Abstract: Provided is a light receiving apparatus including a first light receiving unit; a body to which the first light receiving unit is secured; a first exterior portion that covers at least a portion of the body; and a mount that is capable of having an interchangeable lens attached thereto, to which the body and the first exterior portion are secured. Also provided is a light receiving apparatus, in which a body to which a first light receiving unit is secured and a first exterior portion that covers at least a portion of the body are secured to a mount that is capable of having an interchangeable lens attached thereto, and force placed on the first exterior portion is absorbed by the mount, such that transfer of the force placed on the first exterior portion to the body is reduced.

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: 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 camera and method for promoting consumer loyalty for film developing services is provided. A loyalty camera is provided wherein a particular tool is required to rewind the exposed film and assist in manipulating the film door latch. In one embodiment, the tool is inserted into a combined film advance/rewind mechanism to move a lever arm against a portion of the anti-reversal pawl to bias the pawl out of contact with the film advance wheel and permit film rewinding. Additionally, in some embodiments the particular tool is additionally used to move the door lever to open the film door.

Abstract: A single use camera which has a motor to advance film comprising a light-tight casing having an exposure aperture through which exposures are made, an unexposed film wound up around a pre-winding take-up spool disposed on one side of the exposure aperture, a removable film cartridge having a film take-up spool therein disposed on the opposite side of the exposure aperture from the pre-winding take-up spool, a motor to pre-wind the unexposed film around the pre-winding take-up spool beforehand and to wind exposed frames of the film back to the removable film cartridge. The motorized single use camera uses the built-in motor for all the film windings so that any special film loading device to roll up the unexposed film beforehand outside of the camera in a dark room is not required, and the same motor can be used for film winding after each exposure so that any manual film winding mechanism is not required.

Abstract: A film winding-rewinding apparatus for a camera comprises a driving pulley, a driven pulley and an endless belt, a rewinding fork, a winding spool, a selective transmission mechanism, and an idler. The driving pulley is attached to a reversible motor. The belt is tensioned around the driving pulley and the driven pulleys. The rewinding fork engages with the spool of a film cartridge and the film is wound by the winding spool. The transmission mechanism transmits drive power to the winding spool or the rewinding fork. When the motor is driven in the positive direction, the power is transmitted to the winding spool, and when it is driven in the negative direction, the power is transmitted to the rewinding fork. The idler is disposed in the vicinity of the belt and engages with a side of the belt which is loosened when the motor is driven in the negative direction.

Abstract: If a sun gear is rotated in the clockwise direction, a planetary arm is also rotated in the clockwise direction so as to permit the planetary gear and a transmission gear to operatively mesh. If the sun gear is then rotated in the clockwise direction, a cam plate driven by a pin is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. A first engaging lever is rotated in the clockwise direction by a cam mounted to the rotary edge of the cam plate to release the engagement of the rotary edge of the planetary arm. If the sun gear is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the planetary arm is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to permit the planetary gear to mesh with an idle gear. The planetary arm is engaged with a second engaging lever to maintain the meshed state between the planetary gear and the idle gear. If the sun gear is then rotated in the counterclockwise direction, a photographic film is wound up within a cartridge.

Abstract: A film winding-rewinding apparatus for a camera comprises a driving pulley, a driven pulley and an endless belt, a rewinding fork, a winding spool, a selective transmission mechanism, and an idler. The driving pulley is attached to a reversible motor. The belt is tensioned around the driving pulley and the driven pulleys. The rewinding fork engages with the spool of a film cartridge and the film is wound by the winding spool. The transmission mechanism transmits drive power to the winding spool or the rewinding fork. When the motor is driven in the positive direction, the power is transmitted to the winding spool, and when it is driven in the negative direction, the power is transmitted to the rewinding fork. The idler is disposed in the vicinity of the belt and engages with a side of the belt which is loosened when the motor is driven in the negative 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 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 film transport device includes a spool arranged to take up and wind thereon a film pulled out from a film cartridge, a motor disposed within the spool, a spool gear arranged to have an output of the motor transmitted thereto and to drive the spool, the spool gear being arranged to be coaxial with the spool and to drive the spool only by the rotation in one direction thereof, and a film cartridge driving mechanism arranged to transmit the output of the motor to a film cartridge through the spool gear.

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 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: 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, lens positioning mechanism and method use a lens holding member to hold a lens therein for receiving optical information that may be captured on film or digitally. The lens holding member interfaces with a ring-shaped barrel member, geared ring or the like, that when turned in one direction by a motor forces the lens holding member out, or back, depending on a slope of a cam placed on the barrel member, slot in the barrel member or the like. When driven in the single direction, the cam member on the ring barrel member, forces the lens holding member in a predetermined direction. A biasing member connected to the ring provides an opposing force that when used during a focusing operation pulls the lens holding member and cam member back to a home position without the need of a driving force from the motor. A clutch mechanism engages and disengages the driving force of the motor on the geared ring depending on whether a focusing operation, lens storage operation, or zooming operation is performed.

Abstract: The camera of this invention includes a parking mechanism that ensures a visual exposure indicator of an APS film cassette is in the parked position prior to removing the film cassette from the camera. The camera may include a rotatable wheel that rotates in order to move the film between a film cassette compartment, a film exposing area and a film spool. In a preferred embodiment, the parking mechanism includes a pin that engages the rotatable wheel after the film has been rewound into the film cassette and the wheel has been rotated sufficient distance to ensure that the visual exposure indicator moves to the parked position. When the pin engages the rotatable wheel, the pin prevents further rotation of the rotatable wheel. This indicates to the camera user that the visual exposure indicator is in the park position. The wheel may include a cam slot into which the pin travels as the film is being rewound into the film cassette.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transmission mechanism characterized in that two-directional rotations of a driving shaft can be transmitted to a driven-side shaft, it shows a high degree of freedom in arrangement even when it is applied to a driving force transmission system, the driving force of a driving-side input shaft can be transmitted to a driven-side ring via a roller in each of opposite directions, and when the rotational speed of the driven-side ring is higher than that of the driving-side input shaft, no driving force is transmitted from the driving-side input shaft to the driven-side ring in either of the opposite directions.

Abstract: The camera of this invention preferably includes a rewind interlock that prevents the double exposure of film. Preferably, the camera of this invention is an Advanced Photo System (APS) camera that employs APS film. Such APS film may be contained in a film cassette that has a light lock door. The rewind interlock prevents thrusting or pulling a frame of film from the film cassette after that frame of film has been exposed and rewound into the film cassette. This prevents the accidental double exposure of a frame of film. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the rewind interlock prevents thrusting or pulling film from a film cassette after all of the film has been rewound into the film cassette. Preferably, the rewind interlock prevents the thrusting or removing of exposed film from a film cassette.

Abstract: A camera for a roll film that is provided with a separate film strip wound around a first spool, and is provided with a second spool includes a first and second spool compartment. The roll film can be loaded into either the first or second spool compartments and the second spool can be loaded into either the second or first spool compartments, respectively. A reversible film winding mechanism winds the film strip of the roll film onto the second spool. The film winding direction can be reversed depending on which one of the first and second spool compartments the roll film is loaded into.

Abstract: A camera using a roll film (Brownie film) having an identification mark, on one half of the width of the film strip, is provided with a pair of spool compartments in a camera body. The film can be loaded in one of the spool compartments. The film loaded in one spool compartment can be wound into the other spool compartment. The camera body is provided with a pair of code sensors, wherein at least one code sensor corresponds to the identification mark, regardless of the winding direction of said film.

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 power transmission device comprises a spool gear disposed at a film take-up spool and an output gear that outputs a driving force that has been transmitted to the spool gear. The spool gear acts both to drive a take-up spool in the course of film winding and to furnish power applied thereto in the course of film rewinding to a fork gear associated with a film cartridge.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism comprises a cam element which moves upon modification of an engaging position, a cam follower abutted against a cam surface of the cam element, a detecting element for detecting a position of the cam follower, and a section to be detected provided on the cam follower, for giving at least three different kinds of output values to the detecting element.

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.

Abstract: A manual film drive control system for a camera having a manual film drive, the control system comprising a film drive actuation means (85) and a film drive direction switch (90), the film drive actuation means being movable in two directions, movement in the first direction causing the film drive to move in a film advance direction and movement in a second direction causing the film drive to move in a film rewind direction, the film drive direction switch being moveable between a film advance mode in which it allows the film drive actuation means to move in the first direction but not in the second direction and a film rewind mode in which it allows the drive actuation means to move in the second direction, but not in the first direction.

Abstract: A movement control device has a DC motor by which a recording medium is moved by one frame of an image, and a stepping motor by which a recording medium is moved by a small predetermined amount. A driven gear fixed on the output shaft of the DC motor is meshed with a gear of a moving mechanism on which the recording medium is mounted. A clutch has a transmitting gear which is rotatably supported by a rotatable arm and can be meshed with the driven gear. The rotatable arm is rotated by the stepping motor. When the stepping motor is rotated in a forward direction, the rotatable arm is rotated in a first direction. Thus, the transmitting gear is meshed with the driven gear at a first point. When the stepping motor is rotated in a reverse direction, the rotable arm is rotated in a second direction reverse to the first direction. Thus, the transmitting gear is meshed with the driven gear at a second point different from the first point.

Abstract: A transmission device of driving-force for transmitting driving-force of various types of driving sources inside a camera. In order to provide the transmission device of driving-force that can contribute to downsizing of a camera without decreasing a transmission efficiency of the driving-force and affecting arrangement of mechanism members inside the camera, there is provided an input member inputting turning-force, an output member that is arranged so that its rotation center may be different from the rotation center of the input member, and a drive shaft transmitting the turning-force from the input member to the output member. A junction of a drive shaft and at least either of the input member and output member is constructed so that the junction can rotate in one-piece with having different rotation centers and allowing mutual inclination by making it possible to mutually rock.

Abstract: A camera comprises a film cartridge chamber for accommodating a film cartridge containing a film. The film cartridge has a first rotational shaft. An operating member is mounted for rotation in first and second opposite directions by manual operation for winding and rewinding the film, respectively. A second rotational shaft is provided for connection to the operating member during rotation of the operating member in the first direction. A wheel train transmits rotational movement of the operating member to the first rotational shaft to wind and rewind the film. A first clutch mechanism disconnects transmission of rotational movement by the wheel train when a tensional state of the film is generated.

Abstract: In a zooming-focusing type camera, a driving force of a motor is selectively transmitted to a zooming mechanism for controlling a focal length of an optical lens system, a film winding mechanism for winding a film by a length corresponding to one frame and a film rewinding mechanism for rewinding the film into a film cartridge by a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism has a planet gear revolving among and selectively engages with one of a winding gear of the film winding mechanism, a rewinding gear of the film rewinding mechanism and an input gear of the zooming mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the motor.

Abstract: A camera comprises an operating member mounted for rotation in first and second opposite directions by manual operation for winding and rewinding a film, respectively. A rotational winding member is mounted for connection to and disconnection from the operating member. A control member is mounted for movement between first and second positions for controlling the rotating direction of the operating member. When the control member is disposed in the first position, the operating member can be rotated only in the first direction and the rotational winding member is connected to the operating member for rotation therewith to wind the film. When the control member is disposed in the second position, the operating member can be rotated only in the second direction to rewind the film while the rotational winding member is disconnected from and does not rotate with the operating member.

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 film transporting system for a camera, includes a fork to engage with a film feed spool of a film cartridge, for extruding and rewinding a film, a film take-up spool, a film transporting motor, a first gear train for connecting the film transporting motor and the fork when the film transporting motor rotates in a first direction, a second gear train for connecting the film transporting motor and the fork when the film transporting motor rotates in a second direction, and a third gear train for connecting the film transporting motor and the film take-up spool when the film transporting motor rotates in the first rotational direction, wherein the first, second and third gear trains are arranged in such a manner that "V1", "V2" and "V3" have a relationship of "V1<V3<V2" in which "V1" is a rotation speed of the fork driven by the first gear train, "V2" is a rotation speed of the fork driven by the second gear train, and "V3" is a rotation speed of the fork driven by a driving force transmitted through the

Abstract: A film rewinding apparatus for a camera is described whereby the completion of film rewinding is accurately timed even if environmental conditions change. First edge detecting mechanism is positioned on a winding-spool side of the camera on a path on which perforations of the film pass and second edge detecting mechanism is positioned on the film cartridge side of the camera. A set time period used by a timer for timing the completion of the film rewinding is calculated based on a time period during which perforation edges detected by the first edge detecting mechanism are detected by the second edge detecting mechanism. If the perforation edges of the film are not detected within the set time period, a determination is made that the film rewinding has been completed and the rewinding operation is terminated.

Abstract: A camera having a sprocket with a pair of cogs formed on a periphery for engaging a filmstrip having a row of perforations separated at alternate short and long intervals. The periphery is divided by the cogs into a frictional engaging section which provides frictional engagement of the periphery with the filmstrip and a mechanical engaging section which provides mechanical engagement of the cogs with the perforations. A shutter charging mechanism is operated by rotation of the sprocket driven by the filmstrip through the mechanical engagement between the filmstrip and at least part of the mechanically engaging section of the sprocket. A switch over mechanism disconnects the sprocket and the shutter mechanism in response to rewinding the filmstrip and a locking mechanism prevents reverse rotation of the sprocket in a specific position.

Abstract: A photographic camera (10) includes a supply chamber (14) for receiving a cartridge (16) enclosing a photographic filmstrip (18) wound on a supply spool (92); a rotatable member (90) disposed in the supply chamber for being coupled to rotate a supply spool of a cartridge installed in the supply chamber; a takeup chamber (20); a takeup spool (22) in the takeup chamber for winding a filmstrip drawn in a first direction from a cartridge in the supply chamber; a head (102) positioned between the supply and takeup chambers for at least one of reading and recording data on a filmstrip; a first drive system (24, 50-78) for rotating the takeup spool to draw a filmstrip from a cartridge in the first direction and wind a filmstrip onto the takeup spool; a second drive system (24, 50-68, 80-88) for rotating the rotatable member to rotate a supply spool to draw a filmstrip in a second, opposite direction from the takeup spool and wind a filmstrip onto a supply spool in a cartridge; and a brake mechanism (118, 118a, 118b,

Abstract: A camera capable of accomplishing with certainty a switching operation between a winding drive system and a rewinding drive system and of contributing to its size reduction. The winding drive system employs a film loading motor 48 and a clutch mechanism in the drive system to establish and cut off engagement of the drive system in accordance with rotating directions of a the film loading motor (48). Further, a differential reduction section is placed within a revolution area of a planetary gear of the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is composed of first and second planetary clutch mechanisms, the first planetary clutch mechanism releasing the transfer of a driving force of the film loading motor within the winding drive system by the rotation of the motor in a first direction and the second planetary clutch mechanism releasing the transfer of a driving force of the motor within the rewinding drive system by the rotation of the motor in a second direction.

Abstract: A film winder and camera. The film winder has a film transport adapted to move film in two opposed directions in response to rotational inputs in forward and reverse directions. An output unit mechanically engages the film transport. The output unit defines an axis of rotation. An outer winder is coaxial with the output unit. The outer winder is rotatable about the axis in first and second directions of rotation relative to the body. An inner winder is nested in the outer winder. The inner winder is coaxial with the output unit. The inner winder is rotatable about the axis in the first and second directions of rotation independent of the outer winder. Outer and inner clutches are disposed between respective winders and the output unit. The outer clutch couples the outer winder to the output unit during rotation of the outer winder relative to the body in the first direction of rotation.

Abstract: A film transporting device transports photographic film by driving a spool of a cartridge and a takeup spool which takes up the photographic film supplied from the cartridge by means of a single motor which is rotatable forward and backward. Unidirectional rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor to the spool and the takeup spool via one planet gear mechanism, and the photographic film is supplied from the cartridge, and then the takeup spool takes up the photographic film. The rotational driving force from the motor in the other direction is transmitted to the spool via the planet gear mechanism, and the photographic film is rewound into the cartridge. When the takeup spool takes up the photographic film, a one way clutch can absorb a difference of the transport speed between the takeup spool and the spool of the cartridge.

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 film transport apparatus for selectively advancing a film out of, or rewinding a film onto, a spool shaft of a cartridge. The apparatus has:a) a rotatable member which engages the spool shaft;b) a first drive assembly for pulling on film remote from the cartridge to assist in advancing the film out of the cartridge;c) a transmission assembly to thrust film from the spool shaft and rewind it onto the spool shaft, comprising:a rewind gear positioned to rewind the rotatable member, and a thrust gear positioned to advance the rotatable member through a directional clutch such that when film is pulled from the spool shaft by the first drive assembly the thrust gear will disengage from the rotatable member; anda gear train which selectively engages the thrust or rewind gear; andd) a drive to drive the first drive assembly and the gear train.

Abstract: A camera capable of securing a more stable film loading operation and further of conducting a more stable information recording operation. The camera is equipped with a film loading motor (48), a film winding gear train, a film forwarding gear train and a clutch for releasing the transfer of a driving force of the motor (48) to the film forwarding gear train. When the reduction ratio of the film winding gear train is taken to be iW, the reduction ratio of the film forwarding gear train is taken to be iAL and the radius of the outermost portion of a spool shaft (56a) and spool rubber (56b) constituting a film take-up spool is taken as Rs (mm), the relationship among these values is determined as (iAL/iW).times.Rs=.gamma. where .gamma..gtoreq.13.6. In addition, in this case, the value .gamma. satisfies .gamma..gtoreq.19.0.

Abstract: A camera that effectively uses only two film supply motors. The operation of supplying film from a cartridge is performed by driving a first motor in a first direction. The operation preparatory to magnetic recording on the film is performed by driving the first motor in a second direction different from the first direction. Further, the operation of winding the film on the camera side is performed by driving a second motor in a third direction. The operation of rewinding the film into the cartridge is performed by driving the second motor in a fourth direction different from the third direction. Alternatively, the second motor fourth direction can be used to perform the operation preparatory to magnetic recording, and the first motor second direction can be used to perform the film rewinding. The present invention applies to normal or prewinding cameras.

Abstract: A camera for use with photographic film and advance-rewind unit. The camera has a body that defines a film path and a film drive disposed in operative relation to the film path. The advance-rewind is mounted on the body. The advance-rewind has a crank and film winder that define a common winding axis. The crank engages the film drive. The crank is rotatable about the winding axis in opposed first and second directions of rotation relative to the body. The film winder is pivotable about the winding axis in the first and second directions. The crank has a base and a handle. The film winder has a grip portion. The advance-rewind has a one-way, overrunning clutch disposed between the crank and the film winder. The clutch is switchable between active and released states.

Abstract: A film rewinder for rewinding film from a film cartridge to an intermediate cartridge. Its driving unit for rotating the film cartridge spool is also used to drive a tool for separating the film trailing end from the film cartridge spool. The film cartridge has a tool guide, so that the entire device is sufficiently compact. The film rewinder has a film cartridge receptacle and a winding unit for winding the film fed from the film cartridge into the intermediate cartridge. A film guide is provided between the receptacle and the winding unit. The spools of the two cartridges are driven by separate motors independently of each other. The tool is an arcuate member adapted to be pivoted in a circular path by the motor for the film cartridge. In order to minimize the length of the film guide and thus to minimize the size of the entire film rewinder, the film guide is provided with a release guide.

Abstract: A camera includes a plurality of camera operation mechanisms, a sun gear which rotates by means of a motor, a planetary gear which revolves around the sun gear, a plurality of output gears each capable of meshing with the planetary gear by means of a revolution of the planetary gear. The plurality of output gears transmit power to the plurality of camera operation mechanisms, respectively. A holding member switchable from a first state in which the planetary gear is allowed to revolve freely to a second state in which the planetary gear is held at a revolution position where the planetary gear is in mesh with one of the plurality of output gears. The holding member includes a moving member rotatable in interlocked relation to the revolution of the planetary gear. The holding member switches from the first state to the second state by means of a movement of the moving member in a direction different from a direction of rotation of the moving member.

Abstract: A camera for use with a filmstrip having a row of perforations separated at alternate short and long intervals has a film winding mechanism which includes a sprocket and a locking mechanism for locking the sprocket in a specific position when an exposure counter returns its start point.

Abstract: A camera, an apparatus, or a device adapted for the camera or the apparatus, arranged to use an image recording medium cartridge, is provided with a cover for closing an opening part from which the cartridge is to be removed from the camera or the apparatus, a first part arranged to automatically return an image recording medium to the cartridge loaded on the camera or the apparatus, and a second part arranged to change at least between a first state in which no force is imparted to a member for moving the image recording medium and a second state in which a force is allowed to be imparted to the member for moving the image recording medium and to allow the image recording medium to be returned to the cartridge without using the first part when the second part is in the second state, the second part being changeable at least between the first state and the second state when the opening part is closed with the cover.

Abstract: A film transport system to be used in cameras for the Advanced Photo System cartridge film, which have one motor for feeding the film out of the cartridge and for taking up the film on the take-up spool, one sun gear with two planet gears in the film driving gear train to switch the direction of film drive between feed and take-up on the one hand and rewind on the other hand. An arc shaped slot receives the axle of the film advance (feed and take-up) planet gear to accommodate differences of speed between feeding and taking up of the film. This avoids the need for a one way clutch and a separate rewind gear train.

Abstract: A film winder which can stop the rotation of a film winding spool at a constant position. The film winder has a drive pin for rotating the spool in a film cartridge. The drive pin carries a gear having a boss formed with a flat engaging portion on its outer periphery. A stopper member is provided which can pivot and engage the engaging portion. The spool is rotated by the drive pin to wind film around the spool. After a film detection sensor provided near the opening of the cartridge has detected the passage of the film tip, the stopper member is pivoted toward the boss and engages the engaging portion of the boss, thus stopping the drive pin. The spool can thus be stopped at a constant position.

Abstract: A feeding tooth of a one-tooth sprocket retracts from a film so that the film can be prevented from being damaged by the feeding tooth of the one-tooth sprocket when the film is rewound. When a motor rotates in a film winding direction, a rewinding fork becomes free and a spool and the one-tooth sprocket rotates in a winding direction. As a result, the feeding tooth of the one-tooth sprocket engages with a perforation of the film to feed the end of the film up to the spool. On the other hand, when the motor rotates in the film rewinding direction, the one-tooth sprocket becomes free and the spool and the rewinding fork rotate in the rewinding direction. As a result, the film is wound around a rotation axis of a patrone. In this case, the feeding tooth of the one-tooth sprocket retracts from the film.