Photography – With data recording – Data for control of subsequent processing of film
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-22
2001-04-03
Gray, David M. (Department: 2851)
Photography
With data recording
Data for control of subsequent processing of film
C396S322000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212337
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to photography, and in particular to a means by which user expose images on a photographic film can be readily combined with other images such as preselected image perimeters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In modern photography, a user typically purchases an unexposed photographic filmstrip at a point of sale, loads it into a camera, and exposes one or more images onto the filmstrip. When the filmstrip has been completely exposed, the user provides the exposed filmstrip to a service facility (such as a retail outlet) where it is chemically developed to provide the images in an essentially fixed, unalterable form. These images are usually printed at the service facility by an optical printer to provide the user with one or more positive prints of each user exposed image. So called digital processing labs have also previously been disclosed in which, following developing, the user images on the filmstrip are scanned to obtain corresponding image signals (typically digital image signals), which can then be processed as desired. The positive prints can then be directly printed from the resulting image signal using any known type of printers, such as laser printers, inkjet or thermal dye transfer printers. Such digital processing labs offer advantages including the ability to digitally enhance or correct user images, and to additionally provide the user image on a digital storage medium or transmit it to remote locations. Data used in controlling developing or processing conditions (such as print exposure or print size) can be provided from optical or magnetic codes on the film. Such techniques are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,204,707, 4,678,299, 5,006,878, 5,151,726, 5,319,403 and 5,404,196.
It has been previously known to combine user images with other images. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,453 describes a method to pre-expose a portion of an image frame of a filmstrip. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,187,512 and 5,613,165 disclose arrangements for pre-exposing all user image frames of a filmstrip with a single object such as a perimeter. During such pre-exposure a mask is provided to prevent exposure of a portion of each image frame which will be exposed by the user. A complementary mask is provided in the camera in which a user exposes such a filmstrip to prevent the pre-exposed border from again being exposed by the user. Thus, for example, a user can obtain all his images with a border with a holiday or other occasion theme, which is predetermined by the film manufacturer. Such techniques though, require masking during the pre-exposure step and in the camera during exposure of user images, and it is necessary to ensure proper alignment of each pre-exposed region with the camera mask. Further, the same single pre-exposed object will appear in all the user images. This limits the user's choices to either buying such a pre-exposed film or a regular film, after which point the choice is irrevocable.
There has recently been introduced a camera system known as the Advanced Photo System (“APS”). In this system, a transparent magnetic layer on the film records data such as the type described in the above patents. A code can also be recorded which indicates to a developer that the final print desired by the user is in one of three formats namely, HDTV, conventional, or panoramic (H, L, or P, respectively). The developer crops and enlarges the image during printing accordingly. If a standard pre-exposed border was provided for all image frames as in the above described systems, this would result in some printed images having the border cut-off depending upon where the image is cropped.
It would be desirable then, to provide a means by which a user could form a combined image from a user exposed image and another image (such as an image perimeter), without the need for masks during pre-exposure or in the camera. It would further be desirable that the user can select among different ones of other images with which user exposed images can be combined.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention then, provides a method for processing images on a filmstrip where a second image with which a user may desire to combine with a user exposed image, is provided on a section of the filmstrip different from that occupied by user exposed images. User images to be combined with a second image are identified (such as by means of an associated code) and the combined image is formed at the service facility. An apparatus which can execute methods of the present invention, and a film assemblage for use in such a method, as well as a method for forming a combined image, are further provided.
In particular, in one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a combined image from a filmstrip carrying a plurality of user exposed first images and second image information defining a second image. The method comprises identifying a user exposed image associated with a predetermined designation for referencing the second image. A combined image is formed from the user image so identified, and the second image.
Another aspect of the method of the present invention comprises identifying a user exposed image associated with a predetermined designation for referencing the second image. The user exposed image associated with the designation is scanned to obtain a resulting scanned image signal. The second image information is read from the filmstrip to obtain a second image signal. A combined image is formed from the resulting scanned image signal and the read second image.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the method provides for forming a combined image from a filmstrip carrying a plurality of user exposed first images, second image information defining a plurality of different second images, and predetermined different designations associated with different ones of the user exposed images for referencing respective different second images. In this aspect, the user exposed images associated with the predetermined designations and the respective different second images referenced by the designations, are determined. The user exposed images associated with the designations are scanned to obtain resulting user image signals. The second image information is read from the filmstrip. For each of the user images associated with a designation, a combined image is formed from the user image signal and the second image referenced by the designation associated with that user image.
An apparatus of the present invention comprises, in one aspect a code reader to read a predetermined designation associated with a user exposed image. A scanner is provided which scans the user exposed image associated with the designation to obtain a user image signal. An information reader which may be the same or different from the scanner, reads the second image information from the filmstrip to obtain a second image signal. An image processor, in response to an output of the code reader indicating a predetermined designation associated with a user image, forms a combined image from the corresponding user image signal and the second image signal.
The present invention further provides a method of capturing an image in a camera for forming into a combined image. The method uses a photographic film loaded in the camera, which film has an unexposed first region encompassing a first lengthwise extending section of the filmstrip. A second region is provided on the filmstrip which is displaced lengthwise along the filmstrip from the first region and which carries second image information recorded on the film before having been loaded in the camera. This second image information defines a second image comprising an image perimeter. The method using such film, comprises exposing an image on the first region as a user exposed image. A predetermined designation for referencing the second image, is recorded on the filmstrip in association with user exposed image.
In one aspect of an undeveloped filmstrip of the present invention, the filmstrip comprises an unexpose
Fiscella Marcello D.
Petruchik Dwight J.
Eastman Kodak Company
Gray David M.
Novais David A.
Stewart Gordon M.
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