Abstract: A camera system is disclosed that optically records audio information on a photographic film containing corresponding image information. The camera system includes a user interface coupled to a camera control processor, a recording circuit coupled to the camera control processor and a microphone, an optical encoding circuit having an input coupled to the output of the recording circuit and an output coupled to an optical write head, a shutter mechanism, and a transport mechanism for advancing film past the shutter mechanism and the optical write head.

Abstract: Film encodement method and apparatus for optically encoding image frame format information on the film in a camera adapted to receive film having film metering perforations along one side of the film which are spaced apart by the length of film frame areas on the film. Data representing a desired frame format for the resultant photoprint is optically encoded on the film between the spaced apart perforations by the same perforation sensor LED, operative in the visible light spectral region, as is used to perform film metering in the camera.

Abstract: Load prevention apparatus is to be used with a film cassette which has a frangible exterior label covering a trap-like cavity in the cassette. The apparatus comprises a loading chamber configured to receive the cassette, blocking means arranged in the chamber to be admitted into the trap-like cavity for engaging the cassette to prevent further insertion of the cassette into the chamber but supported to be moved by the exterior label out of the way of the trap-like cavity to avoid engaging the cassette, and fracturing means arranged in the chamber for breaking the exterior label to uncover the trap-like cavity after the blocking means is moved by the exterior label out of the way of the trap-like cavity, whereby the blocking device will prevent insertion of the cassette into the chamber a second time.

Abstract: A film cassette has frangible means that initially operates as a spool lock and as a cam for moving a blocking device in a camera out of the way of the cassette when the cassette is first loaded into the camera but which when broken by a fracturing device in the camera is rendered inoperative as a spool lock and as a cam.

Abstract: Apparatus in a simple low cost camera for encoding predetermined pseudo-formats of exposed image frames on film of the type having a magnetic layer thereon in which there is a data track prerecorded on the film. A user-operable selector means on the camera is set to establish the format of an image frame to be exposed on the film. In response to the selector means, a magnetic erasure means is activated by an erasure encodement signal generating means to selectively erase predetermined portions of a segment of the data track associated with a corresponding pseudo-format exposed image frame. Means are provided for inhibiting activation of the erasure means when the film is advanced in the camera in a direction opposite to the direction associated with frame-by-frame advance during the picture-taking process.

Abstract: An electrical drive motor system for a camera having a read head for reading magnetically encoded data from a filmstrip during a reel-to-reel transport of the film, includes a mechanism for storing energy in a mechanical motor spring. The energy stored in the spring is used to temporarily continue or complete the advance of the film with the electric motor shut off, to allow the read head to operate without electromagnetic interference from the electric motor.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a spool rotatable to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool out of the cassette shell, and an exposure status indicator rotatable from an unexposed position to an exposed position for providing respective indications that the filmstrip is unexposed or is exposed. According to the invention, a shroud substantially surrounds a circumferential edge of the status indicator to prevent one from manually grasping the edge in order to rotate the indicator from its unexposed position to its exposed position. However, the shroud allows a top face of the status indicator to be accessed by an actuating mechanism in a camera, for example, to rotate the indicator from the unexposed position to the exposed position.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a spool rotatable about an axis to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool out of the cassette shell, and an exposure status indicator rotatable about the axis from an unexposed position to an exposed position for providing respective indications that the filmstrip is unexposed or is exposed. According to the invention, the shell and the status indicator include respective engagable means at least one of which is supported for movement relative to the other substantially radially of the axis in opposite directions for engagement to secure the status indicator in its unexposed and exposed positions and for disengagement to permit rotation of the status indicator from the unexposed to the exposed position.

Abstract: A radial bar code providing DX film information is disposed on a disc mounted at an axial end of a film cassette, the disc being rotatable with rotation of the film spool during film extraction and rewind. Film exposure status visual indicators are disposed on the disc. A stationary optical reader in the camera in association with a logic and control circuit can thus read the DX information from the rotating disc during film extraction for suitable control of exposure conditions in the camera. During film rewind the angular positioning of the disc can be measured from the bar code to cause the disc to be stopped at the end of rewind with appropriate ones of the status indicators aligned to provide a visual indication to the camera user of the amount of film exposed in the cassette.

Abstract: A magnetic head is mounted on a camera film platen which is supported for constrained movement relative to the camera body to maintain a precise relationship between an information track recorded on the film and a film edge. The magnetic head is pivotally mounted on the film platen. Means are provided to establish one angular orientation of the head to establish one angular orientation of the head with respect to the film during prewind to read information recorded by the film manufacturer and a second different angular orientation during transport of the film in the opposite direction during film exposure to record information relating to film exposure. This enables a camera to distinguish between information recorded by the manufacturer and information recorded by a camera to determine if mid-roll interrupt occurred and, if so, the location of the last frame exposed.

Abstract: In a photographic flash apparatus, a flash tube produces a brilliant flash of light, a reflector concentrates the light produced by the flash tube into a beam having a particular angle of coverage and redirects the light toward a subject to be illuminated, and an optical element is positioned across the beam to change the angle of coverage of the beam from that effected by the reflector. According to the invention, the optical element is supported for movement only within the beam, but out of its position crosswise of the beam to permit the reflector to restore the beam substantially to the angle of coverage effected by the reflector. This provides an improved compact design for use with dual mode telephoto/wide angle cameras, for example.

Abstract: A magnetic head is mounted directly on a camera film platen which is supported for limited constrained movement to maintain a precise relationship between an information track and a film edge. The platen serves to maintain film flatness while providing the desired relationship between the magnetic head and film edge.

Abstract: A camera view finder comprises three separate lenses for producing images corresponding to desired pseudo effects. The lenses are mounted in parallel frames which are supported for rectilinear movement. A cam means is provided to selectively position the frames into a viewing position.

Abstract: In a dual lens camera having a relatively longer focal length lens and a relatively shorter focal length lens selectively used for telephoto and wide angle photography, shutter and/or aperture plane defining means located behind each of the lenses is canted towards the exposure plane to provide additional interior space for the longer focal length lens. This arrangement allows for a decreased front to rear dimension of the camera.

Abstract: A particular type camera requiring the exposed film to receive special handling at the photofinisher is adapted for use with a film cartridge which includes a film spool having an elongate coaxial hole open at one end of the spool. A plug is supported in the coaxial hole in the spool for movement along the hole from a predetermined location relatively close to the open end of the spool to another location further into the hole. When the cartridge is loaded in the camera, a plunger member of the camera is received in the coaxial hole to move the plug from the predetermined location to the other location. This will provide an indication to the photofinisher that the cartridge was used in the camera.

Abstract: Improved light reflector apparatus for use in an electronic flash unit or the like is formed by an injection molding operation, which causes both precise shaping of a reflector and accurate mounting of the reflector securely within a housing. A light-reflecting flexible sheet is placed in a mold so that its light-reflecting front surface is centrally positioned adjacent a mold forming surface. The forming surface, which is larger than the sheet, has a contour adapted for shaping the sheet to reflect light into a beam of illumination. Liquid plastic is injected into the mold under pressure against the opposite surface of the sheet, thus pressing its light-reflecting surface into intimate contact against the forming surface. Because the sheet is smaller, the border of the forming surface is not covered by the sheet. Plastic flows beyond outer edges of the sheet against the uncovered border of the forming surface.

Abstract: Improved light reflector apparatus for use in an electronic flash unit or the like is formed by an injection molding operation, which causes both precise shaping of a reflector and accurate mounting of the reflector securely within a housing. A light-reflecting flexible sheet is placed in a mold so that its light-reflecting front surface is centrally positioned adjacent a mold forming surface. The forming surface, which is larger than the sheet, has a contour adapted for shaping the sheet to reflect light into a beam of illumination. Liquid plastic is injected into the mold under pressure against the opposite surface of the sheet, thus pressing its light-reflecting surface into intimate contact against the forming surface. Because the sheet is smaller, the border of the forming surface is not covered by the sheet. Plastic flows beyond outer edges of the sheet against the uncovered border of the forming surface.

Abstract: A mechanism in which a latch is movable between a latching and an unlatching position. The latch includes a first arm engageable by a shutter actuator to move the latch to its unlatching position, a second arm for retaining a piezoelectric firing spring in a latched position when the latch is in its latching position and a third arm movable into engagement with a film advance mechanism to prevent short stroke operation during movement of the piezoelectric firing spring to its latched position.

Abstract: An electronic flash unit includes a housing having an elongate passage. An electrical plug having a pair of contacts electrically connected to the flashtube-firing circuitry is movably mounted in the passage to locate the contacts at varying positions relative to the housing. The flash unit further includes a camera mounting bracket that is adjustable relative to the base of the housing. A ratchet mechanism prevents a control button operatively associated with the bracket and an electrical control switch from closing the switch to energize the flashtube-firing circuitry when the bracket engages the housing base.