Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is made to commonly assigned copending applications Ser. No. 09/491,633, entitled DUAL FILM EXPOSURE, ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE CAMERA WITH FILM REWRITE FUNCTION and filed Jan. 26, 2000 in the name of James W. Fulmer, and Ser. No. 09/491,448, entitled DUAL FILM EXPOSURE, ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE CAMERA WITH MULTIPLE REWRITE ON FILM EXCEPT FOR FINAL EXPOSURE and filed Jan. 26, 2000 in the names of James W. Fulmer and Robert G. Hills. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and in particular to a dual film exposure, electronic exposure camera which substantially simultaneously exposes a latent image of the subject on a conventional filmstrip and focuses a corresponding image on an electronic image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cameras are available today for exposing latent images on successive frames of a filmstrip having magnetic recording capacity, in which a memory stores a count indicative of the film frames remaining to be exposed including to indicate that the final frame was exposed, a magnetic head magnetically records user-selected information on the filmstrip adjacent each film frame, and a motor is actuated following exposure of each film frame to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment to permit the magnetic head to record the information on the filmstrip adjacent each exposed frame and is actuated after the magnetic information is written on the filmstrip adjacent the final exposed frame to rewind the exposed film length rearward. 
     THE CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS 
     The cross-referenced application Ser. No. 09/491,633, entitled DUAL FILM EXPOSURE, ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE CAMERA WITH FILM REWRITE FUNCTION, discloses a camera for exposing latent images on successive frames of a filmstrip having magnetic recording capacity, including a control that actuates a motor following exposure of each film frame to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment, and a magnetic head that magnetically records user-selected information on the filmstrip adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames as the filmstrip is advanced forward. The control first actuates the motor to advance the filmstrip rearward one frame increment when it is desired to change the existing information magnetically recorded adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames to some new information, and then actuates the motor to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment for the magnetic head to magnetically record the new information adjacent the same frame in place of the existing information. Preferably, an electronic image sensor is connected to the control to form an electronic image corresponding to the latent image on the most-recently exposed one of the film frames, and a memory is connected to the control to store the electronic image corresponding to the latent image on the most-recently exposed one of the film frames and to store at least some of the magnetically recorded information for the same frame superimposed on the electronic image. 
     The cross-referenced application Ser. No. 09/491,448, entitled DUAL FILM EXPOSURE, ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE CAMERA WITH MULTIPLE REWRITE ON FILM EXCEPT FOR FINAL EXPOSURE discloses a camera for exposing latent images on successive frames of a filmstrip having magnetic recording capacity, includes a memory that stores a count indicative of the film frames remaining to be exposed (including a count of “0” to indicate that the final frame was exposed), a magnetic head that magnetically records user-selected information on the filmstrip adjacent each film frame, and a motor that is actuated following exposure of each film frame to advance the filmstrip to permit the magnetic head to record the information on the filmstrip adjacent each exposed frame. A plurality of information selection switches can be manually used to select the information the magnetic head will magnetically record on the filmstrip adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film flames including the final exposed frame. An input receiving control is connected to the memory, the magnetic head, the motor, and the information selection switches to actuate the motor to advance the filmstrip to permit the magnetic head to record the information on the filmstrip adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames except the final exposed frame, each time at least one of the selection switches is used to select the information, and to record the information on the filmstrip adjacent the final exposed frame, only one time at least one of the selection switches is used to select the information. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A camera for exposing latent images on successive frames of a filmstrip having magnetic recording capacity, in which a memory stores a count indicative of the film frames remaining to be exposed including to indicate that the final frame was exposed, a magnetic head magnetically records user-selected information on the filmstrip adjacent each film frame, and a motor is actuated following exposure of each film frame to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment to permit the magnetic head to record the information on the filmstrip adjacent each exposed frame and is actuated after the magnetic information is written on the filmstrip adjacent the final exposed frame to rewind the exposed film length rearward, is characterized in that: 
     an input receiving control is connected to the memory, the magnetic head, and the motor for delaying actuation of the motor to rewind the exposed film length rearward after the magnetic head has magnetically written the information on the filmstrip adjacent the final exposed frame, to give the user some time to manually input to the control that the information magnetically written adjacent the final exposed frame should be rewritten, and in the absence of the input by the time the delay has elapsed triggers actuation of the motor to rewind the exposed film length rearward. 
     Preferably, the input receiving control first actuates the motor to advance the filmstrip rearward one frame increment when the user manually inputs to the control before the delay has elapsed that the information magnetically recorded adjacent the final exposed frame is to be rewritten, then actuates the motor to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment to magnetically rewrite the information adjacent the final exposed frame, and finally actuates the motor to rewind the exposed film length rearward. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a rear exploded perspective view of a camera according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of various components of the camera; and 
     FIGS. 3,  4  and  5  is a flow chart depicting operation of the camera to illustrate the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is disclosed as being embodied preferably in a motorized film advance camera. Because the features of a motorized film advance camera are generally known, the description which follows is directed in particular only to those elements forming part of or cooperating directly with the disclosed embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that other elements may take various forms known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a motorized film advance camera  10  for exposing latent images on successive frames  12  of a known “Advanced Photo System” (“APS”) filmstrip  14 . The filmstrip  14  has a transparent magnetic overlay which gives it magnetic recording capacity to store various user-selected information along a track  16  adjacent each exposed frame  12 , and it is normally housed in an opaque film cartridge  18 . Typically, the filmstrip  14  is available in 15-exposure, 25-exposure, and 40-exposure lengths. 
     The camera  10  has an opaque main body part  20  that is housed between a pair of connected opaque front and rear cover parts  22  and  24 . See FIG.  1 . The main body part  20  has a cartridge receiving chamber  26  for receiving the film cartridge  18  through a bottom opening (not shown) when a bottom door  28  is pivoted open, a rearwardly open backframe opening  30  at which the respective frames  12  of the filmstrip  14  are temporarily positioned one at a time to be exposed, and an exposed film take-up chamber  32  that contains a film take-up spool  34  which is incrementally rotated following each film exposure to wind the most-recently exposed one of the film frames onto an exposed film roll  36  on the spool (and to position a fresh unexposed frame at the backframe opening  30 ). When the film take-up spool  34  is incrementally rotated, the filmstrip  14  is advanced forward one frame increment which is slightly greater than a frame width. A drive motor  38  resides inside the film take-up spool  34  for incrementally rotating the spool, and its operation is controlled by a known microcomputer  40 . When substantially the entire length of the filmstrip  14  is exposed, i.e. the total number of available frames  12  are exposed, a spindle (not shown) which projects into a cavity  42  in a top end  44  of a film spool inside the film cartridge  18  is continuously rotated via the motor  38  and a suitable gear train (not shown) to rewind the exposed film length into the cartridge. Then, the door  28  is pivoted open to remove the film cartridge  18 . 
     A known electronic flash unit  46  for flash assisted exposures is flipped up from partially covering the front cover part  22  to uncover a taking lens (not shown) preparatory to using the camera  10 . See FIG.  1 . Flipping up the flash unit  46  closes a normally open power switch  48  connected to the microcomputer  40  to electrically power “on” the camera  10 . See FIG.  2 . 
     A normally open cartridge present switch  50  in the cartridge receiving chamber  26  and connected to the microcomputer  40  is closed when the film cartridge  18  is present in the chamber and the door  28  is closed. See FIG.  2 . If the camera  10  is powered “on” and the cartridge present switch  50  is open, a visible no-cartridge waning  52  shown in FIG. 3 is provided in a known status display  54  such as an LCD connected to the microcomputer  40 . The status display  54  is turned “on” when the power switch  48  is closed, and is located behind a window  56  in the rear cover part  24 . See FIG.  1 . If the camera  10  is powered “on” and the cartridge present switch  50  is closed, a visible cartridge loaded indication (not shown) is provided in the status display  54 . 
     A known electronic image sensor  58  connected to the microcomputer  40 , for example a CCD with integrated shuttering capability or a CMOS with integrated shuttering capability, forms an electronic image that corresponds to the latent image on the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12 . The electronic image is stored in a memory  60  connected to the microcomputer  40  and can be seen in a known image display  62  such as an LCD connected to the microcomputer. The image display  62  is located next to the status display  54 , behind the window  56  in the rear cover part  24 . Each time an unexposed one of the film frames  12  is exposed, the electronic image is replaced in the memory  60 . The memory  60  can store only the latest (most recent) image. 
     A viewfinder  64  for viewing a subject to be photographed is located on the main body part  20 . See FIG.  1 . 
     To take a picture, a shutter release button  66  on the front cover part  22  is manually depressed which in turn closes a normally open release switch  68  connected to the microcomputer  40 . See FIGS. 1 and 2. The closed switch  68  triggers momentary opening of a known normally closed shutter  70  to expose a latent image on the film frame  12  at the backframe opening  30 , and to excite the electronic image sensor  58  to form the electronic image substantially simultaneously with exposure of the latent image. The taking lens can be used to focus an image of the subject being photographed, for the electronic image sensor  58  as well as for the filmstrip  14 , or separate lens an be provided, as indicated in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,954 issued Jan. 20, 1998. 
     A magnetic head  72  is mounted within an opening  74  in a film pressure platen  76  for magnetically recording various user-selected information along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12 , each time the motor  38  is actuated to incrementally rotate the film take-up spool  34  in order to advance the filmstrip  14  forward a frame increment and wind the most-recently exposed frame onto the exposed film roll  36  on the spool. The film pressure platen  76  serves to support each film frame  12  flat for exposure at the backframe opening  30 . The user-selected information for each exposed frame  12 , as is known, for example is a selected print quantity, a selected (optional) print title, a selected (optional) print exposure correction +/−, and a selected “APS” print format “C” (classic), “H” (HDTV) or “P” (panoramic). A “C” format print is usually 4×6 inches, a wider “H” format print is often 4×7 inches, and a much wider “P” format print is either 4×10 inches or 4×11.5 inches. Individual visible indications of the selected print quantity, print title, and print exposure correction can be seen in the status display  54 . A visible indication of the selected “APS” print format “C”, “H” or “P” can be seen in the image display  62  (preferably superimposed on the electronic image in the image display). Only the user-selected information that is magnetically recorded along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  is stored in the memory  60 . Respective print quantity, title and exposure correction buttons  78 ,  80  and  82  are provided on the rear cover part  24 , and when individually manually depressed one or more times close normally open print quantity, title and exposure correction switches  84 ,  86  and  88  the same number of times. The print quantity, title and exposure correction switches  84 ,  86  and  88  are connected to the microcomputer  40  in order to change existing print quantity, title and exposure correction information stored in the memory  60  to newly selected information. A format selection button  90  is provided on a top plate  92 , and when manually depressed one or more times closes a normally open C, H, P switch  94  the same number of times. The C, H, P switch  94  is connected to the microcomputer  40  in order to change the existing C, H or P selection stored in the memory  60  to a new one. To enter the newly selected information in the memory  60 , an enter button  96  on the rear cover part  24  must be manually depressed which in turn closes a normally open enter switch  98  connected to the microcomputer  40 . 
     A pair of identical film perforation sensors  100  and  102  for sensing successive pairs of film perforations  104  and  106  in the filmstrip  14  are mounted in respective pockets  108  and  110  in the film pressure platen  76  and are connected to the microcomputer  40 . The two sensors  100  and  102 , as is known, are used to decrement a frame count in the memory  60  by “1”, each time the filmstrip  14  is advanced forward a frame increment and the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  is wound onto the exposed film roll  36  on the film take-up spool  34 . The frame count begins with “15”, “25” or “40” depending whether the filmstrip  40  has a 15-exposure, 25-exposure, or 40-exposure length. 
     A verify button  112  is provided on the rear cover part  24  which can be manually depressed to in turn close a normally open verify switch  114  connected to the microcomputer  40 . The closed switch  114  causes the user-selected information stored in the memory  60  and magnetically recorded along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  to be shown in the status display  54  and the image display  62 . 
     Operation 
     The operation of the camera  10  to illustrate the invention is shown in a flow chart in FIGS. 3-5. 
     Starting at FIG. 3, when the camera  10  is electrically powered “on” by flipping up the electronic flash unit  46 , the status display  54  is simultaneously turned “on.” The status display  54  shows, among other things, the frame count in the memory  60 . 
     If then in FIG. 3 the cartridge present switch  50  remains open because no film cartridge  18  is present in the cartridge receiving chamber  26 , the no-cartridge warning  52  is provided in the status display  54 . 
     If conversely in FIG. 3 the cartridge present switch  50  is closed because the film cartridge  18  is present in the cartridge receiving chamber  26 , the memory  60  is interrogated to determine whether the frame count is greater than “0”. 
     If then in FIG. 3 the frame count in the memory  60  is “0”, which indicates that the final one of the film frames  12  has been exposed, i.e. there are no film frames remaining for exposure, the number “0” appears in the status indicator  54 . 
     If conversely in FIG. 3 the frame count in the memory  60  is greater than “0”, for example “23”, which indicates that there are twenty-three film frames  12  available for exposure, the number “23” appears in the status indicator  54 . 
     If next in FIG. 3 the verify switch  114  is closed, the image display  62  is turned “on” in FIG. 4 to show the electronic image stored in the memory  60  corresponding to the latent image on the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  (which is “24”). Also, the status display  54  now shows the user-selected information that is magnetically recorded along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12 , except that the visible indication of the selected “APS” print format “C”, “H” or “P” is shown in the image display  62  superimposed on the electronic image. 
     If conversely in FIG. 3, the verify switch  114  remains open, and the release switch  68  is not closed within an allotted time, e.g. 150 seconds, determined by a timer  116  in the microcomputer  40 , the camera  10  is powered “off” for battery consumption. 
     If conversely in FIG. 3, the verify switch  114  remains open, and the release switch  68  is closed within the allotted time, e.g. 150 seconds, because a picture is being taken, a latent image is exposed on the film frame  12  at the backframe opening  30  and the electronic image sensor  58  is excited to form an electronic image which matches the latent image on the newly exposed frame. 
     Then in FIG. 4 the motor  38  is actuated to incrementally rotate the film take-up spool  34  in order to advance the filmstrip  14  forward a frame increment and wind the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  onto the exposed film roll  36  on the spool. As the filmstrip  14  is advanced, the magnetic head  72  magnetically records (writes) the user-selected information along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed frame  12 . The frame count in the memory  60  is decremented by “1”, for example to “22.” 
     If next in FIG. 4 the frame count in the memory  60  is greater than “0”, the verify switch  114  can be closed. 
     If then in FIG. 4 the verify switch  114  is not closed within the allotted time, e.g. 150 seconds, or alternatively the release switch  68  is not closed within the same time, the camera  10  is powered “off” for battery consumption. 
     If conversely in FIG. 4 the verify switch  114  is closed within the allotted time (as in FIG. 3) , the image display  62  is turned “on” to show the electronic image stored in the memory  60  corresponding to the latent image on the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  (which is “23”). Also, the status display  54  now shows the user-selected information that is magnetically recorded along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12 , except that the visible indication of the selected “APS” print format “C”, “H” or “P” is shown in the image display  62  superimposed on the electronic image. 
     If next in FIG. 4 none of the user-selected information switches  84 ,  86 ,  88  and  94  arc closed within a brief time, e.g. 10 seconds, determined by the timer  116  in the microcomputer  40 , the image display  62  is turned “off”. The camera  10  including the status display  54  remain “on.” 
     If conversely in FIG. 4 at least one of the user-selected information switches  84 ,  86 ,  88  and  94  is closed within the brief time, e.g. 10 seconds, determined by the timer  116  in the microcomputer  40 , and the enter switch  98  is then closed, the image display  62  is turned “off”, and the motor  38  is actuated to incrementally rotate the film spool inside the film cartridge  18  in order to advance the filmstrip  14  rearward (rewind) one frame increment to unwind the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  from the film take-up spool  34 . Then in FIG. 4 the motor  38  is actuated to incrementally rotate the film take-up spool  34  in order to advance the filmstrip  14  forward one frame increment and wind the most-recently exposed one of the film frames  12  onto the exposed film roll  36  on the spool. As the filmstrip  14  is advanced, the magnetic head  72  magnetically records (rewrites) the newly selected information along the track  16  adjacent the most-recently exposed frame  12  in place of the existing information. 
     If alternatively in FIG. 4 the frame count in the memory  60  is “0”, the image display  62  is turned “on” to show the electronic image stored in the memory  60  corresponding to the latent image on the final exposed one of the film frames  12  (which is “1”). Also, the status display  54  now shows the user-selected information that is magnetically recorded along the track  16  adjacent the final exposed one of the film frames  12 , except that the visible indication of the selected “APS” print format “C”, “H” or “P” is shown in the image display  62  superimposed on the electronic image. The image display  62  is turned “on” in this instance (as compared with the other instance in FIG. 4 that it is turned “on”) without having to first close the verify switch  114 . 
     If next in FIG. 4, none of the user-selected information switches  84 ,  86 ,  88  and  94  are closed within a brief time, e.g. 10 seconds, determined by the timer  116  in the microcomputer  40 , the image display is turned “off” as indicated in FIG. 5, and the motor  38  is actuated to continuously rotate the film spool inside the film cartridge  18  to rewind the exposed film length into the cartridge. Then, the door  28  is pivoted open to remove the film cartridge  18 . 
     If conversely in FIG. 4 at least one of the user-selected information switches  84 ,  86 ,  88  and  94  is closed within the brief time, e.g. 10 seconds, determined by the timer  116  in the microcomputer  40 , the image display  62  remains “on.” Then when the enter switch  98  is closed the image display  62  is turned “off” as indicated in FIG. 5, and the motor  38  is actuated to incrementally rotate the film spool inside the film cartridge  18  in order to advance the filmstrip  14  rearward (rewind) one frame increment to unwind the final exposed one of the film frames  12  from the film take-up spool  34 . 
     Next in FIG. 5 the motor  38  is actuated to incrementally rotate the film take-up spool  34  in order to advance the filmstrip  14  forward one frame increment and wind the final exposed one of the film frames  12  onto the exposed film roll  36  on the spool. As the filmstrip  14  is advanced, the magnetic head  72  magnetically records (rewrites) the newly selected information along the track  16  adjacent the final exposed frame  12  in place of the existing information. 
     Next in FIG. 5 the motor  38  is actuated to continuously rotate the film spool inside the film cartridge  18  to rewind the exposed film length into the cartridge. Then, the door  28  is pivoted open to remove the film cartridge  18 . 
     The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, when in FIG. 4 the enter switch  98  is not closed within an allotted time, e.g. 150 seconds, determined by the timer  116  in the microcomputer  40 , and alternatively the release switch  68  is not closed within the same time, the camera  10  could be powered “off” for battery consumption. 
     PARTS LIST 
       10 . camera 
       12 . film frames 
       14 . filmstrip 
       16 . track 
       18 . film cartridge 
       20 . main body part 
       22 . front over part 
       24 . rear cover part 
       26 . cartridge receiving chamber 
       28 . bottom door 
       30 . backframe opening 
       32 . exposed film take-up chamber 
       34 . film take-up spool 
       36 . exposed film roll 
       38 . drive motor 
       40 . microcomputer 
       42 . spool cavity 
       44 . spool end 
       46 . electronic flash unit 
       48 . power switch 
       50 . cartridge present switch 
       52 . no-cartridge warning 
       54 . status display 
       56 . window 
       58 . electronic image sensor 
       60 . memory 
       62 . image display 
       64 . viewfinder 
       66 . shutter release button 
       68 . release switch 
       70 . shutter 
       72 . magnetic head 
       74 . opening 
       76 . film pressure platen 
       78 . print quantity button 
       80 . print title button 
       82 . exposure correction button 
       84 . print quantity switch 
       86 . print title switch 
       88 . exposure correction switch 
       90 . format selection button 
       92 . top plate 
       94 . C, H ,P switch 
       96 . enter button 
       98 . enter switch 
       100 . film perforation sensor 
       102 . film perforation sensor 
       104 . film perforation 
       106 . film perforation 
       108 . pocket 
       110 . pocket 
       112 . verify button 
       114 . verify switch 
       116 . timer

Technology Category: 3