> > Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 16:45:11 -0500 > From: "Bob Croslin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Leader out and patents [v04.n204/20] > Message: 20 > > And yes, Canon does own patents to several custom functions. I found this > hard to believe but I've heard it out of enough reps mouths on both sides > of the fence to believe it's the truth. Someone should do a patent search > and see if it turns up. It wasn't easy to find, but Canon does have a patent that covers this (actually two). The patent numbers are US04752793 and USRE034083. You can see the entire first patent at <http://www.patents.ibm.com/details?pn=US04752793__&language=en>. Here is the first claim which pretty much summarizes the invention: What is claimed is: 1. A camera with a motorized film rewinding device and a photo-taking lens, comprising: (a) a motor; (b) a film rewinding force transmission system driven by said motor as a drive source; (c) a film winding spool; (d) a camera body having, on alternate sides of said phototaking lens, an area in which said spool is disposed and another area in which a film cartridge is to be disposed; (e) detection means for detecting completion of film rewinding, a detecting part of said detection means being disposed in between said spool disposing area and said film cartridge disposing area; (f) control means for automatically bringing the operation of said motor to a stop, said control means including: (f-1) first control means for bringing the operation of said motor to a stop after the lapse of a first predetermined period of time from a point of time when completion of film rewinding is detected by said detection means, said first predetermined period of time being set at a length of time for effecting take-up of the leader part of said film into said film cartridge; and (f-2) second control means for bringing the operation of said motor to a stop after the lapse of a second predetermined period of time from a point of time when completion of film rewinding is detected by said detection means, said second predetermined period of time being set at a length of time effecting take-up into said film cartridge except for the leader part thereof, said first time period being greater than said second time period; and (g) selection means for selecting as operative either said first control means or said second control means of said control means. I haven't read the entire patent, but based on this claim it's probably the one that people refer to when they say that Canon has a patent on user selectable leader out. The other patent (USRE034083) which is even broader. In fact I would think that it includes any leader out rewind (it does not include the "(g) selection means" paragraph). I'll leave it to someone else to explain why this isn't the case. BTW, both US patents are based on two Japanese patents P1985000029668 and JP1986000016756. marcos p.s. If someone is really bored please look at patent US05128704 (also assigned to Canon) and tell me what is means. The first claims is: 1. A camera or an accessory for said camera having first and second manual operation members, comprising: a) a mode setting circuit which is arranged such that, in a first mode, said circuit allows a first function or first information to be set by operating said first and second manual operation members together and allows a second function or second information to be set by operating said first manual operation member without operating said second manual operation member and, in a second mode, said circuit allows said second function or said second information to be set by operating said first and second manual operation members together and allows said first function o said first information to be set by operating said first manual operation member without operating said second manual operation member; and b) selection means for selecting the setting mode of said mode setting circuit. -- Marcos H. Woehrmann | [EMAIL PROTECTED] | http://www.zipper.com/ "There is a big difference between larger than you can possibly imagine and infinite." - Stephen Jay Gould Disclaimer: Well, yes, I do often speak for the company, but not this time.
