Film cartridge with a detachable, orientation independant, memory module.

摘要

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 read-out. The memory module is constructed of a disc-shaped module housing having an upper and a lower surface and a diameter generally corresponding to the diameter of an end of a film cartridge to which it is releasably attached. A set of conductive arcuate segments spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another in a circular band surrounding a centrally disposed conductive pad accessible through a separate upper surface of the module housing. An integrated circuit chip, including a non-volatile memory, attached to the lower surface of the printed circuit or substrate has input and output terminals connected by a further printed circuit array to the conductive pad and the arcuate segments. The memory module is releasably adhered to the film cartridge end so that the conductive pad and arcuate segments can make electrical contact with data recording and reading terminal pins of camera and film processing equipment. A cartridge receiving receptacle has a centrally disposed contact terminal pin positioned to bear against and make electrical contact with the centrally disposed conductive pad and further contact terminal pins positioned circularly around the centrally disposed terminal to extend into the receptacle and bear against and make electrical contact with the respective conductive arcuate segments, so that at least one terminal pin is in contact with each conductive arcuate segment. Typically, two adjacent terminal pins may contact a single segment. The camera electronic operating system, on detecting the presence of an inserted cartridge, operates a test routine to identify which of the circularly arranged terminal pins is contacting which of the conductive arcuate segments and provides the battery power and electrical signals to be stored in the non-volatile memory after the identification routine is complete. <IMAGE>