GB2228579A

GB2228579A - A method and apparatus for producing instant photographs

Info

Publication number: GB2228579A
Application number: GB8904178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ryder Ascott
Original assignee: MARNIC UK Ltd
Current assignee: MARNIC UK Ltd
Priority date: 1989-02-23
Filing date: 1989-02-23
Publication date: 1990-08-29
Also published as: GB8904178D0

Abstract

A photographic apparatus comprises a weatherproof housing (1) mounted on a base (2) containing batteries (3) providing an electric power supply. A conventional shutter operated camera lens (4) may be mounted on a zoom attachment (5) to vary the focussing of the lens onto an image plane (6). A store (8) in the rear of the housing holds a supply of post cards (9) having a photographic emulsion on one side and standard post card format on the reverse. The exposed post cards pass to a developer unit (13) from which they are transported to a customer collection slot (15). The camera can be combined with a photographic flash device (7) and a printer (12) to print messages on the post cards. The machine is operated by a coin in the slot (10), mechanism alternatively may be operated using a credit card. <IMAGE>

Description

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING INSTANT PHOTOGRAPHS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing instant photographs.

Coin operated photographic kiosks are known which provide an instant portrait photograph, i.e. within five minutes. These machines are sited in locations which enable them to be connected to an electric mains power supply and they incorporate automatic photographic developing equipment.

These known machines have however certain disadvantages in that their connection to a mains power supply restricts them to a stationary site and the person having their portrait taken only has a choice of a limited, usually three, coloured backgrounds to the photograph.

An aim of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a method and apparatus for producing photographs of individuals against backgrounds, such as famous landmarks.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing instant photographs of at least one individual by posing the individual against a background of a famous landmark or location, automatically focussing and exposing the image to be photographed onto a photographic material of post card size with a standard post card format on the reverse side, developing the photograph and delivering it to the customer in a period of less than four minutes.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for carrying out the method as set forth in the preceding paragraph, comprising a weatherproof housing, a shutter operated lens at the front of the housing, a store for receiving a supply of photographic material of post card size, a printing means to print a message on the reverse side of the photographic material, a developing unit for containing a developer, a transport from the developing unit to deliver a developed photograph to a collection opening in the housing and an integral power supply to operate the electronic control of the photographic apparatus. Conveniently, the camera can be combined with a fill-in electronic flash operated via a remote control device.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a post card for use with the apparatus set forth in the preceding paragraph, wherein the post card has a photographic emulsion on one side and a printed post card format on the reverse side.

An embodiment of the photographic apparatus and equipment for carrying out the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a photographic apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a rear elevation of a post card for use in the photographic apparatus of Figure 1.

The photographic apparatus comprises a weatherproof housing 1 mounted on a base 2 containing two automobile batteries 3 providing an electric power supply. The apparatus has a conventional shutter operated camera lens 4 which may be mounted in a zoom attachment 5 to vary the focussing of the lens onto an imaging plane 6 in order to permit close-up portraits, intermediate views or distant views to be photographed.

On the front of the housing 1 is mounted an electronic photographic flash device 7 which may be mounted flush with the front face of the housing 1.

Located in the rear part of the housing is a store 8 for a supply of post cards 9 having a photographic emulsion on one side and a standard post card format printed on the reverse. By placing a coin or coins in a slot 10, a coin-operated mechanism (not shown), releases one or more post cards 9, one at a time, from the store 8 to a position in the imaging plane 6 with the photographic emulsion side of the post card facing the camera lens 4.

The post card may be of two designs, one with the reverse of the post card blank so that the customer may write their own message, in which case they arrive at location 11 or alternatively they may be printed on the reverse of the post card with a message. The post card packs are available in units of 5, 10 and 20 cards. In this mode the machine is operated to select the message and the language required to actuate a printer at location 12 printing the predefined message on the post card.

When the photograph has been taken the exposed post card falls into an automatic developing unit 13 contain a developer 14. The recording and printing process may take one of the following forms: (i) Conventional wet photographic (ii) Dry instant photographic (iii) Video print electronic (with final printing in wet or dry form).

After the required developing time has expired the developed photograph with the selected message printed on its reverse side is transported by a transport and delivered to the customer at the collection slot 15.

The photographic machine is preferably provided with state of the art electronic controls operated by means of a 5 metre lead into the camera and electronic flash which should provide a good infill of light for the subject close to the camera.

The housing will have strategically located access panels to service the automatic developer and printer units and to replenish the consumable contents i.e. the post cards.

The video print electronic photographic apparatus may be manufactured as a portable unit i.e. it is mobil and is connected to the photographic machine by an electric wire to transmit the electronic picture for processing in the machine.

Figure 2 illustrates the reverse side of the post card 8 used with the photographic apparatus of Figure 1.

The post card is printed with a standard format with a location 16 for the postage stamp, an area 17 for the message 19 and an area 18 for the address. To save a customer, for example, a tourist, the tedious task of composing a glib or witty message the message may be a series of statements with an instruction printed on the post card to "* delete where appropriate" from the following: Hi you */everybody; Am */Are having a great */awful time; Am */Are */not missing you a lot; Weather is great */Rubbish; Not */looking forward to seeing you soon.

The finished post card has a high quality photograph of the customer with a background of a famous tourist landmark, and if required a printed message or greeting on the reverse side. The message may be printed in any foreign language e.g. French, German or Japanese.

The customer may wish to make a collection of photographs of himself and/or friends at famous landmark locations or events such as: Landmarks The Grand Canal-Venice, Big Ben, The Eiffel Tower or The Sydney Opera House.

Locations Brighton Pier, Blackpool Tower or The Costa del Sol.

Events Munich Beer Festival, Henley Regatta or The Motor Grand Prix.

The photographic machine may also be located at permanent holiday resorts such as Disney World, Disneyland or Cape Canaveral.

Various modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims, for example although the apparatus has been described to operate by a coin-release mechanism it may alternatively be operated on payment being made using a credit card when passed through a so called zip slot.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of producing instant photographs of at least one individual, by posing the individual against a background of a famous landmark or location, automatically focussing and exposing the image to be photographed onto a photographic material of post card size with a standard post card format on the reverse side, developing the photograph and delivering it to the customer in a period of less than four minutes.

2. A method of producing instant photographs as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the reverse side of the post card has a message printed on it prior to the developing process.

3. A method of producing instant photographs as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the printed message takes the form of a series of statements which can be edited to provide a humorous greeting.

4. An apparatus for carrying out the method of any of Claims 1 to 3, comprising a weatherproof housing, a shutter operated lens at the front of the housing, a store for receiving a supply of photographic material of post card size, a printing means to print a message on the reverse side of the photographic material, a developing unit for containing a developer, a transport from the developing unit to deliver a developed photograph to a collection opening in the housing and an integral power supply to operate the electronic control of the photographic apparatus.

5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the lens includes a zoom attachment to adjust the field of focus of the lens.

6. An apparatus as claimed in Claims 4 or 5, wherein the printer unit is selectively operable.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the integral power supply is provided by at least one automobile battery located in the base of the apparatus.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the front of the housing incorporates an electronically operated photographic flash.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 8, wherein the operation of the apparatus is initiated by a coin release mechanism.

10. A post card for use with the apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 9, wherein the post card has a photographic emulsion on one side and a printed post card format on the reverse side.

11. A post card as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the post card is printed on the message side of the post card format with a message.

12. A post card as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the message takes the form of a series of statements which can be edited to provide a humorous greeting.

13. A post card as claimed in Claims 12, wherein the message side of the post card format includes instructions as to how to edit the printed message.

14. A post card as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the message side of the post card format includes advertising material.

15. An apparatus for producing instant photographs substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A post card when used with the apparatus claimed in Claim 15, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.