Photography – With data recording – Optical
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-12-04
Mahoney, Christopher E. (Department: 2851)
Photography
With data recording
Optical
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327438
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data imprinting device, which forms data such as date and time of photographing on a film, for a camera.
Conventionally, cameras are generally provided with data imprinting devices for imprinting data such as a date, time or the like on a film. A typical example of such a data imprinting device may be provided with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array and an optical system which converges the light emitted by the LED array to form a plurality of beam spots on the film. Generally; the data imprinting device is provided in a camera body and the optical image of the data to be printed formed on a film emulsion side of a film. Alternatively, the data imprinting device is provided to a back cover of the camera and the optical image is formed on a back surface of the film.
When the data imprinting device is provided in the camera body, since the recent cameras are generally designed to avoid unnecessary space for downsizing, an extra space is required for accommodating the data imprinting device, and accordingly, the size of the camera should be made larger. When the data imprinting device is mounted on the back cover of the camera, the thickness of the back cover may increase. In either case, downsizing of cameras is prevented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved data imprinting device which can be implemented in a camera without preventing downsizing of the camera.
For the object, according to the invention, there is provided a data imprinting device for camera, the camera being provided with a sprocket that engages feed holes of a film, comprising; a shaft that rotatably supports the sprocket; a light emitting device that emits a plurality of light beams, the light emitting device being provided to the shaft, an optical path being defined, in the shaft, from the light emitting device toward the film; and an optical system that is provided within the optical path that converges the plurality of light beams onto the film.
Since the optical path is defined in the shaft, and the optical system is provided inside the shaft, an extra space therefor is unnecessary, which contributes to downsizing of cameras.
Optionally, the camera is provided with another sprocket which is also driven to rotate as the film is fed, and a film feeding amount detection system which detects a feeding amount of the film in accordance with a driven amount of the another sprocket.
The data imprinting device is further provided with another shaft that is integrally formed with the another sprocket, the shaft and another shaft being co-axially arranged along a rotational axis thereof.
The light emitting device may be provided at an end portion, along a rotational axis, of the shaft. In such a case, the shaft may extend in parallel with a film surface, and an opening is formed on the shaft at a portion facing the film surface. The light beams emitted by the light emitting device proceed along a central axis of the shaft. The optical system may include a deflecting member which deflects the light beams emitted by the light emitting device toward the film surface via the opening.
Optionally, the light emitting device may include a light emitting diode.
Further optionally, the light emitting device may include a plurality of light emitting elements which are arranged such that beam spots formed on a film surface are arranged in a width direction of the film.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data imprinting device for a camera, that is provided with: first and second sprockets engaging feed holes formed on both sides, in a width direction, of a film, a first shaft that rotatably supports the first sprocket, a second shaft that supports the second sprocket, a light emitting device arranged between the pair of sprockets, the light emitting device emitting a plurality of light beams, and an optical system that is provided between the light emitting device and the film, the optical system converging the plurality of light beams on the film.
Since the shaft connecting the two sprockets is omitted and the imprinting device is arranged at the thus obtained room, an extra space for the data imprinting device is unnecessary, which contributes to downsizing of the camera.
Optionally, the camera may include a body having a film winding section provided with a film winding spool, and a central portion including at least a shutter mechanism. Further, the light emitting device and the optical system are provided between the film winding section and the shutter mechanism.
Further optionally, the light emitting device may include a plurality of light emitting elements which are arranged such that the beam spots formed on a film surface are arranged in a width direction of the film.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a camera, provided with: a sprocket engaging feed holes of a film: a shaft that rotatably supports the sprocket; a light emitting device that emits a plurality of light beams, the light emitting device being provided to the shaft, an optical path being defined, in the shaft, from the light emitting device toward the film; and an optical system that is provided within the optical path to converge the plurality of light beams on the film to form a plurality of beam spots thereon.
According to still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a camera, which is provided with: first and second sprockets engaging feed holes formed on both sides, in a width direction, of a film; a first shaft that rotatably supports the first sprocket; a second shaft that supports the second sprocket; a light emitting device arranged between the pair of sprockets, the light emitting device emitting a plurality of light beams; and an optical system that is provided between the light emitting device and the film, the optical system converging the plurality of light beams on the film.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5469237 (1995-11-01), Itoh et al.
patent: 6044231 (2000-03-01), Soshi et al.
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Mahoney Christopher E.
LandOfFree
Optical system of data imprinting device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical system of data imprinting device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical system of data imprinting device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2556140