IIIH
US006533169B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,533,169 B2
Robinson et al. (45) Date of Patent: Mar. 18,2003
(54) IMAGE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS
WITH COMPACT, LOW-WASTE DIGITAL
PRINTER
(75) Inventors: Scott C. Robinson, Rochester, NY
(US); Xin Wen, Rochester, NY (US);
Mark S. Janosky, Rochester, NY (US)
(73) Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/846,716
(22) Filed: May 1, 2001
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2001/0028444 Al Oct. 11, 2001
Related U.S. Application Data
(62) Division ol application No. 09/470,290, filed on Dec. 22, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,452,663.
(51) Int. CI.7 G06F 17/00
(52) U.S. CI 235/375; 235/379; 358/96;
358/487; 355/77
(58) Field of Search 235/375, 379;
358/1.15, 487; 348/96; 355/77, 75
(56) References Cited
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* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Michael G. Lee
Assistant Examiner—Steven S. Paik
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frank Pincelli
(57) ABSTRACT
A photographic image printer, method ol printing, and a software program for printing digital images which analyzes pending orders, determines the image printing sequence, and allocates print media intelligently to enable high printing productivity and low media waste. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention permits can also provide In accordance with yet another aspect ol the present invention there is provided non-chemistry printing device which requires little floor space.
1 Claim, 3 Drawing Sheets
