Abstract: A film scroll detection mechanism for a camera does not require a large encoder for use in controlling the scrolling of the film, while still producing a large number of pulse signals, thereby allowing a camera to be made smaller. A connection mechanism links a film scroll detection roller and a pulse signal generator. The connection mechanism causes an encoder of the pulse signal generator to rotate through a larger angle in comparison to the rotation of the aforementioned film scroll detection roller. This allows the encoder to be made with a smaller radius than previous devices. Additionally, the connection mechanism permits the axis of rotation of the encoder to be offset from the axis of rotation of the film scroll detection roller, which allows for a further reduction in the size of the camera.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device includes a generally triangular space adjacent a film spool. A roller, used to conform the film to the film spool is urged into the triangular space when the film diameter on the roller approaches a maximum diameter. A portion of an optical system for the data imprinting device is also located in the triangular space. The periods of film drive pulses are averaged to establish periods of data imprinting pulses. A plurality of the data imprinting pulses are generated for each film drive pulse. In a full size mode of operation, a first set of the data imprinting pulses are used to record imprinting data. In a panorama mode of operation, a second set of the data imprinting pulses are used to record the imprinting data. The second set of data imprinting pulses contains more data imprinting pulses than the first set of data imprinting pulses, whereby the data imprinted in panorama mode occupies a shorter length of the film than does the data imprinted in full size mode.

Abstract: A camera having a hand tremor correction mechanism with improved positioning of the hand tremor correction mechanism. The camera includes a photographic lens which moves along the optical axis of the photographic optical system. A vibration detection unit detects camera vibration, such as from hand tremor, and produces a corresponding output signal. A vibration correction mechanism, coupled to the external periphery of the photographic lens and electrically connected to the vibration detection unit via a flexible printed circuit board, receives the output signal of the vibration detection unit and compensates for the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit.

Abstract: A shake preventing apparatus comprises a shaking sensor for detecting a shake, a shaking preventive optical system for preventing an image shake by this optical system being shifted in a direction substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of a principal optical system, motors for driving this shaking preventive optical system to prevent the shake detected by the shaking sensor, photo interrupters for detecting a shift position of the shaking preventive optical system and a control circuit for controlling the motors on the basis of detection signals from the photo interrupters. The photo interrupters are disposed within a range so as not to exceed a thickness of the shaking preventive optical system in an optical-axis direction.

Abstract: A camera selects one of three or more photograph image sizes to be printed while a viewfinder provides a visual display corresponding to the selected one photograph image size. The camera includes a photographic optical system which focuses a subject on a camera film. A control unit is incorporated within the camera to select first print size information, second print size information, and third print size information. A viewfinder within the camera verifies the field to be printed on the photographic film while a display inside the viewfinder corresponds to the selected photograph image size. Print size selection switches select the print size and the control unit selects the print size information in response thereto. A plurality of aperture blades disposed within the camera define an aperture frame. First and second aperture blades move inwardly to define a horizontally oblong photograph image size and third and fourth aperture blades move inwardly to define a vertically oblong photograph image size.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.

Abstract: A camera having improvements in (a) the placement of anti-vibration sensors, (b) the connection between components of an anti-vibration mechanism, (c) the connection between the anti-vibration mechanism and external testing devices and (d) the connection of the camera to a tripod. The camera body has first and second ends and a photographic lens which is positioned on the camera body between the first end and the second end. A battery compartment, first and second anti-vibrations sensors and a main capacitor are all positioned in the first end of the camera body. The first anti-vibration sensor is positioned between the battery compartment and the photographic lens. The first and second anti-vibration sensors reside on the same sensor card and the sensor card has a connector mounted thereon. An anti-vibration CPU resides on a separate, flexible printed circuit card and is connected to the anti-vibration sensors by inserting a portion of the flexible printed circuit card into the connector on the sensor card.

Abstract: A camera includes a camera body and a regulation component mounted directly to the camera body with flatness of the film desired for photography being maintained by rail surfaces and a regulation surface. The dimensions of the camera body, the regulation component and the dimension allowances of the camera body and the film regulation component have a relationship that forms a space smaller than the thickness of the photographic film when the regulation component mounting surface and the camera body mounting surface of the regulation component are in contact, allowing the regulation component to be mounted directly to the camera body while the regulation surface of the regulation-component and the outer rail surface of the camera body maintain flatness.

Abstract: A camera including a viewfinder having an objective lens with a first optical axis, and an eyepiece lens with a second optical axis. The objective lens and the eyepiece lens create an offset space in the camera because the lenses are located such that their optical axes differ. Components within the camera are mounted on a printed board positioned adjacent to the viewfinder such that the electrical components are located in the offset space. The camera is smaller in size because the space due to the offset portion of the viewfinder is efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A vibration compensation mode selection apparatus and associated visual display for a camera which allows a photographer to enable or disable a vibration compensation unit while receiving visual feedback regarding the operation state of the vibration compensation unit and information regarding the vibrations detected within the camera. A vibration detection unit is provided to output a signal indicating the amount and direction of vibrations experienced by the camera. A vibration compensation unit drives the vibration compensation lens perpendicular to the optical axis of a photographic lens system to correct for the vibrations detected by the vibration detection unit. A button is provided on the front face of the camera to enable the photographer to disable the vibration compensation unit by pressing the button. A display unit is provided to indicate to the photographer whether the vibration compensation system has been enabled or disabled.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.

Abstract: A data imprinting device focusses light emitted from an array of LEDs onto the film, exposing the film as it is fed. A single chip microcomputer controls the LED array to imprint data. Some of the LEDs in the array are always energized together, while others are energized independently. The LEDs which are energized together require only a single control line, thus reducing the number of control lines, and consequently permitting reduction in the size of the camera. The group-wise serial activation of the dot matrix columns slightly staggers the imprinted data, but the imprinted characters are fully recognizable. In addition to reducing the number of control lines, the group-wise serial activation also reduces the peak load on the constant circuit, and thereby reduces the size of this circuit.

Abstract: In a camera which is provided with a clock which operates according to electrical power supplied from a battery, the date and time of photography are imprinted based upon the date and time output from the clock. When the changeover of the battery is detected, the recording of the date and time of photography is prevented, and when the date and time of the clock have been reset the prevention of recording of the date and time of photography is ceased.Further, in a camera which is provided with a clock which operates according to electrical power supplied from a battery, and with a display device which alternatively displays either the date and time output from the clock or the film frame number, when the changeover of the battery is detected, forcibly the date and time output from the clock are displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A camera having a photographic optical system contained in a lens barrel including a zoom cam tube and a collapsible mount cam tube. The zoom cam tube is movable in a focal length adjustment region between a Tele position and a Wide position, while the collapsible mount cam tube is movable in a collapsible mount movement region between the Wide position and a fully collapsed position. During focal length adjustment action, a gear which transmits a drive force of a motor is in engagement with a first rack on the zoom cam tube, and only the zoom cam tube rotates. Due to this rotation, a cam portion is rotated via other gears meshed with the first rack, and a pair of viewfinder lenses and a light generating unit, are made movable. During collapsible mount action, the gear is in engagement with a second rack, only the collapsible mount cam tube is rotated, and the drive force of the motor is not transmitted to the cam portion.

Abstract: A compact camera including one mounting board to which a plurality of electronic components are mounted. A display panel, a control unit, and a land portion, located underneath input devices, are mounted on an upper surface of the mounting board. A first drive IC and a second IC are mounted on a lower surface of the mounting board. Furthermore, a low-power device, such as an autofocus device, is mounted on a lower surface of the mounting board. The autofocus device is disposed near the input devices. Therefore, an inhibiting circuit is provided which inhibits the operation of the autofocus device when the input devices receive operation input signals.

Abstract: A shake-prevention mechanism is positioned on a support unit that supports the shake-prevention optical system. A single flexible printed circuit board having connection ends that connect to the various electrical connections is used as the wiring device to interconnect to the various electrical connections in the mechanism in addition to connecting the mechanism to external devices. The connection ends of the flexible printed circuit board are mounted to pinch and/or surround the support unit containing the drive mechanism from the front and back in the direction of the optical axis. Additionally, a base plate and a cover unit are positioned to have a spacing in between, together forming a support unit for supporting a shake-prevention optical system that is part of the shooting lens system. One photo-interrupter is fixed to the base plate that supports the motor, while another photo-interrupter is fixed to the cover unit that presses the motor and is a unit separate from the base plate.

Abstract: A camera having an anti-vibration sensor positioned so as to reduce the effect of electrically generated noise on the anti-vibration sensor. The camera includes a camera body having first, second and third portions, the second portion for coupling a photographic lens barrel to the camera body and being between the first and third portions. An anti-vibration sensor is positioned on the first portion of the camera body. An electrical noise generating source is positioned on the third portion of the camera body. In this manner, the photographic lens barrel acts as a shielding member when the photographic lens barrel is coupled to the second portion of the camera body.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.

Abstract: A camera having improvements in (a) the placement of anti-vibration sensors, (b) the connection between components of an anti-vibration mechanism, (c) the connection between the anti-vibration mechanism and external testing devices and (d) the connection of the camera to a tripod. The camera body has first and second ends and a photographic lens which is positioned on the camera body between the first end and the second end. A battery compartment, first and second anti-vibrations sensors and a main capacitor are all positioned in the first end of the camera body. The first anti-vibration sensor is positioned between the battery compartment and the photographic lens. The first and second anti-vibration sensors reside on the same sensor card and the sensor card has a connector mounted thereon. An anti-vibration CPU resides on a separate, flexible printed circuit card and is connected to the anti-vibration sensors by inserting a potion of the flexible printed circuit card into the connector on the sensor card.