Backprinting image prints

Details Backprinting image prints Backprinting image prints

1999-11-29

2003-11-11

Coles, Edward (Department: 2624)

Facsimile and static presentation processing

Static presentation processing

Emulation or plural modes

C358S487000, C358S296000, C358S302000, C358S305000, C358S001100, C358S001900, C358S502000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06646754

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This application relates to printing images, for example, digital and/or physical copies of images.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, conventional photo-finishing processes operate in a “linear” manner in which an ordered set of prints are produced from a linear, ordered set of negative images (i.e., a strip of exposed and developed film). For example, in a conventional photo-finishing process, a set of negative images are developed from an exposed film. Typically, the negative images are arranged on the developed film (referred to as a “negative”) in an ordered, linear set. For example, a negative
130
is shown in
FIG. 1
with a set of negative images
132
arranged sequentially on the film. After the negative has been produced in the developing step, prints are printed using the negative.
Modern film-processing laboratories are designed to process large reels of film. Each large reel of film is constructed by splicing together several (e.g., around 100 or more) units of film that are received from several customers. Conventional automated printing equipment, however, typically can only associate one set of processing parameters (such as finish, size, and number of copies) with each reel of film that is being processed. As a result, each print produced from the same reel of film is produced with the same processing parameters. For example, as shown in
FIG. 1
, such conventional automated printing equipment can produce a set
134
of prints in which each print in the set
134
is intended for the same recipient
136
and is printed once as a 4″×6″ print with a glossy finish. In a separate processing run in which different processing parameters are entered (e.g., in a subsequent pass of the same reel of film through the automated printing equipment), a second set
138
of prints can be produced from the negative
130
in which each print in the set
138
is intended for the same recipient
140
and is printed three times as a 4″×6″ print with a matte finish. In yet another separate processing run in which different processing parameters are entered, a third set
142
of prints can be produced from the negative
130
in which each print in the set
142
is intended for the same recipient
144
and is printed once as a 5″×7″ print with a glossy finish.
Because conventional automated photo-finishing equipment and techniques typically require that each print produced from the same film be produced with the same processing parameters, conventional film-processing labs typically require their customers to choose a single set of processing parameters that will be applied to all the prints to be generated from a given unit of film. In other words, although conventional photo-processing labs allow customers to order “double prints” (i.e., two copies of each image on a unit of film), the customers typically are not able to specify separate processing parameters for the two sets of prints. For example, the customer is not able to specify that one of the sets of prints is to be printed as 4″×6″, glossy prints for the customer's parents and that the other set of prints is to be printed as 5″×7″, matte prints for the customer. Instead, the customer typically only can specify one set of processing parameters for both sets of prints (e.g., 4″×6″, glossy prints for the customer). Also, customers typically are not allowed to specify processing parameters on a per-image basis (e.g., customers cannot select certain images to be printed twice while the rest of the images in the unit of film are to be printed once or not all). Therefore, if a customer would like to get two prints of certain images within a unit of film, the customer typically has to order two prints of every image in the unit of film. Likewise, the customer typically is unable to specify that only certain images in the unit of film are to be printed; instead, the customer will have to order, and pay for, prints of all the images in a given unit of film.
Moreover, information about the images in a given reel of film (e.g., processing parameters, which customer is associated with a particular group of images, etc.) typically is not indicated on the negative film itself. Thus, a technician in the lab cannot detect errors (e.g., the use of incorrect processing parameters, the association of an incorrect customer with a group of images, etc.) using only the film; instead, other ways of keeping track of such information must be used. Typically, bar codes or other records are kept with each reel of film during processing to indicate which customer's order is associated with that reel. For example, the tape that is used to splice a unit of film onto the reel of film typically includes a bar code that is used to associate a customer with the unit of film. Also, typically these bar codes or other records must be maintained in a precise order so that the prints produced from the reel of film can be associated with the proper customer. If the bar codes or other records are misplaced or somehow get out of order, the prints produced from the reel of film may be associated with the incorrect customer.
After the film has been developed and the prints have been printed, the negatives are cut into strips, typically from about 5 to 7 inches in length, and are returned to the customer along with the prints. If the user wishes to have additional prints (often referred to as “reprints”) made, the customer can take the strips of negatives to a photo-finishing lab and request that particular reprints be made from the negative strips. Typically, when ordering reprints, the customer can specify some of the processing parameters (e.g., finish, number of copies, and size) on a per-image basis. However, typically all reprints ordered from a single set of negative strips must be intended for the same recipient (i.e., the customer ordering the reprints). Also, many customers find it inconvenient to keep track of all of their negatives; indeed, customers often lose the negative strips.
Typically, after receiving negative strips from a customer, a lab technician tapes the negative strips to a punch tape, which acts as a carrier for the negative strips. The technician must manually identify each negative image in the negative strip from which a reprint is to be created and punch a set of punches in the punch tape next to each of the identified negative images specifying the particular processing parameters designated by the customer. The punch tape (with the negative strips taped to it) then is run through reprint equipment, which produces the specified prints based on the punches. Such conventional processes used by labs to create reprints from negative strips, however, are labor intensive and prone to error.
One increasingly popular alternative to conventional, film-based photography is digital photography. A digital camera
108
, shown in
FIG. 2
, enables users to take pictures (i.e., images), which are saved in memory (not shown) within the digital camera
108
in a digital (electronic) format. After taking and storing the images, the user can connect the digital camera
108
to a computer system
100
in order to upload the digital images to the computer's disk drive or other non-volatile memory
110
. Once the digital images are uploaded to the computer system
100
, the user can erase the digital images from the memory of the digital camera
108
so that the user can take and store additional images using the digital camera
108
.
The computer system
100
typically includes a hardware setup for executing software that allows a user to perform tasks such as communicating with other computer users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content—that is, any combination of text, images, movies, music or other sounds, animations, 3D virtual worlds, and links to other objects. The system includes various input/output (I/O) devices (mouse
103
, keyboard
105
, display
10

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