Abstract: The present invention relates to a position data/display control apparatus and method which uses received position data to display data on the present position. A user selects the nearest area to the user's present position, as determined from received position data, from a storage means which stores a plurality of area names and data for measurement of positions in areas corresponding to the area names. Upon selection, the present position data is converted to position data suitable for measurement of the user's present position based on the data for measurement of a position in an area corresponding to the selected area name. The converted position data is then displayed to the user. Advantageously, a user's present position is displayed relative to the geodetic system in the area corresponding to the selected area name.

Abstract: When a switching lever is positioned for horizontal photographing, an exposure frame composed of two switching frames is switched to a horizontal photographing exposure frame. When the switching lever is positioned for vertical photographing, a wheel ring starts rotating about a photographic optical axis, and the switching frames start moving by the operation of elongated holes. When the switching lever is positioned for vertical photographing, the exposure frame composed of two switching frames is switched to a vertical photographing exposure frame.

Abstract: A Brownie camera is loadable with a 120- and 220-type roll photo film. The 120 type includes light-shielding backing paper overlaid on the entirety of the photo filmstrip, unlike the 220 type. An exposure aperture is formed in a camera body, and disposed between a photo film supply chamber and a photo film take-up chamber, for exposing the roll photo film. A pair of rails are disposed along respective two edges of the exposure aperture extending horizontally, and contact sides of an emulsion surface of the roll photo film. A pressure plate contacts a back of the roll photo film to position the roll photo film on a rear of the exposure aperture, and is disposed behind the exposure aperture to define a photo film passageway between the pressure plate and the rails. An external selector wheel is disposed outside the camera body, for selecting one of the 120 and 220 types.

Abstract: A camera for use with a Brownie roll film having a bar code containing data about a roll film, such as a film speed and a roll film type. The bar code is printed on an adhesive tape which secures light-shielding paper to a leading end of a photo filmstrip of the roll film. As soon as the roll film is loaded with its leading end of the light-shielding paper secured to a take-up spool of the camera, the camera starts rotating the take-up spool and, simultaneously, a reflective photo sensor starts scanning. Based on output signal from the photo sensor and the transport amount of the filmstrip, a first frame exposure portion of the filmstrip is automatically positioned behind an exposure aperture. The number ofavailable exposures is derived from the roll film type data read from the bar code, and is displayed on an LCD panel. An automatic exposure control is effected while taking the film speed read from the bar code into consideration.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a camera having a film wind spool with an insertion slot for receiving a film leader, a counter roller at a film supply side of the film wind spool, and a film winding device having a plate-shaped guide member between the film wind spool and the counter roller for guiding the film leader from the film supply side to the insertion slot of the film wind spool when the guide member is in a first position. The guide member further includes two end pieces, each of the two end pieces are pivotally connected to a different axial end of the counter roller. A rear cover is provided on the camera that opens to expose the film winding device and has an interior projection. The film winding device further includes a flange protruding from the film winding device in a position corresponding to the interior projection when the rear cover is closed.

Abstract: A camera is used with a Brownie photo film, which has a photo filmstrip on which plural frames are formable serially. A light-shielding leader is disposed on a front end of the photo filmstrip. A light-shielding trailer is disposed on a rear end of the photo filmstrip. The Brownie photo film is wound about a supply spool with the trailer positioned inside and with the leader positioned outside. In the camera, a photo film supply chamber is formed for loading of the Brownie photo film. A photo film take-up chamber has a take-up spool disposed in a rotatable manner, for winding the Brownie photo film from the photo film supply chamber. The take-up spool has a spool core, and an insertion slit for receiving insertion of the leader through the spool core. A drive shaft in the photo film supply chamber rotates the take-up spool, to transport the Brownie photo film to the photo film take-up chamber and wind the Brownie photo film about the take-up spool. A motor rotates the drive shaft.

Abstract: A switch for a camera includes a switch button. While being urged toward a flange section of a switch-button holding member by an urging member, the switch button is held so as to be movable in the pushing direction of the switch button and a direction perpendicular to the pushing direction. When one end of the switch button is pushed, the height to which the other end is raised can be lowered. Accordingly, the appearance of the camera is prevented from deteriorating. The switch is also advantageous in reducing the size of the camera.

Abstract: A rotary encoder which provides multiple-bit encoded signals according to predetermined angular positions comprises a ground segment pattern having a circular arrangement of conductive ground segments and a signal segment pattern having at least one circular arrangement of different conductive signal segments corresponding to bits of each multiple-bit encode signal, which is formed in a circle concentric with the circular arrangement of conductive ground segments, and a rotary contact having a plurality of contact points making contact with the conductive signal segments in each predetermined angular position and a contact point making contact with the conductive ground segments to provide bit signals forming the multiple-bit encoded signal.

Abstract: An opening is formed in an upper cover so as to be positioned above a printed circuit board when the upper cover is attached to a camera's main body. In order to connect the contacts of the printed circuit board and the lead wires, the upper cover is attached to the camera's main body, and the opening in the upper cover is used for connection. The lead wires are connected to the contacts of the printed circuit board in the opening.

Abstract: A data recording device installed into a camera has a light image forming element for forming an image of data to be recorded on a film. It also has an optical system for focusing the data image on the film, with its exit end attached to a data exposure aperture formed in a film guide rail. The guide rail extends in a lengthwise direction on either side of a film exposure aperture at the back of the camera body.

Abstract: When an electronic instrument has taken a predetermined attitude, an attitude-detecting switch incorporated in the instrument detects the attitude, and outputs a switch signal to a CPU. The CPU, in turn, drives a lighting device for lighting a liquid crystal display device. The lighting device is driven, for example, only when a predetermined number of pulses of the switch signal are generated within a predetermined period of time, or only when the switch signal has continued for a predetermined period of time or more. Thus, there are cases where the lighting device is not driven irrespective of the generation of the switch signal. As a result, the lighting device is prevented from operating so often, and hence the life of its battery is lengthened.

Abstract: A zoom lens system shifts the position of front and rear lens groups relative to each other in the direction of the optical axis to change its focal length, by moving a lens barrel back and forth in the axial direction. The lens barrel is formed with cutouts in its rear portion for receiving therein parts and elements projecting forwardly from the plane in which an exposure aperture is located when the lens barrel is retracted, so as to reduce the thickness of the camera with the retracted zoom lens. A focal length changing mechanism comprises a fixed cam and a lever attached to the lens barrel which is turned by the cam when the lens barrel moves back and forth to shift one lens group, thereby changing the focal length of the zoom lens to desired focal lengths. To correct the changes in focus of the zoom lens caused by the change of focal length, an adjusting member is provided in the focal length changing mechanism.