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 
08/628,071, filed Apr. 4, 1996, entitled "Stand Alone Photofinishing 
Apparatus", by Mark M. Meyers, the use of a digital printing system in 
combination with a low volume photographic processing system. While this 
does provide a relatively compact printing processing apparatus, it still 
requires the maintenance and control of various processing solutions and 
replenishment agents. 
Applicants have invented a unique digital printing and processing apparatus 
which eliminates the need of separate processing tanks and also is 
relatively compact in physical size, as well as being relatively simple in 
construction, thus reducing the overall costs. Additionally, the system is 
such that it can be left alone for long periods of time without any 
substantial chemical degradation of stored chemicals, thus lending itself 
to being used as a stand alone customer interactive device. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for 
exposing and developing the photographic material at a single workstation. 
The method comprising the steps of: 
a) exposing a photographic material at a single workstation using a digital 
exposure means; and 
b) developing said photographic material at said workstation. 
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus 
for exposing and developing the photographic material at a single 
workstation. The apparatus comprises a digital device for exposing a 
photographic material located at a workstation and a developing mechanism 
for developing the photographic material at the same workstation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated in diagrammatic form a prior art 
apparatus 10 for exposing and printing of a photosensitive material. In 
particular, apparatus 10 comprises an exposure unit 12 which typically 
involves the use of an optical exposing system for exposing of a 
photosensitive material, for example, exposing images from a photographic 
film onto a photographic paper. The apparatus 10 includes a control unit 
14 (such as a computer) for controlling operation of the apparatus 10 and 
its various sub-systems as described herein. A transport mechanism 16 
transports the exposed photographic paper to the processing section 18 
where the exposed photographic paper is developed. Thereafter, the 
photographic paper is passed out of the apparatus 10, packaged, and 
returned to the customer. 
FIG. 2 illustrates a timeline of the operation of the apparatus 10. The 
process starts by the loading of the photographic paper into the apparatus 
and moving the photographic paper to an exposure station whereby the 
images from a film are exposed onto the photographic paper. After the 
paper has been exposed, as previously discussed, the transport mechanism 
moves the photographic paper to the processing section where it is 
processed. The developer paper is then outputted out of the apparatus 10. 
Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a schematic block diagram of an 
apparatus 20 constructed in accordance with the prior art whereby 
photosensitive processing solution is sprayed onto a photosensitive 
material for development. The apparatus 20 includes two inkjet heads 
22,24, each having an orifice 26,28 and a pulse solenoid control valve 
30,32, respectively. Each head 22,24 is connected to a respective 
reservoir 34,36 containing processing solution. A pump unit 38 pumps 
solution from the reservoirs 34,36 to the appropriate head 22,24. A 
controller 40 is provided for controlling operation of the various 
components of the apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 is arranged to apply the 
various processing solutions to photographic material 42. This is 
accomplished by moving the inkjet unit over the surface of the 
photographic material 42 as indicated by arrow 43. This can be also 
accomplished by moving the photographic material relative to the inkjet 
unit. 
Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, there is illustrated in schematic form an 
apparatus 50 made in accordance to the present invention. The apparatus 50 
includes an exposure/processing assembly 52 which is provided at a single 
processing station. An appropriate control unit 54 (such as a computer), 
is provided for controlling operation of the apparatus 50. FIG. 5 
illustrates a schematic block diagram of the apparatus 50. An input 
opening 51 is provided for inserting developed film into the apparatus 50 
for printing. In the particular embodiment illustrated, opening 51 is 
designed to receive a thrust film cartridge 53 such as described and 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,306. The film is thrust out of the 
cartridge 53 and is scanned by scanner 55 which produces a digital record 
of the images developed on the film and which are to be printed by the 
apparatus 50. The digital record is forwarded to the CPU 54 which is later 
sent to the printer for printing It is to be understood that the images to 
be printed may be obtained from any source that can provide images in 
digital form, for example, by computer disc through slot 57 or 
transmission from a digital source such as a computer to serial port 59. 
The apparatus further includes an exposure/processing assembly 52 for 
printing and developing of an image onto a photographic material and 
development of the material. In the embodiment illustrated apparatus 50 
further includes a payment mechanism 61 for accepting payment from the 
user and an order delivery mechanism 63 for delivering of completed print 
orders. A display screen 65, such as a CRT, is provided for displaying of 
information or instructions to the user and a key pad 67 is provided for 
entering of order information by the user. A reservoir section 69 is 
provided for holding processing chemicals which are to be supplied to 
exposure/processing assembly 52. 
Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated in further detail the 
exposure/processing assembly 52 of apparatus 50. The exposure/processing 
assembly 52 comprises a single processing workstation 60, which includes a 
support platen 62, which is designed to hold and support a photographic 
material 64 placed thereon. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the 
photographic material 64 is a cut sheet of photographic paper which has 
been exposed but not developed. However, it should be understood that any 
other type photographic material may be placed at the workstation 60. The 
photographic paper 64 is positioned on the platen 62 by any appropriate 
means, for example, manually and/or automatically, if desired. 
The workstation 60 includes a pair of parallel support guide rails 66,68 
which are designed to support an exposure assembly 70 and processing 
assembly 72. 
The exposure assembly 70 includes a guide bearing 76 which is slidably 
mounted to guide rail 68 so that it can move along the length thereof. The 
exposure assembly 70 also includes a support cross-member 80 which 
supports an exposure head 82, which is used to expose the photographic 
paper 64. The exposure head 82 is mounted to support member 80 for axial 
movement there along in the direction indicated by arrow 84. A motor 86 is 
provided on exposure assembly 70 and rotates pulley 88 secured thereto. A 
cable 90 is provided which is wrapped around a second pulley 92 spaced on 
the opposite end of member 80 which is secured to bearing 76 and pulley 
88. The cable 90 is secured to the exposure head 82 by apparatus fastening 
means. Activating the motor rotates pulley 88 which moves cable 90 which 
in turn causes the head 82 to move along member 80. By rotating the motor 
86 in the appropriate direction, the head 82 can be moved back and forth 
across material 64 as indicated by arrow 84. 
A mechanism is provided for moving the exposure unit along the guide rails 
66,68 as indicated by arrow 94. In the embodiment illustrated, this is 
accomplished by a motor 96 positioned at one longitudinal end of the 
platen 62 having a first pulley 98 secured to its rotating shaft and a 
second pulley 100 which is spaced from the first pulley 98 at the other 
end of platen 62. A cable or belt 99 is provided between pulleys 98,100 
such that when motor 96 is activated it will cause the exposure assembly 
70 to move in the direction indicated by arrows 94 as appropriate. The 
exposure assembly 70, in the embodiment illustrated, is designed to expose 
the photosensitive material using digital information which is 
representative of an image. For example, the printing head 82 comprises an 
LED printing system such as described in co-pending application U.S. Ser. 
No. 08/123,839, filed Sep. 20, 1993, entitled "Method and Apparatus for 
Exposing Media with Multiple Light Sources", of Douglas H. Smith, John F. 
Carson, Roy F. Ference, and Karen J. Appel, which is hereby incorporated 
by reference. In particular, the system employs a digital multi-beam color 
exposure system which comprises an array of LEDs (light emitting diodes), 
which is located in the plane which is perpendicular to the optical axis 
of projection for imaging onto the photographic material 64. Thus, in 
order to provide an image on the photographic material 64, the exposure 
assembly 70 is placed at one end of the photographic paper, for example, 
at location A (shown in dash lines), and then is moved in the direction 
indicated by arrow 97 until it reaches the opposite end B (also shown in 
dash lines), while at the same time the exposure head 82 is moved back and 
forth across the photographic paper (side to side) so as to provide a 
raster scanner action so as to expose an image thereon obtained from a 
digital record file. After the entire image has been exposed onto the 
photographic paper 64, the exposure assembly 70 is held at position B. 
The processing assembly 72 includes a spray bar 102 which is fluidly 
connected to various processing solutions contained in reservoir section 
69 through tubes 104,106,108 for providing a processed solution in the 
appropriate sequential steps onto the photographic paper 64. An 
appropriate transport mechanism is provided for moving of the processing 
assembly 72 across the photographic material 64 at workstation 60. In 
particular, the transport mechanism includes a motor 112 located at the 
lower end of the workstation and has a pulley 114 secured to its drive 
shaft. A second pulley 116 is provided at the other opposite end. A belt 
118 is wrapped around pulleys 114,116 and connected to processing assembly 
72 such that the processing assembly 72 can be moved across the 
photographic material 64 as indicated by arrow 94. Activation of motor 112 
is controlled by CPU 54, which is also used to control the operation of 
various other motors and exposure assembly 70. 
Processing solution is provided to a spray bar which applies processing 
solution in much the same manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,301. 
The spray bar sprays a mist of processing solution across the entire width 
W of the photographic material 64 as the assembly 72 is moved along the 
length L of the photographic paper 64 by motor 112. This is repeated until 
all appropriate processing solutions have been applied. Additional details 
may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,301. 
Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated the operation of the apparatus 50 
using the workstation 60 illustrated in FIG. 6. In particular, 
photographic paper 64 is loaded at the workstation 60. Thereafter, the 
photographic material 64 is exposed by the exposure assembly 70. 
Preferably, as illustrated, the exposure assembly 70 will traverse the 
photographic paper 64 from position A to position B, while moving head 82 
back and forth across the paper width W until completion of the exposure 
of the photographic material has occurred. The assembly 70 is left at 
position B, allowing the processing assembly 72 to then traverse the 
photographic paper 64 by appropriately activating motor 112. As the 
processing assembly 72 traverses the photographic paper 64, appropriate 
processing solutions are sprayed onto the photographic paper. The 
processing unit is passed over the unit several times until all of the 
appropriate development solutions are applied. Alternately, a plurality of 
bars may be placed together such that they may traverse the photographic 
paper in a single pass. After processing has been completed, the paper 64 
may then be removed from the workstation either manually or by automatic 
devices. 
It can be seen from the foregoing that the present invention avoids any 
transport mechanism for transporting of the photographic paper from the 
exposure station to a development station. Further, as can be seen, the 
device is relatively simple in construction and compact in size. Further, 
since there are no processing tanks, there is no need to require specific 
controls for controlling the chemistry as is typically required in the 
prior art processors. 
Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated the apparatus of FIG. 6, except 
that in this embodiment the apparatus 50 is operated slightly different 
than that previously discussed. Instead of waiting until the entire 
photographic paper 64 is exposed, development starts before completion of 
exposure. Shortly after the exposure assembly 70 starts exposing the 
photographic material 64, the processing assembly 72 starts its pass over 
the photographic material 64, thus simultaneous exposing and developing of 
different sections of the photographic material. As illustrated in FIG. 9, 
there is an overlap in time between the exposure and processing, thus 
further reducing the time necessary from starting of the process to ending 
of the process. 
Since there are no processing tanks through which the photographic material 
passes, the apparatus 50 can be designed to be a stand alone unit which 
can have appropriate customer interactive features, i.e., touchscreen for 
providing information for the apparatus and instructions to the user such 
that the apparatus may be used in an ATM mode where the customer can 
completely control operation. Additionally, there is no need for the 
complicated controlling of processing solutions as is typically required 
in photographic printers. Thus, the present invention provides a compact 
efficient device for exposing and printing of a photographic paper. 
Various changes may be made to the apparatus. For example, referring to 
FIG. 10, instead of using an exposure head that traverses back and forth 
across photographic paper, a linear exposure device 122 can be used such 
that an entire line across the photographic paper is exposed, thus 
allowing the elimination of motor 86 and the various components used to 
traverse the head across the photographic paper. The linear exposing 
device need only traverse the paper once from position A to position B to 
fully expose the paper. This would also further enhance the speed and 
operation of the device. 
Additionally, various other digital exposing devices and techniques may be 
used to exposure the photographic material. For example, an active matrix 
liquid crystal display, field-emission display, electroluminescent 
display, plasma display and digital mirror devices. 
It is to be understood that various other changes and modifications may be 
made without departing from the scope of the present invention, the 
present invention being limited by the following claims. 
Parts List 
10 . . . apparatus 
12 . . . exposure unit 
14 . . . control unit 
16 . . . transport mechanism 
18 . . . processing section 
20 . . . apparatus 
22,24 . . . inkjet heads 
26,28 . . . orifice 
30,32 . . . pulse solenoid control valve 
34,36 . . . reservoir 
38 . . . pump unit 
40 . . . controller 
42 . . . photographic material 
43 . . . arrow 
50 . . . apparatus 
51 . . . input opening 
52 . . . exposure/processing assembly 
53 . . . thrust film cartridge 
54 . . . control unit 
55 . . . scanner 
57 . . . slot 
59 . . . serial port 
60 . . . workstation 
61 . . . payment mechanism 
62 . . . support platen 
63 . . . order delivery mechanism 
64 . . . photographic material 
65 . . . display screen 
66,68 . . . support guide rails 
67 . . . key pad 
69 . . . reservoir section 
70 . . . exposure assembly 
72 . . . processing assembly 
76 . . . guide bearing 
80 . . . support cross-member 
82 . . . exposure head 
84 . . . arrow 
86,96 . . . motor 
88,92 . . . pulley 
89,94,97 . . . arrow 
90 . . . cable 
98,100 . . . pulley 
99 . . . belt 
102 . . . spray bar 
104,106,108 . . . tubes 
112 . . . motor 
114,116 . . . pulley 
118 . . . belt 
122 . . . linear exposure device