Abstract: A camera comprises a camera body with a lens and shutter operating control and film cartridge removable from the camera body having an unexposed film spool region and an exposed film spool region and a bridging portion between those regions. An opening in the cartridge permits light from the lens to pass through the opening to the film at the bridging portion. A door closes the opening of the cartridge and the door is openable with the cartridge installed in or attached to the camera body. Cooperating elements on the camera body and the cartridge open the door or close the door with the door being openable when the cartridge is fully engaged with the camera body. There is a detented connection of the film cartridge in the camera body.

Abstract: A card camera with a compact configuration and that may use standard 35 mm film is disclosed. The camera includes a front panel and a rear panel positioned substantially parallel and co-extensive to the front panel. A band of resilient material extends approximately from the outer edge of the front panel to the outer edge of the rear panel. The rear panel is controllably movable relative to the front panel. An outer housing sheet member includes a number of strut members extending therefrom. The outer housing sheet member is affixed to the exterior side of the front panel. The strut members engageable with the rear panel to fix the rear panel a distance away from the front panel to obtain the proper focal length. A light-sensitive medium, such as photographic film, is positioned therein. A shutter controls the light imparted to the light-sensitive medium. The light-sensitive medium is exposed to a scene through the lens.

Abstract: A data reading apparatus adapted for a film cartridge having a data recording part provided on a predetermined moving member includes a first data reading device which reads data from the data recording part moving, a second data reading device which reads data from the data recording part moving and which is disposed at a position different from that of the first data reading device with respect to a moving direction of the data recording part, and a data obtaining circuit which makes a comparison between data read by the first data reading device, and data read by the second data reading device and obtains, on the basis of a result of the comparison, data corresponding to data recorded on the data recording part, if the data read by the first and second data reading devices are identical.

Abstract: A print roll including an integrated circuit device measuring the amount of consumable materials left within said print roll.

Abstract: An indicated state changing pin which abuts indicating pieces of a cartridge, which indicate the state of a photographic film accommodated within the cartridge, and bends the indicating pieces, wherein a proximal end portion of the indicated state changing pin is formed larger than a distal end portion of the indicated state changing pin. Therefore, since the indicating pieces are bent while abutting the indicated state changing pin, even if the moving speed of the indicated state changing pin is constant, the indicating pieces are bent slower than the case of using a linearly-formed straight pin. As a result, separation of the indicating pieces from the cartridge is prevented, and the indicating pieces are reliably bent to the necessary depth.

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: In a cartridge chamber of a camera is disposed a photoreflector to read a bar code formed on a disk attached to an end of a film spool. When a cartridge is loaded, the film spool is rotated more than one round in the direction to rewind the film. The photoreflector starts to read the bar code when supply of a driving force to rotate the spool is started. The leading part and the trailing part of the output signals of the photoreflector are compared in the reverse direction to find a point where signals corresponding to the constant rotation of the disk begin. The signals preceding the point are discarded and the initial position of the disk before it is rotated is determined based on the length of the signals truly representative of the bar code while the disk is rotating at the constant speed. Use condition of the film, unexposed, fully exposed, partly exposed or already developed, is judged from the initial position of the disk.

Abstract: A system for photographic film processing adapted to access stored information that is related to film processing. An electrically programmable read/write memory contained in a transponder is integrally attached to the film container used at each stage in the film processing chain. The transponder is capable of receiving a first RF frequency electromagnetic field and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. A transceiver is disposed within the processing apparatus, connected with an antenna and support components for polling each transponder. As instructed by a control logic processor, the transceiver communicates with the transponder to both read stored data from the transponder, such as manufacturing data for the film, and store usage and processing data to the transponder for storage in memory.

Abstract: A camera and a cartridge indicator setting apparatus adapted to a film cartridge including an indicator operatively coupled to a film supply spool provided in the film cartridge. The camera and the cartridge indicator setting apparatus includes a storage device which stores information to be indicated by the indicator of the film cartridge; and a setting device for driving, in response to an operation for ejecting the film cartridge which has been loaded on the camera, the film supply spool of the film cartridge which has been stopped after completion of rewinding of a film, and for setting the indicator of the film cartridge in accordance with the information stored by the storage device.

Abstract: An indicator on a film cartridge to indicate whether a film cartridge has been used in a photographic camera. The film cartridge includes a spool having an elongate coaxial hole open at one end. An indicator, disposed within the coaxial hole, is deformable from a first state to a second state in response to the film cartridge being received by a plunger in the photographic camera; the second state being visually different than the first state. The indicator has a continuous, non-punctured, non-fractured configuration when in both the first and second states.

Abstract: A camera is used with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type. The photo film cassette includes a spool about which photo film is wound. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner. A data disk with a bar code is disposed on the spool in a manner readable externally outside the cassette shell for signaling photo film information. In the camera, a cassette containing chamber contains the cassette. A bottom lid closes the cassette containing chamber in an openable manner. A spool drive shaft rotates the spool of the cassette in the cassette containing chamber, the spool drive shaft being connected to the spool set at a first rotational angle when the spool drive shaft has the first rotational angle. A bar code reader reads the photo film information from the data disk rotated in the cassette containing chamber.

Abstract: The display of the state of use of film provided on a film cartridge is prevented from becoming a wrong display during the insertion of the film cartridge into a camera or during the removal of the film cartridge from the camera. Rotation restraint releasing means 20 are provided for bearing against rotation restraining means only while a supply spool 2 is engaged by the fork member 13 of the camera, and releasing the rotation restraint of the supply spool by the rotation restraining means, and this rotation restraint is released only in a state in which the supply spool is engaged by the fork member of the camera and the supply spool is not inadvertently rotated.

Abstract: An assembly technique has been developed which reliably inserts the outer disk of an exposed film indicator into the crimp diameter of the cartridge end cap. This process gimbals the fixture containing the film cartridge, and rocks it in a manner that creates a circular wobble motion.

Abstract: A method keeps photographic film current. In the method, a logical memory unit is allocated to the photographic film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. A plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit are designated. The logical memory unit is maintained for a time period sufficient to cause aging. The photofinishing parameters are updated counteractive to the aging and photofinishing can then be performed using the updated parameters for the film unit.

Abstract: A magnetic orientation process has been developed for the assembly of additional features to film cartridges to minimize the impact of the existing manufacturing process. This process orients the assembled film cartridge after it has been inserted into the packaging canister allowing an exposed film indicator to be added to the cartridge after it has been fully assembled and inserted into the canister. The orientation process uses magnetics to consistently orient the cartridge in the canister for subsequent assembly operations.

Abstract: A visual exposed film indication feature has been developed for assembly of additional features to film cartridges which minimize the impact on the existing manufacturing process. This process which uses a spring loaded conical centering device locates the center of the film spool after the assembled cartridge has been inserted into the packaging canister, without having to first rotationally orient the assembled film cartridge. It allows the exposed film feature to be added to the cartridge as a final step in the manufacturing sequence.

Abstract: A film cartridge comprising a housing having an outer array of electrically sensible areas which can be sensed by a similar array of electrical probes in a camera, is characterized in that a masking slide is supported on the housing for movement between a non-masking position not covering the outer array of electrically sensible areas on the housing, to permit the electrical probes to sense the respective areas, and a masking position covering at least a portion of the outer array of electrically sensible areas, to prevent the electrical probes from sensing the covered areas. Optionally, the housing has an outer exposed film indicator, and the masking slide covers the exposed film indicator when the masking slide is in its non-masking position and uncovers the exposed film indicator when the masking slide is in its masking position.

Abstract: A sheet photo film pack includes a pack housing for containing a stack of eight sheet photo film units. The counter device is used with the sheet photo film pack. A counter chamber is formed in the pack housing. A counter disk is contained in the counter chamber rotatably, and has first and second faces. A train of counter numerals are arranged on the first face in an arc-shaped manner at a predetermined pitch. Plural stepping claws are disposed on the first face to project in a thickness direction of the counter disk, arranged in an arc-shaped manner at the predetermined pitch, and rotationally shifted by an external mechanical shift signal. The shift signal is associated with each one of the sheet photo film units to be counted, and adapted to setting the counter numerals in a counter indicator window.

Abstract: A method for indicating the exposure status of a non-exposed roll of film contained in a film canister with opposite ends having an axially positioned aperture in one end to receive a support bearing of a camera, and an axial positioned slot in the canister with a tail end of the film extending therethrough involves the steps of placing a removable adhesive seal member over the aperture in the canister to prevent the canister from being operatively placed in a camera to indicate to a photographer that the film had not been previously exposed because the presence of the seal would have prevented the canister from being placed in a camera for exposure purposes. An alternate method step is to wrap a removable band around the tail of the film and the canister and releasably securing the band to the canister to indicate to a photographer that the film had not been previously exposed.

Abstract: A cassette (168) is disclosed for use with light-sensitive web material (238), the cassette including a hollow cassette housing (226) having an exit slit (244); mechanism (242) within the housing for rotatably supporting a roll (238) of light-sensitive web material; a roll of light-sensitive web material mounted on the mechanism for rotatably supporting; mechanism (246, 248) for engaging a leading end of the web material from the roll to drive the web material through the exit; device (192) for sending signals to a first associated apparatus (10; 800) which will receive the web material from the cassette; device (218-224, 254) for measuring a condition of the cassette, or the web material, or both and for producing at least one signal; and device (250-254) responsive to the at least one signal for disabling the device for sending signals when the measured condition is determined to be or to have been at or beyond a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The cartridge accommodates a shooting film therein, and includes at least an electrically connectable contact on an outer surface layer thereof, and said recording medium has a recording area for storing digital data of an index image based on images recorded on said shooting film. Therefore, by recording the digital data of images recorded on the shooting film in the recording medium of the cartridge a customer can read the image data and process the image data.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a camera, comprises a detection device which detects an index of a film cartridge, and a control device which performs predetermined control in accordance with the detection device detecting that the index of the film cartridge does not exist in indices of a recognized film cartridge for photography but is an admitted, predetermined index.

Abstract: A film exposure status indicator 10,78 for a film cartridge 11 to indicate whether a filmstrip on a spool 18 within the cartridge has been at least partially rewound onto the spool. The indicator relies on rewinding motion of the spool to indicate at least partial exposure of the filmstrip. In the preferred embodiment 78, the status indicator is a self-contained module attachable to a standard 35 mm film cartridge entirely within an external well 66 of one 34 of the cartridge end caps. The module has a central aperture for receiving the protruding end 38 of the film spool and includes a cover disk 26 having first and second status indication windows 40,39. An indicator wheel 52 below the cover disk has first and second exposure indicia visible through the respective windows.

Abstract: A film cartridge comprising a cartridge housing, a film spool rotatable inside the housing, and first and second indicators fixed to the housing and to the film spool in order that the first indicator originally at least partially obscures the second indicator to provide an unused film indication and which are positionally reversed in response to spool rotation in a predetermined direction for the second indicator to then at least partially obscure the first indicator to provide a used film indication, is characterized in that the first and second indicators are first and second rings which each have a ring-admitting slit for receiving the other ring to allow the first and second rings to be positionally reversed in response to spool rotation in the predetermined direction, and at least one of the first and second rings has an integral pivotal flap at its ring-admitting slit which is angled not to move through the ring-admitting slit in the other ring and allow the first ring to continue to obscure the second

Abstract: In an apparatus having a film condition judging device which judges a film condition based on data obtained by reading out bar codes of a bar code disk equipped on a film cartridge, wherein the bar code disk is initially stopped at a predetermined rotational position in response to the film condition, signals which are output from a sensor, are detected at plurality of times during a bar code disk rotation, and so inclinations in changes of the sensor's output are detected, thereby an error signal is distinguished from a correct signal according to the inclinations in the changes. Further, a sensor's output as a correct signal is counted, then the used condition of the film is judged based on the counted value of the sensor's output. Thus, even if there occurs an unstable rotation of the bar code disk, which brings the error signal, the film condition can be correctly judged by one sensor.

Abstract: A camera uses a film cartridge, which has an information recording disk which is rotatable integrally with a cartridge spool shaft and represents information inherent to a film, and feeds the film leading end portion from the cartridge by using a driver. A data detector reads the film information from the disk of the cartridge loaded in the camera. A nonvolatile memory stores the film information read from the disk. When the cartridge is loaded into the camera, the camera feeds the film leading end portion from the cartridge, reads the film information, and writes the read information in the memory. Another camera uses a film having two perforations per frame. The moving amount of the film fed by a motor controller is detected by a film driven roller rotation detector. A perforation on the film is detected by the perforation detector. Prior to at least the driving operation of the motor controller, information indicating the film feeding operation is stored in an EEPROM.

Abstract: An apparatus using a film cartridge in a system that a leading portion of a film contained in a cartridge is thrust to be conveyed from the cartridge, wherein an indicator showing an exposure condition is reset to an original state when an initial loading, which is executed on a film cartridge loading in an apparatus, is not executed normally, and the film is rewound, thus, it indicates "unexposed" when a new film cartridge is loaded. While, when a winding up operation is not executed normally during a photographing, a film is rewound and an indicator showing an exposure condition, is set so as to indicate that the film is exposed. Thus, it prevents from causing a double exposure.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reading photographic information for an advance photo system camera utilizes a single optical sensor to record the photographic information on a data disk contained in a film cartridge. The apparatus further includes an information reading device for reading the photographic information and for generating a signal according to the photographic information. A film transport device is also used for rotating a film spool to wind a film into and out of the film cartridge. The apparatus further includes a controller for determining the state of the film cartridge and for setting a stop position of the film spool according to the current state of the film cartridge. The recorded photographic information can be easily read, thus allowing the user to easily determine the state of the film cartridge.

Abstract: Determination is made whether a film stored in a new type of film cartridge is developed or not before the film is processed. A detection sensor detects whether or not there is a nail on an outer wall of the new type of film cartridge to judge whether the film stored in the cartridge is developed or not. Infrared sensors and visible light sensors detect whether or not the film fed from the cartridge under the instruction of a control circuit is developed or not. If both the nail detection sensor and the infrared and visible light sensors give the same result, the result is judged to be correct.

Abstract: A photo film cassette contains a photo film, which is exited from a cassette shell when a spool is rotated in an unwinding direction. A data disk is integrally rotatable with the spool. The spool, if the photo film is unexposed, is stopped in an unexposed position with the bar code portion located in a first opening and with the quiet zone located in a second opening. The spool, if the photo film is partially exposed, all exposed or developed, is stopped in one of other predetermined positions. In a camera at first, a spool drive shaft is set in a reference position. To discern a used status of the cassette, after the camera is loaded with the cassette, the spool drive shaft is rotated in reverse to the unwinding. The spool drive shaft is engaged with the spool being in the initial position, to rotate the spool further. While the spool is rotated, the black and white bars and the quiet zone are detected with two photo sensors respectively through the first and second openings.

Abstract: A photograph processing device includes an automatic negative mask section having a film slot and a cartridge setting unit at the film slot. A guide guides a film separated from a cartridge into the film slot. The guide is removably attached to the cartridge setting unit. The guide is attached to a periphery of the cartridge setting unit by a hinge to be integral therewith.

Abstract: Sound with still image film system, camera and cassette classifier apparatus wherein indicium such as a deformable tab on the film cassette is modified to indicate sound is or will be recorded in association with pictures taken on the film in the cassette. The camera includes a mechanism responsive to a control input such as actual recording of sound to cause the tab to be modified (bent inwards or broken off) to provide a visible indication that the cassette is to receive sound associated processing. Classifier apparatus at the retail order station includes a physical sensor to detect the modified tab condition and initiate a signal indicating a sound capable film cassette as well as possible order entry functions and recording of sound order associated on a film magnetic layer on the leader of the film.

Abstract: A film cartridge comprises a rotatable film spool, and a film exposure status indicator capable of changing state to provide a visual indication of the exposure status of a filmstrip for the film cartridge. The film exposure status indicator includes a film exposed indication positioned to be seen, and a dry erasable coating that covers the film exposed indication to conceal the film exposed indication from view and that can be erased to reveal the film exposed indication. A wiper device for erasing the erasable coating is positioned in contact with the erasable coating. Either one of the film exposed status indicator and the wiper device is connected to the film spool for rotation with the film spool relative to whichever one of the film exposed status indicator and the wiper device is not connected to the film spool, whereby the relative movement between the film exposed status indicator and the wiper device will cause the wiper device to erase the erasable coating.

Abstract: A camera is used with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type. The photo film cassette includes a spool about which photo film is wound. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner. A data disk with a bar code is disposed on the spool in a manner readable externally outside the cassette shell for signaling photo film information. In the camera, a cassette containing chamber contains the cassette. A bottom lid closes the cassette containing chamber in an openable manner. A spool drive shaft rotates the spool of the cassette in the cassette containing chamber, the spool drive shaft being connected to the spool set at a first rotational angle when the spool drive shaft has the first rotational angle. An bar code reader reads the photo film information from the data disk rotated in the cassette containing camber.

Abstract: A camera, which is loaded with a film cartridge having a light lock door for closing and opening a film egress/ingress slot and an indicator attached to a cartridge spool for providing a visible indication that a filmstrip in the cartridge is exposed at a specific angular position of rotation of the cartridge spool, is provided, at the bottom of a cartridge chamber of the camera, with a bottom lid for opening and closing the cartridge chamber and a lock/unlock key movable between lid lock position and a lid unlock position. The movement of the lock/unlock key toward the lid unlock position is accompanied by rotation of the cartridge spool into the specific angular position and movement of the light lock door to the film egress/ingress slot closed.

Abstract: A film leader extractor comprises, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a structural stiffener component or member having a static-cling vinyl component or member laminated thereto by a suitable adhesive. When the extractor is inserted into, for example a 35 mm photographic film cartridge or canister, the static-cling vinyl layer is temporarily bonded to the film leader by electostatic attraction properties whereby the film leader is then able to be extracted or withdrawn from the film canister. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a tab member is adhesively bonded to the film leader. The tab member is provided with an enlarged aperture to be engaged with a hook-type extractor implement.

Abstract: A camera is loadable with a film cartridge having a rotary spool connected with a film and a display member rotatable with the rotary spool for displaying a used state of the film. The camera includes: a driver which generates a driving force for rotation of the rotary spool; a transmission device which is operable to execute transmission of the driving force from the driver to the rotary spool; and a controller which controls the transmission device to execute the transmission of the driving force to rotate the rotary spool for rewinding of the film into the film cartridge, and to suspend the transmission of the driving force to allow the rewound film to freely loosen, and to execute the transmission of the driving force to rotate the rotary spool until the display member reaches a position to display a specified used state of the film.

Abstract: A camera is loadable with a film cartridge having a rotary spool connected with a film and a bar code disk rotatable with the rotary spool and provided with a bar code for indicating photographing information of the film. While the rotary spool is being rotated, the bar code on the bar code disk is read by two readers to judge whether the film has been exposed. Code data is generated based on a read signal produced by the readers after the bar code disk rotates together with the rotary spool a predetermined rotation amount after the film is judged to have not been exposed, and is decoded into film information.

Abstract: A reloadable film canister includes a light-tight enclosure with an aperture for dispensing film therethrough. A spool of film may be loaded into the enclosure, and may be removed when the film is dispensed. In one embodiment of the invention, an encoder (field modulating) disk is included as part of the canister. In another embodiment the encoder disk is affixable to the film spool and loadable with the film spool into the canister. The spool is mountable in the enclosure for rotation therein and for dispensing, at each step of a stepper motor, a predetermined length of film corresponding to the motor's step size. The encoder disk has a plurality of uniformly-spaced, peripherally-arranged segments (elements) detectable by an external detector (sensor), the detector and the stepper motor operating under control of a microprocessor.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cartridge having a retractable lip portion that is retracted upon exposure of film in the cartridge, and that is fully extended before exposure of the film, the camera comprises a camera body for forming a protective enclosure. A double exposure hook is disposed in the camera body that latches onto a recess in the retractable lip portion when the film is exposed upon insertion of the cartridge into the camera body for preventing double exposure of the film, and that is forced outwardly upon insertion of the film cartridge when the film is not exposed for permitting the cartridge to be fully inserted. A movable element includes a first position that obstructs viewing through a viewfinder when the cartridge is not inserted, and that is moved to a second position by the double exposure hook upon insertion of the cartridge for permitting viewing through a viewfinder.

Abstract: This invention is applicable to a camera having a cartridge chamber into which a film cartridge is detachably insertable along its axis direction. The camera is equipped with a cartridge-load detection switch for outputting a load signal when the cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber, and outputting a non-load signal when the loaded cartridge is drawn out from the cartridge chamber by at least a predetermined amount. When the photographed cartridge is partially drawn out from the cartridge chamber and then reloaded into the cartridge chamber as it is, the output of the load signal is continued if the draw-out amount is below the predetermined amount, thereby preventing an erroneous judgment that a new cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber. Therefore, for example, the double exposure can be prevented.

Abstract: A device (e.g., a camera) loaded with a film unit operates to detect a characteristic of the film unit, such as the state of an information part of the film unit. The detection result is used as a basis to control the performance of a further operation, such as a phototaking operation or a state-setting operation for the information part.

Abstract: An Indicator device for use with a web of material having perforations therein of a first pitch along an edge incorporates a wheel having a plurality of teeth that have a pitch that is less than the pitch of the perforations in the web of material. A spring urges the wheel into contact with the web of material such that at least one tooth on the wheel engages a perforation on the web of material. As the web and the wheel move relative to each other when a tooth is aligned with a perforation, the movement of the web of material then rotates the wheel until the tooth disengages with the aligned perforation. When a tooth is not aligned with a perforation on the web, the wheel and its teeth slide on the web of material until a tooth is aligned with a perforation. The diameter of the wheel and the associated teeth translating into the pitch between the teeth can thus be much smaller than a wheel with teeth having the same pitch as the perforations on the web material.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette has a rotatable spool on which photographic film is wound. A leader of the photographic film is advanced outward through a passage port by rotation of the spool in an unwinding direction. A shutter rod is arranged in the passage port, and is rotated between closed and open positions. When assuming the closed position, the shutter rod blocks the passage port to shield the ambient light. When the shutter rod assumes the open position, the photographic film is allowed to pass. An externally operable locking lever regulates rotation of the shutter rod, and is swingable with resilience between a locking position, where the shutter rod is locked in the closed position, and an unlocking position, where the shutter rod is unlocked. When the spool is rotated, the lever rotates the shutter rod to the open position.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) of web material includes a hollow cartridge body (14) having an exit slit (26); a strip or sheet (12) of web material enclosed in the cartridge body to be withdrawn from or inserted into the cartridge body via the exit slit; at least one magnetic member (38, 40; 130; 172-178; 240; 290,292) carried on the strip or sheet; and a magnetically actuated visual indicator (36) mounted on the cartridge body adjacent the exit slit to be actuated by the magnetic member when the strip or sheet is withdrawn from or inserted into the cartridge body.

Abstract: A camera is detachably mountable with a film cartridge which is provided with a photographic film having a number of successive frames and a film state indicator operable to indicate an exposed state that the film is already exposed, and includes: a film feeding device which feeds the film in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a recording device which records a specified data on the film when the film is being fed in the first direction; a judging device which judges whether the specified data is recorded on the film when the film is being fed in the second direction; and a setting device which is responsive to the judging device and associated with the film state indicator of the film cartridge, and is operable to cause the film state indicator to indicate the exposed state when the specified data is judged not to be recorded on the film.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) of photographic medium includes a housing (14-24) having an interior volume (15); an exit slit (26) from the interior volume to an exterior of the housing; a photographic medium element (12) enclosed within the interior volume; an indicator (36-44) supported by one of the housing and the medium element, the indicator being responsive to a liquid reagent to change color and provide a visible indication of a status of the medium element; a source (46-52; 72-76; 90; 112) of the liquid reagent supported by the one of the housing and the medium element; and means (32, 34, 54-62; 778-86; 94-100; 22, 26, 28, 110) for causing flow of the reagent to the indicator upon movement of the medium element through the exit slit, whereby the indicator will change color and indicate the status. An indicator apparatus for mounting on a cartridge and a photographic medium supporting an indicator and source of reagent also are disclosed.

Abstract: A film cartridge comprising a rotatable film spool, an indicator window, an annular indicator wheel rotatable behind the indicator window to move a film-exposed indication on the indicator wheel to the indicator window, and an annular drive wheel rotatably coupled with the film spool for rotating the indicator wheel to move the film-exposed indication to the indicator window, is characterized in that the indicator wheel is resilient and a flex-inducing protuberance is located to distort successive portions of the indicator wheel towards the indicator window as the indicator wheel is rotated, to position the film-exposed indication in the indicator window.

Abstract: A camera capable of automatic film rewinding into the magazine, comprises an information recording device for recording at least information on use in an information recording portion formed at a predetermined position of the magazine loaded in the magazine chamber of the camera, an information detecting means capable of detecting recorded information of the magazine when it is loaded, a prohibition device for prohibiting the photographing operation in response to a detection signal corresponding to information, indicating that all the film is already used, detected by the information detecting device and a control device for controlling the information recording device, information detecting device and prohibition device in such a manner that the detection by the information detecting device is conducted prior to the recording of information of use by the information recording device, and that the photographing operation is prohibited in response to the detection of information indicating that all the film i

Abstract: A film cassette includes a cassette body, a film spool onto which can be wound a strip of film drive disk coupled directly to the film spool, and an indicator flex disk that includes a film status indicator tab whose position relative to a window of the film cassette indicates the film exposure status. The position of the film status indicator tab is changed when the flex disk is moved into engagement with the drive disk and the film spool is rotated upon film movement. The film status indicator tab otherwise does not engage the drive disk and therefore does not change position. The cassette is particularly suited for operation with a photographic camera that includes a camera body, a loading chamber in the camera body that receives the film cassette, and a loading chamber cover having at least one movable indicator release pin that moves the flex disk into and out of engagement with the drive disk and thereby changes the position of the film status indicator tab.