# US 5,349,401 A · Orientation independent, detachable film cartridge, memory module

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- Number: US 5,349,401 A
- Document ID: US5349401A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/071,096
- Filed: 1993-06-04
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-04
- Assignees: Eastman Kodak Company
- Inventors: Robert S. Bryant
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349401A

## CPC

- G03B 17/30: Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film
- H05K 1/181: associated with surface mounted components
- G03B 2206/002: using detachable memory means
- G03B 2206/008: using holders for the photographic material
- H05K 1/112: {directly combined with via connections}
- H05K 2201/09027: Non-rectangular flat PCB, e.g. circular
- H05K 2201/09772: Conductors directly under a component but not electrically connected to the component
- H05K 2201/09809: Coaxial layout
- H05K 2201/10159: Memory
- H05K 2201/10689: Leaded Integrated Circuit [IC] package, e.g. dual-in-line [DIL]
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A system for recording information related to the camera exposure parameters of film image frames in a detachable, disc-shaped, memory module attached to the end of a film cartridge loaded in the camera in non-volatile memory for subsequent read-out. A set of concentric, circular, conductive bands are spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another on the exposed surface of the disc-shaped module housing. An integrated circuit chip, including a non-volatile memory, within the module, has a plurality of input and output terminals connected to the plurality of concentric conductive bands. A camera receives the film cartridge and attached memory module in a cartridge receiving chamber and has a plurality of contact terminals positioned to make electrical contact with the respective plurality of concentric conductive bands. The camera electronic operating system provides the battery power and electrical signals to be stored in the non-volatile memory through contact of the plurality of contact terminals with the respective concentric conductive bands. The stored data may be read out through the concentric, circular conductive bands and employed in processing and/or making prints from the film in the cartridge.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A memory module for a film cartridge in which information related to the camera exposure of film image frames may be recorded in non-volatile memory for subsequent read-out comprising:
a disc-shaped module housing having an upper and a lower surface and a diameter generally corresponding to the diameter of an end of the film cartridge;
a printed circuit formed in the pattern of a plurality of concentric, conductive bands spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another on the upper surface of the disc-shaped module housing;
an integrated circuit chip, including a non-volatile memory, attached to the lower surface of the disc-shaped module housing and having a plurality of input and output terminals;
means for making electrical connections between the plurality of input and output terminals of the integrated circuit chip and the plurality of concentric conductive bands; and
means for attaching the disc-shaped module housing to the end of a film cartridge so that the upper surface is exposed for making electrical contact with data recording and reading terminals of camera and film processing equipment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The memory module of claim 1 wherein the attaching means further comprises a disc-shaped layer of insulating material having a first surface for contacting and enclosing the integrated circuit chip and a second surface for contacting the end of the film cartridge, the second surface having an adhesive layer thereon for adhering the memory module to the end of the film cartridge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The memory module of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit chip comprises an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.

### Claim 4

A system for recording information related to the camera exposure parameters of film image frames in a detachable memory module attached to a film cartridge loaded in the camera in non-volatile memory for subsequent readout, wherein the module further comprises:
a disc-shaped module housing having an upper and a lower surface and a diameter generally corresponding to the diameter of an end of the film cartridge;
a printed circuit formed in the pattern of a plurality of concentric, circular conductive bands spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another on the upper surface of the disc-shaped module housing;
an integrated circuit chip, including a non-volatile memory, attached to the lower surface of the disc-shaped module housing and having a plurality of input and output terminals;
means for making electrical connections between the plurality of input and output terminals of the integrated circuit chip and the plurality of concentric conductive bands; and
means for attaching the disc-shaped module housing to the end of a film cartridge so that the upper surface is exposed for making electrical contact with data recording and reading terminals of camera and film processing equipment; and
wherein the camera further comprises:
a camera housing for receiving the film cartridge with the attached memory module in a cartridge receiving chamber;
a plurality of contact terminals positioned by the camera housing to extend into the cartridge receiving chamber and bear against and make electrical contact with the respective plurality of concentric conductive bands; and
means for providing camera battery power and electrical signals to be stored in the non-volatile memory through the plurality of contact terminals and to the respective concentric conductive bands.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4 wherein the memory module further comprises a disc-shaped layer of insulating material having a first surface for contacting and enclosing the integrated circuit chip and a second surface for contacting the end of the film cartridge, the second surface having an adhesive layer thereon for adhering the memory module to the end of the film cartridge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5 wherein the memory module integrated circuit chip comprises an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.