Abstract: Apparatus for marking a contoured surface having complex topology. The apparatus comprises a movable marker for marking the surface and a sensor disposed in sensing relationship to the surface for sensing contour of the surface. A controller interconnecting the marker and the sensor is also provided for actuating the marker and for controllably moving the marker relative to the surface in response to the contour sensed by the sensor, so that the marker follows the contour of the surface at a predetermined distance therefrom and marks the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for marking a contoured surface having complex topography and preferably with multiple color marking. The apparatus comprises a movable marker for marking the surface and a sensor disposed in sensing relationship to the surface for sensing contour of the surface. A controller interconnecting the marker and the sensor is also provided for actuating the marker and for controllably moving the marker relative to the surface in response to the contour sensed by the sensor, so that the marker follows the contour of the surface at a predetermined distance therefrom and marks the surface.

Abstract: A digital camera is disclosed which includes a printer for printing images onto a receiver having preformed authenticating information, the receiver being formed in a cartridge which is insertable into the printer. The camera captures and digitizes an image of a scene and stores the captured digitized scene image. The cartridge includes security control circuitry having a predetermined code for enabling the printer.

Abstract: A photofinishing system for automatically processing image and associated image data pursuant to customer output requests. The system includes an order manager operative to receive and control processing of the output requests and at least one source of image related data corresponding to the output request. An input interface receives the image related data from the source and converts the data to a digital data stream. A memory is included for storing the digital data stream. The system further includes a data parser disposed in communication with the memory to extract selected data streams according to the order manager and to reduce the data into respective image files having respective groups of data fields. An output module is responsive to the order manager and is operative to produce a photofinished output organized with respect to the data fields.

Abstract: A method of forming authentic user viewable images on a receiver to which a series of viewable images such as postal stamps are adapted to be transferred including providing a receiver, and forming a series of authentic user viewable marks on the receiver prior to transfer of the series of images onto such receiver.

Abstract: A method of forming authenticated images on image areas of a receiver to form a series of viewable images such as postal stamps including moving a colorant donor element having a plurality of transferable colorants into transferable relationship with the receiver, the colorant donor element includes a representation of an image and marks which authenticate the image having colorant over such representation and marks; and transferring colorants onto the receiver in accordance with the representation and marks in the colorant donor element to form authenticated images in the receiver.

Abstract: A system which includes an apparatus and method of managing a psychological and physiological state of that individual involves the use of images or stimuli, the measurement of a physiological state of the individual, and the creation of a personalized preferred response profile which is specifically tailored to the individual. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible for an individual to manage and thereby lower his or her stress by viewing, for example, images which are selected based on the created personalized preferred response profile for the individual. The personalized preferred response profile is created by having the individual view, for example, a wide variety of images and creating the profile based on those images which provide a preferred response to the individual. The system supports and enhances existing biofeedback equipment.

Abstract: A film projector for use with processed photographic film having magnetically recorded image information. The film projector has a body and a light source disposed in the body. The light source emits a collimated beam. A film holder is mounted in the body. The film holder is disposed to hold an individual frame of film in the beam. A projection lens system receives the beam propagated through the film. An optically transmissive digital display element is disposed in said body. A read-write unit is disposed to read annotation information from and write annotation information to the film in the film holder. A controller is operatively connected to the read-write unit and the display element. The controller modulates the display element responsive to the signal.

Abstract: An image and an associated audio segment are recorded on a film negative. The information on the film negative can be printed as encoded sound data on photographic paper or the like. For displaying, the sound data is scanned, decoded to create an audio segment data stream, and the data stream is played, typically by a computer while a monitor displays the image at the same time. More realistic sound playback is achieved by recording audio segments with plural microphones and playing back the audio segments recorded by the microphones from one or more of the sources based on a user-selected area of interest on the corresponding visual image.

Abstract: A medium having a phosphorescent material, and a system and method for producing images on the medium using a digital printer. The medium comprises a phosphorescent layer having a phosphorescent material and an image receiving layer disposed over the phosphorescent layer. The image receiving layer is substantially translucent and capable of retaining an image from a digital printer. The medium may comprise a thin plastic film having a resin coating on at least on surface of the film that has been co-extruded with a resin coating having a phosphorescent material dispersed therein. A scanner or computer can be used for obtaining a digital record file of an image which is forwarded to a digital printer.

Abstract: An album (100) for storing a collection of image prints (94). At least one of the image prints comprises an index print (20) that includes a memory unit (30) integral with the print to define an audio print for storing audio data. The album includes a print holder (90) having respective front and back covers and a plurality of pages (92) configured for mounting the collection. An audio unit (40) is mounted to the print holder. The audio unit includes a housing (42) and an image print processor (60), when the audio print is coupled to the audio unit, to communicate with the audio print memory unit and selectively process audio data related to the collection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a previously developed photosensitive material. The method includes subjecting the photosensitive material to a liquid bath prior to scanning or printing the photosensitive material and the apparatus includes a second processing path for subjecting the previously developed photosensitive material to only some of the processing baths used for processing an undeveloped exposed photosensitive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of applying a solution of a predetermined viscosity to photosensitive material to form a protective coating on the photosensitive material. The method and apparatus can be used in a photographic processing device, and the apparatus can be built into an existing or new photographic processor or added on as an accessory. The method and apparatus is utilized to apply a viscous solution to at least one surface of processed photosensitize materials prior to drying in a manner that allows the solution to be uniformly applied to the at least one surface at a specific layer thickness. The viscous solution after drying functions as a protective coating which can protect the processed photosensitize material against scratches and moisture.

Abstract: A slide mount has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an interior region, an edge, and a slot extending from the interior region to the edge. A cavity is formed between the first portion and the second portion, and extends to the first edge, with a film segment in the cavity extracted therefrom by a film extraction system. The film extraction system includes a piston for disengaging a latch mechanism from the film segment. An extractor arm enters the slot to engage a second perforation in the film segment, and slidably moves within the slot to move the film segment through and out of the cavity toward a roller.

Abstract: A medium having a phosphorescent material, and a system and method for producing images on the medium using a digital printer. The medium comprises a phosphorescent layer having a phosphorescent material and an image receiving layer disposed over the phosphorescent layer. The image receiving layer is substantially translucent and capable of retaining an image from a digital printer. The medium may comprise a thin plastic film having a resin coating on at least on surface of the film that has been co-extruded with a resin coating having a phosphorescent material dispersed therein. A scanner or computer can be used for obtaining a digital record file of an image which is forwarded to a digital printer.

Abstract: The invention uses dice-like polyhedral solids (30) (32) (44) to generate randomly the lines of I Ching hexagrams. It produces outcomes according to a traditional and theoretically important frequency distribution. That distribution requires that the four line types of the I Ching system (36) (42) (38) (40) occur in a relative frequency of 1:3:5:7. The invention accomplishes this through a specific arrangement of indicia (26) (28) (46) (48) (50) on the dice. The dice are so constructed and the indicia so disposed that any roll shall yield one of the numerical results 6, 7, 8, or 9. These values correlate with the four line types, and the statistical likelihood of each possible result conforms to the theoretically ideal frequency distribution of all such results. Three dice are used in the preferred embodiment, each of a rounded, substantially tetrahedral form.

Abstract: A system operates to handle and print images from a film slide having a first slide mount and a film segment mounted therein. The system includes a film segment extractor, a scanner, a printer, and a film segment mounter. The extractor extracts the film segment from the first slide mount of the film slide. The scanner scans image data from the film segment. Digital scanning may be performed by a digitizer. The printer prints an image from the scanned image data either optically or digitally. The film segment mounter mounts the film segment into a second slide mount as a second film slide. The second slide mount may be a new slide mount, or may be the original slide mount which is being reused. Magnetically encoded information stored on magnetic material disposed on the first slide mount and/or the film slide is read by respective magnetic readers. The information is then written on magnetic material disposed on the film segment and/or the second slide mount after printing from the film segment.

Abstract: A method and kit for transferring personalized images on mugs or similar-type articles. The kit includes an instruction and order entry sheet for selecting a desired transfer medium for receiving a predetermined image thereon capable of being transferred onto a mug. The kit may also include a mailer having means for holding and containing the order of entry and a customer image which is to be incorporated into said transfer medium. A clamp is provided for clamping of the transfer medium onto said mug while in a heated environment.

Abstract: A film slide projector has a rail which engages a carousel in a complementary manner, such that a surface of the rail contacts a surface of each film slide in the carousel. Misoriented film slides are moved by the surface of the rail to expose a portion of such misoriented film slides outside of respective slots of the carousel to indicate such misorientation. Film slides having a predetermined proper orientation are completely contained within respective slots. The predetermined proper orientation of each film slide is determined by a cut-out portion capable of engaging the rail. Alternatively, a carousel may have walls forming slots with a rectangular cross-sectional cylindrical element protruding from a wall to cause misoriented film slides positioned thereupon to have a respective portion thereof extending through a respective open aperture to indicate misorientation.

Abstract: An adapter for use in a processing assembly can interface paper in magazines or cassettes from external printers with a minilab printer so that the paper printed externally can be processed using the minilab's processor and the processor's replenishment system. The adapter which includes a light-tight feed slot is configured to receive a cassette thereon and the adapter can be mounted onto the processing assembly. When mounted on the processing assembly the adapter along with the feed slot forms a light-tight path from the cassette to the printer. Printer functions such as back-marking, printing, punching, etc. can be deactivated during use of the adapter, and photosensitive material which enters the printer through the feed-slot of the adapter will follow the printing path of the printer and thereby trigger checks which are utilized to control replenishment in the processor of the processing assembly.