EP0684520A1

EP0684520A1 - Order coding

Info

Publication number: EP0684520A1
Application number: EP95106769A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Walter Charles C/O Eastman Kodak Co. Slater; Gary Wayne C/O Eastman Kodak Co. Ahlquist; Richard Dean C/O Eastman Kodak Co. Young
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1994-05-12
Filing date: 1995-05-05
Publication date: 1995-11-29
Also published as: JPH086169A; JP2875766B2

Abstract

A process and apparatus are provided for capturing customer supplied information from envelopes (150) in which film is delivered to a photographic processing operation. The envelopes (150) are viewed and analyzed electronically for information in first areas (154,156) where a mark represents a customer instruction and second areas (158,160) locating eye-readable, alphanumeric information. The information is captured from the envelope (150) by recording the presence of marks in the first areas (154,156) and a bit-mapped image of the alphanumerics in said second areas (158,160). The captured information is stored electronically and used during processing for carrying out the customer's instructions and after processing for providing eye-readable information such as the return name and mailing address. A unique identification of each film roll (52,54) is used to maintain the association or link between film delivered in a respective envelope and information captured from that envelope (150). A plurality of templates (161) are employed for locating the first and second areas. Each template (161) is identified by a machine readable mark such as a bar code representing patterns printed at predetermined locations on the envelope (150). The code is used to retrieve from electronic memory a corresponding template that locates the first and second areas for information capture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to the following commonly assigned U.S. Patent Applications, all filed on even date herewith: Serial No. 08/(Attorney's Docket No. 65485) entitled RANDOM BATCH PHOTOFINISHING, filed in the name of Jack C. DeMarti, Jr. et al.; Serial No. 08/(Attorney's Docket No. 65777) entitled ORDER FINISHING, filed in the name of Walter C. Slater et al.; and Serial No. 08/(Attorney's Docket No. 68577) entitled FILM CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE, filed in the name of Allan G. Reddig et al. The disclosures of the above-referenced applications hereby are incorporated into the present specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The invention relates to photographic processing, and more specifically to the capture of customer supplied information and the use of that information during and after processing.

Description of the Prior Art

Modern equipment for processing photographic film is highly automated. Individual film rolls contained in cartridges usually arrive at the processing facility in envelopes that identify the dealer and include instructions from the photographer. The film is removed from its packaging, both envelope and cartridge, sorted and spliced together into much larger rolls for high-speed processing.
Latent images on the film are developed, usually into negatives, and printed by projection onto photographic paper. The prints are exposed in the requested sizes and number of copies, and the paper is then developed and cut into pictures. The film also is cut, matched with the printed pictures, and packaged for return to the dealer or other customer.
Throughout the process, the respective parts or corresponding components of a customer order are tracked mechanically by batch position. The film is batched and spliced into a roll that is maintained through development and printing. The paper is printed in large rolls in the same sequence, and the prints remain in that sequence until cut and matched with the film for packaging. Even the original customer envelopes are batched and ordered physically in the sequence of the spliced film rolls. The envelopes are retrieved in that sequence at the end of the process and used to provide the names of any dealer and/or the customer's return mailing address.
A back-up system permits recovery from accidents that disturb the envelope order. Linking identification numbers, called "splice lDs", are applied to the envelope and film early in the process, and to the pictures when they are printed. All of the components of a customer order can be matched after an accident by comparing the splice lDs.

PROBLEM SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

Although most film processing is automated, the corresponding data handling still includes substantial manual components. Handwritten names and addresses, for example, are important data elements typically tracked physically, in batched order, or entered manually on a key board.
Back-up systems, primarily splice lDs, have been used for many years and certainly permit recovery from accidents. Like data entry, however, most are unduly burdensome and mechanical.
More recent approaches to photographic processing employ random-order techniques, in which individual film rolls are not batched before printing. The physical order of the various components, primarily the film, may be random at the beginning or lost at some later point. Tracking and back-up tasks then become even more difficult with known methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for capturing customer supplied information from envelopes in which film is delivered to a photographic processing operation. The envelopes are viewed and analyzed electronically for information in first areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second areas where eye-readable, alphanumeric information is located. The information is captured from the envelope by recording the presence of marks in the first areas and a bit-mapped image of the alphanumerics in said second areas.
According to more specific features of the invention, the captured information is stored electronically and used during processing for carrying out the customer's instructions and after processing for providing eye-readable information such as the return name and mailing address. A unique identification of each film roll is used to maintain the association or link between film delivered in a respective envelope and information captured from that envelope. The envelope itself is not needed except, perhaps, for a backup system.
According to another feature, a plurality of templates are employed for locating the first and second areas. Each template is identified by a machine readable mark, such as a bar code, representing patterns printed at predetermined locations on the envelope. The code is used to retrieve from electronic memory a corresponding template that locates the first and second areas for information capture.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

Customer supplied information and instructions are captured and linked automatically, with little or no human intervention, including both machine readable information and eye-readable information that cannot be decoded by machine.
An electronic relationship or link is established between information captured from the package and the film delivered in the package. This link is usable throughout the processing operation to retrieve the information at any processing step regardless of the order of processing and including processing in a random order. Customer instructions can be carried out automatically during processing, and information that is not machine readable still can be displayed as an image at any point in the process. The name and mailing address, for example, can be printed automatically after processing, eliminating the need for retaining the original envelope.
These and other features and advantages will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an order coding station according to the invention, including envelope and cartridge scanners and an order entry terminal for recording and linking instructions and other information from the customer.
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a film developing station that might follow order entry in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic front elevation view of a printing station that might use information captured according to the invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the printing station of Figure 3, depicting a turret for handling the film rolls during the printing operation.
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of paper processing and finishing stations for use with the invention.
Figure 6 is a block diagram depicting a production management system for linking and processing information associated with the film, customer instructions and post-development operations.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a typical envelope or package for delivering film to a processing operation, depicting envelope graphics in first areas where a mark represents an instruction and second areas for containing alphanumerics.
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a template for locating the first and second areas on the envelope for information capture.
Figure 9 is a flow diagram depicting the steps employed for capturing the information in the first and second areas and for linking that information to the film cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a number of automated stations are depicted for processing photographic film into finished prints according to customer provided instructions. The stations include order receiving and information capture 10 - (Figure 1), film development 12 (Figure 2), machine sorting 14 (Figure 2), printing 16 (Figures 3 and 4), paper processing 18 (Figure 5), finishing and packaging 20 (Figures 5 and 6) and an information processing and control network 22 (Figure 6).
The film rolls and cartridges that will be described according to the preferred embodiment are referred to as thrust loading, and are described more fully in Baxter et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,122,823, issued June 16, 1992; and Zander U.S. Patent No. 5,200,777 issued on April 6, 1993. The film is retained with the cartridge during processing and printing, preferably by attachment to a film spool inside the cartridge, and is extended from the cartridge by unwinding the film for the various processing and printing operations. The cartridge is designed so the outermost convolution of film will be stripped from its roll by such unwinding and expelled through the cartridge opening.
Beginning now with Figure 1, the order receiving and information capture station 10 includes a transport 24, an envelope reader 26 and an operator station 28. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the transport 24 extends in three sections 29, 30 and 31, for conveying the customer order and its contents between a plurality of operating positions. The first transport section 29 is an endless belt adapted for receiving unopened customer orders spaced sequentially in a row for convenient delivery, one-at-a-time to the second section 30. The second section operates intermittently to deliver the envelopes to an information capture station 32, where an air bladder 34 inflates inside a rigid frame to flatten the belt and envelope against a transparent platen 36. The platen and envelope are illuminated by a light source 38, and viewed by an electro-optical imaging camera 40, including a CCD (charge coupled device), that captures a bit-mapped image of portions or the entire order envelope. The image is stored in memory in association with a code, referred to as a local product code or LPC, that identifies characteristics of the order. The air bladder is then deflated and the envelope continues to the end of the central section where it is stopped by a fence 42.
The term "envelope," as it is used throughout this specification, is intended broadly to mean the package in which film rolls are delivered with instructions for processing or in which prints are returned after processing.
The envelopes are retrieved manually from the central section at fence 42 and opened to remove the film in its cartridge. The cartridge includes a unique identification number, sometimes referred to as a cartridge ID or CID, which is applied during manufacture as a bar code, or other machine readable mark, and may be associated with information about the type of film in the cartridge and its roll length. The cartridge ID (CID) is captured at station 28 by a bar-code reader 44 and stored in memory with a link or tag to the information captured from the envelope.
The CID is used throughout the processing operation at the respective stations to track each film cartridge on an individual basis and to determine information about the film pertinent to its processing.
The envelope is kept primarily as a back-up, and for this reason is marked in an envelope printer 46 with the cartridge ID. It is then stored for some relatively short period and discarded.
A computer 48 with a keyboard 49 and video display 50 are provided for verification and manual entry if the primary automated system is unable to find or decipher the information it requires.
From the operator station 28 the film is returned to transport 24 at its third section 31 for movement to the processing station (Figure 2).
It will become more apparent from the following description that the order receiving and information capture station 10, summarized above, electronically captures customer supplied information of two types, preferably associated with two predetermined areas on the envelopes. In the first area, a mark represents a customer instruction that can be interpreted and used by the processing equipment. In the second area the information is eye-readable, alphanumeric information, perhaps a hand-written name and address, that is not decipherable by the equipment. Both types of information are linked in memory to the film cartridge and the corresponding customer order, and can be retrieved from the system at any time using the cartridge identification (CID).
The film rolls move from the order entry and information capture station 10 to the film development station 12 (Figure 2) where they are transferred from transport section 31 into hopper 51. No particular order of the film units is required and the rolls are not spliced together. Instead each film roll is handled together with its cartridge as an individual unit that is developed by extending or thrusting the film from its containing cartridge and moving it between the required processing solutions so the film will extend from the cartridge into the solutions. The developing process sometimes is referred to as dip-and-dunk, because the film rolls, 52 and 54 for example, are extended from their cartridges and lowered into a plurality of tanks 56, 58 and 60 of developing solutions, one-tank-after- another, according to a conventional developing process. After development, the film is rewound into the same cartridge for movement to the next station. Preferably, the film is actually attached to the cartridge so it will not accidentally separate from the cartridge or the unique CID and information associated therewith. In alternative embodiments, however, the film may be removed from and reattached to the cartridge at various points in the process.
After the film is developed into a printable negative, it moves to station 14 for machine sorting to separate the rolls by size or the paper surface required for printing. The rolls are loaded in hopper 62 and pass through a sorting section 64 that reads the CID from the cartridge, retrieves the customer provided instructions associated therewith and directs the film rolls into various bins 66, 68, 70 and 72, depending on the surface finish, other properties required in the desired prints or any other sort parameter. The film rolls from each bin then are collected in film loading magazines 74 that are suitable for carrying the film between stations and loading it into the printer.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a printing operation is depicted in which the film rolls are loaded for printing one-at-a-time from the film loading magazine 74, and unloaded after printing into a film batching magazine 76. The magazine 76 defines a batch of film rolls, in the same order they were printed, and maintains that batch and order for the remainder of the processing operations until the film is matched with the developed prints for packaging as a completed order. The batch size is established during the printing operation to improve processing efficiency and particularly in consideration of the use of photographic paper.
Film loading magazine 74 is mounted in printer 16 on a rotary support 80 suspended on arm 82 above a film-handling spider-turret 84. The film rolls are pushed from the magazine by a push-rod, or the like, and are manipulated between the printing stations by the turret until reloaded after printing into the batching magazine 76.
The turret includes a number of radially-extending reciprocatable arms represented at 86, 88, 90 and 92, that index with the turret between the respective printing stations 94, 96, 98, and 100. The printing stations include a loading station 94, adjacent magazine 74, for removing the film rolls from the loading magazine; a scanning station 96, for scanning the film to determine various printing characteristics of the negatives; a printing station 98, where the film images are exposed to a light source 102 in lamp house 104, for projecting images of the negatives through appropriate optics (not shown) onto the photographic paper; and an unloading station 100 for positioning the film rolls in the batching magazine 76. Like the loading magazine 74, the batching magazine is mounted for rotation at 106 on arm 108.
Photographic paper is supplied in large rolls 110 contained in light-tight cartridges 112, at one end of the printer, and taken-up after printing in similar rolls 114 and cartridges 116 at the other end of the printer. Between the supply and take-up rolls, 110 and 114, the paper is threaded though a print exposure section 118 where it is tensioned for exposure to the image projected from exposure station 98 by light source 102 and associated optics (not shown).
Communications and set-up of the printing operation is provided through channels represented by CRT 120.
In operation, film rolls are mounted on the printer substantially in random order at the loading station 94 and moved through the respective printer stations, one-at-a-time by the spider turret 84. At each station the film is extended, by unwinding the film from its cartridge, information required by that station is retrieved from the image processing and control network using the unique cartridge identification number (CID) for retrieval, the operation for that particular station is completed, and the film is rewound into the same cartridge for indexing to the next station. When all printing operations are completed, the film rolls are loaded into the batching magazine 76 to retain the order in which they were printed and for movement to the paper developing and finishing stations.
Figure 5 depicts the paper developing operation. The paper rolls 114 are transferred from the printer to the developing station in their light tight cartridges 116. The paper is withdrawn in a dark room and threaded for development through a plurality of developing solutions in tanks 122 and 124, and a drying chamber 126, according to conventional processes. After drying the prints are wound into rolls 128 for delivery to the inspection and finishing stations.
After development, the prints may be visually inspected at table 130 and are rewound into rolls 132 for finishing in station 20. The paper is cut into individual prints at station 134, matched with the appropriate film roll from batching magazine 76 and packaged in a new envelope retrieved from supply 136 for return to the customer. The film rolls, which have been retained in their batched order from the printer, easily are matched with their corresponding prints.
Figure 6 depicts the information processing and control network 22, including a production management computer 140 coupled to logic associated with each of the processing stations. Numeral 142 represents the path of a film roll as it moves between the respective stations during processing. At the order entry and information capture station 10, the envelope and the film cartridge it contains are viewed to capture the customer instructions and other information from the envelope and to link that information to the cartridge and its ID. At the film developing station the cartridge ID may be used to determine the film type for processing. During auto-sorting, the unique number is used to retrieve the customers instructions regarding paper surface requested and other sort parameters. At printing the customer information is used to determine the number of prints. Some information may be printed onto the backs of the prints to facilitate subsequent order matching. At the packaging station, the information may be used for printing the dealer or other customer return address (or other information) and applying it to the mailing envelope, label, etc. for return.
Referring now in more detail to the features of the present invention, and to Figures 1, and 7-9, the envelope 150 (Figure 7), in which film is delivered for processing, includes a template identification 152, areas 154 and 156 where a mark indicates a predetermined customer instruction that can be deciphered by the processing apparatus, and areas 158 and 160 that might include eye-readable information, such as a handwritten name and address that is not decipherable by the apparatus. In this preferred embodiment the respective areas are physical locations depending on the template that are designed to contain the instructions and information. In other embodiments the areas may be identified in some manner other than physical location, such as a machine readable identifier of each respective section or by actually reading the information in the first areas using OCR (optical character reading) techniques.
An electronic template 161, corresponding to the envelope template, is depicted in Figure 8. Like the envelope template, the electronic template includes corresponding areas 162 and 164 where the location of a mark indicates an instruction, and areas 166 and 168 where eye-readable alphanumerics might be located. Area 167 represents the location of the template identifier. The respective areas might be used during information capture, in which case only the presence or absence of marks would be recorded in the first areas and a bit-map image would be recorded in the second areas. Alternatively, an image of the entire envelope might be captured in the first instance, and the respective areas identified later through known information processing techniques.
Figure 9 depicts the overall process for capturing the marked instructions and mapped information. Row 170 represents the capture of the marked instructions from the envelope, and includes moving the envelope to the information capture station 172, scanning for the bar code that identifies the dealer and its template 173, selecting the template 174, reading the marked boxes in the locations specified by the template box 175, verifying the scan to make sure required information is captured box 176, assigning a unique local product code LPC 177 and continuing on to row 180.
Row 180 depicts the process for capturing the bit map, and includes recording the image representing the eye-readable information 182, enhancing the image box 183, and opening the envelope and removing its contents 184.
Row 190 depicts capture of the cartridge identification (CID), and includes locating and scanning the cartridge, 191 and 192, to capture the cartridge identification (CID). The CID is uploaded to the computer and linked in memory with the LPC mentioned above, 194. For back-up purposes, the CID is printed on the envelope 195, and the envelope is archived, 196, until processing of the corresponding order is completed and returned. The cartridge then moves on to processing, 197.
It should now be apparent that the invention captures and automatically links various types of customer supplied instructions and other information for use during and after processing. The captured information may be machine readable, like a bar code, machine decipherable, like an instruction mark, or only eye-readable, like a handwritten address. All such information can be linked and used with little human intervention.
The information and link is usable throughout the processing operation to retrieve instructions and other information at any processing step regardless of the order of processing and including processing in a random order.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it accordingly is intended that the claims cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
The invention is summarized as follows:

1. A method of capturing and using information provided with a customer order, the order including film delivered for photographic processing, the information including first areas where the presence of a mark in a predetermined location represents an instruction and second areas where the information is alphanumeric and eye-readable, the method comprising the steps of:
- electro-optically viewing the first areas and recording in electronic memory the presence of marks in the predetermined locations;
- electro-optically viewing the second areas and recording in electronic memory an image of the alphanumeric information;
- establishing in electronic memory a unique order identification; and,
- maintaining an association during processing between the order identification and said recorded information.
2. The invention according to 1, wherein the film includes and maintains during processing a machine readable unique identification, and the method includes the steps of reading said film identification during processing and retrieving said recorded information for carrying out the customer instructions.
3. The invention according to 2, including the steps of:
- packaging the film after processing for return; and,
- printing and applying to the packaging the recorded image of the alphanumeric information.
4. A method for using instructions provided with an order for processing photographic film, the film including a machine-readable, film identification, the instructions conforming to a predetermined template including first areas where a mark represents an instruction and second areas containing alphanumerics, the method comprising the steps of:
- electro-optically scanning the film and capturing in electronic memory the film identification;
- electro-optically scanning the first areas and capturing in electronic memory the customer instructions represented by the marks;
- electro-optically scanning the second areas and capturing in electronic memory an image of the alphanumerics;
- maintaining during processing an association between the film identification, the marked information and the image information;
- using the association during processing to carry out the instructions.
5. The invention according to 4, wherein the alphanumerics including an address and said association is maintained after processing to provide said address for returning the film.
6. The invention according to 5, including the steps of:
- packaging the film for return after processing; and,
- printing the image and applying the printed image to the packaging as a return address.
7. A method for using instructions provided with an order for processing photographic film, the film including a machine-readable film identification, the instructions conforming to one of a plurality of predetermined templates including a machine readable template identifier, first areas where a mark represents an instruction according to the template and second areas containing alphanumerics, the method comprising the steps of:
- machine-reading the template identifier and identifying the template to which the instructions conform;
- electro-optically scanning the first areas according to the template and capturing in electronic memory the customer instructions represented by the marks;
- electro-optically scanning the second areas according to the template and capturing in electronic memory an image of the alphanumerics;
- machine reading and capturing the film identification in electronic memory;
- maintaining during processing an association between the film identification, the marked information and the image information;
- using said association during printing to carry out the instructions.
8. A method of capturing customer supplied information from material delivered with film to a photographic processing operation, and for using the captured information in the operation, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining a plurality of envelope templates, each including a machine-readable template identification, first predetermined areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second predetermined areas for locating eye-readable, alphanumeric information;
- marking the material according to said templates, including a machine-readable template identification, first predetermined areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second predetermined areas for locating eye-readable alphanumeric information; and,
- scanning the material according to said templates, first to read the template identification and then to capture information by recording the presence of marks in said first areas and a bit-mapped image of alphanumeric information in said second areas.
9. The invention according to 8, further including the step of:
- maintaining an association during processing between film delivered with informational material and the information captured from said informational material.
10. Apparatus for capturing customer supplied information applied to envelopes according to an envelope template, and for using the captured information in a photographic processing operation, the envelope template including a machine-readable template identification, said apparatus comprising:
- means for scanning the envelopes to machine-read the template identification;
- means for defining a plurality of electronic templates corresponding to the envelope templates, each including first predetermined areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second predetermined areas for locating eye-readable, alphanumeric information;
- means for selecting an electronic template based on the template identification and for capturing customer supplied information by recording the presence of marks in said first areas and a bit-mapped image of alphanumeric information in said second areas.
11. Apparatus for capturing and using information provided with a customer order, the order including film delivered for photographic processing, the information including first areas where the presence of a mark in a predetermined location represents an instruction and second areas where the information is alphanumeric and eye-readable, the method comprising the steps of:
- means for electro-optically scanning the first areas and recording in electronic memory the presence of marks in the predetermined locations;
- means for electro-optically scanning the second areas and recording in electronic memory an image of the alphanumeric information;
- means for establishing in electronic memory a unique order identification; and,
- means for maintaining an association during processing between the order identification and the recorded information.
12. The invention according to 11, wherein the film includes and maintains during processing a machine readable unique identification, and the apparatus includes the means for reading said film identification during processing and retrieving the recorded information for carrying out the customer instructions.
13. The invention according to 12, including:
- means for packaging the film after processing for returning the film to the customer; and,
- means for printing and applying to the packaging the recorded image of the alphanumerics information.
14. Apparatus for using instructions provided with an order for processing photographic film, the film including a machine-readable, film identification, the instructions conforming to a predetermined template including first areas where a mark represents an instruction and second areas containing alphanumerics, the apparatus comprising:
- means for electro-optically scanning the film and capturing in electronic memory the film identification;
- means for electro-optically scanning the first areas and capturing in electronic memory the customer instructions represented by the marks;
- means for electro-optically scanning the second areas and capturing in electronic memory an image of the alphanumerics;
- means for maintaining during processing an association between the film identification, the marked information and the image information; and,
- means for using the association during processing to carry out the instructions.
15. The invention according to 14, wherein the alphanumerics are an address and said association is maintained after processing to provide said address for returning the film.
16. The invention according to 15, including:
- means for packaging the film for return after processing; and,
- means for printing the image and applying the printed image to the package as the return address.
17. The invention according to 14, wherein the alphanumerics comprise name and/or address for returning of the film.

Claims

1. A method of capturing and using information provided with a customer order, the order including film delivered for photographic processing, the information including first areas where the presence of a mark in a predetermined location represents an instruction and second areas where the information is alphanumeric and eye-readable, the method comprising the steps of:

electro-optically viewing the first areas and recording in electronic memory the presence of marks in the predetermined locations;

electro-optically viewing the second areas and recording in electronic memory an image of the alphanumeric information;

establishing in electronic memory a unique order identification; and,

maintaining an association during processing between the order identification and said recorded information.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the film includes and maintains during processing a machine readable unique identification, and the method includes the steps of reading said film identification during processing and retrieving said recorded information for carrying out the customer instructions.

3. The invention according to claim 2, including the steps of:

packaging the film after processing for return; and,

printing and applying to the packaging the recorded image of the alphanumeric information.

4. A method for using instructions provided with an order for processing photographic film, the film including a machine-readable, film identification, the instructions conforming to a predetermined template including first areas where a mark represents an instruction and second areas containing alphanumerics, the method comprising the steps of:

electro-optically scanning the film and capturing in electronic memory the film identification;

electro-optically scanning the first areas and capturing in electronic memory the customer instructions represented by the marks;

electro-optically scanning the second areas and capturing in electronic memory an image of the alphanumerics;

maintaining during processing an association between the film identification, the marked information and the image information;

using the association during processing to carry out the instructions.

5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the alphanumerics including an address and said association is maintained after processing to provide said address for returning the film.

6. A method for using instructions provided with an order for processing photographic film, the film including a machine-readable film identification, the instructions conforming to one of a plurality of predetermined templates including a machine readable template identifier, first areas where a mark represents an instruction according to the template and second areas containing alphanumerics, the method comprising the steps of:

machine-reading the template identifier and identifying the template to which the instructions conform;

electro-optically scanning the first areas according to the template and capturing in electronic memory the customer instructions represented by the marks;

electro-optically scanning the second areas according to the template and capturing in electronic memory an image of the alphanumerics;

machine reading and capturing the film identification in electronic memory;

using said association during printing to carry out the instructions.

7. A method of capturing customer supplied information from material delivered with film to a photographic processing operation, and for using the captured information in the operation, said method comprising the steps of:

defining a plurality of envelope templates, each including a machine-readable template identification, first predetermined areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second predetermined areas for locating eye-readable, alphanumeric information;

marking the material according to said templates, including a machine-readable template identification, first predetermined areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second predetermined areas for locating eye-readable alphanumeric information;

and, scanning the material according to said templates, first to read the template identification and then to capture information by recording the presence of marks in said first areas and a bit-mapped image of alphanumeric information in said second areas.

8. Apparatus for capturing customer supplied information applied to envelopes according to an envelope template, and for using the captured information in a photographic processing operation, the envelope template including a machine-readable template identification, said apparatus comprising:

means for scanning the envelopes to machine-read the template identification;

means for defining a plurality of electronic templates corresponding to the envelope templates, each including first predetermined areas where a mark represents a customer instruction and second predetermined areas for locating eye-readable, alphanumeric information;

means for selecting an electronic template based on the template identification and for capturing customer supplied information by recording the presence of marks in said first areas and a bit-mapped image of alphanumeric information in said second areas.

9. Apparatus for capturing and using information provided with a customer order, the order including film delivered for photographic processing, the information including first areas where the presence of a mark in a predetermined location represents an instruction and second areas where the information is alphanumeric and eye-readable, the method comprising the steps of:

means for electro-optically scanning the first areas and recording in electronic memory the presence of marks in the predetermined locations;

means for electro-optically scanning the second areas and recording in electronic memory an image of the alphanumeric information;

means for establishing in electronic memory a unique order identification; and,

means for maintaining an association during processing between the order identification and the recorded information.

10. Apparatus for using instructions provided with an order for processing photographic film, the film including a machine-readable, film identification, the instructions conforming to a predetermined template including first areas where a mark represents an instruction and second areas containing alphanumerics, the apparatus comprising:

means for electro-optically scanning the film and capturing in electronic memory the film identification;

means for electro-optically scanning the first areas and capturing in electronic memory the customer instructions represented by the marks;

means for electro-optically scanning the second areas and capturing in electronic memory an image of the alphanumerics;

means for maintaining during processing an association between the film identification, the marked information and the image information; and,

means for using the association during processing to carry out the instructions.