Lens-fitted photo film unit and method of producing photographic print

• US 6,249,652 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1998
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kamata, Kazuo, Kamata, Mitsuro
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews, Alan A.
• Application Number:
  US09/186,682
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 396/6, 396/267, 396/310, 396/311, 396/317, 396/319, 396/60, 396/316, 396/332, 396/318, 355/40
• US Class Current: 396/311
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/24 with means for separately producing marks on the film, e.g. title, time of exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/004 using markings on the photographic material, e.g. to indicate pseudo-panoramic exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/244 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2219/045 adapted for unloading the film in the processing laboratory, e.g. disposable, reusable or recyclable cameras

Abstract

A lens-fitted photo film unit incorporates a mechanism for taking an exposure, and is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film. A telephoto selectable type indicia is imprinted previously on a first edge of the photo film outside imaging frames in an optical manner. An indicia recorder imprints a magnification indicia on a second edge of the photo film outside the imaging frames in an optical manner each time that one exposure is taken. A combination of the telephoto selectable type indicia and the magnification indicia designates a printing condition for each of the imaging frames.

Claims

1. A lens-fitted photo film unit, in which a housing incorporates a mechanism for taking an exposure, and is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film, said lens-fitted photo film unit comprising:

a first optical indicium imprinted previously on a first edge of said photo film outside imaging frames in an optical manner, said first optical indicium representing a selected one of a plurality of processing parameters; and

an indicia recorder for imprinting a second optical indicium on a second edge of said photo film outside said imaging frames in an optical manner each time that one exposure is taken, wherein said second optical indicium represents one of a plurality of options within said selected one of said plurality of processing parameters;

wherein the first optical indicium is prerecorded adjacent each of the imaging frames.

2. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 1, wherein the first optical indicium is prerecorded adjacent each of the imaging frames in a same position relative each of said imaging frames of a single strip of said unexposed photo film.

3. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 2, wherein the indicia recorder is controllable by a user.

4. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 3, wherein the indicia recorder is controllable by a user to imprint the second optical indicia in one of a plurality of positions with respect to each said imaging frame in conjunction with said exposure of said imaging frame.

5. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 4, wherein the indicia recorder is controllable by a user to imprint the second optical indicia independently with respect to each said imaging frame.

6. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 2, wherein the plurality of processing parameters represented by the first optical indicia include aspect ratio of a final print and degree of magnification of the final print.

7. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 6, wherein the plurality of processing parameters represented by the first optical indicia further includes a selection of tonal value of the final print.

8. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 7, wherein the plurality of options within the parameter of tonal value of the final print includes color print, sepia-toned print, and black-and-white print.

9. The lens-fitted photo film unit of claim 7, wherein the plurality of processing parameters represented by the first optical indicia further includes a parameter representing a choice between standard print, slim print, and soft print.

10. A lens-fitted photo film unit, pre-loaded with unexposed photo film, incorporating a mechanism for taking an exposure, to create a subject image in an imaging frame on said photo film,said lens-fitted photo film unit comprising:

said photo film including encoded auxiliary image data, recorded magnetically or optically in a position outside said imaging frame or a position keeping said exposure safe, for representing a type of an auxiliary image, said auxiliary image being combined with said subject image for image synthesis in production of a photographic print, wherein said auxiliary image data includes plural types of auxiliary image data, and one of said plural types is recorded for a predetermined number of imaging frames among imaging frames on said photo film, another of said plural types being recorded for subsequent said imaging frames for which said first printing condition is selected;

an operation member, operable externally, for selecting one of first and second predetermined printing conditions for said imaging frame, wherein said first printing condition is to print said subject image with said auxiliary image according to said imaging frame, and said second printing condition is to print said subject image without said auxiliary image according to said imaging frame; and

a data recorder for recording data of said one printing condition to said photo film for said imaging frame.