Patent Publication Number: US-RE38447-E

Title: Stand alone photofinishing apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Reference is made to and priority claimed from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. U.S. 60/003,637, filed Sept. 12, 1995, entitled STAND ALONE PHOTOFINISHING APPARATUS. 
    
    
     This application is a reissue application for U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 664 , 253  issued on Sep.  2 ,  1997  on U.S. Ser. No.  08 / 628 , 071  filed Apr.  4 ,  1996 .  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to photofinishing and, more particularly, to an automated, interactive system for receiving and processing photosensitive film and for dispensing a dry print of the images developed on the film. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When developing photographic film, a number of processing solutions are used to develop and stabilize the image on the photographic film. These processing solutions become less effective as the chemical components are consumed and, if left unattended, will eventually stop working as a processing solution. Dispensed solutions must eventually be disposed of, either by pouring down a drain, placed in a storage tank for later transportation and disposal, or be subjected to an incineration process. Dispensed solutions largely consist of water. The photofinisher must provide either a drain and water supply, or deal with transporting large volumes of spent photographic waste to a proper disposal site. In current photofinishing systems, processing must be managed for both the film negative processing, as well as the photographic paper processing. 
     There has been suggested a fully automated interactive system for processing the photosensitive material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,351 discloses an un-manned, automated film processing system, which eliminates all human handling of the film once it is deposited by the customer. However, no attempt is made to minimize the amount of processing solution being used. Since the apparatus is un-manned, it is extremely difficult to control the amount of chemicals being used. In order to assure that the appropriate amount of processing solution is available for processing, excess amounts of replenishment solution is provided for processing, the extra being simply sent to waste. However, doing so unnecessarily increases the amount of effluent present. 
     The present invention provides a stand alone photofinishing apparatus which requires no plumbing hook-ups and minimizes the amount of fluid generated while continuing to provide a high quality print to be returned to the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a stand alone customer operated photofinishing apparatus. The apparatus includes a film receiving section for receiving and holding a film cartridge containing an undeveloped filmstrip therein from a customer, the filmstrip having at least one image. A customer order data entry station is provided for entering an order selection. The apparatus further includes a developing section for developing the filmstrip comprising at least one processing tank containing a processing solution for processing of the filmstrip, a scanner for scanning the developed filmstrip so as to obtain a digital record of the at least one image developed on the filmstrip, a printing section for dry printing the at least one image on the developed filmstrip using the digital record so as to produce at least one print, and a delivery section for returning the at least one print and the developed filmstrip to the customer. 
     In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a stand alone customer operated photofinishing apparatus. The apparatus includes a customer order data entry station for entering an order selection, a payment mechanism for accepting payment from the customer, an input port for receiving a digital record of the at least one image, a printing section for dry printing the at least one image using the digital record so as to produce at least one print, and a delivery section for returning the at least one print to the customer. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, there is illustrated an automated stand alone photofinishing apparatus  10  made in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a control panel  12  and a display device  14 . Control panel  12  includes data entry means for entering customer information data relating to the order being placed. In the particular embodiment illustrated, data entry means comprise a keyboard  15  having appropriate identified keys thereon. It is to be understood that the data entry means can be any type device desired. For example, but not byway of limitation, the data entry means may comprise a touch sensitive CRT screen or card reader for reading a customer ID order card, which could include customer photofinishing preferences. Control panel  12  also includes a payment mechanism  17  for accepting payment from a customer. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the payment mechanism is a credit card reader which includes a slot  20  for receipt of a credit card to the payment mechanism. A credit card can also be used to provide customer ID and other information, e.g., address. The payment mechanism may also be designed to receive cash payment, or any other form of acceptable payment. 
     A cartridge delivery opening  22  is provided for receiving a film cartridge of a predetermined type, or types. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the opening  22  is designed to receive a film cartridge of the thrust type, such as disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,306, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In these particular type film cartridges, the filmstrip can be thrust out of, or back into the cartridge by rotation of the spool. The trailing end of the film is detachably connected to the spool. 
     A CPU is provided for controlling operation of the apparatus and the various components therein. 
     A display device  14  is provided, which in the particular embodiment illustrated, is a video tube (CRT), for displaying instructional order information which is used by the customer for entering appropriate order information. The display device  14  can also be used for various other functions as described later herein, for example, but not byway of limitation, the display device  14  can be used to preview images developed by the photosensitive material prior to printing of the images, and used as a touch screen for customer order selections. 
     The cartridge delivery opening  22  is such that the film cartridge disposed therein will be forwarded to a processing unit wherein the film contained therein is developed. An example of the possible processing apparatus for processing the film is described in application U.S. Ser. No. 08/330,271; filed Oct. 27, 1994, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOSENSITIVE FILM, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,882, by Daniel M. Pagano, Richard B. Wheeler, and Kevin J. Klees, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application describes an apparatus capable of processing filmstrips without detaching the exposed filmstrip from the cartridge. Elimination of the detach/attach film procedure from the cartridge makes it possible for inclusion of a robust connection between the film and cartridge. This type film cartridge connection helps to insure the film can be readily withdrawn and returned to the cartridge in subsequent stages of image preparation and retrieval. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a schematic diagram of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a film processing section  30  wherein film that is placed through opening  22  is developed. The film processing section includes a cartridge receiving and storage section wherein film cartridges are stored for processing and are queued up so that each individual filmstrip will be subjected to the development process. Appropriate means is provided for removing the filmstrip from the cartridge for processing. In the embodiment illustrated, a thrust type film cartridge is used which simply requires opening of the light lock door and rotation of the cartridge spool which causes the filmstrip to be thrust out of the cartridge. The filmstrip can be detached from the spool in the manner described in application U.S. Ser. No. 08/098,112; filed Jul. 27, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,920, entitled A TOOL AND METHOD FOR DETACHING A TRAILING END PORTION OF A FILMSTRIP FROM AT LEAST ONE HOOK ATOP A RAMP ON A FILM SPOOL INSIDE A FILM CARTRIDGE, by Thomas C. Merle, Dale W. Ryan, and David L. Rowden, herein incorporated by reference, or retained on the cartridge as described in the application of Pagano, Wheeler and Klees previously referred to. The film from receiving storage section  32  goes to a first developing tank  34  and then to a stop tank  36  where the development process stops, and then to a fix tank  38  wherein a fixing solution is applied to the film and then the film is taken to a rinse section  40  where the film is rinsed. The tanks  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  are typical of those found in prior art type processors. After the film leaves tank  40 , it is passed by a scanner  42  whereby the film is scanned so as to capture the image that has been developed on the film. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the scanner  42  comprises the CCD (charged coupled device) array whereby the information scanned and converted into digital information is representative of the image scanned. This information is passed on to the print section  60  for printing as is discussed in detail later on herein. A processing solution filtration unit  44  and a processing waste storage unit  46  is provided for processing of the overflow from each of the processing tanks  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . The overflow waste solution is passed from tanks  34 ,  35 ,  38 ,  40  onto processing solution filtration unit  44  wherein particulate matter is removed. Additionally, if desired, appropriate ion exchange materials may be provided in unit  44  for removing undesired ions that may be present in the waste solution. Thereafter, the waste solution is passed from processing unit  44  on to distillation unit  48  wherein water is distilled therefrom, allowing fresh water to flow into tank  50  and the remaining residual material to be passed onto processing waste storage unit  46 . The distilled water produced by distillation unit  48  is held in tank  50  and is used in the recirculation system for replenishing of processing solution as typically done in prior art processors. Recovery of water flow by re-utilizing the overflow waste solution from the processing tanks eliminates the need for the processing section to be connected to fixed water supply and/or drain. This allows the apparatus  10  to be placed at locations where plumbing is not available for either supplying of water to the processing section, or for sending the waste material to drain. The residual waste stored in processing waste unit  46  is maintained there until it is serviced, at which time it is removed by an appropriate service technician. 
     The printing unit  60  includes a digital imaging electronics unit  62  whereby the information scanned by scanner  42  is used for printing. This information is manipulated in accordance with preprogrammed instructions provided by the computer  24 , and in accordance with any instructions provided by the customer through control panel  12 . The printing section is a dry printing-type process which does not require wet liquids in order to generate a print/image. This again avoids the necessity of being hooked up to plumbing and also eliminates any residual waste typically found in wet processing of photosensitive material. Once the appropriate digital images are captured by the scanner  42  and properly manipulated by digital electronics section  62 , prints may be formed by passing the digital information onto laser writer  54 , which images onto a photoconductor  64 . The printer, in the particular embodiment illustrated, is a color electrophotographic printer, thus there are provided four color toner stations  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, the toner station  66  is used to transfer cyan color toners; section  68  is used to transfer magenta color toners; section  70  is designed to transfer yellow color toners; and section  72  is designed to transfer black color images onto the photoconductor. The manner of writing digital images and using appropriate color images on the photoconductor is well known and is exemplified by the Kodak 1550 Color Copier. Once the images have been placed on the photoconductor  64 , an electrostatic transfer roller  72  is used to obtain the image therefrom and transfer it onto a paper  79 , originating from paper supply  73 . Once the images have been transferred onto the paper  79 , it is passed to cutter  74  wherein the appropriate prints are cut to the appropriate length. 
     It is, of course, to be understood that digital imaging electronics unit section  62  may manipulate the image in any desired format. For example, the image may be cropped, enlarged, color balanced, or manipulated in any other way which is typically provided by digital printing. 
     The developed film and prints are then forwarded to delivery section  80 , or directly to an initial storage section (not shown). When the film and prints are sent to the internal storage and delivery section each customer order is individually stored, thereby allowing the customer to return at any convenient time. The credit card that was initially used to place the order (or customer receipt received when the order was placed) can also be used to identify the stored customer order and deliver the prints and developed film to the customer upon presentation of the proper credit card and payment. If the customer wishes to have the order immediately dispensed, then the film and prints can be sent directly to the dispensing section where the order can be packaged and dispensed. 
     In addition, while in the preferred embodiment, initial images may be provided by film. The device can be made universal by providing electronic input port  90  designed to receive digital information representative of images from a variety of sources. For example, electronic port  90  may be designed to receive images from photo CDs, or digital cameras allowing the apparatus to make images from a variety of different sources without any additional modification. 
     The present invention provides a reproduction system which minimizes the amount of water consumption, and eliminates the need for dedicated plumbing, provides lower generation of effluents, and provides the ability to manipulate the images for reprints, enlargements, and various other image manipulation services. The device may be placed at remote locations and also provides the ability to import image data from various other electronic sources for printing of images. Further, since a dry printing process is used instead of a wet printing process, substantial amounts of time is saved, thus providing quicker processing time from when the print is sent to developing to outputting the print. This not only saves customer waiting time, it substantially improves the amount of processing that can be accomplished by the device. 
     It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, the present invention being defined by the claims that follow. 
     Parts List: 
       10  . . . apparatus 
       12  . . . control panel 
       14  . . . display device 
       15  . . . keyboard 
       17  . . . payment mechanism 
       20  . . . slot 
       22  . . . delivery opening 
       24  . . . computer 
       30  . . . processing section 
       32  . . . storage section 
       34  . . . developing tank 
       36  . . . stop tank 
       38  . . . fix tank 
       40  . . . rinse section 
       42  . . . scanner 
       44  . . . filtration unit 
       46  . . . waste storage unit 
       48  . . . distillation unit 
       50  . . . tank 
       54  . . . laser writer 
       60  . . . print section 
       62  . . . electronics unit 
       64  . . . photoconductor 
       66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72  . . . toner stations 
       73  . . . paper supply 
       74  . . . cutter 
       79  . . . paper 
       80  . . . delivery section 
       90  . . . input port