US5398087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera reading information applied to a film unit
Assignee: Nikon Corp
•
Filing: 1994-07-08
•
Granted: 1995-03-14
•
Expires: 2014-07-08
Abstract
Abstract The camera of the present invention includes means for recording and reproducing information regarding the photographed frames of film, means for applying onto the cartridge of a film unit discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of the information regarding photographed frames is necessary, means for detecting the discriminative information, and means for controlling whether the reading out of the information regarding photographed frames should be effected in conformity with the result of the detection. Thus, when the camera is loaded with a film unit which does not require the reading-out of the information regarding photographed frames, like a new film unit which has never been loaded into a camera, the operation of reading out the information regarding photographed frames is saved.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuyuki Kazami
- 👤 Naoki Tomino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/24; G03B17/00; G03B17/24; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/24; G03B2217/242; G03B2217/244; G03B2217/246; G03B2217/26; G03B2217/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A camera adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said camera including: first recording means for recording on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; and control means for operating said second reproducing means when said film unit is loaded into said camera, and operating said first reproducing means when said discriminative information read out by said second reproducing means indicates that the reproducing of said information relating to photographed frames is necessary, and inhibiting the operation of said first reproducing means when said discriminative information indicates that said reproducing is unnecessary.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A camera adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said camera including: first recording means for recording on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; and control means for operating said second reproducing means when said film unit is loaded into said camera, and operating said first reproducing means when said discriminative information read out by said second reproducing means indicates that the reproducing of said information relating to photographed frames is necessary, and inhibiting the operation of said first reproducing means when said discriminative information indicates that said reproducing is unnecessary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said information-recorded means includes a first information-recorded portion and a second information-recorded portion provided on discrete locations on said film unit, said information relating to photographed frames is recorded on said first information-recorded portion, and said discriminative information is recorded on said second information-recorded portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said first information-recorded portion is provided on said film, and said second information-recorded portion is provided on said cartridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein said information relating to photographed frames is recorded in a magnetically reproducible form on said first information-recorded portion, said discriminative information is recorded in an externally discriminable form on said second information-recorded portion, said first information recording means and said first information reproducing means include a magnetic head, said second information recording means includes means for imparting a change to the external appearance of said second information-recorded portion, and said second information reproducing means includes means for detecting the state of the external appearance of said second information-recorded portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A camera according to claim 1, further including film feeding means controlled by said control means and wherein said control means controls said film feeding means on the basis of said information relating to photographed frames reproduced by said first information reproducing means to thereby move a photographed frame of said film from a photographable position and position an unphotographed frame of said film at said photographable position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said information relating to photographed frames is recorded on said first information-recorded portion in a magnetically reproducible form; said first reproducing means includes a magnetic head means for reproducing said information relating to photographed frames from said first information-recorded portion; said control means causes said magnetic head means to be in contact with said first information-recorded portion when said discriminative information read out by said second reproducing means indicates that the reproducing of said information relating to photographed frames is necessary, and does not cause said magnetic head means to be in contact with said first information-recorded portion when said discriminative information indicates that said reproducing is unnecessary.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A camera according to claim 6, wherein said first recording means records said information relating to photographed frames on said first information-recorded portion by the use of said magnetic head means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein when said control means operates said first reproducing means to reproduce said information relating to photographed frames, said control means detects the state of use of said film unit on the basis of the reproduced information relating to photographed frames.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A camera according to claim 8, further including notification means which performs a notification according to said information relating to photographed frames reproduced by said first reproducing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said notification means performs a notification for warning when said information relating to photographed frames indicates that all frames of said film have been exposed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
A camera adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said camera including: first recording means for recording on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; film feeding means for feeding said film; and control means for causing said first recording means to record on said information-recorded means information on the basis of a feeding direction by said film feeding means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
161 words
A camera adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said camera including: first recording means for recording on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; film feeding means for feeding said film; and control means for causing said first recording means to record on said information-recorded means information on the basis of a feeding direction by said film feeding means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
A recording method of a camera capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: recording on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said camera; and reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when the read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is necessary and not reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when said read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is unnecessary.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A recording method of a camera capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: recording on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said camera; and reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when the read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is necessary and not reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when said read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is unnecessary.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
A recording method of a camera capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: feeding said film; recording, on the basis of a film feeding direction, on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; and reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said camera.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
A recording method of a camera capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: feeding said film; recording, on the basis of a film feeding direction, on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; and reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said camera.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
193 words
A device adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said device including: first recording means for recording, on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; and control means for operating said second reproducing means when said film unit is loaded into said device, and operating said first reproducing means when said discriminative information read out by said second reproducing means indicates that the reproducing of said information relating to photographed frames is necessary, and saving the operation of said first reproducing means when said discriminative information indicates that said reproducing is unnecessary.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
193 words
A device adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said device including: first recording means for recording, on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; and control means for operating said second reproducing means when said film unit is loaded into said device, and operating said first reproducing means when said discriminative information read out by said second reproducing means indicates that the reproducing of said information relating to photographed frames is necessary, and saving the operation of said first reproducing means when said discriminative information indicates that said reproducing is unnecessary.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
161 words
A device adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said device including: first recording means for recording on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; film feeding means for feeding said film; and control means for causing said first recording means to record on said information-recorded means information on the basis of a feeding direction by said film feeding means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
161 words
A device adapted to be loaded with a film unit having film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge containing said film therein and information-recorded means, said device including: first recording means for recording on said information-recorded means information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; first reproducing means for reproducing from said information-recorded means said information relating to photographed frames recorded by said first recording means; second recording means for recording on said information-recorded means discriminative information indicative of whether the reading-out of said information relating to photographed frames by said first reproducing means is necessary; second reproducing means for reading out said discriminative information recorded by said second recording means from said information-recorded means; film feeding means for feeding said film; and control means for causing said first recording means to record on said information-recorded means information on the basis of a feeding direction by said film feeding means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
138 words
A recording method of a device capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: recording on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said device; and reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when the read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is necessary and not reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when said read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is unnecessary.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
A recording method of a device capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: recording on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said device; and reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when the read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is necessary and not reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information when said read out second information indicates that reading-out of said first information is unnecessary.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
A recording method of a device capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: feeding said film: recording, on the basis of a film feeding direction, on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; and reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
A recording method of a device capable of loading therein a film unit which has a film including a plurality of frames, a cartridge and an information-recording portion, comprising: feeding said film: recording, on the basis of a film feeding direction, on said information-recording portion first information relating to photographed frames indicative of which of the frames of said film is a photographed frame; reproducing from said information-recording portion said first information; recording on said information-recording portion second information indicative of whether the reading-out of said first information is necessary; and reading out said second information from said information-recording portion when said film unit is loaded into said device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-13 | 1998-09-12 | 1999-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-13 | 2002-09-12 | 2003-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-13 | 2006-09-12 | 2007-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |