Seiko Epson Corporation

Other

Masaaki Handa

Hajime Miyazaki

Shinsuke Ito

Tsukasa Muranaka

Taisuke Uehara

Masao Akaiwa

Shinichi Kamisuki

Yasuto Nose

Tajsuke Uehara

Yukitsugu Hata

Hisashi Tasaka

A data-imprinting apparatus for preventing the imprinting of incorrect dates in a lens-equipped film unit that lacks a monitor display unit for the confirmation of the date display. The lens-equipped film unit contains a built-in data module that lacks an external display unit that allows the confirmation of the date display from the outside. The data module contains a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit that automatically updates and displays dates based upon a pre-stored calendar. In the liquid crystal display unit external light enters from the light collection window on the front cover , thus creating a beam of data light. The data light, acting in concert with the shutter release operation, is guided into a dark box. The image-forming optical system that is provided in the dark box forms an image of the data light on a part of the photographic film. When a temporary disruption of the power supply from the battery occurs due to vibrations, for example, the power supply monitoring circuit that is incorporated in the data module detects the event, transmits the off-mode signal to the LCD driver , and causes the display on the liquid crystal display unit to enter into a non-display state.

Data-imprinting apparatus for a lens-equipped film unit

A data-projection device particularly suited for disposable cameras that offers high reliability without the need for a dedicated monitoring device affixed thereto. A dedicated battery is embedded in this data-projection device and an associated battery terminal extends over the entire surface of the data-projection device. One of the circuit board surfaces securing the electrical components of the data-projection device is covered with an anti-electrostatic copper foil pattern which is connected to the battery, thus providing a shield effect with the battery terminal and the copper foil pattern strobe. Further, preferably, the strobe unit and the data-projection device are separated from each other by at least 2 mm. To reduce noise effects from introducing data display errors in the liquid crystal display spring area provided in the battery terminal and is fastened as the receiving area for the guide frame of the main body of the disposable camera to absorb impacts and a dedicated backup capacitor is installed to provide backup in the event the battery contacts are separated from the battery when the data-projection device or the camera it is attached to is jarred or dropped.

Data-projection device for disposable cameras

A data recording device is provided which is capable of preventing the recording of incorrect date and time data on photographic film due to malfunction of the time counter that generates date and time data for recording. Drive IC 31A of data recording device 30 is equipped with time counter 161 that generates date and time data for recording, and the count value of the date and time data generated by this time counter is stored in storage circuit 33. At the point immediately prior to the operation that changes the count value of the time counter, the date and time data in storage circuit 33 and the counter value of the date and time data from the time counter are compared in comparison judgment circuit 34, and if the two do not agree, malfunction detection signal 34S which indicates that the time counter has malfunctioned is output to driver 162 and the recording of date and time data by liquid crystal display panel 12 is stopped. Therefore, the recording of incorrect date and time data on the photographic film can be reliably prevented.

Data recording device for camera and film type camera with lens

A switching regulator soft start circuit and technique which eliminates variations in frequency and is capable of more appropriately preselecting a suitable operating frequency by using a timer which responds to a start signal by generating an initial condition release signal after a predetermined interval, a frequency divider for obtaining a desired oscillation frequency from the output of a switching regulator, and a first gate element connected to receive the output of the frequency divider and the initial condition release signal, and to provide as an output a gate control signal that varies in frequency corresponding to the frequency divider output whenever the initial condition release signal is off but provides a gate control that delivers undivided switching regulator signals when the initial condition release signal is on; and a gate circuit connected to receive oscillation frequency signals and the gate control signal to control the delivery of output signals.

Switching regulator soft start circuit

A micropump supervisory control method and apparatus having various functions, such as annunciation and safety measures. The control method and apparatus accurately control trace discharge rates through adjustment of the number and frequency of driving pulses for a piezoelectric valve element. In addition, the control method provides discharge, life-prediction and life-expiration warning, and operation acknowledge alarms and annunciations while driving the micropump, each having a predetermined sounding pattern. Micropump functions are also inhibited when a power source is reconnected.

Micropump supervisory control

A micropump particularly suited for use in the fields of medicine and analysis includes a thin membrane plate sandwiched between a surface plate and a glass-made substrate. The intermediate membrane has an inlet valve and an outlet valve and the glass substrate has an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively connected to the corresponding valves. Between the valves formed in the thin membrane plate by means of etching, there is a diaphragm on which there is a piezoelectric element for detecting behavior of the diaphragm. Another micropump has an upper thin membrane plate member and a lower member. The upper member has the inlet valve and the lower member has the outlet valve. An intermediate glass substrate is inserted between the upper and the lower thin membrane plate member.

Two-valve thin plate micropump

A watchdog timer capable of detecting clock signals when the opening frequency of a frequency source drifts lower or higher than a normal desired operating range, increasing circuit safety and reliability. The timer uses first and second clock oscillation circuits to generate first and second signals of frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2 which are then divided by 1/N.sub.1 and 1/N.sub.2 in first and second frequency dividers, respectively. Third and fourth frequency dividers are used to divide the second frequency signal f.sub.2 by 1/N.sub.3 and 1/N.sub.4, respectively. A scale of N.sub.5 counter is connected to receive the f.sub.1 /N.sub.1 frequency signal as a clock input and the f.sub.2 /N.sub.3 frequency signal as a reset input, and provides an output signal at a frequency of (f.sub.1 /N.sub.1)/N.sub.5 which is less than f.sub.2 /N.sub.3 when the clock circuits are operating under normal conditions. A scale of N.sub.6 counter is connected to receive the f.sub.2 /N.sub.4 frequency signal as a clock input and the f.sub.1 /N.sub.2 frequency signal as a reset input, and provides an output signal at a frequency of (f.sub.2 /N.sub.4)/N.sub.6 which is less than f.sub.1 /N.sub.2 under normal conditions. A discrimination circuit is connected to monitor the outputs of the scale of N.sub.5 and N.sub.6 counters to determine the presence of a fault by detecting when either output no longer meets the associated relationship.

Growing community of inventors

Suwa, Japan

Masaaki Handa