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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an apparatus and process intended to be used with
commercial photography and photo processing systems and equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
After the development and perfection of the commercial photographic
processes, these processes have become a thriving business, and a great
deal of effort and attention are directed toward mass commercial
photographic endeavors, such as the individual photographs of an entire
grammar school or high school population on an annual basis, coloquially
referred to as "school pictures", the photographing of all of the members
of a large organization, an athletic team, for example, or the employees
of a large corporation.
This commercial photography task is subject to substantial error, largely
as a result of mistakes made by the human operators in the process chain.
Typically, the individual thinks of placing a single roll of film of
perhaps 12 to 36 exposures in an individual camera, and taking one or two
dozen photographs of various objects or persons, usually well known to the
photographer. This film is then presented to a commercial processing
outlet for developing and printing, or, not infrequently, the photographic
enthusiast is equipped with his own developing facilities at home. The
finished prints are then viewed by the photographer. Typically, the prints
are all of the same size, and individuals tend to be forgiving of the
composition and color deficiencies of their own home photography.
The commercial application of the photographic process is on the extreme
opposite of the spectrum. Being a competitive business, there is very
little margin for additional overhead costs, and time is of the essence.
In addition, a single photographer may photograph several hundred subjects
as part of a single project. Moreover, each individual subject generally
expects to be offered a variety of choices for his final purchase. For
example, using the typical grammar school pictures as an example, the
parent of the student being photographed may be offered the opportunity to
purchase a single 8".times.10" copy of the photograph, a combination of
one 8".times.10" and two 5".times.7" photographs, or perhaps a collection
of one large photograph and several wallet sized photographs. The
necessity of offering to the customer a choice creates significant
problems of matching a particular subject with that subject's actual
photographic order at the time the photographic negatives are turned into
prints.
A second significant problem with the commercial process is the control of
the overall quality of the colors and hues. Typically, a commercial
photographer will take into consideration, in the photographic process,
the color of the background against which the subject is photographed, the
tone of the subject's skin, as well as the color of the subject's eyes,
hair and clothing. Information regarding this combination of color factors
is helpful to the commercial processing of the commercial photograph, to
obtain a true and accurate reproduction of the subject's appearance.
Generally, because of the low cost and high volume maintained in large
group pictures, the color balance factors are often somewhat disregarded.
It simply is not cost effective to do otherwise.
Typically, once the photographer has exposed his film, there may be several
hundred individual frames of subjects on a single roll. This may include
duplicates of a single subject, where the photographer is not satisfied
with the first or second exposures, for example, where the subject may
have closed his eyes at the moment the photographs is taken, or where the
photographer, after the photograph, notices a potential distracting
feature about the subject's clothing, or the background. In the typical
process, the film is developed in an entire roll, and placed in a
commercial production printing machine. In this printing machine, the
film's images are projected for an operator onto a screen, where the
operator manually correlates written information about the subject and his
or her order with the exposed frames. The operator selects the appropriate
exposure for the subject, confirms the type of order which the subject has
placed for prints, and enters the order information into a console. At the
same time, the operator may or may not make color corrections. Once the
decisions regarding the order and color balance have been made by the
operator, the commercial printing machine automatically exposes the
photographic paper from the film, in the number and sequence of
photographs called for in the order. Again, this process is done on a
large scale basis, with a continuous roll of photographic paper being
developed and containing hundreds of images to be developed.
The exposed photographic paper is then presented for darkroom processing in
an automated fashion.
As a final step, the orders are separated by a cutter, again based on a
manual correlation of the order information with a visual examination of
the print.
Although the above process operates satisfactorily, it is fraught with
potential for error. Typically, the major problem is mistake in the
coordination of the order placed by the customer, with the actual
customer. Customer A, for example, orders a single 8".times.10" glossy,
and receives two 5".times.7"s instead, while customer B receives customer
A's order. It is apparent that the operator cannot, by recognition,
connect up the names on a written order sheet with the photograph of an
unknown subject.
To avoid this difficulty, commercial photography concerns have generally
followed one of two basic methods. In method number 1, a card is prepared
for each subject, and photographed along with the subject. The card
contains identifying and order information. In order for this method to
work properly, the information must be written clearly on the identifying
card, and in extremely high contrast ink. The actual negative from which
the negative photograph is developed is quite small, and the characters in
the negative image would appear only one-eighth of an inch high on a very
low contrast background. Also, if the card is mis-positioned, some of the
data on it may be unreadable. In an alternate method, an identifier unit
is placed in the camera, which contains automated visual images which are
projected onto the film, as an improvement over the manually held card.
However, if the identifier mechanism fails to fire, the order for the
subject will be lost. In the event of a failure of the film advance or
double exposure, the data may be unreadable or superimposed on another
photograph. The photographer must remember when to change the
identification card and order code for each subject.
In a second method to avoid the problem, a single identifying slate is
photographed identifying the "batch" of subjects being photographed. The
photographer then keeps a list of the frames and orders, in a particular
order, starting from the first identifying slate.
This method does not permit any interruption of the order in which the
photographs are taken, and no changes whatsoever may be made. In school
settings, in particular, this can be a very trying situation where
students may be absent, change places in line and so forth. Any
interruption in the sequence of the customers, causes a complete
interruption in the sequence of all subsequent orders. Also, a failure to
properly expose the slate frame is disastrous. Efforts have been made to
encode information on film, and to transfer that data to the commercial
processing environment, but with only limited success. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,490,844, issued to H. B. Sapp discloses a method of encoding on
the film and indicium designating a select portion of a film negative from
which a print is desired. However, this indicium contains no exposure
information, nor is there any method for modifying the data encoded on the
film after its exposure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,286, issued to David L. Carr discloses a photographic
film containing a magnetic recording hub. Again, no method for externally
reading or modifying the data is disclosed, likewise, the magnetic
recording medium is not reusable, nor is there any method disclosed for
editing the information in regard to viewing of the developed negative and
print.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,046 contains no removable media, but requires an
interface directed to the camera. Likewise, the only output of information
from Weinstein is to a printed paper tape.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,692 issued to Wahli includes no means for modification
of the film data.
To avoid these problems, and establish a positive method of identifying
each subject and each subject's order, the invention described herein
establishes a vastly improved system for identifying the customer and his
order, as well as allowing for color correction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a new apparatus and method of
correlating and processing photographic orders in a photographic setting.
Another object of this invention is to provide an automated method of entry
of order information and transferring said information to the automated
printing process.
It is a further object of this invention to allow the creation of a
separate, non-volatile record of photographic information in relation to
the physical negative.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method of correlating
the completed exposed and developed photographic film with a particular
photographic order and instructions regarding said order.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method of correlating
the developed photographic film with a specific photographic order in
relation to the process for exposing the photographic film for purposes of
color correction, error correction, cutting, and sorting of orders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS AND DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention will be had in relation to
the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying diagrams.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram outlining the major components of the process,
and showing the various date of paths;
FIG. 1a is a block diagram outlining the major components of the
photographic system described herein, at the point of photographing the
subject;
FIG. 1b is a block diagram outlining the major components of the process,
ensuring the various paths for data;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trigger unit key pad connected to the
photographic camera unit;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the trigger unit, reader unit, key pad and
associated EPROM module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1A, a photographic camera 10 is removably connected
to a combined trigger unit 11 and key pad 12, which also contains a
micro-controller comprising a temporary storage register 9, which accepts
order, color balance and photo finishing information through entry of data
into the key pad. When the trigger of the trigger unit is activated, the
camera shutter opens and the film is exposed, and simultaneously, the data
input into the trigger unit, which is visible in a display in the trigger,
is stored first in the volatile storage register within the trigger unit,
and then transferred to a self-contained, removable, non-volatile erasable
programmable read only memory module 13. Said memory module 13 is equipped
with sufficient memory to store exposure, order and photo finishing
information for several hundred individual frames. Although the memory
module, in the preferred embodiment, is in the form of an erasable,
reusable, programmable read on memory device of a type commercially
available, it is also possible to utilize erasable electronic media such
as magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, bubble memory, a physically altered
cardboard card, such as a Hollerith card, or any of a variety of other
storage means.
Upon completion of the photographic project, the memory module 13 is
removed from the trigger unit and supplied, along with the exposed film to
the developing studio. Referring now to FIG. 1B, the memory module, so
exposed, may be processed by the commercial developer along five discreet
paths, A through E. Typically, the initial path A is the electrical
connection of the memory module to an RS232 interface 16, which is in turn
connected to a computer 14, equipped with a conventional keyboard 17 and
monitor 18. The data regarding each exposure is viewable, on an exposure
by exposure basis on the monitor 18. The information is also transferable
in hard copy form to a computer printer 15. Further, at this stage, the
data regarding each exposure is subject to modification, and new
information in regard to each exposure may be overwritten into the memory
module 13. Further, reports regarding the contents of each memory module
may be generated through suitable software and printed on the printer 15.
Referring to editing data path B, the memory module 13 may be connected
electrically to a data editing console 46, which is also equipped with a
keyboard 25. Information from the memory module and key pad is
transferable to a main editor screen 44, which is in the form of a video
display screen. The exposed film 50 from the photographic job is mounted
to a console adjacent to a video camera 42, and the video camera use each
exposure on the film 50, and transfers the video image to the main editor
screen. In this fashion, the data information from each exposure contained
within the memory module may be displayed on the main editor screen 44
simultaneously with the negative image from the film 50. This allows the
operator to view the image and the data simultaneously. Further, utilizing
a punch 48, operated from the console 46 the operator can place punch
marks on the edge of the film 50 near each negative, to identify each film
negative exposure by its appropriate identifying number, correlating to
the information contained in the memory module 13.
Data path C for the memory module is summarized as follows: the memory
module 13 is electrically connected to the printer interface 19, wherein
the exposure information is used to automatically operate the commercial
printer 20. A manual key pad 25 may also be utilized to input starting and
correction information into the automated printer. The automated printer,
utilizing the exposed film 50 and data from the memory module 13 creates a
continuous roll of exposed photographic paper 60. The exposed photographic
paper 60 is physically transferred to an automated paper developing
station 61. The developed paper is then presented to a cutter unit 22.
Utilizing memory module 13, data regarding the order may be transferred to
a cutting console 8 to allow correlation of the photo finishing data with
the exposed paper, and to allow automated operation of the cutter.
In data path D, the memory module is transferred to a data editing
interface 60 mounted on a sorting console 64. The exposed film 50 is
likewise mounted on the sorting console 64, the sorting console 64 is
equipped with a video display screen 66, which allows viewing of the film
negatives with the naked eye, in the same manner as the main editor screen
44 allows preliminary viewing of the negatives and the data editing
information. Again, a key pad 62 may be used to edit the contents of the
memory module 13. A printer 68 may be utilized to generate editing reports
at this stage of the process.
Finally, data path E allows the memory module to again be transferred to an
RS232 interface 16 and computer 14 for quality control and reporting
purposes.
Having described the general operation of the system, the detailed
operation of each aspect is set forth further as follows:
Camera and Trigger Unit
With reference to the diagram FIG. 2, a typical commercial camera 10 is
shown, which cameras are typically equipped with an electronically
operable shutter mechanism. The trigger unit 11, in addition to its other
functions, provides a 15 to 50 millisecond positive going pulse generated
by an optoisolated circuit for shutter operation.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the first step in the operation of the unit
consists of resetting the erasable programmable read only memory 13
(EPROM). The EPROM module 13 contains several thousand eight-bit bytes of
erasable memory, which, prior to the photographic setting, is cleared by
entering the appropriate clear memory code sequence into the key pad 12.
In an alternate embodiment, where magnetic media are used, the initial
step consists of erasing or clearing the magnetic disk, tape or other
magnetic media in preparation for writing of data. The resident system
software in read only memory in the micro controller 29 then "locks out"
the further operation of the unit until such time as the EPROM has been
completely erased. The keyboard next accepts entry of a package selection
code, beginning with a coded command to advise the shooting unit to enter
the shooting mode.
Following this advisory instruction to the micro-controller 29, the
micro-controller 29 is next provided by key pad entry a single four byte
instruction to establish the operating parameters for the photographic
session. The micro-controller 29 then accepts additional instructions as
to the number of pacer frames, the size of each pacer frame, and the size
of the initial or slate frame. The micro-controller then accepts key pad
instructions for the number of package selections to be contained within
the order. A package selection is a mixture of various photo sizes of a
particular subject to be offered, for example, one 8".times.10"
photograph, two 3".times.5"'s and 16 wallet size.
Next, the micro-controller 29 of the trigger unit accepts from the
operator, through the key pad a job code number, a control code number and
an instruction indicating that the operating parameters for the job have
been completed.
The package selections are separately programmable. The micro-controller
first accepts a package number, followed by a size code. The size code is
a numeric code, to which is assigned a size number. For example, an
8".times.10" photograph may be coded as a size code 1. A 5".times.7"
photograph may be coded as a size code 2, and a wallet size photograph may
be coded as a size code 3. By inserting into the shooter unit key pad, for
example, "PK 01 SIZE 1-02", the micro-controller programs the erasable
programmable read only memory to comprehend that in package 1, two size 1
photos (8".times.10") will be included. The operator then enters, for
example, "PK 01 SIZE 2-04", of the subsequent component of four size
5".times.7" photographs.
By this method, the photographs in a particular package are defined.
Thereafter, the operator, by depressing the code buttons for package 01
for any particular subject, will ensure that the subject receives, at the
time the order is processes, two 8".times.10" photograph and four
5".times.7" photographs. Up to 99 packages are programmable in the
preferred embodiment of the invention.
Additional data regarding the details of the subject's order, including
color and exposure information, may be input prior to the exposure of the
film into the trigger units via the key pad 12 on the unit, which is
confirmed with a liquid crystal type display 23 also located on the key
pad. The electronic shutter of the camera is operated via the trigger unit
to expose the film and simultaneously, the data regarding the particular
order is transferred to the memory module. All circuitry, except the key
pad and EPROM is mounted on a printed circuit board.
The preferred memory module consists of an erasable programmable read only
memory (EPROM) 13, to which data is transferred by a 8749 micro-controller
integrated circuit 29 contained within the trigger unit and an associated
address latch 21, to hold the low order address bits. Typically, only
eight address lines and eight bits of binary data are necessary for the
typical commercial photographic task. However, it should be noted that the
process herein disclosed is readily adaptable to a more extensive address
bus as well as bytes of data larger than eight bits. In the current
embodiment of the invention, the lower four bits of port number 2 of 8749
micro-controller 29 are used to supply a 12 bit address field.
Each exposure of the film increments the address of the programmable read
only memory 13, resulting in an allocation of multiple eight bit bytes of
data for each exposure. This data provides information as to which of the
photographic package selections the subject has chosen, as well as
identifying information regarding the subject and data concerning the
exposure correction factors.
The EPROM module is connected to the trigger unit by a edge card type
connector 82, providing the necessary number of printed circuit board
connections to interface with the trigger unit. The EPROM module 13,
itself, consists of a small printed circuit card on which two 2816A
2K.times.8 EPROM chips are mounted in conventional fashion.
The trigger unit consists of a 16 key key pad 12, up to 16 discrete light
emitting diode (L.E.D.) indicator lamps 12a, and a multiple-character
liquid crystal display 23. The display and lamps are set up as a
multiplexed 8.times.5 array wherein the eight anode lines are driven by a
UDN2982 sourcing driver 84, and the output lines of the UDN2982 are
connected to the anode lines of the displays and lamps via an 8.times.220
ohm resistor array 85, in series with each anode line, serving as a
current limiter for the segments of the displays and lamps.
The input to the UDN2982 driver is connected to the several input lines of
port 2 of the 8749 micro-controller. The five cathode lines of the display
array are connected to the outputs of an ULN2803 sinking driver 86. The
inputs of the ULN2803 are connected to port one of the 8749
micro-controller 29, and in addition to the 8th bit of port two of the
micro-controller via the 8th ULN 2803 buffer line. The outputs of the
ULN2983 24 are used to operate the camera exposure cycle. Inasmuch as some
commercial cameras operate on AC current and others on DC current, the
trigger circuit is universal. It consists of a 4N25 optoisolator 87, the
anode of which is driven by the UDN2982 84, and the cathode by the
ULN2803. The output of the optoisolator connects with a TIP 121 transistor
88 and diode 88a in combination, to clamp inductive spikes.
The TIP 121 28 is driven by output transistor 4N25 97 in a Darlington
configuration.
AC drive is accomplished by using an MOC3011 optoisolated triac trigger 91.
The input anode of the MOC3011 is driven by the UDN2982 in the cathode by
the ULN2803. The MOC3011 output stage then drives a TAG 200-204 triac 92.
The output of the MOC3011 is tied in parallel with the main terminal and
the gate terminal of the triac and an RC snubber 93 is connected across
the main terminals of the triac gate.
The 16 key pad 12 on the trigger unit is a 4.times.4 cross point array, the
output of which is multiplexed to four bits of port 2 and four bits of
port 1 of the 8749 micro-controller. The key pad keys are normally open,
single pole single throw switches 12b, containing integral L.E.D. status
lamps. The keyboard matrix is software driven by a micro-operating system
in read only memory within the controller itself.
Multi-pin connectors provide electrical and mechanical connections for the
key pad that is more particularly comprised of 15 normally open single
pole single throw momentary switches, each with a key cap containing an
L.E.D. status lamp for each key. These L.E.D. status lamps are also
organized as a 4.times.4 matrix, and the switches and light emitting
diodes are physically arranged as five rows of three keys in column. The
16th key is used as an external input key, as a trigger button for the
photographer. Each row of key switches is driven low by ULN2803 sinking
driver 86, which is connected to a single bit of port 2 of the
micro-controller. The open or closed state of each switch is sensed on the
column line of switch matrix by a bit from port 1 corresponding to the
column. The cathode of each L.E.D. associated with each switch is also
brought low by the same ULN2803 sinking driver connected to a bit of port
2, the anode is driven by a UDN2982 84 sourcing driver connected to a bit
of port 2. This matrix connection allows for a matrix scan reading of the
switches and multiplex operating of the L.E.D.'s contained within each key
cap.
The 16th key, above described, is inputted to the matrix via a 4N25 optical
isolator 94, the output transistor of which is tied to the sinking driver
for the 4th row, and the collector of which is tied to the scan line for
the 4th column. The input to the 4N25 isolator for the key has its cathode
tied to one pin of the multi-pin wiring harness connector, and the anode
is tied to a five volt source via a 330 ohm resistor 94b. Accordingly, the
operation of the 16th key is a simple shorting to ground, thereby
activating the optoisolator.
When AC output is required, the AC output is controlled by a port bit of
the micro-controller. This port bit controls an MPS6513 transistor 95,
which is connected by common emitter to make a signal inverter. The
inverted signal is shared between the AC and DC outputs. The signal is
used to drive a sourcing driver, which is a portion of the UDN2982 package
94. The output of the driver is connected to the input anode of an MOC8011
optically isolated triac trigger 91. The input cathode of the triac
trigger is tied to ground, the output of the triac trigger is connected,
in parallel, with the main terminal and the gate of a TAG 200-204 triac
92. A resistance-capacitance snubber 93 consisting of a 100 ohm resistor
in series with a 0.01 microfarad capacitor, is connected, in parallel with
the main terminals 1 and 2 of the triac, to limit the voltage on the
device, to prevent false triggering and to suppress radio frequency
interference. Terminals 1 and 2 of the triac are routed to a multi-pin
connector which connects the wiring harness to the main printed circuit
card.
DC output uses the same signal line and inverter as the AC output. The
output of the inverter is connected to a sourcing driver, which is a
portion of the UDN2982 package 84. The output of the sourcing driver is
connected to a 4N25 optically isolated transistor package 87, and drives
the anode of the input L.E.D. via a current limiting resistor. The cathode
of the L.E.D. is connected to ground. The output transistor of the
optically isolated transistor package is connected in Darlington
configuration to a TIP 31A power transistor 88. A free-wheeling diode
1N4004 88a is connected between the collector and emitter of TIP31A, to
protect the transistor f | | |
