Camera with device for identifying used film magazine

• US 5,768,646 A
• Filed: 12/12/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Inoue, Hideya
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/764,280
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 396/284, 396/285, 396/310, 396/311, 396/389, 396/390
• US Class Current: 396/390
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/30 Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/425 motor drive cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/008 using holders for the photographic material
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/263 Details of exposure status indicators; Double exposure prevention
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/268 Unloading the cartridge from the camera; Loading the cartridge into the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/24 automatically in accordance with markings or other means indicating film speed or kind of film on the magazine to be inserted in the camera

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 pre-determined position of the magazine loaded in the magazine chamber of the camera, an information detecting device 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 is already used.

Claims

1. A method of operating a device constructed to load a cartridge accommodating photographic film therein, said method comprising:

electrically driving said cartridge to a predetermined loading position in said device;

generating a signal indicating that movement of said cartridge to the predetermined position has been completed; and

feeding photographic film from said cartridge on condition that said signal has been generated.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said feeding is performed in response to a manual operation by an operator when said signal has been generated.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising manually initiating said driving of said cartridge to said loading position.

4. A method of operating a device constructed to load a cartridge accommodating photographic film therein, said method comprising:

electrically driving said cartridge to a predetermined loading position in said device and;

electrically feeding photographic film from said cartridge on condition that movement of said cartridge to said loading position has been completed.

5. A method according to claim 4, including stopping operation of a cartridge driver that performs said driving, in response to completion of movement of said cartridge to said loading position.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein said feeding is performed in response to a manual operation by an operator when movement of said cartridge to said loading position has been completed.

7. A method according to claim 4, further comprising manually initiating said driving of said cartridge to said loading position.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein said device subjects photographic film fed outside said cartridge to light.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said device is constituted by a camera that subjects photographic film fed outside said cartridge to light in order to make an exposure.

10. A method according to claim 4, wherein said cartridge is driven with an electric actuator.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said electric actuator is a motor, and a rotating force from said motor drives a mechanism to move said cartridge.

12. A method of operating a device in which a cartridge accommodating photographic film therein is loaded in a predetermined position, said method comprising:

electrically rewinding photographic film from outside said cartridge into said cartridge;

generating a signal indicating that rewinding of the film into the cartridge has been completed; and

electrically driving said cartridge from said predetermined position on condition that said signal has been generated.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said driving is performed in response to a manual operation by an operator when said signal has been generated.

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising manually initiating said driving of said cartridge from said predetermined position.

15. A method of operating a device in which a cartridge accommodating photographic film therein is loaded in a predetermined position, said method comprising:

electrically rewinding photographic film from outside said cartridge into said cartridge; and

electrically driving said cartridge from said predetermined position on condition that rewinding of the film into the cartridge has been completed.

16. A method according to claim 15, including stopping operation of a film driver that performs said rewinding, in response to completion of said rewinding.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said driving is performed in response to a manual operation by an operator when said rewinding has been completed.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising manually initiating said driving of said cartridge from said predetermined position.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein said device subjects photographic film fed outside said cartridge to light.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said device is constituted by a camera that subjects photographic film fed outside said cartridge to light in order to make an exposure.

21. A method according to claim 15, wherein said cartridge is driven with an electric actuator.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said electric actuator is a motor, and a rotating force from said motor drives a mechanism to move said cartridge.