Abstract: Device for mounting a tethered camera on a portable computer, including a base attached to a back of the computer's screen housing via an adhesive, a holder for the camera removably engaged to the base via cooperating mating members formed thereon, and a hinge in the holder allowing movement of the camera. The hinge includes two coil springs assembled over a pair of split shafts incorporated in the holder to provide a relatively high friction force on a pair of pins non-movably attached to the camera. The camera and holder combination can be attached to or detached from the base as need be, but the base can remain unobtrusively attached to the housing. When attached to the housing, the camera is stably held in position to allow easier hands-free use of the camera. A separate stand is also provided which can similarly mated with the holder.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for receiving a memory card. A card connector is disposed in an opening of an exterior wall of the electronic apparatus. A door connected to the electronic apparatus pivots between and open and closed position. In the open position, a slot integral with the door removably receives the memory card. In the closed position, an exterior surface of the door covers the opening. An aperture in the slot is arranged in overlapping registration with the electrical connection portion when the door is in the closed position whereby, when a memory card is disposed within the slot, a terminal portion of the memory card forms an electrical connection with the electrical connection portion.

Abstract: A card connector (30) having a guide portion (40) to ease loading/unloading of a memory card (14). The card connector (30) includes a substantially rectangular slot (38) defined by a top edge (32), a pair of side edges (34), and a bottom margin (36). The guide portion (40) is disposed adjacent the slot (38) and has a bottom wall (42) and a pair of side walls (44). A first tapered feature (50), disposed on the bottom wall (42), is directed from a leading edge (52) of the bottom wall (42) toward the bottom margin (36) of the slot (38). Each of the side walls (44) has a second tapered feature (60) directed from a leading edge (62) of the side wall (44) toward one of the pair of side edges of the slot (38). The guide portion (40) will prevent stubbing of the memory card (14) against edges of the card connector (30) slot (38) and may be retro-fit onto an existing card connector assembly.

Abstract: A card connector having a guide portion to ease loading/unloading of a memory card. The card connector includes a substantially rectangular slot defined by a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom margin. The guide portion is disposed adjacent the slot and has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. A first tapered feature, disposed on the bottom wall, is directed from a leading edge of the bottom wall toward the bottom margin of the slot. Each of the side walls has a second tapered feature directed from a leading edge of the side wall toward one of the pair of side edges of the slot.

Abstract: In the low cost APS camera, an exposure counter is originally at count 1 and is covered by a flag which is removed from count 1 when the shutter release button is depressed. When the film is returned to the cartridge and the exposure indicator is parked, the flag covers count max. The counter returns to the initial count position in response to opening the film door. The counter is incremented off the HEL (high energy lever) instead of the film perforations.

Abstract: A method of assembling a flash unit to a camera, comprises the steps of pivotally connecting the flash unit to a main body part of the camera, positioning a front cover part of the camera in engagement with the flash unit, and moving the front cover part toward the main body part to pivot the flash unit toward the main body part and to capture the flash unit in place between the front cover part and the main body part.

Abstract: A compact camera has a rectractable objective lens carrier that is associated with a flip open flash unit to move to an extended taking position as the flash unit is moved to an opened or unfolded position and to move to a retracted storage position as the flash unit is moved to a closed or folded position. A locking device is biased to engage the lens carrier substantially when the lens carrier is in its taking position to lock the lens carrier in that position, and can be disengaged from the lens carrier to permit the lens carrier to be moved to its storage position.

Abstract: A flip-up flash unit for a camera has a built-in viewfinder opening for viewing a subject to be photographed when the flash unit is swung to an operative position elevated from the body of the camera. The body of the camera, therefore, can be made more compact because the need for a viewfinder opening in the body is eliminated.

Abstract: A camera has a flip-up flash unit including an overcenter spring part that urges the flash unit alternatively to a folded storage position and to a non-folded operative position.