Camera equipped with bar code reading device

The camera of the present invention is adapted to use a cartridge of a type in which when a film spool rotates in the forward direction to push the film out from the cartridge and in the backward direction to rewind the film into the cartridge. The cartridge is equipped with a bar code rotating as a whole with the film spool. The camera comprises a photoelectric reading device reading out the bar code and output the bar code signal, a decoder deciphering the bar code signal, and a microcomputer controling the circuit or the device so as to read out the bar code during film forward process, to decipher the bar code signal thus read out, to judege as to whether decipherment proves impossible to decipher the bar code signal, and to rewind the film when decipherment proves impossible to decipher the bar code signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a camera which is equipped with a device 
which reads information from a bar code provided on a film cartridge which 
is loaded into the camera; and more particularly relates to a camera in 
which countermeasures are provided against the possibility that the bar 
code signal should be undecipherable. 
2. Related Background Art 
A film cartridge is per se known (for example, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 
4,832,275) of a type in which the film is wound outwards from the 
cartridge or is rewound into the cartridge, respectively by the axis of a 
spool provided within the cartridge, on which the film is wound up, being 
rotated in a forward rotational direction or being rotated in a backward 
rotational direction. When this type of film cartridge is loaded into a 
camera, a film forwarding device within the camera performs the film auto 
loading process by rotating the axis of the spool within the cartridge in 
the forward rotational direction so as to wind the head end or leading end 
of the film outwards from the cartridge in a pushing fashion, until the 
film leading end is caught by a takeup spool so as to cause the film to 
start to be wound up on the takeup spool. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,642 there is, per se, disclosed a film cartridge 
provided with a bar code disk which rotates as a whole together with the 
aforementioned film spool, and on which there is inscribed in bar code 
form information relating to the film, such as the ISO sensitivity of the 
film and the number of frames available on the film. With a camera using 
this sort of film cartridge, during the operation of film auto loading, 
the bar code is read by a photoelectric reading device which produces a 
signal representative thereof. Subsequently it is necessary to decipher 
the bar code signal produced by this photoelectric device, in order to 
obtain the above described information relating to the film. 
However, it is not guaranteed that the film spool axis of this type of film 
cartridge is always rotated at an identical speed during the operation of 
film auto loading. If for any reason an unevenness or irregularity should 
occur in the rotation of the film spool, i.e. in the rotational speed of 
the bar code disk, then there is a danger that it may not be possible to 
decipher the bar code signal read out by the photoelectric reading device 
from the bar code disk, so that accurate information relating to the film 
cannot be obtained. Moreover, in the teaching of the above identified U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,023,642 there is no suggestion as to what should be done in the 
event that the bar code signal should prove to be undecipherable, and 
because of this there is a danger that photography may subsequently 
proceed in an undesirable fashion without having obtained accurate 
information relating to the film, so that undesirable results may 
occur--for example over or under exposure of photographs taken on the 
film, mistaken frame counting, etc. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is to provide a camera equipped with a 
control system which, when during the operation of film auto loading the 
information in the above described bar code signal proves impossible to 
decipher, prevents photography subsequently proceeding in an undesirable 
fashion. 
The present invention is applied to a camera receiving a film cartridge 
from which a film is pushed out when a film spool rotates in a forward 
rotational direction and into which the film is rewound when the film 
spool rotates in a backward rotational direction, and which comprises a 
bar code bearing element rotating together with said film spool. 
The above-noted object is accomplished by the camera comprising: (a) a film 
spool rotating means which by rotating said film spool in a forward 
rotational direction projects the leading end of said film out from said 
film cartridge towards and against a film take up spool, and also, by 
rotating said film spool in a backward rotational direction, winds said 
film back into said film cartridge; (b) a film winding on means which 
winds on said film by rotating said film take up spool in a forward 
rotational direction; (c) a bar code reading out means which, when said 
film spool of said film cartridge is rotating, reads the pattern of a bar 
code which is provided on said bar code bearing element and outputs a bar 
code signal; (d) a deciphering means which deciphers and outputs said bar 
code signal from said bar code reading out means; and: (e) a control means 
which controls said film spool rotating means, said bar code reading out 
means, and said deciphering means so as: (e1) to read out said bar code 
pattern while feeding said film; (e2) to attempt to decipher said read out 
bar code signal; (e3) to decide whether or not decipherment of said read 
out bar code signal proved possible; and: (e4) if a decision is made that 
decipherment of said read out bar code signal did not prove possible, to 
rewind said film into said film cartridge by rotating said film spool in 
said backward rotational direction. 
Thus, according to the present invention, the film is rewound when it has 
proved impossible to decipher the read out bar code signal which was read 
out during forwarding of the film. Accordingly it is positively prevented 
that photography should undesirably take place without the bar code 
information having been properly read out from the film cartridge. 
If the auto loading process is performed by projecting the leading end of 
the film out from the film cartridge by rotating the film spool of said 
film cartridge, when a cartridge is loaded into the camera, it is 
desirable for the bar code pattern to be read out during this auto loading 
process. 
Further, it is desirable, when it has proved impossible to decipher the bar 
code signal which was read out from the film cartridge during forwarding 
of the film, for the bar code pattern to be read out for a second time 
during the above described subsequent rewinding of the film, and for 
another attempt to be made at deciphering this bar code pattern. 
If as before during this rewinding of the film it proves impossible to 
decipher the bar code signal which was read out from the film cartridge, 
then, it is desirable, after the film has been completely rewound into the 
film cartridge, to further rotate the film spool in the backward 
rotational direction, and simultaneously to make further attempts to read 
out the bar code pattern and to decipher it. 
According to this kind of construction for a camera according to the 
present invention, even when the information relating to the film is not 
satisfactorily obtained while initially projecting the leading end of the 
film out from the film cartridge, the chance of subsequently accurately 
obtaining said film related information is greatly enhanced. 
If the bar code information has been deciphered while rewinding the film or 
subsequently, i.e. while rotating the film spool of the film cartridge in 
the backward rotational direction, it is desirable subsequently to perform 
the film auto loading process for a second time. According to this 
particular specialization of the present invention, it is possible 
subsequently to perform photography with the information relating to the 
film having been satisfactorily read out and deciphered. 
When the film has been rewound due to it having proved impossible to 
decipher the bar code signal which has been read out during the film auto 
loading process, it is desirable, after the film has been completely 
rewound, to perform the auto loading process for a second time, and 
simultaneously therewith to read out the bar code pattern for a second 
time and subsequently to decipher it. 
According to a camera with the above described alternative construction, 
the chance of subsequently accurately obtaining said film related 
information is greatly enhanced. With this variation, in second and 
subsequent attempts to decipher the bar code signal, it is not necessary 
to apply any different decoding process from that applied initially, 
because the bar code pattern is being read out in the same direction as 
before. 
It is also desirable, even if during the film auto loading process it has 
proved impossible to decipher the bar code signal, for further attempts to 
be made to read out the bar code pattern and to decipher the bar code 
signal simultaneously with this further winding on of the film. By doing 
this it is possible to minimize the number of times the auto loading 
process is performed for the one film, and accordingly it is possible to 
avoid the possibility of problems due to a failure of the auto loading 
process. 
When it has proved possible to decipher the bar code signal which was read 
out from the film cartridge during forwarding of the film, it is also 
desirable to rewind the film back to a position in which a predetermined 
portion thereof for a first film frame is positioned in an appropriate 
position for photography, i.e. is opposed to an aperture of the camera. 
According to such a camera, it is possible immediately to commence 
photography when after loading the film cartridge into the camera the bar 
code has been satisfactorily read out. 
It is also possible to display the bar code information which has been read 
out successfully to the user of the camera, so that he or she can verify 
that the information is indeed correct. Also it is possible to give a 
warning to the user of the camera if the bar code information has not been 
read out successfully, so that he or she can be apprised that there exists 
a problem in reading out the bar code information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Preferred Embodiment 1 
FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate the first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention. 
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a film cartridge, not itself included in 
the present invention, and of portions of a film forwarding device 
included in a camera which is the first preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. The reference numeral 10 denotes the film cartridge, 
which may for example be of the type disclosed in the previously 
identified U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,275, and this film cartridge 10 comprises: 
a film cartridge casing 14 which surrounds a generally cylindrical film 
receiving chamber not shown in the figure and not denoted by any reference 
numeral; a film spool 12 substantially received within the film receiving 
chamber defined within the film cartridge casing 14 and extending along it 
and to which the tail end or trailing end of a film 11 is fixed and around 
which the film 11 is wound; and a film passage slit 15, formed along the 
edge of a projecting portion of the film cartridge 10 which extends 
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the film cartridge 10, the opening of 
the film passage slit 15 pointing in a tangential direction to the film 
cartridge 10 so as to deliver the leading end of the film 11 out in the 
tangential direction. When the film cartridge 10 is new from the 
manufacturer and has not yet been inserted into any camera, the film 11 
thereof is in the state of being entirely wound around the film spool 12, 
so that the film 11, including its leading end portion, is received 
entirely within the film cartridge casing 14. 
However, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter, when the film 
cartridge 10 is inserted into a camera, the film spool 12 is rotated by 
the film forwarding device of FIG. 1 in the forward rotational direction 
which is the rotational direction to unwind the film 11 from the film 
spool 12, and thereby the leading end portion of the film 11 is unwound 
from the film spool 12 and pushes out through the film passage slit 15 so 
as to reach the outside, progressively to be followed by more and more of 
the film 11 as the film spool 12 is progressively rotated in the forward 
rotational direction. On the other hand, when subsequently the film spool 
12 is rotated by the film forwarding device of FIG. 1 in the backward 
rotational direction which is the rotational direction to wind the film 11 
onto the film spool 12, then the film 11 is progressively wound back into 
the film cartridge 10 through the film passage slit 15 as the film spool 
12 is progressively rotated, until finally the leading end portion of the 
film 11 is pulled back through the film passage slit 15, and disappears 
within the film cartridge casing 14, at which point the film 11 is back in 
the state of being entirely wound around the film spool 12 and is again 
received entirely within the film cartridge casing 14. 
Further, this film cartridge 10 is similar to that disclosed in the 
previously identified U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,642, and comprises a bar code 
disk member 13 formed as a unitary body with its aforementioned film spool 
12. Information related to the film, such as for example the ISO 
sensitivity of the film and the number of frames available on the film, is 
written on the bar code disk member 13 in bar code pattern form. 
In the camera, on the other hand, there is provided a photoreflective 
detector 21 which reads the bar code pattern on the bar code disk member 
13 of the film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10 as the bar code disk 
member 13 and the film spool 12 rotate together. This photoreflective 
detector 21 reads in the entire bar code pattern from a fixed starting 
position thereof during one rotation of the bar code disk member 13 and 
the film spool 12, and, after temporarily storing the entire read in bar 
code pattern in a memory 54 shown in FIG. 2, decodes (i.e., deciphers) the 
bar code pattern in a control circuit 51 also shown in that figure. 
In the following, the film forwarding device included in this first 
preferred embodiment of the camera of the present invention will be 
described. 
As a film take up spool. 25 provided within the main body of the camera 
rotates in a forward rotational direction as shown by the solid rotational 
arrow in the figure, it catches the leading end of the film 11, and 
subsequently the film 11 is wound out of the film cartridge 10 and onto 
the film take up spool 25 as the film take up spool 25 rotates further in 
the forward rotational direction. A film take up spool drive gear wheel 
25a is integrally provided at the upper end in the figures of the film 
take up spool 25, and this drive gear wheel 25a is driven in a forward 
rotational direction by a per se known mechanism not shown in the figure 
when it is required thus to rotate the film take up spool 25 in its 
forward rotational direction to catch or to wind on the film 11. The 
reference numeral 26 denotes a pressure roller which extends parallel to 
the axis of the film take up spool 25 and which presses against its 
surface with a determinate pressure, and which thereby aids in guiding the 
film out from the film cartridge 10. And the reference numeral 22a denotes 
a film cartridge spool drive gear wheel which is provided with a film 
cartridge spool drive member 22 which, when the film cartridge 10 is 
loaded into this camera, engages with the film spool 12 of the film 
cartridge 10 so as to rotationally drive it. When so required, this film 
cartridge spool drive gear wheel 22a is rotationally driven by a per se 
known mechanism not shown in the figure either in a forward rotational 
direction as shown by the solid rotational arrow in the figure or in a 
backward rotational direction as shown by the dotted rotational arrow in 
the figure, so as to rotate the film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10 
either in its forward rotational direction or in its backward rotational 
direction respectively, whereby the film 11 is wound respectively either 
out of or into the film cartridge 10 as explained above. 
This film forwarding device performs three types of operation. First, when 
a film cartridge 10 is loaded into the camera, it performs the so called 
auto loading process, in which the leading end of the film 11 is pushed 
out through the film passage slit 15 until the leading end of the film 11 
reaches and is caught by the film take up spool 25 so that the film 11 
starts to be wound up thereon. Second, when the film has been properly 
loaded into the camera, the film forwarding device performs the operation 
of winding on the film to the next film frame, each time a photograph is 
taken, by rotating the take up spool 25 further in the forward rotational 
direction. Third, when all the frames on the film have been shot, the film 
forwarding device performs the operation of rewinding the film back to its 
original state so that it is taken completely back into the film cartridge 
10 again, by rotating the film spool 12 in the backward rotational 
direction. 
In this first preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electric 
motor 23 is provided as housed within the film take up spool 25, and is a 
source of motive rotational power for these three operations of the film 
forwarding device. 
The dashed line in FIG. 1 denoted by the reference symbol GT1 represents a 
first gear train which receives rotational power from this electric motor 
23, the dashed line denoted by the reference symbol GT2 represents a 
second gear train which supplies rotational power from the first gear 
train GT1 to the film cartridge spool drive gear wheel 22a, and the dashed 
line denoted by the reference symbol GT3 represents a third gear train 
which supplies rotational power from the first gear train GT1 to the drive 
gear wheel 25a for the film take up spool 25. The details of these gear 
trains are not shown in the figure because they are not directly relevant 
to the present invention. They may for example be as disclosed in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,136,314 or as disclosed in Japanese Patent application No. 
Heisei 3-330868. 
When the film cartridge 10 is loaded into this camera, its film spool 12 is 
engaged with the film cartridge spool drive member 22. When the motor 23 
is rotated in the forward rotational direction, this rotation is 
transferred via the first gear train GT1 and the second gear train GT2 to 
the film cartridge spool drive gear wheel 22a in a manner to rotate it in 
the forward rotational direction, and is also transferred via the first 
gear train GT1 and the third gear train GT3 to the drive gear wheel 25a 
also in a manner to rotate it in the forward rotational direction. Thereby 
the film cartridge spool drive member 22 and the film take up spool 25 are 
both rotated in the forward rotational direction. The rotation of the film 
cartridge spool drive member 22 likewise drives the film spool 12 of the 
film cartridge 10 in the forward rotational direction, whereby the leading 
end of the film 11 is pushed out through the film passage slit 15 of the 
film cartridge 10 so as to reach the outside. Subsequently, the leading 
end of the film 11 is further pushed in the same manner along past an 
aperture 27 of the camera until it reaches and is caught by the film take 
up spool 25. Thereafter the film feeding is performed by only rotating the 
take up spool 25. 
In this preferred embodiment, the reduction ratios provided by the second 
and third gear trains GT2 and GT3 are set so that the rotational speed of 
the film take up spool 25 on the film pulling side is about three times as 
great as the rotational speed of the film spool 12 on the film pushing 
side, and thereby, when the leading end of the film 11 has reached and 
been caught by the film take up spool 25, the forwarding speed for the 
film will be substantially increased rather than as was the case before by 
the pushing action of the rotating film spool 12. 
The rotational speed of the film cartridge spool drive gear wheel 22a is 
forced to be higher than before by the film being forcibly pulled by the 
film take up spool 25, the second gear train GT2 is being driven by the 
film cartridge spool drive gear wheel 22a. However, a one way clutch not 
particularly shown in the figure is provided between the second gear train 
GT2 and the first gear train GT1, and as a result this one way clutch 
overruns at this time, so that no problem arises in the mechanism. At this 
time, therefore, the rotational power from the motor 23 is not transmitted 
to the film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10 via the second gear train 
GT2 and so on. Further, when subsequently the film is being wound on from 
one frame to another, in an identical manner the rotational power from the 
motor 23 is not transmitted to the film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10, 
so that the film is being pulled along by the rotation of the film take up 
spool 25, rather than being pushed by the rotation of the film spool 12. 
Later, when the motor 23 rotates in its backward rotational direction, this 
backward rotation is transferred via the first gear train GT1 and the 
second gear train GT2 to the film cartridge spool drive gear wheel 22a in 
a manner to rotate it in the backward rotational direction. On the other 
hand, by the per se conventional action of a planetary gear mechanism not 
shown in the figures, this backward rotation is not transferred via the 
first gear train GT1 and the third gear train GT3 to the film take up 
spool 25, but on the contrary the film take up spool 25 is left to rotate 
freely. Thereby the film cartridge spool drive member 22 rotates the film 
spool 12 in the backward rotational direction, and the film 11 is 
progressively wound back up onto the film spool 12, while the film take up 
spool 25 is passively turned. Finally the leading end of the film 11 is 
pulled back through the film passage slit 15, so that the entire film 11 
comes to be wound up on the film spool 11 and housed within the film 
cartridge 10. If more details are required relating to the construction 
and operation of this film forwarding device, reference should be made to 
the previously identified Japanese Patent Application No.Heisei 3-330868. 
In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, as will be mentioned 
later with reference to the flow chart relating to its operation, a 
decision is made as to whether or not the auto loading process that takes 
place when the film cartridge has been loaded into the camera has 
proceeded properly. This decision procedure is disclosed in the previously 
identified U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,314, but nevertheless an outline thereof 
will be explained hereinafter. 
The reference numeral 30 denotes a feeding amount detection roller which is 
disposed so as to contact with the portion of the film 11 which extends 
between the film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10 and the film take up 
spool 25, and which is rotated as the film 11 is feeded. On the upper 
surface in the figure of the roller 30 there is concentrically inscribed 
an electroconductive pattern 31 in the general form of a toothed wheel. 
The reference numerals 32a and 32b denote a pair of brushes which are 
fixed to the frame of the camera, and the one 32a of these brushes always 
in electrical contact with the pattern 31, while the other 32b of these 
brushes comes into intermittent contact with the tooth shaped outer 
peripheral portions of the pattern 31, as the pattern 31 rotates along 
with the roller 30. In FIG. 2 to be described hereinafter the film feeding 
amount detection roller 30 and the pattern 31 provided thereon, and the 
brushes 32a and 32b constitute a film movement detection switch SW4, and 
as the film 11 is forwarded from the film spool 12 to the film take up 
spool 25, this film movement detection switch SW4 alternately opens and 
closes repeatedly at a period corresponding to the speed of forwarding of 
the film 11. 
Further, the reference numeral 40 denotes a rotation detection plate which 
is rotated together with the shaft 23a of the motor 23, and on the upper 
surface in the figure of the plate 40 there is concentrically inscribed an 
electroconductive pattern 41. The reference numerals 42a and 42b denote a 
pair of brushes which are fixed to the frame of the camera, and the one 
42b of these brushes is always in electrical contact with the pattern 41, 
while the other 42a of these brushes comes into intermittent contact with 
the pattern 41. In FIG. 2 to be described hereinafter the rotation 
detection plate 40 and the pattern 41 thereon, and the brushes 42a and 42b 
constitute a motor rotation detection switch SW5, and as the motor 23 
operates, this motor rotation detection switch SW5 alternately opens and 
closes repeatedly at a period corresponding to the speed of rotation of 
the motor 23. 
As explained previously, the speed of forwarding of the film 11 is 
substantially higher when the film take up spool 25 has caught the leading 
end of the film 11 in comparison to its value before the film take up 
spool 25 has caught the leading end of the film 11, and accordingly the 
period of opening and closing of the film movement detection switch SW4 is 
substantially shorter after the film 11 catches on the film take up spool 
25 than before. On the other hand, the period of opening and closing of 
the motor rotation detection switch SW5 is substantially the same after 
the film 11 catches on the film take up spool 25 as before. Accordingly, 
it is possible to determine whether or not the film forwarding speed has 
increased, i.e. whether or not the leading end of the film 11 has properly 
caught onto the film take up spool 25 so that the operation of film auto 
loading has been properly completed, by counting the number of falling 
slopes of the output signal from the motor rotation detection switch SW5 
which occur between one falling slope of the output signal from the film 
movement detection switch SW4 and the next, and testing whether or not, 
respectively, this counted value is less than some predetermined value. To 
put it in another manner, if within a previously determined time period it 
is decided that the leading end of the film 11 has properly caught onto 
the film take up spool 25 (i.e., within the previously determined time 
period the speed of forwarding of the film has increased), then it is 
possible to conclude that the film auto loading process has been completed 
satisfactorily. While, on the other hand, if within the previously 
determined time period it is decided that the leading end of the film 11 
has not properly caught onto the film take up spool 25 (i.e., within the 
previously determined time period the speed of forwarding of the film has 
not increased), then it is possible to conclude that the film auto loading 
process has not been completed satisfactorily. 
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for this camera according to 
the first preferred embodiment, which is equipped with the film forwarding 
device of FIG. 1. The reference numeral 51 denotes a control circuit which 
incorporates a microcomputer, a memory, a timer and various other 
ancillary devices, and to this control circuit 51 there are connected 
various circuits and switches as will now be described. 
The reference numeral 52 denotes a motor drive circuit which controls the 
rotation of the electric motor 23 which is the source of rotational energy 
for the above described film forwarding device. 53 is a drive circuit 
which not only drives the above described photoreflective detector 21 for 
reading out the bar code pattern from the bar code disk member 13, but 
also serves as a drive circuit for performing amplification and 
improvement of the waveform of the bar code signal output from the 
photoreflective detector 21. 54 is a memory which accumulates the bar code 
signal from the photoreflective detector 21, which outputs stored bar code 
signal to the control circuit 51 when so required. Further, 57 is an 
exposure control device which controls a shutter, an iris, etc. of the 
camera, and which upon orders from the control circuit 51 sets the shutter 
speed, the aperture, etc., and controls the shutter so as to perform 
photography. 
SW1 is a cartridge loaded switch which is turned 0N when a film cartridge 
10 is loading into the cartridge receiving chamber of the camera, and is 
otherwise OFF. SW2 is a film lid closed switch which is turned ON when a 
lid of the cartridge receiving chamber is properly closed, and is 
otherwise OFF. SW3 is a release switch which is turned ON when a release 
button of the camera is depressed, and is otherwise OFF. 
SW4 is the above described film movement detection switch which comprises 
the film feeding amount detection roller 30 and the electroconductive 
pattern 31 provided thereon, and the brushes 32a and 32b, and its one side 
is connected to ground while its other side is connected to a counter A 
which is designated by the reference numeral 55. This counter A counts up 
by one (increments) every time it detects a falling slope of the output 
signal from the film movement detection switch SW4, and is connected to 
the control circuit 51 so that its counted value can be read by the 
control circuit 51, and so that, further, the counted value of this 
counter A can be reset to zero upon the receipt of an order from the 
control circuit 51. SW5 is the above described motor rotation detection 
switch which comprises the rotation detection plate 40 and the pattern 41 
thereon, and the brushes 42a and 42b, and its one side is connected to 
ground while its other side is connected to a counter B which is 
designated by the reference numeral 56. This counter B counts up by one 
(increments) every time it detects a falling slope of the output signal 
from the motor rotation detection switch SW5, and is connected to the 
control circuit 51 so that its counted value can be read by the control 
circuit 51, and so that, further, the counted value of this counter B can 
be reset to zero upon the receipt of an order from the control circuit 51. 
Now the control procedure executed by this control circuit 51 will be 
described with the aid of the flow chart shown in FIG. 3. 
When a battery not shown in the figures is loaded into this camera and 
activates the operation of the control circuit 51, the execution of this 
control procedure or program starts. First, in the decision step S1, a 
decision is made as to whether or not the cartridge loaded switch SW1 is 
ON. If the result of this decision is YES, i.e. if the cartridge loaded 
switch SW1 is ON and therefore a film cartridge is currently loaded into 
the camera, then the flow of control passes next to the decision step S2; 
while on the other hand, if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the 
cartridge loaded switch SW1 is OFF so that no film cartridge is yet loaded 
into the camera, then the flow of control loops back to this step S1 again 
in a tight loop. Similarly, in the next decision step S2, a decision is 
made as to whether or not the film lid closed switch SW2 is ON. If the 
result of this decision is YES, i.e. if the film lid closed switch SW2 is 
ON and therefore the film lid is currently properly closed, then the flow 
of control passes next to the step S3A; while on the other hand, if the 
result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the film lid closed switch SW2 is 
OFF and therefore the film lid is not yet properly closed, then the flow 
of control loops back to the step S1 again in a tight loop. 
If therefore both the cartridge loaded switch SW1 and the film lid closed 
switch SW2 are ON, the flow of control proceeds to the step S3A, in which 
the value of a flag DD is set to unity, and next the flow of control 
proceeds to the step S3. In this step S3, the values of two other flags M 
and D are both set to zero, and then the flow of control proceeds to the 
next step S4. The flag M is set to unity when an error has occurred in the 
film auto loading process --more exactly, when an error has occurred in 
the leading end of the film 11 catching onto the film take up spool 
25--while the flag D is set to unity when it has proved impossible to 
decipher the bar code signal which has been read in from the 
photoreflective detector 21 via the drive circuit 53 and the memory 54 
during the auto loading process. And the flag DD is set to zero when the 
bar code signal read in while rewinding the film or thereafter turning the 
axis of the film spool 12 backward has been properly decoded. 
In the next step S4, the auto loading process is performed, and then the 
flow of control proceeds to the next decision step S5. In detail, in this 
step S4, the motor 23 is rotated in its forward direction, so that the 
film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10 is rotated in the forward 
rotational direction, whereby the leading end of the film 11 is pushed out 
through the film passage slit 15 of the film cartridge 10 so as to reach 
the outside and is subsequently further pushed in the same manner along 
past the aperture 27 of the camera until it reaches and is caught by the 
film take up spool 25. Subsequently the motor 23 is operated for a 
predetermined further amount, so as to further advance the film 11 by 
winding it up onto the film take up spool 25 to a predetermined amount, 
whereby the portion of the film 11 on which it is suitable to shoot the 
first film frame is positioned to oppose the aperture 27, ready to be 
shot. Further, during this auto loading process the photoreflective 
detector 21 is operated via its drive circuit 53, and thereby the 
photoreflective detector 21 reads out a bar code signal from the bar code 
pattern inscribed on the bar code disk member 13 of the film spool 12 of 
the film cartridge 10. This bar code signal read out by the 
photoreflective detector 21 is outputed via the drive circuit 53 to the 
memory 54, in which it is stored. 
In the next decision step S5, a decision is made as to whether or not in 
fact the leading end of the film 11 did properly catch onto the film take 
up spool 25. If the result of this decision is YES, i.e. if the leading 
end of the film 11 did properly catch onto the film take up spool 25, then 
the flow of control passes next to the decision step S5A; while on the 
other hand, if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the leading end 
of the film 11 did not properly catch onto the film take up spool 25, then 
the flow of control passes next to the step S14. The decision performed in 
this decision step S5 is made in the following manner. 
From the start of the auto loading process, the abovementioned counters A 
and B are operating, and the number of falling slopes of the output signal 
from the motor rotation detection switch SW5 which occur between one 
falling slope of the output signal from the film movement detection switch 
SW4 and the next are counted. If within a previously determined time 
period this number has not dropped below a previously determined constant 
value, then the decision is made that the leading end of the film 11 did 
not properly catch onto the film take up spool 25 during the allotted time 
period therefor, so that it is considered that an error has occurred. 
While if, on the other hand, within the previously determined time period 
this number does indeed drop below the previously determined constant 
value, then the decision is made that the leading end of the film 11 has 
indeed properly caught onto the film take up spool 25. Such a film auto 
loading error can occur, for instance, if the leading end of the film 11 
is cut or cracked so that it cannot properly be caught onto the film take 
up spool 25, or if the leading end of the film 11 is bent, folded, or 
twisted. 
If in the decision step S5 it is decided that an error in film auto loading 
has occurred, the flow of control proceeds next to the step S14. In this 
step, the value of the flag M is set to unity, and next the flow of 
control proceeds to the step S13, in which as explained hereinafter the 
film 11 is rewound. On the other hand, if in the decision step S5 it is 
decided that the film auto loading operation has been successfully 
accomplished, then next the flow of control proceeds to the decision step 
S5A. In this decision step S5A, a decision is made as to whether or not 
the value of the flag DD is zero. If the result of this decision is YES, 
i.e. if the value of the flag DD is zero which indicates that the flow of 
control has passed through the steps S21, S22 and particularly S24 to be 
described hereinafter and therefore that the bar code signal which has 
been read in while turning the axis of the film spool 12 backward has been 
properly decoded, then the flow of control skips to pass next to the 
decision step S9; while on the other hand, if the result of this decision 
is NO, i.e. if the value of the flag DD is unity which indicates that the 
flow of control has not passed through the steps S21, S22 and particularly 
S24, then the flow of control passes next to the step S6. In this step S6, 
the bar code signal stored in the memory 54 is input to the control 
circuit 51, and then the flow of control proceeds to the next step S7, in 
which this bar code signal is decoded by the control circuit 51. The flow 
of control next proceeds to the decision step S8, in which a decision is 
made as to whether or not this decoding operation for the bar code signal 
has been successful, i.e as to whether or not it has been possible 
accurately to obtain the information related to this film 11 which was 
encoded in the bar code inscribed on the bar code disk member 13. If the 
result of this decision is YES, i.e. if it has been possible accurately to 
obtain the information related to this film 11, then the flow of control 
passes next to the decision step S9; while on the other hand, if the 
result of this decision is NO, i.e. if it has not been possible accurately 
to obtain the information related to this film 11, then the flow of 
control passes next to the step S15, in which the value of the flag D is 
set to unity, and from which the flow of control next proceeds to the step 
S13. 
In this decision step S9, a decision is made as to whether or not the 
release button (not shown) previously mentioned is being operated. This 
decision is made according to the output from the release switch SW3. If 
the result of this decision is YES, i.e. if the release button is being 
operated, then the flow of control passes next to the step S10; while on 
the other hand, if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the release 
button is not being operated, then the flow of control loops back in a 
tight loop to this decision step S9 again. Accordingly, this decision step 
S9 functions to wait until the release button of the camera is operated. 
In the next step S10, the exposure control device 57 is operated, so as to 
set the shutter speed, the aperture, etc., and so as to control the 
shutter so as to perform photography; and then the flow of control 
proceeds to the next decision step S11. In this decision step S11, a 
decision is made as to whether or not the counted value on a film frame 
counter not shown in the figures has yet reached the total number of 
frames to be shot on the film 11 as indicated by the bar code information 
relating to the film 11 which has been decoded from the bar code signal 
read out as explained above. If the result of this decision is YES, i.e. 
if the film frame count has indeed reached the total number of frames to 
be shot on the film 11, which means that the film has now been finished, 
then the flow of control passes next to the step S13; while on the other 
hand, if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the film frame count 
has not yet reached the total number of frames to be shot on the film 11, 
which means that the film has not yet been finished, then the flow of 
control passes next to the step S12. In this step S12, the control circuit 
51 actuates the motor 23, via the motor drive circuit 52, to operate in 
its forward rotational direction, so as to wind on the film 11 by just one 
film frame, and then the flow of control returns back to the decision step 
S9 again, waiting for the release button of the camera to be operated so 
as to shoot the next frame on this film 11. 
On the other hand, in the step S13, the control circuit 51 actuates the 
motor 23, via the motor drive circuit 52, to operate in its backward 
rotational direction, so as to rewind the film 11. During and in parallel 
with this rewinding operation, the photoreflective detector 21 is also 
operated via its drive circuit 53, and thereby the photoreflective 
detector 21 reads out a bar code signal from the bar code pattern 
inscribed on the bar code disk member 13 of the film spool 12 of the film 
cartridge 10, and this bar code signal read out by the photoreflective 
detector 21 is outputed via the drive circuit 53 to the memory 54, in 
which it is stored. When the rewinding of the film 11 has been completed, 
the flow of control passes next to the decision step S16. In this decision 
step S16, a decision is made as to whether or not the value of the flag M 
is unity. If the result of this decision is YES, i.e. if the value of the 
flag M is unity, which means that the flow of control has reached this 
decision step S16 via the step S14 so that the film 11 is not finished but 
on the contrary during the film auto loading process the problem occurred 
that the leading end of the film 11 did not properly catch onto the film 
take up spool 25, then the flow of control returns back to the step S3 
again, in order to make another attempt at the auto loading process. While 
on the other hand, if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the value 
of the flag M is not unity, then the flow of control passes next to the 
decision step S17. 
In this decision step S17, a decision is made as to whether or not the 
value of the flag D is unity. If the result of this decision is YES, i.e. 
the value of the flag D is unity, then this means that the flow of control 
has reached this step via the step S15 and that therefore, although the 
film auto loading process was accomplished successfully, it was not 
possible properly to decode the bar code signal which was read in; and 
then the flow of control passes next to the step S20. On the other hand, 
if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the value of the flag D is 
not unity, then this means that all the frames on the film 11 have been 
shot and the film 11 has been finished; and in this case the flow of 
control passes next to the step S18. 
In the step S20 and the following step S21, a process identical to that 
performed in the previously explained steps S6 and S7 is performed; in 
other words, the stored bar code signal is input from the memory 54 into 
the control circuit 51, and then is decoded; and then the flow of control 
proceeds to the next decision step S22, in which a decision is made as to 
whether or not this decoding operation for the bar code signal has been 
successful, i.e as to whether or not it has been possible accurately to 
obtain the information related to this film 11 which was encoded in the 
bar code inscribed on the bar code disk member 13. If the result of this 
decision is YES, i.e. if it has been possible accurately to obtain the 
information related to this film 11, then the flow of control passes next 
to the step S24, in which the value of the flag DD is reset to zero, and 
from which the flow of control next proceeds to loop back to the step S3 
again; while on the other hand, if the result of this decision is NO, i.e. 
if it has not been possible accurately to obtain the information related 
to this film 11, then the flow of control passes next to the step S23. In 
this step S23, the motor 23 is again operated in the reverse direction so 
as to rotate the film spool 12 of the film cartridge 10 in the reverse 
direction, and the flow of control returns back to the step S20. The flow 
of control thus loops repeatedly round the steps S20, S21, S22, and S23 
until the bar code has been properly read in and decoded, when the flow of 
control escapes this loop via the step S24 as described above. 
Since the bar code signal which is read out from the memory 54 in the step 
S6 was read out from the bar code disk member 13 by the photoreflective 
detector 21 while the bar code disk member 13 was being rotated in the 
forward direction, while on the other hand the bar code signal which is 
read out from the memory 54 in the step S20 was read out from the bar code 
disk member 13 by the photoreflective detector 21 while the bar code disk 
member 13 was being rotated in the backward rotational direction, 
therefore naturally the decoding processes applied for the bar code signal 
in the respective following steps S7 and S21 must be different. The 
details of this matter are per se easily supplemented by a person of 
ordinary skill in the bar code decoding art based upon the disclosure in 
this specification, and therefore details thereof will be omitted in the 
interests of brevity. 
When on the other hand in the decision step S17 it is found that the value 
of the flag DD is not unity, then it is considered that the step S13 was 
reached after all of the frames available on the film had been shot, i.e. 
that the step S13 was reached via the YES branch from the decision step 
S11, and therefore the flow of control is transferred to the decision step 
S18, in which a decision is made as to whether or not the film lid closed 
switch SW2 is OFF. If the result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the film 
lid closed switch SW2 is ON and therefore the film lid is currently 
closed, then the flow of control loops back to this step S18 again in a 
tight loop; while on the other hand, if the result of this decision is 
YES, i.e. if the film lid closed switch SW2 is OFF and therefore the film 
lid is not currently closed, then the flow of control passes next to the 
decision step S19, in which, similarly, a decision is made as to whether 
or not the cartridge loaded switch SW1 is OFF. If the result of this 
decision is NO, i.e. if the cartridge loaded switch SW1 is ON and 
therefore a film cartridge is currently loaded into the camera, then the 
flow of control loops back to the previous step S18 again in a tight loop; 
while on the other hand, if the result of this decision is YES, i.e. if 
the cartridge loaded switch SW1 is OFF so that no film cartridge is 
currently loaded into the camera, then the flow of control returns back to 
the initial decision step S1 of this program. This pair of steps S18 and 
S19 therefore has the effect of waiting until both the film door is open 
and the film cartridge 10 is removed from the film cartridge chamber of 
the camera, and only then does the flow of control return to the step S1. 
According to the above described procedure, if it proves impossible 
accurately to decode the bar code signal read in during the film auto 
loading process, then the film 11 is rewound so as to pull it back into 
the film cartridge 10, and while this film rewinding is taking place 
another attempt is made at reading the bar code signal and decoding it. If 
the bar code signal is accurately read and decoded this time, then the 
film auto loading process is performed again, so as to bring the camera 
into readiness for shooting the first film frame. If on the other hand as 
before the bar code signal cannot accurately be deciphered, then after 
rewinding the film 11 completely the film spool 12 is further rotated in 
the backward rotational direction, and further attempts are made at 
reading the bar code and decoding it. It should be noted that at this time 
the film 11 merely turns round and round in the film cartridge 10 without 
causing any problem. When, finally, the operation of decoding the bar code 
signal has taken place correctly, then the film auto loading process is 
again performed. Accordingly, even if after the first attempt at auto 
loading of the film it proves impossible accurately to decode the bar code 
signal, nevertheless subsequently it is possible to reread and decode the 
bar code signal, and therefore it is positively ensured that photography 
is only performed when the information relating to the film encoded in the 
bar code on the bar code disk member 13 has been accurately read into the 
camera. 
In the above procedure, when it proves impossible accurately to decode the 
bar code signal read in during the film auto loading process, then the bar 
code signal obtained afterwards while the film is being rewound is again 
decoded; but this is only given as an example of one aspect of the present 
invention, and is not to be construed as limitative of the present 
invention. As an alternative, it would also be acceptable according to the 
principle of the present invention for the film to be temporarily rewound 
without inputting the bar code signal at that time, and for another 
attempt at inputting and decoding the bar code signal to be performed 
while the film was being again subjected to the auto loading process. FIG. 
4 is a partial flow chart showing a variation upon the FIG. 3 embodiment, 
which operates in this manner. For this modification, it suffices to alter 
the FIG. 3 flow chart so that the YES branch from the decision step S17 
returns to the step S3. The steps S20 through S24 can then be truncated 
from the flow chart. The details of the operation of this variant 
embodiment can easily be supplemented by a person of ordinary skill in the 
relevant art based upon the disclosure in this specification, and 
therefore details thereof will be omitted in the interests of brevity. In 
this variant embodiment, by contrast to the FIG. 3 embodiment, since the 
bar code signal which is read out from the memory 54 is always read out 
from the bar code disk member 13 by the photoreflective detector 21 while 
the bar code disk member 13 is being rotated in the forward direction and 
never while the bar code disk member 13 is being rotated in the backward 
direction, therefore the decoding process applied for the bar code signal 
is always the same. 
In FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, a partial block diagram and a partial flow 
chart are shown for another variant of the first preferred embodiment of 
the present invention. In this variant embodiment, the decoded information 
relating to the film is displayed to the user of the camera, and if this 
information cannot be displayed a warning is provided to that effect. 
In the FIG. 5 block diagram, the parts in this variant embodiment which are 
additional to the parts in the FIG. 2 block diagram are shown. The 
reference numeral 61 denotes a warning device which is for giving a 
warning to the user of the camera, and may for example be a flashing LED 
or a buzzer or the like for emitting an audible warning. Further, the 
reference numeral 62 denotes a display device, which may incorporate a LCD 
panel type display or the like, for displaying the decoded information 
relating to the film to the user of the camera. Both of these devices 61 
and 62 are connected to the control circuit 51. 
FIG. 6 shows how certain program steps S51 through S54 relating to the 
operation of the devices 61 and 62 can be added to the FIG. 3 flow chart. 
In detail, when in the step S5A the control circuit 51 decides that the 
value of the flag DD is zero, or when in the step S8 it is deemed that the 
decoding process for the bar code signal has been successful, then before 
control passes to the decision step S9 it first is passed through a new 
step S51, in which the decoded information relating to the film is 
displayed on the liquid crystal type display panel or the like of the 
display 62. After this, when it is decided in the step that all the 
available frames on the film have been shot, in other words upon a YES 
decision, a new step S52 is interposed, in which this display of the 
decoded information is stopped. Further, after the step S14 and also after 
the step S15, before the step S13 is reached, a new step S53 is 
interposed, in which the control circuit 51 controls the warning device 61 
to start providing a warning to the user of the camera which signifies 
that the bar code signal which has been read in cannot be decoded. Yet 
further, after the YES branch from the step S16 and also after the step 
S24, before the flow of control is transferred back to the step S3, a new 
step S54 is interposed, in which the control circuit 51 controls the 
warning device 61 to stop providing this warning. After this, the flow 
goes to the step S5 via the step S3 and if it is judged in the step S5 
that the error in film auto loading process has occurred, the flow goes to 
the step S53 via the step S14, in which the warning starts. Thereafter, if 
the flag M is judged to be unity, the flow goes to the step S54. In the 
step S54, the warning is finished. 
Accordingly, warning is provided to the user by the warning device 61 when 
the bar code signal which has been read in cannot be decoded. A detailed 
explanation of the functioning of this variant embodiment will easily be 
supplemented by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art based upon 
the disclosure in this specification, and therefore details thereof will 
be omitted in the interests of brevity. 
Preferred Embodiment 2 
The second preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be 
described with reference to the flow chart for its operation shown in FIG. 
7 and continued in FIG. 8. 
In the above described first preferred embodiment, the film was rewound in 
the backward rotational direction when it first proved impossible to 
decode the bar code signal which was read in during the auto loading 
process, even if the auto loading process itself had been completed 
satisfactorily, and further attempts to read the bar code signal were made 
during this backward winding of the film; but, in contrast, the second 
preferred embodiment shows the case in which the bar code signal is read 
in while the film is being wound on in the forward direction. 
FIG. 7 together with its continuation in FIG. 8 constitute a flow chart 
corresponding to FIG. 3. Explanation of this flow chart will be 
concentrated on the points in which it differs from the FIG. 3 flow chart, 
and repetition of concepts which are identical will be avoided. 
In this second preferred embodiment, no flags such as the flags D and DD of 
the first preferred embodiment are used. Accordingly, the steps S3A and S3 
of FIG. 3 are replaced by a step S3', and the steps S5A and S15 are 
eliminated. The steps S17 and S20 through S24 are also eliminated, and 
when a NO decision is reached in the decision step S16 the flow of control 
is transferred to the step S18. Further, when in the step S8 it is decided 
that it has been impossible to decode the bar code signal, the flow of 
control is transferred to the step S61 of FIG. 8. 
Referring to FIG. 8, in the step S61 the above described counter A is 
reset, and then the flow of control passes next to the step S62. In this 
step S62, the motor 23 is rotated in the forward direction so as to wind 
on the film, and simultaneously with this the photoreflective detector 21 
is operated so as to read in the bar code signal from the bar code disk 
member 13 of the film cartridge 10 and store it in the memory 54; and then 
the flow of control proceeds to the next step S63. In this step S63, the 
bar code signal which has thus been stored in the memory 54 is input into 
the control circuit 51, and then the flow of control proceeds to the next 
step S64, in which the input bar code signal is decoded. In the next 
decision step S65, a decision is made as to whether or not the bar code 
signal has been successfully decoded. If the result of this decision is 
YES, i.e. if the bar code signal has been successfully decoded, then the 
flow of control proceeds to the step S66; while on the other hand, if the 
result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the bar code signal has not been 
successfully decoded, then the flow of control returns back to the step 
S62 again, to loop around. In the step S66, the value counted on the 
counter A is stored in the memory of the control circuit 51, and then the 
flow of control proceeds to the next step S67. In this step S67, the value 
of the counter A is reset to zero, and then the flow of control proceeds 
to the next step S68. In this step S68, the motor 23 is rotated in the 
backward direction so as to start winding back the film; and then the flow 
of control proceeds to the next decision step S69. In this decision step 
S69, a decision is made as to whether or not the counted value on the 
counter A has yet become equal to the value previously stored in the 
memory of the control circuit 51 in the step S66. If the result of this 
decision is YES, i.e. if the value of the counter A is now equal to the 
previously stored value, which means that the film has now been rewound 
back to the position that it was in at the step S61, then the flow of 
control passes next to the step S70; while on the other hand, if the 
result of this decision is NO, i.e. if the value of the counter A is not 
yet equal to the previously stored value, which means that the film 
requires to be further wound back, then the flow of control loops back to 
this decision step S69 in a tight loop. Finally, when the film has thus 
been rewound to its original position after the bar code signal has been 
satisfactorily decoded in the step S64, in the step S70 the reverse 
rotation of the motor 23 is stopped, and the flow of control returns to 
the step S9 of FIG. 7. 
According to the above described second preferred embodiment of the present 
invention, if it proves impossible accurately to decode the bar code 
signal read in during the film auto loading process, then as the film is 
wound forward the bar code signal is read in and decoded, repeatedly if 
necessary, and when this decoding process has been executed satisfactorily 
the film is rewound back to its position which it attained at the end of 
the auto loading process, in other words to its position in which its 
portion on which it is suitable to shoot the first film frame is 
positioned directly opposite the aperture 27 of the camera. However, this 
is not to be considered as being limitative of the present invention. When 
the decoding process has been executed satisfactorily, the film may rewind 
back to its position other than the position which it attained at the end 
of the auto loading process. 
It would also be acceptable, as an alternative, to dispense with the film 
rewinding operation, and to merely continue with photography from the 
point on the film in the film winding on process that was reached when it 
was possible to read and decode the bar code signal accurately. 
Although in the shown preferred embodiments of the present invention the 
bar code signal was read in during the auto loading process, this is only 
exemplary, and is not to be considered as limitative of the present 
invention. The present invention may be applied to a camera of the type in 
which photography is commenced from when the film initially stored within 
the cartridge has entirely pre-wound on the film take up spool. With this 
camera, the bar code signal is read in during the prewinding process and 
afterward decoding it, and the film is rewound and another attempt is made 
when an error has occurred in the decoding process. 
The construction of the bar code pattern reading in mechanism and of the 
film forwarding mechanism should not be considered as limited to those 
shown in the figures. For example, the principle of the present invention 
could also be applied to a camera incorporating a film forwarding 
mechanism in which two separate motors were used, one for rotating the 
film spool in the film cartridge, and the other for rotating the take up 
spool. Further, the information relating to the film which is inscribed as 
a bar code pattern on the bar code disk member or the like is not to be 
considered as being limited to the ISO sensitivity of the film or the 
number of frames available on the film, since other possibilities are also 
available within the scope of the present invention: for example, 
information related to the production of the film or the like, such as 
latitude information or film serial number of production or date of film 
production or the like, could also be made available in this bar coded 
form. The present invention is also applicable to a camera in which, after 
the film has been loaded into the camera, the auto loading process is only 
performed upon a specific command being issued by the user of the camera, 
i.e. is only performed according to the will of the camera user. Other 
variations are also possible.