Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-12
2003-06-03
Rutledge, D (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
C355S027000, C355S040000, C355S041000, C355S077000, C101S248000, C709S241000, C709S241000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06572284
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to photo minilabs. More specifically, the present invention relates to queue management for photo minilabs.
Photo minilabs offer quality processing of camera film with a quick turnaround. Customers drop off rolls of film at photo minilabs, and usually pick up prints the same day.
Many photo minilabs promise a one-hour turnaround. However, a photo minilab might break that promise if it has a large backlog of jobs. Broken promises can leave customers angry. The broken promises are also costly to photo minilabs that give partial refunds or discounts to customers whose jobs aren't completed within the promised time.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention, a photo minilab includes a computer or other device for estimating processing times of jobs accepted by the minilab. This device gives customers a better estimate of when their prints will be ready for pick-up. The device also reduces the likelihood that promises will be broken and it reduces the costs associated with those broken promises.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4839829 (1989-06-01), Freedman
patent: 5036361 (1991-07-01), Filion et al.
patent: 5291420 (1994-03-01), Matsumoto et al.
patent: 5907391 (1999-05-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5974401 (1999-10-01), Enomoto et al.
patent: 6147742 (2000-11-01), Bell et al.
patent: 1061722 (2000-12-01), None
patent: 11-31158 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 2001-209738 (2001-08-01), None
Hewlett--Packard Development Company, L.P.
Rutledge D
LandOfFree
Queue management for photo minilabs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Queue management for photo minilabs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Queue management for photo minilabs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3111563