The present invention is directed to the field of storing and displaying print images, for identifying the source from which the images originated, and for storing the source of the original image.
Typically, consumers receive individual photographic prints from photofinishers and the film negative from which the prints were made. The film negatives may be provided in cut strips loosely with the prints, or may be provided in a film cassette having a cartridge ID if the prints were obtained from APS film (Advanced Photographic System, recently introduced). The loosely provided prints tend to make it difficult for the owners to store or view the prints. When prints provided from APS film are returned to the customer, index prints are also provided. The index print allows the identifying and locating of particular images returned in the APS film cartridge. This, of course, provides an added print at added cost to the photofinisher.
In U.S. Ser. No. 08/455,770, filed May 31, 1995, entitled “Dual Sides Photographic Album Leaf and Method of Making,” there is disclosed providing to the customer one or more album leaves containing the images on the roll of film. These leaves may be used to provide all of the service prints present on the negative filmstrip. However, it is difficult to relate the images on the album page to the individual negatives from the roll of film from which it originated. The customer must first sort through the separate index prints returned to the customer, which may not be conveniently located.
Applicants have invented an improved album page and system for displaying, storing and retrieving of images which overcomes many of the storing, displaying and retrieving problems of the prior art.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an album leaf having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the first image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images, and a first icon formed thereon, the first icon individually identifying the source from which the plurality of images originated.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for displaying, storing and retrieving images, comprising:
an album leaf having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the first image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images, and a first icon formed thereon, the first icon individually identifying the source from which each of the plurality of images originated; and
a binder for containing a plurality of the album leaves, the album having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the original source of the images contained in the album leaf.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for displaying, storing and retrieving images, comprising:
an album leaf having a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of images and an icon formed thereon, the icon for individually identifying the first source from which the at least each of the plurality of images originated;
a binder for containing a plurality of the album leaves; and
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a source retaining album leaf for placement in a binder having at least one album leaf placed therein, the album leaf having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the first image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images and a first icon formed thereon, the first icon individually identifying the first source from which each of the plurality of images on the first side originated, the source retaining album leaf having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the original source of the images contained in the album leaf.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an image-bearing media having a first side having a first image retaining section the first image retaining section of the first side having a plurality of images and a fist icon formed thereon, said first icon individually identifying the source from which each of the plurality of images originated.
In still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for displaying, storing and retrieving images, comprising:
an image-bearing media having a first side having a first image retaining section and a second side having a second image retaining section, the image retaining section on the first side having a plurality of images formed on the first side originating from a first source and an icon also formed on the first side for individually identifying the source from which each of the plurality of images originated; and
a binder for containing the album leaf, the album having a plurality of retaining means for holding items containing the first source of the images contained in the album leaf.
The above, and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the following drawings.
In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG 1 is a front elevational view of an album leaf made in accordance with the present invention;
The present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or in cooperation more directly with, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art.
Referring to
As can be seen by
Referring to
As illustrated in
The images sent to the digital printer may be obtained by any desired manner. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a digital printer such as the Kodak PCD-600 CRT Printer, is used so that free form formatting can be easily obtained in accordance with instructions provided by the consumer. The digital data information is representative of the images and can be obtained by scanning original images, either in the form of prints or negatives as is customarily done in the prior art. However, the digital data information may not be limited to images. The digital data information may also contain other information such as text, or the logos, images, etc., which can be added to the scanned data. Also the digital data may be obtained in any desired manner, for example, by computers or other devices which contains digital files such as CDs or from data contained in the magnetics on film. A digital record is formed from the scanned information and any other digital information provided. This digital record is then composed into first and second digital sub-records. The first and second digital sub-records are used to print images in the first and second image retaining sections 36,38, which will correspond to the sides 12,14 of the leaf 10. It is, of course, understood that the images may be composed in any desired manner. Additionally, any text or other information provided, or manipulation of the data, may be conducted as desired. For example, but not by way of limitation, text, logos, or other images, could be added to the scanned images. Once the appropriate digital records have been formed, printing by the printer can then be performed whereby the images and other text/images present in the digital records are appropriately printed on the photosensitive material. The developed photosensitive material is then taken from the printer where thereafter it is formed into the leaf 10.
Developed photographic material is folded in a manner such that the backsides are brought back against each other and an appropriate adhesive is applied therebetween for securely holding the folded sections together. It is to be understood that the formation of the album leaf may take place in any appropriate manner. U.S. Ser. No. 08/455,770, filed May 31, 1995, entitled “Dual Sides Photographic Album Leaf and Method of Making,” provides further details by which the leaf may be formed and which hereby is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
As illustrated in
In each of the silhouettes 55,56,57,58,59 there is provided an image ID 61. In the embodiment illustrated, the image ID 61 identifies the location of the image on the source, which in the present embodiment is a filmstrip provided within the film cartridge. In the embodiment illustrated, the numeral represents the frame number on the filmstrip and the letters represent the format of the image; PAN represents a Panoramic format, CLS represents a classic format, and HD represents a portrait format. Thus, each of the images can be quickly related to a location on the filmstrip contained within a particular film cartridge from which the images originated and its current format. It is, of course, to be understood that any other identification location system may be provided as desired having any desired number of formats.
Referring to
As previously noted, there are provided a plurality of holes 28 in the margin area 29, which can allow the placement of the album leaf in a loose-leaf binder allowing the individual album leaves to be inserted or removed as desired. It is understood that any other type binder or holder may be used for holding the leaves through the holes 28 or any other binding system may be utilized for holding the leaves.
Referring to
It is, of course, understood that the cartridges are not required to be held in the magazine, but may be provided in a separate container wherein the cartridge IDs may be exposed or somehow otherwise written on a label placed on the back of the container.
Referring to
It is to be understood that the retaining means for holding the cartridges may be in any appropriate manner in the leaf or binder, for example, but not by way of limitation, snaps, use of Velcro™, or any other securing means that allows securing and removing of the film cartridge that is currently available, or may become available.
While the image-bearing media in the preferred embodiment illustrated is photographic media, the present invention is not so limited, for example, but not by way of limitation, images formed by laser printers and digital thermal printers can be used to print the images on the image-bearing media.
In the particular embodiment illustrated, the source of the image was a filmstrip contained in a film cartridge, however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, but not by way of limitation, the source of the image may be a photo CD, computer disc, or transmitted from a digital memory source such as PC or other digital memory device. Appropriate source ID may be provided for each of the foregoing sources.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2747865 | Marshall, Jr. | May 1956 | A |
3670434 | Shibata et al. | Jun 1972 | A |
3797152 | Brandt | Mar 1974 | A |
4023292 | Shibata et al. | May 1977 | A |
4048740 | Zitzelberger et al. | Sep 1977 | A |
4720733 | Ohtake et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4903068 | Shiota | Feb 1990 | A |
4965948 | Ruebens | Oct 1990 | A |
5301803 | Hansen et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5620271 | Bergh et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5709496 | Werner et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5765875 | Rowley | Jun 1998 | A |
5782349 | Combs | Jul 1998 | A |
5791692 | Manico et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5823573 | Chang | Oct 1998 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1184884 | Mar 1970 | GB |
1506695 | Apr 1978 | GB |