Patent ID: 6374056
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A camera with a magnetic recording device that may record optional data on a magnetic recording layer of a photo film, said optional data being selectable by photographer for each picture frame, the camera comprising:a switch for switching the camera between a first condition and a second condition; a push button member having a plurality of sections, a different operating function being assigned to each of said section in said first condition, and another different operating function being assigned to each of said sections in said second condition, wherein, in said first condition, one of said sections is usable for putting the camera in an optional data setting mode, and another one of said sections is usable for selecting optional data to record on said magnetic recording layer while the camera is in said optional data setting mode; a plurality of marks disposed in association with said sections of said push button member, for indicating the respective assigned operating functions; and a plurality of optical indication members, each being allocated to a respective one of said sections, and activated individually to take a different lighting state depending upon whether the camera is in said first condition or said second condition, and whether the operating function assigned to the allocated section is currently available or not; wherein if said one section as used for putting the camera in said optional data setting mode is pressed again in said optional data setting mode over a predetermined time duration, the camera starts a rewriting operation where optional data as selected in said optional data setting mode is recorded on the magnetic recording layer in association with a last picture frame photographed before selection of said optional data, and if any, in place of other optional data that has been recorded in association with said last picture frame.