Kodak Picture Maker (also known as Kodak Picture Kiosk) is a line of self service photo printing kiosks manufactured by the Eastman Kodak company.
The units typically consist of a computer, touchscreen, scanner, and one or more printer(s) in a single unit. These stations are usually installed in supermarkets and drugstores and offer professional quality printouts of digital photos from digital media (such as a CD or a digital memory card), as well as the ability to scan existing photos and perform simple edits and photo-enhancements via the touchscreen interface. Many systems are set up as "order stations" that print to a digital minilab in addition to (or instead of) printing the pictures up front. Newer systems are also capable of burning Kodak Picture CD's. The first Kodak Picture Maker kiosk was introduced in the late 1990s, followed by second and third generation (G3) KPM kiosks. The most recent model is the Kodak Picture Kiosk G4, introduced in 2005. Older machines run UNIX software, while newer models run Microsoft Windows software.
Contents |
Interface
The kiosk uses a Windows-based touchscreen interface to allow the user to navigate quickly and simply.
Connectivity
The kiosk uses a range of inputs to allow the user to upload their photos for printing. Number of input options vary on the kiosk generation and the location. A list of complete inputs is shown below:
- SmartMedia
- CompactFlash (CF)
- Memory Stick
- Memory Stick Pro
- Memory Stick Duo
- Memory Stick Duo Pro
- MultiMedia Cards (MMC and RS-MMC)
- Secure Digital Cards (SD and Mini SD)
- xD-Picture Cards
- USB Flash Drives
- Bluetooth
- Infrared (IrDA)
- KODAK Picture CD
- KODAK Picture Disk
- CDs
- DVDs
- Floppy Disk
The kiosk accepts picture files in either JPEG, Bitmap or TIFF formats.
Enhancements
The kiosk uses a variety of picture enhancement tools to allow the user to make their photos better. These include:
As well as these user-definable changes the kiosk also offers Kodak's 'Perfect Touch' technology, a technology developed to automatically fix a picture's brightness, contrast, vibrance, exposure and red-eye. This is designed to cut down the time the user must spend with the kiosk, allowing them to print their pictures more quickly.
Developing
The kiosk prints photos in multiple sizes and enlargements. Alongside the photo packages available, a user can also choose between individual sizes, including 4×6 in. (10×15 cm), 5×7 in. (13×18 cm), 6×8 in. (15×20 cm), 8×10 in. (20×25 cm), and 8×12 in. (20×30 cm) The kiosk can also print photo ID's suitable for driving licenses, passports and ID cards. the new software allows you to make auto collages and calenders, monthly & yearly.
