Low energy level electronic flash modulator

Claim 2

In combination with a gas discharge lamp, a device for effecting and modulating actinic radiation therefrom including: first energy storage means connected to said lamp for supplying energy thereto of sufficient potential to initiate an actinic discharge therein, with a desired frequency of success, in response to a control signal; second energy storage means for supplying energy to said lamp at a potential insufficient to initiate an actinic discharge therein, with a desired frequency of success, but sufficient to maintain such a discharge once initiated; said first and second energy storage means being functionally independent; and means for isolating said second energy storage means from said first energy storage means for preventing the transfer of energy therebetween.

Claim 3

The invention as cited in claim 1, additionally including: means for variably predetermining the potential of the energy stored in said second energy storage means.

Claim 4

The invention as set forth in claim 2, further including means for supplying control signals to said lamp for triggering an actinic discharge therein at a predetermined time.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3, further comprising a camera having a focus control and a shutter actuator, with said means for predetermining the potential of the energy in said second energy storage means operably connected to and controlled by said focus control, and said means for supplying triggering control signals to said lamp operably connected to and controlled by said shutter actuator.

Claim 6

The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein said first energy storage means shunts said lamp and said second energy storage means is serially connected to said isolation means across said lamp, and wherein current may flow through said isolation means in only one direction.

Claim 7

The invention as related in claim 5, wherein said first energy storage means comprises a capacitor and said second energy storage means comprises a capacitor having a higher capacity than that of said first energy storage means.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6, wherein said means for supplying triggering control signals includes: a transformer having primary and secondary windings; a capacitor serially connected to the primary of said transformer; a resistor shunting said capacitor and said primary winding; means for charging said capacitor; and means for short circuiting said resistor and responsive to said shutter actuator for generating a triggering control signal in said secondary winding upon activation of said actuator.

Claim 9

The invention as related in claim 7, wherein said resistor short circuiting means includes an electronic switching device connected in shunt with said resistor.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 8, wherein said electronic switching device comprises a silicon controlled rectifier.

Claim 11

In combination with a camera having a shutter actuator and a focus control, an electronic flash modulator, including: a gas discharge lamp having a trigger electrode; means connected to said shutter actuator and said trigger electrode for supplying triggering control signals to said trigger electrode in response to activation of said shutter actuator; first storage means connected across said lamp for supplying electrical energy thereto of sufficient potential to initiate a discharge therein; second storage means having greater capacity for the storage of electrical energy than said first storage means for supplying electrical energy to said lamp to sustain said discharge for a time interval sufficient to record a photographic image; means for supplying electrical energy to said first and second storage means, with that supplied to said first storage means having a higher potential than that supplied to said second storage means; and diode means serially connected between said second storage means and said gas discharge lamp for preventing the transfer of energy between said second storage means and said first storage means.

Claim 12

In combination with a camera having a shutter actuator and a focus control, an electronic flash modulator, including: a gas discharge lamp having a trigger electrode; means connected to said shutter actuator and said trigger electrode for supplying triggering control signals to said trigger electrode in response to activation of said shutter actuator; first storage means connected across said lamp for supplying electrical energy thereto of sufficient potential to initiate a discharge therein; second storage means having greater capacity for the storage of electrical energy than said first storage means for supplying electrical energy to said lamp to sustain said discharge for a time interval sufficient to record a photographic image; means for supplying electrical energy to said first and second storage means, with that supplied to said first storage means having a higher potential than that supplied to said second storage means; and diode means serially connected between said second storage means and said gas discharge lamp for preventing the transfer of energy between said second storage means and said first storage means.