Automatic photographic apparatus and automatic frame dispensing machine

Claim 2

An automatic photographic apparatus for use in combination with a plurality of self-developing film cartridges containing film comprising: a camera for said self-developing film cartridges; a film back body coupled to said camera and being accessible for film loading; a film storage means for storing a plurality of film cartridges in a plurality of stacks; and nonreciprocating film loading means for conveying film cartridges from said film storage means to said film back body, and for loading said film cartridge into said film body for exposure of film within said cartridge by said camera, said film loading means comprising a continuous and nonreversing belt with a plurality of tabs disposed under said plurality of stacks of said film cartridges, said tabs being arranged and configured to contact successive ones of said film cartridges from said film storage means, said tabs and continuous belt moving said film cartridges into operative position with respect to said film back body without said film cartridges necessarily contacting one another, whereby said apparatus is adaptable to automatically taking a plurality of self developed photographs.

Claim 3

An automatic photographic apparatus for use in combination with a plurality of self-developing film cartridges containing film comprising: a camera for said self-developing film cartridges; a film back body, said film back body having two sides coupled to said camera on one of said sides and being accessible to film loading at one of said two sides; a film storage means for storing a plurality of film cartridges; film loading means for conveying film cartridges from said film storage means to said one side of said film back body, and for loading said film cartridge into said film back body for exposure of film within said cartridge by said camera; photographic accessory storage means for storing a plurality of accessory items for use with said photographs taken by said apparatus; and dispensing means for selectively dispensing one of said plurality of types of accessories from said accessory storage means, whereby said apparatus is adaptable to automatically taking a plurality of self developed photographs.

Claim 4

An automatic photographic apparatus for use in combination with a plurality of self-developing film cartridges containing film comprising: a camera for said self-developing film cartridges; a film back body, said film back body having two sides coupled to said camera on one of said sides and being accessible to film loading at one of said two sides; a film storage means for storing a plurality of film cartridges; film loading means for conveying film cartridges from said film storage means to said one side of said film back body, and for loading said film cartridge into said film back body for exposure of film within said cartridge by said camera; photographic accessory storage means for storing a plurality of accessory items for use with said photographs taken by said apparatus; and dispensing means for selectively dispensing one of said plurality of types of accessories from said accessory storage means, whereby said apparatus is adaptable to automatically taking a plurality of self developed photographs.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of said accessory storage means; a corresponding plurality of said dispensing means, one said dispensing means corresponding to one of said accessory storage means to selectively supply a corresponding and distinct type of accessory item from a selected one of said plurality of accessory means in response to a user input; and input means for allowing the user to make a selection among said plurality of distinct type of accessories stored within said cooresponding plurality of accessory storage means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: camera positioning means for adjustable positioning said camera in response to user inputs; and camera input positioning means adapted to activation by a user of said system.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a weatherized containment means for housing at least said camera, film back body, film storage means and film loading means to allow unattended and outdoor use of said apparatus.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a weatherized containment means for housing at least said camera, film back body, film storage means and film loading means to allow unattended and outdoor use of said apparatus.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sides of said film back body are generally horizontal and form a bottom of said camera, said film loading means conveying a film cartridge to a predetermined location beneath said camera and delivering said film cartridge upwardly into said bottom of said camera at a predetermined focal plane within said camera.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising computer means coupled to said camera and to film loading means for control thereof for the loading of film cartridges within said camera, taking of photographs by said camera and unloading film cartridges from said camera.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said computer means comprises a computer, and a plurality of relay cards, said relay cards coupled to said computer and to said camera and film loading means for selectively applying power to said camera and film loading means for activating and operation thereof.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising user input means coupled to said plurality of relay cards to provide user determined inputs for selectively activating said camera and film loading means.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising computer means coupled to said camera, and film loading means for control thereof for the loading of film cartridges within said camera, taking of photographs by said camera and unloading film cartridges from said camera; wherein said computer means comprises a computer, and a plurality of relay cards, said relay cards coupled to said computer and to said camera and film loading means for selectively applying power to said camera and film loading means for activation and operation thereof; and further comprising user input means coupled to said plurality of relay cards to provide user determined inputs for selectively activating said camera and film loading means.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said accessory storage means comprises a plurality of accessory items in a confined stacked array and wherein said dispensing means comprises delivery tray means for dispensing one of said plurality of accessory items from the bottom of said stacked array.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said accessory storage means comprises a plurality of accessory items in a confined stacked array and wherein said dispensing means comprises delivery tray means for dispensing one of said plurality of accessory items from the top of said stacked array.

Claim 16

An automatic photographic apparatus for use in combination with a plurality of self-developing film cartridges containing film comprising: a camera for said self-developing film cartridges; a film back body having two opposing sides, said film back body coupled to said camera on one of said sides and being accessible on said opposing side for film loading; a film storage means for storing a plurality of film cartridges; film loading means for conveying film cartridges from said film storage means to said accessible side of said film back body, and for loading said film cartridges into said film back body for exposure of film within said cartridges by said camera; photographic accessory storage means for storing a plurality of accessory items for use with said photographs taken by said apparatus; dispensing means for selectively dispensing one of said plurality of types of accessories from said accessory storage means; camera positioning means for adjustably positioning said camera in response to use inputs; camera input positioning means adapted to activation by a user of said system; and computer means coupled to said camera, and film loading means for control thereof for the loading of film cartridges from said camera, taking of photographs by said camera and unloading film cartridges from said camera, whereby said apparatus is adaptable to automatically taking a plurality of self developed photographs.

Claim 17

An automatic photographic apparatus for use in combination with a plurality of self-developing film cartridges containing film comprising: a camera for said self-developing film cartridges; a film back body having two opposing sides, said film back body coupled to said camera on one of said sides and being accessible on said opposing side for film loading; a film storage means for storing a plurality of film cartridges; film loading means for conveying film cartridges from said film storage means to said accessible side of said film back body, and for loading said film cartridges into said film back body for exposure of film within said cartridges by said camera; photographic accessory storage means for storing a plurality of accessory items for use with said photographs taken by said apparatus; dispensing means for selectively dispensing one of said plurality of types of accessories from said accessory storage means; camera positioning means for adjustably positioning said camera in response to use inputs; camera input positioning means adapted to activation by a user of said system; and computer means coupled to said camera, and film loading means for control thereof for the loading of film cartridges from said camera, taking of photographs by said camera and unloading film cartridges from said camera, whereby said apparatus is adaptable to automatically taking a plurality of self developed photographs.