US3706373A

US3706373A - Method and apparatus for correlating rejected photographic prints with corresponding photographic negatives

Info

Publication number: US3706373A
Application number: US134791A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald C Smith
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1971-04-16
Filing date: 1971-04-16
Publication date: 1972-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-19
Also published as: GB1374036A; FR2136402A5; DE2218532A1; CH556559A

Abstract

Method and apparatus for sorting ''''marked'''' unacceptable prints from acceptable prints as the prints are cut from a print roll, cutting customer order negative filmstrips into a plurality of negative filmstrips, stacking the filmstrips in a predetermined manner, and correlating the ''''marked'''' prints with the cut and stacked negative filmstrips containing the corresponding negative that, when printed, produced the unacceptable print. The above apparatus and method is embodied in a disclosed finishing operations workcenter that also includes apparatus for counting the total number of prints made from a customer order negative filmstrip and for displaying the price to be charged therefor. The operator of the finishing operations workcenter gathers the acceptable prints, inserts them into an envelope obtained from an envelope dispenser, removes the stacked negative filmstrips from the prints cutting apparatus, inserts the negative filmstrips into the envelope, notes the price displayed by the automatic print counting and price display apparatus and marks the envelope with the indicated price. When marked prints have been detected, the operator separates the marked prints and corresponding negative filmstrips, inserts the good prints and negative filmstrips into the envelope and attaches the marked prints and corresponding negative filmstrips to the envelope. These orders are set aside for reprinting. Upon the removal of the stack of negative filmstrips from the automatic film cutting and stacking apparatus, the print counter and the correlator display are reset and the print and film cutting apparatus are energized to cut the next customer of prints and negative filmstrips.

Description

United States Patent Smith [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COR ELATIN'G REJECTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS wITII CORRESPONDING PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES [72] Inventor: Gerald C. Smith, Honeoye, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: April 16, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 134,791

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1969 Becker ..83/2l0 X 7 3,469,482 9/1969 Lee ..83/2l() 3,516,741 6/1970 Thaddey. ..355/88 3,599,521 8/1971 Lee ..83/2l0 OTHER PUBLICATIONS CX Aut'opax (Reg. TM)advertising brochure Primary Examiner Frank T. Yost Attorney-W. H. Kline and Joseph F. BI'tilnIaE----- [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for sorting marked unacceptable prints from acceptable prints as the prints are cut from a print roll, cutting customer Order negative filmstrips into a plurality of negative filmstrips, stacking the filmstrips in a predetermined manner, and correlating the "marked prints with the cut and stacked negative filmstrips containing the corresponding negative that, when printed, produced the unacceptable print. The above apparatus and method is embodied in a disclosed finishing operations workcenter that also includes apparatus for counting the total number of prints made from a customer order negative filmstrip and for displaying the price to be charged therefor. The operator of the finishing operations workcenter gathers the acceptable prints, inserts them into an envelope obtained from an envelope dispenser, removes the stacked negative filmstrips from the prints cutting apparatus, inserts the negative filmstrips into the envelope, notes the price displayed by the automatic print counting and price display apparatus and marks the envelope with the indicated price. When marked prints have been detected, the operator separates the marked prints and corresponding negative filmstrips, inserts the good prints'and negative filmstrips into the envelope and attaches the marked prints and corresponding negative filmstrips to the envelope. These orders are set aside for reprinting. Upon the removal of the stack of negative filmstrips from the automatic film cutting and stacking apparatus, the prmt counter and the correlator display are reset and the print and film cutting apparatus are energized to cut the next customer of prints and negative filmstrips.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHEE 19 I872 SHEET 1 [IF 6 3 m i g ORDER 2 64 PRINT-l FBG l PEG 2 ORDER-l 68 as CUT %1 ATORNEYS PATENTED on: 1 9 m2 SHEET 3 BF 6 CUT PRINT NO. I?

lnll ll lnlllnllll I l I I ll GERALD c. SMITH mvsmons ATORNEYS SHEET 5 BF 6 PATENTEDnEc 19 I972 ATTORNEYS 329m FEE w l ANK x 52mm m m 8 w .50 7:1 M 0m l|l.|. \L M 1w Now N2 A05 G w. P30 7: 1. Q1 Ma Fl]... J; Q Wu COM 02 v mom mm. A E 50080 .1 zfiwo Fl 4 w E? so; m2 mm- W mam w m w n N v k I i I I I Ill NY WP 3206 C 1. SI; T m hm hwmm hwmwm P'A'TENTED DEC 19 1912 SHEET 6 BF 6 GERALD C. SMITH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRELATING REJECTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS WITH CORRESPONDING PI-IOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 134,789, entitled CON- TROL CIRCUIT FOR AUTOMATING THE OPERA- TION OF A FILM CUTTER OR LIKE APPARATUS, filed concurrently herewith in the names of Gerald C. Smith and Raymond]. Williams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION together and continuously processingthe negative filmstrips. The spliced filmstrips are thereafter spooled and placed in a photographic printer for automatic or semiautomatic printing of each negative frame on a continuous roll of photographic print material. The sensitized photographic print material is thereafter developed and dried in a continuous process. Each print in the roll is thereafter inspected to determine if it is a commercially acceptable print. Over-exposed, under-exposed or subject failure prints are'marked by the inspector as being unacceptable and requiring, when possible, reprinting.

It has been found desirable in the prior art to mark each of the unacceptable prints with an apparatus or substance that alters the light remitting characteristics of the print surface. A stamp or a hole punch may be employed to locally alter the light remitting characteristics of the surface of the unacceptable print.

After a print roll is inspected, it is fed through a print cutter, which, as its name suggests, properly severs the individual prints from the print roll. It is also necessary to cut the negative filmstrip, which may contain 12 or 20 negative frames in each customer order, into lengths that are convenient for packaging with the prints. The cut print and negative filmstrips of each customers order must thereafter be collected together, packaged and priced. The price, of course, depends upon the number of commercially acceptable prints produced from each customers order.

The operations of cutting the negative filmstrips into appropriate lengths, cutting the prints, counting the prints, calculating the price therefrom, marking the envelope with the price and stuffing it with the proper prints and negatives are very time consuming and subject to human error. It is also necessary that the operator set aside the customers s orders that contain commercially unacceptable prints for reprinting. Before reprinting these unacceptable prints, someone has to locate the corresponding negative frame from among the several negative filmstrips in the customer order.

In a large scale photofinishing plant, a number of photographic printers and processors are continuously operating-and continuously producing negative filmcustomers order be reduced in order to increase the speed of the entire photofinishing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of operations necessary to package and price customer print orders.

Another object of the invention is to separate unacceptable prints from acceptable prints in each customers order and to correlate the unacceptable prints with the negative filmstrip of the customers order containing the corresponding negative frames.

In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, a method and apparatus are disclosed for correlating rejected-photographic copies (prints) in a plurality of copies advanced through a workcenter with a further plurality of originals (negatives) containing the original or originals that, when printed, produced the rejectedcopies. Apparatus is disclosed for advancing the copies through the workcenter and for detecting each copy so advanced and producing a first signal. Further apparatus is provided for detecting rejected co-. pies and for producing a second signal and for correlating the rejected photographic copies with the original that produced the rejected copy.

More particularly, a method and apparatus-is provided, for automatically cutting the prints of a customers order, detecting and separating marked prints from acceptable prints, cutting and stacking the negative filmstrip of each customers order into 'a plurality of filmstrips each containing a predetermined number of negative frames, and correlating the number of the marked print with the number of the stacked filmstrip containing the corresponding negative frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the finishing operations workcenter apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram, in partial perspective, showing a portion of the path of travel of the strip of photographic prints through the print cutter of the finishing operations workcenter;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a logic diagram of the operative elements of the finishing operations workcenter;

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram illustrative of the v signals developed at particular points in the logic diagra of FIG- 3; Q

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a print and memory counters referred -to in the logic diagram of 'FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit for automatically correlating unacceptable prints with the negative filmstrip containing the corresponding negative referred to in the logic diagram of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the detail of the price display unit on the workcenter of FIG. 1 and a price card for use therewith.

l060l l 0047 DESCRIPTION OF TH EPREFER RED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1', there is shown in partial perspective a view of the finishing operations workcenter of the present invention. The finishing operations workcenter consists of a console whereat an operator sits and faces an automatic print cutter and sorter 12, an automatic filmstrip cutter and stacker 14, a marked print and negative filmstrip correlator 16, an automatic print counter and price display unit 18 and an envelope dispenser 20. Briefly stated, the automatic print cutter and sorter 12 advances a strip 22 of prints from a print roll 24 through a print cutting blade 26 that severs each print. As the severed prints 28 fall from the print cutter 26, they are stacked on slanted plane 36. A marked print is automatically detected by apparatus to be described hereinafter, and a reject print solenoid flipper 34 is actuated to divert the severed, marked print down the slanted surface 30 and upon the tracks 32. Three marked prints 28 are illustrated along tracks 32. There'- fore, after each custome'rs order of prints has been cut, the unacceptable prints have been separated from th acceptable prints. i

Arranged adjacent to the automatic print cutter and sorter 12 is the automatic negative cutter and stacker 14 that is described in detail in the aforementioned commonly assigned copending US. application Ser. No. 134,789. For the purpose of the present invention, it is sufficient to state that the automatic negative cutter and stacker l4 advances the spliced negative filmstrips 38 from a roll 40 and through a negative frame counter (not shown) that actu'ates a film cutter and stacker (not shown) when the counter achieves a certain count, such as four negative frames. At the end of each customers order, a splice detector halts'the operation of the automatic film cutter and stacker 14. The cut negative filmstrips 41 of each customers order are each retained at one end by the negative stacker (not shown).

Located in clear view of the operator is an automatic marked print and negative filmstrip correlator 16 which includes an individually illuminable counter display 42 marked 1 through 5 that correspond to the five possible negative filmstrips in a customer order of negative framestwherein each negative filmstrip contains four negative frames). Further counters may be provided to display the total number of marked prints in the customer's order. Counters may also be provided to indicate the total number of prints cut and the total number of marked prints detected during a predetermined period of operation of the finishing operations workcenter. Located alongside counter display 42 is an illuminated panel 44 against which the operator may place the cut negative filmstrips to inspect the negative frames indicated as unacceptable by the correlator 16.

The total number, up to and including 20, of prints cut from an individual customers order is displayed on the automatic pricing unit 18. As described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the automatic pricing unit 18 of the preferred embodiment of this invention may consist of a 20 stage serial counter and corresponding 20 stage memory circuit, each stage of the latter containing anilluminable numeral corresponding to the count achieved on the counter and stored in the memory. The illuminable numerals are arranged in a 4 X 5 matrix on the display panel 46 of the automatic pricing unit 18. A transparent price card 48, corresponding in size and shape to the display panel 46, carries the price corresponding to the illuminable numerals of the display panel 46. Also, although each customers negative filmstrip may contain either 12 or 20 negative frames, the automatic circuits provided by, or the operator of, the photographic printer may have determined that certain of the negative frames were unprintable and, therefore, a number less than 12 or 20 prints may be on the print roll 22. Therefore, the automatic price display may exhibit a price for a number less than I 2 or 20 prints.

The finishing operations workcenter console 10 also contains an envelope dispensing unit 20 that conveniently dispenses envelops to the operator. Further envelopes may be contained in the tray 50 which contains compartments for the varied requirements of a particular photofinisher.

After loading the negative and print rolls on the finishing operations workcenter the operator sits before the console 10 and depresses a START button (not shown). The automatic print cutter and sorter 12 cuts and sorts the prints until the order sort mark on the last print in the customers order is sensed, whereupon the print cutter ceases operation. Simultaneously and independently, the automatic film cutter and stacker 14 cuts and stacks the negative filmstrips 41 until the splice, between successive customer orders, is sensed, whereupon it ceases operation. During the cutting of the respective prints and negative filmstrips, the automatic marked print and negative'filmstrip correlator 16 illuminates the number, in the order in which the filmstrips are cut and stacked, of the stacked filmstrips 41 that contain a negative frame that requires reprinting.

After the prints and negative filmstrips have been cut the operator gathers the prints 28 and stuffs them into the envelope 52. Thereafter, the operator pulls the stacked negative filmstrips 41 out of the negative stacker l4 and stuffs them into the envelope. The finishing operations workcenter automatically restarts upon the removal of the stacked negative filmstrips 41, and the print counters are reset. The memory stages of the automatic pricing unit 18 are reset upon the removal of the stacked negative filmstrips 41 and, after a short time delay, the print count in the serial counter (of the prints stuffed in the envelope 52) is shifted into the corresponding memory stages which illuminate their respective numerals of the display panel' 46. Thereafter the operator of the machine records the price on the envelope 52 or elsewhere and stacks the completed order into photofinisher boxes (not shown) provided for that purpose, as the next customer order is processed by the finishing operations workcenter.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown in partial perspective, a section of the strip of prints 22 that are being advanced in the direction of the arrow 54 to the print cutter (not shown) that severs the individual prints along the dotted line 56. The prints are indicated by

order numbers

1, 2 and 3 and corresponding print numbers. It will be noted that order number 2 contains only one print which would indicate that all of the negative frames of customer order number 2 were considered to be unprintable at the photographic printer.

A single print was made in order to keep customer order numbers in sequence with the customer order negatives.

Referring now to print number of order number 1 of FIG. 2, there are shown three

photosensitive devices

58, 60 and 62. Eachof the photosensitive devices contain a light source 64', for example, that directs light, either visible or invisible, upon a predetermined area in the path of travel of the strip of photographic prints 22. The light is reflected by the glossy surface of the photographic print material and upon a photocell 66 that is rendered conductive in direct proportion to the amount of light reflected by the surface of the'print.

Each of the

photosensitive devices

58, 60 and 62 will.

develop a signal at its

respective output terminal

68, 70 and 72 that has an amplitude dependent upon the amount of light striking its respective photocell 66. the amplitude of the output signal will vary when the light from source 64 strikes a dull or light absorbing mark on the surface of the photographic print.

Marked prints, such as cut print 19 of order number 1 and print 1 of order number 2, contain dull, light absorbing

marks

74 and 76 placed upon these prints by the print inspector. In accordance with the practice of the present invention, it has been found desirable to mark each of the unacceptable prints with a grease marking pencil orcrayon that alters the light remitting characteristics of the print surface from a glossy, high light remitting surface to a dull, low light remitting surface. As the strip of photographic prints 22 is advanced in the direction of' the arrow 54, these marks intercept the light from the lamp 64 of the photosensitive device 60, and a significant difference is noted in the amplitude of the output signal at terminal 70 of the photosensitive device 60. Thus a marked print signal may be generated in this manner.

On the first edge portion 78 of the strip of photographic prints 22 are print cut marks 80 which also reduce the amount of light reflected to the photocell 66 of the photosensitive device 58. The photosensitive device 58 produces a variation in its output signal at terminal 68 in response to each print cut mark.

A photosensitive device 62 is responsive to order sort marks 82 placed upon the other edge portion 84 of the strip of photographic prints 22 to produce a signal whenever an order sort mark is detected. The print cut mark 80 and the order sort mark 82 are recorded on the respective edges of the photographic print material at the time the corresponding print is made. It will be noted that the single print of order number 2 also contains an order sort mark 82.

The location with respect to each other of the

photosensitive devices

58, 60 and 62 should be noted. As developed in greater detail hereinafter, the output signal developed by the photosensitive device 58 is employed to halt the movement of the strip of photographic prints 22 in the direction of arrow 54 and to energize the print cutter to sever the prints along the dotted line 56. After the print is cut, the strip of photographic prints 22 again starts to advance until the next print mark 80 is detected.

As the strip 22 advances, the order sort mark 82 on the last print (or first print, depending upon the operation of the photographic printer) of the particular customer order is detected by the photosensitive device 62 which generates an order sort signal at terminal 72. Upon the cessation of movement of the strip 22, the last print of the order is severed by the print cutter. The order sort signal inhibits the continued advancement of the strip 22 until the print cutter and sorter 12 is restarted in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Furthermore, during the advancement of the strip 22, the third photosensitive device 60 responds to the marks such as 74 or 76 on unacceptable prints to generate a marked print signal at the-output terminal 70. The marked print signal is applied to further apparatus to be described in detail hereinafter that responds to the marked print signal and to the action of the print cutter to separate the severed, marked" print from the acceptable prints in the customers order. I

Referring now'to FIGS. 3 and4 there are showna block diagramof particular components of the finish ing operations workcenter of FIG. 1 and a waveform diagram depicting signals developed at particular points in the blockdiagram of FIG. 3. The print out mark detector 86 of FIG. 3 includes the first photosensitive device 58 of FIG. 2 and further amplifying circuits for producing, upon the detection of each print mark 80, detected print cut mark signal A depicted in FIG. 4A. The print cut mark signal A is simultaneously applied to the input terminals of the print cutter 88, which may be a knife blade that severs the print strip 22 at the dotted line 56 between the prints after a short time delay related to the time necessary to halt the advancement of thevstrip 22. The print cut mark signal A is also applied to thestop input terminal of the print advance unit 90 which immediately halts the advancement of the strip 22. As the knife blade of the print cutter 88 returns to its original position, the cut print signal B OF FIG. 4B is applied to the first input terminal of AND gate 92. In the absence of an order sort signal C, depicted in FIG. 3C, a positive voltage gating signal G, depicted in FIG. 4G, is applied to the second input terminal of the AND gate 92. Therefore, the AND gate 92 passes the cut print signal B to the first input terminal of OR gate 94. OR gate 94 passes the cut printsignal B to the start input terminal of the print advance 90. Thus the print detector 86 continually advances the strip 22 until a print cut mark is detected, halts the advancement, cuts the print and advances the strip 22 until the next print cut mark is detected.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be noted that as the print cut mark of print 20 is detected by the first photosensitive device 58, the print 19 is severed. For this reason the pulses of the printcut mark signal A are numbered in accordance with both the detected cut mark number and the cut print number.

Referring back to FIG. 3, an order sort mark detector 96 (which includes the third photosensitive device 62 of FIG. 2 and further amplifying circuits which are known in the prior art) generates an order sort signal C depicted at FIG. 4C as the last print of a customer order is advanced past the dotted line 56 of FIG. ,2. As shown, with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the order sort signal C is generated as the print number 20 of order number 1 of FIG. 2 advances past the cut line 56. The order sort signal C generated by the order sort mark detector 96 is applied to the set input terminal of bistable flip-flop 98 that responds thereto to switch, an outl060l l 0049 put terminal 0, a positive voltage signal to the first input terminal of AND gate 100. The print out mark signal'A is applied to the second input terminal of the AND gate 100. At the moment when the print number 1 of order number 2 is detected by the print detector 86, the print cut mark signal A (shown in FIG. 4D) is passed by the AND gate 100 to the set" input terminal of the bistable flip-flop 102.

The bistable flip-flop 102 has previously been reset at the beginning of customer order number 1, and the bistable flip-flop 102 has previously provided the positive voltage gating signal G to the second input terminal of the AND gate 92 which responded thereto in the manner described hereinbefore. Upon the application of the cut print mark signal A of FIG. 4D to the set input terminal of flip-flop 102, the flip-flop 102 s vitches the output signallevel of the output terminal Q to ground potential as shown in FIG. 4F. When this occurs, the AND' gate 92 is incapable of passing the cut print signal B to the start input terminal of the print advance 90. Thus, when an order sort detector produces the order sort signal C, the last print (in this case, print 20 of order number 1) is advanced and severed, and the operation of the print cutter and sorter 12 is halted. The first print number of the next customer order has been detected by the print detector After a time delay, depicted in FIG. 4 by the vertical slash marks located in each waveform diagram, necessary for the operator to gather and package the cut prints of the customer order, the operator removes the stack of negative filmstrips 41 of FIG. 1 from the negative cutter and stacker 14 which may include a switch that responds to the removal of the negative filmstrip stack 41 to activate a shift signal generator 104. The shift signal generator 104 provides a shift signal E, depicted at FIG. 4E, that is applied to the reset/restart circuit 105 which produces, in response thereto, a reset/restart signal F after a time delay necessary to insure the operation of certain other circuits (to be described hereinafter) by the shift signal E. The reset/restart circuit 105 also responds to the start or reset switch of the finishing operations workcenter to produce thereset/restart signal F. The reset/restart signal F is applied to the reset input terminal of flip-flop 98 which switches, in response thereto, the positive voltage signal at the output terminal to ground potential thus disabling the AND gate 100. Simultaneously, the reset/restart signal F is applied to the Clear, C, input terminal of the flip-flop 102 which switches the fioutput terminal to the positive voltage state, thus enabling the AND gate 92. And, the reset/restart signal F is applied to the second input terminal of the OR gate 94 which passes the reset/restart signal F to the start" input terminal of the print advance 90. The print advance 90 responds to the reset/restart signal F to advance the strip 22 in the manner hereinbefore described.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be noted that a reject mark 74 has been applied to the surface of cut print 19 of order number 1. A further reject mark 76 has been applied to the single print of order number 2. The second reject mark 76 indicates that all of the negative filmstrips of order number 2 have been found to be unprintable. In FIG. 3, the reject mark detector 106,

which includes the second photosensitive device 60 of FIG. 2 and further amplifying circuit, generates an output signal as a reject mark, such as 74 and 76, passes beneath the photosensitive device 60. This signal is applied to the positive input terminal of the comparator 108. A reference voltage f-V, which may be adjusted in amplitude by the variable resistor 1 10, is applied to the negative input terminal of the comparator 108. When the voltage signal developed by the reject mark detector 106 exceeds the reference voltage level, the comparator 108'generates a reject mark signal H, depicted in FIG. 4H, at its output terminal. Referring to FIG. 4H it will be noted that a reject mark signal H has been generated as the detected print number 19 of order number 1 advanced past the dotted line 56.

The reject mark signal H is applied to the set input terminal of the bistable flip-flop 112 which switches its 0 output terminal to a positive voltage level in response thereto. The positive voltage level of the 0 output terminal of the flip-flop 12 is depicted in FIG. M and is applied to one input terminal of AND gate 114. The print cut mark signal A generated by the print cut markdetector 86 is applied to the second input terminal of the AND gate 114. Therefore, when the advancement of the strip 22 is halted by the detection of the print number 20 of'order number 1, the AND gate 114 passes the print out mark signal A to the reject sorter 1 16.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the reject sorter 116 may include a print separator 35 consisting of a pair of converging slopedmembers 30 and 36 and a solenoid actuated flipper 34. Normally the flipper 34 is located with respect to the sloped member 30 so that the cut prints 28 are stacked on the sloped member 36. However, when a marked print, such as print 19 of order number 1, is cut, the reject sorter 116 energizes the solenoid actuated flipper 34 which changes its position and diverts the marked print, as it is cut, down the sloped member 30 and onto the track 32. Thus, the marked prints are separated from the acceptable prints as they are cut by the print cutter 26. After the marked print has been sorted, the solenoid actuated flipper 34 returns to its original position. The operator may spread marked prints along the track 32 as shown in FIG. 1, for their immediate inspection.

Upon the return of the solenoid actuated flipper 34 to its original position, a reset signal L, depicted at FIG. 4L is applied to the reset input terminal of the bistable flip-flop 112, which responds thereto and switches the voltage level of the signal of FIG. 4.! to ground potential. The AND gate 114 is rendered incapable of passing further detected print number signals to the reject sorter 116 unless a further reject mark signal is generated by the comparator 108.

When print number 1 of order number 2 advances past the cutter blade, a further reject mark signal H is generated in response to reject mark 76. Since this is the only print of order number 2, the reject sorter 116 is actuated and the print advance is halted in response to the order sort signal C.

Referring now to the remaining elements of FIG. 3, the cut print signal B is applied to the input terminals of 1 9 serial

binary counter

118 and 10, 20 serial binary counter 120 through-decimal shift 122 that are shown in greater detail in the electrical circuit of FIG. 5. The

circuit of FIG. also includes the 1-9 binary count memory'124 and the 10; binary count memory 126 and elements of the shift circuit 104 and the reset/restart circuit 105 of FIG. 3. The binary counters 118 and 120 respond to the serial generation of each pulse of the cut print signal B to count in binary form the total number of cut prints in each customers order. Upon the generation of the shift signal E, the print count is shifted into the

count memories

124 and 126. The binary print count is decoded by the first binary to decimal decoder 128 and applied to the 20 stage print counter and display 130 which illuminates the price on the display panel 46. Shortly thereafter, the reset/restart signal F is applied in parallel to the reset input terminals of each serial binary counter to return the count to zero. The count stored in

memories

124 and 126 remains until the next shift signal E. i I

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown in detail, the print cutter clock signal circuit of the print cutter 88, the binary counters 118 and 120, the

binary memories

124 and 126, the decimal shift circuit 122 the shift circuit 104 and the reset/restart circuit 105. The print cutter clock signal circuit of print cutter 88 produces the cut print signal B'when the normally-closed contacts 130 are opened by the energization of the-cutter solenoid 132 and the transistor 134 is thereby rendered conductive. When transistor 134 turns on, the voltage source V is removed from the input terminal of the single shot multivibrator 136 which responds thereto to generate the uniform pulses of the cut print signal B.

The cut print signal B is applied to the trigger T input of the bistable flip-flop 138-1 of the binary counter 118 and to the first input terminal of the AND gate 140 of the decimal shift circuit 122. The binary counter 118 includes the flip-flops 138-1, 138-2, 138-4 and 138-8 that each have a Q and a 6 output terminal and a trigger terminal T, that is connected to the 0 terminal of the preceding flip-flop. A reset conductor 141 is connected in parallel to the Preclear, P, terminal of each flip-flop. The Set, S, and Clear, C, input terminals may be connected together and are not employed in the operation of the counter.

Initially the flip-flops of the counter 118 have a Low or 0 output voltage level at terminal 0 ania High or 1 output voltage level at terminal 0 that is established by depressing momentary contact Start button 142 of reset/restart circuit 105 which causes single shot 144 to generate a reset/restart signal F that is passed by OR gate 146 to the reset conductor 141. Thereafter, as the pulses of the cut print signal B are generated, the flip-flops of the counter 1 18 produce a binary count at their respective Q and Q terminals in the manner shown in the truth table I set forth below:

' toggle on the negative going transitions of each pulse of i the cut print signal B.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the 0 output terminals of flip-flops 138-1 and 138-8 are connected to-the second and third input terminals of the AND gate 140. Upon the achievement of a count of 9 in the counter, these Q terminals are High as shown in Table l. Thereafter, the tenth pulse of the cut print signal 8 is applied to the flip-flop 138-1 and to the first input terminal of the AND gate 140 which passes the tenth pulse to the input terminal of single shot 148. single shot 148 generates an output pulse which is applied to one input terminal of OR gate 146 and to the trigger, T, of the flip-flop 150-10 of the binary counter 120. The negative going transition of the output pulse of the single shot 148 applied through OR gate 146 resets the flip-flops 138-1,

138-2, 138-4 and 138-8 to 0" and toggles the flipflop 150-10. Therefore, the binary count of counter 118 is reduced to zero, and the Q terminal of flip-11o 150-10 switches to High.

The flip-flop 150-10 thus stores the tenth count of the cut print signal B. The eleventh through nineteenth counts are achieved on the flip-flops of

binary counters

118 and 120 in accordance with the following truth table II:

After the achievement of the count of 19, and at the twentieth pulse of cut print signal B, AND gate 140 is again energized to produce a reset/restart signal P that resets the count of binary counter 118 to zero. Simultaneously, the twentieth count toggles flip-flops 150-10' and 150-20 to provide the count of 20.

The binary counter flip-flops 150-10 and 150-20 are also reset by application of a negative going transition of a reset/restart signal applied by conductor 152 to their respective Preclear, P, input terminals. Such a reset/restart signal is generated by the single shot 144 in the manner described hereinbefore and passed by OR gate 154 to the conductor 152.

A further reset/restart signal is generated by the reset/restart circuit upon the removal of the stack 41 of negative flimstrips and is applied to further input terminals of QR gates 146 and 154 and thereafter to the P input terminals of each flip-flop.

Before the binary counters 118 and are reset by the removal of the stack 41 of negative'filmstrips, it is necessary to shift the count to the

binary count memories

124 and 126 in order that the price display may be activated. The

binary count memories

124 and 126 include memory flip-flops 156-1, 156-2, 156-4 and 156-8, and memory flip-flops 158-10and 158-20,

respectively. Each memory flip-flop is connected by its S and C input terminals to theQ and 6 output terminals of the corresponding counter flip-flop. The trigger T inputs of each memory flip-flop are connected in parallel to a shift conductor 160. The memory flipflops switch to the High or Low state presented to their S and C input terminals upon a negative going transition of the shift signal E applied to their T input terminals. Thus the count of the counter flip-flops is transferred into the memory flip-flops only upon the occurrence of a shift signal E, and the memorized count is retained until the next occurrence of a shift signal E.

The shift signal E is generated by the single shot 162 of the shift circuit 104 in response to the closure of a switch 164. Switch 164 is mechanically closed upon the removal ofthe stack 41, of negative filmstrips from the negative filmstrip cutter stacker 14.

vThe delay between the shift signal E and the reset/restart signal F is achievedby the single shot 166,

the inverter .168 and the AND gate 170. The single shot and AND gate 170 insure that the shift, signal E and the reset/restart signal F do not overlap. Thus the count of the counter flip-flops is transferred to the memory flip flops before the count is reset. Also, the count is reset before the next cut print signal B is generated by single shot 136. 1

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the last print of a customer order is cut at the time the first print number of the next order is detected by the first photosensitive device 58. When the print cutter and sorter 12 is restarted by the reset/restart 105 of FIG. 3, the count 'of the binary counters 118 and 120 is reset to zero. Thereafter, the second print number of the next customer order is detected'by the first photosensitive device 58, and the print detector 86 generates the first pulse of the cut print signal B that is applied to the input terminal of the binary counter 118. Simultaneously, as explained hereinbefore, the first print of the next customer order is cut. Thus the binary counters 118 and 120 count the actual number of prints that are cut in each customers order.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 5, the terminals Q and 6 of the memory flip-flops are connected to the input terminals of the first binary to decimal decoder 128 which may consist of a conventional electrical matrix that responds to the binary count input signals to provide a decimal count output signal of from lat 20 output terminals. The decimal count output signal is applied to twenty lamp illuminating circuits arranged in a matrix array on the illuminable display panel 46.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown in partial perspective and in greater detail the price display unit 18 of FIG. 1 including the illuminable display panel 46 and the transparent price card 48. The illuminable display panel 46 consists of a matrix of twenty lamps located l2 behind the light transmitting squares 172 numbered 1-20. Each correspondingly numbered output terminal of binary to decimal decoder 128' develops a decimal count signal, when energized, that is applied to the respective lamp situated behind the light transmitting squares 124 of the panel 46. Thus, when thebinary count of the binary counters 118 and 120 of FIG. 5 is shifted into the

count memories

124 and 126, the binary count is decoded to a decimal count ranging from 1 through the total number of prints in each customer per counted print, may be permanently or semi-permanently printed upon the corresponding squares 174 of the price card 48. The display panel 46 is mounted in the price display unit 18 at an angle, and a slot 176 is provided through the top surface 178 of the display unit. The price card 48 is inserted through the slot 176 to overlie the display panel 46. The printed price numbers on the squares 174' of the price card 48 are opaque. After the print count developed by the binary counters of FIG. 5 is shifted into the memory counters and the decimal square 172 of the display panel 46 is illuminated, the price displayed on the corresponding square 174 of the price card 48 is illuminated. The operator of the finishing operations workcenter may, with a glance at the price display unit 18, instantly determine which of the price figures is illuminated and transcribe that price upon the print package 52. I

The price display card 48 illustrated in FIG. 7 displays a unit price of $0.23 per print. Other display cards bearing other unit prices applicable to the different retailers serviced by the photofinisher may be substituted for the illustrated price display card.

Returning again to FIG/3 there is shown a reject print/negative filmstrip correlator and display that corresponds to the reject print/negative filmstrip correlator 16 and the numerical display 42 of FIG. 1. The correlator 180 responds to the reject print signal K of FIG. 4K and the output signal developed by a second binary to digital decoder 182 to correlate the marked print with the negative filmstrip containing the corresponding negative.

The second binary to digital decoder 182 is connected, as shown in FIG. 5, at its input terminals to the Q and 6 terminals of the binary counter flip-flops 138-1, 138-2, 138-4, 138-8, 15040 and -20. Decoder 182 has 20 output terminals and provided a decoded decimal count of the cutprint signal B as it is counted by the binary counters 1 18 and 120. The 'twenty output terminals of the decoder 182 are applied to the input terminals of the reject print/negative filmstrip correlator and display 180.

The reject print/negative filmstrip correlator and display is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6. For the. purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it has been assumed that the negative filmstrips 41 each contain four negative frames. For this reason the output terminals of the binary to I060ll 0052 digital decoder 182 have been connected to five groups of four input terminals numbered 1 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 16 and 17 to of OR

gates

184, 186, 188, 190 and 192, respectively. The output conductors of the

OR gate

184, 186, 188, 190 and 192 are respectively connected to one input terminal of AND gates 194,

196, 198, 200 and 202. The second input terminal of j the AND

gates

194, 196, 198, 200 and 202 are commonly connected to the output terminal of the AND gate 114 of FIG. 3. In operation, the OR gate 184, for example, passes each one of the decimal count signals, 1 to 4 developed by the binary to decimal decoder 182 as they are sequentially developed, as explained hereinbefore, as each print is cut. When the reject print signal K is developed, the AND gate to which the decimal count signalof the shift register is simultaneously applied passes the reject print signal K to its output terminal. For example, in the instance shown in FIG. 2, print 19 of order number 1 is about to be cut, and decimal count signal 19 is passed by OR gate 192 to the first input terminal of AND gate 202. Simultaneously the reject print signal K is developed, and AND gate 202 passes the reject print signal K to its output terminal.

Connected to the output terminals of AND

gates

194, 196, 198, 200 and 202 are holding

circuits

204, 206, 208, 210 and 212 for' the

illuminable lamps

214, 216, 218, 220 and 222, respectively, for the numerical display 42. When an input signal is applied at the respective input terminals of the driving circuits, the output terminal of the driving circuit is grounded to allow current to flow from the commonly connected voltage source {V through the associated display numeral and to ground potential until the reset/restart signal F is applied to the reset terminal R of the'voltage supply circuit.

Since each of the holding circuits are identical in design and operation, only the holding circuit 204 will be described in detail. The holding circuit 204 consists of a phototransistor 224 having its emitter connected to ground potential and its collector connected through a lamp 226 to the voltage source iv. The base electrode of the phototransistor 224 is connected by diode 228, resistor 230 and resistor 232 to the voltage source W. The input terminal of the holding circuit 204 is the junction of

resistors

230 and 232 and is connected to the output terminal of AND gate 194. Normally the output terminal of AND gate 194 is at ground potential.

When the output conductor of AND gate 194 is at ground potential, the phototransistor 224 is rendered nonconductive and the lamp 226 is dark. However, when the AND gate 194 simultaneously receives a decimal count signal from the binary to decimal decoder 182 and a reject print signal K, the reject print signal K, having a positive voltage, is passed to the input terminal of the holding circuit 204 and, by resistor 230 and diode 228 the base electrode of phototransistor 224 which is rendered conductive thereby. When phototransistor 224 is rendered conductive, lamp 226 is illuminated. Light from the lamp 226 strikes the base electrode region of the phototransistor 224 which responds thereto by remaining highly conductive after the input terminal of the holding circuit 204 is again grounded.

When phototransistor 224 conducts, its collector electrode is at ground potential and the voltage drop across the display lamp 214 causes the numeral 1 of the display panel 42 to be illuminated. The numeral 1 when illuminated indicates that a negative in the first filmstrip of the stack 41 requires reprinting. Similarly, the

numerals

2, 3, 4 and 5 may be illuminated to indicate the location of a negative in each. respective filmstrip that requires reprinting.

When the reset/restart signal F is developed by the reset/restart 105, it is applied to' a relay coil 234 that opens normally-closed relay contacts 234a. The reset/restart signal F thus extinguishes the lamps 226 and 214-222. With the lamp 226 extinguished and the input terminal at ground potential, the phototransistor 224 is rendered nonconductive and the display lamp 214 is extinguished.

Thus apparatus has been shown for correlating marked prints with the negative filmstrip containing the corresponding negative that must be reprinted to complete the customers order. The incorporation of this correlating apparatus with the marked print sorter and the automatic price display on a single console with a negative cutter and stacker provides a highly eff cient finishing operations workcenter that shortens the time and lessens the chance of error in packaging and pricing customer orders. Although specific circuits and apparatus have been described that will efficiently accomplish the functions of the particular elements of the finishing operations workcenter; it will be apparent that many modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention. For example, the location of the photosensitive devices that sense the print sort mark, and the order sort marks and the reject mark may be changed with corresponding modifications made to the described circuits that respond to these photosensitive devices. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art thatthe print counter, the

price display unit, and the marked print/negative filmstrip correlator circuit may be modified to accommodate a greater number than 20 prints in any customer order. It will also be apparent that the disclosed. counters may take any form including that of a digital counter or shift register without binary to decimal conversion.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. In a photographic workcenter adapted to receive a roll of film comprising a plurality of customer order filmstrips containing customer order negatives and a roll of photographic prints corresponding to negatives of such filmstrips, respectively, and having unacceptable prints marked with a reject print mark, apparatus for separating acceptable prints from unacceptable prints and for correlating the reject marked print with the corresponding negative of the customer order filmstrip, said apparatus comprising:

a. print cutter means adapted to receive a roll of photographic prints for severing each print from the roll of prints;

l060ll 0053 .5 b. film cutter means adapted to receive a roll of film for severing each customer order filmstrip into a first predetermined number of M strips, each strip comprising N negatives, and for arrangingthe M strips in the order 1 to M in which the strips are severed; c. means responsive to the severance of the M strips for numerically indicating theM strips in the order 1 to M in which the strips are severed; d. detector means for detecting a reject print mark on an unacceptable print as the unacceptable print is advanced through the print cutter means and for producing a first signal in response thereto;

e. counter means responsive to the severance of each print in a customer order for counting the total number of prints cut from that order and for producing a second signal indicative of the counted number of prints; and

f. means responsive to the second signal and the first signal for identifying the first predetermined number 1 through M of the strips containing a negative that, when printed, produced the reject marked print detected by said detector means. 7

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising separator means responsive to the first signal and to the severance of the corresponding unacceptable print for separating the unacceptable prints from acceptable prints.

3. Apparatus for correlating rejected photographic prints in an order of prints advanced through a workcenter with M negative filmstrips containing the negative or negatives that, when printed, produced the rejected prints, each of said negative filmstrips comprising N negatives, said apparatus comprising:

a. means for advancing each print in the order of prints through the workcenter;

b. first detector means for detecting each print advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in, response thereto;

c. second detector means for detecting the rejected prints advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto;

(1. counter means responsive to the first signal for producing a third signal having a numerical value indicative of the total number of counted prints, said counter means further comprising an input terminal for receiving the first signal and M X N output terminals, designated 1 to M X N, and means for generating the third signal at a respectively numbered 'output terminal in response to the serial generation of the first signals; and

e. correlator means responsive to the second signal and the third signal for identifying the number 1 to M of the negative filmstrip containing the negative corresponding to the number 1 to M X N of the rejected print.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said correlator means further comprises:

a. first means for combining the M X N output terminals and the second signal for producing a fourth signal, said second means comprising M series of N input terminals connected to said'M series of N output terminals, M commonly connected input terminals adapted to receive the second signal, and M output terminals, designated 1 to M at which the fourth signal is produced; and

c. third means responsive to the fourth signal for identifying the number 1 to M of the negative film strip containing the negative corresponding to the number 1 to M X N of the rejected print.

5. Apparatus for correlating unacceptable photographic prints in an order of prints advanced through a workcenter with a first plurality of negative filmstrips containing the negative or negatives that, when printed, produced the unacceptable prints, wherein said negative filmstrips each comprise a second plurality of negatives, said apparatus comprising:

a. means for advancing each print in the order. of

prints through the workcenter;

b. first detector means for detecting each print advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto;

0. second detector means for detecting the unacceptable prints advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto;

. counter means responsive to the first signal for producing a third signal having the numerical value representative of the total number of prints advanced through the workcenter; and i e. correlator means responsive to the second signal and the numerical value of the third signal for identifying the number of the one of the first plurality of the negative filmstrips containing a negative corresponding to an unacceptable print.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

a. said counter means further comprises input terminal means for receiving the, first signal, a third plurality of output terminals corresponding to the total number of prints in an order of points, and means for sequentially generating the third signal at each succeeding one of the third plurality of output terminals in response to the first signals applied to said input terminal means; and

b. said correlator means further comprises:

1. means for grouping the third plurality of output terminals into said first plurality of groups consisting of said second plurality of output ter-- means, each of said display means being indicative of a predetermined number of said first plurality of negative filmstrips, each of said display means being responsive to the fourth signal to identify the number of the negative filmstrip containing a negative corresponding to an unacl060ll 0054 ceptable print detected by said second detector means. I

7. The apparatus of claim further comprising separator means responsive to the second signal for separating unacceptable prints advanced through the workcenter for acceptable prints.

8. A method of correlating unacceptable photo'- graphic prints in an order of printsadvanced through a workcenter with M negative filmstrips, designated 1 through M, containing the negatives that, when printed, result in the unacceptable prints,-wherein said negative filmstrips each comprise N negatives, said method comprising the steps of:

a. advancing each print through the workcenter;

b. detecting each printadv-anced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto;

c. detecting each unacceptable print advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto;

. counting the number of first signals and producing a third signal having the numerical value 1 to M X N equal to the counted total 1 to M X N of prints advanced through said preselected station; and

e. applying the third signal to one of M negative filmstrip indicators in response to the second signal and the numerical value of the third signal.

9..ln a photographic workcenter adapted to receive a roll of film consisting of a plurality of customer order negative filmstripsattached together by splices and a roll of developed photographic prints, each print made from the corresponding negative of each" customer order filmstrip and each inspected for quality and marked with a reject print mark when unacceptable, and wherein customer order prints-are separated by an order sort mark related to a predetermined print of each customer, said workcenter comprising print cutting means for advancing and severing each customer order print from the roll of prints, order sort mark detection means for halting the operation of the print cutting means after an order sort marked print has been cut, negative'film cutting means for severing each customer order filmstrip into a first predetermined number M of strips, each strip containing a second predetermined number N of negatives, splice detection means for detecting splices attaching customer order filmstrips and for halting the operation of the negative film cutting means, retaining means forretaining the cut strips of each customer order in a predetermined numerical relationship, and restart means responsive to the removal of the retained strips from said retaining means for restarting the operation of the print cutting means and negative cutting means, the improvement comprising apparatus for indicating the strip or strips in each customer order containing a negative or negatives that require reprinting, said apparatus comprising:

a. detector means for detecting each reject print mark on an unacceptable print as the roll of prints is advanced through the print cutting apparatus and for producing a first signal in response thereto;

b. counter means responsive to the severance of each print in each customer order for counting the total number of prints cut from that order and for producing a second signal indicative of the counted number of prints;

0. means responsive to the second signal and the first signal for producing a third signal indicative of the negative number of the customer order filmstrip that, when printed, produced the unacceptable print detected by said detector means; and

d. means responsive to the third signal for indicating the number 1 through M of the M strips containing the negative indicated by the third signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising the improvement of separator means responsive to the first signal and to the severance of the corresponding unacceptable print for separating the unacceptable prints from acceptable prints.

11. Apparatus for correlating unacceptable photographic copies in a first plurality of copies advanced through a workcenter with a second plurality of originals containing the original or originals that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies, said apparatus comprising: 7

' a. means for advancing each copy through the workcenter; I

b. first means for producing a first signal in response to each copy advanced through the workcenter;

c. second means for producing a second signal in response to the unacceptable copies advanced through the workcenter; and correlator means responsive to the first signal and the second signal for correlating the unacceptable copies with the originals that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies and for identifying the correlated originals.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of originals are attached together in a further plurality of strips containing a predetermined number of originals and wherein said correlating means is responsive to the first signal and the second signal for producing an identification of the strip or strips containing the original or originals that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies. I g

13. A method of correlating unacceptable photographic copies in a first plurality of copies advanced through a workcenter with a second plurality of originals containing the original that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies, said method comprising the steps of:

a. advancing each copy through the workcenter;

b. detecting each copy advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto;

c. detecting each unacceptable copy advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto; and

d. correlating the unacceptable copy with the original that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copy in response to the first and second signals.

14. The method of claim l3 comprising the additional step of identifying the correlated original corresponding to the unacceptable copy.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of originals are attached together in a further plurality of strips containing a predetermined number of originals and the correlating step further comprises:

correlating the unacceptable copy with the strip containing the original that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copy.

l060ll 0055

Claims

1. In a photographic workcenter adapted to receive a roll of film comprising a plurality of customer order filmstrips containing customer order negatives and a roll of photographic prints corresponding to negatives of such filmstrips, respectively, and having unacceptable prints marked with a reject print mark, apparatus for separating acceptable prints from unacceptable prints and for correlating the reject marked print with the corresponding negative of the customer order filmstrip, said apparatus comprising: a. print cutter means adapted to receive a roll of photographic prints for severing each print from the roll of prints; b. film cutter means adapted to receive a roll of film for severing each customer order filmstrip into a first predetermined number of M strips, each strip comprising N negatives, and for arranging the M strips in the order 1 to M in which the strips are severed; c. means responsive to the severance of the M strips for numerically indicating the M strips in the order 1 to M in which the strips are severed; d. detector means for detecting a reject print mark on an unacceptable print as the unacceptable print is advanced through the print cutter means and for producing a first signal in response thereto; e. counter means responsive to the severance of each print in a customer order for counting the total number of prints cut from that order and for producing a second signal indicative of the counted number of prints; and f. means responsive to the second signal and the first signal for identifying the first predetermined number 1 through M of the strips contaiNing a negative that, when printed, produced the reject marked print detected by said detector means.

2. a corresponding first plurality of circuit means connected to the respective first plurality of groups of output terminals and commonly connected to said second detector means, each of said circuit means being responsive to the third signal generated by said connecting means and to the second signal for producing a fourth signal in response thereto; and

3. a further corresponding first plurality of display means each connected to a respective circuit means, each of said display means being indicative of a predetermined number of said first plurality of negative filmstrips, each of said display means being responsive to the fourth signal to identify the number of the negative filmstrip containing a negative corresponding to an unacceptable print detected by said second detector means.

3. Apparatus for correlating rejected photographic prints in an order of prints advanced through a workcenter with M negative filmstrips containing the negative or negatives that, when printed, produced the rejected prints, each of said negative filmstrips comprising N negatives, said apparatus comprising: a. means for advancing each print in the order of prints through the workcenter; b. first detector means for detecting each print advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto; c. second detector means for detecting the rejected prints advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto; d. counter means responsive to the first signal for producing a third signal having a numerical value indicative of the total number of counted prints, said counter means further comprising an input terminal for receiving the first signal and M X N output terminals, designated 1 to M X N, and means for generating the third signal at a respectively numbered output terminal in response to the serial generation of the first signals; and e. correlator means responsive to the second signal and the third signal for identifying the number 1 to M of the negative filmstrip containing the negative corresponding to the number 1 to M X N of the rejected print.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said correlator means further comprises: a. first means for combining the M X N output terminals of said counter means into M series of output terminals, each series containing N output terminals corresponding to the N negatives of each of the M negative filmstrips; b. second means responsive to the third signal produced at one of the M series of N output terminals and the second signal for producing a fourth signal, said second means comprising M series of N input terminals connected to said M series of N output terminals, M commonly connected input terminals adapted to receive the second signal, and M output terminals, designated 1 to M at which the fourth signal is produced; and c. third means responsive to the fourth signal for identifying the number 1 to M of the negative filmstrip containing the negative corresponding to the number 1 to M X N of the rejected print.

5. Apparatus for correlating unacceptable photographic prints in an order of prints advanced through a workcenter with a first plurality of negative filmstrips containing the negative or negatives that, when printed, produced the unacceptable prints, wherein said negative filmstrips each comprise a second plurality of negatives, said apparatus comprising: a. means for advancing each print in the order of prints through the workcenter; b. first detector means for detecting each print advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto; c. second detector means for detecting the unacceptable prints advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto; d. counter means responsive to the first signal for producing a third signal having the numerical value representative of the total number of prints advanced through the workcenter; and e. correlator means responsive to the second signal and the numerical value of the third signal for identifying the number of the one of the first plurality of the negative filmstrips containing a negative corresponding to an unacceptable print.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said counter means further comprises input terminal means for receiving the first signal, a third plurality of output terminals corresponding to the total number of prints in an order of points, and means for sequentially generating the third signal at each succeeding one of the third plurality of output terminals in response to the first signals applied to said input terminal means; and b. said correlator means further comprises:

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising separator means responsive to the second signal for separating unacceptable prints advanced through the workcenter for acceptable prints.

8. A method of correlating unacceptable photographic prints in an order of prints advanced through a workcenter with M negative filmstrips, designated 1 through M, containing the negatives that, when printed, result in the unacceptable prints, wherein said negative filmstrips each comprise N negatives, said method comprising the steps of: a. advancing each print through the workcenter; b. detecting each print advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto; c. detecting each unacceptable print advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto; d. counting the number of first signals and producing a third signal having the numerical value 1 to M X N equal to the counted total 1 to M X N of prints advanced through said preselected station; and e. applying the third signal to one of M negative filmstrip indicators in response to the second signal and the numerical value of the third signal.

9. In a photographic workcenter adapted to receive a roll of film consisting of a plurality of customer order negative filmstrips attached together by splices and a roll of developed photographic prints, each print made from the corresponding negative of each customer order filmstrip and each inspected for quality and marked with a reject print mark when unacceptable, and wherein customer order prints are separated by an order sort mark related to a predetermined print of each customer, said workcenter comprising print cutting means for advancing and severing each customer order print from the roll of prints, order sort mark detection means for halting the operation of the print cutting means after an order sort marked print has been cut, negative film cutting means for severing each customer order filmstrip into a first predetermined number M of strips, each strip containing a second predetermined number N of negatives, splice detection means for detecting splices attaching customer order filmstrips and for halting the operation of the negative film cutting means, retaining means for retaining the cut strips of each customer order in a predetermined numerical relationship, and restart means responsive to the removal of the retained strips from said retaining means for restarting the operation of the print cutting means and negative cutting means, the improvement comprising apparatus for indicating the strip or strips in each customer order containing a negative or negatives that require reprinting, said apparatus comprising: a. Detector means for detecting each reject print mark on an unacceptable print as the roll of prints is advanced through the print cutting apparatus and for producing a first signal in response thereto; b. counter means responsive to the severance of each print in each customer order for counting the total number of prints cut from that order and for producing a second signal indicative of the counted number of prints; c. means responsive to the second signal and the first signal for producing a third signal indicative of the negative number of the customer order filmstrip that, when printed, produced the unacceptable print detected by said detector means; and d. means responsive to the third signal for indicating the number 1 through M of the M strips containing the negative indicated by the third signal.

11. Apparatus for correlating unacceptable photographic copies in a first plurality of copies advanced through a workcenter with a second plurality of originals containing the original or originals that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies, said apparatus comprising: a. means for advancing each copy through the workcenter; b. first means for producing a first signal in response to each copy advanced through the workcenter; c. second means for producing a second signal in response to the unacceptable copies advanced through the workcenter; and d. correlator means responsive to the first signal and the second signal for correlating the unacceptable copies with the originals that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies and for identifying the correlated originals.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of originals are attached together in a further plurality of strips containing a predetermined number of originals and wherein said correlating means is responsive to the first signal and the second signal for producing an identification of the strip or strips containing the original or originals that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies.

13. A method of correlating unacceptable photographic copies in a first plurality of copies advanced through a workcenter with a second plurality of originals containing the original that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copies, said method comprising the steps of: a. advancing each copy through the workcenter; b. detecting each copy advanced through the workcenter and producing a first signal in response thereto; c. detecting each unacceptable copy advanced through the workcenter and producing a second signal in response thereto; and d. correlating the unacceptable copy with the original that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copy in response to the first and second signals.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of identifying the correlated original corresponding to the unacceptable copy.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of originals are attached together in a further plurality of strips containing a predetermined number of originals and the correlating step further comprises: correlating the unacceptable copy with the strip containing the original that, when printed, produced the unacceptable copy.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of identifying the correlated strip containing the original corresponding to the unacceptable copy.