Patent ID: 6198884
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A camera in which a cassette containing chamber is loaded with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type, said photo film cassette of a predetermined type, said photo film cassette including a spool about which photo film is wound, a cassette shell for containing said spool in a rotatable manner, and a status indicator, disposed on said spool in a manner observable externally outside said cassette shell, for indicating a used status of said photo film, said camera comprising:a spool drive mechanism for rotating said spool of said cassette in said cassette containing chamber, wherein a rotational angle of said spool drive mechanism is set at an exposed position before the cassette is initially loaded;type determiner means for detecting whether said photo film cassette of said predetermined type is loaded in said cassette containing chamber, said type determiner means generating a first signal when said type determiner means detects lack of said cassette; anda controller for controlling operation of said spool drive mechanism,wherein said controller rotates said spool drive mechanism upon closure of a lid of said camera, said controller stops said spool drive mechanism to set said spool at the exposed position when said type determiner means generates said first signal, and said status indicator indicates a used status of said photo film of said cassette when said spool has said exposed position.