Method and apparatus for preventing unauthorized recycling of single-use camera and permitting authorized reuse of the camera

Abstract

When an exposure counter in a single-use camera indicates that the maximum number of exposures on a roll of film in the camera have been exposed, a function of the camera such as an electronic flash capability is disabled to prevent unauthorized recycling of the camera. A reset code must be inputted to the camera to initialize the exposure counter and to enable the electronic flash capability, to permit authorized reuse of the camera with another roll of film.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of preventing unauthorized recycling of a single-use camera but permitting authorized reuse of the camera, comprising the steps of first determining that a particular event in the camera has occurred, then disabling a function of the camera to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera, and then inputting a predetermined unique reset code to the camera to re-enable the function that has been disabled to permit authorized reuse of the camera, is characterized in that: the reset code is inputted to the camera by positioning a separate code inputting device within sensing range of a built-in sensor device of the camera which otherwise serves a conventional sensing function for ordinary operation of the camera.   
     
     
       2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor device is an ambient light sensor used for exposure control of the camera, and the code inputting device inputs the reset code to the camera by emitting a plurality of light pulses within sensing range of the ambient light sensor. 
     
     
       3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the code inputting device initially inputs a start code to the camera via the sensor device to cause the camera to accept the reset code, and the code inputting device then inputs the reset code to the camera via the sensor device. 
     
     
       4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the code inputting device initially inputs a start code to the camera via the sensor device to cause a built-in code output device of the camera to input an identifier code to the code inputting device, and the code inputting device then selects the reset code to be one that matches the identifier code. 
     
     
       5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the code inputting device inputs a start code to the camera via the sensor device before it inputs the reset code to the camera via the sensor device, a built-in indicator device of the camera for otherwise indicating a particular condition of the camera relevant to the sensing function of the sensor device outputs an identifier code to the code inputting device in response to input of the start code to the camera, and the code inputting device then selects the reset code to be one that corresponds only to the identifier code. 
     
     
       6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the sensor device is an ambient light sensor used for exposure control of the camera, the code inputting device inputs the reset code to the camera by emitting at least one light pulse of a predetermined duration within sensing range of the ambient light sensor, and the indicator device is a light emitting diode which continuously emits light to indicate the particular condition of the camera and emits at least one light pulse of a predetermined duration to output the identifier code to the code inputting device. 
     
     
       7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a built-in indicator device of the camera for otherwise indicating a particular condition of the camera relevant to the sensing function of the sensor device outputs an identifier code to the code inputting device to permit the code inputting device to input the reset code to the camera. 
     
     
       8. A method of preventing unauthorized recycling of a single-use camera but permitting authorized reuse of the camera, comprising the steps of first determining that completed use of the camera has occurred, then disabling an electronic flash unit of the camera to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera, and then inputting a predetermined unique reset code to the camera to re-enable the electronic flash unit to permit authorized reuse of the camera, is characterized in that: the reset code is inputted to the camera by positioning a separate code inputting device within sensing range of a built-in ambient light sensor of the camera which otherwise serves a light sensing function for operation of the electronic flash unit.   
     
     
       9. A single-use camera comprising means for determining that completed use of the camera has occurred, means for disabling a function of the camera to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera when completed use of the camera has occurred, and means for receiving a predetermined unique reset code from a separate code inputting device to re-enable the function that has been disabled to permit authorized reuse of the camera, is characterized in that: said means for receiving the reset code from the code inputting device includes an exterior sensor device which receives the reset code and otherwise serves a conventional sensing function for ordinary operation of the camera.   
     
     
       10. A single-use camera as recited in claim 9, wherein said sensor device is an ambient light sensor for receiving the reset code from the code inputting device and otherwise is used for exposure control of the camera. 
     
     
       11. A single-use camera as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for disabling a function of the camera is adapted to disable an electronic flash unit of the camera, and said sensor device is an ambient light sensor for receiving the reset code from the code inputting device and otherwise serves a light sensing function for operation of said electronic flash unit. 
     
     
       12. A single-use camera comprising means for determining that completed use of the camera has occurred, means for disabling a function of the camera to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera when completed use of the camera has occurred, and means for receiving an optical reset code from a separate code inputting device to re-enable the function that has been disabled to permit authorized reuse of the camera, is characterized in that: said means for receiving the optical reset code from the code inputting device includes an optical sensor which receives the optical reset code from the code inputting device and otherwise serves a conventional optical sensing function for ordinary operation of the camera. .Iadd.   
     
     
       13.  A method of authorizing reuse of a single-use camera that is automatically functionally disabled, when the camera determines that a particular event the camera has occurred, to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera, said method comprises the step of inputting a predetermined unique reset code to the camera to re-enable the function that has been disabled to permit authorized reuse of the camera and is characterized further in that: the reset code is inputted to the camera by positioning a separate code inputting device within sensing range of a built-in sensor device of the camera which otherwise serves a conventional sensing function for ordinary operation of the camera. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. A method of authorizing reuse of a single-use camera having an electronic flash unit that is automatically functionally disabled, when the camera determines that completed use of the camera has occurred, to prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera, said method comprises the step of inputting a predetermined unique reset code to the camera to re-enable the the electronic flash unit to permit authorized reuse of the camera and is characterized further in that:   the reset code is inputted to the camera by positioning a separate code inputting device within sensing range of a built-in ambient light sensor of the camera which otherwise serves a light sensing function for operation of the electronic flash unit. .Iaddend.