Film Strip Patents (Class 353/DIG2)
  • Patent number: 6041190
    Abstract: An image display apparatus for displaying an image recorded on a film, includes a spatial light modulation device which can maintain a recorded image in a non-energization state, an illumination device for illuminating the spatial light modulation device with light, a switching mechanism for switching between a first state in which the film is located between the spatial light modulation device and the illumination device and a second state in which the film is not located between the spatial light modulation device and the illumination device, and a control circuit for activating the spatial light modulation device and the illumination device in the first state when an image recorded on the film is to be recorded on the spatial light modulation device, and activating the illumination device in the second state when the spatial light modulation device on which the image is recorded is to be observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kikuchi, Takayuki Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 6028658
    Abstract: A lamp house holds a light source, which is attached to a bottom plate. A film feed unit is arranged above the light source. A cartridge chamber is provided at the right of the unit body, and a film takeup chamber is formed at the left of the unit body. The takeup chamber is provided with a takeup spool. A film feed motor is built in the takeup spool, and the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to a spool driving shaft of the cartridge chamber via a driving force transmission mechanism. A film feed unit body to be incorporated into a camera is also used as a film feed unit body including the cartridge chamber, the takeup chamber and the driving force transmission mechanism. In order to observe the frame images on the film, the developed film is pulled out of a film cartridge mounted in the cartridge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Hamada, Tokuji Sato
  • Patent number: 5903337
    Abstract: A lamp house holds a light source, which is attached to a bottom plate. A film feed unit is arranged above the light source. A cartridge chamber is provided at the right of the unit body, and a film takeup chamber is formed at the left of the unit body. The takeup chamber is provided with a takeup spool. A film feed motor is built in the takeup spool, and the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to a spool driving shaft of the cartridge chamber via a driving force transmission mechanism. A film feed unit body to be incorporated into a camera is also used as a film feed unit body including the cartridge chamber, the takeup chamber and the driving force transmission mechanism. In order to observe the frame images on the film, the developed film is pulled out of a film cartridge mounted in the cartridge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Hamada, Tokuji Sato
  • Patent number: 5800034
    Abstract: A manually operated toy film viewer of simple design for viewing an 8 millimeter film loop contained within the housing of the viewer. In operating the toy film viewer, the loop of 8 millimeter film is controllably moved past a viewing aperture by a manual crank handle which is rotatably connected to one side of the hollow housing. The apparatus includes a feed sprocket, a spring biased shutter, a simple optical lens and a translucent screen disposed within a small window which is located opposite the viewing aperture and in close proximity with the film loop. Both the drive sprocket and the shutter of the film viewer are operated by the hand crank which car be easily manipulated by the child to controllably advance the film past the viewing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Principle Plastics
    Inventors: David Hoyt, Gary T. Aldcroft
  • Patent number: 5743609
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing photographic film units having image frame associated encoded data. The method has the steps of: providing a filmstrip having a plurality of image frames and encoded data relating to individual image frames; reading the encoded data; locating the image frames; identifying data units; correlating individual data units and individual image frames; and rerecording data units on the filmstrip in physical association with respective image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Bauer, Dale F. McIntyre, Daniel M. Pagano, David L. Patton, Edward Weissberger
  • Patent number: 5738428
    Abstract: A film projector for use with processed photographic film having magnetically recorded image format data physically associated with individual image frames. The projector has a light source emitting a collimated beam and a film holder disposed to hold individual frames of film in the beam. The projector has a formatter displaceable between at least two different formatting positions. The formatter partially blocks the beam in at least one of the formatting positions. The projector has a projection lens system that receives the beam propagated through the film. The projector has a sensor disposed to read the frame-associated image format data. The sensor produces a signal responsive to the image configuration information. A drive is operatively connected to the formatter. The drive displaces the formatter between the formatting positions responsive to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dale F. McIntyre, Daniel M. Pagano, David L. Patton, Edward Weissberger
  • Patent number: 5707127
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image edutainment device including a filmstrip including a plurality of images formed thereon, a viewing device for three-dimensionally viewing the filmstrip, an audio device which emits audio signals, wherein a portion of the audio signals combined with the images provide edutainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Meira Kain
  • Patent number: 5702169
    Abstract: When a film cartridge storing a developed film including a magnetic layer is mounted in an electronic viewer, the film is pulled out from the cartridge, and a forward end of the film is wound around a winding axis. A film transport is controlled in accordance with a detection signal generated by a frame detector every detection of the frame, so that a film image of the film can be observed. At the same time, the viewer reads out magnetic information recorded in the magnetic layer, which corresponds to each film image. Contents of the magnetic information are displayed on an LCD of the viewer. As a result, a user can observe his desirable film image and the contents of the magnetic information corresponding the desired film image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5692818
    Abstract: A film viewer into which is loaded a cartridge which has a spool for taking up a film, a door provided at a film entrance/exit, and an engagement shaft for opening and closing the door, the film viewer being used to view a film which is wound on the spool and removed from the cartridge, the film viewer including: a cartridge accommodating portion which accommodates the cartridge; a rotating shaft provided in the cartridge accommodating portion and engaging the spool when the cartridge is accommodated into the cartridge accommodating portion; a film accommodating portion which accommodates the film removed from the cartridge; and a window portion provided between the cartridge accommodating portion and the film accommodating portion, the film being viewable through the window portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuniharu Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 5677759
    Abstract: The present invention is a film housing device comprising a film housing member that houses developed film; a driving mechanism that feeds the film housed in said housing member to a position outside the housing member where the film may be visually observed by the naked eye; and an operating member to operate said drive mechanism. Using said construction, when the operating member of the film housing device is operated, the drive mechanism operates and the developed film is fed to a position outside the housing member where the film may be visually observed by the naked eye. Therefore, the photographic content of the film may be confirmed with the naked eye using only the film housing device where it is not necessary to connect the device to a film reading device such as film scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Tanimoto, Shigeru Nagata, Mutsuhiro Yamanaka, Atsuhiro Noda
  • Patent number: 5642925
    Abstract: A film carrier is provided with a roll carrier for supporting a roll film and a sheet carrier for supporting a sheet film, and is arranged to use either one of the carriers as selectively positioning it in a projection optical path. In the film carrier, the sheet carrier is moved to a first retracting position not to interfere with the roll carrier outside the projection optical path when the roll carrier is located on the projection optical path. In contrast, the roll carrier is moved to a second retracting position not to interfere with the sheet carrier outside the projection optical path when the sheet carrier is located on the projection optical path. The sheet carrier and the roll carrier at the first and second retracting positions are arranged so that at least parts thereof overlap vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Toshio Iwaya
  • Patent number: 5618093
    Abstract: A filmstrip viewer is provided for viewing positive or negative images on filmstrips contained in so-called thrust film cartridges. The viewer has a film drive for advancing film from the thrust cartridge to a take-up spool for selectively advancing frame images into a frame viewing station for direct or projection viewing. Natural, or artificial illumination may be provided. Optional motorized or manual drives may be used to provide film advance and rewind functions. An interlocked loading door can prevent attempted removal of a cartridge prior to full rewinding of the filmstrip and, optionally, require a specific spool parking orientation prior to opening of the loading door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Merle, Dennis F. Tianello
  • Patent number: 5521662
    Abstract: A film viewer for viewing a film which has been withdrawn from a cartridge. Its main body has a cartridge accommodating portion. In the film viewer, a rotating shaft connected to a spool of the cartridge and a winding shaft which winds the film are driven by manual operation or a motor to convey the film. A window portion is provided at the main body for viewing the conveyed film guided by a film guide made of a flexible material. The film viewer has a distinguishing piece or sensor for distinguishing whether or not the film has been developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5515120
    Abstract: A continuous slide projector constructed of a box housing having a semi-transparent mirror pivotally attached to an open front frame. A light source is mounted within the housing for illuminating a transparent slide strip positioned between the light source and the semi-transparent mirror. The slide strip is coaxially rolled upon two spools, each having a drive means, so that when the spools are rotated the slide strip moves in unison with the spools. A second light source is mounted on the housing above the semi-transparent mirror such that a person in front of the housing will produce an illuminated image of himself in the mirror upon energizing the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Imagen Viva, S.L.
    Inventor: Fernando Burillo Gilmartin
  • Patent number: 5424790
    Abstract: A projection apparatus comprising a holding section for holding a film cassette having an exposed magnetic-zoned film therein, motors for automatically drawing out the leader portion of the film from the film cassette and for forwardly feeding the film with a predetermined timing, a projection lamp and a projection lens pair for illuminating the film to project an image, a magnetic head for detecting magnetic information on the film, a shutter which operates in accordance with the magnetic information detected by the magnetic head, and a control circuit for operating the motors and the shutter in accordance with programs, thereby controlling the film feed timing and shutter operation timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Tsunefuji, Ayumu Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 5363156
    Abstract: A projector having illumination and optical devices for projecting one or more images having a rotating magazine having a plurality of pockets disposed about its periphery for holding multiple slide film cartridges. The pockets loosely retain and orient the cartridges within the magazine in a manner such that a film strip contained therein can be advanced across a film gate between the illumination and optical devices once the magazine has rotated the pocket containing the cartridge to a projecting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis F. Tianello, John A. Romansky
  • Patent number: 4943853
    Abstract: A TV viewer having a light source and an image pick-up device is provided which is spaced from the light source at a predetermined distance, the viewer having a film holding plane and a slide holding plane which are spaced from one another along the optical axis direction of the image pick-up device, between the light source and the image pick-up device, a film feeding device for feeding the film to the film holding plane, and a slide feeding device for feeding at least one slide to the slide holding plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tahei Morisawa
  • Patent number: 4942411
    Abstract: An automatic overlay feed apparatus (10) for feeding projectable overlays to the object area (16) of an overhead projector (12). The apparatus (10) comprises a frame (20) for being supported on an overhead projector (12) and scrolling means, including a first winding shaft (36) and a second winding shaft (38) for moving an overlay scroll (24) defining a plurality of sequentially arranged projectable overlay sheets (42) across the object area (16) of the projector (12) to allow selective positioning of such projectable overlay sheets (42) on the object area (16). The apparatus (10) also includes motor means for selectively rotating at least one of the winding shafts (36, 38), and remote control means for controlling the operation of the motor means from a position remote from the projector (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventor: Steve A. Polston
  • Patent number: 4668060
    Abstract: An improved audio-visual toy is provided by a housing assembly configured to simulate a portable television set. A magnetic deck assembly reads the signals on a magnetic tape element to produce an audio transmission that describes a story. Concurrently, the signals tell the user when to activate a pneumatic system that houses a clutch and ratchet system to advance a film element for producing a sequence of projected images that also describe the story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: California R&D Center
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Jones, Paul J. Ishikawa, Ashley G. Howden
  • Patent number: 4591238
    Abstract: A miniature movie projector for viewing a continuous loop movie film in ambient light is disclosed. A hand operated spring mechanism moves the continuous loop movie film such that ambient light entering the projector enables the movie to be viewed. The projector is constructed such that it can be worn as a pendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Toybox Corporation
    Inventors: Teruhiko Kitaoka, Hajime Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4431282
    Abstract: Diapositives are mounted in a strip formed by a pair of flexible sheet members each having at least two picture openings therein in side-by-side relationship and the sheet members are fastened to each other in face-to-face relationship mutually offset by a single picture opening. The frame is interposed between the sheet members and a diapositive is moveably positioned within an opening in the frame. The thickness of the frame is greater than that of the diapositive so that a diapositive is freely moveable within a frame opening and has play between the sheet members. An apparatus for projecting the strip mounted diapositives is provided with a pair of cassettes one of which contains a strip in which the diapositives are mounted and the second cassette contains a strip without any diapositives. The ends of the strips are automatically connected to each other for successively introducing the diapositives into the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Inventor: Liesel Martin geb. Boser
  • Patent number: 4390257
    Abstract: A compact film viewer for film strips of various sizes including a removable channel guide with a central opening disposed transverse a case between a light source and a lens and a film channel interchangeably received in the channel guide for slidably receiving film strips. The film channel is sized for a particular film and has a central opening corresponding to film frame size to prevent passage of excess light from the light source to the lens when viewing the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Senscom Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Fernekes, Murray V. Tesser
  • Patent number: 4367020
    Abstract: A projection device comprising a film projector and a loop box for a continuous film in which the projector includes a sprocket for feeding the continuous loop of film through a film gate which may be of the customary type. The loop box comprises a frame having transversely and longitudinally spaced upper and lower shaft supports, a plurality of shafts journaled in each of said upper and lower shaft supports, a plurality of pulleys rotatably mounted on each of the shafts by means of ball bearings and means to drive each shaft in the direction which the rollers mounted thereon move when the film loop is advanced through the film gate by the drive sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
    Inventor: Jaren P. Vowles
  • Patent number: 4351591
    Abstract: A merchandising terminal is provided for recommending a product, such as a lipstick of appropriate color, which matches the needs of a particular customer who is unskilled in the selection of the product. The terminal includes a projector that displays a succession of images on a console screen, such as groups of questions related to the facial and body characteristics of the customer. A switch apparatus is operable by a person viewing the screen, to select which of several conditions most closely corresponds to that person, such as which of several skin colors most closely matches that of the viewer and which of several other conditions such as hair color most closely corresponds to that of the viewer. A logic circuit receives signals representing the various individual characteristics specified by a person, and generates an output indicating the particular products, such as a particular lipstick, facial cream, etc., which are most appropriate to the characteristics of that person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Logicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Stockett
  • Patent number: 4255026
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for use by a person for viewing material on film in a cartridge comprising a viewing screen, a projection module, a cartridge module, a lens system, a gear system for advancing the film, and a gear system for reversing the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Inventor: Warren R. Ebener, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4206985
    Abstract: A cylindrical shaped filmstrip take-up chamber is disclosed having an expandable inside cavity for receiving a varying quantity of coiled filmstrip. A cup-shaped film receiving cover closes the chamber and is both pivotally mounted near the midpoint thereof for selectively allowing access to the inside of the take-up chamber and pivotally retained at the bottom thereof allowing the cover to pivot within the confines of the chamber varying the inside volume of the take-up chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Pitchford
  • Patent number: 4205803
    Abstract: A moving film projector, viewer or an adaptor device therefor comprising a rotatable spindle to receive a let-off spool or reel of film, a rotatable take-up spool or reel and a guide to direct the film in its desired path from the let-off spool, when this is in position on the spindle therefor, past a viewing station at which the film can be viewed or projected, and over the edge of and down towards the center plane of, the take-up spool, the take-up spool having a substantially continuous peripheral side wall towards which the film strip is guided and against which the film is coiled during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Qualidux Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Ernst K. Elsner
  • Patent number: 4169669
    Abstract: A film winding device for slide projectors of a type using strip films comprising a film housing case capable of being removably fitted to a projector body, a film guide guiding a projected film toward the film housing case, a leading ring mounted rotatably on the end portion of the film guide and capable of leading in the projected film at the tip so as to come to the outside within the film housing case and a roller means arranged so as to be able to positively feed the projected film even in the end portion into the film housing case, whereby the film having finished being projected can be housed successively into the film housing case so as to be projectable without being rewound. In this slide projector, the film to be projected can be easily taken at the tip to the position of the film guide by pushing a button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Shinano Kikaku Company Limited
    Inventors: Tadakazu Endo, Susumu Nomura, Masato Matsumoto, Kojiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4067647
    Abstract: A dual film strip projector projects images onto at least one screen from a pair of film strips, each of which is advanced in programmed timing independently of the other. The film strips are contained in a cartridge that is readily insertable in the projector, and the timing of the advance of the frames of each film strip is automatically controlled by control signals recorded on a magnetic tape in another cartridge insertable in the projector. The projector includes dual illumination systems, projection lenses and film strip advancing devices. Operation of the projector is entirely automatic in that the control signals on the magnetic tape operate the pair of film strip advancing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: Developing Techniques Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Gallina
  • Patent number: 4043650
    Abstract: An improved film handling device or film cartridge designed for permanent mounting on a film strip projector or the like. The device or cartridge includes a base plate pivotally mounted to a sliding carriage and a storage cavity on the top of the base plate. The carriage comprises a tape cassette player and the base plate includes at least a pair of depending arms for slideably mounting a tape cassette. A drive sprocket is mounted on the base plate for engaging and feeding the film through a film gate in the projector. The carriage is movable between a generally forward, film loading position whereat the base plate is pivoted upwardly for easy access and a generally rearward, film feed position which permits the film to be transferred through the film gate. A safety interlock is provided on the cassette to prevent jamming of the film as the carriage is moved between its respective positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Company
    Inventor: Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Patent number: 4042297
    Abstract: Film strip projection device for the projection of endless film strip, especially slide film strips, which is passed along a film trap of a projection optics system, by a transport device which catches in the film perforation. The film strip is guided in a closed, essentially ring-form track, whose length is only a little shorter or equal to the length of the film strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Soding TV GmbH & Co. Bild & Ton International
    Inventor: Reinhard Freisleben
  • Patent number: 4009952
    Abstract: A film strip projector which is provided with synchronized audio accompaniment. A film strip is framed with respect to a projection aperture by a selectively operable framing device. Once the film strip is initially framed, the film strip is advanced frame by frame by a Geneva type film advance mechanism. The audio accompaniment is carried on a dual track audio tape, one track of which carries the audio message pertinent to a particular frame and the other track of which carries a control signal for the film drive mechanism. The Geneva type film drive mechanism comprises a pair of cooperating gears the second of which rotates only 90.degree. for every 180.degree. rotation of the first gear. The first gear automatically deenergizes the drive motor after rotation of approximately 180.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Frank C. Badalich, George J. Pawl