Controlling photofinishing using data frame designated photofinishing subchannels

A photographic processing method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an image unit having a plurality of printable image frames, said image frames including a plurality of user-picture frames and a data frame having subchannel information;
• attempting to detect an indicator of the presence of said subchannel information in said image unit, said indicator being associated with said image unit;
• generating a bitstream of said image frames;
• when said indicator is detected:
• (a) automatically extracting said data frame from said bitstream;
• (b) reading said subchannel information from said data frame;
• (c) providing fulfillment of said user-picture frames of said bitstream in accordance with said subchannel information;
• and
• (d) automatically excluding said data frame from said fulfillment;
• when said indicator is undetected:
• providing fulfillment of said user-picture frames and said data frame in accordance with predetermined default information.

A method for photographic processing comprising the steps of:

• receiving first and second groups of image units, each image unit of each group having a set of image frames, each set of image frames of said first group including a data frame having subchannel information and user-picture frames, each set of image frames of said second group including only user-picture frames;
• detecting the presence of said subchannel information in each said set of image frames of said first group of image units;
• generating a bitstream of each said set of image frames of said first and second groups of image units to provide first and second unit bitstreams, respectively;
• responsive to said detecting, automatically extracting a respective said data frame from each of said first unit bitstreams;
• reading said subchannel information from said data frames following said extracting;
• processing each said set of image frames of said first unit bitstreams in accordance with respective said subchannel information;
• processing each said set of image frames of said second unit bitstreams in accordance with predetermined default information.

A photographic processing method comprising the steps of:

• identifying, in a group of image units, a first subgroup having an externally detectable flag and a second subgroup lacking said flag, said image units each having a set of image frames, said image frames of said image units of said first subgroup each including a data frame, said image frames of said image units of said second subgroup each lacking a data frame;
• generating a continuous digital image stream having a randomly ordered sequence of digital image sets, each said digital image set having a plurality of digital images, each of said digital images being derivative of a corresponding one of said image frames;
• extracting said data frames from said digital image stream;
• decoding each said data frame to provide corresponding subchannel information;
• processing said digital image sets corresponding to said first subgroup in accordance with respective said subchannel information;
• processing said digital image sets corresponding to said second subgroup in accordance with predetermined default information.

A photographic processing method comprising the steps of:

• detecting the presence of subchannel information in a film cartridge;
• removing a filmstrip from said film cartridge;
• developing said filmstrip in accordance with a film developing channel to provide a developed filmstrip;
• scanning said developed filmstrip to provide a bitstream of image frames, said image frames including a plurality of user-picture frames and a data frame;
• responsive to said detecting, extracting said data frame from said image frames of said bitstream;
• reading said data frame;
• processing said image frames in accordance with said data frame.

A system for photographically processing an image unit having a plurality of image frames, said image frames including a data frame having subchannel information and a plurality of user-picture frames, said system comprising:

• a detection station configured to hold the image unit;
• a detector mounted in operative relation to said detection station, said detector being capable of detecting the presence of the subchannel information in the image unit;
• a bitstream generator capable generating a bitstream of said image frames;
• a control unit receiving said bitstream from said bitstream generator, said control unit being operatively connected to said detector, said control unit being programmed to extract a data frame from said image frames of said bitstream responsive to said detecting.

A system for photographically processing a film cartridge having a filmstrip having a plurality of image frames, said image frames including a data frame and a plurality of user-picture frames, said system comprising:

• a detection station configured to hold the film cartridge;
• a detector mounted in operative relation to said detection station, said detector being capable of detecting the presence of the subchannel information in the film cartridge;
• a film developing unit capable of receiving said filmstrip and chemically developing said filmstrip to provide a developed filmstrip;
• a scanner capable of scanning said developed filmstrip to provide a bitstream of image frames;
• a control unit receiving said bitstream from said scanner, said control unit being operatively connected to said detector, said control unit being programmed to extract the data frame from the image frames of said bitstream responsive to said detecting.