Photocopying – Projection printing and copying cameras – With developing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-10
2001-01-09
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Photocopying
Projection printing and copying cameras
With developing
C355S072000, C396S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172735
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for printing images on a photosensitive media utilizing a printer wherein the media is contained in a light-tight film pack. The film pack includes a perforated flap which allows the film pack to be easily opened within the printer to provide access to the media.
Digital imaging applications in which photographic quality images can be downloaded to a printer and reproduced are becoming increasingly popular. For instance, Kodak Corporation provides a service in which films and negatives can be placed on photo CD discs and photo CD access software allows the user to load the images into the personal computer memory, view the images, edit the displayed image by cropping or changing the size, color settings and orientation, and copy the original or edited image as a bitmap. In addition, electronic digital cameras are commercially available which photograph an image and store it in a digital memory, such as a random access memory instead of on film. Then these stored images can be downloaded from the camera to a personal computer for viewing and editing in a manner analogous to the photo CD images discussed above. Still another application, personal computers are now available with television cards. With a TV card, the user can download images directly from the television network or from a video recorder for viewing and editing.
A printer having capabilities for printing images downloaded from a video or personal computer and which fits within a personal computer is described in commonly assigned copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/470,921 filed Jun. 6, 1995 corresponding to International Publication No. W096/39301. Such a printer is housed in the accessible disc drive bay. The printer includes a print head, access opening for a media supply cartridge, a communication port for receiving print signals and image information, and a media conveyor for transporting the media through the printer and dispensing or ejecting the media from the printer. Preferably, the printer also includes a developer such as a pressure head or pressure roller or a means to heat the media.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method for printing photographic quality images downloaded to a printer, the method comprising:
providing a light-tight film pack containing photosensitive imaging media, the film pack having a severable line on a face thereof which defines a flap, the flap providing access to the media when the flap is opened;
providing a cartridge of a size and shape to fit into a cartridge-access opening in the printer, the cartridge comprising a tray for accepting the film pack;
inserting the film pack into the cartridge;
inserting the cartridge containing the film pack into the cartridge-access opening in the printer;
severing the film pack along the severable line to free the flap;
opening the flap to access the media;
advancing the media into said printer; and
exposing and developing the media to provide a photographic quality print.
The film used in the printer is stored in a film pack to prevent extraneous light from inadvertently exposing the film. The film pack is sealed and includes a severable line in the shape of a flap at one end of the film pack. The film pack is placed in a media cartridge which is inserted into the printer. The printer includes a means such as a pick up wheel for separating the flap from the film pack along the severable line in order to open the film pack and expose the film.
The film pack useful in carrying out the present invention comprises a first face and a second face located in generally parallel planes, wherein the two faces are sealed together along at least one and preferably two of their peripheral edges to form a light-tight cavity within the film pack. The two faces of the film pack are preferably sealed together along the peripheral edges which define the two sides of the film pack or the two ends of the film pack. The film pack further comprises a flap at one end of the film pack which can be easily opened along a severable line to provide access to photosensitive media contained inside the sealed film pack. The film pack is inserted into a cartridge which comprises a tray for accepting the film pack, and a cover having a media access opening. The cover can be a separate unit which securely fits the top of the tray or it can be an integral part of the tray provided that the opening in the cover is sufficiently large enough to permit the film pack to be inserted through the hole and into the tray. In accordance with the invention, the film pack is designed with a severable line extending laterally across a face of the film pack and toward the end of the film pack to form the outline of a flap. The severable line allow the flap to be easily severed and opened after the assembly has been inserted into the printer, thereby preventing any exposure of the media to extraneous light.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2310371 (1943-02-01), Lines et al.
patent: 3618752 (1971-11-01), Barker et al.
patent: 3968926 (1976-07-01), Smolderen et al.
patent: 3986609 (1976-10-01), Marsh et al.
patent: 4058823 (1977-11-01), Mitchell et al.
patent: 4571140 (1986-02-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 4720011 (1988-01-01), Canamero
patent: 4727391 (1988-02-01), Tajima et al.
patent: 4821876 (1989-04-01), Naito et al.
patent: 4860042 (1989-08-01), Tajima et al.
patent: 5008694 (1991-04-01), Tajima et al.
patent: 5019848 (1991-05-01), Koelsch et al.
patent: 5019849 (1991-05-01), Harrison
patent: 5048686 (1991-09-01), Kausch et al.
patent: 5055869 (1991-10-01), DiPietro
patent: 5130731 (1992-07-01), Larsen et al.
patent: 5156331 (1992-10-01), Pirre
patent: 5178278 (1993-01-01), Oliverius
patent: 5251755 (1993-10-01), Kausch
patent: 5295578 (1994-03-01), Neidospial, Jr. et al.
patent: 5377835 (1995-01-01), Cornelissen et al.
patent: 5477310 (1995-12-01), Lamb, Jr. et al.
patent: 5501415 (1996-03-01), Harris et al.
patent: 5879003 (1999-03-01), Kovach et al.
patent: 546332 (1956-09-01), None
patent: 539931A1 (1993-05-01), None
patent: 1123254 (1956-09-01), None
patent: 873882 (1961-08-01), None
patent: 3212375 (1991-09-01), None
patent: WO921504 (1992-09-01), None
Camillus Joseph C.
Yamada Morihiko
Adams Russell
Cycolor, Inc.
Kim Peter B.
Thompson Hine & Flory LLP
LandOfFree
Method for printing images using a film pack having a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for printing images using a film pack having a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for printing images using a film pack having a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2500741