JPH086169A - Method and device for coding of order in photograph processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a method and device for fetching customers' information from an envelope containing a film brought in for photographic processing. CONSTITUTION: A device 10 for accepting orders and fetching information contains a transporting device 24, envelope reading device 26, and manipulating device 28. The transporting device 24 is composed of three parts 29, 30, 31 for transporting customers' orders and their contents to multiple manipulating positions. In the information fetching part 32, an air bag 34 expands in a sturdy frame, flatly pressing a belt and the envelope against a transparent platen 36. The platen 36 and the envelope are illuminated by a light source 38 and photographed by an electrooptical image pickup camera 40. The image fetched is stored in a memory together with a code for identifying the characteristics of the order. With the air bag 34 shrinking, the envelope is transported to the end of a second transporting part 30 and stopped by a partition plate 42.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to photographic processing and, more particularly, to the capture of information provided by a customer and the execution and post-processing use of said information.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Presently, equipment for processing photographic film is highly automated. The individual film rolls contained in the cartridge are usually delivered to a processing facility in an envelope in which the dealer is identified and the photographer's instructions are written. The delivered film is removed from the envelope and cartridge, sorted and spliced into larger rolls for high speed processing.

The latent image on film is usually developed negatively and then projected by projection onto photographic paper. The prints are exposed in the required size and number of sheets and the photographic paper is developed and cut into individual photographs. The film is also cut to match the printed photo, packaged and returned to the dealer or other customer.

Throughout the above process, each part or corresponding component of a customer order is automatically tracked by a batch operation (batch = batch). The film is batch processed and spliced into a larger roll. The film is developed and baked in the form of this roll. The photographic paper is printed in the same sequence in the form of large rolls and the photographic print is maintained in this sequence until it is cut for packaging and matched with the film. Even the original customer envelopes are batch manipulated and aligned in physical order, with rolls formed by joining films. At the end of processing, these envelopes are taken out in this order and used to know the name of the dealer and / or the return address of the customer.

The provision of the backup system makes it possible to restore the original order even if the order of the envelopes is disturbed due to some accident. "Join ID (splic
A splicing identification number, called "e ID)", is affixed to the envelope and film during the early stages of processing and is affixed to the photo when it is printed. By comparing the splice IDs, all components of the customer order can be matched after the accident.

[0006]

Although most film processing is automated, the corresponding data processing still requires significant manpower. For example, handwritten names and destinations are important data elements that are typically physically tracked or manually entered from the keyboard in a single processing sequence.

A refraining system consisting mainly of junction IDs has been used for many years, and it is certain that accident recovery will be possible with this system. However, most of this system is as cumbersome and mechanical as data entry.

The more advanced photographic processing schemes employ an out-of-order method where the individual film rolls are not batch operated prior to printing. The order of the various components, which consist primarily of film, is random at the beginning of the process, or the order is lost at some later point. Therefore, the task of tracking and keeping copies becomes even more difficult with known methods.

The object of the present invention is to solve one or more of the above problems.

[0010]

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] In summary,
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method and apparatus is provided for capturing customer-provided information from an envelope containing film that has been handed over for photographic processing. The envelope is imaged and analyzed for information in a first area where the symbols represent the customer's instructions and a second area where the visually readable character / number information is located. The information includes the presence of a symbol in the first area and a bitmap image (bit-mapped) of the character in the second area.
image) and is captured from the envelope.

According to a more specific feature of the present invention, the information retrieved from the envelope is electronically stored and used to perform the process to execute the customer's instructions and when the process is complete,
The information will be visually readable, such as the name and address of the recipient. The unique identification code of each film roll maintains the association or link between the film contained in and delivered to each envelope and the information captured from that envelope. The envelope itself is not necessary except for keeping it as a copy.

According to yet another feature, multiple templates are used to determine the location of the first and second regions. Each template is identified by a machine-readable symbol, such as a bar code, which represents the pattern printed in place on the envelope. Use this symbol
The corresponding template that confirms the positions of the first and second areas is read from the electronic memory and the information is captured.

Information and instructions from customers, including both machine-readable and machine-unreadable eye-readable information, are electronically captured and associated with little or no human intervention. Be seen.

An electronic association or link is established between the information retrieved from the envelope and the film delivered in the envelope. By using this link throughout the processing, information can be retrieved at any processing step including the processing in a random order regardless of the processing order. Customer instructions can be automatically executed to perform the process, and machine-unreadable information can be displayed as an image at any point in the process. For example, the name and destination can be printed automatically after processing, eliminating the need to keep the original envelope.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention can be obtained by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.
I think you can understand it more clearly.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A number of apparatus for processing photographic film into finished prints in accordance with information provided by the customer will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments of the invention. These devices include an order receiving and information capturing device 10 (see FIG. 1), a film developing device 12 (see FIG. 2), an automatic sorting device 14 (see FIG. 2), and a printing device 16.
(See FIGS. 3 and 4), photographic paper processing device 18 (see FIG. 5), finishing and packaging device 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and information processing device and control network 22 (see FIG. 6).

The film rolls and cartridges described in accordance with the preferred embodiment have a thrust loading system (thr).
ust loading), June 1, 1992
US Patent No. 5,122,823, issued to Baxter et al., Issued on June 6, and US Patent No. 5,200,7 issued to Zander, et al. Issued April 6, 1993.
No. 77, which is described in detail. During processing and baking, the film is preferably held with the cartridge, mounted on the film winding shaft within the cartridge. Then, the film is unwound from the winding shaft, pulled out from the cartridge, and put into various processing and baking steps. The cartridge is designed so that the outermost spiral portion of the film is pulled away from the roll and unwound from the cartridge opening as the film is unwound from the winding shaft.

As shown in FIG. 1, the order receiving and information capturing device 10 includes a transport device 24 and an envelope reading device 2.
6 and includes an operating device 28. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the transport device 24 comprises three parts 2 for transporting customer orders and their contents to multiple operating positions.
It consists of 9, 30 and 31. The first transport unit 29 connects unopened customer orders, which are lined up in a row and spaced in order.
It is an endless belt adapted to receive only one bag at a time to the second carrier 30. The second transport unit 30 operates to intermittently deliver the envelope to the information capturing unit 32. In the information capturing section 32, the air bag 34 expands in a rigid frame to press the belt and envelope flat against the transparent platen 36. The platen 36 and envelope are illuminated by a light source 38 and photographed by an electro-optical imaging camera 40 that includes a CCD (electrostatic coupling device) for capturing a bitmap image of some or all of the custom envelope. The captured image is a local product code (L
It is stored in memory with a code called PC).
Next, the air bag 34 is contracted, and the envelope is moved to the second transport unit 30.
Is conveyed to the end of the sheet and stopped by the boundary plate 42.

As used throughout this application, the term "envelope" broadly refers to a container that contains a film roll and customer instructions for processing, or a container that contains and returns processed pictures.

The envelope is manually picked from the center at the boundary plate 42 of the second transport section, opened, and the film contained in the cartridge is removed. A cartridge contains a unique identification number, sometimes referred to as a cartridge ID or CID, which is attached to the cartridge as a bar code or other machine-readable symbol during the manufacturing process of the cartridge. Associated with information regarding the type of film and the number of recordable images. The cartridge ID (CID) is read by the barcode reading device 44 in the operation unit 28, and together with a link or tag (tag) to the information read from the envelope,
Stored in memory.

The CID is used in each device throughout the processing operation to individually track each film cartridge and determine information directly related to the processing of the film.

The envelope is mainly stored as a copy, and therefore, in the envelope printer 46, the cartridge ID is added. The envelope is then stored for a relatively short period of time and then discarded.

A computer 48, including a keyboard 49 and a video display 50, is provided for verification and manual input in case the automated system body cannot find or decode the required information.

From the operation unit 28, the film transporting device 24
It is placed on the third transport unit 31 and is sent to the processing device (see FIG. 2).

The above-mentioned order acceptance and information acquisition device 10
Preferably electronically captures two types of customer-provided information relating to a given area on the envelope, the details of which are described below. In the first area, the symbols represent customer instructions that the processor can interpret and use. In the second area, the information is, for example, hand-written names and destinations that are unreadable by the device and are readable by the eye. Both of these pieces of information can be retrieved from the system by using the cartridge identification (CID) in memory, coupled to the film cartridge and corresponding customer order.

The film roll moves from the order receiving and information capturing device 10 to the film developing unit 12 (see FIG. 2) and is transferred from the transport unit 31 to the hopper 51. The films need not be in any particular order and the rolls are not joined. Each film roll, along with its cartridge, was treated as a unit, with the film unrolled from that cartridge and dipped in the required processing solution,
It is developed. The developing step is performed by, for example, the film roll 52
And 54 are extended from the cartridge to provide a plurality of developer baths 56, 58 and 60 according to a conventional development process.
Since it is sequentially added to the above, it is sometimes called an immersion step. At the end of development, the film is rolled into the same cartridge and moved to the next device. Preferably, the film is a cartridge or a unique CI associated with it.
It is actually attached to the cartridge so that it is not accidentally pulled away from D and the information. However, in other embodiments, the film can be removed from and reattached to the cartridge at various points during the process.

Once the film has been developed into a printable negative, it is transferred to apparatus 14 where it is automatically sorted and the rolls are separated by size or photographic paper surface required for printing. The separated roll is loaded into the hopper 62, and the CI
D is read from the cartridge, customer-supplied information associated with the CID is retrieved, and the film roll is loaded into various accumulating containers 66, 68, 7 according to surface finish, other characteristics required for the desired print or other classification requirements.
It passes through the classification unit 64 which is divided into 0 and 72. The film rolls emerging from each of the collection bins are collected in a film loading magazine 74 suitable for transporting film from device to device and loading into printing equipment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a printing operation in which film rolls are loaded from the film roll loading magazine 74 one at a time, baked, and then fed into the film batch operation magazine 76 after baking. The film batch operation magazine 76 has the size of one film roll,
Determine the order in which the film rolls were baked, part 1
Batches and order are maintained for the rest of the processing operation until the film matches the developed print and is packaged as a complete order. The one-time size is established during the printing operation, in order to improve the processing efficiency, especially considering the use of photographic paper.

The film loading magazine 74 is attached to a rotary support 80 which is hung on an arm 82 above a spider-type turret 84 of the printing device 16. The film roll can be loaded into the film loading magazine 7 with a push rod or the like.
4 and is operated between the baking devices by the turret 84 and reloaded into the batch operation magazine 76 after baking.

The turret 84 is provided in each baking section 9
A radially extending reciprocable arm 86 which rotates with the turret between 4, 96, 98 and 100,
88, 90 and 92 are included. These prints are adjacent to the magazine 74 for loading film rolls from the loading magazine, and scanning 96 for scanning the film to determine various printing characteristics of the negative.
And a printing unit 98 for exposing the film image to a light source in the lamp house 104 to project the negative image onto photographic paper through an appropriate optical system (not shown), and the film roll in a batch operation magazine. And a film roll unloading unit 100 for loading the film into the roll 76. Like the film loading device 74, the batch operation magazine 76 is
8 is attached to the rotary support 106 and rotates.

The photographic paper is supplied by a large roll 110 housed in a light blocking cartridge 112 arranged on one side of the printing device, and after printing, a similar roll 114 and another roll 114 arranged on the other side of the printing device. Cartridge 11
Take up by 6. Between the supply roll 110 and the take-up roll 114, the printing paper passes through the printing exposure section 118,
There, tension is applied and the image projected from the exposure unit 98 is exposed by the light source 102 and the associated optical system (not shown).

Information transmission and settings for the printing operation are as follows.
This is done through the channel represented by CRT 120.

In operation, the film rolls are loaded in a substantially random sequence on the loading section 94 of the printing apparatus, and the spider-type turret 84 opens each printing section, one at a time. pass. In each part,
The film is stretched by unrolling the film from its cartridge, and the information needed for each part is retrieved from the image processing and control network using a unique cartridge identification number (CID) to create a specific print part. When the operation is completed, the film is rewound into the same cartridge and conveyed to the next printing section. When all the baking operations are completed, the film roll is loaded into the batch operation magazine 76 and is conveyed to the developing section and the finishing section in the order in which the film roll was baked.

FIG. 5 shows a photographic paper developing operation. The photographic printing paper roll 114 is put in a cartridge 116 that shields light, and sent from the printing device to the developing section. Photographic paper
Cartridge 116 in a dark room according to conventional processes.
Is drawn from the container, is developed by passing through a plurality of developers in the tanks 122 and 124, and is dried in the drying chamber 126. After drying, the print is wound up as a roll 128 and sent to the inspection and finishing section.

After development, the print can be visually inspected at the inspection table 130 and rewound as a roll 132 and finished in the finishing station 20. The printing paper is cut into individual prints in the print cutting unit 134, is matched with an appropriate film roll supplied from the batch operation magazine, is packed in a new envelope supplied from the envelope supply device, and is returned to the customer. To be done. The film rolls held in the batch operation sequence from the printing device can be easily matched with the corresponding prints.

FIG. 6 illustrates an information processing and control network 22 that includes a production control computer 140 coupled to the logic associated with each processing unit. Reference numeral 142 indicates the path as the film roll passes between the respective processing sections during the progress of the processing. In the order receiving and information capturing device 10, the envelope and the film cartridge contained therein are photographed, customer instructions and other information are read from the envelope, and the read information is combined with the cartridge and its ID. In the film developing section, the cartridge ID can be used to determine the type of film to be processed. During automatic classification, a unique number is used to retrieve customer instructions regarding the requested paper surface topography and other classification conditions. In printing, the information provided by the customer is used to determine the number of prints. By printing some information on the back of the print, matching of subsequent orders can be facilitated. In the packing section, the above-mentioned information is used to print the return address (or other information) of the dealer or customer, attach it to the return envelope or label, and return.

The features of the present invention will be described in more detail below. Envelope 150 containing film that has been handed over for processing, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9.
(See FIG. 7), the template identification 152 and the symbol are
Area 1 showing a predetermined customer instruction that can be read by the processing device
54 and 156, and areas 158 and 160 showing visually readable information such as handwritten names or destinations that are unreadable by the processor. In the preferred embodiment, each of the above areas is a template-based physical location designed to accommodate the instructions and information described above. In other embodiments, the above areas may be defined by a method other than physical location, such as a machine readable identifier for each processor, or using an OCR (optical character reader). It is identified by actually reading the information in the area.

FIG. 8 shows an electronic template 161 corresponding to the envelope template. Like the envelope template, the electronic template includes areas 162 and 164 where the position of the symbol represents an indication, and areas 166 and 168 where visually readable characters can be placed. Area 16
7 represents the position of the template identifier. Each area can also be used when capturing information, in which case only the presence or absence of the symbol is recorded in the first area and the bitmap image is recorded in the second area. Alternatively, it is possible to first capture an image of the entire envelope and then identify each area using a known information processing technique.

FIG. 9 shows the overall process for capturing the symbolic instructions and the bit map information. Line 170 shows the step of fetching the instructions represented by the symbols from the envelope, and sending 172 the envelope to the information fetching section.
A step 173 of scanning a bar code identifying the dealer and its template, a step 174 of selecting a template, and a step 174 of reading a quadrangle marked with a symbol at a position designated by the quadrangle of the template. Step 176 of verifying the result to verify that the required information has been captured and the unique local product code (LP
C) assigning 177 and connecting to row 180.

Line 180 shows the step of capturing the bitmap image, step 182 of recording the readable information and step 183 of highlighting the image box.
And a step 184 of opening the envelope and taking out its contents.

Line 190 is the cartridge identification (CID)
And 191 and 192 to locate and scan the cartridge to capture the cartridge identification (CID). The CID is transferred to the computer and in memory bound to the above LPC (step 194). The CID is printed on the envelope for safekeeping (step 195), and the envelope is stored (step 196) until the corresponding order is processed and returned. Then, the cartridge is sent to the processing step (step 19).
7).

It is now clear that the present invention captures and automatically combines various types of instructions by the customer and other information used to execute and after the process. The captured information may be machine readable, such as a bar code, machine readable, such as an indicator, or readable only by hand, such as a handwritten address. All of this information can be combined and used with little human intervention.

The above information and links can be used throughout the processing operations to retrieve instructions and other information at any processing step, regardless of processing order.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that particular aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the above examples. Therefore, the claims of this application cover all modifications and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0045]

The information and instructions from the customer, including both machine readable information and machine readable information that is not machine readable, require little or no human intervention,
It can be electronically captured and associated.

In addition, an electronic association or link is established between the information retrieved from the envelope and the film delivered in the envelope. By using this link throughout the process, regardless of the order of processing
In any processing step, including out-of-order processing,
Information can be retrieved. Customer instructions can be automatically executed to perform the process, and machine-unreadable information can be displayed as an image at any point in the process. For example, the name and destination can be printed automatically after processing, so
You no longer need to keep the original envelope.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic diagram of an order coding device according to the present invention, FIG.
It includes an envelope and cartridge scanning device and an order entry terminal for recording and linking customer instructions and other information.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a film developing apparatus following order entry according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a printing apparatus that uses information captured in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the printing apparatus of FIG. 3, showing a turret that handles film rolls for performing the baking process.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a photographic paper processing and finishing apparatus used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a production management system for connection and processing information related to film, customer instructions and post-development processing.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a typical envelope or container used when delivering film to a processing facility, with envelope graphics in a first area where the symbols represent customer instructions and in a second area that contains text. Show.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a template for locating and capturing information in the first and second areas of the envelope.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of steps for capturing information in the first and second areas and coupling the captured information to a film cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Order acceptance and information capturing device, 12 Film developing device, 14 Automatic sorting device, 16 Printing device, 18
Photographic paper processing equipment, 20 finishing and packing equipment, 22
Information processing and control network, 24 carrier, 26
Envelope reading device, 28, operation unit, 29 first transport unit, 30 second transport unit, 31 third transport unit, 32
Information capture part, 34 air bag, 36 platen, 38
Light source, 40 Electro-optical imaging camera, 42 Boundary plate, 44
Bar code reader, 46 envelope printer, 48 computer, 49 keyboard, 50 video display device, 51 hopper, 52 film roll, 54 film roll, 56 tank, 58 tank, 60 tank, 62 hopper, 64 sorting section, 66 collection Container, 68 collecting container, 70 collecting container, 72 collecting container, 74 film loading magazine, 76 film batch operation magazine, 80
Rotating support, 82 arms, 84, spider turret,
86 reciprocating arm, 88 reciprocating arm, 90
Reciprocating arm, 92 Reciprocating arm, 94 loading section, 96 scanning section, 98 printing section, 100 film roll lowering section, 102 light source, 104 lamp house, 106 rotary support, 108 arm, 110 photographic paper supply roll, 112 Photographic paper supply cartridge, 1
14 photographic paper take-up roll, 116 photographic paper take-up cartridge, 118 exposure section, 120 CRT, 122
Tank, 124 tank, 126 drying room, 128 printing roll,
130 inspection table, 132 print roll, 134 print cutting section, 136 envelope supply section, 140 production management computer, 150 envelope, 152 template identification barcode, 154 symbol area, 156 symbol area, 158 information area, 160 information area, 161 electronics Template, 162 symbol area, 164 symbol area, 166 information area, 167 template identifier, 168 information area, 170 lines, 172 Envelopes are sent to the information capturing section,
173 Scan Bar Codes, 174 Select Templates, Read 175 Marked Squares, 176 Verify, 177 Assign LPCs, 180 Rows, Record 182 Bitmap Images, 183 Emphasize, 184 Open envelope and remove film, 190 lines, find 191 cartridge, scan 192 CID and product code,
194 Transfer to computer, print 195 CID on envelope, store 196 envelopes, send to 197 processing steps.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— F upport Shagbark Way 61 New York

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method of capturing and using information provided in a customer order, said customer order comprising a film handed over to a photographic process, said information comprising the presence of a symbol in a predetermined position. The method includes a first area representing customer instructions and a second area in which the information is textual and readable, and the method electronically images the first area to provide a A step of recording the presence of a symbol in an electronic memory; a step of electro-optically photographing the second area and recording an image of the character information in the electronic memory; and a unique order identification within the electronic memory. And maintaining an association between the order identification and the recorded information during a process run. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the film includes a machine-readable unique identification and is maintained during processing, and the method is for executing the customer order. A method comprising reading the film identification during processing, and retrieving the recorded information. 3. The method of claim 2, packaging the film for return after processing, printing the recorded image of the textual information and attaching it to the packaging. A method comprising: 4. A method of using customer instructions provided in an order to process photographic film, said film comprising a machine readable film identification, said instructions representing instructions. Adapted to a predetermined template including a first region and a second region containing characters, the method electro-optically scanning the film to capture the film identification in electronic memory; Electronically scanning the first area to capture the customer instruction represented by the symbol in an electronic memory; and electronically scanning the second area to Capturing a character image in an electronic memory; maintaining the association between the film identification, the information marked with the mark and the image during processing; Fruit Using the association during execution of a process to perform. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the character comprises a destination and the association is maintained after processing to become the destination for returning the film. 6. A method of using customer instructions provided in an order to process photographic film, said film comprising a machine readable film identification, said instructions being a machine readable template identifier. , Adapted to one of a plurality of predetermined templates including a first area in which a symbol represents an indication according to the template and a second area including a character, the method comprising: Identifying a template to which the instructions follow; electro-optically scanning the first area according to the template and loading the customer instructions represented by the symbols into an electronic memory; Electro-optically scanning the area and loading the image of the character into electronic memory; and the film identification being machine read. To store in the electronic memory, the film identification, the information with the mark (mark), and the relationship between the image is maintained during processing, and the customer instruction is executed. For using the association during baking. 7. A method of capturing customer-provided information from an object passed to a photoprocessing operation with a film and using the captured information during a photoprocessing operation, wherein a plurality of envelope templates are defined. Wherein each template includes a machine-readable template identification, a first predetermined area where the symbol represents a customer instruction, and a second area for locating visually readable textual information. A symbol is attached to the object according to the template including a process, a machine-readable template identification, a first predetermined area in which the symbol represents a customer instruction, and a second area in which to locate the visually readable textual information. (Mark) and scanning the object according to the template. First, the template identification is read. And then capturing the information by recording the presence of the symbol in the first area and a bitmap image of the textual information in the second area. 8. A device for capturing information provided by a customer attached to an envelope according to an envelope template and using the captured information during photo processing, wherein the envelope template is machine-readable. A device including a template identification, the means for scanning the envelope for machine-readable the template identification, and means for defining a plurality of electronic templates corresponding to the envelope template, each template comprising: , A first predetermined area in which a symbol (customer mark) represents a customer instruction,
The means including a second predetermined area for locating the visually readable character information, and selecting one of the electronic templates based on the template identification, the presence of a symbol in the first area and A device for capturing information provided by the customer by recording a bitmap image of character information in the second area. 9. An apparatus for capturing and using information provided in a customer order, said customer order comprising film handed over to a photographic process, said information being the presence of a mark at a predetermined location. Is a device including a first region representing a customer instruction and a second region in which the information is a visually readable character, the first region being electronically scanned and the predetermined area A means for recording the existence of the mark (mark) at a position in an electronic memory, a means for electronically scanning the second area and recording an image of the character information in the electronic memory, and a unique order identification Means in the electronic memory, and means for maintaining an association between the unique order identification and the recorded information throughout the photoprocessing. 10. A device for using the instructions provided in a photographic film processing order, wherein the photographic film comprises a machine readable film identification, the instructions comprising a first area in which the symbol represents the instructions. A device adapted to a predetermined template including a second area containing characters, and means for electronically scanning the film and capturing the film identification in an electronic memory; Means for electro-optically scanning the area of No. 2 and electronically scanning the customer instruction represented by the symbol into an electronic memory; Means for maintaining the relationship between the film identification, the information marked with the symbol, and the image information during processing, and the customer instruction To execute, the associated and means for use during process execution, and wherein the formed of.