Abstract: A film camera has a body enclosing a light-tight film space. A film unit disposed in the film space, includes a filmstrip having a longitudinally extending row of uniform perforations. The perforations each have at least one concavely-curved edge extending in a direction transverse to the filmstrip. The film space is substantially free of skives despite prewinding of the filmstrip in the camera, even if the prewinding is at a high-torque level.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-loading film into a camera in non-darkroom conditions is provided. A fixture or tool is used to disengage the film metering system for pre-loading the camera with film. In one particular embodiment, the fixture is provided for simultaneously biasing the anti-reversal pawl away from the film advance wheel and disengage the release claw and striker from cams on the sprocket shaft to permit film pre-winding. The prongs of the fixture gain access to the assembled camera through a pair of holes through the front face of the camera.

Abstract: The camera of this invention has a film cassette compartment, a film spool (13), a film exposing area, and an interlock that prevents moving exposed film from the film cassette. With the camera, a film cassette (2) is loaded into the film cassette compartment. The film is then locaded by moving the film from the film cassette (2) compartment across the film exposing area and winding all but the first frame of film to be exposed around the film spool. After a picture taken, the exposed film is wound back into the film cassette and the next from of film to be exposed is moved into the film exposing area. The interlock prevents moving the exposed film out of the film exposing area. In an embodiment the interlock includes a lever that is engageable with the serrations of a film rewind wheel (22) to prevent movement of the film rewind wheel (22).

Abstract: A shutter release-thumbwheel brake for a camera has a thumbwheel, a shutter release, and a sprag. The shutter release is pivotable reative to the thumbwheel between a ready position and a first released position and also between the ready position and a second released position. The released positions are opposed. The sprag is joined to the shutter release and brakes the thumbwheel when the shutter release is in either of the released positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter release apparatus for use in a camera for capturing images on a perforated film. The shutter release apparatus has a rotatable thumb wheel movable along an axis between a start position and a trigger position. A sprocket is provided having teeth to engage perforations on the film and to move therewith during film winding. A biased lever is moved by the sprocket against the bias from a position holding the thumb wheel in the start position to a position releasing the thumb wheel for urged movement into the trigger position. The thumb wheel blocks biased movement of the lever when the thumb wheel is in the trigger position and movement of the thumb wheel from the trigger position to the start position releases the lever for biased movement to drive the shutter to expose the film.

Abstract: A remote camera relay method and apparatus for remotely operating a self-contained, unattended digital camera over a communications link. Format conversion means are included for transparently relaying control signals and remote image data between a local host processor and the remotely located digital camera, independently of specific camera command and image protocols. It thereby functions as a universal remote image transmission adapter, operable as an attachment for use with self-contained digital cameras. A portable enclosure is provided for accommodating the remote relay communications and control electronics and for attaching a hand-held digital camera thereto. Further means are included for remotely actuating the pan and tilt orientation of the camera in accordance with field-of-view selection commands. Data rate conversion and error correction coding are included for providing reliable, low power image forwarding.

Abstract: A camera comprises a film feed device (9) for feeding a light-sensitive film arranged in the camera, a shutter release device (300) for releasing a photographic shutter (10) of the camera for the image-forming exposure of the film, and a feed locking device (200) which under the action of a spring reservoir (208) can be converted depending on the film forward feed by in each case one frame into a locking position that locks the film feed device (9) and can be converted depending on the actuation of the shutter release device (300) into a release position that unlocks the film feed device (9), whereby the spring reservoir (208) is detensioned when the feed locking device (200) is in the locking position and when it is converted into the release position, and the spring reservoir (208) is increasingly tensioned by a control device (104, 106) that moves on feeding the film, during the film feed by the length of one frame that in each case follows a release of the shutter.

Abstract: A manual-wind camera is provided having a wind lever in which a film having no sprocket holes is loaded, the film being wound on a take-up spool, frame by frame, by manually operating the wind lever. The camera includes a pulse generator which generates pulses in accordance with movement of the film wound by the wind lever, and a counter which detects and counts the pulses generated by the pulse generator, the pulse generator and the counter are connected to a control device. The control device detects a film winding speed of the film in accordance with the number of the pulses counted by the counter, wherein the control device adjusts a reference pulse number, which corresponds to a predetermined appropriate winding amount of the film, in accordance with a the film winding speed detected by the control device. An engagement of the wind lever with the take-up spool is released at the moment the adjusted reference pulse number becomes equal to the number of the pulses counted by the counter.

Abstract: A camera having a manual film winding apparatus in which a film is wound in association with a rotation of a winding operation device from a wind start position to a wind end position includes: an encoder which rotates in association with the movement of the film which is wound by the rotation of the winding operation device and generates a signal each time the winding operation device is rotated by a predetermined angle; a film feed amount detection device which counts output of the encoder to detect the feed amount of the film; a rotation detection device for detecting the rotation of the winding operation device; and a controller which interrupts the encoder by turning the encoder OFF after the lapse of a predetermined time when the winding operation device is stopped during the winding operation, wherein the controller turns the encoder ON when the rotation detection device detects rotation of the winding operation device thereafter, so that the film feed amount detection device continues the counting ope

Abstract: A manual film winding device of a camera has a winding lever which is manually rotated between a winding start position and a winding end position. Also provided are a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet wheel, which is rotated in association with the winding lever's rotation, and a ratchet pawl which engages with the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel rotates in a winding direction when the winding lever rotates from the winding start position to the winding end position, and in a reverse direction, opposite to the winding direction, when the winding lever rotates from the winding end position to the winding start position. A film advance driving system operates in association with the ratchet wheel's rotation in the winding direction. The ratchet pawl is arranged to rotate toward a first direction in connection with the winding rotation of the ratchet wheel, and to rotate toward a second direction in connection with the reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A camera comprising a rotatably supported film winding wheel that has a series of teeth and is manually rotated in a film winding direction, and an anti-backup pawl that is resiliently supported for successive ones of the teeth to deflect the anti-backup pawl out of engagement with the respective teeth when the film winding wheel is manually rotated in the film winding direction and that continuously engages any one of the teeth to substantially prevent rotation of the film winding wheel in a reverse direction when it is attempted to manually rotate the film winding wheel in the reverse direction, is characterized in that the anti-backup pawl is connected with a catch and is resiliently supported for any one tooth that is engaging the anti-back up pawl to push the anti-backup pawl when it is attempted to manually rotate the film winding wheel in the reverse direction, and a fixed reinforcing stop is spaced from the catch to allow the anti-backup pawl to be deflected out of engagement with the respective teeth

Abstract: A one-time-use camera having a film take-up chamber, a film spool rotatable in the film take-up chamber, a film winding thumbwheel supported for winding rotation in coaxial engagement with the film spool to similarly rotate the film spool to take up an exposed filmstrip, and an anti-backup pawl for preventing unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel, is characterized in that the anti-backup pawl engages said film spool to prevent unwinding rotation of the film spool, in order to prevent unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel. Preferably, a film door closes the film take-up chamber, and the anti-backup pawl is supported on the film door to engage the film spool.

Abstract: A subassembly for a one-time-use camera includes a main body part that has a film take-up chamber adapted to receive a film spool and a film supply chamber for an unexposed film roll, a film winding thumbwheel supported for winding rotation in engagement with the film spool to similarly rotate the film spool to take up an exposed filmstrip, and an anti-backup pawl engageable with the thumbwheel to prevent unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel and disengageable from the thumbwheel to allow unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel to permit the film spool to be similarly rotated to unwind a fresh exposed filmstrip from the film spool to form the unexposed film roll. The film take-up chamber is configured to allow the film spool to be received in the film take-up chamber in a film unwinding position for unwinding rotation of the film spool and a different film winding position for winding rotation of the film spool.

Abstract: A method of disengaging an anti-backup pawl from a film winding thumbwheel to permit an unexposed filmstrip to be prewound from a film cartridge during original manufacture or recycling of a one-time-use camera has the steps of: depressing a movable free end of the anti-backup pawl to pivot the anti-backup pawl at a fulcrum support between the free end and a movable opposite end of the anti-backup pawl that engages the film winding thumbwheel, in order to disengage the opposite end from the film winding thumbwheel; and holding the free end depressed to maintain the opposite end disengaged from the film winding thumbwheel, in order to permit the film winding thumbwheel to be rotated in engagement with a film spool in the film cartridge when the unexposed filmstrip is prewound from the film cartridge.

Abstract: A subassembly for a one-time-use camera comprises a main body part that has a film take-up chamber adapted to receive a film spool and a film supply chamber for an unexposed film roll, a film winding thumbwheel supported for winding rotation in engagement with the film spool to similarly rotate the film spool to take up an exposed filmstrip, and an anti-backup pawl normally engaging the thumbwheel to prevent unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel and disengageable from the thumbwheel to allow unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel to permit the film spool to be similarly rotated to unwind a fresh unexposed filmstrip from the film spool to form the unexposed film roll. The film take-up chamber is configured to allow the film spool to be received in the film take-up chamber in a film unwinding position for unwinding rotation of the film spool and to be in a different film winding position for winding rotation of the film spool.

Abstract: A camera comprising a film winding thumbwheel supported for rotation in a film winding direction and an opposite film unwinding direction, an anti-backup wheel supported for rotation in engagement with the thumbwheel, and an arresting device for preventing rotation of the anti-backup wheel in order to prevent rotation of the thumbwheel in the film unwinding direction, is characterized in that the arresting device is a stop engageable with the anti-backup wheel to prevent rotation of the anti-backup wheel and disengageable from the anti-backup wheel to permit rotation of the anti-backup wheel, and the anti-backup wheel is supported to be moved out of position spaced from the stop and into engagement with the stop, without becoming disengaged from the thumbwheel, when the thumbwheel is attempted to be rotated in the film unwinding direction.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a backframe opening at which successive image areas of a filmstrip are exposed, a film winder rotatable to wind an exposed image area of the filmstrip from the backframe opening onto an exposed film roll and to advance an unexposed image area of the filmstrip to the backframe opening, a film metering member engageable with the film winder to prevent rotation of the film winder, and a release manually depressible to initiate exposure, is characterized in that the film metering member is located beneath the release for the release to automatically depress the film metering member out of engagement with said film winder when the release is manually depressed.

Abstract: In a ring-shaped resilient member, a multiplicity of protrusions inwardly extending from the inner radius are arranged substantially isometrically about the center. When a fork is rotating leftward, the protrusions extending from the resilient member fixed to the inner wall of a housing are bent in the rotation direction of the fork, so that the load imposed on the fork by the protrusions as a frictional force is light. When the rotation direction of the fork is reversed from the leftward direction to the rightward direction, the direction in which the protrusions are swung is also reversed, so that a load is imposed at this time to prevent reversal of rotation of the cartridge spool.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera which comprises a first part including a film winding thumbwheel rotatably supported for winding and unwinding rotation, and a second part assembled to the first part and including a resilient anti-backup pawl for engaging the thumbwheel to prevent unwinding rotation of the thumbwheel, is characterized in that the first part has a deflector arranged to deflect the anti-backup pawl to prevent the anti-backup pawl from engaging the thumbwheel during assembly of the first part to the second part and to allow the anti-backup pawl to engage the thumbwheel when the first part is assembled to the second part.

Abstract: A film winding mechanism of a camera uses a film cartridge in which a film rolled around a cartridge spool is accommodated. The camera has a take-up spool for winding the film that is drawn out of the film cartridge. The film winding mechanism includes a first device, engaged with one end of the cartridge spool when the film cartridge is in the camera, for rotating the cartridge spool. The film winding mechanism further includes a second device, engaged with the other end of the cartridge spool when the film cartridge is in the camera, for transmitting rotation of the cartridge spool in a film advancing direction to advance the film out of the film cartridge to the take-up spool so as to rotate the take-up spool in a film winding direction to wind the film.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with a photo film of a predetermined length. The photo film is retained on a spool. A winder wheel is connected to the spool. After each frame is exposed on the photo film, the winder wheel is manually rotated to wind the photo film into a cassette shell about the spool. In the lens-fitted photo film unit, a combination of a detector cutout and a protruded portion detects that the winder wheel has made a predetermined number of rotations, which depends upon the predetermined length of the photo film. A combination of a recess and a protruded portion locks rotation of the winder wheel in response to rotation of the winder wheel to a predetermined rotational position after the predetermined number of the rotations of the winder wheel. The winder wheel is inhibited from being rotated after the photo film is entirely wound into the cassette shell.

Abstract: A one-way winder having a body defining a bifurcated guideway. The guideway has a trunk and first and second branches. The guideway has at least one portal connecting the branches. The director is disposed in the body. The director has an arm-pawl and a guide cam. The director is movable relative to the body in forward and return movements. The guide cam moves along the first branch during the forward movement and along the second branch during the return movement. The guide cam moves unidirectionally along the first branch. An endless ratchet disposed in the body, intrudes into the first branch. The ratchet is driven by the arm-pawl during the forward movement and is spaced apart from the arm-pawl during the return movement. A film advance and camera include the one way winder.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera for use with a film cartridge having a spool rotatable to wind an exposed filmstrip including a trailing film end portion into the cartridge and a light lock movable to be closed after the trailing film end portion is wound into the cartridge, comprising a film winder rotatable in engagement with the spool in a film winding direction to rotate the spool in the same direction to wind the exposed filmstrip including the trailing film end portion into the cartridge, and a closing actuator movable in engagement with the light lock to close the light lock, is characterized in that an anti-backup pawl for engaging the film winder to prevent rotation of the film winder in a reverse direction opposite to the film winding direction is breakable, and the closing actuator has a breaking element for breaking the anti-backup pawl when the closing actuator is moved in engagement with the light lock to close the light lock.

Abstract: A power drive device is disclosed that includes a motor, a control device coupled to the motor, and a rotatable reference axle member rotatably interlocked with the rotation of the motor. A first detection member detects a first phase and a third phase of rotation of the reference axle member wherein the first phase corresponds to a rotation starting position of the reference axle member and the third phase corresponds to a near completion position of the reference axle member. The device also includes a second detection member that detects a second phase and a fourth phase of rotation of the reference axle member, wherein the fourth phase of rotation corresponds to a rotation completion position of the reference axle member. The control device drives the motor in accordance with the detected phases of the first and second detection members, and in particular, can control the velocity of the motor and the timing of the operation of the motor in relation to a second motor.

Abstract: A single-use camera which includes: a film winding knob, capable of rotating in the winding direction, for winding a film so as to feed the film frame by frame; a reversion-preventing member, having an engagement with the film winding knob, for preventing the film winding knob from rotating in the opposite direction to the winding direction; a releasing member for releasing the engagement of the reversion-preventing member with the film winding knob when the film is wound by the film winding knob so that the noise, generated from the reversion-preventing member, is prevented.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a film winder wheel rotatable in a film winding direction and a rear cover part with an integral door portion that is to be opened to remove a film cartridge from a cartridge chamber, an integral anti-backup pawl for engaging the film winder wheel to prevent rotation of the film winder wheel in a reverse direction opposite to the film winding direction, and a weakened longitudinal section between the door portion and another portion of the rear cover part that fractures when the door portion is opened, is characterized in that the anti-backup pawl and the door portion are connected to cause the anti-backup pawl to be moved with the door portion when the door portion is opened, and the weakened longitudinal section extends between the anti-backup pawl and the other portion of the rear cover part to fracture between the anti-backup pawl and the other portion, in addition to fracturing between the door portion and the other portion, when the door portion is opened, whereby the an

Abstract: A camera includes a body portion having a cartridge chamber for retaining a film cartridge and a film chamber for retaining a filmstrip a pump cover coupled to the body portion and movable in opposite directions between an opened and a closed position, as well as a rotatable film winding for engaging the film cartridge to wind filmstrip into the film cartridge as the gear is rotated. An engageable locking lever prevents the gear from being rotated until disengaged by movement of the cover in one of the opposite directions in which a movable gear rack having a set of engagement teeth engages the unlocked film winding gear and rotates the film winding gear when the cover is moved in one of the opposite directions to wind film into a film cartridge.

Abstract: A film drive gear has a thumbwheel that is rotated by a camera user and also has a shutter cam surface that rotates with the thumbwheel to reset a shutter mechanism and has a film metering cam surface that rotates with the thumbwheel to release a film metering mechanism. The shutter cam surface and the film metering cam surface are axially separated along a shaft of the film drive gear that extends outwardly from the thumbwheel. The drive gear can include a toothed sprocket that actuates a film transport mechanism such that revolution of the thumbwheel rotates the toothed sprocket and moves the photographic film a predetermined distance. The thumbwheel also can be provided with an outer circumferential surface that is coupled to an exposure counter wheel having frame index numbers such that a predetermined number of revolutions of the thumbwheel moves the exposure counter wheel by one frame index number relative to the thumbwheel.

Abstract: A method of processing a photosensitive material is provided in which change in photographic properties is not caused and reading properties for magnetic recording information of a photosensitive material including a magnetic recording layer does not deteriorate. In the method of processing a photosensitive material using a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is immersed in processing solutions respectively accommodated in a plurality of processing tanks which are provided adjacent to each other along a direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, the photosensitive material processing apparatus includes a conveying roller pair for conveying the photosensitive material, which is provided in at least one portion of the processing apparatus, and a partition portion which is partitioned by a roller provided between adjacent processing tanks of the plurality of processing tanks and which allows the photosensitive material to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A camera includes a body portion having a cartridge chamber for a film cartridge and a film chamber for a filmstrip, a high energy lever returnable to a cocked position, and a film metering pawl movable in engagement with the filmstrip. The film metering pawl is placed in engagement with the filmstrip to prevent winding of the filmstrip into the cartridge, and released from engagement when the high energy lever is being returned to its cocked position to permit the filmstrip to be wound into the cartridge. The film metering pawl is movable to a film metered position where it is locked and the film advance is disabled.

Abstract: A film feeding apparatus of a camera moves a film when the camera is switched to its nonoperative state or has not been operated for a predetermined time, in order that focusing is not affected by film deformation caused by a pair of flanges of the film cartridge when the film has been left for a long time. A film feeding motor feeds the film, and a perforation detector or a film encoder outputs a signal corresponding to the feeding amount of the film. When the camera is switched to its nonoperative state or has not been operated for the predetermined time, a CPU in response to the film feeding amount signal causes the film to be moved by a predetermined amount in a first direction. Further, when the camera is switched to its operative state or an operation command is inputted, the CPU causes the film to be moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A camera includes a depressible shutter relase button; and a film metering mechanism for metering a filmstrip in the camera. The shutter release button is positioned on one side of a pivotable trigger which raises a release element when the shutter release button is depressed. The release element, coupled to the film metering mechanism, remains in a raised position until the film metering mechanism has metered the filmstrip. Preferably, the shutter release can be used in a pump-action camera, the shutter release remaining hidden until a succeeding exposure frame has been advanced and metered.

Abstract: A camera comprising a film winder rotatable to wind individual frames of a filmstrip into a take-up chamber after each frame is exposed, and a frame counter rotatable to indicate how many frames are left to be exposed, is characterized in that a locking device is movable to secure the film winder and the frame counter in place to prevent their further rotation responsive to the frame counter being rotated to indicate there are no frames left to be exposed.

Abstract: A film transfer device of a camera, which consists of a charging means for controlling one frame transfer of a film. The charging means is engaged with a winding part and a rewind spindle RS. A sprocket is designed to rotate independently from the winding part and the rewind spindle RS. A second clutch means is provided to compensate for the speed difference between the sprocket and the winding part on film winding or between the sprocket and the rewind spindle on film rewinding.

Abstract: A film winding unit is removably attached to a film unit so as to engage a coupling gear with a film winding wheel. The coupling gear is connectable to a gear train through a clutch member. While the film winding wheel of the film unit is unlocked, the clutch member is placed in a power transmitting position for transmitting rotational movement of a motor to the coupling gear through the gear train. Upon the film winding mechanism being locked, a large load is applied to the clutch member, so that the clutch member slips into a disconnecting position to disconnect the motor from the coupling gear. In cooperation with the movement of the clutch member into the disconnecting position, a motor inactivating device inactivates the motor. After a release button of a film winding unit is depressed to depress a shutter button of the film unit, a motor activating device activates the motor in cooperation with returning movement of the release button.

Abstract: A photographic camera, including a moveable exposure initiation member, is provided with a film brake that is applied by movement of the member to initiate an exposure. The brake engages an element of the film advancing mechanism and thereby arrests film movement during the exposure. The brake is released after the exposure when the member returns to its original position.A method of assembling a camera also is provided using certain parts reassembled and reused from a single-use camera with a film brake as noted above.

Abstract: A camera comprises manually rotatable film winding means, and a uni-directional clutch coupled to the film winding means to permit film winding rotation of the film winding means and to prevent reverse rotation of the film winding means. The film winding means includes a rotatable winder wheel having a toothed periphery. The uni-directional clutch includes a rotatable idler wheel having a toothed periphery engaging the toothed periphery of the winding wheel and provided with less teeth than the toothed periphery of the winding wheel, and a coil spring coiled tightly about a shank of the idler wheel and having an end portion secured with respect to the shank. The coil spring tightens on the shank to prevent the idler wheel and the winding wheel from being engagingly rotated when reverse rotation of the film winding means is attempted and relaxes on the shank to permit the idler wheel and the winding wheel to be engagingly rotated when film winding rotation of the film winding means is initiated.