Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: An exposure count indicator for providing a visible indication of the number of frames that remain available to be exposed or are actually exposed on a filmstrip in a camera, comprises a numerical scale of successive exposure count indicia at least divided into an initial range of indicia that are evenly spaced from one another a particular distance and a remaining range of indicia that are evenly spaced from one another a different distance less than the particular distance the exposure count indicia that are in the initial range are spaced from one another, in order that when one views the respective indicia in the remaining range after all of the indicia in the initial range have been viewed it can serve as a warning that one is coming closer to the end of the filmstrip because the indicia in the remaining range are spaced apart a lesser distance than the indicia in the initial range.

Abstract: A novel exposure frame counter is disclosed that gives the appearance of more expensive LCD type displays while not requiring the support electronics and has the ability to erase itself after being used. A disc of low permeable magnetic material has exposure frame numbers recorded into the material in a selected manner so as to create a desired magnetic field. A magnetic micro-shutter is used to create the exposure frame numbers by placing individual micro-shutters over the disc which react to the magnetic field of the disc to form numerals that indicate the exposure frame the camera is on. When the camera is advanced, the section of the disc that was indicating the exposure frame advances to the next frame and the previous frame passes across a field created by a strong permanent magnet and is erased by the permanent magnet. The magnetic micro-shutters of the exposure frame counter are formed essentially as a seven-segment display to form the numerals of the exposure frame counter.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: A camera has a rear cover part, and a rotatable counter dial with a numerical scale of exposure count indicia to be successively viewed. Each of the indicia has the same color. A label on the rear cover part is superimposed to the counter dial and has the same color as the indicia to render the indicia invisible in order to prevent them from being viewed. The label includes a viewing portion that is not the sane color as the indicia and is arranged to be superimposed successively to the indicia when the counter dial is rotated. As a result, the indicia are made successively visible in order to permit them to be successively viewed. Eye-readable information is imprinted on the label, and the counter dial is transparent to permit the information to be visible through the counter dial in order to be read.

Abstract: A camera has a rear cover part, a label on the rear cover part, and a numerical scale of exposure count indicia to be successively viewed. The numerical scale of exposure count indicia is located on the label, and each of the indicia has the same color. A color-absorbing optical filter is rotatable superimposed to the indicia and is a color that absorbs the color of the indicia to render the indicia invisible in order to prevent them from being viewed through the filter when light is reflected from the indicia to the filter. The filter includes a viewing portion that is arranged to be superimposed successively to the indicia when the filter is rotated and does not absorb the color of the indicia. As a result, the indicia are successively visible through the viewing portion in order to permit them to be successively viewed. Eye-readable information on the label is a color that is transmitted through the filter to permit the information to be read when light is reflected from the information to the filter.

Abstract: A method and an electronic image forming device having at least one replaceable consumable. At least means is provided for automatically sensing when the replaceable consumable in the mage forming device reaches a predetermined condition. A software program automatically initiates an offer to the user of the electronic image forming device when the predetermined condition is reached. The offer may include a discount for the purchase of a new consumable or related item. The software program may also initiate communication with a remote site for ordering of a replaceable consumable.

Abstract: An insertable cartridge for insertion into a device such as digital camera with such device having an ink jet printer including a housing for receiving a plurality of receivers each of which is adapted to receive ink from the ink jet printer; a plurality of reservoirs mounted in the housing and each being adapted to receive a different colored ink and sealing means adapted to be pierced to permit a connection between the reservoirs of an inserted cartridge and the ink jet printer of the device; the housing including identifying contacts for identifying features of an inserted cartridge for the ink jet printer of the device; and the housing defining a cavity for mounting at least one battery which is adapted to provide power for the ink jet printer of the device.

Abstract: A digital camera having image capture and processing electronics receives a first battery for operating the image capture and processing electronics of the digital camera and has an integral printer having a removable cartridge for printing captured images on receivers. The integral cartridge includes cartridge interface and printer actuator electronics and a second battery in the cartridge for operating the cartridge interface and printer actuator electronics.

Abstract: A camera having a viewfinder for viewing a subject to be photographed, and a flash unit for illuminating the subject which is supported for movement between an operative position in which the flash unit faces the subject and a storage position in which the flash unit does not face the subject, is characterized in that the viewfinder has an image-reflecting mirror that is arranged on the flash unit for movement with the flash unit to reflect an image of the subject when said flash unit is moved from the storage position to the operative position.

Abstract: An insertable thermal printer cartridge for insertion into a digital camera or the like includes a housing for receiving a plurality of receivers each of which is adapted to receive colorant, and a donor supply roll for supplying a donor having colorant to a colorant transfer area and a donor take-up spool for receiving donor after colorant has been transferred. The receivers and the donor are respectively moved to the colorant transfer area where colorant is transferred from the donor to the receiver, and the housing including identifying contacts which, after the insertable thermal printer cartridge has been inserted into the device, which provide an electrical connection to identify the type of receiver and donor in the inserted insertable thermal printer cartridge and further defining a cavity for mounting at least one battery which is adapted to provide power for moving the donor and receivers and for supplying power for colorant transfer at the colorant transfer area.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus including at least one ink reservoir; a structure defining a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array with each chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel; and a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber.

Abstract: A camera comprising a manually depressible release button for a shutter, and a frame counter for indicating the number of exposures remaining to be made on a filmstrip, is characterized in that the release button is at least partially transparent and the frame counter is beneath the release button to permit the frame counter to be seen through the release button, whereby there is no need for a separate window for viewing the frame counter.

Abstract: A compact camera which comprises a viewfinder having a pair of spaced front objective and rear eye lenses for viewing a subject to be photographed when one's eye is brought close to the rear eye lens to look at the subject through the viewfinder, and a frame counter supported for movement in a space between the front objective and rear eye lenses to view exposure related indicia of the frame counter when looking through the viewfinder, is characterized in that the frame counter has a transparent carrier for the exposure related indicia which is movable adjacent the rear eye lens to permit the exposure related indicia to be viewed through the viewfinder only when one's eye is farther from the rear eye lens than when one's eye is brought close to the rear eye lens to look at the subject to be photographed and to permit one to view the subject without seeing the exposure related indicia when one's eye is brought close to the rear eye lens.

Abstract: A compact camera comprising a frame counter disk supported for rotation to indicate the number of exposures remaining to be made on a filmstrip, is characterized in that the frame counter disk is flexible, has a curved periphery, is bent along a straight line joining two spaced points on the curved periphery to be located in two different planes in order to conserve space, and has a plurality of exposure related indicia that is moved successively from one of the planes to the other plane as the frame counter disk is rotated.

Abstract: A camera comprising a rear opening, and a flexible web frame counter supported for movement to be within direct view through the opening to see exposure related indicia of the frame counter when looking through the rear opening, is characterized in that:a top opening is positioned to permit the frame counter to be within direct view through the top opening to see the exposure related indicia when looking through the top opening.

Abstract: In a method of making a single image of a scene which is the combined images of different portions of the scene, including providing first and second image capturing structures with the second image capturing structure including a moveable lens; and moving the second lens so that it captures at least one different portion of the scene but which overlaps with a first portion of the scene captured by the first image capture structure, the second image capture structure including an image sensor. The method further determines when the second lens moves across the scene to a desired position and stopping the second lens at the desired position for causing the first and second capture structure to capture overlapping images of different portions of the scene.

Abstract: A camera for recording images on a photographic film in a cartridge and for recording images on a magnetic tape in a cartridge is disclosed. The camera includes a storage section for receiving a cartridge which can contain either photographic film or magnetic tape and a first optical path for recording an image of a subject on the photographic film when a photographic film cartridge is disposed in the storage section. The camera further includes an area image sensor for receiving an image of the subject and storing the image as a plurality of electrical signals and a recorder responsive to a cartridge containing magnetic tape being disposed in the cartridge receiver, for selectively recording images from the storage section onto a magnetic tape.