Generator-powered exposure control

Claim 2

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to adjust the size of the exposure aperture; c. electrically energizable circuit means connected with said photoresponsive means, said circuit means including: 1. means for establishing the position of said diaphragm member along its path in accordance with said electrical parameter to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means, and 2. means for establishing a time period as a function of said electrical parameter, said circuit being activatable to initiate such a time period and to produce a control signal at the end of the time period; d. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; e. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; f. means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is above a predetermined level; g. means for activating said circuit means to initiate a time period in synchronization with actuation of said shutter means to initiate an exposure interval h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to terminate the exposure interval in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that the duration of the exposure interval is determined by said circuit means in low light conditions; and i. an electric generator electrically connected with said circuit means, said generator including drive means actuatable to energize said circuit means.

Claim 3

means for establishing a time period as a function of said electrical parameter, said circuit being activatable to initiate such a time period and to produce a control signal at the end of the time period; d. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; e. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; f. means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is above a predetermined level; g. means for activating said circuit means to initiate a time period in synchronization with actuation of said shutter means to initiate an exposure interval h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to terminate the exposure interval in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that the duration of the exposure interval is determined by said circuit means in low light conditions; and i. an electric generator electrically connected with said circuit means, said generator including drive means actuatable to energize said circuit means.

Claim 4

means for establishing a time period as a function of said electrical parameter, said circuit being activatable to initiate such a time period and to produce a control signal at the end of the time period; d. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; e. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; f. means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is above a predetermined level; g. means for activating said circuit means to initiate a time period in synchronization with actuation of said shutter means to initiate an exposure interval h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to terminate the exposure interval in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that the duration of the exposure interval is determined by said circuit means in low light conditions; and i. an electric generator electrically connected with said circuit means, said generator including drive means actuatable to energize said circuit means.

Claim 5

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to adjust the size of the exposure aperture; c. electrically energizable, diaphragm-control circuit means connectable with said photoresponsive means and activatable to establish the position of said diaphragm member along its path in accordance with said electrical parameter to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; d. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; e. electrically energizable, activatable, time-delay circuit means connectable with said photoresponsIve means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation thereof, said time-delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of said electrical parameter; f. an electrical switch normally connecting said photoresponsive means with said diaphragm-control circuit means, and actuatable to alternatively connect said photoresponsive means with said time-delay circuit means; g. control means for activating said diaphragm-control circuit means to adjust the exposure aperture in accordance with the level of illumination on said photoresponsive means; h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; i. means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is above a predetermined level; j. means for actuating said switch and activating said time-delay circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; k. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said aperture in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on the photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that for low levels of scene illumination the exposure interval is determined by the time-delay circuit means as a function of scene illumination; and l. an electric generator electrically connected with said diaphragm-control circuit means and said time-delay circuit means, said generator including drive means associated with said control means for energizing said circuit means.

Claim 6

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to adjust the size of the exposure aperture; c. electrically energizable, diaphragm-control circuit means connectable with said photoresponsive means and activatable to establish the position of said diaphragm member along its path in accordance with said electrical parameter to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; d. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; e. electrically energizable, activatable, time-delay circuit means connectable with said photoresponsIve means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation thereof, said time-delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of said electrical parameter; f. an electrical switch normally connecting said photoresponsive means with said diaphragm-control circuit means, and actuatable to alternatively connect said photoresponsive means with said time-delay circuit means; g. control means for activating said diaphragm-control circuit means to adjust the exposure aperture in accordance with the level of illumination on said photoresponsive means; h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; i. means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is above a predetermined level; j. means for actuating said switch and activating said time-delay circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; k. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said aperture in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on the photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that for low levels of scene illumination the exposure interval is determined by the time-delay circuit means as a function of scene illumination; and l. an electric generator electrically connected with said diaphragm-control circuit means and said time-delay circuit means, said generator including drive means associated with said control means for energizing said circuit means.

Claim 7

An exposure control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising means for providing a signal when the illumination incident on said photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level.

Claim 8

An exposure control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said switch is associated with said diaphragm member for actuation thereby to activate said diaphragm control circuit means when said diaphragm member is at any position along its path except its maximum aperture position, and to deactivate said diaphragm-control circuit means when said diaphragm member is in its maximum aperture position.

Claim 9

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to adjust the exposure aperture from a minimum size to a maximum size, said diaphragm member being biased towards its maximum aperture position; c. releasable retaining means for holding said diaphragm member in its minimum aperture position, said retaining means being actuatable to release said diaphragm member for movement under the influence of its bias along its path towards its maximum aperture position; d. electromechanical transducer means actuatable to block further movement of said diaphragm member along its path; e. electrically energizable, diaphragm-control circuit means connectable with said photoresponsive means and activatable to actuate said transducer means to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means when that illumination is above a predetermined level; f. control means for activating said diaphragm-control circuit means and for actuating said retaining means to adjust the exposure aperture; g. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure iNterval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; i. return means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval; j. means for disabling said shutter return means to prevent said shutter means from terminating an exposure interval after a predetermined period when the scene illumination is below said predetermined level; k. electrically energizable, activatable, time-delay circuit means connectable with said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation thereof, said time-delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of said electrical parameter; l. an electrical switch normally connecting said photoresponsive means with said diaphragm-control circuit means, and actuatable to alternatively connect said photoresponsive means with said time-delay circuit means; m. means for actuating said switch and activating said time-delay circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; n. means for actuating said shutter means to cover said aperture in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on the photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that for low levels of scene illumination the exposure interval is determined by the time-delay circuit means as a function of scene illumination; and o. an electric generator electrically connected with said diaphragm-control circuit means and said time-delay circuit means, said generator including drive means associated with said control means for energizing said circuit means.

Claim 10

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to adjust the exposure aperture from a minimum size to a maximum size, said diaphragm member being biased towards its maximum aperture position; c. releasable retaining means for holding said diaphragm member in its minimum aperture position, said retaining means being actuatable to release said diaphragm member for movement under the influence of its bias along its path towards its maximum aperture position; d. electromechanical transducer means actuatable to block further movement of said diaphragm member along its path; e. electrically energizable, diaphragm-control circuit means connectable with said photoresponsive means and activatable to actuate said transducer means to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means when that illumination is above a predetermined level; f. control means for activating said diaphragm-control circuit means and for actuating said retaining means to adjust the exposure aperture; g. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; h. means for actuating said shutter mechanism to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure iNterval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; i. return means for automatically actuating said shutter mechanism to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval; j. means for disabling said shutter return means to prevent said shutter means from terminating an exposure interval after a predetermined period when the scene illumination is below said predetermined level; k. electrically energizable, activatable, time-delay circuit means connectable with said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation thereof, said time-delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of said electrical parameter; l. an electrical switch normally connecting said photoresponsive means with said diaphragm-control circuit means, and actuatable to alternatively connect said photoresponsive means with said time-delay circuit means; m. means for actuating said switch and activating said time-delay circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; n. means for actuating said shutter means to cover said aperture in response to said control signal when the illumination incident on the photoresponsive means is below said predetermined level, so that for low levels of scene illumination the exposure interval is determined by the time-delay circuit means as a function of scene illumination; and o. an electric generator electrically connected with said diaphragm-control circuit means and said time-delay circuit means, said generator including drive means associated with said control means for energizing said circuit means.

Claim 11

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable to any position along a path to vary the exposure aperture from a minimum size to a maximum size, said diaphragm member being biased toward its maximum aperture position; c. latch means for releasably retaining said diaphragm member in its minimum aperture position and actuatable to release said diaphragm member for movement under the influence of its bias towards its maximum aperture position; d. electromechanical transducer means actuatable to block further movement of said diaphragm member along its path; e. a voltage-sensing trigger circuit coupled with said transducer and adapted to switch from a first state to a second state to actuate said transducer when an input voltage is below a predetermined level; f. first circuit means connectable with the input of said trigger circuit and with said photoresponsive means for producing a voltage at the trigger circuit input that varies as a function of the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; g. switch means for connecting said first circuit means with said trigger circuit to actuate said transducer when said diaphragm member is at a position in which said exposure aperture is suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; h. control means for activating said diaphragm-control circuit means and for actuating said retaining means to adjust the exposure aperture; i. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; j. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; k. return means for automatically actuating said shutter means to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval; l. means for disabling said return means when said diaphragm member is in its maximum aperture position; m. activatable second circuit means connectable with the input of said trigger circuit and with said photoresponsive means for producing a voltage at the trigger circuit input that varies from a second predetermined level when activated to said first predetermined level over a period of time that is a function of the level of illumination; n. second switch means for connecting said second circuit means with said trigger circuit for switching said trigger circuit from said first state to said second state a period of time after activation of said second circuit established as a function of the level of scene illumination, said second switch means being actuatable in response to movement of said diaphragm member to its maximum aperture position; o. means for activating said second circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; p. means for covering the aperture in response to switching of said trigger circuit from its second state to its first state when the illumination on the photoresponsive means is below a predetermined level to terminate the exposure interval when the voltage from said second circuit means reaches said first predetermined voltage level, so that for low levels of scene illumination the exposure interval is determined by said second circuit means as a function of the level of scene illumination; and q. an electric generator electrically connected with said first and second circuit means and with said trigger circuit, said generator including drive means associated with said control means for energizing said circuits.

Claim 12

In a camera adapted to expose film to scene light, an exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter as a function of the level of scene illumination incident thereon; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable to any position along a path to vary the exposure aperture from a minimum size to a maximum size, said diaphragm member being biased toward its maximum aperture position; c. latch means for releasably retaining said diaphragm member in its minimum aperture position and actuatable to release said diaphragm member for movement under the influence of its bias towards its maximum aperture position; d. electromechanical transducer means actuatable to block further movement of said diaphragm member along its path; e. a voltage-sensing trigger circuit coupled with said transducer and adapted to switch from a first state to a second state to actuate said transducer when an input voltage is below a predetermined level; f. first circuit means connectable with the input of said trigger circuit and with said photoresponsive means for producing a voltage at the trigger circuit input that varies as a function of the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; g. switch means for connecting said first circuit means with said trigger circuit to actuate said transducer when said diaphragm member is at a position in which said exposure aperture is suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; h. control means for activating said diaphragm-control circuit means and for actuating said retaining means to adjust the exposure aperture; i. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; j. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after said exposure aperture has been adjusted; k. return means for automatically actuating said shutter means to cover said exposure aperture a predetermined period of time after initiation of an exposure interval; l. means for disabling said return means when said diaphragm member is in its maximum aperture position; m. activatable second circuit means connectable with the input of said trigger circuit and with said photoresponsive means for producing a voltage at the trigger circuit input that varies from a second predetermined level when activated to said first predetermined level over a period of time that is a function of the level of illumination; n. second switch means for connecting said second circuit means with said trigger circuit for switching said trigger circuit from said first state to said second state a period of time after activation of said second circuit established as a function of the level of scene illumination, said second switch means being actuatable in response to movement of said diaphragm member to its maximum aperture position; o. means for activating said second circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; p. means for covering the aperture in response to switching of said trigger circuit from its second state to its first state when the illumination on the photoresponsive means is below a predetermined level to terminate the exposure interval when the voltage from said second circuit means reaches said first predetermined voltage level, so that for low levels of scene illumination the exposure interval is determined by said second circuit means as a function of the level of scene illumination; and q. an electric generator electrically connected with said first and second circuit means and with said trigger circuit, said generator including drive means associated with said control means for energizing said circuits.