Apparatus and method for loading a camera

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for loading a photographic camera (426) of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a movable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera; an externally accessible device (476, 508, 526, 530) for moving film within the camera; a counterwheel (500), operatively connected to the means for moving, for counting a number of frames exposed during use of the camera, the counterwheel having a feature (676, 676a, 676b, 676c) optically detectable when illuminated; and a window (501) in the housing for external viewing of the feature. The apparatus may include a support frame (12); a source (24) for unexposed film positioned on the support frame; a nest (74) supported by the frame for receiving the camera; a film loading device (72) extending between the source and the nest for guiding film from the source into the film guide track within the camera, the loading device having a film path length between the source and the camera; a device (292, 708, 710, 878) for driving film from the source, along the loading device and into the camera; a device (674) associated with the nest for directing radiation through the window, for sensing reflected radiation and for producing a signal corresponding to presence or absence of the feature at the window; a camera drive device (418, 602, 708, 710, 874) associated with the nest for engaging and operating the device for moving; and a controller (888) responsive to the signal for operating the camera drive device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.