Abstract: A communications system includes a root node; a plurality of nodes in communication with the root node, the plurality of nodes defining a mesh network; the root node configured to: determine a time delay to each node of the plurality of nodes; transmit audio data to the plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes configured to produce audio corresponding to the audio data; transmit a delay code to the plurality of nodes, each of the plurality of nodes producing the audio corresponding to the audio data at a time corresponding to the delay code.

Abstract: An image photographing system for viewing 3D images with naked eyes and using method thereof, including an L-shaped frame (1), wherein, a top end of a vertical portion of the L-shaped frame successively at equal intervals providing with: an intermediate photographing mechanism, a left photographing mechanism and a right photographing mechanism, a left driving mechanism and a right driving mechanism, a guide post, a vertical driving servo motor, a driving lead screw; a support plate drives the left driving mechanism and the right driving mechanism to move up and down by moving up and down along the guide post under the drive of the driving lead screw, so as to drive the left photographing mechanism or the right photographing mechanism to swing up and down. The present invention can see the realistic and natural 3D images with naked eyes.

Abstract: A drive mechanism having a bi-stable motor driving an actuator with a high starting torque, and a slower, regulated velocity as the actuator moves through its range of travel. This advantageously maintains high torque margins at low velocity, and lowers the kinetic energy of the bi-stable actuator at end of travel by limiting the terminal velocity and establishing a softer stop. A solenoid may be used in one embodiment. Actual bi-stable motor values are obtained immediately before the move to maintain accurate control of the motor, such as the resistance and inductance of the motor coil. For instance, the bi-stable motor may be driven into a stop, and the coil resistance may be calculated by sensing current associated with the calibration voltage. Inductance may be measured similarly by applying low level AC currents. Back-emf is sensed through the coil resistance, and an estimated motor rotation rate is sent to a feedback loop to maintain the desired rate.

Abstract: In a roll rotation mechanism (1) for continuously causing a film-rolling roll to rotate at a constant rate, an Oldham coupling (4) is interposed in a transmission path between a wave gear reduction mechanism (3) and a roll (10). The Oldham coupling (4) forms a connection between a gear rotation output shaft (34) and a roll rotation shaft (11) in a state in which latitude of movement ? is present about a central axis line (4a). When a roll (10) is continuously rotated at a constant rate, the Oldham coupling (4) is held in a state in which no latitude of movement is present in a rotation direction R and latitude of movement ? is present in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and rotation torque is transmitted.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for a camera includes: a control unit; a driving device coupled with and actuated by the control unit; a first gear set coupled with the driving device; a second gear coupled with the first gear set and centrally provided with a rotary shaft having a shaft hole formed with threads; a spindle being female-connected to the shaft hole and which has an axial surface formed with outer threads corresponding to the threads of the shaft hole, thus allowing the second gear to move along and relative to the spindle; and a translation member positioned perpendicular to the spindle and provided with a rack for engaging with the second gear and thus driving the translation member to move perpendicular to the spindle. The second gear drives or does not drive the rack as the engagement therebetween is made or broken.

Abstract: In a single-lens reflex camera, the rotation center of a lever used for driving a shutter device is arranged rearward of a shutter device with respect to an optical axis, and the lever end (point of action) is arranged in front of the shutter device with respect to the optical axis. Thereby, compactness of the camera body can be realized.

Abstract: Whether a portrait photography mode has been set is determined. A first threshold value is set when the portrait photography mode has been set and a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value is set when the portrait photography mode has not been set. A cross-correlation coefficient between the image of the subject and a template image is calculated. The calculated coefficient and the set threshold value are compared and the position of the image of a face is detected in the image of the subject. When the portrait photography mode has been set, it can be construed that the subject contains a person and therefore the position of the face image can be detected comparatively accurately by increasing the threshold value.

Abstract: A method of group guiding service in wireless sensor networks and a system using the same are disclosed in this invention. According to this invention, wireless sensor networks may be utilized to track the position of the group leader and provide leader information and guiding services to the group members. The location of every group leader is able to be traced by the sensor network in accordance with a leader device and the technology of wireless communication. In addition, a multifunctional guiding director and the RFID system are also utilized in this invention.

Abstract: A pinion gear is fixed on a rotating shaft of a motor for supplying a driving force of a plurality of driving mechanisms. A speed reducing gear is engaged with the pinion gear, and a sun gear is engaged with a speed reducing gear. A planet worm includes a spur gear portion and a worm gear portion. The spur gear portion is engaged with the sun gear. The planet worm is supported so as to be rotatable around the shaft of the sun gear. When the planet worm is rotated to be positioned adjacent to the cartridge room, the worm gear portion is engaged with a rewind spur gear of a gear train. The rotational force of the motor is transmitted to a rewinding fork through the gear train, and then the rewind fork is rotated.

Abstract: An anti-reverse claw is in mesh with a winding dial of a lens-fitted photo film unit. The anti-reverse claw has a pair of welded pieces. The welded pieces go behind a rear cover of the lens-fitted photo film through a pair of holes formed in the rear cover. After assembling, a welding head is applied to the rear side of the rear cover to apply heat. The welded pieces and a separation plate are melted and mixed together, so that the anti-reverse claw is firmly fixed to the rear cover.

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: A camera equipped with an accommodating chamber which constitutes a periphery including a film spool spindle and which accommodates a film cartridge having a recess at one longitudinal end thereof, includes: a protruding surface portion which is provided in the accommodating chamber, which enters the recess, and which has on the outer surface thereof on the side opposite to the film cartridge a step formed by a recessed portion recessed toward the film cartridge; and a gear member arranged in the recessed portion and adapted to be engaged with the spool spindle to rotate the spool spindle, whereby the dimension in the camera height direction (i.e., the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the film cartridge) is reduced.

Abstract: A camera having a transport device for stepwise transport of a film in each case by the length of a respective picture, wherein the transport device includes a film take-up shaft which is driven by way of a winding reel on which a pull element, preferably a cord, is wound, on which film take-up shaft the film can be wound from a film supply spool, in particular from an inserted film cartridge, wherein the free end of the pull element (2) projects into the open through an opening in the housing (17) of the camera and the film (14) is transported stepwise by the length of a picture by pulling on the pull element (2), wherein the winding reel (8) is adapted for automatically winding on the pull element (2) after transport of the film (14) by the length of a picture.

Abstract: A camera having a transport device for stepwise transport of a film in each case by the length of a respective picture, wherein the transport device includes a film take-up shaft which is driven by way of a winding reel on which a pull element, preferably a cord, is wound, on which film take-up shaft the film can be wound from a film supply spool, in particular from an inserted film cartridge, wherein the free end of the pull element (2) projects into the open through an opening in the housing (17) of the camera and the film (14) is transported stepwise by the length of a picture by pulling on the pull element (2), wherein the winding reel (8) is adapted for automatically winding on the pull element (2) after transport of the film (14) by the length of a picture.

Abstract: A camera equipped with an accommodating chamber which constitutes a periphery including a film spool spindle and which accommodates a film cartridge having a recess at one longitudinal end thereof, includes: a protruding surface portion which is provided in the accommodating chamber, which enters the recess, and which has on the outer surface thereof on the side opposite to the film cartridge a step formed by a recessed portion recessed toward the film cartridge; and a gear member arranged in the recessed portion and adapted to be engaged with the spool spindle to rotate the spool spindle, whereby the dimension in the camera height direction (i.e., the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the film cartridge) is reduced.

Abstract: In a camera, a main body is provided with a rotating member, which is rotated along a guide of the main body, and the rotating member is connected with an operating device for rotating the rotating member. A focusing screen is mounted to the rotating member so as to correspond to a luminous flux section of a lens unit. A reflecting member for reflecting a subject image captured from the lens unit to a finder provided in the main body is mounted at a backside of the focusing screen in the rotating member. A case member containing an image pickup member corresponding to the luminous flux section of the lens unit is provided at the other side of the focusing screen via the reflecting member in the rotating member.

Abstract: A film transport gear mechanism is mounted on an upper portion of an internal body frame of a camera, and held rotatably from the top by a gear holding plate (51). The gear holding plate is integrally formed with a finder frame (50) that holds a viewfinder optical system, light emitting and receiving sections (48, 49) of an autofocus device and a photometry device (54) thereon. A slit (75) is formed between the gear holding plate and the finder frame, so the gear holding plate and the finder frame are interconnected merely through narrow connecting portions (76, 77). Warps and deformations in the gear holding plate are absorbed into the silt and not transmitted to the finder frame.

Abstract: A lens-fitted unit includes a photographic film loaded in advance, a shutter, a taking lens, an exposure counter plate that is provided with numerals indicating the number of exposures or the number of exposed frames, and is moved in one direction for each exposure, and an exposure counter window through which the numeral on the exposure counter plate can be recognized. A distance between the prescribed numeral on the exposure counter plate and the immediate neighboring numeral provided to be next to the prescribed numeral on a downstream side in a moving direction of the exposure counter plate is greatest, compared with other distances between other immediate neighboring numerals on the exposure counter plate.

Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.

Abstract: A cartridge accommodating device of a camera includes a fork arranged to fit into a spool shaft of a film cartridge, a key member arranged to be movable back and forth with respect to a key way provided in the spool shaft and to transmit a film transport driving force to the spool shaft by engaging the key way, a first urging member arranged to urge the key member to engage the key way, a shaft keep member arranged to abut on the spool shaft when the fork fits into the spool shaft, and a second urging member arranged to urge the shaft keep member to move in an axial direction of the spool shaft. Accordingly, the key member can be caused to smoothly engage the key way and the film can be smoothly transported while the film cartridge is stably held in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A film transport gear mechanism is mounted on an upper portion of an internal body frame of a camera, and held rotatably from the top by a gear holding plate (51). The gear holding plate is integrally formed with a finder frame (50) that holds a viewfinder optical system, light emitting and receiving sections (48, 49) of an autofocus device and a photometry device (54) thereon. A slit (75) is formed between the gear holding plate and the finder frame, so the gear holding plate and the finder frame are interconnected merely through narrow connecting portions (76, 77). Warps and deformations in the gear holding plate are absorbed into the silt and not transmitted to the finder frame.

Abstract: A camera arranged to automatically open and close the cover of a film cartridge chamber includes a gear member having a gear part arranged to rotate for feeding and rewinding a film by engaging a supply spool of a film cartridge, a revolving member arranged to engage the gear part and to be caused to revolve by the rotation of the gear member, an opening operation member provided for opening the cover of the film cartridge chamber, and a lock member arranged to lock the cover in a closed state or to unlock the cover. In the camera, the lock member moves from outside of a revolving travel locus of the revolving member to inside of the revolving travel locus of the revolving member in association with an operation of the opening operation member, and the lock member is driven by a revolving motion of the revolving member to unlock the cover.

Abstract: A driving force transmission switching apparatus for a camera in accordance with the present invention includes: a drive source that generates a driving force; a worm gear that receives the driving force to rotate; a driving force transmission gear device that includes a driving gear and meshes the driving gear with the worm gear to move the driving gear in parallel to an axial direction of the worm gear as the worm gear rotates so as to shift the driving gear to a plurality of transmission positions for applying a driving force of the drive source and a non-transmission position for not applying the driving force of the drive source; a plurality of driven gears which are disposed in positions for meshing with the driving gear, respectively corresponding to the plural transmission positions where the driving gear is to be set, and which receive a driving force of the drive source via the driving gear; and a position control device for conducting control by meshing the driving force transmission gear device wi

Abstract: A hook of a cartridge-chamber lid is engaged with one end of an engagement lever to be kept in a closed position. The other end of the engagement lever is engaged with an intermediate lever attached to an upper face of a cartridge chamber. When a photo film is wound up, a winding-up lock mechanism comprising an urging gear, a lever member and a winding-up lock member prevents the intermediate lever from rotating, namely prevents the engagement lever from swinging to lock the cartridge-chamber lid. When the photo film is rewound, a rewinding lock mechanism comprising an urging gear, a lever member, a rewinding lock member and a torsion spring prevents the intermediate lever from rotating, namely prevents the engagement lever from swinging to lock the cartridge-chamber lid.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera includes a film cartridge with a film winding spool that is rotatable to wind a filmstrip into the film cartridge, a manually rotatable film winding thumbwheel having an axis that is parallel to an axis of the film winding spool, and a rotatable endless belt rotationally engaging the film winding thumbwheel and the film winding spool to permit rotation of the thumbwheel to rotate the spool. Since the endless belt permits the axis of the film winding thumbwheel to be spaced from the axis of the film winding spool, rather than being coaxial, the thumbwheel can protrude substantially from a narrow opening in a rear cover part to allow it to be easily grasped in order to be rotated.

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 camera has a spool drive shaft disposed to project from an inside of a cassette holder chamber, connected with a spool of a photo film cassette coaxially, to feed a photo film from a cassette, and to wind the photo film back into the cassette. A sun and planet gear mechanism includes a sun gear for rotating in a first direction in response to forward rotation in a first direction in response to forward rotation of a motor, and for rotating in a second direction in response to the backward rotation of the motor. A feeding planet gear and returning planet gear are meshed with the sun gear. Two feeding transmission gears are meshed with the feeding planet gear for rotating in the first direction in response to forward rotation. A returning transmission gear is meshed with the returning planet gear for rotating in the first direction in response to backward rotation, to cause a spool drive shaft to rotate in the winding direction.

Abstract: A film feeding device includes a driving source, a spool gear, provided on a film wind-up spool, to which a driving force of the driving source is transmitted, a cartridge-spool driving gear for transmitting the driving force of the driving source to a cartridge spool within a film cartridge, a clutch gear, movable between a meshed position and an unmeshed position with respect to the spool gear, for transmitting a driving force of the spool gear to the cartridge-spool driving gear when meshed with the spool gear, and a moving mechanism for moving the clutch gear from the unmeshed position to the meshed position with respect to the spool gear by transmission driving by the driving source.

Abstract: The camera of this invention preferably includes a combined film advance/rewind mechanism for advancing film from a film cassette to a film path and to a film spool and for rewinding film into the cassette after the film has been exposed within the film path. The combined film advance mechanism preferably thrusts film from the film cassette in order to begin the loading process and then pulls the film to wind it around the film spool after the film has been thrusted to the film spool. Preferably, the combined film advance/rewind mechanism is manually operated and can be operated either to advance film or rewind film. Further the combined film advance/rewind mechanism preferably has an interlock that prevents thrusting of the film when the combined film advance/rewind mechanism is in a rewind position and rewinding film the combined film advance/rewind mechanism is in an advance position.

Abstract: A camera having means for pre-winding unexposed film, in non-darkroom conditions from a film cartridge to a take up spool and limiting removal and replacement of the film cartridge to those designated to do. A latching member includes a pair of slots structured to slidingly engage a pair of guide pins disposed on the main body side wall and a pair of hooks structured to matingly engage a pair of hooks extending out from the rear door to prevent the camera door from being opened. A pair of outwardly biased locking pins, extending out from the main body side wall, are structured for movement from a first extended position, wherein the pins extend through a pair of corresponding holes in the latching member, thereby retaining the latching member in a first upper, locking position, to a second depressed position, wherein the latching member may be slid downward to a second lower, unlocking position, thereby permitting the rear door to be opened.

Abstract: A clutch unit according to the present invention includes a driving sleeve fixed to a driving shaft and a driven sleeve fixed to a driven shaft. A coil-like clutch spring is received on the driven sleeve, and a clutch sleeve is received on the driving sleeve. When the driving shaft is rotated normally or reversely, the driving sleeve abuts one of the arm portions of the clutch spring. Consequently, the clutch spring engages the driven sleeve. Torque producing rotation in either direction is transmitted to the driven shaft. The clutch unit also can operate as an overrunning clutch. When the clutch unit is adapted to a film feeding and driving system in a camera, the clutch unit can be positioned to utilize what had been dead spaces in a camera body, thus promoting compact camera design.

Abstract: A camera includes a rotatable film winder that coaxially engages a film spool to rotate the film spool in order to wind a filmstrip onto the film spool and that is retractable from the film spool to facilitate film loading into the camera, is characterized in that a flexible cord is connected to the film winder to be pulled to retract the film winder. Preferably, a chamber is provided for the film spool, a film door is closed to cover the chamber and is opened to uncover the chamber, and a latch member is movable into engagement with the film door to secure the film door closed and out of engagement with the film door to permit the film door to be opened and is connected with the flexible cord to pull the flexible cord to retract the film winder when the latch member is moved out of engagement with the film door.

Abstract: A dual wheel exposure counter comprising a rotatable tenths counter wheel having a series of at least two spaced units, and a rotatable unit counter wheel having a series of ten spaced units and a rotating member which rotates the tenths counter wheel to change by one unit when the unit counter wheel is rotated to change by ten units, is characterized in that a retaining member engages the tenths counter wheel to prevent rotation of the tenths counter wheel and can be moved temporarily out of engagement with the tenths counter wheel to permit the tenths counter wheel to be rotated to change by one unit, and the unit counter wheel includes an actuating member separate from the rotating member that moves the retaining member temporarily out of engagement with the tenths counter wheel when the unit counter is rotated to change by ten units, whereby the rotating member can then rotate the tenths counter wheel to change by one unit.

Abstract: A cartridge accommodating device of a camera includes a fork arranged to fit into a spool shaft of a film cartridge, a key member arranged to be movable back and forth with respect to a key way provided in the spool shaft and to transmit a film transport driving force to the spool shaft by engaging the key way, a first urging member arranged to urge the key member to engage the key way, a shaft keep member arranged to abut on the spool shaft when the fork fits into the spool shaft, and a second urging member arranged to urge the shaft keep member to move in an axial direction of the spool shaft. Accordingly, the key member can be caused to smoothly engage the key way and the film can be smoothly transported while the film cartridge is stably held in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A camera has a cartridge setting chamber in which a film cartridge is set. A fork is rotatably disposed in the cartridge setting chamber and is engagable with a rotary shaft of the film cartridge to feed a film in the film cartridge. A cartridge support member is provided in the cartridge setting chamber in a position opposite to that of the fork and engagable with the rotary shaft of the film cartridge. Consequently the film cartridge is pinched between the cartridge support member and the fork.

Abstract: A film-engaging sprocket drive for use with an edge-perforated filmstrip having successive uniform-pitch film perforations includes a set of two coaxial sprocket wheels each having a series of uniform-pitch film-engaging teeth that are similarly shaped to engage the filmstrip within the film perforations and that are arranged in successive pairs of one tooth from one sprocket wheel and another tooth from the other sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheels each are rotatable relative to the other to similarly increase the pitch of the two teeth in the respective pairs of teeth to greater than the pitch of the film perforations. A return spring is arranged to rotate one sprocket wheel relative to the other sprocket wheel to decrease the pitch of the two teeth in the respective pairs of teeth substantially to the pitch of the film perforations.

Abstract: A camera has a casing and a subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element. The first mechanical element is movable relative to the casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The mechanical elements are engaged. The subsystem is operative in the engaged position. The subsystem is inoperative in the disengaged position. A label is attached to the casing. The label biases the first mechanical element toward the engaged position. In a method for rendering a one-time use camera operative, a camera frame assembly and a compliant label are aligned. The camera frame assembly has the subsystem having a first and second mechanical elements and an uncovered gap. The first mechanical element is movable relative to the gap, between the engaged and disengaged positions. The mechanical elements are engaged and the subsystem is operative in the engaged position and inoperative in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit is preloaded with photographic film, and has an eight-toothed driven sprocket wheel in mesh with perforations on the film. When the photographic film is fed by one frame, the sprocket is caused to make one rotation. A shutter mechanism is cocked responsive to rotation of the sprocket. During assembly of the film unit, the shutter mechanism is cocked. The photographic film is loaded while the shutter mechanism remains cocked. In a preferred embodiment, the sprocket is set in a predetermined rotated position which is two teeth short of the position at the end of one winding up of the film. This brings the shutter mechanism into an incompletely cocked state. The photographic film is loaded while the shutter mechanism remains in the incompletely cocked state. In the film unit, a film passageway is provided behind the main body, for passage of the film. A shiftable engaging portion projects into the film passageway in retractable fashion.

Abstract: In a method for loading a film cartridge in a one-time use camera, the film cartridge is placed in a film cartridge chamber of a camera frame assembly. An anti-backup subsystem is mounted on the camera frame assembly. The anti-backup subsystem has a first mechanical member biased into a disengaged position. A main portion of the filmstrip is then wound, in a prewind direction, from the film cartridge to a film supply chamber of the camera frame assembly. Following the winding, the first mechanical member is biased into an engaged position, in which the anti-backup system precludes winding of the filmstrip in the prewind direction. The first mechanical member can be biased by applying a label to a casing of the camera.

Abstract: A film unit is provided with an unexposed film chamber in which an unexposed film is accommodated beforehand; a photographing lens through which the unexposed film is imagewise exposed; a film wind-up chamber; a spool provided in the film wind-up chamber, holding an end portion of the film, and having a rotation center on which the spool is rotated so that the exposed film is wound up into the film wind-up chamber; a spool engaging member for engaging with the spool; and a wind-up operating member located at an eccentric position from the rotation center of the spool and for engaging with the spool engaging member so that the wind-up operating member rotates the spool through the spool engaging member.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising planet gears 3 which rotate in engagement with a pinion gear 2 that itself rotates integratedly with the rotating shaft 12a of a motor 12 such that the planet gears 3 rotate around the periphery of the rotating shaft 12a, a carrier 4 which rotates integratedly to match the rotation of the planet gears 3 while supporting the planet gears in free rotation, and a photoreflector 9 for detecting rotation by detecting a rotation detecting part comprising a reflecting surface 4a and a non-reflecting surface 4b provided on the exterior surface of the carrier 4.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a film cartridge having a rotatable film spool with an accessible end cavity, and a winding spindle for rotationally engaging the film spool inside its end cavity to wind exposed film into the film cartridge. The winding spindle has a concentric outer collar that is elastically expandable inside the end cavity to effect frictional torque contact with the film spool, and a concentric inner spool core that is rotatable within a center hole in the outer collar to force the outer collar to expand into frictional torque contact with the film spool. A slight reverse rotation of the inner spool core relative to the outer collar allows the outer collar to resiliently retract out of frictional torque contact with the film spool. Then, the winding spindle can be removed from the end cavity to permit the film cartridge to be removed from the cartridge receiving chamber.

Abstract: A camera comprising a cartridge receiving chamber for a film cartridge with a film leader that can be advanced from the film cartridge in preparation for film exposure and can be wound into the film cartridge after film exposure, a film door movable open to open the chamber and movable closed to close the chamber, and a door lock movable to lock the film door closed and movable to release the film door, is characterized in that a film sensor is originally positioned to be moved by the film leader as the film leader is advanced from the film cartridge, and a dual purpose indicator and blocker is connected to the film sensor to be moved to block the door lock from being moved to release the film door and to provide a visible indication when the film sensor is moved by the film leader, whereby the dual purpose indicator and blocker prevents the film door from being opened and warns that the film leader has been advanced from the film cartridge in preparation for film exposure.

Abstract: A take-up shaft is adapted to taking up photo film from a photo film cassette having the photo film, and particularly used in a lens-fitted photo film unit. The photo film cassette includes a cassette spool on which the photo film is wound in a roll form. A cassette shell contains the cassette spool in rotatable fashion. The take-up shaft has a shaft body (46, 53, 72, 81) having a substantially cylindrical shape. A nip device (47, 52, 73) is disposed inside the shaft body, and nips a leader (26b) in removable fashion. The shaft body is rotated with the leader, to wind the photo film in a roll form (26a). At least one curved face (46c, 53c, 57b, 62b, 64c, 72a, 81a) is formed between the inside of the shaft body and a cylindrical face of the shaft body and at a radius of curvature 0.4-0.85 time as long as a radius of the shaft body, and prevents the leader secured to the shaft body from being sharply bent.

Abstract: A camera includes an exposure counter wheel that has a series of exposure count indicia and is incrementally rotated in a count direction to successively view the exposure count indicia, and an anti-backup pawl that engages with the exposure counter wheel to prevent rotation of the exposure counter wheel in a reverse direction which is the opposite of the count direction. The anti-backup pawl is a combination single-piece unit having a stationary rigid transparent portion fixed in place above the exposure counter wheel to permit the exposure count indicia to be successively seen through the transparent portion when the exposure counter wheel is incrementally rotated in the count direction, and having a resilient flexible pawl portion positioned in engagement with the exposure counter wheel to prevent rotation of the exposure counter wheel in the reverse direction but to allow rotation of the exposure count wheel in the count direction.

Abstract: A camera (2) has a film-cassette chamber (12) for receiving a film cassette (13) having a spool therein on which film is wound and a film receiving chamber (14), the camera further comprises a film advance wheel (30) including means (32) for engaging the film cassette (13) to allow film to be wound into the cassette, a rotatable spool (16) disposed in the film receiving chamber (14) to which a leading end of the film can be attached, a film pre-wind wheel (54) connected to the spool (16), at least a portion of said pre-wind wheel (54) being accessible externally of the camera by a user, and means such as a ratchet (58) for selectively ensuring unidirectional rotation of the film advance wheel during film advance after each exposure which are selectively disengageable to allow free rotation of the film advance wheel during a film pre-wind operation.

Abstract: A camera comprising a film winder manually rotatable in a film winding direction about an axis and having a continuous alternating series of teeth and spaces concentric about the axis, and an anti-backup device having a tooth that can be received in any one of the spaces to bottom out in the space in order to prevent reverse rotation of the film winder in a film unwinding direction, is characterized in that the film winder is constructed to be tilted from being perpendicular to the axis in order to only partially retract any one of the spaces that has received the tooth from the tooth, when one manually rotates the film winder in the film winding direction, whereby as long as the film winder is tilted the tooth cannot bottom out in any one of the spaces that has received the tooth. This results in a film winder and anti-backup device that are quietly operating.

Abstract: A receiving device for a film cassette, having a light-proof housing. The housing includes a film-advancing device which is assigned a gripping region for the start of the film projecting out of the film cassette. In order to facilitate insertion of the film into the camera body or into a magazine, the receiving device can be pivoted or drawn out of the housing, with parallel shifting of the axis of rotation of the receiving device, thus allowing insertion or removal of the film cassette. In the open position the inserted film cassette is spaced apart from the film-advancing device by a greater distance than in the closed position. The distance of the inserted film cassette from the gripping region in the open position is of such a size that the start of the film projecting out of the film cassette, even in the case of the smallest commercially available length, extends almost right up to the gripping region.

Abstract: In a mechanism for feeding a film, used in a camera, etc., in which a film having one perforation formed at a specified position relative to each frame or a film having a plurality of perforations formed at specified positions relative to each frame with unequal intervals therebetween as a whole is used, a sprocket 13 is employed for controlling to forward the film frame by frame. The sprocket is locked by a lever before an initial forwarding of thefilm is carried out, and it is unlocked from the lever when the film is forwarded to move the lever, so that the relationship of engagement between a tooth of the sprocket and the perforations of the film is ensured to be constant and synchronous during the initial feeding of the film.

Abstract: A roll-film camera for receiving a roll-film is disclosed which includes: a pair of spool compartments, each of which the roll-film can be placed in; a reversible film winding mechanism which rotates a spool placed in one of the pair of spool compartments in which the roll-film is not placed to wind a film of the roll-film onto the spool when the roll-film is placed in the other of the pair of spool compartments, wherein a film winding direction of the reversible film winding mechanism can be reversed depending on which one of the first and second spool compartments the roll film is loaded into; a photographic-data imprinting device for imprinting photographic data on the film; and a controller for controlling the photographic-data imprinting device to imprint the photographic data on the film in different arrangements depending on the winding direction of the film.