This invention relates to encoded photographic negatives.

In commercial processing of negative films and production of prints therefrom it is necessary to have an identification system so as to identify customers, distinguish between various frames and other data. In the processing laboratory, it is desirable to have data relating to the origin of the negatives as well as data relating to the processing of proofs therefrom.

In one known arrangement, the negative film (usually in strip form) is placed in a protective transparent sleeve which has encoded material such as bar codes printed on the sleeve. Whilst this arrangement has some advantages, it does the disadvantage that when the negative is removed from the sleeve, they are separated from the bar codes and the possibility exists for incorrect correlation of the negatives and the bar codes. The incorrect correlation can also occur if the negatives are cut.

In addition, the photographer and photographic studio will often have their own requirements relating to labelling of negatives to include such things as the studio sitting number, frame number, sitting sequence number, and the like. It is usually necessary for this information to be manually marked on the negatives or their sleeves by staff at the studio after they have been returned from the processing laboratory. This work is time consuming and the possibilities exist for incorrect correlation between the studio data and the laboratory data.

The general object of the present invention is to provide new techniques for encoding of negative films which overcome some of the drawbacks noted above.

According to the present invention there is provided a photographic negative film which has, for each exposed frame thereof, machine readable information associated therewith.

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Preferably, a paper strip is applied to the edge of the film and the information is printed on the strip.

Preferably the information is printed in the form of bar codes.

Preferably, there are two bar codes for each frame one including information relating to the laboratory processing of the negative and/or prints therefrom and the second bar code containing information relating to the taking of the photograph at the studio.

The invention also provides a method of producing encoded negative film comprising the steps of applying a strip of paper to an edge of a negative film having a plurality of developed frames thereon and printing on said strip adjacent to each frame thereof information relating to that frame.

Preferably the method includes the step of producing prints from said negative film and the method further includes the steps of printing two bar codes the first of which includes information relating to the identity of the film and the printing process and the second bar code includes information relating to the exposure of the negative or taking of the photograph and/or the photographer's reference of the sequence of the frames.

The invention also provides apparatus for producing encoded photographic negatives comprising means for applying a strip to the negatives and printing means for printing coded material on the strip adjacent to each of the exposed frames of the negative.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the strip can be formed with a selectively activated adhesive so as to facilitate mounting of the negatives on an exposure card or the like.

Accordingly, the invention also provides a negative film including a strip of material applied to at least one edge of the film, said strip including a selectively activated adhesive material. Preferably, the adhesive material is heat activated.

Preferably further, the negative film includes strips of paper applied to each side of the negative. In this arrangement, it is relatively easy to mount the cut negative on an exposure card by simply placing the negative in the required position over the exposure card and applying a heating tool to the strips so as to activate the adhesive and thereby mount the negative to the card.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a negative film having an encoded strip thereon in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 shows a negative film in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 diagrammatically shows a frame of the negative mounted on an exposure card in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and

FIGURE 4 diagrammatically illustrates an apparatus for producing encoded negatives and colour prints in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 shows an encoded negative film 2 in accordance with the invention.

The arrangement includes a strip 4 of photographic film having frames 6 developed thereon in the usual way. A strip of paper 8 is applied to one of the side edges of the strip 4 by means of an adhesive or bonding agent. Adjacent to each of the frames 6 of the film are first and second coding fields 10 and 12.

The first fields 10 include identifying numbers and bar codes which include information for use by the film processing laboratory and would normally include such things as the identity of the owner of the film, order number, roll number and/or frame number. The fields 10 may also include information relevant to the processing of the

negative and/or of any set of prints taken therefrom. In the latter case, it is particularly useful to have infoπnation relevant to the printing process included so that when the film is returned to the laboratory for production of final prints, the fields 10 can be scanned to extract information relevant to the original production of the proof print and the printing machine automatically reset so as to duplicate substantially exactly the printing process of the proof prints.

The second fields 12 include serial numbers and corresponding bar codes relevant to the photographer or studio where the photographs were taken. The information may include such things as the studio sitting number, frame number and/or sitting sequence number. This information would be supplied by the photographer or studio with the original order and then inputted preferably by a bar code reader. After developing the negative and printing of proofs the studio data is printed in the fields 12 adjacent to the associated frame.

The film 2 can be placed in a transparent envelope (not shown) or the like and dispatched with the proof prints to the studio. The serial numbers in the frames 10 and 12 can be readily observed by a manual operator and/or machine read for further processing. It will be appreciated that if one or more of the frames 6 are cut from the strip, the coding fields 10 and 12 will be cut therewith so as to constitute a substantially permanent identification of the particular negative.

The strip 8 of paper is preferably applied to one of the edges of the negative strip after drying of the negative. Where a set of proof prints is to be made, it is preferred that the bar code printer is located downstream of the photographic printer so that the fields 10 can include information relevant to the printing of the proof prints. For instance this may include such things as the density and red, green and blue balance.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention which is essentially the same as the first embodiment except that a second paper strip 14 is applied to the

other side edge of the negative. In this arrangement, both the paper strips 8 and 14 have applied thereto a heat activated adhesive. When the frames 6 are cut from the strip the separated portions of the paper strips 8 and 14 can be used to stick the negative to an exposure card 16, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 3. The operator cuts the negative from the strip places it over the exposure card in a selected position relative to the exposure opening 18 in the card. A heating tool is touched upon the strips 8 and 14 at zones 20 to activate the heat sensitive adhesive and thereby mount the frame 6 at the correct relative position to the exposure opening 18. It will be appreciated that the coded fields 10 and 12 are still visible on the negative when it has been mounted on the card 16.

Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates an apparatus for producing encoded negatives in accordance with the invention. The apparatus includes a bar code reader 21 for reading bar coded self-adhesive labels applied to the end of the strip of exposed negative film prior to developing. Data would include such things as the identity of the owner of the film and the owner's identifying codes such as the studio sitting number, sitting sequence and frame numbers. This information is passed to computer controller 34 which monitors and/or controls all parts of the apparatus.

The apparatus also includes an automatic film developer 22 which processes exposed films so as to produce developed negative strips which pass to a dryer (not shown). The negative strips are then passed to a film splicer 24 for producing reels of film say 100m in length. The reels of film are then passed through a colour negative analyser 26 such as a video colour negative analyser which analyses each of the frames so that optimum printing can be carried out. Data from the analyser is stored in the controller 34. The reels then pass through a colour printer 28 which is controlled by the controller 34 and produces coloured prints from the frames. The reels then pass through a paper tabbing device 30 which applies the strips 8 and/or 14 of paper to the side edges of the film. The film then passes to a bar code printer 32 which prints information in the fields 10 and 12 adjacent to each of the frames in the reel. The bar code printer is also controlled by the controller 34. Because all of the

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components of the apparatus are under the control of the central controller 34, which controls the sequencing of the processing and the flow of data, the correct information is printed in the fields 10 and 12 adjacent to the respective frames 6.

After printing of the fields 10 and 12 in the bar code printer 32, the film can then be wound into a reel. Subsequently, the film can be cut into strips for packing and dispatch to customers.

The various elements in the apparatus can be of standard form and therefore need not be described in detail.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the bar codes of the fields 10 and 12 could be joined to form a single bar code.

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