Camera apparatus for controlling diaphragm and shutter speed

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 providing an electrical signal that varies as a function of the level of illumination incident thereon; b. first electronic circuit means including said photoresponsive means, and adapted to switch between a first statE when the scene illumination exceeds a predetermined level, and a second state when the scene illumination is below said predetermined value; c. second electronic circuit means including said photoresponsive means, said second circuit means being activatable and adapted to switch from a first state to a second state a period of time after activation thereof, the time period being established as a function of the level of scene illumination; d. shutter means for covering and uncovering the exposure aperture; e. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval; f. means for activating said second circuit means substantially in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; g. means for actuating said shutter means to cover said exposure aperture in response to switching of said second circuit from said first state to said second state to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said second circuit means as a function of the level of scene illumination; and h. an indicator circuit including signal means, said indicator circuit being connected to said first and second electronic circuit means, and adapted to activate said signal means when either of said circuits is in its respective second state to provide a signal prior to an exposure interval when the scene illumination is below a predetermined value, and to provide a signal when an exposure interval is terminated.

Claim 3

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 providing an electrical signal functionally related to 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 size of the exposure aperture, and a magnetic member associated with said diaphragm member for movement therewith; c. a diaphragm control circuit including said photoresponsive means, and including drive coil means having oppositely poled inputs, said coil means being associated with said magnetic member for moving said diaphragm member in a first direction along said path in response to energization of one of said drive coil inputs and for moving said diaphragm member in the respectively opposite direction along said path in response to energization of the other drive coil input, said circuit being activatable to selectively energize said coil means to adjust the exposure aperture to a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; d. means for activating said diaphragm control circuit to adjust the exposure aperture; e. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering said exposure aperture; f. a first trigger circuit including said photoresponsive means, said circuit being activatable and adapted to switch from a first state to a second state a period of time after activation of said trigger circuit, the time period being established as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the second electrical signal from said photoresponsive means; g. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after activation of said diaphragm control circuit; h. means for activating said first trigger circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; i. means for actuating said shutter means to cover said aperture in response to switching of said first trigger circuit to its second state to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said first trigger circuit as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture; j. a second trigger circuit including said photorespoNsive means, said second trigger circuit being adapted to switch between a first state when said electrical signal exceeds a predetermined value, and a second state when said electrical signal is below said predetermined value; and k. an indicator circuit including signal means, said indicator circuit being connected to said first and second trigger circuits, and adapted to activate said signal means when either of said trigger circuits is in its respective second state to provide a signal prior to an exposure interval when scene illumination is below a predetermined value, and to provide a signal at the termination of the exposure interval to indicate the length of the exposure interval.

Claim 4

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 providing an electrical signal functionally related to 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 size of the exposure aperture, and a magnetic member associated with said diaphragm member for movement therewith; c. a diaphragm control circuit including said photoresponsive means, and including drive coil means having oppositely poled inputs, said coil means being associated with said magnetic member for moving said diaphragm member in a first direction along said path in response to energization of one of said drive coil inputs and for moving said diaphragm member in the respectively opposite direction along said path in response to energization of the other drive coil input, said circuit being activatable to selectively energize said coil means to adjust the exposure aperture to a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; d. means for activating said diaphragm control circuit to adjust the exposure aperture; e. actuatable shutter means for covering and uncovering said exposure aperture; f. a first trigger circuit including said photoresponsive means, said circuit being activatable and adapted to switch from a first state to a second state a period of time after activation of said trigger circuit, the time period being established as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the second electrical signal from said photoresponsive means; g. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval after activation of said diaphragm control circuit; h. means for activating said first trigger circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; i. means for actuating said shutter means to cover said aperture in response to switching of said first trigger circuit to its second state to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said first trigger circuit as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture; j. a second trigger circuit including said photorespoNsive means, said second trigger circuit being adapted to switch between a first state when said electrical signal exceeds a predetermined value, and a second state when said electrical signal is below said predetermined value; and k. an indicator circuit including signal means, said indicator circuit being connected to said first and second trigger circuits, and adapted to activate said signal means when either of said trigger circuits is in its respective second state to provide a signal prior to an exposure interval when scene illumination is below a predetermined value, and to provide a signal at the termination of the exposure interval to indicate the length of the exposure interval.