Abstract: A camera for setting the aspect ratio of a photographic image plane and recording information of the set aspect ratio has a full-size frame defining a full-size finder image plane corresponding to a photographing image plane, a vertical mask for vertical trimming of the finder image plane, a lateral mask for lateral trimming of the finder image plane, a shaft supporting the masks, and a camshaft with a cam groove engaged by each of the masks. The masks are moved along the shaft by rotating the camshaft. The visual field range of the finder image plane is changed among a plurality of states corresponding to different aspect ratios.

Abstract: A film transport system to be used in cameras for the Advanced Photo System cartridge film, which have one motor for feeding the film out of the cartridge and for taking up the film on the take-up spool, one sun gear with two planet gears in the film driving gear train to switch the direction of film drive between feed and take-up on the one hand and rewind on the other hand. An arc shaped slot receives the axle of the film advance (feed and take-up) planet gear to accommodate differences of speed between feeding and taking up of the film. This avoids the need for a one way clutch and a separate rewind gear train.

Abstract: A camera having a film counter according to the present invention includes a display device which displays information related to frames of a film; a detector which detects that a battery has been replaced while the camera is loaded with the film; a volatile memory which stores information related to a number of remaining unexposed frames of the film; and a controller which causes the display device to display the number of remaining unexposed frames according to the information stored in the volatile memory until the battery is replaced, and switches the display device to display a frame number in a forward count display, in which a frame number increases for each exposure, in response to a signal generated by the detector upon replacement of the battery.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a movable light lock supported to be moved closed after a filmstrip is wound into the cassette, comprises an actuator for closing the light lock. An ingress opening is provided for an insertion tool.

Abstract: A camera having: a viewfinder optical system including a stationary objective lens, first and second prisms, a stationary eyepiece lens, and first and second variable-power lenses, that advance or withdraw in the optical-axis direction responsive to zooming movement of a photographing lens array, a viewfinder structure member for retaining the viewfinder optical system, an eyepiece variable-power lens inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system, a viewfinder panoramic field mask united with an eyepiece variable-power lens frame for retaining the eyepiece variable-power lens, a lens constraining spring that, when the viewfinder panoramic field mask is inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system, constrains the eyepiece variable-power lens to abut against the viewfinder structure member for accurate positioning, upper and lower interceptive masks for changing picture size, a first rack extending in a direction in which the interceptive masks move, a second rack extending

Abstract: An out-of-ink detector that detects the out-of-ink condition of an ink jet print head unit. The detector includes a pair of detection electrodes where one of the pair of detection electrodes is an electrically conductive film formed on a vibration plate of the ink jet head unit. The other pair of detection electrode is formed on the ink tank and connected to an exclusive line provided on a flexible cable.

Abstract: A film cartridge comprising a rotatable film spool, an indicator window, an annular indicator wheel rotatable behind the indicator window to move a film-exposed indication on the indicator wheel to the indicator window, and an annular drive wheel rotatably coupled with the film spool for rotating the indicator wheel to move the film-exposed indication to the indicator window, is characterized in that the indicator wheel is resilient and a flex-inducing protuberance is located to distort successive portions of the indicator wheel towards the indicator window as the indicator wheel is rotated, to position the film-exposed indication in the indicator window.

Abstract: An apparatus that can be loaded with a film cartridge provided with a light-blocking door for opening and closing a film intake/outlet slot, comprises an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the light-blocking door, a cartridge chamber where the film cartridge is housed, a cartridge chamber lid that opens and closes a cartridge insertion access of the cartridge chamber, an operating device that is capable of moving between a non-allowing position at which opening of the cartridge chamber lid is prevented and an allowing position at which opening of the cartridge chamber lid is allowed, and a locking mechanism that becomes displaced to a state in which the operating device is prevented from moving to the allowing position and to a state in which the operating device is free to move to the allowing position, with an operation of the opening/closing mechanism.

Abstract: A camera body has at least one opening formed in a front position thereof for receiving optical information about a subject. A remote control light sensor is provided within the camera body to receive a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter. An optical unit is placed between the opening and the remote control light sensor to direct at least the remote control light signal onto the light sensor. A control unit is responsive to an output of the remote control light sensor to control a predetermined operation associated with the camera body.

Abstract: A camera whose body is wound with a belt-like protective cover having an end detachably held by pin members thereon in such a manner as to cover a wall surface thereof. The protective cover is operative to cover and protects at least a photographing lens, a distance measuring or range finder window and a stroboscopic window. Thus, the camera is put into an enclosed state. Further, the enclosed state, in which the protective cover is wound around the body of the camera, is maintained by fitting a magnet hook attached to the other end of the protective cover into another magnet hook attached to the body of the camera and making these magnet hooks attracted to each other. Moreover, when putting the camera into a ready-to-photograph state, the protective cover is unwound by removing the magnet hooks from each other and opening the photographing lens and so on.

Abstract: A lens barrel for a camera includes a photography optical system, an ultrasonic motor, an external manual operation member and a conversion device. The ultrasonic motor includes a vibrating member that generates ultrasonic vibrations and a relative moving member connected with the vibrating member that moves the photography optical system along an optical axis through the ultrasonic vibrations. The external manual operation member is moved manually to move the photography optical system along the optical axis via the relative moving member. The conversion device reduces an amount by which the relative moving member moves in response to an amount by which the external manual operation member is moved. As a result, the external manual operation member can be used to adjust the photography optical system by minute amounts.

Abstract: A folding assembly for use with an imaging device can foldably connect a first housing section to a second housing section so as to accommodate movement of the first and second housing sections relative to each other between erect and folded positions.

Abstract: A camera is provided that includes a door which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position and a release which is movable between a home position and an away position for selectively retaining said door in said closed position. Door position, release position and film sensors each have at least two states for determining the position of the door and release and for determining presence of film in the camera. The sensors are disposed within an electric circuit for allowing operation of the camera as a function of the states of the sensors.

Abstract: A waterproof camera to which an interchangeable lens unit having a waterproof construction is mounted. The waterproof camera has a lens mount provided in a camera body and to which the interchangeable lens unit is removably mounted, a ring-shaped flange provided in the lens mount and which positions the interchangeable lens unit relative to the camera camera body, an engaging member provided at an outer circumference of the ring-shaped flange and which engages with the outer circumference of one end of the interchangeable lens unit, and a waterproof member which is in pressing contact with an area of engagement between the engaging member and the outer circumference of one end of the interchangeable lens unit and prevents water from penetrating in the area of engagement.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette has a spool with a roll of filmstrip wound thereon, a disc secured to or formed integrally with the spool, and a bar code disposed on an outer surface of the disc. The bar code is constituted of a pattern of alternating low level segments and high level segments arranged in correspondence with a bit pattern of binary data. According to the invention, the low level segments are formed by the outer surface of the disc, and the high level segments are formed by hot stamping a high reflective material onto the outer surface of the disc. The outer surface of the disc has a surface roughness of 0.1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m.

Abstract: The photographic camera has an optical direct viewfinder based on the inverse Galilean optical principle. The direct viewfinder is vertically extendible out of the camera body relative to the optical axis of the camera and is retractable back into the body. The direct viewfinder is designed as a one-piece U-shaped component enclosing the camera body and guided therein, with integrated front lens and integrated eyepiece lens. The extension movement is preferably effected by a compression spring exerting a corresponding force on the direct viewfinder.

Abstract: A device for viewing a motion picture film strip held within a cassette includes a film strip drive wheel, turned at a constant speed by a battery-powered motor, having an outer cylindrical surface from which a pin section extends radially. The film strip is held, by guiding surfaces in the cassette, so that it extends in an arc around a portion of the outer cylindrical surface. The pin section engages a sprocket hole in the film strip at the beginning of this arc, and is disengaged from the sprocket hole at the end of this arc. During continued revolution of the drive wheel, the film is held in place as a single frame is viewed through the lens. The lens is focussed by sliding a tab extending from the lens housing within an oblique slot in a cover of the viewing device, as the lens is both rotated about its optical axis and translated along its optical axis.

Abstract: Camera system for viewing an object located in a region of contamination (e.g., oil, water, particulate matter, or the like). The system is capable of being internally pressurized above ambient pressure, so that the contamination is prevented from entering the camera system to foul the camera. The system includes a housing having an interior and a view port. An electronic sensor is disposed in the housing opposite the port for sensing the object and for generating an electrical output signal that travels along a conductor connected to the sensor. A processor is connected to the conductor for amplifying the output signal. The amplified signal is received by a display monitor which displays an image of the object. The system further includes a quick-disconnect connector which interconnects the housing to a source of pressurized fluid used to pressurize the housing above ambient pressure.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographing optical system in which at least one of a plurality of reflecting surfaces is disposed between a plurality of lenses and the optical path is bent by two reflecting surfaces including the at least one reflecting surface so that an image of an object falls on a film surface substantially facing the object; and an observing optical system of real image type in which one of the two reflecting surfaces is configured as a movable or path splitting surface to conduct light outside the photographing optical system so that the image of the object can be observed. Thus, the height as well as the entire length of the camera is reduced and compact design of the camera can be attained.

Abstract: A camera includes: a switching circuit for switching the camera between a suspending status and a photographable status; a remote control unit which includes an operation member for conducting a photographing operation and a transmitter for outputting a photographing signal when the operation member is operated; a receiver for receiving the photographing signal; and a control circuit for controlling the camera so that a photographing operation is always conducted in accordance with a receipt of the photographing signal with the receiver when the switching circuit is switched to the photographable status. In order to conserve battery voltage, the control circuit sends a signal to the receiver to turn the receiver off after a set period of time has lapsed and no photographing signal has been received from the control unit.