Method for tracking the life cycle of film units and system

(19)

(11)

EP 1 016 927 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	04.02.2004 Bulletin 2004/06

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	05.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/27

(21)	Application number: 99204277.0

(22)	Date of filing: 13.12.1999

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: G03D 15/00, H04N 1/00, H04N 1/32

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

28.12.1998 US 221756

(71)	Applicant: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
	Rochester, New York 14650 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Cipolla, David, c/o Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US) Smart, David C., c/o Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)

(74)	Representative: Weber, Etienne Nicolas et al
	Kodak Industrie, Département Brevets, CRT, Zone Industrielle 71102 Chalon sur Saône Cedex 71102 Chalon sur Saône Cedex (FR)

(54)	Method for tracking the life cycle of film units and system

(57) A method and system track the life-cycle of a film unit (10). The film unit (10) has a unique identifier (42). A logical memory unit (20) is allocated to the film unit (10). The logical memory unit (20) is remote from the film unit. The logical memory unit indicates the identifier. After the film unit is sold, status data about the film unit (10) is sent to the logical memory unit (20) and recorded, when the film unit is used in an input unit (16).

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