Abstract: An adapter block assembly includes an adapter block, a circuit board arrangement, and a cover attached to the adapter block so that the circuit board arrangement is held to the adapter block by the cover. Contact assemblies can be disposed between the adapter block and the circuit board arrangement. The cover can be latched, heat staked, or otherwise secured to the adapter block. Each component of the adapter block assembly can include one or more parts (e.g., multiple adapter blocks, multiple circuit boards, and/or multiple cover pieces).

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: A latched film unit has a support, a filmstrip held by the support, and a latch mounted to the support. The latch is reversibly switchable between a first state and a second state and can enable or disable an access right of a memory element in the film unit. A latching device operates the film unit.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for performing the method, of detecting excessive core set film curl of a filmstrip wound within a film cartridge of the type having a light trapping film slit through which the leading end of the filmstrip may be advanced or retracted, whereby excessively curled filmstrips may be pre-sorted prior to photofinishing operations. The method and apparatus comprises the steps of and means for positioning the film cartridge with the light trapping slit thereof oriented in a predetermined position, unwinding the leading end of the filmstrip a predetermined distance out of the light trapping slit of the film cartridge, whereby the unwound leading end of the filmstrip may freely curl back in the direction in which the filmstrip is wound within the film cartridge to the extent that the filmstrip exhibits core set film curl, and detecting an excessive degree of core set film curl by the amount to which the unwound leading end of the filmstrip curls back toward the film cartridge.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a cassette shell, a spool core supported inside the cassette shell for rotation in an unwinding direction to advance a filmstrip coiled about the spool core out of the cassette shell and in a winding direction to draw the filmstrip into the cassette shell, at least one flange coaxially coupled with the spool core to prevent the filmstrip from uncoiling about the spool core and to permit the flange and the spool core to be rotated relative to each other in the unwinding and winding directions, and cooperating means located on the spool core and the flange for fixing the flange and the spool core to each other to make the flange rotate with the spool core in the unwinding direction but releasing the flange to permit it and the spool core to be rotated relative to each other in the winding direction.

Abstract: A new film cassette assembly comprises a thrust type cassette and a roll of a photographic film having particular properties. One such property is a low coefficient of friction between the emulsion side and back side of the film. In preferred embodiments the film has a stiffness sufficient to avoid buckling of the film when the film spool is rotated in the unwinding direction and is very thin. Most preferably, it is formed from a hydrophilic copolyester having the desired stiffness.

Abstract: Magnetic recording apparatus for a photographic still camera comprises a magnetic head mounted on a flexure attached to the rear door of the camera. The head is positioned so that when the rear door of the camera is closed, it will enter an opening in the cartridge lip and engage the film. The portion of the lip and the plush material underlying the film provides a complient support for the film.

Abstract: A film cassette is disclosed wherein a film spool is rotatable within the cassette shell in film unwinding and rewinding directions, a convoluted film roll whose outermost convolution is a film leader is coiled about the spool, a pair of film constraining flanges are coaxially arrnaged on the spool to radially confine the film leader to prevent the leader from substantially contacting an interior wall of the cassette shell, and a film stripper-guide is received between the leading end of the film leader and the next-inward convolution of the film roll succeeding the leader to remove the leader from the flanges and guide it through a film passageway to the exterior of the cassette shell responsive to rotation of the spool in the flim unwinding direction.