US4806960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette information controller and memory
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1988-01-11
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Granted: 1989-02-21
•
Expires: 2008-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A cassette has semiconductor memory circuits in a microcontroller and display means which are capable of presenting information from the memory about both the cassette and the web material contained therein. A power source is provided in the housing to operate both the memory and the display when the cassette is not associated with a host photographic device. When the cassette is operatively positioned in the host photographic device, interfacing means are provided for establishing a two-way communications path between the memory in the cassette and the photographic device. Recording means associated with the photographic device are provided for renewing or updating a portion of the data recorded in the memory within the cassette via the interface. In addition, reproducing means associated with the photographic device reproduces a portion of the data previously stored in the memory in the cassette for use by the photographic device.
Inventors
- 👤 David Momot
- 👤 Ensley E. Townsend
- 👤 Michael W. LaCourt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B17/26; G03B17/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In the combination of a photographic device and a film cassette, said cassette having a housing including supply and take-up means within said housing, the improvement comprising: electronic memory means carried by said housing, said memory means including semi-conductor memory circuits wherein information as to the cassette or film contained thereinis represented by the state of said circuits; display means carried by said housing to present information from said memory means relating to said cassette and said film; a power source carried by said housing to operate said memory means and said display means when said cassette is removed from said photographing device; interface means for establishing a two-way communications path between said memory means and said photographing device when said cassette is operatively positioned in said device; recording-reproducing means associated with said photographic device for renewing a portion of the data recorded in said memory means via said interface means; and reproducing means associated with said photographic device for reproducing the data previously stored in said memory means for use in said photographic device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In the combination of a photographic device and a film cassette, said cassette having a housing including supply and take-up means within said housing, the improvement comprising: electronic memory means carried by said housing, said memory means including semi-conductor memory circuits wherein information as to the cassette or film contained thereinis represented by the state of said circuits; display means carried by said housing to present information from said memory means relating to said cassette and said film; a power source carried by said housing to operate said memory means and said display means when said cassette is removed from said photographing device; interface means for establishing a two-way communications path between said memory means and said photographing device when said cassette is operatively positioned in said device; recording-reproducing means associated with said photographic device for renewing a portion of the data recorded in said memory means via said interface means; and reproducing means associated with said photographic device for reproducing the data previously stored in said memory means for use in said photographic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said display means is a liquid cyrstal display screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory means further includes a microprocessor device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said cassette further includes switch means carried by said cassette housing for providing a signal to said microprocessor when said cassette is opened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said power source is a battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said battery is rechargeable by said photographic device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said interface means is an electro-optical coupling.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said electro-optical coupling is a pair of infra-red emitters and detectors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a cassette for use in a photographic device including electronic circuit means, said cassette comprising a housing including supply and takeup means within said housing, the improvement comprising: electronic memory means carried by said housing, said memory means including semi-conductor memory circuits wherein information as to the cassette or film contained therein is represented by the state of said circuits; display means carried by said housing to present information from said memory means relating to said cassette and said film; a power source carried by said housing to operate said memory means and said display means when said cassette is removed from said photographic device; and interface means carried by said cassette and cooperable with said device when said cassette is installed therein for establishing two-way communication between said cassette and said electronic circuit means of said device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a cassette for use in a photographic device including electronic circuit means, said cassette comprising a housing including supply and takeup means within said housing, the improvement comprising: electronic memory means carried by said housing, said memory means including semi-conductor memory circuits wherein information as to the cassette or film contained therein is represented by the state of said circuits; display means carried by said housing to present information from said memory means relating to said cassette and said film; a power source carried by said housing to operate said memory means and said display means when said cassette is removed from said photographic device; and interface means carried by said cassette and cooperable with said device when said cassette is installed therein for establishing two-way communication between said cassette and said electronic circuit means of said device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |