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`EXHIBIT C
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`EXHIBIT C
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`(12) United States Patent
`Bryniarski et al.
`
`USOO6215559B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,215,559 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`(54) IMAGE QUEING IN PHOTOFINISHING
`(75) Inventors: Gregory R. Bryniarski; Brian R.
`Wilson, both of Rochester; Lawrence
`J. Bovenzi, Webster, all of NY (US)
`(73) ASSignee: y Kodak Company, Rochester,
`
`1/1997 Barry et al. .
`5,596,416
`3/1997 DeCook et al. .
`5,612,796
`4/1997 Schoenzeit et al..
`5,619,624
`SE 5,2. Webster et al. .
`5,664,253 * 9/1997 Meyers ................................. 395/603
`5,745,219
`4/1998 DeMarti, Jr. et al..
`5,995,721
`11/1999 Rourke et al. ...................... 358/1.15
`
`2Y- - - 2
`
`OSC
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 744 651 A2 11/1996 (EP).
`* cited by examiner
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/127,653
`(22) Filed:
`Jul. 31, 1998
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................ G06K 15/02; H04N 1/21;
`HO4N 1/23
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................... 358/1.15; 358/1.16
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 710/54; 399/80,
`399/82; 358/1.16, 19, 1.15, 448, 444; 382/112
`
`(56)
`
`4,065,661
`5,012.409
`5,179,637
`5,287,194
`5,402.361
`5,454,107
`5.535,322
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`12/1977 Jarkowsky.
`4/1991 Fletcher et al. ...................... 709/103
`1/1993 Nardozzi.
`2/1994 Lobiondo .
`3/1995 Peterson et al. .
`9/1995 Lehman et al. ...................... 711/153
`7/1996 Hecht.
`
`Primary Examiner Scott Rogers
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gordon M. Stewart; David
`A. Novais
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method of processing customer images in a photofinishing
`apparatus. The method includes obtaining customer image
`Signals and associated requests for image products or Ser
`vices incorporating respective images. The imageS Signals
`are directed into image queues having different associated
`formats, based on the associated product or Service
`requested for each. The image Signals are communicated
`from the queues to respective image renderers which render
`the image Signals into the different formats associated with
`each queue. An apparatus which can execute Such a method
`is also provided.
`
`23 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`QUEUE
`FORMAT 1
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`QUEUE
`FORMAT2
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`QUEUE
`FORMATN
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`RENDERER
`FORMAT 1
`CAPABLE
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`RENDERER
`FORMAT 1
`CAPABLE
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`RENDERER
`FORMAT 132
`CAPABLE
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`RENDERER
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 10, 2001
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`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 6,215,559 B1
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`1
`IMAGE QUEING IN PHOTOFINISHING
`
`US 6,215,559 B1
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to images, and in particular to the
`printing or other output of images in a photofinishing
`apparatuS.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`In conventional photofinishing laboratories a user
`(Sometimes referenced as a customer), delivers one or more
`film rolls carrying corresponding exposed films, to a pro
`cessing laboratory to have them chemically developed and
`hardcopies of the images (Such as paper prints or slides)
`prepared. A "photofinishing laboratory” will be understood
`to include a "photofinishing apparatus”. The user can
`include an individual or a retail store. Individual films are
`often spliced together end to end to form a larger roll which
`is easily handled by automated equipment. Following
`chemical processing of the roll to yield permanent images
`from the latent images on the films, each image is Scanned
`at high Speed to obtain image characteristics, Such as color
`and density. These characteristics are passed to an optical
`printer which uses the characteristic data to adjust exposure
`conditions (such as exposure time, color balance, and the
`like) of an image frame on the developed film which is
`optically projected onto a photosensitive paper. The exposed
`photoSensitive paper is then chemically developed to yield
`the final hardcopy prints. When the customer order is
`completed, each film is cut into strips (for 35 mm film) or
`reattached to a film cassette (for Advanced Photo System
`films), the exposed paper (when prints are made) is cut into
`individual prints, and the film, completed prints and any
`other media (Such as a disk bearing Scanned images, or
`mounted slides) are packaged at a finishing Station and the
`order is then complete.
`In a modern photofinishing laboratory, images may
`optionally also be Scanned to provide an image Signal
`corresponding to each image on the film. These image
`Signals are usually Stored on a medium Such as a magnetic
`or optical disk and provided to the customer, or made
`available to the customer over a network Such as the
`Internet, and may be used then or at a later time to provide
`a hardcopy output. Recently it has been described that in the
`foregoing type of photofinishing operation, the optical
`printer can be replaced with a digital printer which will print
`the images directly from the Scanned data, following
`enhancements or other manipulations to the Scanned images.
`Photofinishing laboratories using Scanners and digital
`printers provide more versatility in correcting or enhancing
`(either automatically or in accordance with customer
`requests) customer images. Furthermore, they allow for the
`possibility of multiple products, and/or Services, incorporat
`ing one or more images from a customer order (Such
`products or Services are Sometimes referenced as "image
`products” and “image Services”). Such image products can
`include, for example, prints of different sizes, T-shirts incor
`porating images, or cups, plates or other items carrying one
`or more customer images, as well as magnetic or optical
`discs carrying the images (in this case, in the form of image
`Signals). Such image Services can include, for example,
`uploading the images to a specified location through a
`network, Such a the Internet. However, different image
`products or image Services may require different image
`processing (Sometimes referenced as image “rendering in
`this application) of the image Signals So that the processed
`image Signals are in a format Suitable for the different output
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`devices required to provide the image product or image
`Service (for example, different type and size of printers, or
`modems). For example, an inkjet printer may not produce
`the same colors from a given image Signal as a laser printer
`using photoSensitive paper. Consequently, different image
`rendering may be required for different output devices (in
`the foregoing example, different color correction algorithms
`may be applied). Any necessary rendering can be done in
`accordance with appropriate algorithms operating in one or
`more parallel programmed general purpose image proces
`SOS.
`However, for Such digital photofinishing laboratories to
`produce outputs which are comparable to conventional
`optical prints can require resolutions of at about 2000 by
`2000 pixels or more. Thus, each uncompressed consumer
`image can readily result in a file of about 12 or more
`megabytes in size. In photofinishing laboratories, images
`can readily be Scanned from customer orders at a rate of 200
`images per minute or greater. This means that the laboratory
`must be able to route image data rates from Scanners to
`image renderers and to output devices, in the multiple
`gigabyte or higher per minute rate. Clearly, efficiency of
`image rendering and cost become important factors at Such
`high data rates. When multiple general purpose image
`renderers are required to Switch from one format of image
`rendering to the next, this can slow the overall process down
`unless.
`It would be desirable then, to provide in a photofinishing
`apparatus and method, a means by which multiple different
`image formats can be rapidly and efficiently obtained, with
`out undue cost.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention then, provides in one aspect, a
`method of processing customer images in a photofinishing
`apparatus. The method includes obtaining customer image
`Signals and associated requests for image products or Ser
`vices incorporating respective images. The imageS Signals
`are directed into image queues having different associated
`formats, based on the associated product or Service
`requested for each. The image Signals are communicated
`from the queues to respective image renderers which render
`the image Signals into the different formats associated with
`each queue. The method may additionally include forward
`ing the rendered images, from the renderers to respective
`output devices. Another aspect of the method of the inven
`tion may additionally include communicating Some of the
`image Signals from multiple queues to the same rendering
`device which renders the image Signals from the different
`queues into the different formats associated with each queue.
`In this case, the same rendering device can receive image
`Signals from different ones of the queues according to
`various methods, Such as from the queues in a Sequential
`manner (that is, one image from one queue with which it
`communicates, then a next image from a next queue, and So
`on), or from one of the queues until that queue is empty then
`from a next queue until that queue is empty and So on.
`Optionally, image Signals from at least one of the queues are
`communicated to multiple rendering devices each of which
`receives image Signals from only the at least one queue, and
`each of which renders the image Signals into the format
`asSociated with the at least one queue.
`A renderer can obtain images from a corresponding queue
`according to various routines, but preferably by "pulling an
`image from the queue. That is, an image renderer may
`retrieve images from respective queues as the renderer
`becomes available to render a next image.
`
`

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`US 6,215,559 B1
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`In the present invention, the customer image Signals may
`be obtained from a variety of Sources. For example, the
`images may be obtained as image signals (particularly as
`digital image data signals) from a magnetic or optical disk
`or tape, or from a remote Source through a network (Such as
`from a remote computer through the Internet). The customer
`image Signals may also be obtained from first developing
`customer films carrying eXposed latent images to obtain
`fixed optical images, then Scanning the optical images to
`obtain corresponding customer image Signals.
`In another aspect, the present invention further provides a
`photofinishing apparatus to process customer images from
`multiple customers. The apparatus includes at least one real
`memory. By a "real memory' in the context, is referenced a
`physical storage device for Signals (again, preferably digital
`data signals). Reference to multiple real memories implies
`multiple Storage devices. The apparatus further includes a
`render manager which receives customer requests for prod
`ucts or Services incorporating respective associated images
`(in the form of image signals). The render manager, based on
`the associated product or Service requested for each image,
`directs the image Signals into image queues in the memory
`which have different associated image formats. The appa
`ratus also includes a plurality of image renderers commu
`nicating with respective queues, each of which can render
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`the image Signals into the format associated with the queue
`with which it communicates.
`In an apparatus of the present invention, it is possible that
`a single real memory contains multiple queues. However,
`this can slow functioning of the System Since all image data
`for multiple queues would have to flow into and out of one
`device. It is preferable that the apparatus includes multiple
`real memories which communicate between the render man
`ager and respective rendererS Such that different memories
`Serve as respective image queues. In one aspect of the
`apparatus, there is additionally included a plurality of output
`devices communicating with respective renderers, to pro
`vide respective requested image products or image Services.
`Such output devices may include different printers (for
`example, printers which produce prints of different sizes or
`on different Substrates Such as cups, T-shirts and the like), as
`well as other output devices Such as magnetic or optical disk
`or tape writers, or communication devices to transfer images
`over a network to remote terminals. One or more of the
`queues may optionally communicate with multiple render
`ing devices each of which renders the image Signals into the
`format associated with the at least one queue. Optionally,
`each Such renderer may be connected to only receive image
`Signals from a single corresponding queue.
`In an optional aspect of the apparatus, a Same rendering
`device may receive image Signals from different ones of
`multiple queues. This is particularly useful for the situation
`where one queue has a Smaller number of images in a given
`period of time (for example, the queue is associated with an
`image format for an image product or image Service which
`is infrequently ordered by customers). More than one ren
`dering device may be connected in this manner, if desired.
`Such a rendered may receive images (preferably by "pull
`ing” them) from the different queues with which it
`communicates, in a Sequential manner or from one queue
`until that queue is empty before proceeding to obtain images
`from a next queue. In any aspect of the apparatus, renderers
`can be provided (or pull) images in a variety of ways.
`Preferably image renderers will retrieve image from respec
`tive queues as each becomes available to render a next
`image. The apparatus may also include various devices to
`provide the image Signals, Such as magnetic or optical disk
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`or tape readers, or communication devices to receive images
`from a remote Source over a network. In one aspect, the
`apparatus includes a developer to chemically develop cus
`tomer films carrying exposed latent images to obtain fixed
`optical images, and a Scanner to Scan the optical images on
`customer films to obtain corresponding customer image
`Signals.
`A computer program product is also provided, for use in
`a photofinishing apparatus having multiple image memories
`and a computer with multiple processors. The computer
`program, when loaded into the computer, can cause the
`photofinishing apparatus to execute any of the methods of
`the present invention. In one aspect this includes: obtaining
`customer image Signals and associated requests for image
`products or Services incorporating respective images, direct
`ing the images signals into image queues defined by respec
`tive memories and which have different associated formats,
`based on the associated product or Service requested for
`each; and communicate image Signals from the queues to
`respective image renderers which render the image Signals
`into the different formats associated with each queue.
`The present invention provides, in a photofinishing
`environment, a means by which multiple different image
`formats can be rapidly and efficiently obtained, without
`undue cost.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Embodiments of the invention will now be considered
`with reference to the drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic illustrating a photofinishing appa
`ratus of the present invention; and
`FIG. 2 illustrates Some of the components of the apparatus
`of FIG. 1 in more detail.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`In the present application, it will be understood that a
`“photofinishing apparatus”, “photofinishing laboratory' or
`Similar terms, includes a wholesale or retail photofinishing
`environment where many images from multiple customers
`are processed at a cost to the customers. While many
`photofinishing laboratories or photofinishing apparatus will
`include a chemical developer in which latent images are
`developed, Such is not essential. For example, it may be that
`the many images from the different customers are provided
`to the laboratory as digital images (for example, from digital
`cameras, on optical or magnetic disks, or from uploads from
`a remote terminal through a network Such as the Internet).
`Furthermore, while the laboratory may include printers
`which write onto photosensitive medium which is then
`developed, this is not essential. Photographic laboratories
`may instead use a printer type, Such as inkjet or thermal,
`which may write onto a Suitable medium (such as a paper
`with a particular inkjet or thermal dye receiving coating on
`one side). Thus, a photofinishing laboratory, or similar
`terms, may or may not involve any chemistry or any
`photographic medium. In addition, reference to any proces
`Sor or the like, includes any general purpose computer
`processor Suitably programmed to perform the tasks
`required of it, or hardware equivalents or hardware and
`Software equivalents. Reference to any memory includes
`Solid State memory devices (such as random access
`memory), as well as magnetic or optical Storage devices, or
`any other Suitable data Signal Storage device. It will be
`understood that reference to any processor or memory,
`includes the possibility of multiple processors or memories
`operating in parallel or other Suitable configurations.
`
`

`

`S
`Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the photofinishing
`apparatus shown constitutes the major components of a
`photofinishing laboratory. The apparatus includes a splicer
`100 which splices exposed light sensitive filmstrips which
`have been removed from their respective light tight
`cassettes, together into a film web 19 by attaching them end
`to end. Each filmstrip is normally regarded as a Single
`customer order (although it is possible for a single customer
`order to include more than one filmstrip), and carries a
`plurality of exposed latent images. Film web 19 is placed on
`a reel 18. The film web 19 on reel 18 is then chemically
`developed through a Series of Steps in a chemical developer
`20, in a known manner, to yield permanent visible optical
`images on film web 19. Each filmstrip will typically be a
`negative type filmstrip yielding negative type images on a
`transparent base after developing by chemical developer 20,
`although the filmstrips and developer 20 could be of a kind
`which produce positive transparencies (that is, Slides) also in
`a known manner.
`A developed film web 19 exiting developer 20 is then
`passed to a high Speed Scanner 102 which operates at 200
`imageS/minute or greater. Scanner 102 includes a film gate
`at which each image of the film can be Successively posi
`tioned to receive light from a light Source, which then passes
`through each image and a Subsequent lens System to fall
`upon an image Sensor. The image Sensor can be a line Sensor
`or area array Sensor. Appropriate electronics (including an
`analog to digital converter) in the Scanner 102 convert the
`Sensor Signals to digital Signals. The output of Scanner 102
`then, is a Series of digital image Signals corresponding to
`each image on the film. Scanner 102 acts as a first capture
`device which provides the images in the form of digital
`image Signals. Scanner 102 should be capable of Scanning
`images with a reasonably high resolution, Such as at least
`400x200 pixels over the area of images (such as at least
`600x400 pixels) and preferably at least 1000x1500 pixels
`(and most preferably at least 2000x3000 pixels). Scanners of
`the foregoing type are well known in the art and need not be
`described further. Scanner 102 includes intermediate storage
`103 for the digital images, in the form of magnetic disk
`drives or any other Suitable read/write Storage device.
`Scanner 102 is also fitted with a film code reader 103,
`which may either be an optical or a magnetic code reader
`capable of reading optical or magnetic codes on a film. Such
`codes may, for example, be customer provided requests
`associated with particular specified images (Such as one or
`more identified images or all of the images on a customer
`filmstrip) for specific image product or image Services. For
`example, Such codes could indicate that the customer wants
`a panoramic print of a specified image associated with the
`code, or wants a particular image product incorporating a
`Specified image associated with a code (for example, or
`T-shirt or cup), or wants specified color modifications to a
`particular image (for example, indicating an order for a
`black and white print from a specified image). The codes
`could also indicate that the customer wants another particu
`lar type of image product (for example, a portable optical or
`magnetic disk) or image Service (for example, an upload of
`a corresponding image Signal to a remote location) with one
`or more specified imageS associated with the code. By
`"asSociated” in this context merely references that the image
`has to be identified Somehow as one for which a request in
`a code is to be applied. Image Signals are passed over
`communication network connection 104 from Scanner 102
`to an Image Data Manager ("IDM”) 170. Codes read by
`code reader 103 may also be passed over network 104 to
`IDM 170.
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`IDM 170 is also connected through network 104 with an
`image preview Station 120 and a number of output devices
`in the form of a printers 130, 132, 134. IDM 170 is further
`connected through network 104 to other output devices in
`the form of a media Station 111, which provides image Signal
`outputs on magnetic diskS 114, optical diskS 112, or over a
`communication channel 113 (which may be wire, fiber optic
`cable, or wireless) to the Internet. Image preview station 120
`includes a processor 122 and a connected monitor 124
`(Sometimes referenced as a Screen) and operator input
`device 126 in the form of a keyboard and/or mouse or other
`Suitable operator input device. Processor 122 is optional in
`the sense that functions performed by it can be performed by
`IDM 170. Monitor 124 may, for example, be a CRT or LCD
`Screen. Operator input device 126 also allows an operator to
`input codes corresponding to customer requests for particu
`lar image products or image Services which may be found as
`printing on an envelope which carried the customer film
`Strip. The request will be associated with one or more
`particular images by identifying those images, usually by
`number, on the envelope. When the operator inputS Such
`information through input device 126 it becomes a customer
`code request associated with one or more particular identi
`fied images. Alternatively, a Separate operator input device
`(not shown) may be used for Such a purpose. Preview Station
`120 provides its output, back to IDM 170 through network
`104 although it could also provide its output to printer 130
`through a second network 127. Each of printers 130, 132,
`134 may, for example, be a high Speed color laser printer
`which prints digital image signals received from IDM 170
`(or from preview station 120) onto a light sensitive layer of
`a photographic paper web. Alternatively, any or all of the
`printers 130, 132, 134 could be inkjet, thermal or any other
`suitable image printer. In the case where printer 130 writes
`images onto photographic paper, the exposed photographic
`paper from printer 130 is then developed in color paper
`developer 140 to yield fixed images on the paper, in a known
`manner. The web, following developing in developer 140 is
`transported to a finishing station 160 to which the scanned
`film web 19 on reel 18 is also sent. Similarly a web or
`individual printed sheets from printers 132, 134 are also
`transported to finishing station 160. At finishing station 160
`any paper webs are cut into individual image prints, each
`scanned filmstrip is cut into strips (for 35 mm film) or
`reinserted into a cassettes (for Advanced Photo System
`film), and any prints from printers 130, 132, 134 are mated
`with the corresponding customer film and any optical or
`magnetic diskS 112, 114 to complete the customer's order.
`It will be appreciated that in the present invention, image
`Signals may be obtained from additional or other devices
`which provide the images. For example, image Signals might
`be provided to IDM 170 by being read from floppy magnetic
`disks 114, optical disks 112 or received from the Internet
`over communication channel 113. Such image Signals can be
`handled by IDM 170 and preview station 120 in the same
`manner as image Signals received from Scanned photo
`graphic media. It will be appreciated in this case that media
`Station 111 is a media input and output Station capable of
`both reading and writing to diskS 112, 114 and transmitting
`or receiving over communication channel 113.
`All of the components of FIG. 1 may be individual
`components, as illustrated, all located at least in the same
`building or even the same room of a building. This will be
`the typical configuration of a large wholesale photofinishing
`laboratory. On the other hand, in Situations where images are
`handled at a lower Volumes over a given time, Such as in a
`retail store outlet, some or all of the components of FIG. 1
`
`

`

`7
`may be located within a Single housing occupying an area of
`only about 1 to 10 Square meters, Sometimes referred to as
`a “minilab’ or similar terms.
`Referring to FIG. 2, some of the components of IDM 170
`will now be described. In particular, IDM 170 includes a
`processor which acts as a render manager 208. IDM 170
`further includes first, Second and third queue memories 210,
`212, 214, respectively, which respectively act as first,
`second, and third image queues. IDM 170 further has five
`image processors which act as rendererS 220, 224, 226, 228,
`and 230. Each of the queue memories and renderers are
`typically Separate physical devices, with each being capable
`of operating independently of the others. Note that each
`queue memory 210, 212, 214 has at least one corresponding
`image renderer which receives images for rendering only
`from that one queue memory. The components of IDM 170
`are all interconnected over the same network 104 as illus
`trated in FIG. 2, or alternatively another internal network
`can be used. Note that in FIG. 2 the connections of network
`104 between each of the components of IDM 170 are
`illustrated as Separate dashed lines for ease of understanding
`data flow within IDM 170. However, those dashed lines may
`simply represent the one network 104 cable. All of the
`components of IDM 170 may be housed in a single housing
`as represented Schematically in FIG. 1, or may in whole or
`in part be physically Separated and interconnected by the
`network 104 or another Suitable network.
`Image rendererS 220, 224, 226 communicate rendered
`images to printer 130. This communication can also be over
`the same network 104, although Separate physical connec
`tions could be provided from a given renderer to its corre
`sponding printer(s). Renderers 226, 228 communicate ren
`dered images to printer 132, while renderer 230
`communicates rendered images to printer 134. Note that
`renderer 226 acts as a Same rendering device which receives
`images from different queues 210, 212 and communicates
`Such images to printers 132, 134, respectively. Renderers
`220, 224, 226 then, are capable of rendering imageS received
`from queue memory 210 into a first format suitable for
`printer 130. Renderer 228 as well as renderer 226 are both
`capable of rendering images from queue memory 212 into a
`format suitable for printer 132, while renderer 230 is capable
`of rendering images from queue 214 into a format Suitable
`for printer 134. Thus, image queue 210 communicates
`images to multiple renderers operating in parallel (renderers
`220, 224 and in part renderer 226), while renderer 226 also
`communicates with multiple queue memories. Image ren
`derers 220, 224, 228, 230 are “dedicated” in that they each
`receive image Signals only from a Single queue memory
`(queue memory 210 in the case of image renderers 220, 224;
`queue memory 212 in the case of image renderer 228; and
`queue memory 214 in the case of image renderer 230).
`However, image renderer 226 is not dedicated to one queue
`memory. The image formats rendered by each renderer for
`images received from its communicating queue memory,
`can be considered a format "asSociated with that queue
`memory. For example, the image formats produced by
`renderers 220, 224 (and renderer 226 for image signals
`received from queue memory 210) for printer 130, is asso
`ciated with queue memory 210. This association may be
`Somewhat arbitrary in the Sense that, when the components
`of FIG. 2 are all communicating over the same network 104,
`the initial designation of which queue memory is associated
`with which renderer(s) can be made by render manager 208
`(Such as by render manager 208 instructing a given renderer
`to pull image Signals for rendering only from one or more of
`the queue memories).
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`Case 6:20-cv-06263-FPG Document 1-3 Filed 04/23/20 Page 8 of 10
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`US 6,215,559 B1
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`8
`Additional queue memories and renderers (not shown)
`may also be used, for example to render images to be output
`by media Station 111 onto magnetic diskS 114, optical disks
`112, or over a communication channel 113.
`In operation of the photofinishing apparatus of FIGS. 1
`and 2, it will first be assumed that a film on reel 18 has
`already been positioned for Scanning on Scanner 102. Next
`then, film 19 is scanned on scanner 102. Optical images of
`a filmstrip 12 in an order (again, one filmstrip 12 typically
`being one order) are continuously scanned one after the
`other in the Sequence in which they occur on the filmstrip 12,
`to produce corresponding digital image Signals. All of the
`filmstrips on reel 18 are continuously Scanned one after the
`other in the order in which they are attached together in film.
`The digital image signals (which may simply be referenced
`as “images”) are sent to IDM 170 along with read film code
`data from film code reader 103. The film code data or input
`received from operator input operator input device 126
`provide information on customer requested outputs for each
`image (for example, for a given image the customer may
`want a poster sized image and a T-shirt with the image).
`Alternatively, image Signals and associated customer
`requests may be received from media Station 111.
`Render manager 208 receives the customer requests for
`products or Services incorporating associated images, from
`code reader 103, operator input device 126, or from data
`received at media Station 11, from magnetic diskS 114,
`optical diskS 112, or over communication channel 113.
`Render manager 208 directs each image Signal into the
`appropriate one or more queue memories 210, 212, 214
`based on the customer's product or Service request associ
`ated with that image. Note that render manager 208 can
`direct the image Signals to the appropriate queue memory in
`a number of ways. For example, render manager 208 can
`actually receive the image data itself also and, based on the
`asSociated customer requests, simply communicate the
`image data to the appropriate one or more queue memories
`210, 212, 214. Alternatively, render manager 208 can direct
`the image Signal to the appropriate queue by Simply receiv
`ing a customer request associated with a given