Photography – Self-developing camera
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-13
2001-03-20
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Self-developing camera
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205294
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to photographic apparatus and, more particularly, to compact photographic apparatus of the self-developing type and methods of operation thereof.
Heretofore, a wide variety of photographic apparatus of the self-developing type for exposing and processing film units has been proposed, such as cameras, printers, camera backs, slide copiers, etc. Exemplary photographic apparatus of this type are described and illustrated in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,854,903; 2,930,301; 3,079,849; 3,270,653; 3,405,619; 3,455,692; 3,767,405; 3,852,781; 4,114,166; 4,132,471; 4,172,647; 4,341,454; 4,855,769; 4,937,676; 5,103,249; 5,453,804; and, 5,715,234. Typically, such cameras, printers and the like use self-developing film assemblages of either the peel-apart or integral kind. Cameras of the above type are cooperable with film systems whereby the film frames are driven from the camera by some internal mechanism or are manually withdrawn by an operator exerting a pulling force on a film strip. During such film advance, the film frames engage pressure applying mechanisms whereby the latter act to rupture pods containing processing fluid on the frames and then spread the latter over the film unit in order to initiate processing of the latent image.
While the foregoing are commercially successful and operate in a reliable manner, there is nevertheless a continuing desire for providing a low cost camera of the above type, especially one that is compact in size and is otherwise adapted for use with a film assemblage that is correspondingly compact in size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention provision is made for a method of processing a film assemblage including a plurality of individual self-developing integral film units carried serially in spaced apart relationship on a strip in an image recording apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: providing means for acquiring and storing digital image data which is to be imaged; imaging the stored digital image data on the film units; said imaging step includes the step of using the area imaging means for generating the stored images and optical means for directing the generated images to an image plane at which the film units can be imaged; applying a withdrawing force on a leading portion of the strip so that an exposed film unit at the exposure station is first advanced through pressure applying means within the apparatus and then emerges from the apparatus; and, indexing generally simultaneously therewith the next successive integral film unit to the exposure station; said indexing step is accomplished by indexing means of the strip cooperating with the pressure applying means; the withdrawing force is applied to the strip of the imaging apparatus.
In an illustrated embodiment, provision is made for use of an active matrix LCD area imaging device.
In another illustrated embodiment, provision is made for acquiring the data image by means of an electronic storage card.
In another embodiment provision is made for a self-developing camera for use with a film assemblage including a plurality of individual film units of the self-developing type carried serially in spaced apart relationship on a strip, wherein each film unit includes an image receiving portion, a pod of processing fluid associated therewith, and indexing means. The camera comprises means for storing the film assemblage film strip; means defining an exposure plane; and pressure applying means for rupturing the pod and spreading the processing fluid on an image forming portion of each associated film unit. The housing means allows a leading portion of the strip to be withdrawn from the camera in response to a pulling force so that an exposed film unit at the exposure plane is first advanced through the pressure applying means and then emerges from the camera. The indexing means of the succeeding pulled film unit cooperates with the means in the housing means for positively locating at the exposure plane an image portion of the next succeeding film unit leaving the storing means.
It is an object of the present invention to provide for improved printer of the photographic apparatus type and methods especially for use with film of the self-developing type which is simplified in construction and assembly and, therefore, low in cost as well as sufficiently miniature in nature in order to insure the user benefits of a miniaturized printer and photograph.
The above and other objects and scope of the present invention will become apparent following reading a detailed description thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like structure throughout the several views.
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Norris Philip R.
Po Hong
Payne Leslie
Polaroid Corporation
Rutledge D.
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