Abstract: An energy-saving electronic flash unit for a rapid sequence of flash exposures includes status indicator apparatus operable for signaling the readiness of the flash unit for the next flash in the sequence as a function of the flash energy expended to produce the previous flash. When the energy retained by a flash-firing capacitor at the termination of the preceding flash exceeds the energy expended in producing that flash, energy-monitoring circuitry causes a status indicator device to signal that the flash unit is sufficiently charged for the next exposure in the sequence.

Abstract: In a camera of the type having (a) an adjustable diaphragm for reducing the effective size of an exposure aperture and (b) a shutter including an opening blade for uncovering the exposure aperture and a closing blade for re-covering the exposure aperture, a single electromagnet is used in conjunction with an ambient light-regulated circuit to control the diaphragm and the shutter in relation to the intensity of ambient light. The electromagnet is energized only once for each film exposure, at alternative times corresponding to relatively dim and relatively bright ambient light. During dim light, the electromagnet is energized before the diaphragm can reduce the effective size of the exposure aperture, to retain the diaphragm with the closing blade removed from the exposure aperture during shutter opening.

Abstract: A video disc system adapted for use with a recordable, master storage, video disc and a prerecorded, transfer storage, video disc comprises a turntable for rotating the master disc and the transfer disc in synchronism, a playback head for reading the video signals recorded on the transfer disc, electronic circuitry for editing the video signals read by the playback head, and a record head for recording the edited video signals onto the master disc.

Abstract: A camera having electronic flash apparatus for flash photography includes a rangefinder for measuring distance to a subject to be photographed, and circuitry for regulating a DC to DC converter to limit charging of the flash apparatus to a voltage corresponding to flash illumination that is necessary to effect a predetermined flash exposure of a subject situated at the distance measured by the rangefinder.

Abstract: A fixed-focus camera provides flash photography of normal-range subjects beyond a near distance which is limited by depth of field and flash overexposure. A proximity sensor, in response to detecting that a subject to be photographed is closer than the near distance, causes an override mechanism to establish an exposure aperture which is smaller than the aperture normally set for flash photography. This reduces the near distance at which both depth of field and flash exposure are acceptable.

Abstract: An automatic rangefinding camera uses a light source, such as an electronic flash, to direct light toward an object to be photographed. The quantity of such light reflected by the object to be photographed is converted into an electrical signal that can be translated by a converter into ranging information. Included on the camera is a switch which, when moved to the OFF position, disables the exposure flash and simultaneously moves a filter in front of the flash tube so that invisible radiation is used for auto-ranging. When lighting conditions are such that the exposure flash is required, movement of the switch to the ON position energizes the exposure flash and at the same time moves the filter out of the light path, thus uncovering the flash tube.

Abstract: In a camera, a film threading apparatus operates to feed a film leader extending out of a film cassette from a supply chamber to a take-up chamber. The film cassette is loaded in the supply chamber with the film leader positioned in a film passageway between the supply and take-up chambers. A film threading member is located adjacent the leader, with a non-film engagable section of the threading member confronting, though spaced from the leader. When a camera door is closed, a drive mechanism causes the threading member to be revolved, moving a film engagable section of the threading member to engage and advance the film leader to a film capturing mechanism in the take-up chamber. The threading member is stopped with its non-engagable section again confronting the film leader to prevent the threading member from interfering with subsequent film advance.

Abstract: A camera door and body are configured to allow only limited access to the camera interior for film loading, in order to shield interior mechanisms from foreign particles and tampering, and to allow greater or unlimited access to the camera interior should it become necessary, for example, to clear a film jam in the camera or to repair or clean an interior mechanism.

Abstract: A unitary, movable lever permits a photographic camera to be test operated in the absence of film and, when the camera is loaded with film, permits an exposure to be initiated only if the film has been properly threaded and advanced. With no film in the camera, the lever is urged to a first position which permits actuation of the shutter. When the camera is initially loaded with film, a sensing pin engages an edge of a laterally trimmed film leader and moves the lever to a second position in which it blocks actuation of the shutter and provides a visual indication of the blockage in the camera viewfinder. If the film is properly attached to the take-up spool and advanced a sufficient distance, a widening portion of the leader, adjacent the full-width of the light sensitive film portion moves past the sensing pin. The sensing pin is moved by the widening leader thereby causing the lever to move to a third position in which it again permits actuation of the shutter.

Abstract: A generally conventional still camera having an exposure counter and adapted to use rewindable cassette loaded film, e.g. a 35 mm camera, includes a selector member movable to an "automatic rewind" position, a "mid-roll rewind" position and a "counter-reset" position. When the selector is in its automatic rewind position, the film is automatically rewound entirely into the cassette after all of the available exposures have been made, as is well known in the prior art. When the selector is moved to the mid-roll rewind position, a partially exposed roll of film is rewound into the cassette, leaving its leader portion extending from the cassette and the film counter continues to display the number of the last unexposed film frame. Preferably, a signal is also displayed in the viewfinder to alert the photographer to the fact that the camera has been adjusted to this mode of rewinding operation.

Abstract: A claw and scotch yoke mechanism operatively interconnects a pivotable camera cover door and a rotatable film take-up spool. As the cover door is moved from its closed position to its opened position to provide access to the camera interior, the claw and yoke cooperate to orient a film capturing member provided on the take-up spool in a position allowing easy attachment of a film strip leader to the take-up spool. As the cover door is moved from its open position to its closed position in preparation for camera operation, the claw and yoke mechanism again cooperate to rotate the take-up spool in a film advancing direction to absorb any slack in the film.

Abstract: A photographic camera includes exposure control apparatus for determining automatically if the camera is adjusted to achieve a suitable exposure. This determination is made taking into account the exposure latitude of film in the camera. The control apparatus includes film data-retrieval apparatus for receiving both film speed and film exposure latitude data. A light-level sensing circuit determines scene brightness, and diaphragm and shutter control mechanisms provide data relating to the aperture size and shutter speed, respectively, at which the camera is set. A microprocessor computes an exposure value that is based on scene brightness and film speed. The microprocessor then uses the computed exposure value to compute a range of acceptable exposure values corresponding to the film exposure latitude. The microprocessor also computes an exposure value that is anticipated based on the aperture size and shutter speed at which the camera is set.

Abstract: In a photographic camera, an electrically powered memory device stores data obtained by sensing detectable means on a filmstrip, but loses stored data upon a power diminution below a minimum level necessary for memory retention. When electrical power is resumed above such minimum level to a predetermined higher level, a film drive is operated to rewind the filmstrip at least until the detectable means previously sensed during film advance have been returned past the sensing device. Then, the film drive is operated to re-advance the filmstrip substantially the same distance it was rewound. During re-advance, the sensing device again senses the detectable means to restore lost data to the memory device.

Abstract: A photographic film unit comprising a preferably disk-shaped photographic film sheet that is attached to a central hub and which may be incorporated in a compact cartridge assembly for acceptance by a cooperating camera. The film disk defines an array of photographic imaging areas effectively ringing the hub for sequential positioning at a cartridge exposure window for exposure to scene light by the camera. Incorporated structural features facilitate manipulation of the film unit not only during use in the camera but also during post-exposure operations such as photographic processing, printing and viewing.

Abstract: A camera includes a battery-powered electronic strobe flash unit having a flashtube and a capacitor chargeable by the battery for supplying energy to fire the flashtube. A switch has first and second conditions for respectively preventing and causing the charging of the capacitor. A cover member is mounted for movement from (1) a viewfinder-covering position for preventing a scene to be photographed from being framed within the camera's viewfinder, into (2) a viewfinder-uncovering position for permitting the scene to be framed. A shutter release button is coupled to both the switch and the cover member for causing the switch to assume its second condition and the cover member to move into its viewfinder-uncovering position during pre-exposure movement of the release button. This causes charging of the capacitor while a scene is being framed without delaying the photographic exposure.

Abstract: A film magazine contains a roll of film wound on a core with a journal rotatable in a split bearing. The journal and the bearing have complementary, non-circular cross-sectional surfaces which inhibit unwinding rotation of the core until the bearing halves are separated by insertion into a camera.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to photographic cameras adapted to receive film cartridge assemblies enclosing rotatable film disk units. When a film cartridge assembly is received in the camera, it cooperates with a camera mechanism that opens an exposure window in the cartridge assembly and rotates the film disk unit incrementally to locate successive exposure areas accurately in exposure position. Various novel camera mechanisms are also disclosed for supporting the film exposure area in a predetermined film exposure plane and for preventing accidental exposure of the film to ambient light.

Abstract: A film disc is rotated in contact with a processing solution in a tray to transform a latent image on the disc to a visible one. The tray, although normally stationary, is supported for rotation about the same axis as that of the rotated disc. After the disc has been processed in the solution, the disc and the tray are operatively connected to simultaneously rotate the two, which centrifugally discharges the solution from the disc and the tray.

Abstract: In a camera, a piezoelectric generator is struck by a hammer to produce an electrical pulse for flash firing. The resulting mechanical shock to the piezoelectric generator is transmitted through the generator to a shutter blade, which is actuated by the shock to initiate a film exposure in synchronization with flash firing.

Abstract: A sensor in a camera detects code indicia on a film cartridge, representing information about the film in the cartridge, and an interface unit associated with the sensor transmits binary representations of the code to a microprocessor. A memory device contains a catalog of digital data representing information about a variety of films. The microprocessor selectively retrieves from memory those data corresponding to any of the information coded on the cartridge. Character generators, controlled by the microprocessor, effect display, preferably in the camera's viewfinder, of alphanumeric information representing the data selectively retrieved from memory.