Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method for use with a film assemblage strip of the self-developing type including an active matrix LCD for providing an area imaging means for exposing the film assemblage at an exposure station, wherein indexing the strip is accomplished by having indexing means of the strip selectively cooperate with pressure applying means, such that when one of the frames on the strip is processed the next successive film frame is simultaneously advanced to the exposure station to be exposed.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay device comprising a housing assembly and an image recording material housed therein that is exposed by a luminescent read-out signal generated by a luminescent activity triggered in response to displacement of a liquid carrier assembly carrying an analyte of interest with a reservoir containing an assay solution.

Abstract: A foldable multiple mode imaging acquisition apparatus, such as a camera, having a first and second housing assembly; an erecting assembly interconnected to and between the first and second housing assemblies for allowing movement of the housing assemblies between a folded first condition and an unfolded second condition; a pair of hand gripping sections to allow a user to easily and in a stable manner grip the apparatus in both the first and second conditions without having to remove hands from the first housing assembly and while the assemblies transition between the first and second conditions; a viewfinder assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the second assembly and oriented such that an operator can hold the apparatus in a generally vertical mode when the housing assemblies are in the first folded condition and view the scene, and in a generally horizontal mode when the housing assemblies are in the second unfolded condition and view the same scene.

Abstract: An improved camera comprising a strobe circuit, a strobe, a shutter mechanism and an actuating mechanism are disclosed. A finger engageable portion of the shutter mechanism operates the shutter. A shield is movable between a first blocking position for blocking the finger portion against engagement to prevent accidental actuation of the shutter mechanism and a second position exposing the finger portion of engagement to actuate the shutter. An assembly operatively interconnecting the shield and the strobe circuit to energize the strobe circuit when the shield is in the second position.

Abstract: A simplified camera mechanism and method for allowing an operator to select distinct ones of several apertures by actuation of a finger engageable aperture selector as well as insure return of the selector to an initial mode position as a shutter actuator assembly returns to its original unactuated position following release thereof by the operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed whereby generally matched exposures for at least first and second photoresponsive materials generally concurrently can be obtained, wherein the first photoresponsive material is more photoresponsive than the second.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for use with self-developing film wherein the apparatus comprises a light-tight housing assembly having a film unit exit for allowing the film units to exit the housing assembly; an exposure control assembly including a shutter button; the exposure control assembly includes a biased carriage assembly movable between ambient, strobe and strobe charge positions in response to manual displacement thereof; a spread roller assembly including spread rollers for spreading the processing fluid in the film units; a manually operable drive mechanism is mounted in the housing assembly for bidirectional linear movement between extended and retracted positions and carries a pick for engaging and advancing a topmost film unit of the film stack into the nip, and for rotatably driving the spread roller member in response to pulling of the drive mechanism by an operator to process the film unit and eject the same from the exit; and, an interlocking assembly cooperates with the shutter button and the d

Abstract: A foldable camera having a base housing containing a self-developing film unit, and an upper housing including an objective lens. The housings extend generally parallel to each other, and in the folded inoperative position, the upper housing overlies and engages the lower housing forming a compact unit. In moving between the folded and unfolded positions, the upper housing moves through planes generally parallel to the base housing, such action being provided by a linkage. A foldable flash unit is movable between a folded inoperative position extending over the upper housing and covering the objective lens, and an unfolded position projecting above the upper housing to expose a flash.

Abstract: A multi-modally grippable housing construction of improved ergonomic efficiency is disclosed, the construction including a head and a generally elongated handle assembly having a proximal portion coupled to a rear wall of the head to define a neck grippable by thumb and index fingers of an operator, the head having an exterior configuration extending rearwardly from the front end and being sized and shaped for facilitation of the cupping and holding of the head by an operator. Gripping of the housing about the neck, according to one preferred manner of gripping the housing, or cupping of the head according to another mode of grasping the housing construction, permits the operator, in the case of a symbology reader or imager, to address with ergonomic efficiency symbologies positioned, respectively, in vertical or horizontal orientation with respect to the operator.

Abstract: A camera housing a strip of receiving sheet of self-developable film material; a strip of negative photosensitive film material of the self-developing type having discrete exposable portions spaced apart thereon. A pressure applying assembly e merges the strips into the superimposable relationship to form corresponding separated image forming subassemblies in response to pulling the strips from the camera. The assembly effects release of processing fluid in rupturable containers on the sheet to initiate processing of the film. A device is operative in one mode for allowing pulling of the strips and thereby the formation of an image forming subassemblies through the pressure applying device, and in a second mode for automatically stopping formation and processing of a successive one of the image forming subassemblies. In one embodiment, the device is connected to the shutter unit and is operated when the shutter is actuated.

Abstract: A photographic film assemblage comprising: a plurality of photographic elements connected in end-to-end fashion and a separable portion connected to and between adjacent pairs of the elements is disclosed wherein each of the separable portions has at least a weakened segment that separates when pulled and allows adjacent pairs of the elements to separate. At least one layer is connected to one of the elements so as to extend generally longitudinally along the film assemblage and be in overlying relationship to at least the weakened portion. The layer is constructed and sized to reduce friction on the film assemblage in operative relationship to the pressure applying members to thereby enhance separation of the separable portions and the elements.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method for singulating individual film units from a self-developing integral film which units are carried serially in spaced apart relationship to each other are provided. The imaging portion of each unit is stiffer than associated leading and trailing portions whereby the leading portion beyond the pressure applying assembly is severed, while the severed flexible portion is diverted toward a receiving area therefor as the film unit advances along a path. Thereafter, provision is made for severing the strip along a trailing edge adjacent the imaging portion as the imaging portion advances along the path towards the exit; and, diverting the relatively flexible trailing portion from the path to a receiving area therefor as the film unit.

Abstract: A light-tight, temperature controlled system, controlled by a controller, for processing a photographic film housed in a film cartridge detachably secured upon a spool caddy having a plurality of processing spools mounted thereon, includes: means for rotating a spiral shaped wall about a rotational axis, the spool caddy being detachably mounted upon the rotating means in a predetermined positional alignment; means for combining an emulsion side of the film with processing webs from the processing spools along the spiral shaped wall for preset dwell times by sequentially in a preset order removing and replacing each of the processing spools and the film cartridge from and to the spool caddy, unwinding and rewinding the processing webs from and to the processing spools, and unwinding and rewinding the film from and to the film cartridge; and means for securing the processing spools and the film cartridge along a channel formed by the spiral shaped wall while the emulsion side of the film is being sequentially c

Abstract: An improved self-developing film unit comprising: a processing fluid supply including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid; an image recording assembly of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and a spacer connected to and between the first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; a fluid trap at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through the processing space; a first fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling the reservoir to a leading end of the processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into the processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing end of the processing space with the trap fo