GB1564712A - Data entry devices for cameras - Google Patents

Description

t54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DATA ENTRY DEVICES FOR CAMERAS (71) We, OLYMPUS OPTICAL COMPANY LTD., a Japanese Corporation of 4 > 2, 2-Chome, Hatagaya, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to data entry devices for cameras.

Data entry devices for cameras are already known which are adapted to print on a film data indicative of the date and time when a picture is taken on the film.

However, a conventional device is complex in construction and requires a special adaptor and is troublesome in operation.

Another difficulty with a conventional device has been the lack of means for confirming whether or not data fed in is entered on the film as desired. This frequently resulted in the entry of wrong data.

In accordance with the present invention, a data entry device for a camera comprises a data entry keyboard, a data display window, a power supply compartment and a data entry circuit, all assembled on the rear cover of a camera, and a data printing station mounted on a film pressure plate which is associated with the inside of the rear cover. All of the components are integrally formed with the camera for convenience in portable use. A mere operation of the keyboard is sufficient for purpose of keying in the necessary data.

Preferably the data printing station comprises a plurality of printing light sources, and a light shielding frame having a plurality of slit-like light paths which conduct light from the individual light sources to a position immediately adjacent a film. In this way it is possible to dispense with the use of a special lens in order to prevent blurring in the photographic image of data.

Preferably there is provided a master switch for energizing circuitry other than the data printing station and a switch gauged with operation of a shutter of the camera for energizing the data printing station. Thus, the data entry can be made by an operator while confirming the data keyed in on the data display window, thus effectively preventing the printing of wrong data.

The invention will be further described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a rear view of one exemplary camera incorporating a data entry device according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a rear view of the camera of Fig.

1, with the gear cover being opened, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the data printing station of the camera of Fig. 1 Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken along the line IV-IV shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section of the data printing station, illustrating the configuration of the slit-like light path, and Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of an electrical circuit used in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a camera 1 which incorporates a data entry device embodying the present invention.

The camera includes a rear cover 2 on which a data entry keyboard 3 is mounted to the left-hand side thereof. A data display 4 is mounted on the top portion of the rear cover while a power supply compartment 5 and a master switch 6 are located in the right portion and the bottom portion of the rear cover.

The keyboard 3 includes a plurality of keys such as numeral keys from 0 to 9 and an alphabetical key such as "C". The key "C" is used to clear an entered numerical figure. When not in use, the keyboard 3 is closed by a keyboard cover 7 which is mounted on the rear cover 2 by means of a pair of hinges 7a 7b. The keyboard cover' is formed with a slot 7c, which may be engaged with a key member 8 centrally mounted on the rear cover 2, and may be held in closed position by turning the head 8a of the kev member 8.

The data display window 4 has a plurality of sets of discharge tubes disposed therein, which may be selectively illuminated, thereby providing a numerical display such as 75113015, when the keys in the keyboard are struck to enter corresponding numerals so as to indicate "'75 November 30th 15 hours". The power supply compartment 5 includes a lid 5a which may be removed by turning a setscrew 9, thereby permitting a replacement of a battery or batteries therein. Shown on the top panel la of the camera 1 are a shutter button 10 as well as a film winding lever 11, located on the righthand portion thereof, while a film rewind member 12 is shown thereon in the left-hand portion thereof. A viewfinder eyepiece 13 is located centrally on the backside of the camera.

Fig. 2 shows the backside of the camera 1 when the rear cover 2 is opened. A leaf spring 15 is mounted centrally on the inside of the rear cover 2 by using a plurality of headed pins 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d which slidably engage the limbs of the spring 15. A film pressure plate 16 is mounted on the leaf spring 15. A cartridge or cassette 17 is mounted inside the camera I in the lefthand portion thereof, and a film 18 extending externally of the cartridge òr cassette 17 is wound around a spool 19 located in the right-hand portion of the interior of the camera 1 and which is ganged with the film winding lever 11, thereby extending across a taking lens, not shown, in taut condition.

When the rear cover 2 is closed, the film pressure plate 16 gently bears against the backside of the film 18 to maintain it in a flat condition.

A data printing station 20 is formed in the upper, left-hand portion of the film pressure plate 16, as viewed in Fig. 2, and emits light during the taking of a picture, while being maintained in close contact with the backside of the film 18. The net effect of this is to photographically print an image 21 of the same data as indicated within the data display window 4 on the upper, right-hand portion of an image frame 22 defined in the film 18. Specific means for printing the image 21 as well as the content, configuration or orientation of the data printed may be suitably chosen.

Fig. 3 shows one of a plurality of sets of printing light sources 23a, 23b 23b . . . 23g such as light emitting diodes which are arranged in a 7-segment display pattern, for example.

The number of sets of these light sources corresponds to the number of numerals which are desired for data display. When a numeral "5" is to be printed, for example.

the depression of "5" key on the keyboard 3 results in a light emission of the light sources 23a, 23b, 23d, 23f and 23g, thereby printing a desired numeral "5". In the present device. the light sources 23a to 23g are assembled into the rear portion of a light shielding frame 24 in accordance with a desired display pattern. These components constitute together the data printing station 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the light shielding frame 24 is formed with a plurality of narrow slit-like light paths L1, L2, La... for conducting light emitted by the respective light sources 23a to 23g to the back surface of the film 18. As shown by arrows in Fig. 5, the individual rays of light proceed to impinge upon the back surface of the film 18 while their diffusion is substantially obviated by the narrow width of the light path Ll. Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the image 21 which is printed on the film 18 has a diffusion dimension of 2ez added to the size a of a single light source.

However, because the light paths are of a narrow width just like a slit in the present device, the magnitude of cz is negligibly small, thereby enabling a sharp printing of data which is free from blurring. It will be understood that the slit-like light paths may be formed as openings or transparent materials.

Fig. 6 shows an electrical circuit which is utilized in the embodiment of Fig. 1. A power supply in the form of a battery 25 is received within the casing 5, and is connected through the master switch 6 with a data entry circuit 26 and a timer circuit 27, with which the individual discharge tubes located within the data display window 4 and the individual printing light sources contained within the data printing station 20 are connected. A switch 28, which is ganged with the movement of the shutter, Xcontact or other member such as mirror interrelated with a shutter release operation in the case of a single lens reflex camera, is connected between the timer circuit 27 and the data printing station 20. The data entry circuit 26 comprises the circuit of a conventional desk-top electronic calculator so as to energize or deenergise the discharge tubes located within the window 4 or the printing light sources of the data printing station 20 through the timer circuit 27 in response to an operation of the numeral keys and clear key. These circuits are internally housed within the rear cover 2 of the camera 1. In operation, the master switch 6 is initially turned on, and then desired keys of the keyboard 3 operated to key in a necessary data through the data entry circuit and the timer circuit 27, thereby allowing a confirmation of the data keyed in, by viewing the display in the data display window 4. Prior to or after the data keying in operation, a shutter winding operation is performed. When the shutter button 10 is depressed. the image frame 22 of the film 18 is imagewise exposed. The switch 28 is closed in response to the movement of the shutter, X-contact or other member such as the mirror in a single lens reflex camera, thereby energizing the data printing station 20 for light emission, thereby printing an image 21 of desired data on the film 18.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A data entry device for a camera, said device comprising a data entry keyboard, a data display window, a power supply compartment and a data entry circuit, all assembled on the rear cover of the camera, and a data printing station mounted on a film pressure plate which is associated with the rear cover.

2. A data entry device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the data printing station comprises a plurality of printing light sources, and a light shielding frame having a plurality of slit-like light paths which conduct light from the individual light sources to a position immediately adjacent a film.

3. A data entry device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, further including a master switch for energising circuitry other than the data printing station, and a switch ganged with operation of the shutter of a camera for energizing the data printing station, thereby permitting a printing of necessary data to take place when a display is produced within the data display window.

4. A data entry device for a camera, constructed and arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. display window 4. Prior to or after the data keying in operation, a shutter winding operation is performed. When the shutter button 10 is depressed. the image frame 22 of the film 18 is imagewise exposed. The switch 28 is closed in response to the movement of the shutter, X-contact or other member such as the mirror in a single lens reflex camera, thereby energizing the data printing station 20 for light emission, thereby printing an image 21 of desired data on the film 18. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A data entry device for a camera, said device comprising a data entry keyboard, a data display window, a power supply compartment and a data entry circuit, all assembled on the rear cover of the camera, and a data printing station mounted on a film pressure plate which is associated with the rear cover.

2. A data entry device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the data printing station comprises a plurality of printing light sources, and a light shielding frame having a plurality of slit-like light paths which conduct light from the individual light sources to a position immediately adjacent a film.

3. A data entry device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, further including a master switch for energising circuitry other than the data printing station, and a switch ganged with operation of the shutter of a camera for energizing the data printing station, thereby permitting a printing of necessary data to take place when a display is produced within the data display window.

4. A data entry device for a camera, constructed and arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.