# US 5,710,618 A · Photofinishing process converting optical data to magnetic data

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- Number: US 5,710,618 A
- Document ID: US5710618A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/413,680
- Filed: 1995-03-30
- Granted: 1998-01-20
- Earliest claimed: 1995-03-30
- Assignees: Eastman Kodak Company
- Inventors: Dale Frederick McIntyre
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5710618A

## CPC

- G03C 11/02: Marking or applying text
- G03B 17/24: with means for separately producing marks on the film, e.g. title, time of exposure
- G03B 2217/243: Optical devices
- G03B 2217/244: Magnetic devices
- G03B 2217/246: Details of the markings
- G03B 2217/247: Bar codes
- G03C 2200/10: Advanced photographic system
- G03C: PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES (for photomechanical purposes G03F); PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY (photographic processes characterised by the use or manipulation of apparatus classifiable per se in subclass G03B, see G03B; photomechanical production of textured or patterned surfaces G03F; electrophotography, magnetography G03G)
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)

## Abstract

A process for recording camera and exposure information on photographic film, reading the information during photofinishing and re-recording the information magnetically on the film. According to one feature, disclosed with a single use camera, the process includes the ordered steps of recording camera capabilities on the film and then loading the film into a camera having those capabilities. The process further includes the steps of exposing the film in the camera to a scene, processing the film to develop and print the scene using the recorded camera information and re-recording the information magnetically on the film. According to another feature of the invention, disclosed with multiple use cameras, the camera optically records exposure information on the film. The photofinishing operation then reads the optically recorded information, uses the information and magnetically re-records the information on the film.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of loading a camera having a film supply chamber and a film take-up chamber, comprising steps of:
loading a photographic filmstrip into the supply chamber;
prewinding the filmstrip from the supply chamber to the take-up chamber;
during the prewinding, recording onto the filmstrip information about features and capabilities of the camera; and
after the prewinding and recording, closing the camera.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the recording is optical, further comprising steps of:
exposing the filmstrip in the camera to a scene;
processing the filmstrip to develop the recorded information; and
making prints of the scene using the recorded information.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the filmstrip includes a magnetic recording layer and the recording is magnetic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the recording is optical, further comprising steps of:
exposing the filmstrip in the camera to a scene;
processing the filmstrip to develop the recorded information;
decoding the developed, recorded information; and
making prints of the scene using the decoded information.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the recording is optical and the filmstrip includes a magnetic recording layer, further comprising steps of:
exposing the filmstrip in the camera to a scene;
processing the filmstrip to develop the recorded information;
decoding the developed, recorded information;
magnetically recording the decoded information onto the magnetic recording layer of the filmstrip; and
making prints of the scene using the decoded information.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A method according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic recording occurs during making prints.