Automated photofinishing apparatus

An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising:

• means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed strip of film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images;
• means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area;
• means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area;
• means for scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the film;
• means for printing said film in accordance with said information data received from said means for scanning;
• means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards;
• means for storing said data;
• means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing;
• means for processing said prints;
• and
• means for delivering said prints to said customer.

An automated photofinishing apparatus for receiving exposed film, processing the exposed film, printing the processed film so as to produce prints, and dispensing of the prints and processed film to a customer, comprising:

• means for delivering to the apparatus an exposed film, said film having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing images;
• means for applying a reference exposure onto said first unexposed area;
• means for processing said exposed film so as to develop the images on a second area of the film and said reference exposure on said first area;
• means for printing said film;
• means for scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed film and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards, said second area having reference patches provided by the film manufacturer;
• means for storing said data;
• means for adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing;
• means for processing said prints;
• and
• means for delivering said prints to said customer.

A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints therefrom for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image;
• b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area;
• c) developing said photosensitive material;
• d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom;
• e) printing the images on filmstrip in accordance with said determined information;
• and
• f) processing the images on said filmstrip so as to produce prints and returning the prints to the user.

A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image;
• b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area;
• c) developing said photosensitive material;
• d) scanning said first and second areas so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the filmstrip for use in determining printing conditions therefrom;
• e) printing the images on photosensitive filmstrip in accordance with said determined information;
• f) processing the images on said photosensitive filmstrip so as to produce prints;
• g) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and/or second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards;
• h) storing said data;
• i) adjusting at least one photofinishing parameter in response to said data for use in later photofinishing;
• and
• j) returning the prints to the customer.

A method for automatically processing a photosensitive filmstrip and producing prints for delivery to a customer, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing at least one photosensitive filmstrip having a first unexposed area and a second exposed area containing at least one latent image;
• b) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said unexposed first area;
• c) developing said photosensitive material;
• d) printing the images on photosensitive material;
• e) processing the images on said photosensitive material so as to produce prints;
• f) scanning the prints in the area produced from said first and second areas of said developed filmstrip and obtaining data regarding the degree which the prints meet predetermined standards;
• g) storing said data;
• h) compiling sensitometric data based on said at least one photosensitive filmstrip;
• i) returning the prints to the customer;
• i) providing a calibration roll of a photosensitive filmstrip having a first area of film of known exposures designed to film manufacturing specifications and a second unexposed area, and developing prints made from said calibration roll;
• k) providing an exposure of a known light intensity onto said second unexposed area;
• l) developing said photosensitive material;
• and
• m) scanning said first area and second areas of said calibration filmstrip and developing prints made from said calibration roll so as to obtain information regarding the photometric balance of the calibration filmstrip;
• and
• n) comparing the senistometric data obtained from said calibration roll with said compiled sensitometric data from said first at least one photosensitive filmstrip and adjusting the apparatus to provide conformance.