Abstract: An apparatus for securing a thrust film cartridge and for moving a film door between open and closed positions. The apparatus includes a camera body adapted to receive a thrust film cartridge, a camera door interconnectable with the camera body, and an actuating device. The actuating device includes a latch member, a lug member operatively associated with the latch member, a handle member operatively associated with the latch member, and a force limiting mechanism for limiting the force which can be applied by the handle member on the latch member. The latch member is movable between a locked position, to lock the camera door in the closed position, and an unlocked position, to allow the camera door to move between the open and closed positions. The lug member is engageable with a film door of a thrust film cartridge to move the film door between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A compact camera comprises a flip-up flash unit which has a viewfinder opening for viewing a subject to be photographed when the flash unit is flipped up from a camera body to a use position, and a a pair of front and rear viewfinder lenses adapted to be raised from the camera body to viewing positions in optical alignment with the viewfinder opening when the flash unit is flipped up to its use position. According to the invention, a light source indicator is connected to the flash unit to point to the front viewfinder lens when the flash unit is flipped up to its use position and the pair of viewfinder lenses are raised to their viewing positions. The light source indicator provides a visible warning indication of some significant event or condition, such as flash ready, low battery, or inadequate prevailing light for a proper exposure.

Abstract: A radiation source, inclined relative to an optical axis of a camera, is used for directing light towards a reflecting surface and thence towards a subject to be photographed. A sensor detects light from the radiation source which is reflected from the subject. A determination is made as to whether the intensity of light from the radiation source which is reflected from the subject is below a predetermined level. A light source is provided which is inclined substantially the same as the radiation source. The light source is utilized for visibly illuminating the subject by directing visible light towards the reflecting surface and thence towards the subject. When it is determined that the intensity of light from the radiation source which is reflected from the subject is below the predetermined level, an indication is provided to a camera operator that the light source cannot adequately illuminate the subject.

Abstract: A reflector is supported for movement between a direct flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed and an indirect flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination onto a nearby surface and thence directly towards a subject to be photographed. The reflector has an integral reflective portion that is substantially smaller than, and fixedly angled with respect to, the remainder of the reflector to reflect a substantially minor percentage of light output from a source of illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed when the reflector is in its indirect flash position, whereby combined direct and indirect illumination of a subject to be photographed can be achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining camera user's preference in reproduced images includes a display of a series of images with varying color balance characteristic and means to record color balance preference data associated with a user-selected image. The data is stored and transferred, along with camera film bearing images of scenes taken by the camera user, to the photofinisher for use in controlling reproduction of the image prints in accordance with the image preference data. The data may be stored on a storage medium, such as a memory card, for direct transfer to the photofinisher or it may be stored in a camera internal memory for recording on the film medium, the latter approach assuring the preference data is available at the printer for use in the image reproduction process.

Abstract: A system that produces sharper pictures by setting the lens of a camera to a closer focus position, when the flash unit of the camera is set to a bounce position. In this system, the reflector and lamp of the flash unit are pivoted to direct the light produced by the flash unto an overhead ceiling. The focus position of the lens is adjusted by coupling the motion of the lamp to the motion of the lens so as to move the focus range of the lens more nearly into the range of the bounce flash.

Abstract: A scanning thermal dye printer has a scanning station positioned to scan a color input image and control dye deposited in a dye deposition station that is disposed to reproduce the color input image. A primary filter is adapted to remove a quantity of the color not absorbed by a deposited dye, and at least one variable density filter provides fine control of the light components associated with the deposited dye. A prescanning station determines a color balance for an image and communicates color balance information to the color station controller. The color station controller positions the variable density filter in response to receiving color balance information.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus contains an image capture device having image capturing means and video encoding means, and an image printer. Electronic components in the image capture device produce image and timing signals. The image and timing signals bypass the video encoding means so that the printer does not internally require a video signal decoder. The signals received by the printer are slow speed signals which can be processed as received without need for an internal memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a high resolution image for a thermal printer from a video imager having a plurality of pixels with a preselected pitch comprises dithering the video imager. The video imager is dithered at less than the pitch of the pixels and provides arrays of data representing video imager positions generated by halfstep offsets of the video imager in the horizontal and vertical directions. The halfstep movement of the video imager causes the pixels to map a new area of an image without overlap of a previously mapped area. The dithered arrays are transmitted to a thermal printer so that the printed image contains more information than is generated by a static video imager.

Abstract: A scanning thermal dye printer has a plurality of linear scanning arrays positioned to sequentially scan selective color information from a source image and produce a color plane using the selective color information, and a plurality of thermal dye transfer stations, each thermal dye transfer station being responsive to information from a selected one of the linear scanning arrays. The printer includes means for advancing the source image between successive linear scanning arrays, and means for advancing a dye receiving member between successive dye transfer stations. There is at least one roller having a circumference and being disposed between adjacent dye transfer stations in guiding contact with the dye receiving member, and means for changing the position of the roller and adjusting the position of one color plane relative to another color plane.