Apparatus and method for identifying a film cartridge used in a particular type camera
US4678300A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B7/24
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A film cartridge has indicator means arranged within a dedicated area on an exterior surface of the cartridge. The indicator means may be physically altered to provide a visible indication that the cartridge was used in a particular type camera requiring the exposed film to receive special handling at the photofinisher. An altering member is mounted on a back door of the camera to contact the indicator means of the cartridge, to physically alter the indicator means, in response to closing movement of the back door. Thus, the cartridge can be readily identified by the photofinisher as one that was used in the camera. Preferably, the indicator means of the cartridge is constructed of a light-reflecting material which when disfigured by the altering member in the camera will reflect light diffusely. Apparatus at the photofinisher for determining whether the cartridge was used in the camera includes a photoconductive device for sensing the quantity of light reflected from the indicator means to a predetermined location. When the reflected light is scattered because the indicator means is disfigured, the quantity of reflected light reaching the photoconductive device is relatively low. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.