Thermal processing system and method including a kiosk
US6369873B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03D15/005
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermal processing kiosk for processing thermal film provides multiple processing options for a user. The kiosk includes a user control in the form of a touchscreen to permit the user to enter processing instructions and/or information. The thermal kiosk is adapted to accept exposed film for processing and printing in accordance with the processing instructions. In one feature of the invention, a user can prepay for processing of the film at the time of purchase of the film. The pre-paid status can be provided on the film by a marker or identifier on the cassette or the film. This helps to simplify the user interaction at the kiosk when the user submits the exposed film to the kiosk for processing. In further features of the invention, the processing flow in the thermal kiosk can be adapted to provide for rapid processing and the kiosk can include a display to permit a user to preview images prior to printing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.