U.S. patent application number 09/779418 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-21 for data-imprinting apparatus for a lens-equipped film unit.
Invention is credited to Handa, Masaaki, Hata, Yukitsugu, Ito, Shinsuke, Tasaka, Hisashi.
Application Number | 20010004419 09/779418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26384247 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Handa, Masaaki ; et
al. |
June 21, 2001 |
Data-imprinting apparatus for a lens-equipped film unit
Abstract
A data-imprinting apparatus for preventing the imprinting of
incorrect dates in a lens-equipped film unit that lacks a monitor
display unit for the confirmation of the date display. The
lens-equipped film unit 1 contains a built-in data module 27 that
lacks an external display unit that allows the confirmation of the
date display from the outside. The data module 27 contains a
transmission-type liquid crystal display unit 45 that automatically
updates and displays dates based upon a pre-stored calendar. In the
liquid crystal display unit 45, external light enters from the
light collection window 15 on the front cover 12, thus creating a
beam of data light. The data light, acting in concert with the
shutter release operation, is guided into a dark box. The
image-forming optical system that is provided in the dark box forms
an image of the data light on a part of the photographic film. When
a temporary disruption of the power supply from the battery 70
occurs due to vibrations, for example, the power supply monitoring
circuit 75 that is incorporated in the data module 27 detects the
event, transmits the off-mode signal to the LCD driver 73, and
causes the display on the liquid crystal display unit 45 to enter
into a non-display state.
Inventors: |
Handa, Masaaki; (Suwa-shi,
JP) ; Ito, Shinsuke; (Suwa-shi, JP) ; Tasaka,
Hisashi; (Minamiashigara-shi, JP) ; Hata,
Yukitsugu; (Minamiashigara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EPSON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INC
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT
150 RIVER OAKS PARKWAY, SUITE 225
SAN JOSE
CA
95134
US
|
Family ID: |
26384247 |
Appl. No.: |
09/779418 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09779418 |
Feb 8, 2001 |
|
|
|
08845586 |
Apr 25, 1997 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
396/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 17/245
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
396/6 |
International
Class: |
G03B 017/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 25, 1996 |
JP |
105314/96 |
Feb 27, 1997 |
JP |
044375/97 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A data imprinting apparatus for use in a photographic unit, said
data imprinting apparatus comprising: an interface port for
establishing a communication link with an external circuit device;
a clocking circuit outputting the current time and coupled to
received update time information through said interface port; and
an image generation unit for generating data characters
representative of the current time output from said clocking
circuit, said data characters being selectively imprinted.
2. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 1, further including: a
power rail line for receiving power; a power interruption detecting
mechanism determining when power is interrupted to said power rail
line; an imprint disabling circuit issuing a disable signal in
response to said power interruption detecting mechanism determining
that power has been interrupted to said power rail line, said
disable signal being effective for preventing the imprinting of
said data characters.
3. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said imprint
disabling circuit removes said disable signal in response to
receiving a predetermined data sequence through said interface
port.
4. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 2, further including a
reset input node for receiving a reset signal, said imprint
disabling circuit removing said disable signal in response to
receiving said reset signal.
5. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 4, wherein said imprint
disabling circuit additionally removes said disable signal after
the elapse of a predetermined time period without receiving said
reset signal.
6. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 5, wherein said
predetermined time period is one year.
7. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clocking
circuit is reset to a predetermined default time setting in
response to the interruption of power to said power rail line, said
clocking circuit further requiring that update time information be
received through said interface port in order to establishing a
corrected current time output.
8. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 7, wherein said clocking
circuit can receive update time information only through said
interface port.
9. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said power
interruption detecting mechanism includes a compare circuit for
comparing at least a portion of the current time output of said
clocking circuit with a predetermined reset time value, said
compare circuit issuing a power-interruption-detected signal to
said imprint disabling circuit in response to said portion of the
current time output matching said predetermined reset time
value.
10. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 9, wherein said
predetermined reset time value is stored in a code setting circuit
accessible via an externally accessible terminal, such that said
predetermined reset time value may be altered via said externally
accessible terminal.
11. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 4, wherein said power
interruption detecting mechanism includes a voltage monitoring
circuit for observing voltage fluctuations in said power rail
line.
12. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 11, wherein said reset
input node is accessible through a switch.
13. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 1, further including a
communication interface circuit for controlling data transfer
through said interface port.
14. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 13, wherein said
interface port is a serial communication port.
15. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said image
generation unit includes an LCD driver.
16. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 15, wherein said image
generation unit further includes a display decoder coupled to
receive the current time output from said clocking circuit, the
output of said display decoder being coupled to said LCD
driver.
17. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
photographic unit is a lens-equipped film unit including a battery
and photographic film, said data characters being imprinted on said
photographic film in conjunction with a shutter release
operation.
18. A data imprinting apparatus for use in a photographic unit,
said data imprinting apparatus comprising: a power rail line for
receiving power; a power interruption detecting mechanism for
identifying the occurrence of a predetermined type of power
interruption to said power rail line; an interface port for
establishing a communication link with an external circuit device;
a communication interface circuit coupled to said interface port
and effective for controlling data transfer through said interface
port; a clocking circuit coupled to said communication interface
circuit for receiving update time settings via said interface port,
said clocking circuit outputting timing information on clock output
leads; an image generation unit coupled to said clock output leads
and effective for generating data characters representative of said
timing information output from said clocking circuit, said data
characters being selectively imprinted; and an imprint disabling
circuit issuing a disable signal in response to said power
interruption detecting mechanism noting the occurrence of said
predetermined type of power interruption to said power rail line,
said disable signal being coupled to said image generation unit and
effective for preventing the imprinting of said data
characters.
19. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said
predetermined type of power interruption is a voltage glitch in
said power rail line.
20. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said imprint
disabling circuit removes said disable signal in response to
receiving a predetermined data sequence through said interface
port.
21. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, further including a
reset input node for receiving a reset signal, said imprint
disabling circuit removing said disable signal in response to said
reset signal.
22. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 21, wherein said imprint
disabling circuit additionally removes said disable signal after
the elapse of a predetermined time period without receiving said
reset signal.
23. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 22, wherein said
predetermined time period is one year.
24. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said
clocking circuit is reset to a predetermined default time setting
in response to the interruption of power to said power rail line,
said clocking circuit further requiring that update time settings
be received through said interface port in order to establishing a
corrected current time output.
25. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said power
interruption detecting mechanism includes a comparator circuit
coupled to said clock output leads for comparing at least a portion
of said timing information with a predetermined reset time value,
said comparator circuit issuing a power-interruption-detected
signal to said imprint disabling circuit in response to said
portion of said timing information matching said predetermined
reset time value.
26. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 25, wherein said
predetermined reset time value is stored in a code setting circuit
accessible via an externally accessible terminal, such that said
predetermined reset time value may be altered via said externally
accessible terminal.
27. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 21, wherein said power
interruption detecting mechanism includes a voltage monitoring
circuit for observing voltage fluctuations in said power rail
line.
28. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 27, wherein said reset
input node is accessible through a switch.
29. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said
clocking circuit can receive update time settings only through said
interface port.
30. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said
interface port is a serial communication port.
31. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said image
generation unit includes an LCD driver.
32. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 31, wherein said image
generation unit further includes a display decoder coupled to
receive said timing information output from said clocking circuit,
the output of said display decoder being coupled to said LCD
driver.
33. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said
photographic unit is a lens-equipped film unit including a battery
and photographic film, said data characters being imprinted on said
photographic film in conjunction with a shutter release
operation.
34. A data imprinting apparatus for use in a photographic unit,
said data imprinting apparatus comprising: a power rail line for
receiving power; a power interruption detecting mechanism for
identifying the occurrence of a predetermined type of power
interruption to said power rail line; an interface port for
establishing a communication link with an external circuit device;
a communication interface circuit coupled to said interface port
and effective for controlling data transfer through said interface
port; a clocking circuit for receiving update time settings via
said interface port, said clocking circuit being capable of
receiving update time settings only through said interface port,
said clocking circuit outputting timing information on clock output
leads; an image generation unit coupled to said clock output leads
and effective for generating data characters representative of said
timing information output from said clocking circuit, said data
characters being selectively imprinted; an imprint disabling
circuit issuing a disable signal in response to said power
interruption detecting mechanism noting the occurrence of said
predetermined type of power interruption to said power rail line,
said disable signal being coupled to said image generation unit and
effective for preventing the imprinting of said data characters;
and a reset input node for receiving a reset signal, said imprint
disabling circuit removing said disable signal in response to said
reset signal.
35. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said
predetermined type of power interruption is a voltage glitch in
said power rail line.
36. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said imprint
disabling circuit removes said disable signal in response to
receiving a predetermined data sequence through said interface
port.
37. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 36, wherein said
clocking circuit resets itself to a predetermined default time
setting in response to said predetermined type of power
interruption and said predetermined data sequence is an update time
setting different from said predetermined default time setting.
38. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said imprint
disabling circuit additionally removes said disable signal after
the elapse of a predetermined time period without receiving said
reset signal.
39. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 38, wherein said
predetermined time period is one year.
40. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said
clocking circuit is reset to a predetermined default time setting
in response to the interruption of power to said power rail line,
said clocking circuit further requiring that update time setting
data be received through said interface port in order to
establishing a corrected current time output.
41. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said power
interruption detecting mechanism includes a comparator circuit
coupled to said clock output leads for comparing at least a portion
of said timing information with a predetermined reset time value,
said comparator circuit issuing a power-interruption-detected
signal to said imprint disabling circuit in response to said
portion of said timing information matching said predetermined
reset time value.
42. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 41, wherein said
predetermined reset time value is stored in a code setting circuit
accessible via an externally accessible terminal, such that said
predetermined reset time value may be altered via said externally
accessible terminal.
43. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said power
interruption detecting mechanism includes a voltage monitoring
circuit for observing voltage fluctuations in said power rail
line.
44. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said reset
input node is accessible through a switch.
45. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said
interface port is a serial communication port.
46. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said image
generation unit includes an LCD driver.
47. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 46, wherein said image
generation unit further includes a display decoder coupled to
receive said timing information output from said clocking circuit,
the output of said display decoder being coupled to said LCD
driver.
48. The data imprinting apparatus of claim 34, wherein said
photographic unit is a lens-equipped film unit including a battery
and photographic film, said data characters being imprinted on said
photographic film in conjunction with a shutter release operation.
Description
CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/845,586,
filed Apr. 25, 1997, the contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a data-imprinting apparatus that
is incorporated into a lens-equipped film unit in order to imprint
light representative of the date, for example, onto the exposure
screen of the photographic film. The light representative of the
data is created by using either external light or an imprinting
light source.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Lens-equipped film units built into a unit body with a
built-in shooting mechanism are known. These film units afford ease
of photographing at any time. Among the lens-equipped film units,
one with a data-imprinting mechanism is proposed in the OFFICIAL
GAZETTE FOR PATENT APPLICATIONS H5-289164 (1993). The
data-imprinting mechanism described in the GAZETTE functions as
follows: when shooting is complete, by setting a desired date using
a dial-type manual data-operating unit that is provided on the back
of the body, a data-imprinting shutter component is actuated in
interlock with the photographing shutter vane. This directs the
natural light entering from the window at the front of the body to
the backside of the cover through the lightguide, so that the date
is imprinted on a contact basis onto the exposure screen from the
backside of the photographic film through a data-imprinting plate
on which a reverse-image (transparent) date is displayed.
[0006] The lens-equipped film unit described in the GAZETTE
requires the manual actuation of the data-imprinting operation unit
for each photographing date, which can be cumbersome. Therefore, it
is desirable to incorporate a data-imprinting mechanism wherein a
clock circuit with a pre-stored calendar is provided in the
lens-equipped film unit so that the display can be updated
automatically.
[0007] Data-imprinting devices that are used in most cameras (as
distinct from lens-equipped film units) contain external display
units that allow the user to check the date to be imprinted, and
external operation units that allow the user to change the
displayed date. Should the time data (date) in the clock circuit
return to the initial value in the calendar or display an
unreliable or a totally invalid date due to a temporary shutoff of
the electrical supply to the clock circuit, due to vibrations or a
battery replacement, for example, one can manipulate the external
operation unit by looking at the external display and change the
display status of the clock circuit to the correct date.
[0008] In contrast, lens-equipped film units, after being used, are
sent to a developing shop together with the exposed photographic
film. After the exposed photographic film has been removed, the
film units are returned to the manufacturing plant for recycling.
Because they are used only for a limited period of time as compared
with an ordinary camera, and because they are low-priced, from a
cost-reduction standpoint any data-imprinting apparatus used in
such a lens-equipped film unit does not contain any external
display units or operation units.
[0009] However, if external display units for monitoring or
external operation units for correcting the time-keeping action of
the clock circuit are omitted from a built-in data-imprinting
device in a lens-equipped film unit, any fault that occurs in the
data-imprinting device goes undetected with the result that the
incorrect date is directly imprinted onto the photographic
film.
[0010] Causes of a fault occurring in a data-imprinting device
include: the lens-equipped film unit being subject to vibrations,
as noted previously, resulting in a temporary interruption of the
electrical supply to the built-in clock circuit in the
data-imprinting device; external noise such as static electricity;
and the intrusion into the clock circuit of strobe-recharging or
flashing noise that is generated from the strobe circuit board that
is incorporated into the film unit. In all cases, these problems
lead to the resetting of the clock circuit, reverting the time data
to the initial data, or cause a malfunction of the clock circuit
resulting in an incorrect date display.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to prevent the
imprinting of incorrect dates in a data-imprinting device that does
not contain external display units for monitoring or external
operation units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] To solve the above problems in a data-imprinting apparatus
for a lens-equipped film unit that is provided with a clock circuit
that keeps time by receiving electricity from a battery
incorporated in a lens-equipped film unit containing photographic
film, and a liquid crystal display element that displays date
characters based upon the time data supplied from the clock
circuit, such that the apparatus imprints the date characters
displayed on said liquid crystal display element by means of
external light that enters the film unit in conjunction with a
shutter release operation, the present invention adopts the
following structure: a data-imprinting apparatus for a
lens-equipped film unit comprising: a detection means that detects
any temporary interruption of the electrical supply from the
battery to the clock circuit after the clock circuit has started
keeping time; and a data-disabling means that, if a temporary
interruption of the electrical supply is detected by the detection
means, the liquid crystal display element is maintained in a
non-displaying state so that no date characters will be imprinted
onto the photographic film.
[0013] Among the data-imprinting devices that are known is one
which is equipped with an imprinting light source that lights in
conjunction with a shutter releasing operation, instead of the use
of external light which falls incident upon and in conjunction with
a shutter-releasing operation. The date characters displayed on the
liquid crystal display element are imprinted onto the photographic
film through the use of the light from the light source. In the
case of a data-imprinting device of this configuration, the
data-disabling means of the present invention disables the light
source from lighting when a temporary interruption of the
electrical supply is detected instead of maintaining the liquid
crystal display element in a non-display state.
[0014] In the data-imprinting device of this configuration in the
present invention, the lens-equipped film unit into which the
device is incorporated has a limited useful life. Further, it
suffices to simply imprint the date onto the photographic film.
Therefore, the operation unit for modifying a date display can be
provided inside the lens-equipped film unit such that the
activation of the operation unit can be commenced when the device
is shipped from the factory, so that the time-keeping operation of
the clock circuit is started. Subsequently, and until such time as
it is returned to the factory, i.e., during its period of use, if
there is a temporary interruption of the electrical supply from the
battery contained in the lens-equipped film unit to the clock
circuit, the event is detected by the detection means. As a result,
the data-disabling means holds the liquid crystal display element
in a non-display state. Consequently, the present invention can
prevent the imprinting of any incorrect date display. In devices
that are equipped with an imprinting light source the imprinting
light source is disabled from lighting, which also prevents the
imprinting of any incorrect date display.
[0015] The data-imprinting device of the present invention
comprises, in addition to the aforementioned detection means, or in
place of the detection means, an initial data retention means that
retains the initial data for the clock circuit, and a comparison
means that compares time data from the clock circuit with the
initial data such that if the comparison means determines that the
data is in agreement with the initial data then the data-disabling
means ensures that no date characters are imprinted onto the
photographic film.
[0016] According to this configuration, if the clock circuit is
accidentally reset due to a temporary interruption of the
electrical supply to the clock circuit or if the clock circuit is
reset by the intrusion of external noise such as static electricity
or due to an internal noise that is generated when the strobe is
recharged or when a flash is actuated, such resetting actions can
be detected. Consequently, the present invention can prevent the
imprinting of any attendant improper date display onto the
photographic film.
[0017] As described above, the data-imprinting apparatus of the
present invention, upon detecting that an interruption of the power
supply to the clock circuit has occurred, holds the liquid crystal
display element in a non-display state. In a configuration in which
an imprinting lamp is provided, any subsequent lighting of the
imprinting light is disabled. Therefore, the present invention can
prevent the imprinting onto the photographic film of the clock
contents of a faulty clock circuit that is caused by a temporary
disruption of power supply.
[0018] Furthermore, the data-imprinting apparatus of the present
invention, upon detecting that the clock circuit has been reset and
its clock contents have been initialized, holds the liquid crystal
display element in a non-display state. In a configuration in which
an imprinting lamp is provided, any subsequent lighting of the
imprinting light is disabled. Therefore, the present invention can
prevent the imprinting onto the photographic film of the clock
contents of a clock circuit that has been reset because of an
external noise, for example.
[0019] Other objects and attainments together with a fuller
understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated
by referring to the following description and claims taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In the drawings wherein like reference symbols refer to like
parts:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lens-equipped
film unit of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the principal
components of the data optical system for the film unit shown in
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the principal components
of the data optical system for the film unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the control
circuit for the data module incorporated into the film unit of FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
components of the control circuit of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing an alternate
embodiment of the control circuit for the data module;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
components of the control circuit of FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a further
alternate embodiment of the control circuit for the data module;
and
[0029] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the comparison circuit of
FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The following is a description of the lens-equipped film
unit with a built-in data-imprinting device of the present
invention with reference to drawings.
[0031] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens-equipped
film unit (hereinafter "film unit"). As indicated in FIG. 1, the
film unit 1 comprises a unit body 11 and an external case (not
shown in the figure) that covers the exterior of the unit body. The
unit body 11 is equipped with a front cover 12 and a back cover 13.
The following components are formed on the front side of the front
cover 12: a shooting window 14, a light collection window 15 that
admits natural light, an object finder window 16, a strobe-flash
window 17, and a strobe recharge start button 18. On the top of the
front cover 12 is a shutter button 19, a frame count display window
20, and a charge completion display window 21. On the rear of the
back cover 13 is a film winder knob display window 22, and a finder
eyepiece window 23. The exterior case (not shown in the figure)
that covers the unit body 11 contains openings that expose these
components to the outside.
[0032] In addition to the front cover 12 and the back cover 13, the
unit body 11 is equipped with a body base 24, an exposure unit 25,
a strobe unit 26, a data module 27, which is a data-imprinting
device, and a photographic film cartridge 28.
[0033] Formed integrally on the body base 24 is a cartridge storage
chamber 30 that stores the exposed film cartridge 29, and a film
roll chamber 32 that stores any unexposed photographic film 31 as a
film roll 31a. Although in this embodiment only a film roll 31a is
stored, a film roll wound on a core may also be stored. The back
end of the photographic film 31 is hooked to the spool 33. The
photographic film 31 is of a type with a predetermined film
sensitivity. It should be noted that for the photographic film
cartridge 28, a type of film can be used in which, when the film is
not being used, the film lead is stored inside the cartridge and
the rotation of the spool advances the photographic film to the
outside of the cartridge.
[0034] The back cover 13 is mounted on the back of the body base 24
in a detachable manner. The back cover and the body base 24
together hold the photographic film cartridge 28 in a sealed manner
that prevents any light penetration. The bottoms of the cartridge
storage chamber 30 and the film roll chamber 32 have openings.
After the photographic film cartridge 28 is loaded, these openings
are closed by the pull-top bottom covers 34 and 35 that are
provided on the back cover 13. The bottom cover 34 opens to remove
the cartridge 29 containing the exposed photographic film.
[0035] On the top of the cartridge storage chamber 30 is a winder
knob 36 that moves in a freely rotating manner. A fork is formed
integrally with the lower portion of the winder knob 36. The fork
passes through the topside opening of the cartridge storage chamber
30 and hooks to the spool 33. A part of the winder knob 36 is
exposed through the opening 22 of the back cover 13. The
film-winding operation that rotates the exposed part in the
film-winding direction (the counterclockwise direction shown in the
figure) causes the spool 33 to rotate in the film take-up
direction. In this way, the exposed photographic film 31 is stored
inside the cartridge 29.
[0036] A partitioned dark box 37 that forms a part of a dark box is
integrally formed between the cartridge storage chamber 30 and the
film roll chamber 32. An exposure opening 38 is formed on the back
of the partitioned dark box 37. An exposure unit 25 is mounted in a
detachable manner on the side of the partitioned dark box 37. A
shooting lens 39, a shutter mechanism, and a partitioned dark box
53 are provided, from the front to the back, on the exposure unit
25. The shooting lens 39 is placed in the position that corresponds
to the shooting window 14. The partitioned dark box 53 for the
exposure unit 25, together with the partitioned dark box 37 for the
body base 24, forms a black box. The formation of the black box
forms the photographing light path between the shooting lens 39 and
the exposure opening 38 as a darkroom. Although the black box is
formed on a partitioned basis, it may be formed on either the body
base 24 or the exposure unit 25 as an integral unit.
[0037] A film detente mechanism, a shutter charge mechanism, and a
finder optical system are incorporated onto the top of the
partitioned dark box as the exposure unit 25. These components are
implemented as a single unit. A data module 27 is mounted in a
detachable manner on the front right side of the exposure unit 25.
A condenser lens 46, held between the liquid crystal display unit
and the inner wall of the front cover 12, is provided on the front
side of the liquid crystal display unit 45 onto which the data
module 27 imprints data (e.g. the date). The condenser lens 46
condenses the natural light entering through the light collection
window 15 onto the liquid crystal display unit 45.
[0038] The strobe unit 26 is held in the space between the front
cover 12 and the film roll chamber 32; it is composed of a
synchronization switch 40, a main capacitor 41, a battery 42, a
strobe flash unit 43, and a strobe circuit board 44, among other
components. When the strobe recharge start button 18 is pushed, the
voltage delivered from the battery 42 rises, which effects the
recharging of the main capacitor 41. In conjunction with the action
of the shutter mechanism, the synchronization switch 40 turns on,
and strobe light is emitted from the strobe flash unit 43. The
strobe light is irradiated upon the subject through the
strobe-flash window 17.
[0039] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the principal
components of the data optical system of the film unit 1. FIG. 3 is
a cross-sectional view of the data optical system. As shown in
these figures, a fixed stop 39a is supported on the back of the
shooting lens 39 that is mounted on the exposure unit 25. A shutter
vane 50 is supported in a freely rotating manner on the back of the
fixed stop 39a. The shutter vane 50 is energized by the retracting
spring 51 toward the closing position at which the shutter opening
52 is closed. The shutter opening 52 is provided at the front
center of the partitioned dark box 53 for the exposure unit 25,
i.e., on the shooting optical axis 54 that passes through the
shooting lens 39.
[0040] In conjunction with the pressing of the shutter button 19,
the top edge of the shutter vane 50 is kicked by a kicking lever in
the shutter mechanism and makes one round trip centered on the axis
55, thus opening and closing the shutter opening 52. During this
operation, the subject light which has entered the shutter opening
52, enters into the dark box 56 composed of two partitioned dark
boxes 37 and 53, and, passing through the harmful-light-shielding
frame 57, falls incident upon the photographic film 31 that is set
in the exposure opening 38. When the shutter vane 50 is moved, the
protrusion 58 located at the top edge of the shutter vane 50
switches on the synchronization switch 40.
[0041] Concurrently, data light passes through the liquid crystal
display unit 45 and through the data light shutter opening 59
formed on the front side of the dark box 56, instead of passing
through the shooting lens 39, and is guided to the interior of the
dark box 56. The data light shutter opening 59 is located
separately at a position to the lower right of the shutter opening
52 when viewed from the front. The data light shutter opening is
opened and closed by the shutter material 60, at the tip of the
shutter vane 50, in concert with the opening/closing action of the
shutter vane 50.
[0042] The data light, guided into the dark box 56, is directed to
the exposure opening 38 along the optical axis 61 of the
image-forming optical system, and forms an image on the
photographic film 31 that is set there, from the front side, i.e.,
from the emulsion surface side. The image-forming optical system is
composed of two mirror plates 62 and 63, and an image lens 64.
These components are held by the front side of the
harmful-light-shielding frame 57 and the front inner wall of the
partitioned dark box 53. The harmful-light-shielding frame 57 is
attached to the back of the partitioned dark box 53. The image lens
64 is secured at an exact position by a holder material 65.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the data light, which has passed through
the liquid crystal display unit 45 of the data module 27, is
reflected by the mirror plate 62 higher than the shooting optical
axis 54; it is also reflected by the other mirror plate 63 toward
the exposure opening 38, and enters the image lens 64. The image
lens 64 causes the data light to form an image in the upper right
position of the exposure opening 38 when viewed from the shooting
lens 39. Thus, since the data light is imprinted in the upper right
position of the exposure opening 38, not only during
horizontal-position shooting, but also during vertical-position
shooting, a data image (e.g. the date) is accurately imprinted on
the lower portion of the subject image. Therefore, no possibility
exists that the data image will be recorded onto the face, for
example, of the subject on an overlapping basis.
[0044] It should be noted that, for the purposes of this text, the
"vertical-position shooting" refers to the shooting which one
performs by holding the film unit in a vertical orientation so that
the shutter button 19 is in the lower right position. For the
image-forming optical system, a Z-shaped light guide may be
employed in place of the two mirror plates 62 and 63. In this case,
the data light entering the light guide is totally reflected within
the light guide; therefore, it never leaks out of the light guide
so that no extraneous light enters the photographing light
flux.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a schematic circuit block diagram a first
embodiment of the data module 27 of the present invention. With
reference to FIG. 4, the data module 27 is a single-unit entity
composed of a battery 70, a quartz oscillator 71, a clock circuit
72, an LCD driver 73, a liquid crystal display unit 45 that
generates transparent characters, a switch 74 that initializes the
data, and a power supply monitoring circuit 75, among other
components. Data module 27 is preferably an auto-date mechanism
that automatically updates the date characters displayed on the
liquid crystal display unit 45. The battery 70 is detachable.
[0046] The clock circuit 72 holds several future years of calendar
information in memory. The clock circuit 72 corrects a built-in
reference pulse generated by means of quartz oscillator 71, and
transmits accurate time pulses to an LCD driver 73. The LCD driver
73 performs control functions based upon the clock data obtained
from the clock circuit 72 so that data characters are displayed on
the liquid crystal display unit 45. Because the data initialization
switch 74 is normally covered by external covers 12 and 13, it
cannot be manipulated unless the data module 27 is removed. The
data initialization switch is used at the factory so that date
display can be corrected on the day the device is manufactured.
[0047] The liquid crystal display unit 45 is positioned in
alignment with the light collection window 15 of cover 12. On the
liquid crystal display unit 45, characters such as "96 5 10" are
displayed in reverse. The year, the month, and the day are composed
of two characters each, and each character is displayed in seven
segments. Since the second digit from the right of the characters
that represent the month can be only "1", a two-segment display, in
which segments are placed vertically in a straight line, may also
be employed.
[0048] The power supply monitoring circuit 75 is composed of a
detection means and a data-disabling means. The battery 70 for the
auto-date mechanism is also used to supply power for the power
supply monitoring circuit 75.
[0049] The detection means comprises a CR circuit 76 and a
waveform-reshaping circuit, among other components. If the supply
of power from the battery 70 to the clock circuit 72 is temporarily
interrupted after the clock circuit 72 has begun keeping time and
the supply of power is subsequently resumed, the detection means
detects such events. When the supply of power is temporarily
suspended, the CR circuit 76 generates one pulse waveform. The
pulse width of the pulse waveform is generated on a delayed basis
according to a time constant that is generated by the C (capacitor)
78 and the R (resistor) 77. The time constant is predetermined so
that a rise (a rise signal) is generated within a certain length of
time after the supply of power is resumed. For the
waveform-reshaping circuit, a Schmitt trigger inverter IC 79 having
multiple input pins is used. The pulse waveform is input serially
into two Schmitt trigger inverter input pins in the Schmitt trigger
inverter IC 79. A pulse waveform that is immune to the effects of
noise is reshaped, and this creates an up-edge that accurately
indicates the resumption of the power supply.
[0050] The data-disabling means comprises a latching means that
responds to the detection signal from the detection means, i.e.,
the up-edge that is generated within a specified length of time
after the resumption of the power supply and sends the off-mode
signal to LCD driver 73. Upon receiving the off-mode signal, the
LCD driver 73 performs a control that places the liquid crystal
display unit 45 in a non-display state in which characters are
disabled, i.e., all segments are turned off.
[0051] The latching means consists of a flip-flop IC 80. The
flip-flop IC 80 is a D-FF IC. The D-FF IC contains input pins S
(set) and R (reset). The H-level signal is always applied to the R
pin, and the L-level signal is always applied to the data input D
pin. Normally the H-level signal is applied to the S pin. When the
reset button 81 is pressed, the signal changes to the L level. When
the reset button 81 is released, a signal which has changed to the
H level is re-input.
[0052] Like the switch 74, the reset button 81 cannot be
manipulated from outside of the film unit; it can only be
manipulated from outside of the date module 27. The reset button is
operated at the factory after the battery 70 is initially mounted
or when the liquid crystal display unit 45 is to be reset after its
display has been disabled. When the H-level signal is input
simultaneously to both the S and R pins, this operation changes the
signal that is transmitted from the Q output to the LCD driver 73
into the H level. When the Q output is an H-level signal, the LCD
driver 73 enables the display on the liquid crystal display unit 45
to occur.
[0053] The instantaneous stoppage pulse signal is input into a CP
pin that determines the memory storage timing. At the instant an
up-edge (a rise signal) occurs from an "L" to an "H" of the CP
input, the Q output always maintains in its memory the state of the
D input at that instant until the next up-edge for the CP input is
entered. In this case, the D input is treated as the L level and
the Q output is treated as an H-level signal after power supply is
resumed following an instantaneous power interruption and the reset
button 81 is pressed. Therefore, if an up-edge is subsequently
entered as a CP input, the Q output changes into an L-level signal.
The change of the Q output into the L level causes the LCD driver
73 to disable the display on the liquid crystal display unit
45.
[0054] The following describes how the film unit 1 as configured
above operates. At the factory, initially, workers mount the
battery 70 on the data module 27, and press the reset button 81.
This changes the Q output from the D-FF IC 80 into the H level, and
allows the LCD driver 73 to enable the liquid crystal display unit
45 to display information. Subsequently, workers manipulate the
switch 74 to change the display on the liquid crystal display unit
45 to the date of manufacture. The resulting data module 27 is
incorporated into the film unit 1 and shipped.
[0055] The user of the camera operates the winder knob 36 to wind
the photographic film 31. When the photographic film 31 advances in
the direction of winding, in conformance with that action, the
sprocket that comprises the film-winding stopping mechanism
rotates. When the sprocket has turned a prescribed amount, the
film-winding stopping mechanism locks both the rotation of the
sprocket and that of the winder knob 36. This causes the
photographic film 31 to wind by one frame with the result that the
first shooting frame is set at the exposure opening 38.
[0056] When the shutter button 19 is pressed the shutter vane 50 is
kicked by a kicking lever. The shutter vane 50 thus kicked makes
one round trip centered upon the axis 55. Because shutter material
60 for admitting data light is integrated with the shutter vane 50,
the motion of the shutter vane opens and closes the two shutter
openings 52 and 59. During the opening and closing motions, the
subject light from the shutter opening 52, passing through the
shooting window 14 and the shooting lens 39, enters into the
interior of the dark box 56; concurrently, the data light, admitted
by the other shutter opening 59 and passing through the light
collection window 15, the condenser lens 46, and the liquid crystal
display unit 45, enters into the interior of the same dark box.
[0057] The subject light, after passing through the
harmful-light-shielding frame 57 inside the dark box 56, falls
incident upon the photographic film 31 that is set in the exposure
opening 38. The data light falls upon the image lens 64 through the
mirror plates 62 and 63. The image lens 64 forms an image in the
upper right portion of the photographic film 31 that is set in the
exposure opening 38. This image is exposed with the subject light.
Because the condenser lens 46 is provided in front of the liquid
crystal display unit 45, the data light undergoes an increase in
the data light dose before reaching the film surface, thus
resulting in a clear image formation. Furthermore, the presence of
the image lens 64 also permits the clear imprinting of the outline
of the data image.
[0058] For strobe photography, one depresses the strobe recharge
start button 18 before pressing the shutter button 19. This causes
an increase in the voltage from the battery 42 and begins the
charging process for the main capacitor 41. When the main capacitor
41 has been charged, a lamp indicating the completion of the
charging process is displayed in the window 21. When one depresses
the shutter button 19 after confirming this display, as the
synchronization switch 40 turns on during the motion of the shutter
vane 50, the strobe light from the strobe flash unit 43 is
irradiated toward the subject. After being reflected by the
subject, the strobe light is guided into the dark box 56 from the
shutter opening 52 through the shooting lens 39, and falls incident
upon the photographic film 31 that is set in the exposure opening
38. Concurrently, the strobe light reflected by the subject also
enters the light collection window 15, thus generating data light
rays. As stated previously, the data light is exposed on the
photographic film 31. In this manner, even if the external light is
strobe light, the data image (e.g. the date) can accurately be
imprinted.
[0059] By repeating the above-described shooting actions, one can
ensure that data images are imprinted along with subject images
onto the photographic frames.
[0060] The following describes, with reference to the timing chart
in FIG. 5, the action that occurs when the battery 70 is
temporarily disconnected from the data module 27 and the electrical
supply from the battery 70 to the data module 27 is temporarily
interrupted.
[0061] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 if the battery 70 is
temporarily disconnected from the data module 27 and the electrical
supply from the battery 70 to the data module 27 is temporarily
interrupted due to vibrations, for example, that are exerted from
the outside of the lens-equipped film unit, the CR circuit 76
generates one pulse waveform, and this produces the output waveform
shown as point A output in FIG. 5. The rise of the pulse waveform
is generated by the time constants C78 and R77 after a specified
length of time following the resumption of the power supply. The
pulse signal is input into one Schmitt trigger inverter in the
Schmitt trigger inverter IC 79, where it is reshaped into the point
B output waveform shown FIG. 5. This pulse signal is input into the
second Schmitt trigger inverter and inverted, and is input as the
waveform shown at the CP input position in FIG. 5 into the CP input
terminal of the D-FF IC 80. Further, the up-edge indicated by the
CP input waveform arrow in FIG. 5 is input as a CP input.
[0062] The up-edge is input after the passage of a specified length
of time following the resumption of the power supply and the
restoration of the D-FF IC 80. Therefore, at this point the Q
output changes from an H-level signal into an L-level signal. This
prompts the LCD driver 73 to disable any display on the liquid
crystal display unit 45. Subsequently, no matter how many times
instantaneous power outages occur, because the up-edge is input as
a CP input following the resumption of the power supply, the Q
output signal remains at the L level. Therefore, once the display
on the liquid crystal display unit 45 is disabled, no data
characters are subsequently imprinted onto the photographic film
31.
[0063] When the display on the liquid crystal display unit 45 is
disabled, all segments in the liquid crystal display unit 45 are
turned off. This causes the natural light entering from the light
collection window 15 to be blocked by the liquid crystal display
unit 45, so that only the subject light entering from the shooting
lens 39 is imprinted onto the photographic film 31.
[0064] After the last frame is exposed, the film counter mechanism
disables the film-winding stopping mechanism from operating.
Because the film-winding stopping mechanism no longer operates, the
film-winding operation causes the entire exposed photographic film
31 to be spooled into the interior of the cartridge 29. The exposed
film unit is sent to a developer, where the cartridge 29 that
houses the exposed photographic film 31 is removed. The removed
cartridge 29 is set on a film processor, on which the exposed
photographic film 31 is developed.
[0065] The printer processor creates printed photographs from the
exposed photographic film 31. The printed photographs and the
developed photographic film are returned to the user. The finished
printed photograph contains a date (for example) in the lower right
portion in the case of a horizontal position photograph, and in the
lower left portion in the case of a vertical position photograph.
No dates are recorded on printed photographs that were taken
following an instantaneous power supply interruption. The recorded
date is imprinted in the same orientation as a picture taken in the
horizontal orientation. The empty lens-equipped film unit is
returned to the factory for recycling. During recycling, the data
module 27, in which the battery 70 has been replaced, is
reused.
[0066] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the data module circuit for
another embodiment of the data module 27. The data module is
configured so that data (e.g. the date) can be imprinted using an
imprinting lamp 82 instead of natural light. FIG. 7 is a timing
chart that depicts the operation of the data module. The timing at
which the lamp 82 lights can be obtained by using the
synchronization signal which is obtained from the synchronization
switch 40 if a built-in strobe is available. Otherwise, a switch
can be provided in the lower portion of the shutter button 19 and
the shutter release signal produced by the switch can be
employed.
[0067] The synchronization signal and/or the shutter release
signal, and the signal obtained from the Q output from the D-FF IC
80 are input into the AND circuit 83, and the output from the AND
circuit 83, used as an imprint trigger signal, is input into the
imprinting lamp "on" control circuit 84. In the initial state, the
signal obtained from the Q output is always input into the AND
circuit 83 at the H level. The input of either the synchronization
signal or the shutter release signal into the AND circuit 83 in
concert with the shutter release action causes the AND circuit 83
to transmit an imprinting trigger signal to the imprinting lamp
"on" control circuit 84. Upon receiving the trigger signal, the
imprinting lamp "on" control circuit 84 lights the lamp 82.
[0068] After a temporary interruption of the power supply, the
signal obtained from the Q output is input into the AND circuit 83
at the L level when the power is restored. Therefore, as shown in
FIG. 7, even when either the synchronization signal or the shutter
release signal is input into the AND circuit 83 in concert with the
shutter release action, no imprint triggers are transmitted from
the AND circuit 83. Consequently, the imprinting lamp "on" control
circuit 84 will not light the imprinting lamp 82.
[0069] When the imprinting lamp 82 is used, both the light
collection window 15 and the shutter material 60 may be omitted.
The imprinting lamp 82 is attached to the front side of the liquid
crystal display unit 45. When the lamp 82 lights, the liquid
crystal display unit 45 is lit from the front side. This causes the
data light, passing through the liquid crystal display unit 45, to
enter into the interior of the dark box 56 through the shutter
opening 59. Subsequently, the image-forming optical system forms an
image from the front side on the photographic film 31.
[0070] In the above embodiments, the data light is imprinted onto
the photographic film 31 from the front side. However, the present
invention is by no means limited to this approach; it is equally
possible to imprint the data light from the back of the
photographic film 31, i.e., from the side opposite the emulsion
surface. In this case, the image-forming optical system is
configured so that the data light, which has passed through the
liquid crystal display unit 45, is directed toward the side of the
back cover 13, and an image is formed on the surface opposite to
the emulsion surface of the photographic film 31. As another
example, the liquid crystal display unit 45 can be provided on the
back cover 13 so that the external light entering from the light
collection window 15 is guided to the liquid crystal display unit
by means of a light guide, for example. If the liquid crystal
display unit 45 is provided on the back cover 13, from a
space-saving standpoint the data light should be imprinted on a
contact exposure basis.
[0071] Furthermore, as a power supply battery for the data module
27, the battery 70 may be omitted in favor of using the strobe
battery 42. In this case, however, it may not be possible to supply
electricity from the battery 42 to the data module 27 without
changing the voltage. Should this be the case, the transformer for
the strobe circuit board can be used to change the voltage to the
desired level.
[0072] FIG. 8 shows a circuit block diagram for the data module
that is related to another embodiment of the data module 27. The
data module 100 of this embodiment includes a circuit configuration
that cancels the imprinting of data (e.g. the date) when the
displayed data (e.g. date) has been initialized because of a
temporary interruption of the power supply or the intrusion of
external noise. The data module 100 of this embodiment includes an
oscillation circuit 134, a division circuit 135, a clock circuit
72, a display decoder 137, a latch circuit 138, an LCD driver 73, a
serial interface (SIO) circuit 140, a reset circuit 144, a
comparison circuit 145, a code-setting circuit 146, an OR gate 147,
and pull-down resistors 155 and 156. For the oscillation of the
oscillation circuit 134, a quartz oscillator 71 is connected as an
external circuit. An imprinting liquid crystal display unit 45 is
connected to the output side of the LCD driver 73.
[0073] In this embodiment, the code-setting circuit 146 is the
initial data retention means that holds the initial data for the
clock circuit 72. The comparison circuit 145 is a comparison means
that compares the initial data stored in the code-setting circuit
146 with the clock data stored in the clock circuit 72. If the
comparison circuit 145 determines that the clock data is in
agreement with the initial data, the output 148 from the OR 147
that comprises the data-disabling means disables the liquid crystal
display unit 45 from imprinting data characters, as will be
described hereinafter.
[0074] The data module 100 also contains three serial interface
terminals, a CS terminal 141, an SCK terminal 142, and a DATA
terminal 143, as well as a reset SR terminal 150, and a test-mode
test terminal 149. These terminals, when connected to an external
circuit, read and write clock data (year (Y), month (M), day (D),
hour (H), minute (M), second (S)). Of the serial interface
terminals, the CS terminal 141 and the SCK terminal 142 are
terminals into which signals are input from the external circuit.
The remaining terminal, the data terminal 143, becomes active
during data communications. When this terminal is active, clock
data is read and written through the DATA terminal 143 in
synchronization with the external clocks that are input into the
SCK terminal 142.
[0075] The data that is written from the outside into the SIO
circuit 140 is transmitted to the clock circuit 72. The clock
circuit 72 continues to keep time in synchronization with the
count-up clocks sent from the division circuit 135. The
year/month/day data 152 received from the clock circuit 72 is
decoded by the display decoder 137 and is displayed on the
imprinting liquid crystal display unit 45 through the latch circuit
138 and the LCD driver 73.
[0076] The display decoder 137 is controlled by the display enable
signal 148. When the display enable signal 148 is at the H level,
the decoder outputs the data as is; when the display enable signal
is at the L level, the decoder outputs blank data. The latch
circuit 138 fetches the display data from the display decoder 137
upon receiving the latch signal 151. Because in this embodiment
dates are displayed to the day, it suffices to fetch display data
only once a day.
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a circuit configuration example of the
above-mentioned comparison circuit 145. As shown in FIG. 9, the
comparison circuit 145 of this embodiment includes 8 two-input EXOR
gates and 1 eight-input OR gate. The comparison circuit is designed
to compare only the year data in the year/month/day data 152 from
the clock circuit 72 with the set data (initial data) 153.
[0078] If the date module 100 is reset, the data stored in the
internal clock circuit 72 is initialized. Normally the
initialization process is designed to reset the date to "January 1,
19XX, 00:00:00", where normally "XX" stands for the oldest year in
which the date module 100 is likely to be used. However, in this
embodiment, the initial value is set to "1996", assuming that the
data module will be used in or after 1997. Correspondingly, the
contents of the set data 153 that is preset in the code-setting
circuit 146 is also set to "1996".
[0079] The following is a description of the operation that occurs
when the data module 100 of this embodiment is reset by factors
such as an external noise. When the module is reset, the clock
contents of the clock circuit 72 are initialized, and the year data
reverts to "1996". Because the preset data is "1996", the clock
contents of the clock circuit 72 match the preset data 153 that is
set in the code-setting circuit 146. As a result, the output 154
that represents the comparison result of the comparison circuit 145
falls to the L level.
[0080] During normal operation, the test terminal 149, which is
pulled down to Vss by the pull-down resistor 156, is at the L
level. Therefore, the display enable signal 148, which is an output
from the OR gate 147, falls to the L level. This disables the
display decoder 137 from displaying information, and blanks out the
display output. As a result, nothing is displayed on the imprinting
liquid crystal display unit 45. This prevents the imprinting of
incorrect data onto the photographic film. In this embodiment, if
no clock data is written after the data module is reset, the
imprinting process remains disabled for one year, i.e. in this
example until the clock circuit 72 counts up to 1997.
[0081] Although the code-setting circuit 146 is provided as an
internal circuit in this embodiment, it is also possible to provide
the code-setting circuit in the form of an externally accessible
terminal so that code-setting can be performed on the circuit
board. Further, although in this embodiment comparisons are
performed only on the year "1996" data, the values and ranges of
comparison data can be varied in order to modify the time period in
which the imprinting process remains disabled.
[0082] For testing, the test terminal 149 can be raised to the H
level so that, regardless of the comparison results from the
comparison circuit 145, the display enable signal can be raised to
the H level in order to drive and display the imprinting liquid
crystal display unit 45.
[0083] As described above, the data module 100 in this embodiment
blanks out the date display by the imprinting liquid crystal
display unit 45 if the clock contents of the clock circuit are
reset to the initial value due to an external noise. Therefore,
even if the shutter is open, the imprinting liquid crystal display
unit does not admit the passage of data light, thus preventing the
imprinting of an incorrect onto the photographic film.
[0084] It should be noted that, as in the case of the data module
(FIG. 6) of the second embodiment, the configuration of the present
embodiment can be applied to a data module that is equipped with an
imprint-only lamp. In such a case, the output 154 that indicates
the results of a comparison by the comparison circuit 145 can be
used to regulate the on/off control circuit for the lamp. The
configuration of the present embodiment may also be applied to the
embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0085] While the data imprinted in the above-described examples is
preferably the date, other time data such as hour/minute/second or
other sequential data can also be imprinted.
[0086] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
several specific embodiments, it is evident to those skilled in the
art that many further alternatives, modifications and variations
will be apparent in light of the foregoing description. Thus, the
invention described herein is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications, applications and variations as may
fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *