Tracking an image-recording medium using an identifying mark and film encodement
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsPeter Stwertka, James Greenlaw, Diane Carroll-Yacoby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image-recording medium and methods and apparatuses for providing the image-recording medium are provided. In accordance with the method, the image-recording medium is segmented and at least one identifying mark that identifies each segment of the image-recording medium is provided in an image recording area of the image-recording medium. A tracking encodement is provided that has tracking data that identifies each segment, with each tracking encodement being provided in an area of the image recording medium that does not record images. Information is stored in a database that associates the tracking data in the tracking encodement with the identifying mark.
Claims45
A method for fabricating an image-recording medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining segments for the image -recording medium;
- providing at least one identifying mark that identifies each segment of the image-recording medium with each identifying mark provided in an image recording area of the image recording medium;
- providing a tracking encodement having tracking data that identifies each segment, with each tracking encodement provided in an area of the image recording medium that is not used to record images;
- and
- storing information in a database that associates the tracking data in the tracking encodement with the identifying mark.
A method for providing a segment of an image-recording medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- segmenting the image recording medium;
- providing at least one identifying mark that identifies each segment of the image-recording medium with each identifying mark provided in an image recording area of the image recording medium,
- providing a tracking encodement having tracking data that identifies each segment, with each tracking encodement provided in an area of the image recording medium that does not record images;
- and
- storing information in a database that associates the tracking data in the tracking encodement with the identifying mark;
- distributing the image recording medium;
- storing information in a database that associates the tracking data with at least one user to whom the medium is distributed.
An image recording medium having at least one segment with each segment having at least one unique identifying mark provided thereon in an image recording area thereof and a non-image-recording area having a separate unique tracking encodement.
An image-recording medium comprising:
- a film substrate organized into more than one segment with each segment having an image receiving area with a unique identifying mark encoded thereon and with each segment also having a unique tracking encodement recorded on an area of the film substrate that does not receive an image, wherein said tracking encodement having tracking data that can be read by users of the image-recording medium and used to assemble a record of the use of the image-recording medium.
An apparatus for forming an image-recording medium, the apparatus comprising:
- an image recording medium fabrication system adapted to form an image recording medium said system comprising:
- a marking encoder that provides a unique identifying mark on more than one segment of an image recording portion of the image recording medium;
- a tracking encodement system that provides a unique tracking encodement having tracking data on each segment of the image recording medium;
- and
- a controller that stores information in a database that associates the tracking data with the identifying mark.
An apparatus for providing an image-recording medium, the image recording apparatus comprising:
- an image-recording medium fabrication system for forming the image-recording medium;
- an identifying mark encoding system for recording a unique identifying mark in a human imperceptible form within a recorded image area on the image-recording medium;
- and,
- a controller adapted to cause a tracking encoder to record a human perceptible tracking encodement from which tracking data can be determined, said tracking encodement being recorded on a portion of the image-recording medium that is not within an image recording area of the image recording medium,
- wherein the controller further stores the tracking data with the identifying mark recorded in the image area in a database.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.