Disposable Or Recyclable Camera Patents (Class 396/6)
  • Patent number: 6397005
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is preloaded with unexposed photo film. A main body has a cassette holder chamber and a roll holder chamber. The cassette holder chamber contains a cassette shell. The roll holder chamber contains a roll of the photo film drawn from the cassette shell. An exposure unit is secured to the main body between the cassette holder chamber and the roll holder chamber, for providing an exposure in the photo film. An electronic flash unit is secured to the main body, for illuminating a photographic field to be photographed. A battery supplies the flash unit with power, is disposed under the exposure unit, and has at least one portion disposed under the roll holder chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6397004
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes an opaque main body pre-loaded with photo film. An opaque rear cover covers a rear of the main body. A front cover covers a front of the main body. A viewfinder eyepiece opening is formed through the rear cover. A viewfinder objective opening is formed in the front cover, combined with the viewfinder eyepiece opening, and adapted to observation of a photographic field. The front cover is produced from transparent material. A field frame member is disposed on an edge of the viewfinder objective opening, visible through the viewfinder eyepiece opening, for indicating a photographable region in the photographic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kameyama, Osamu Noguchi, Hajime Nihojima
  • Patent number: 6393214
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit package, including: a lens-fitted film unit further including: (a) a preloaded photographic film; (b) a camera lens; (c) a shutter; (d) a diaphragm; and (e) an EV value switcher for switching the EV value of the lens-fitted film unit between the first EV value and the second EV value, which is greater than the first EV value; and a packing material; in which the lens-fitted film unit is packaged in the packing material under the condition that the EV value of the lens-fitted unit is switched to the second EV value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsufumi Takaba, Katsuyuki Koizumi, Hiromi Nakanishi, Hiroshi Kibayashi
  • Publication number: 20020057907
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a taking lens of a fixed focal length, through which picture frames are photographed in respective exposure areas in a constant size on a photo filmstrip. Prior to loading the photo filmstrip in the lens-fitted photo film unit, three dots are prerecorded on each PAR code recording zone of the photo filmstrip, to indicating that a predetermined size photographic print is to be produced from a predetermined central fragment of each of the picture frames by enlarging at a specific print magnification. The lens-fitted photo film unit has an optical viewfinder that shows the photographer a subject at a corresponding magnification and a corresponding angle of view to an image contained in a photographic print of the predetermined size as produced from the central fragment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Publication number: 20020057906
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit comprises photographic mechanism provided with a taking lens, a shutter device and an aperture. The lens-fitted film unit has been loaded with an unexposed photographic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Yasushi Nozawa
  • Patent number: 6389227
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit and production thereof, wherein lens-fitted film unit has a front cover, a rear cover, a main body and a magazine chamber lid to take out a film magazine from a film magazine chamber located in the main body, below the film magazine chamber and at the bottom surface of the lens-fitted film unit. The front cover, rear cover and main body have respectively a rib, and the surrounding of the lower portion of the film magazine chamber is surrounded by the rib of the front cover, the rib of the rear cover and the rib of the main body. After the rear cover is attached, the film magazine chamber lid is attached so that the magazine chamber lid is fixed to the front and rear cover and is not fixed to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoaki Hazama, Kazuhisa Aratame, Kijiro Suzuki, Akihiko Fujiwara, Tsutomu Kako
  • Patent number: 6385397
    Abstract: A fixed stop plate formed with a fixed stop aperture is provided behind a taking lens constituted of a first lens and a second lens. A movable stop plate formed with a smaller stop aperture is disposed behind the fixed stop aperture such that an interval between the fixed stop plate and the movable stop plate is 1.5 mm or less. A photo film is positioned behind the movable stop plate. As to the light focusing on the photo film, its portion having greater color aberration is intercepted by the movable stop plate. Thus, quality of an image recorded on the photo film is prevented from being deteriorated due to the color aberration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazumi Koike
  • Patent number: 6381414
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit incorporating a strobe device, comprises: a main body; a photographic film loaded in advance in said main body; a shutter; a photographic lens; and a strobe circuit included in said strobe device, said strobe circuit comprising, a boosting-up circuit including a DC power source, an oscillation transistor, an oscillation transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a rectifying element for rectifying an electronic current induced by said oscillation transformer, an oscillation controlling circuit for controlling a base potential of said oscillation transistor, and a strobe lighting circuit including a main-capacitor charged by said electronic current rectified by said rectifying element, and a strobe-lighting tube driven by an electronic charge charged in said main-capacitor, wherein a collector and an emitter of said oscillation transistor are serially coupled between said DC power source and said primary winding of said oscillation transformer, and a base of said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Hosaka
  • Patent number: 6381410
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body. A cassette holder chamber in the main body contains a photo film cassette. A roll holder chamber in the main body contains a roll of photo film drawn from the photo film cassette. A front cover of transparent resin covers a front of the main body. A rear cover covers a rear of the main body. The roll holder chamber has a top wall portion and an end wall portion disposed farther from the cassette holder chamber. A first light-shielding ridge is disposed to project forwards from the rear cover and to extend horizontally, overlapped with the top wall portion, for blocking entry of ambient light at the top wall portion. A second light-shielding ridge is disposed to project forwards from the rear cover and to extend vertically, overlapped with the end wall portion, for blocking entry of ambient light at the end wall portion. The second light-shielding ridge extends to the first light-shielding ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Noguchi, Takashi Tobioka
  • Patent number: 6381411
    Abstract: A camera structure includes a front cover coupled with a rear cover, a film winding spool mounted between the front cover and the rear cover and having a hollow compartment defined therein, a battery mounted in the hollow compartment of the film winding spool, an electrode piece secured on a bottom of the front cover and rested on a bottom of the battery, and a spring secured on a top of the rear cover and rested on a top of the battery. In such a manner, the battery is mounted in the hollow compartment of the film winding spool, thereby reducing the volume of the camera structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: James Lee
  • Patent number: 6381409
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disassembling a used lens-fitted photo film unit whose unit body consists of a body base portion, front and rear cover sections removably engaged with the body base portion and with each other, and a label placed around the unit body. Access holes provided through the front and rear cover sections permit accessing internal engaging portions between the cover sections and the body base portion. The label is cut along joints between the front and rear cover sections by laser markers. Holes are pierced through the label to access holes of the unit body. Thereafter, disengaging tools are sequentially inserted into the access holes through the holes of the label, to disengage the internal engaging portions. Then, the front and rear cover sections are sequentially separated from the body base portion without removing the label from the front and rear cover sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Aoshima, Masaya Morita, Shoichi Uchida, Yoshihiro Tominaga
  • Publication number: 20020041759
    Abstract: In a lens-fitted photo film unit, a flash device has a booster circuit including primary and secondary windings, the secondary winding generating high voltage when power source voltage is applied to the primary winding. A main capacitor is charged by the high voltage in the secondary winding. A flash discharge tube is connected in parallel with the main capacitor, for emitting flash light upon discharge with electric energy from the main capacitor. A trigger circuit discharges the flash discharge tube upon a switching operation. A photo transistor measures reflected light from an object illuminated by the flash light, to output a light amount signal. A light amount control circuit quenches discharge of the flash discharge tube when an integration value of the light amount signal comes up to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Katsumi Motomura
  • Patent number: 6363219
    Abstract: A one-time-use camera includes a film cartridge with a film winding spool that is rotatable to wind a filmstrip into the film cartridge, a manually rotatable film winding thumbwheel having an axis that is parallel to an axis of the film winding spool, and a rotatable endless belt rotationally engaging the film winding thumbwheel and the film winding spool to permit rotation of the thumbwheel to rotate the spool. Since the endless belt permits the axis of the film winding thumbwheel to be spaced from the axis of the film winding spool, rather than being coaxial, the thumbwheel can protrude substantially from a narrow opening in a rear cover part to allow it to be easily grasped in order to be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: David J. Cornell
  • Publication number: 20020031340
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and includes a viewfinder adapted for observing an object. A selector button is operable externally, for being shifted to a standard position and a telephoto position. A view region changer lever sets the viewfinder in a standard view field when the selector button is in the standard position, and sets the viewfinder in a telephoto view field when the selector button is in the telephoto position, the telephoto view field being included in the standard view field. An information exposure unit photographically records a telephoto discernment PAR code to an information exposure region in the photo film when the selector button is in the telephoto position. The telephoto discernment PAR code includes at least three dots, for designating production of a pseudo telephoto print from a region in an imaging frame in the photo film corresponding to the telephoto view field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6356711
    Abstract: Photo film has plural perforation sets arranged along one edge thereof in line at a regular pitch. Each of the perforation sets includes first and second perforations, which are arranged closely at a regular distance. A sprocket wheel is rotated by movement of the photo film. The sprocket wheel has a wheel body. Two tooth sets respectively include first and second teeth, are disposed to protrude from a peripheral face of the wheel body, and are respectively meshed with the first and second perforations serially. An arm is disposed on the peripheral face of the wheel body, for frictionally contacting a portion of the photo film between first and second perforation sets, to be rotated by the photo film. The first and second perforation sets are included in the plural perforation sets and adjacent to each other. Each of the tooth sets are meshed with the second perforation set after being disengaged from the first perforation set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Takagi, Hirofumi Katsura
  • Patent number: 6351604
    Abstract: In a lens-fitted film unit provided with an unexposed film having an ISO sensitivity Sviso; a lens having a fixed focal length of f (mm) and a fixed f-number F; a shutter having a fixed shutter speed T (sec); a system sensitivity index S is larger than 0 and not larger than 4.5; wherein the system sensitivity index S is represented as follows: S=EV value Ev−Film sensitivity index Sv, Ev=3.32 log10 (F2/T) Sv=3.32 log10(0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Haraga
  • Patent number: 6351608
    Abstract: A one-time-use camera with a built-in flash unit and an external flash unit system in which the external flash unit is devoid of a charger circuit and battery power supply. The external flash unit is connected to the camera built-in flash unit's flash capacitor and flash trigger circuit via interconnecting terminals provided on the camera and external flash unit. The external flash unit includes circuit means for disabling camera flash trigger circuit so as to prevent the camera flash emission device from operating. A signal pulse is sent from the camera trigger circuit to an SCR trigger switch in the external flash trigger switch to initiate flash operation in the external flash unit. By virtue of mounting the flash emission device of the external unit farther away from the taking lens than the built-in flash device and disabling the operation of the internal flash unit, red-eye on the subject being photographed is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Douglas W. Constable
  • Patent number: 6349171
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit with a preloaded filmstrip has a taking lens for forming an image on the filmstrip placed on an image surface that is curved in a lengthwise direction of the filmstrip and has a center of curvature on the object end so as to correct the curvature of field of the taking lens in the image surface. The taking lens comprising in order from the object end to the image end a meniscus first lens element having a convex object side surface and a meniscus second lens element having a convex image side surface satisfies the condition −10%≦Ds≦Db−0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazumi Koike
  • Patent number: 6345151
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit with an exposure mechanism which is equipped with a built-in flash and a pre-loaded film cartridge is provided with an IC memory in which exposure data is written, a write control IC operative to control writing data on an exposure in the IC memory, and a switch arrangement comprising a synchronizing switch which is actuated by a shutter blade of the exposure mechanism to cause the built-in flash to make a flash and an auxiliary switch which is actuated by operation of the shutter mechanism. The write control IC is actuated to control writing data on an exposure in the IC memory when at least one of the synchronizing and auxiliary switches is actuated during making the exposure. The built-in flash has a charge switch opetative to be turned on for charging a capacitor of the built-in flash and to remain turned on until turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukitsugu Hata
  • Patent number: 6343185
    Abstract: A taking lens of a used lens-fitted photo film unit is cleaned according to sequential steps for recycling. A cleaning head is caused to press a loosened cleaning tape against the taking lens. While the cleaning tape is pressed against the taking lens, the cleaning head is moved, to wipe the taking lens with the cleaning tape. Furthermore, before wiping with the cleaning tape, the taking lens may be brushed by rotating the cleaning head back and forth. In a preferred embodiment, a recycling apparatus includes a disassembly line which disassembles the lens-fitted photo film unit after removal of a cassette shell with photo film being exposed. A main body is obtained with at least a cassette shutter closing mechanism for a cassette shutter and a frame counter mechanism. Furthermore, an inspection line inspects operation of the mechanical parts and a cleaning line cleans at least a viewfinder lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Aoshima, Shoichi Uchida, Masaya Morita, Yoshihiro Tominaga, Yukihiko Yamaguchi, Ryo Mori
  • Patent number: 6343186
    Abstract: A fixed making frame for blocking the peripheral light is disposed between a taking lens aperture and an exposure frame of a film surface. The effective diameter of the taking lens aperture is variable so as to make an angular field of a photogtaphing light which extends from the taking lens aperture to an exposure area. The angular filed is smaller under a larger effective diameter than under a smaller effective diameter. A predetermined width of a periphery of the exposure area defines a non-print area, and the fixed making frame is disposed at a side adjacent to the taking lens aperture with respect to an intersection of the peripheral light which extends between an inner periphery of the non-print area and the lens aperture under a larger effective diameter of the taking lens, and a peripheral exposure light which extends the lens aperture and an outer periphery of the exposure area, under a smaller effective diameter of the taking lens aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Katsura, Fuminori Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6341200
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit includes: a main body; a photographic lens provided in the main body, having an aperture value; an aperture provided in the main body; a shutter provided in the main body, having a shutter speed; a photographic film loaded in the main body, having image frames each including an unexposed portion and a pre-exposed portion on which a latent image has been formed; and a masking member for masking the pre-exposed portion of the photographic film when a photographing operation is conducted. The latent image has been formed on the photographic film with a same exposure amount as that obtained when an object to be photographed having a brightness of not less than 10 and not more than 12.5 in terms of light values in which a photographic film whose ISO sensitivity is 100, is exposed to light with an aperture value of the photographic lens set by the aperture and with the shutter speed of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakanishi, Kunikazu Takano, Hiroshi Kibayashi, Hiromi Nakanishi, Tetsufumi Takaba, Wataru Hiroshima, Tsuyoshi Takeda, Akira Aoki, Kanichi Onda
  • Publication number: 20020006277
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a housing and a wrapping wound about the housing in belt-like fashion. The housing is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film, and incorporates a taking lens and a shutter mechanism. The housing has a rear cover, which has recesses. Outer edges of the recesses are convex. Ridges are formed in the recesses for supporting the wrapping about the housing. Outer edges of the recesses are convex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ichino, Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6339679
    Abstract: A single use camera with a built-in electronic flash includes a main body; a photographic film loaded in the main body previously; an electronic flash unit having an electronic flash light emitting section and an electronic flash circuit; and a photographing unit having a photographic lens and a shutter, wherein the following condition is satisfied, 6≦A≦10 wherein A represents an exposure value, which is determined by an aperture value, a shutter speed and a sensitivity of a film loaded in the single use camera, when photographed in a condition in which the electronic flash unit is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Aratame, Kijiro Suzuki, Kei Kaneiwa, Takao Hosaka, Hiromi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6339680
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a rotatable disc 12 which is pivotally 54 mounted onto the front of a disposable camera housing 52 having a plurality of user selectable rotatable lens 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, each having a plurality of facets. Each lens also has a visual symbol 18, 22, 26, 30, 34 associated therewith for easy recognition by the user. Rotation of the disc 12 about its central pivot 54 and rotation of each lens creates numerous artistic accentuations to the photographs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Jaquelynne Mauvais
  • Publication number: 20010055479
    Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for loading a disposable camera with a photographic film, a film unwinding and film insertion device (8) is provided for unwinding a predetermined film length from a film cartridge (203) of a film unit (2; 2′ etc.) to form a film supply roll (202) and for inserting the film cartridge and the film supply roll in a film supply chamber (102) or film cartridge chamber (104) of a camera fabrication unit (KU; KU′ etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Rolf Schroder
  • Patent number: 6332059
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit incorporates a mechanism for taking an exposure, and is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film. A telephoto selectable type indicia is imprinted previously on a first edge of the photo film outside imaging frames in an optical manner. An indicia recorder imprints a magnification indicia on a second edge of the photo film outside the imaging frames in an optical manner each time that one exposure is taken. A combination of the telephoto selectable type indicia and the magnification indicia designates a printing condition for each of the imaging frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kamata, Mitsuro Kamata
  • Publication number: 20010051043
    Abstract: Provided is a film unit with a lens that comprises game characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Shingo Tanimura
  • Patent number: 6330396
    Abstract: A camera has a casing enclosing a film area. The casing has a stray light path into the film area due to a light transmissive region, such as a region of translucent material. The light transmissive region can be bounded by an obstruction to label placement. A label is adhered to the casing. The label has an opaque portion covering the transmissive region. The label can be aligned with an obstruction boundary and spaced from the obstruction boundary by 0.8 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Boyd, Stephen J. Smith, Michael P. Cramer
  • Patent number: 6327441
    Abstract: A camera includes a film compartment, and a cover for closing the film compartment which is configured to hold a battery. The cover has a main portion for the battery and a fold-over portion that folds against the main portion to hold the battery between the main portion and the fold-over portion. Preferably, the film compartment is configured to receive a film cartridge having an end opening, and the fold-over portion has a support post that is arranged to fit into the end opening in the film cartridge when the fold-over portion is folded against the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John H. Alligood
  • Publication number: 20010046382
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a body section, a front cover and a rear cover, all of which are plastic parts. These plastic parts are made of raw materials restored from used plastic parts. A plastic parts recycling line is constisuted of a pelletizing line and a non-pelletizing line. In the non-pelletizing line, the used plastic parts are crushed for procuring crushed materials. In the pelletizing line, the crushed materials are melted, extruded and molded into the strand-like resin, which is cut into recycled pellets. The crushed materials are used for forming the plastic parts that are not in contact with a photo film. Meanwhile the recycled pellets are used for forming the plastic parts that are in contact with the photo film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6324342
    Abstract: A data-projection device particularly suited for disposable cameras that offers high reliability without the need for a dedicated monitoring device affixed thereto. A dedicated battery is embedded in this data-projection device and an associated battery terminal extends over the entire surface of the data-projection device. One of the circuit board surfaces securing the electrical components of the data-projection device is covered with an anti-electrostatic copper foil pattern which is connected to the battery, thus providing a shield effect with the battery terminal and the copper foil pattern strobe. Further, preferably, the strobe unit and the data-projection device are separated from each other by at least 2 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ito, Masaaki Handa
  • Publication number: 20010041068
    Abstract: A one-time use camera including film. The camera comprises a shutter release and a device adapted to deactivate a camera function in order to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera. The deactivating device comprises: a first counter whose value can be changed when it is detected successively that, on the one hand, the film is moved inside the camera and that, on the other hand, the shutter release is activated, and, a detector for detecting the film movement. The camera function is deactivated when the first counter reaches a limit value S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michel Lemoine
  • Publication number: 20010041067
    Abstract: The following components can be fitted alternatively to the front of a photographic functional unit, which is designed for recording photographic images on a photographic film (201) which is disposed therein in a light-tight manner:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Rolf Schroder
  • Publication number: 20010041066
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film package with dual lens includes a film-free self-activating shutter mechanism and a detachable cartridge for removing and installing film. A 35-mm film cartridge is attached to a cartridge adapter, and a filmstrip end is inserted and pre-wound into a winding housing including a winding spool therein. As photographs are taken, film is advanced frame-by-frame into the film cartridge, where it may be easily removed from the adapter without rewinding of the film, and replaced by a fresh film cartridge. Thus, the adapter transforms the lens-fitted photographic film package into a reusable package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Bangly K.W. So, Ivan W.K. Shum, Roland Walter Kohl
  • Publication number: 20010040625
    Abstract: This digital camera is available at, for example, a selling store such as convenience store. After taking desired photographs, the user returns the digital camera to the selling store. The returned digital camera is collected at a prescribed distribution center, where the photographed data in the digital camera is transmitted to an image station apparatus through a transmitting apparatus. The image station apparatus stores the photographed images in a hard disk. The user accesses the image station apparatus over the Internet by using a user's personal computer, thereby viewing or downloading the images photographed with the digital camera. Thus, the digital camera that allows everybody to enjoy digital photographs at low cost can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Hideo Okada, Mitsuhiro Iwata
  • Publication number: 20010041065
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit includes a photographic film loaded in advance, a shutter, a taking lens, an exposure counter plate that is provided with numerals indicating the number of exposures or the number of exposed frames, and is moved in one direction for each exposure, and an exposure counter window through which the numeral on the exposure counter plate can be recognized. A distance between the prescribed numeral on the exposure counter plate and the immediate neighboring numeral provided to be next to the prescribed numeral on a downstream side in a moving direction of the exposure counter plate is greatest, compared with other neighboring numerals on the exposure counter plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Shuri Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 6316174
    Abstract: A multicolor negative image capture film element comprises multiple silver halide emulsion layers that together exhibit a more gradually sloped density to exposure relationship than is customary while providing a combination of improved latitude and desirable overexposure printing density reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John F. Sawyer, Sharon R. Lunt
  • Patent number: 6314239
    Abstract: A switching circuit is connected to an oscillation transistor of a charging circuit of a flash device of a lens-fitted photo film unit, for turning on or off the oscillation transistor. When a rear cover of a unit body of the film unit is separated, a battery for supplying the flash device is disconnected from the flash device through an insulating plate that is provided on the front cover. Thereafter when the battery or a new battery is connected to the flash device, a clear circuit outputs a clear signal to the switching circuit and a restoring circuit to initialize these circuits. In the initialized position, the switching circuit turns off the oscillation transistor, and maintains this switching condition until a restore signal is applied from the restoring circuit. The restoring circuit outputs the restore signal only when a predetermined cancel signal is applied from an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukitsugu Hata
  • Patent number: 6314238
    Abstract: In a film unit, a charge operation member is held on a fron side of a guide member to be slidable between an ON position to turn on a flash charge switch of a built-in flash device and an OFF position to turn off the flash charge switch. The guide member is mounted stationarily to a front side of a flash circuit board of the flash device. Joints between front and rear cover of the film unit are set away from those circuit portions of the flash device where high voltage current flows. The flash charge switch is constituted of a metal contact blade and contact chips provided on the flash circuit board. The metal contact blade is bent roundly at a base portion of a pair of resilient arms. The charge operation member keeps on pressing the arms onto the contact chips in the ON position. The flash device charges a main capacitor while the flash charge switch is on, and automatically stops charging when the charge voltage goes above a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Imamura, Hirokazu Yokoo, Yuji Mikami, Nobuyuki Kameyama
  • Patent number: 6308829
    Abstract: A photographic device set including: a photographic device having a shutter device, a camera lens, a diaphragm and a photographing operation section; a photographic film built in the photographic device in advance; and a packing material with which the photographic device is packed. In the photographic device set, the packing material has a transparent film and is provided with opaque portions at an area corresponding to the photographing operation section or to the camera lens of the photographic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kozue Yogata, Kazuhiro Nakanishi, Nobuaki Sugiyama, Yuichi Atarashi
  • Publication number: 20010031139
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and an apparatus of correcting image picked up from a frame photographed on a photo filmstrip through a photographic device. An exposure correction amount is calculated by use of correction parameters predetermined with regard to decrease in illuminance on a focal plane of the taking lens with radial distance from an optical axis of the taking lens, and a curvature of the photo filmstrip relative to the focal plane. The exposure correction amount is calculated for a respective pixel of the picture with regard to a relative position of the respective pixel in the frame to an optical axis of a taking lens of the photographic device. The relative positions are defined on the assumption that the photo filmstrip is held flat in a focal plane of the taking lens with a center point of the frame located on the optical axis at the photography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kamata, Kazumi Koike
  • Patent number: 6304722
    Abstract: A one-time use camera comprising a filmstrip having successive frames including first- and last-to-be-exposed frames and a pre-exposure frame immediately preceding the first-to-be-exposed frame, a backframe opening at which the respective frames of the filmstrip beginning with the first-to-be exposed frame and ending with the last-to-be-exposed frame are exposed during picture-taking, a film cartridge which contains a film take-up spool that is manually rotated decreasing angles of rotation to wind the respective frames of the filmstrip beginning with the pre-exposure frame from the backframe opening onto said spool, and an exposure-related component that must be enabled in order to operate, is characterized in that a rotation-sensing detector for sensing rotation of the spool is connected with the exposure-related component to enable the exposure-related component when the spool is rotated an angle of rotation no greater than an angle sufficient to wind the last-to-be exposed frame onto the spool, whereby th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joel S. Lawther, Gregory J. Lukins, Roger A. Fields
  • Patent number: 6301437
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a housing and a wrapping wound about the housing in belt-like fashion. The housing is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film, and incorporates a taking lens and a shutter mechanism. The housing has a rear cover, which has recesses. Outer edges of the recesses are convex. Ridges are formed in the recesses for supporting the wrapping about the housing. Outer edges of the recesses are convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ichino, Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6287028
    Abstract: A recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, digital camera comprises a housing. A chassis is contained within the housing. An image sensor device, supported on said chassis, senses an image. A processor, arranged in the housing, processes the image sensed by the image sensor device. A replenishable supply of print media is supported on the chassis. The supply of print media includes a former defining a chamber and a quantity of print media carried by the former. A pagewidth print head is arranged on the chassis for printing, on demand, the sensed image on the print media as the print media traces the print head. A power supply is arranged within the former of the supply of print media for providing power to the image sensor device, the processing means, the print head and a drive means for the supply of print media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6283645
    Abstract: A camera has a rear backframe (exposure) opening, including a pair of spaced opposite ends across which successive sections of a filmstrip are moved for each section of the filmstrip to be advanced over the backframe opening. A pair of parallel film rails have longitudinal film support surfaces that support each section of the filmstrip over the backframe opening. A pair of parallel film debris catching combs are positioned between the film rails, proximate respective ones of the opposite ends of the backframe opening, and inwardly of the longitudinal film support surfaces to remove any debris from each section of the filmstrip before that section is advanced over the backframe opening. One of the film debris catching combs preferably is positioned inwardly of the film support surfaces farther than the other comb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Cramer, James D. Boyd, Stephen J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20010017980
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a main body pre-loaded with photo film. A front cover covers a front of the main body. An exposure unit is secured between the main body and the front cover, for providing the photo film with an exposure. A plate-shaped information imprinting module is secured between the main body and the front cover with the exposure unit. Positioning pins are formed in the front of the main body. Positioning holes are formed in a rear of the information imprinting module, and are fitted on the positioning pins. The information imprinting module is subsequently kept positioned between the front cover and the main body by fitting the front cover on the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Moriya, Kazuhito Iwase
  • Patent number: 6282374
    Abstract: A camera has a body and a label adhered to the body. The body has a lens assembly including a taking lens. The taking lens defines an optical axis. The taking lens has at least one optical element. The optical element has a central part and a peripheral part. The lens assembly has a label receiving surface. The label receiving surface has an outer perimeter. The label receiving surface is free of obstructions to label-placement. The label is adhered to the label receiving surface in spaced relation to the outer perimeter. The label has a hole disposed substantially concentric with the optical axis. The label includes an opaque blocking portion surrounding the hole and overlapping the peripheral part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Boyd, Stephen J. Smith, Michael P. Cramer
  • Patent number: 6282375
    Abstract: A camera has a body having a functional subsystem and first and second cover parts. The second cover part moves relative to the first cover part from a closed position to an unclosed position to open the body. A label has an attachment portion that is adhered to at least one of the cover parts. The label has a breakable component joined to the attachment portion. The attachment portion supports the breakable component on the body in operative relation to the functional subsystem. The attachment portion disrupts from a use configuration to a replacement configuration responsive to the moving of the secondary cover part. Responsive to this disrupting of the attachment portion, the breakable component breaks irreparably. In a method for recycling the camera, the camera is opened, destroying the breakable component. The exposed film is removed. Unexposed film is loaded. The camera is light-tightly closed and following the closing, the original label is replaced by a label having an intact breakable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Boyd, Stephen J. Smith, Michael P. Cramer
  • Patent number: RE37643
    Abstract: When an exposure counter in a single-use camera indicates that the maximum number of exposures on a roll of film in the camera have been exposed, a function of the camera such as an electronic flash capability is disabled to prevent unauthorized recycling of the camera. A reset code must be inputted to the camera to initialize the exposure counter and to enable the electronic flash capability, to permit authorized reuse of the camera with another roll of film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dwight John Petruchik, Clay Allen Dunsmore