Abstract: An image-capturing element that receives light of a subject image entering within a camera body through an interchangeable photographic lens is packaged and is mounted at the camera body via a holder. A camera-side mounting surface and a holder-side mounting surface are machined in advance and formed respectively relative to the mounting surface for the photographic lens formed at the camera body and the light-receiving surface of the image-capturing element. By mounting the image-capturing apparatus with the camera-side mounting surface and the holder-side mounting surface placed in contact with each other at the camera body using screws, the light-receiving surface is aligned with the image-forming position of the photographic lens.

Abstract: A film cartridge type digital camera is provided and includes: a film cartridge type case having a compatible shape with a film cartridge into which a film camera is loaded; and an imaging device loaded into the film cartridge type case in a curved state.

Abstract: A camera assembly includes an endcap assembly for closing off the bottom end of a second film chamber, which is sized to selectively receive a roll of film or a secondary film cartridge housing a roll of film. The endcap assembly can include a movable shutter blade enclosed between two plates. The endcap assembly can be removably secured to the camera assembly. At least a portion of the endcap assembly can be formed with the camera assembly. Embodiments further relate to a method of loading such cameras, especially in the daylight. The method involves bringing a sleeve into light-tight engagement with the endcap assembly and then inserting a winding rod through the sleeve and the endcap assembly and into a second film chamber of the camera. The winding rod can then be used to wind film out of a cassette in the first chamber and into a roll in the second chamber.

Abstract: A camera assembly includes an endcap assembly for closing off the bottom end of a second film chamber, which is sized to selectively receive a roll of film or a secondary film cartridge housing a roll of film. The endcap assembly can include a movable shutter blade enclosed between two plates. The endcap assembly can be removably secured to the camera assembly. At least a portion of the endcap assembly can be formed with the camera assembly. Embodiments further relate to a method of loading such cameras, especially in the daylight. The method involves bringing a sleeve into light-tight engagement with the endcap assembly and then inserting a winding rod through the sleeve and the endcap assembly and into a second film chamber of the camera. The winding rod can then be used to wind film out of a cassette in the first chamber and into a roll in the second chamber.

Abstract: A film holder for an advanced photo system. The film holder includes a transmission mechanism, a support mechanism, a rotating member and a resilient element. The support mechanism is connected to the transmission mechanism and has a sliding groove obliquely formed thereon. The rotating member is disposed in the support mechanism and has a first transmission shaft and a sliding portion engaged with and sliding in the sliding groove of the support mechanism. The resilient element is disposed on the support mechanism and connected to the sliding portion of the rotating member.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit contains a photo film cassette, which includes a spool for winding the photo film in a roll form thereabout. A body tube contains the photo film and the spool in a rotatable manner, has a first end with a first end opening, and a second end with a second end opening. A first end cap closes the first end opening, and has an outer diameter d1. A second end cap closes the second end opening, has an outer diameter d2, and satisfies a condition of: d2<d1. To contain the cassette, a cassette holder chamber in the lens-fitted photo film unit has a size corresponding to that of the cassette.

Abstract: A combination of a camera body with a lens, shutter and shutter operating control with an attachable, removeable film cartridge 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 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: An apparatus and method for installing film into a detachable film cassette assembly including a film clip adapted to receive a film cartridge, a winding housing attached to the film clip, and first and second film covers. The method includes coupling the film cartridge to the film clip, inserting the film clip into the first film cover, inserting the second film cover over the film clip, and engaging the first and second film covers to at least partially enclose the film clip between the winding housing and the film cartridge.

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 compact camera comprises: a main body part having a front and a rear, including upper and lower longitudinally-horizontal partially-cylindrical portions defining rearwardly-open film chambers for a film supply spool and a film cartridge, and another portion between the upper and lower portions defining a rearwardly-open film exposing chamber between the film chambers, to allow a filmstrip to be advanced vertically across the film exposing chamber from one of the film chambers to the other film chamber; a flash circuit board on the front of the main body part, including a flash emission lens at the upper portion; and front and rear cover parts housing the main body part and flash circuit board.

Abstract: A safety-lock mechanism for a camera includes a lock member that is rotatable between first and second lock positions for locking a lid open-close mechanism in a latching position where a lid of a cartridge chamber of the camera is latched closed; and an unlock position for allowing the lid open-close mechanism to unlatch the lid of the cartridge chamber. The lock member cooperates with a film transport mechanism such that the lock member moves from the unlock position to the first lock position as the film transport mechanism starts winding the photo filmstrip, and moves from the first lock position to the second lock position as the film transport mechanism starts rewinding the photo filmstrip. The lock member is urged by a spring to move to the unlock position.

Abstract: A camera includes a main body covered with a front cover and a rear cover. The main body has a film take-up chamber. The film take-up chamber has an opening in a right side. In order to cover the opening, a fixed lens barrel of a lens assembly is disposed. A part of the fixed lens barrel constructs a part of the film take-up chamber. To back and front wall portions of the film take-up chamber, back and front press springs are attached respectively.

Abstract: After loading a film cassette into a cassette chamber, a lid of the cassette chamber is closed. Interlocking with the lid, a lid lock member is moved to a lock position to lock the lid. When the lid lock member is moved to the lock position, a shutter lock member allows to operate a shutter release button. When the shutter release button is operated, a shutter is driven and a photo film is advanced. When the lid lock member is moved to an unlock position, the lid is opened. When the cassette chamber is opened, the shutter lock member prevents the operation of the shutter release button to prohibit the advancing of the photo film.

Abstract: A cartridge loading chamber for IX 240 type cartridge (so-called APS cartridge) usually has a bottom lid. A lid of the invention has a function for detecting whether the cartridge exists in the cartridge loading chamber by installing a detecting mechanism on the lid which includes a projection member spring-biased and a electric switch made of a pair of metal leaves capable of switching on/off in association with movement of the projection member made by being pushed by the bottom of the cartridge when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera that has a body having a cartridge chamber and an opening at one end. A film transport is disposed in the body. The film transport has an advance element adjoining the cartridge chamber opposite the opening. A closure is disposed in the cartridge chamber. The closure is slidable along the cartridge chamber between a first position, in which the closure engages the advance element, and a second position, in which the closure closes the opening. After picture taking, a film door is moved away from the opening, a film cartridge is unloaded from the cartridge chamber, and the closure is moved to the second position closing the empty cartridge chamber.

Abstract: A camera includes a cassette holder chamber for receiving insertion of a photo film cassette. A take-up chamber takes up photo film drawn from the photo film cassette. An exposure chamber is disposed between the cassette holder chamber and the take-up chamber, for introducing object light to the photo film to provide an exposure. A part holder chamber is disposed between the cassette holder chamber and the exposure chamber. A main capacitor for flash emission has a tubular shape, and is contained in the part holder chamber. A through opening is formed between the cassette holder chamber and the part holder chamber, for internally connecting the cassette holder chamber and the part holder chamber to one another.

Abstract: This camera is a camera having a compartment for loading and storing various members with a predetermined sheet member attached along the inner wall face of the compartment, in which the sheet member is attached at a predetermined position by a very easy and inexpensive means while assuring good operability during the assembly operation and the disassembly operation, comprising a camera main body where an aperture section is formed at a visible position and a sheet member which is attached by elastic deformation without gluing for covering the aperture section, to be attached/removed easily. With such construction, a camera which can contribute to making the manufacturing process efficient and decreasing the manufacturing cost can be provided.

Abstract: A camera of the kind using a cartridge with the cartridge accommodated inside a cartridge chamber is required to ensure that the lid of the cartridge chamber is openable only when film has been rewound into the cartridge. To meet this requirement, there is a known method for unlocking the cartridge chamber lid only when the film has been rewound. However, in the event of some accident, it might become impossible to rewind the film to make the cartridge chamber lid no longer unlockable. To solve this problem, a camera according to the invention disclosed is arranged to make the cartridge chamber lid unlockable in response to a specific operation performed differently from an ordinary photo-taking operation.

Abstract: A camera in which a magazine can be loaded into a magazine chamber in the direction along a winding shaft thereof in a state in which a film leader is wound thereon. During such magazine loading, the film leader is inserted along the outer periphery of a film guide disposed in the magazine chamber. After the magazine has been loaded, the film leader is temporarily rewound into the magazine. Then, it is fed toward a spool chamber. The film leader that has reached the spool chamber is advanced by the spool and film loading is completed. By employing such a loading mechanism, it is possible to provide a camera incorporating a film loading mechanism with a simple structure which is capable of reliable film loading and making it possible, in cameras using 135-type film magazine, to load a magazine in the axial direction thereof.

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 film feeding apparatus for a camera has a spool chamber, a spool, and a motor. The spool is rotated in the spool chamber for winding up a film. The motor is arranged within the outer diameter of the film winding of the spool to expose the outer periphery in the spool chamber.

Abstract: An APS camera having means for limiting removal and replacement of the film cartridge to those designated to do so. The camera includes an access door to provide access to a film cartridge receiving compartment. A latch disposed on the exterior sidewall of the camera main body, adjacent the film cartridge receiving compartment, secures the access door in the closed position. A lock mechanism, comprising an outer housing and an inner lever disposed within the outer housing, is secured to an exterior sidewall of the camera casing over the latch. The lever is structured for movement from a first blocking position, wherein the latch is inaccessible, to a second open position, wherein the latch may be accessed and the access door opened. The lever includes a pair of outwardly extending locking pins structured for mating engagement with corresponding holes in the housing so as to retain the lever in the first blocking position.

Abstract: An apparatus using a film cartridge having an IC memory unit. The IC memory unit is arranged beneath a side of a cartridge shell of the film cartridge, and a positioning hole is formed on the side of the cartridge shell. In order to read/write information from/to the IC memory unit, an arm of a contact unit is rotated towards the cartridge shell, so that a positioning pin provided at the arm end engages the positioning hole to position the cartridge shell, and contact pins provided at the arm end are brought into contact with terminals of the IC memory unit.

Abstract: A cassette chamber, a take-up chamber and a battery room are formed on a main body. A rear cover is attached to the main body. The rear cover is molded from plastics and integrated with an outer cover section and a frame section. In the frame section, a light-shielding segment is integrally formed. The light-shielding segment is positioned between the take-up chamber and the battery room in order to form a partition wall between these components.

Abstract: A safety-lock mechanism for a camera comprises a lock member that is rotatable between first and second lock positions for locking a lid open-close mechanism in a latching position where a lid of a cartridge chamber of the camera is latched closed, and an unlock position for allowing the lid open-close mechanism to unlatch the lid of the cartridge chamber. The lock member cooperates with a film transport mechanism such that the lock member moves from the unlock position to the first lock position as the film transport mechanism starts winding the photo filmstrip, and moves from the first lock position to the second lock position as the film transport mechanism starts rewinding the photo filmstrip. The lock member is urged by a spring to move to the unlock position.

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: After loading a film cassette into a cassette chamber, a lid of the cassette chamber is closed. Interlocking with the lid, a lid lock member is moved to a lock position to lock the lid. When the lid lock member is moved to the lock position, a shutter lock member allows to operate a shutter release button. When the shutter release button is operated, a shutter is driven and a photo film is advanced. When the lid lock member is moved to an unlock position, the lid is opened. When the cassette chamber is opened, the shutter lock member prevents the operation of the shutter release button to prohibit the advancing of the photo film.

Abstract: A camera has a cartridge chamber lid lock device arranged to allow the camera to be loaded with a film cartridge by opening a cartridge chamber lid irrespective of the position of a lens barrel in the optical axis direction when the film cartridge is not within the cartridge chamber and, when the film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber, to prevent the cartridge chamber lid from being accidentally opened in a case where the film still remains outside the film cartridge or from being inadvertently opened while a using state of the film cartridge is in process of being set.

Abstract: A film cartridge chamber cover opening-and-closing device of a camera has a first lock member arranged to switch the state of a cartridge chamber cover between an unlocked state in which the cartridge chamber cover can be opened and a locked state in which the cover is kept closed, by using a power for transporting a film, and a second lock member arranged to switch the state of the cartridge chamber cover between the unlocked state and the locked state by using a power for driving a photo-taking lens barrel.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge chamber into which a film cartridge is loaded, a spool chamber in which a spool arranged to take up thereon a film pulled out from the film cartridge is provided, a battery chamber which houses a battery therein, and a capacitor which accumulates electric charge for flash light emission, wherein one of the battery chamber and the capacitor is disposed above the spool chamber, and the other of the battery chamber and the capacitor is disposed below the spool chamber.

Abstract: A cassette chamber, a take-up chamber and a battery room are formed on a main body. A rear cover is attached to the main body. The rear cover is molded from plastics and integrated with an outer cover section and a frame section. In the frame section, a light-shielding segment is integrally formed. The light-shielding segment inserts between the take-up chamber and the battery room to form a partition wall between them.

Abstract: An APS camera having various mechanical features that simplify film pre-loading, especially in single use APS cameras, is disclosed. The disclosed camera employs the film advance mechanism to open and close the APS film cassette's light lock door, and also employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism from operating the light lock door when film is present in a film path of the camera. Camera size is kept to a minimum by a feature that defines a battery compartment within a film spool of the camera.

Abstract: A film back exchangeable camera has a camera body and a film back that can be attached to and detached from the camera body.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is preloaded with unexposed photo film. A main body has a cassette holder chamber and a roll holder chamber. The cassette holder chamber contains a cassette shell. The roll holder chamber contains a roll of the photo film drawn from the cassette shell. An exposure unit is secured to the main body between the cassette holder chamber and the roll holder chamber, for providing an exposure in the photo film. An electronic flash unit is secured to the main body, for illuminating a photographic field to be photographed. A battery supplies the flash unit with power, is disposed under the exposure unit, and has at least one portion disposed under the roll holder chamber.

Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit and production thereof, wherein lens-fitted film unit has a front cover, a rear cover, a main body and a magazine chamber lid to take out a film magazine from a film magazine chamber located in the main body, below the film magazine chamber and at the bottom surface of the lens-fitted film unit. The front cover, rear cover and main body have respectively a rib, and the surrounding of the lower portion of the film magazine chamber is surrounded by the rib of the front cover, the rib of the rear cover and the rib of the main body. After the rear cover is attached, the film magazine chamber lid is attached so that the magazine chamber lid is fixed to the front and rear cover and is not fixed to the main body.

Abstract: A camera structure includes a front cover coupled with a rear cover, a film winding spool mounted between the front cover and the rear cover and having a hollow compartment defined therein, a battery mounted in the hollow compartment of the film winding spool, an electrode piece secured on a bottom of the front cover and rested on a bottom of the battery, and a spring secured on a top of the rear cover and rested on a top of the battery. In such a manner, the battery is mounted in the hollow compartment of the film winding spool, thereby reducing the volume of the camera structure.

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 lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body. A cassette holder chamber in the main body contains a photo film cassette. A roll holder chamber in the main body contains a roll of photo film drawn from the photo film cassette. A front cover of transparent resin covers a front of the main body. A rear cover covers a rear of the main body. The roll holder chamber has a top wall portion and an end wall portion disposed farther from the cassette holder chamber. A first light-shielding ridge is disposed to project forwards from the rear cover and to extend horizontally, overlapped with the top wall portion, for blocking entry of ambient light at the top wall portion. A second light-shielding ridge is disposed to project forwards from the rear cover and to extend vertically, overlapped with the end wall portion, for blocking entry of ambient light at the end wall portion. The second light-shielding ridge extends to the first light-shielding ridge.

Abstract: An optical apparatuses having a cartridge chamber lid, includes a motor, a sun gear which is driven by the motor, a planet gear meshing with the sun gear and arranged to move from a first position to a second position while rotating when the sun gear rotates in a first direction, and to move from the second position to the first position while rotating when the sun gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a lock mechanism which unlocks the cartridge chamber lid when the planet gear moves from the first position to the second position, and which maintains locking the cartridge chamber lid when the planet gear moves from the second position to the first 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 camera includes a main body covered with a front cover and a rear cover. The main body has a film take-up chamber. The film take-up chamber has an opening in a right side. In order to cover the opening, a fixed lens barrel of a lens assembly is disposed. A part of the fixed lens barrel constructs a part of the film take-up chamber. To back and front wall portions of the film take-up chamber, back and front press springs are attached respectively.

Abstract: A backup battery storing structure is arranged such that a plurality of DX pieces for reading a DX code on a film cartridge are arranged in the axial direction of the film cartridge along the wall of a film chamber of a camera, and a backup battery with a disc-like shape is stored between two adjacent DX pieces.

Abstract: A camera includes a flexible shell having at least one opening therein and a rigid camera body inside the shell, the camera body having an imaging opening aligned with the at least one opening in the shell.

Abstract: A camera comprises an exposure unit to expose film to an object image and an image pick-up unit to pick up object images with an image pick-up element and output electronic picked up images, and further comprises a film pressure member to make contact with and press against the above film; a camera back cover having an aperture; a liquid crystal display panel to display the above electronic picked up images; a backlight to illuminate the display face of the above liquid crystal display panel from the back side of the above liquid crystal display panel; a light-blocking case which houses at least the above liquid crystal display panel and the above backlight, having a bottom face and side walls, and which is designed such that, when the above liquid crystal display panel is housed, the side thereof facing the display face of the liquid crystal display panel is opened; a clamping mechanism to clamp the above light-blocking case, together with the above film pressure member, to the above back cover, such that th

Abstract: A camera includes a film compartment, and a cover for closing the film compartment which is configured to hold a battery. The cover has a main portion for the battery and a fold-over portion that folds against the main portion to hold the battery between the main portion and the fold-over portion. Preferably, the film compartment is configured to receive a film cartridge having an end opening, and the fold-over portion has a support post that is arranged to fit into the end opening in the film cartridge when the fold-over portion is folded against the main portion.

Abstract: A camera includes: a camera main body; a slide cover that makes a sliding movement between a camera non-operating position, at which, at least, a viewfinder objective lens window, a viewfinder eyepiece window, a function selection unit operated to select camera functions at the camera main body are covered, and a camera operating position at which the viewfinder objective lens window, the viewfinder eyepiece window and the function selection unit are exposed; and a loading unit that allows loading and removal of an image recording medium, regardless of whether the slide cover is at the operating position or the non-operating position.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge loading chamber for receiving a film cartridge with a rotatable film spool having an exposed spool end, a rotatable support spindle which projects into the chamber to coaxially engage the spool end when the film cartridge is in the chamber, a door which pivots open to open the chamber and pivots closed to close the chamber, and a multi-function spring which urges the film cartridge to coaxially engage the spool end with the support spindle and urges the door to pivot open. The multi-function spring is a single springy piece which has a cartridge-positioning springy portion that is permanently positioned inside the chamber to urge the film cartridge to coaxially engage the spool end with the support spindle, regardless whether the door is closed, and has a door-opening spring portion that is permanently positioned outside the chamber to press against the door when the door is closed, regardless whether the film cartridge is in the chamber.

Abstract: An optical apparatuses having a cartridge chamber lid, includes a motor, a sun gear which is driven by the motor, a planet gear meshing with the sun gear and arranged to move from a first position to a second position while rotating when the sun gear rotates in a first direction, and to move from the second position to the first position while rotating when the sun gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a lock mechanism which unlocks the cartridge chamber lid when the planet gear moves from the first position to the second position, and which maintains locking the cartridge chamber lid when the planet gear moves from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: This camera is a camera having a compartment for loading and storing various members with a predetermined sheet member attached along the inner wall face of the compartment, in which the sheet member is attached at a predetermined position by a very easy and inexpensive means while assuring good operability during the assembly operation and the disassembly operation, comprising a camera main body where an aperture section is formed at a visible position and a sheet member which is attached by elastic deformation without gluing for covering the aperture section, to be attached/removed easily. With such construction, a camera which can contribute to making the manufacturing process efficient and decreasing the manufacturing cost can be provided.