Patent Abstract:
An improved album leaf and system for displaying, storing and retrieving images. The album leaf comprises a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of images formed thereon, and an icon for identifying the images on the first side and the source from which the images originated. A binder may include a plurality of the album leaves having a plurality of retaining means, for example, pockets for holding items containing the original source from which the images displayed in the album leaf originated. A separate source retaining leaf may be provided having holding means for retaining the original source from which the images displayed on the album leaf originated.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to the field of storing and displaying print images, for identifying the source from which the images originated, and for storing the source of the original image. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Typically, consumers receive individual photographic prints from photofinishers and the film negative from which the prints were made. The film negatives may be provided in cut strips loosely with the prints, or may be provided in a film cassette having a cartridge ID if the prints were obtained from APS film (Advanced Photographic System, recently introduced). The loosely provided prints tend to make it difficult for the owners to store or view the prints. When prints provided from APS film are returned to the customer, index prints are also provided. The index print allows the identifying and locating of particular images returned in the APS film cartridge. This, of course, provides an added print at added cost to the photofinisher. 
   In U.S. Ser. No. 08/455,770, filed May 31, 1995, entitled “Dual Sides Photographic Album Leaf and Method of Making,” there is disclosed providing to the customer one or more album leaves containing the images on the roll of film. These leaves may be used to provide all of the service prints present on the negative filmstrip. However, it is difficult to relate the images on the album page to the individual negatives from the roll of film from which it originated. The customer must first sort through the separate index prints returned to the customer, which may not be conveniently located. 
   Applicants have invented an improved album page and system for displaying, storing and retrieving of images which overcomes many of the storing, displaying and retrieving problems of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an album leaf having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the first image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images, and a first icon formed thereon, the first icon individually identifying the source from which the plurality of images originated. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for displaying, storing and retrieving images, comprising: 
   an album leaf having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the first image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images, and a first icon formed thereon, the first icon individually identifying the source from which each of the plurality of images originated; and 
   a binder for containing a plurality of the album leaves, the album having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the original source of the images contained in the album leaf. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for displaying, storing and retrieving images, comprising: 
   an album leaf having a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of images and an icon formed thereon, the icon for individually identifying the first source from which the at least each of the plurality of images originated; 
   a binder for containing a plurality of the album leaves; and
         a retaining album leaf having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the original source of the images contained in the album leaf.       

   In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a source retaining album leaf for placement in a binder having at least one album leaf placed therein, the album leaf having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the first image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images and a first icon formed thereon, the first icon individually identifying the first source from which each of the plurality of images on the first side originated, the source retaining album leaf having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the original source of the images contained in the album leaf. 
   In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an image-bearing media having a first side having a first image retaining section the first image retaining section of the first side having a plurality of images and a fist icon formed thereon, said first icon individually identifying the source from which each of the plurality of images originated. 
   In still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for displaying, storing and retrieving images, comprising: 
   an image-bearing media having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images formed on the first side originating from a first source and an icon also formed on the first side for individually identifying the source from which each of the plurality of images originated; and 
   a binder for containing the album leaf, the album having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the first source of the images contained in the album leaf. 
   The above, and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG  1  is a front elevational view of an album leaf made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a back elevational view of the album leaf of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sheet of photographic material illustrating how the album leaf of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be formed; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a photographic album containing a plurality of album leaves made in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an album leaf for holding a plurality of film cartridges, each containing a strip of photographic film. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or in cooperation more directly with, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is illustrated an album leaf  10  made in accordance with the present invention. The leaf  10  includes a first side  12  and a second side  14 . The first side  12  includes a plurality of images  15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19  and the second side includes a plurality of images  21 , 22 , 23 , 23 , 25 . Also provided in the preferred embodiment is a plurality of holes  28  in a margin area  29 , which can be used for mounting of the leaf in an album. The width d of margin area  29  may be of any desired size. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the width d is about one inch (2.54 cm). 
   As can be seen by  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the various size images are composed so as to substantially fill the space on each side  12 , 14 . Also, as illustrated, various combinations and sizes of prints may be placed together. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the images  15 , 16 , 18 , 19  are similar in size and whereas image  17  is of a substantially different size format, such as the C, H, and P formats of the Advanced Photo System. It is to be understood that any desired size images and/or number of images may be provided on either of sides  12 , 14 . The images have been either automatically composed by the printing device, or printed in accordance with customer instructions. This can be done by optical printers such as the Kodak S-Series Printer, which prints multiple images on a single web of photosensitive paper. Alternatively, digital printers, such as the Kodak PCD 600 CRT Printer and the Kodak HLT-7720 Continuous Tone Digital Printer, can be used which allows for free form formatting of the images. It is, of course, understood that other type printers, such as laser, thermal, ink jet, or electrophotographic printers, may be used as desired. In the embodiment illustrated, images  15 , 16 , 18 , 19  each have a size of about 3-½ inches×4-⅞ inches, and image  17  is equivalent to a panoramic-type image, which have a size of approximately 3-½ inches×9-¾ inches. Likewise, on the second side  14 , images  21 , 22 , 23 , 24  are substantially equal size, whereas image  25  is of a substantially greater size. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a sheet  30  made of an image-bearing media. In the embodiment illustrated, sheet  30  is a photosensitive material. In particular, the photosensitive material is photographic paper, which has an image forming side  32  and a backside  34 . As is typical with photosensitive material, the image forming side  32  includes an emulsion layer  33  upon which an image can be formed. The backside of the material merely provides the supporting substrate for holding of the emulsion layer. The sheet  30  has a thickness t. The thickness t may be any thickness desired. Preferably, the thickness t is minimal so that the album page will not be too thick, yet provide the desired rigidity. Generally the thickness t will be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the thickness t is approximately 0.2 mm. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , images  15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25  have been formed on the image forming side  32  of sheet  30  by an appropriate printer, such as previously described. The images  15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19  have been composed into a first image retaining section  36 , whereas images  21 , 22 , 23 , 23 , 25  have been composed onto a second image retaining section  38 . These image retaining sections  36 , 38  may be sized and configured as desired. Preferably, the image retaining sections  36 , 38  are designed so as to correspond to the first and second sides  12 , 14  of leaf  10 , respectively. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a space  43  having a width d 1  is provided between first and second image retaining sections  36 , 38 . Also, as preferably illustrated, a fold line  40  about which the sheet  30  is folded is provided in space  43 . The width d 1  may be any desired size. In the embodiment illustrated, width d 1  is about 1.0 inches (2.54 cm). The fold line  40  is preferably located such that the first image section  36  and second image section  38  are substantially co-extensive with each other. As illustrated, lateral edge portions  42 , 44  are disposed adjacent first and second image sections  36 , 38 , respectively, and placed adjacent each other so as to form the margin area  29  when sheet  30  is folded. 
   The images sent to the digital printer may be obtained by any desired manner. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a digital printer such as the Kodak PCD-600 CRT Printer, is used so that free form formatting can be easily obtained in accordance with instructions provided by the consumer. The digital data information is representative of the images and can be obtained by scanning original images, either in the form of prints or negatives as is customarily done in the prior art. However, the digital data information may not be limited to images. The digital data information may also contain other information such as text, or the logos, images, etc., which can be added to the scanned data. Also the digital data may be obtained in any desired manner, for example, by computers or other devices which contains digital files such as CDs or from data contained in the magnetics on film. A digital record is formed from the scanned information and any other digital information provided. This digital record is then composed into first and second digital sub-records. The first and second digital sub-records are used to print images in the first and second image retaining sections  36 , 38 , which will correspond to the sides  12 , 14  of the leaf  10 . It is, of course, understood that the images may be composed in any desired manner. Additionally, any text or other information provided, or manipulation of the data, may be conducted as desired. For example, but not by way of limitation, text, logos, or other images, could be added to the scanned images. Once the appropriate digital records have been formed, printing by the printer can then be performed whereby the images and other text/images present in the digital records are appropriately printed on the photosensitive material. The developed photosensitive material is then taken from the printer where thereafter it is formed into the leaf  10 . 
   Developed photographic material is folded in a manner such that the backsides are brought back against each other and an appropriate adhesive is applied therebetween for securely holding the folded sections together. It is to be understood that the formation of the album leaf may take place in any appropriate manner. U.S. Ser. No. 08/455,770, filed May 31, 1995, entitled “Dual Sides Photographic Album Leaf and Method of Making,” provides further details by which the leaf may be formed and which hereby is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , icons (reference indicia)  50 , 52 , 54  are provided for identifying each of the images ( 15 - 25 ) and the source from which the images originate. In particular, referring to icon  50 , it comprises a plurality of silhouettes (an outline representation of the edges) of the actual images  15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19  provided on the first side  12 . Additionally, the icons may be composed of thumbnail (miniature) image representations of the actual images. In particular, there are provided silhouettes  55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , each of which refer to the location of its respective images  15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 . In the embodiment illustrated, the source of the images is a filmstrip contained in a film cartridge having a cartridge ID number. The icon  50  includes an origination (source) identification  60  (ID) for identifying the source of the images. In the embodiment illustrated, the origination ID  60  is the film cartridge ID, which contains the film negative from which the images have been made. This information can be obtained by a variety of sources as previously discussed. For example, when a customer order is received by a photofinisher for printing by the photofinisher, the cartridge ID (which represents the origination ID in this case) may be manually entered into the computer controlling scanning and printing, or can be machine read by any appropriate device for reading such number. Thus, the information relating to the origination of the images may be obtained in any manner desired. 
   In each of the silhouettes  55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59  there is provided an image ID  61 . In the embodiment illustrated, the image ID  61  identifies the location of the image on the source, which in the present embodiment is a filmstrip provided within the film cartridge. In the embodiment illustrated, the numeral represents the frame number on the filmstrip and the letters represent the format of the image; PAN represents a Panoramic format, CLS represents a classic format, and HD represents a portrait format. Thus, each of the images can be quickly related to a location on the filmstrip contained within a particular film cartridge from which the images originated and its current format. It is, of course, to be understood that any other identification location system may be provided as desired having any desired number of formats. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated the second side  14 , which has two icons  64 , 65 , each having silhouettes of the images provided on the page. However, since some of the images originated from different sources, each of the icons are associated with a different source. Thus, icon  64  provides a cartridge ID  68  from which the images  21 , 24  originated, whereas icon  66  includes a cartridge ID  70  from which images  22 , 23 , 25  originated. In the particular embodiment illustrated, it can be seen that different icons are provided for identifying different sources. It is, of course, to be understood that various other systems may be utilized for identifying different sources for each of the images. For example, the cartridge ID could be somehow provided in each of the image silhouettes, which correspond to the images on that side of the album leaf. 
   As previously noted, there are provided a plurality of holes  28  in the margin area  29 , which can allow the placement of the album leaf in a loose-leaf binder allowing the individual album leaves to be inserted or removed as desired. It is understood that any other type binder or holder may be used for holding the leaves through the holes  28  or any other binding system may be utilized for holding the leaves. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a loose-leaf notebook  72  containing a front cover  74  and a back cover  76  having a plurality of rings  87  for holding of the album containing a plurality of album leaves  10 . The rings pass through holes  28  provided in the leaves  10 . The back cover  76  contains means for holding a plurality of film cartridges  79 , each containing a filmstrip of the images provided in the leaves. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the back cover  76  is provided with a plurality of pockets  84 , each designed to hold an individual film cartridge such that the cartridge ID provided on the cartridge will be visible when that portion of the loose-leaf binder is revealed. Thus, if an individual is viewing the images on the album leaves and is interested in finding the original source reproduction, or for any other purpose, the individual simply opens up to the back and quickly locates the cartridge containing the image of interest. 
   It is, of course, understood that the cartridges are not required to be held in the magazine, but may be provided in a separate container wherein the cartridge IDs may be exposed or somehow otherwise written on a label placed on the back of the container. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a leaf  80  in notebook  72 , identical numerals representing like parts previously discussed, for holding a plurality of film cartridges  79  that may be placed within the notebook  72 . The leaf  80  includes a plurality of holes  28 , which align with the appropriate rings  78  in the binder  72  and is further provided with a plurality of pockets, each designed to receive a film cartridge. Preferably, the pockets  88  are designed such that the film cartridges  79  may be snapped in and snapped out as desired. This allows the owner of the album to either place the cartridges directly with the images, or if so desired, place them in a separate or different location from the images. Preferably, as illustrated, the pockets  88  are designed so that the cartridge ID  90  would be visible. 
   It is to be understood that the retaining means for holding the cartridges may be in any appropriate manner in the leaf or binder, for example, but not by way of limitation, snaps, use of Velcro™, or any other securing means that allows securing and removing of the film cartridge that is currently available, or may become available. 
   While the image-bearing media in the preferred embodiment illustrated is photographic media, the present invention is not so limited, for example, but not by way of limitation, images formed by laser printers and digital thermal printers can be used to print the images on the image-bearing media. 
   In the particular embodiment illustrated, the source of the image was a filmstrip contained in a film cartridge, however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, but not by way of limitation, the source of the image may be a photo CD, computer disc, or transmitted from a digital memory source such as PC or other digital memory device. Appropriate source ID may be provided for each of the foregoing sources. 
   The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention. 
   PARTS LIST 
   
       
         10  Album leaf 
         12  First side 
         14  Second side 
         15  Image 
         16  Image 
         17  Image 
         18  Image 
         19  Image 
         21  Image 
         22  Image 
         23  Image 
         24  Image 
         25  Image 
         28  Holes 
         29  Margin area 
         30  Sheet 
         32  Image forming side 
         33  Emulsion layer 
         34  Backside 
         36  First image retaining section 
         38  Second image retaining section 
         40  Fold line 
         42  Lateral edge portion 
         43  Space 
         44  Lateral edge portion 
         50  Icon 
         52  Icon 
         54  Icon 
         55  Silhouettes 
         56  Silhouettes 
         57  Silhouettes 
         58  Silhouettes 
         59  Silhouettes 
         60  Origination identification 
         61  Image ID 
         64  Icon 
         65  Icon 
         66  Icon 
         68  Cartridge ID 
         70  Cartridge ID 
         72  Loose-leaf notebook 
         74  Front cover 
         76  Back cover 
         78  Rings 
         79  Film cartridges 
         80  Leaf 
         84  Pockets 
         87  Rings 
         88  Pockets 
         90  Cartridge ID

Technology Classification (CPC): 1