Eastman-kodak Company

Norbert Koenig

Glenn W Johnson

Joel S Lawther

David R Dowe

Douglas W Constable

Martin A Maurinus

A flash control circuit for a camera flash circuit in which a scene ambient light sensing circuit is coupled to the main flash capacitor which serves as the sole energy source for the light sensing circuit independent of the battery source. The ambient light sensing circuit comprises a light sensing device and resistor coupled in series across a zener diode which serves as a fixed voltage reference device for the light sensing circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the ambient light sensing circuit is coupled in series with the flash sync switch across the flash capacitor such that activation of the light sensing circuit occurs only while the sync switch is closed.

Ambient light sensitive automatic flash control circuit

A camera includes a self-timer operable to delay picture taking for a predetermined interval and an electronic flash having a variable re-charge time. Operation of the self-timer is prevented when the predetermined interval is less than the re-charge time of the electronic flash.

Camera with self-timer and electronic flash

A camera includes a shutter button for commencing a picture taking sequence to record an image on a photographic filmstrip and a mode button for selecting an operating mode of the camera. The mode button is operable to select a mid-roll rewind mode of the camera in which the filmstrip, having one or more unexposed image frames, is wound back into a cartridge in the camera. The mid-roll rewind mode is actuated by the shutter button. Preferably, the shutter button must be operated for a longer period of time to actuate the mid-roll rewind mode than to commence the picture-taking sequence.

Camera with mid-roll rewind mode

An apparatus for photo-electrically interfacing a mechanical camera component to an electrical camera component in a camera. The mechanical camera component has a sensing area associated therewith. The sensing area contains optically detectable information. The apparatus comprises a device for directing radiant energy to and from the sensing area. The radiant energy is incident upon at least a portion of the optically detectable information contained on the sensing area. A detecting device is optically coupled to the directing device for photodetecting radiant energy received from the optically detectable information. The detecting device provides an electrical output for receipt by an electrical camera component. The operational status of the mechanical camera component is determinable by the output of the detecting device. The directing device includes an optical fiber having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is remotely situated adjacent to the sensing area to permit emission of radiant energy thereon and reception of radiant energy reflected therefrom. The proximal end is locally situated adjacent to an electrical camera component and is optically coupled to the detecting device to permit photodetection of radiant energy reflected from the sensing area.

Remote photo-electric interface in camera

A flexible printed wiring arch connector, having first and second sets of finger-like projections integrally formed on opposite sides of an elongated substrate, is adapted to be inserted and flexibly secured into corresponding apertures of a receiving printed circuit board. A plurality of electrical conductors are formed on the substrate along the elongated dimension thereof. Connector leads, formed on the finger-like projections, are electrically connected to desired individual ones of the conductors and extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the conductors. Arcuate bending of the projections and connector leads in a direction crosswise of the elongated substrate disposes the projections and connector leads for insertion and retention under a restoring spring force in the circuit board apertures. Once flexibly secured in place, the flexible printed wiring arch connector is ready for soldering.

Low cost arch connector

A recycleable element includes a means for visually indicating the number of times the element has been recycled whereby the indicating means is updateable each time the element is recycled, up to a maximum recycleable life of the element. Such a recycleable element is particularly useful in a recycleable film pack single-use camera having a built-in electronic flash unit.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Norbert Koenig