Abstract: A method is provided for recording metadata elements using a predetermined portion of a photographic filmstrip. The method comprising the steps of recording a primary data field including the entire set of data elements using a first share of the predetermined portion; and recording at least two secondary data fields on a second share of the predetermined portion; wherein at least one of the secondary data fields contains less than all of the metadata elements associated with an image.

Abstract: To prevent rebounding motion of sectors caused in stopping the sectors and achieve small-sized formation of a shutter, there is provided a shutter for a camera including sectors for opening and closing a shutter opening by reciprocal and pivotal movement, a motor for reciprocally and pivotally moving the sectors by forwardly and reversely rotating a rotor of the motor by applying current to a coil in forward and reverse directions, a control circuit for controlling current applied to the coil for exposure control in accordance with a brightness of an object to be photographed and a memory circuit for outputting data used for applying current to the control circuit in correspondence with operational characteristics of the motor and the sectors. The memory circuit is provided with current data for applying current to the coil for rotating the rotor in a direction reverse to a rebounding direction of the sectors to prevent a rebounding motion of the sectors.

Abstract: Method and device for aligning a holder with respect to a carrier. The holder comprises at least one slot, whilst the carrier comprises a carrier plate and at least one bar. The bar is pivotally connected to the carrier plate with a first end, and to an element capable of sliding movement in said slot with an end remote from said first end. Once the holder has been positioned with respect to the carrier, the element is connected to the holder.

Abstract: A projector hanger frame has a hollow square plate having a center hole, a collar disposed on the hollow square plate, a hanger tube passing through the hollow square plate and the collar, the hanger tube having a bottom flange and a positioning aperture, a connection seat engaging with the hollow square plate, a positioning seat engaging with the connection seat, a pair of first extensible plate disposed on a bottom of the positioning seat, and a pair of second extensible plate disposed on a bottom of the positioning seat.

Abstract: A double-shielding type focal-plane shutter has a closing blade and an opening blade for closing and opening a shutter opening to perform an exposure operation. A closing lever and an opening lever drive the closing blade and the opening blade, respectively. The closing lever has a first closing lever and a second closing lever supported coaxial with each other for undergoing pivotal movement. The second closing lever has a drive portion at a first end thereof for driving the closing blade and an engagement portion at a second end thereof. A lock lever restricts movement of the closing lever. The lock lever has a first mating engagement portion for engaging the engagement portion of the second closing lever in the predetermined position of the closing lever, and a second mating engagement portion for engaging the engagement portion of the second closing lever short of the predetermined position thereof.

Abstract: In a camera, a drive gear receiving portion (32) for receiving a drive gear (28) is defined in a space by a lens-barrel portion (14) and a shielding cover (26) removably mounted to the lens-barrel portion (14). At the location constituting the drive gear receiving portion (32) on the lens-barrel portion (14), there is provided a notch (34). The drive gear (28) is moved from radially outside of the lens-barrel portion (16) inwardly to the notch (34), whereby the drive gear (28) engages with a gear (2010) of a zoom gear train (20), and with a gear portion (1602) of the lens-barrel block (16) through the notch formed on the lens-barrel portion (14) therethrough. The shielding cover (26) is moved from radially outside of the lens-barrel portion (16) inwardly to be mounted removably on the lens-barrel portion (14).

Abstract: A pin-registered film transport assembly provides an interlacing motion for moving and guiding a photographic film through a film gate. The assembly includes a first carriage mounted for movement parallel to a direction of film travel and a first pin assembly including a first pair of registration pins which are engageable in oppositely disposed perforations of the film, where the first pin assembly is mounted on the first carriage for movement perpendicular to the direction of film travel for engaging and disengaging the film perforations. The assembly also includes a second carriage mounted for movement parallel to the direction of film travel and a second pin assembly including a second pair of registration pins which are engageable in oppositely disposed perforations of the film, where the second pin assembly is mounted on the second carriage for movement perpendicular to the direction of film travel.

Abstract: A shutter for a camera comprises sectors for opening and closing a shutter opening by reciprocal pivotal movement, a motor for reciprocally and pivotally moving the sectors by forwardly and reversely rotating a rotor of the motor by forward and reverse electricity conduction to a coil, a memory circuit having stored therein electricity conduction data of the coil corresponding to operational characteristics of the motor and the sectors, and a control circuit for controlling electricity conduction to the coil in accordance with a brightness of an object to be photographed and executing exposure control in accordance with the brightness of the object. The electricity conduction data includes reverse pulses for rotating the rotor in a direction reverse to a direction of opening the sectors for reducing acceleration of the sectors during opening movement thereof, and forward pulses for rotating the rotor in the direction of opening the sectors for continuing the opening movement of the sectors.

Abstract: A projection display that combines both overhead projector and electronic display functionality in a single projector. This invention provides a single comprehensive solution, which addresses both overhead projection display needs, as well as electronic projection display needs and further provides a new function that allows superimposed images from the two functions to be captured and stored for future projection through the electronic display function.

Abstract: A camera has a camera body for being loaded with photo film. A feeder mechanism is incorporated in the camera body, includes a feeder motor and a take-up spool, for feeding the photo film. A motor driver IC drives the feeder motor. A CPU controls the feeder motor by use of the motor driver IC. A main flexible circuit board has an upper board portion and a rear board portion. The upper board portion is located on an upper side of the camera body, and provided with the motor driver IC disposed thereon. The rear board portion extends from the upper board portion, is located behind the camera body, and is provided with CPU disposed thereon.

Abstract: A film unit includes a body with an optical system having a lens therein. An advance system for advancing a film includes a film counter displaying information relating to the number of pictures remaining in the film and further displays additional information unrelated picture taking.

Abstract: A cassette chamber, a take-up chamber and a battery room are formed on a main body. A rear cover is attached to the main body. The rear cover is molded from plastics and integrated with an outer cover section and a frame section. In the frame section, a light-shielding segment is integrally formed. The light-shielding segment is positioned between the take-up chamber and the battery room in order to form a partition wall between these components.

Abstract: A method of placing a two-dimensional barcode symbol on a photographic element, the barcode symbol comprising collections of modules arranged in a regular array with a plurality of defined orientation directions, the photographic element exhibiting linear defects in a predominant direction and having a maximum width, includes the step of orienting the barcode symbol so that each defined orientation direction is rotated relative to the predominant direction sufficient so that no single collection of modules aligned in a defined orientation direction is completely obscured by the defect.

Abstract: A projector having a first housing, a second housing, a projector mainframe, a lamp module and a connector pair is disclosed. The removabl lamp module is installed in the first housing which forms part of the projector housing. The projector mainframe is enclosed in the second housing which forms the other part of the projector housing. The connector pair comprises a first half connector and a second half connector, which can be fixed to or separated from each other. The first half connector connected to the lamp module is movable with respect to the second half connector fixed to the projector mainframe. When the first and second half connector are mechanically coupled, the lamp module is then mechanically coupled with the projector mainframe such that the projector can be successfully assembled.

Abstract: An electronic flash unit has alternative (dual) capacitor switching to reduce flash ready time for flash firing.

Abstract: A cartridge accommodating device of a camera includes a fork arranged to fit into a spool shaft of a film cartridge, a key member arranged to be movable back and forth with respect to a key way provided in the spool shaft and to transmit a film transport driving force to the spool shaft by engaging the key way, a first urging member arranged to urge the key member to engage the key way, a shaft keep member arranged to abut on the spool shaft when the fork fits into the spool shaft, and a second urging member arranged to urge the shaft keep member to move in an axial direction of the spool shaft. Accordingly, the key member can be caused to smoothly engage the key way and the film can be smoothly transported while the film cartridge is stably held in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display unit projects an image, which is displayed on a display in a dashboard, on a screen disposed outside the dashboard. The screen is transparent so that the foreground is visible through the screen with the image projected on the screen being superimposed over the foreground. A reflecting mirror is disposed in the dashboard for reflecting light emitted from the image displayed on the display toward the screen. A semi-transparent mirror is disposed in the dashboard between the display and the reflecting mirror. The semi-transparent mirror is able to pass partially and to reflect partially light emitted from the image on the display. An angle changing mechanism selectively changes the semi-transparent mirror relative to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle into a first inclination angle position or into a second inclination angle position.

Abstract: A removable vehicle entertainment system is provided. The system includes a video display screen for displaying entertainment to an occupant of the vehicle. The system can be removed from the docking bracket in the vehicle, and attached to an external docking station such that the system can be used independently of the power supply and speakers of the vehicle. Further, the system can be used as a self-contained personal entertainment system. The system includes mechanical and/or electrical componentry that determines the orientation of the video display screen, and allows the electronics of the system to display an image on the screen in an appropriate orientation, thus avoiding upside-down images in the various uses of the system.

Abstract: An inverse Galilean view finder has an object lens and an eyepiece lens. The front of the object lens is flat surface. First micro corner cube prisms are arranged in a frame of visual field around the external periphery of the flat surface. Second micro corner cube prisms are arranged in a frame on the rear surface of the eyepiece lens. Light from an object is reflected toward the object lens by the second micro corner cube prisms. Reflective light from the second micro corner cube prisms is reflected by the first micro corner cube prisms, and returns to the eyepiece lens. The reflective light of the first micro corner cube prisms brights and it is observed within a finder as a finder field frame indicating a range of photography.

Abstract: A camera includes a microphone for generating audio signals, a memory separate from the film for storing the audio signals, a generator for generating for each film frame a unique identification signal that is synchronized to advance of the film in the camera, and a processor for embedding the unique identification signal with the audio signal in the memory. More specifically, the unique identification signal is a tone signal, and in particular a DTMF tone signal. Furthermore, a photofinishing system receives the audio signal together with the unique identification signal embedded in each audio signal that identifies the frame to which the audio signal pertains. A decoder decodes the unique signal embedded in each audio signal and a processor thereupon associates the audio signal with a particular frame of film by reference to the decoded unique tone signal. Finally, a transfer mechanism transfers the audio signal to an output product, such as a print, associated with each particular frame of film.