Abstract: A photographic film cartridge has a word imprinted on the exterior surface of the cartridge visually indicating exposure status of film in the cartridge. A thermally responsive coating of a phase change medium overlies a portion of the word such that when the medium is rendered opaque, the word meaning is changed to indicate that the film is in an exposed state. The camera is provided with a heat generating element that is activated when images are exposed onto the film to render the phase change medium opaque. The camera is also provided with an opto-sensor and control means responsive to the phase change medium to allow loading of the film when the medium is in its unchanged condition and to prevent loading of the film when the phase change medium is changed to indicate exposed film in the cartridge.

Abstract: An image formation device photocopying system that transports a film type medium (100) along a passageway (6) such that it encounters the image exposure assembly (4), developer assembly (7), and transfer pressure assembly (8) sequentially from supply cartridge (5), and forms a latent image on medium (100) by exposing an image on it in the image exposure assembly (4), after which it heat develops the latent image in developer assembly (7) and transfers the developed image (100) to the transfer medium (102) in the transfer pressure assembly (8). A tensioning means (26) that applies tension to medium (100) being transported in passageway (6) on the upstream end or in supply cartridge (5).

Abstract: Opposite surfaces or sides of a mirror in an optical system are supported in a spring-biased manner at three points in total. This prevents a shift in position of the mirror that otherwise might occur due to shocks during reciprocal movement of the optical system.

Abstract: A projection system for visual motion picture cues. To assist the engineer in the process of audio dubbing and the like by allowing the engineer to anticipate the precise moment that a cue point will occur, a cue is visually presented on the motion picture projection screen. Also, information may be presented to the engineer by the projection system. Synchronization signals are coordinated with engineer/operator input and the resulting signal is digitized. The digitized signals are transmitted via fiber optics to a slave circuit with changes the digital signals to analog signals. The analog signals are amplified and are used to drive mirrors, motors, and/or galvanometers that reflect and control incident laser light. The laser light is projected and superimposed upon a projection screen upon which the motion picture film.

Abstract: A microfilm reader capable of printing out a printed image having the extension same as that of the original image recorded in the microfilm at a reduced size without the need of any instruction from the operator or other means. The microfilm used in the microfilm reader has a mark as an internal standard scale which is photographed on a marginal portion of each frame of the microfilm. The length of the scale mark is read and determined to know magnification ratio necessary for printing out a copy image having the same as the corresponding original, and the magnification ratio is varied by a zoom lens of optical system or an electronic processor for processing image signals. In a modified embodiment, a microfilm having an information mark (i.g., a bar code, numerals, characters or format) indicating the dimensions of the original or reducing ratio at the original image photographing step.

Abstract: A rotary camera for photographing a plurality of original documents on microfilm and for recording information relating to the photographed original documents together with data concerning the conditions for photographing additional necessary data. The rotary camera has an exposure roller on which images of the original documents are focused to be photographed and unidimensionally arranged light emitting elements opposed to the exposure roller. The light emitting elements are selectively energized so that the microfilm is exposed to the data-writing lights forming any desired images of the data in the form of letters, numerals or marks while moving in contact with the exposure roller. The data to be recorded is designated and is put into the control system through a keyboard. A jam-mark may be recorded on the microfilm as the data in response to an output from a jamming detector.

Abstract: In a compact camera including a flash unit that pivots between a folded storage position integrated with the camera body and an unfolded use position elevated from the camera body, the flash unit has respective parts that lie within separate cavities in the rear, top, and one end of the camera body when the flash unit is in its storage position.

Abstract: Both surfaces of a substrate formed with a resist or a thin film sample can be exposed concurrently and either one surface exposure or both surface concurrent exposure of the sample can be carried out. The first groove for use in fixing the flat plate holder of transparent material held by a frame to the frame under a suction of vacuum and fixing is formed at a lower circumferential edge of the flat plate holder, the second groove for sucking by vacuum and fixing the mask film on the upper surface of the flat plate holder is formed at the upper surface of the flat plate holder and at the same time there is provided a seal member for sealing a clearance between the mask film and the end part of the sample formed with a resist position aligned to each other, and suction holes for use in sucking by vacuum and fixing the lower surface of the end part of the sealed sample are communicated with each of the seal member, mask film and the flat plate holder in a sample holding device of the exposure device.

Abstract: A waist level finder optical system comprising, in order from the object side: an objective lens system for finder comprising a first lens unit having positive refractive power and a second lens unit having negative refractive power; a reflecting member for erecting an image of object formed by the objective lens system; and a field lens having positive refractive power. This finder optical system can have a total length as a whole which is shortened without changing a half angle of incidence, a height of a principal ray as measured on the field lens and a distance as measured from the field lens to an eye point.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit is pre-loaded with an unexposed photographic film. An exposure station is adapted to exposing the film. A film supplying chamber contains a roll of the unexposed film with a first film end wound internally. A film take-up chamber is disposed opposite to the film supply chamber, and rotatably contains a spool for holding a second film end. The film as exposed is wound up in the film take-up chamber on the spool, having passed through a chamber entrance to the film take-up chamber. An outlet slot is formed behind the film take-up chamber. After completing winding-up of the film, the first film end is exited outward from the outlet slot when the spool is rotated. A tongue of a blocking member is movable so that the chamber entrance is left open when the spool rotates in the winding-up direction, and is partly closed when the spool rotates in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter apparatus comprises a first plate located on a film-plane side of a mirror box, a second plate located on a film-plane side of the first plate, a third plate located on an opposite side of the first plate to the film-plane side thereof, a vane group comprising a plurality of light shielding thin plates contained between the first plate and the second plate, and a drive arm contained between the first plate and the second plate to drive the vane group, the third plate having a mount portion which is to be fixed to the first plate, a shaft fixed to the third plate, a shutter drive lever rotatably fit to the shaft at one end and connected to the drive arm at an other end, and an urging device for urging the shutter drive lever in a direction of drive of the vane group, in which the first plate has a support portion to support the one end of the shaft and a hole portion for transmitting a displacement of the shutter drive lever to the drive arm.

Abstract: An electronic flash device which is pivotally movable about an axis intersecting the focal plane of a photo-taking lens and of which the light distribution is changed relative to the angle of view of a camera by pivotally moving comprises a light distribution setting device for setting the amount of light distribution, a posture detecting device for detecting the posture of the electronic flash device relative to the camera, a determining device for determining the amount of light distribution on the basis of a desired amount of light distribution set by the light distribution setting device and the posture detected by the posture detecting device, and a light distribution changing device for controlling the light distribution on the basis of the amount of light distribution determined by the determining device.

Abstract: An auxiliary knob used in conjunction with camera focusing knobs to improve the focusing operation and improve access for focusing. An elastomeric body includes a recess frictionally receiving the camera focusing knob, and a knob turning surface defined upon the elastomeric body of a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the camera focusing knob reduces the effort required for focusing and improves knob access. Reduced wall thickness lips and rims defined on the auxiliary knob facilitate cooperation with the camera focusing knob and improve the knob handling characteristics.

Abstract: An improved film gate for a continuous motion or real-time motion picture telecine. A housing supports and transports a film in continuous motion past a frame aperture. A precision milled entry guide roller receives the film from a feed spool, edge-stabilizes the film, and directs the film to a precision milled first entry sprocket. The entry sprocket is positioned prior to the frame aperture, pin registers the film, and directs the film across the frame aperture. A precision milled exit sprocket positioned subsequent to the frame aperture receives the film after it passes across the frame aperture and pin registers the film. A precision milled exit guide roller receives the film from the exit sprocket, edge stabilizes the film, and guides the film to a drive capstan and take up reel. The precision sprockets and rollers serve as film stabilizing means. A floating guide means positioned at the frame aperture provides additional edge stabilization of the film as it is guided past the frame aperture.

Abstract: A wet scanning gate for use in the production of enlargements from picture material in the form of individual photographic negative images or transparencies connected to form a contiguous strip hasa two-part housing defining a channel through which the contiguous strip is drawn.

Abstract: A continuous taking camera has eight exposure chambers arranged in two horizontal rows and four vertical columns. One 35 mm full size original frames of photographic film is divided into eight sub-frames. One taking lens is disposed in front of each of the exposure chambers. A stationary shutter plate is disposed behind the taking lenses. Openings are formed in the stationary plate behind the respective lenses. First and second shutter disks are rotatably supported coaxially on the stationary plate on a single shaft. A first group of two holes is formed in the first disk. A second group of two holes is formed in the second disk. The second disk is rotated by the rotation of the first disk, there being a pin-and-slot lost motion connection between the two disks, so that different sets of holes in the disk register with each other, depending on the direction of rotation of the disks.

Abstract: In a camera having a pentagonal prism, a focusing screen and a mirror box, the mirror box is molded integrally with a first mounting part for mounting the pentagonal prism and a second mounting part for mounting the focusing screen. The second mounting part is provided with a draft for mold release. The focusing screen is provided with a tapered projection, which approximately coincides with the draft of the second mounting part and extends along almost the whole periphery of the focusing screen.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette comprising a housing with a hinged lid thrusts film therefrom during the film threading process. The cassette comprises a rotatable film spool concentrically positioned in a housing, within and adjacent to a rotatable, outwardly convex panel member having end plates with camming structure thereon. Corresponding cam followers are located on the interior of the lid, and when the panel member is rotated by a drive spindle accessible to the member through an opening in an end of the housing, the member rotates, camming the lid onto an open position. Film engaged to the member's outer surface by a detent projecting from the surface through a perforation in the film is thrust out of the cassette into engagement with the camera's film transport mechanism. During rewinding, a drive spindle accessible to the spool through the housing's end opening rewinds the film until the perforation is sensed by camera sensing means.

Abstract: A camera accommodates a main lamp for electronic flashing and an auxiliary lamp for preventing a red-eye phenomenon.The auxiliary lamp for preventing a red-eye phenomenon is directly held by a holder composed of a material of a color having a light reflecting effect such as white. Since the holder also function as a reflecting plate, the structure of the camera is simplified. A transparent cover is integrally provided with at least a finder window, an electronic flash lamp window at which the main lamp for electronic flashing is disposed, and an auxiliary lamp window at which the auxiliary lamp is disposed. The transparent cover is attached to the camera as a part of a case, thereby simplifying the structure of the camera. The auxiliary lamp is preferably disposed in the area between the lens barrel at the central portion and the main lamp. Thus, the arrangement of parts in the camera avoiding waste is realized.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact triggering mechanism for a camera mounted on a rear-view mirror of a vehicle. The impact triggering mechanism provides a unidirectional mechanical output in response to inertial forces from any horizontal direction. Upon sudden impact or deceleration an inertia member connected to the camera depresses the shutter release button on the camera, which the button actuates the shutter in the camera and takes a photographic picture.