JP2000162740A - Film unit with lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film unit with a lens inexpensively constituted so that imprinting data can be optionally selected. SOLUTION: A data imprinting module 13 having a liquid crystal panel 41 capable of displaying plural imprinting data and a changeover contact 44 for changing over the data is incorporated in a unit main body. A data display board 22 where indexes showing the kinds of the data are printed as many as those is provided on the front of the module 13. One of the indexes is exposed to the outside from a data display window 21. The board 22 is equipped with a rotation changeover device 25 on its back surface. By depressing a changeover switch 24, the board 22 is rotated and the index is changed over, and also the pressing shaft 25a of the device 25 depresses the contact 44 so as to change over the imprinting data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lens-equipped film unit having a built-in data imprinting device for optically imprinting data such as characters and marks on an exposure screen of a photographic film. The present invention relates to a lens-fitted film unit having a function of selecting data to be read.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A compact camera with a built-in data imprinting device for optically imprinting data such as characters such as a date and marks in an exposure range on a photographic film is known. This data imprinting apparatus comprises, for example, an IC chip in which data such as date is input in advance, and data display means such as a transmissive liquid crystal panel in which the data is displayed as outline characters. It is configured as a module, and is configured in combination with a data imprinting light source such as an LED that illuminates the liquid crystal panel to generate data light.

Some recent data imprinting devices can imprint not only the photographing date but also a plurality of data having different contents such as a text message input in advance. The photographer is now able to arbitrarily select one data from among the plurality of data in accordance with various objects to be photographed and imprint the data for each photographed frame.

Since the above-described data module is usually housed inside the camera body, the data module is electrically linked to the data module so that the photographer can select the above-mentioned imprint data arbitrarily. In general, an external display device for imprinted data incorporating a liquid crystal panel for external display and a changeover switch for data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel is provided on a back cover or the like of a camera body. Thus, the photographer can arbitrarily select the desired imprint data while checking the data on the liquid crystal panel.

[0005]

Incidentally, there is known a film unit with a lens (hereinafter, referred to as a film unit) provided with a photographic film in advance and provided with a simple photographing mechanism. Since this film unit is intended to be used once, low cost is particularly required, and it is characterized by being small and simple. And
This feature makes it easy for anyone to use.

It has been considered that a film unit having the above-described features is provided with a built-in data imprinting device capable of arbitrarily selecting imprint data for each photographing frame. According to this, a desired text message can be added in accordance with the subject image of each photographed frame, the range of enjoyment can be expanded, and the user of the film unit can respond to a simple play feeling. Conceivable.

However, like a compact camera, adding an external display device for imprinted data that is electrically linked to the data module, separately from the data module for imprinting, greatly increases the number of electrical components, and the structure , Which results in a significant increase in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has as its object to provide a low-cost, film-with-lens film unit with a built-in data imprinting device capable of freely selecting imprinting data.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a film unit with a lens according to claim 1 displays one of a plurality of types of imprint data and optically imprints it on a photographic film. Data imprinting means to be imprinted, a data selection operation member for selecting the type of imprint data to be displayed on the data imprinting means, and an imprint data display member in which indices indicating the types of the imprint data are arranged. And two or more indices which are provided on the film unit main body so as to be externally observable and which include at least one index corresponding to the imprint data displayed on the data imprinting means out of the arranged indices. And an instructing unit for instructing the one index. The data displaying member or the finger is operated in conjunction with the operation of the data selection operating member. By displacing one of the parts, it is characterized in that instruct the one index.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a film unit with a lens, which displays one of a plurality of types of imprint data and optically imprints the data on a photographic film, and displays the data on the data imprint means. A data selection operation member for selecting the type of imprint data to be made, an imprint data display member on which indices indicating each type of the imprint data are arranged, and a data display window formed on the outer peripheral surface of the film unit main body. The one indicator is displayed through the display window by displacing the data display member in conjunction with the operation of the data selection operation member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the film unit with a lens according to the first or second aspect, the index is arranged at a constant pitch along an outer peripheral edge of the projection data display member. It is characterized in that the selection operation member is constituted by a rotating plate which rotates by a constant pitch for each pressing operation.

[0012]

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a film unit 2 with a lens is composed of a body base 6 to which an exposure unit 3 and a strobe unit 4 are assembled, a front cover 7 which is put on the front and back thereof, and a rear cover. It comprises a unit body 9 composed of a cover 8 and a cartridge 11 and a photo film 12 drawn out of the cartridge 11 and formed into a roll.

A data imprinting module 13 is mounted on the front of the exposure unit 3. A battery 15 for driving the data imprinting module 13 and the flash unit 4 is housed in the lower part of the main body 6. Cartridge 1
1 and the photo film 12 are preliminarily incorporated into the cartridge storage chamber 6a and the film storage chamber 6b formed in the main body 6 at the time of production of the film unit 2 with the lens, respectively. 8b is light-tightly stored.

A photographing window 16, a finder objective window 17, a strobe light emission window 18, and a strobe charging switch 19 are formed on the front surface of the unit body 9, and a data display window 21 is formed in a fan shape beside the window. This data display window 21
A data display plate 22 having a circular shape is arranged at the back of the camera, and is partially exposed from the data display window 21.

The data display panel 22 is fitted on a changeover switch 24 inserted from the front surface of the front cover 7 into the shaft hole 23 so as to be positioned in front of the data imprinting module 13 and supported on the back surface of the front cover 7. Is done. As will be described later, an index indicating a type corresponding to a plurality of data imprinted by the data imprinting module 13 is printed on the surface of the data display panel 22. Since this index is externally displayed through the data display window 21, the module 13
Can be used to confirm the selected data.

A rotation switching device 25 is provided on the back surface of the data display plate 22. Each time the changeover switch 24 is pressed once, the data display plate 22 rotates clockwise by a certain angle when viewed from the front. . Further, the changeover switch 24 is also linked with a changeover contact 44 provided on the front surface of the data imprinting module 13 via a pressing shaft 25a provided on the back surface of the rotation changeover device 25. The module 13 switches the data to be copied.

The shutter button 2 is provided on the upper surface of the unit body 9.
6, a film counter window 27 and a strobe charging completion display window 28 are formed. The hoisting knob 2 engaged with the spool of the cartridge 11 is provided above the cartridge storage chamber 6a.
9 are provided. By rotating the winding knob 29 for each photographing, the photographed film 12 having been photographed is wound into the cartridge 11 one frame at a time. The shutter mechanism incorporated in the exposure unit 3 is charged for the next photographing in conjunction with the winding of one frame of the film, and the rotation of the winding knob 29 is locked when the feeding of one frame of the film is completed.

An exposure frame 6c is formed in the body base 6, and limits the exposure range for one frame on the front surface of the photographic film 12 sent to the photographing position. In front of the exposure frame 6c, a dark box base 6d protruding in the shape of a rectangular tube is integrally formed, and the main body base 6d is formed.
By assembling the exposure unit 3 with the exposure unit 3, a dark box is formed in cooperation with the dark box unit 31 on the exposure unit 3 side. Note that the dark box is not necessarily limited to the above-described divided type, and the dark box may be formed by only one of the dark box base 6d and the dark box 31.

A synchro switch 32 is provided on the board of the strobe unit 4. The synchro switch 32 is for obtaining a trigger signal for strobe light emission, and is turned on when the shutter is opened to emit a strobe light in conjunction with a shutter mechanism. This trigger signal is also input to the data imprinting module 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, a shutter opening 31a and a data imprinting opening 31b are formed on the front surface of the dark box 31 of the exposure unit 3. Exposure unit 3
A shutter mechanism including a shutter blade 34 integrally formed with a data imprinting shutter 34b based on the dark box 31; a shutter charging mechanism;
A film counter plate and the like are assembled, and further, a finder optical system 36 composed of an objective and an eyepiece and a light guide 37 for strobe charging completion display are held. The upper surface of the light guide 37 is exposed to the outside through the strobe charging completion display window 28.

The front surface of the exposure unit 3 is
Are covered by a shutter cover 38 in which the shutter is incorporated. The subject light enters the dark box 31 from the photographing lens 33 along the photographing optical axis 40 through the shutter opening 31a. The data imprinting module 13 is mounted on the front surface of the shutter cover 38 via a receiving plate 39. As described above, since the data imprinting module 13 is arranged beside the taking lens 33, the unit main body 9 can be kept thin.

The data imprinting module 13 has a memory for storing a total of five types of imprinted data consisting of four types of character messages in addition to data for displaying the date at the time of photographing by date, and a date display. A clock circuit for oscillating a clock signal, an IC chip including a liquid crystal driver for displaying the data and switching the display, and a transmissive liquid crystal display for displaying selected imprint data among the data one by one It comprises a panel 41 and the like. On the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 41, an LED 42 is provided as a data imprinting light source. The liquid crystal panel 41 and the LEDs 42 are driven by being supplied with power from the battery 15.

The LED 42 is illuminated for a certain period of time by a trigger signal sent from the sync switch 32 when the shutter blade 34 is opened, and irradiates the liquid crystal panel 41. As a result, data light to be reflected on the photographic film 12 is generated according to the data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41. This data light passes through the data optical axis 43, enters the dark box through the data projection opening 31b opened by the data projection shutter 34b, passes through the imaging lens 44 provided in the dark box, and passes through the exposure frame 6d. Photo film 1 inside
2 is imaged.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the switching of the imprint data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 is performed by pressing a switching contact 44 provided in a concave portion on the front surface of the data imprint module 13. Done by In front of the switching contact 44, a pressing shaft 25a of the rotation switching device 25 provided on the back surface of the data display plate 22 is arranged. The pressing shaft 25a is linked with the changeover switch 24. When the changeover switch 24 is pressed by this interlock, the changeover contact 44 is pressed. By repeating this pressing operation, five different types of imprint data are switched, and are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 with the date display as an initial value.

On the circumference of the surface of the data display plate 22 around the rotation axis (not shown), five types of indices 22a corresponding to the imprint data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 are displayed.
22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e are arranged at a constant pitch (equal angle) and printed. The angle at which the data display plate 22 rotates when the changeover switch 24 is pressed once corresponds to the angle at which the indicator is arranged.
In addition, each index 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e
4 and the order of the arrangement correspond to the five types of data sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41, starting with the index 22a indicated by “year, month, day” in FIG.

The data display window 21 displays these indices 22
any one of a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e
One indicator is formed to be displayed externally. The one index is indicated by this window frame shape. At the time of shipment, the index displayed externally from the data display window 21 is the index 22 indicated by “date” in FIG.
Adjustment is performed so as to achieve a. As a result, the initial value (date display) of the data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 is correlated, and the index is switched by pressing the changeover switch 24 thereafter, and the imprint data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 is switched. A response is also taken between

The operation of the above configuration will be described below. In the assembling process of the lens-fitted film unit 2, the data imprinting module 13 is assembled on the front surface of the exposure unit 3 with the exposure unit 3, the battery 15, and the strobe unit 4 incorporated in the main body base 6.
After assembling, the initial setting of the data imprinting module 13 is performed to adjust the time and confirm that the imprinting data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 is in the date display.

On the other hand, the data display plate 22 including the rotation switching device 25 and the changeover switch 24 are also assembled to the front cover 7 on a separate line from the assembly process of the main body base 6. At this time,
The index 22a is adjusted and assembled so as to be displayed from the data display window 21. The front cover 7 includes the data display board 2
After the completion of the assembling of No. 2, it is sent to an assembling process with the main body base 6. Here, the film unit with lens 2 is assembled from the front and rear together with the rear cover 8 to the main body base 6, and then packed and shipped.

The photographer who has purchased the film unit with lens 2 confirms the imprint data in the data display window 21 on the front of the unit body 9 at the time of photographing. As shown in FIG. 5A, it is confirmed that the index externally displayed from the data display window 21 is the index 22a indicated by “year, month, day” in the figure. At the time of assembly, the index 22a is:
Since the correspondence with the display on the liquid crystal panel 41 is taken, the imprint data of the date display is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41.

The film winding is performed by rotating the winding knob 29. As a result, the first frame of the photographic film 12 is sent and set on the exposure frame 6c. At the same time, the winding lock mechanism and the shutter charging mechanism operate.

After performing framing, the photographer presses the shutter button 26. When the shutter button 26 is pressed, the shutter mechanism operates and the shutter blades 34 open and close. The subject light incident from the photographing lens 44 passes through the photographing optical axis 40, enters the dark box 31 through the shutter opening 31a, and is set on the exposure frame 6c.
2 is formed.

On the other hand, by opening and closing the shutter blades 34, the data imprinting shutter 34b is also opened and closed, and at the same time, the synchro switch 32 is turned on and the data imprinting module 1 is turned on.
3 is sent a trigger signal. This trigger signal causes LE
D42 lights up for a certain period of time. This light illuminates the transmissive liquid crystal panel 41 displayed as a date at the time of photographing, for example, “98720”. This liquid crystal panel 4
The light transmitted through 1 becomes data light, enters the dark box 31 from the data writing opening 31b along the data optical axis 43, and forms an image on the photographic film 12.

The photographic film 1 thus photographed
FIG. 5B shows an example in which No. 2 is printed. The imprint data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41 is imprinted on the lower right of the print 51 as "'98 720".

When performing flash photography, the charging switch 19 is slid to the ON position to start charging. After confirming the lighting of the lamp in the strobe charging completion display window 28, the shutter button 26 is pressed. Shutter blade 34
When the shutter is opened, the synchro switch 32 is turned on and the strobe light is emitted. At the same time, the LED 42 emits light, and the subject light and the data light form an image on the photographic film 12.

When photographing the next photographing frame, data to be photographed is selected according to the subject to be photographed. When the changeover switch 24 is pressed once, the operation of the rotation changeover device 25 causes the data display plate 22 to rotate clockwise by a certain angle. Thereby, the index exposed from the data display window 21 is, for example, the index 22b indicated as “HAPPY” in FIG. 6A. At the same time, the pressing shaft 25a presses the switching contact 44 in conjunction with the changeover switch 24. As a result, the data imprinted on the liquid crystal panel 41 is also "HAPP".
"Y".

After confirming the index 22b of "HAPPY" externally displayed from the data display window 21, the photographer enters a series of photographing preparation operations and presses the shutter button 26.
As a result, the subject light enters from the shutter opening 31a to form an image on the photographic film 12, and the LED 42
The data light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 41 on which the data of “HAPPY” is displayed is formed on the photographic film 12. As shown in FIG. 6B, "HAPPY" is imprinted on the lower right of the print 53 of the photographed photo film 12.

Similarly, a changeover switch 24 is provided for each photographing frame.
7A and FIG. 8 show the indices displayed externally from the data display window 21 when shooting is performed by sequentially pressing once.
9 (A) and 9 (A) show corresponding examples of printing of imprinted data in FIGS. 7 (B) and 8 (B), respectively.
(B) and FIG. 9 (B).

As described above, the indices 22c, 22d, and 2 of the data display plate 22 displayed outside from the data display window 21.
2e and the display contents of the data 56a, 57a, 58a imprinted on the prints 56, 57, 58 correspond respectively. Thereby, the photographer can operate the changeover switch 24 in accordance with the subject to switch the imprint data, check the index in the data display window 21, and select any of the data.

Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, in the first embodiment, only one index corresponding to the imprint data selected by the data imprinting module 13 is: The data is displayed from the data display window 21 to the outside.
Two indicators have been explained in the indicated form. But,
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
22a, 22b, 22c, 22
All of d and 22e may be formed to be displayed outside.

In the second embodiment, the data display window 6
Above 1, an indication mark 62 is provided as an indication section for indicating the one index. This allows users to
While checking the type of data that can be imprinted, the user can select imprint data. The data display window 61 is provided with a transparent plate 63 made of plastic. This prevents dust and dirt from entering the inside of the unit body 9. In FIG. 8,
The same members as those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals.

In addition, as the shape of the data display window, for example, in addition to the one index, the indices before and after the one index are externally displayed, and the one index is indicated by the indicating unit. You may do so. The indicating section may be provided by changing the frame shape of the data display window in addition to the indicating mark shown in the second embodiment. According to this, not only the imprint data but also the imprint data before and after the imprint data can be easily confirmed.

The shape of the data display plate is not limited to a circle, but may be any shape that does not hinder rotation. For example, it may be a polygon corresponding to the number of types of imprint data. In addition, although the description has been made in the form in which the index is printed on the data display plate, the index may be affixed with a fluorescent seal or a fluorescent paint applied. According to this, the visibility of the index is further improved.

In the above embodiment, the data imprinting module can display five types of imprint data, including the date display. Of course, five or more types may be used, or less than five types or less than two types. I just need. In this case, with the change in the number of types, it is necessary to deal with the data display plate and the rotation switching device. In addition, the content of the data may be a logo mark or the like in addition to the shooting date and character data. Further, for example,
The data of turning off the liquid crystal panel may be added so that “no data imprint” can be selected.

Further, although a disk-shaped data display plate has been described as an example of a data display plate on which indices corresponding to imprint data are arranged, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the back of a rectangular data display window, a data display plate in which indices are arranged at a constant pitch in a linear direction is slidably provided,
The selection and switching may be performed so that the imprint data and the index corresponding to the data correspond to the slide movement of the data display board.

In the above embodiment, the method of imprinting data from the front side of the photographic film has been described. However, a data imprinting module is provided on the back of the film unit with a lens, and the imprinting is performed from the back side of the photographic film. May be adopted. In this case, if the display panel of the imprint data is sufficiently close to the photographic film, the imaging lens is unnecessary. Of course, the data displayed on the display panel has a back picture relation to the data of the present embodiment.

As a data imprinting light source, LE
In addition to D, for example, a miniature lamp, EL (electroluminescence), or the like may be used, or a light guide member may be provided to use external light such as natural light or strobe light. Further, a self-luminous type in which the display panel itself emits light may be used.

Although the description has been given of the example in which the data imprinting shutter is provided, the data imprinting shutter may not be provided as long as the light can be shielded on the optical path of the data imprinting. In this case, the lighting time of the LED is the exposure time of the imprint data.

[0048]

As described above, data imprinting means capable of imprinting a plurality of types of imprint data, a data selection operation member for selecting the type of imprint data to be displayed thereon, and the imprint data An imprint data display member on which indices indicating the respective types are arranged, and at least one of the arranged indices corresponding to the imprint data displayed on the data imprinting means is provided to the outside. A display unit for displaying is provided so that the one index can be externally observed in conjunction with the operation of the data selection operation member, so that selection and switching of imprint data can be easily performed.

Further, since the imprint data display member is constituted by a rotating plate, an increase in cost can be suppressed. In addition, the structure can be prevented from becoming complicated due to the addition of an electric circuit or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a film unit with a lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the film unit with a lens according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism for externally displaying imprint data and a main part of a data imprinting apparatus.

4A and 4B are a front view and a side sectional view showing a main part of a mechanism for externally displaying imprint data;

FIG. 5 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of correspondence between indices on a data display board and printed prints;

FIG. 6 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of correspondence between indices on the data display board and printed prints.

FIG. 7 is a third explanatory view showing an example of correspondence between indices on the data display board and printed prints.

FIG. 8 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing an example of correspondence between indices on the data display board and printed prints.

FIG. 9 is a fifth explanatory view showing an example of correspondence between indices on the data display board and printed prints.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a film unit with a lens according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Film unit with lens 13 Data imprinting module 21 Data display window 22 Data display plate 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e Index 24 Changeover switch 41 Liquid crystal panel

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data imprinting means for displaying one of a plurality of types of imprinting data and optically imprinting it on a photographic film, and a type of imprinting data to be displayed on the data imprinting means. A data selection operation member,
An imprint data display member in which indices indicating each type of the imprint data are arranged, and a film unit main body is provided so as to be externally observable, and at least the data imprinting means of each of the arranged indices is provided. A display unit that displays two or more indices including one index corresponding to the displayed imprint data, and an instruction unit that instructs the one index, and interlocks with the operation of the data selection operation member A film unit with a lens, wherein the one index is indicated by displacing either the data display member or the indicating section. 2. A data imprinting means for displaying one of a plurality of types of imprinting data and optically imprinting it on a photographic film, and selecting a type of imprinting data to be displayed on the data imprinting means. A data selection operation member,
An imprint data display member in which indices indicating respective types of the imprint data are arranged, and a data display window formed on an outer peripheral surface of a film unit main body, wherein the data display member is operated by the data selection operation member. Characterized in that the one index is displayed through the display window by being displaced in conjunction with (1). 3. The imprint data display member is configured by a rotating plate in which the indices are arranged at a constant pitch along an outer peripheral edge, and the data selection operation member rotates by a constant pitch for each pressing operation. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The described film unit with lens.