Sequential control for camera diaphragm and shutter

Claim 2

In a camera adapted to expose photographic 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 in accordance with the level of scene illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; b. adjustable diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to a plurality of open positions for varying the exposure aperture and to a closed position in which scene light is prevented from exposing the film; c. diaphragm control means including a circuit coupled with said photoresponsive means, and activatable to adjust said diaphragm member to an open position corresponding to the magnitude of said electrical parameter to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; d. means for activating said diaphragm control means to adjust the exposure aperture; e. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; f. activatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation of said time-delay circuit means, said delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and said electrical parameter of said photoresponsive means; g. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover the exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval in response to the adjustment of said diaphragm member to a position suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; h. means for activating said time-delay circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and i. means for moving said diaphragm member to its closed position in response to said control signal to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said time-delay circuit as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture.

Claim 3

In a camera adapted to expose photographic 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 in accordance with the level of scene illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to a plurality of open positions for varying the exposure aperture and to a closed position in which scene light is prevented from exposing the film; c. diaphragm control means including a circuit coupled with said photoresponsive means, and activatable to move said diaphragm member to an open position corresponding to the magnitude of said electrical parameter 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 means to adjust the exposure aperture; e. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; f. activatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation of said time-delay circuit means, said delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; g. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval substantially simultaneously with the positioning of said diaphragm member to establish an exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; h. means for activating said time-delay circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and i. means for moving said diaphragm member to its closed position in response to said control signal to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said time-delay circuit as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture.

Claim 4

In a camera adapted to expose photographic 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 in accordance with the level of scene illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to a plurality of open positions for varying the exposure aperture and to a closed position in which scene light is prevented from exposing the film; c. diaphragm control means including a circuit coupled with said photoresponsive means, and activatable to move said diaphragm member to an open position corresponding to the magnitude of said electrical parameter 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 means to adjust the exposure aperture; e. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; f. activatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation of said time-delay circuit means, said delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; g. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture to initiate an exposure interval substantially simultaneously with the positioning of said diaphragm member to establish an exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; h. means for activating said time-delay circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and i. means for moving said diaphragm member to its closed position in response to said control signal to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said time-delay circuit as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture.

Claim 5

In a camera adapted to expose photographic film to scene light, and exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter in accordance with the level of scene illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member releasably retained in a first position and biased for movement along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture when it is released from said first position; c. latch means actuatable for engaging and retaining said diaphragm member; d. electromagnetic transducer means associated with said latch means for controlling actuation thereof; e. diaphragm control means including a circuit coupled with said photoresponsive means and said electromechanical transducer for actuating said latch means to retain said diaphragm member in a position corresponding to the magnitude of said electrical parameter to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; f. means for activating said diaphragm control means circuit to establish the exposure aperture; g. actuatable shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; h. activatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation of said time-delay circuit means, said delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; i. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover the exposure aperture in response to energization of said output transducer to initiate an exposure interval when said diaphragm control member has been positioned to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; j. means for activating said time-delay circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and k. means for actuating said diaphragm to close said exposure aperture in response to said control signal to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said time-delay circuit means as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture.

Claim 6

In a camera adapted to expose photographic film to scene light, and exposure control apparatus comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination from an object scene for varying an electrical parameter in accordance with the level of scene illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member releasably retained in a first position and biased for movement along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture when it is released from said first position; c. latch means actuatable for engaging and retaining said diaphragm member; d. electromagnetic transducer means associated with said latch means for controlling actuation thereof; e. diaphragm control means including a circuit coupled with said photoresponsive means and said electromechanical transducer for actuating said latch means to retain said diaphragm member in a position corresponding to the magnitude of said electrical parameter to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; f. means for activating said diaphragm control means circuit to establish the exposure aperture; g. actuatable shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; h. activatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a control signal a period of time after activation of said time-delay circuit means, said delay circuit means including means for establishing the time period as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; i. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover the exposure aperture in response to energization of said output transducer to initiate an exposure interval when said diaphragm control member has been positioned to establish the exposure aperture at a size suitable for the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; j. means for activating said time-delay circuit in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and k. means for actuating said diaphragm to close said exposure aperture in response to said control signal to terminate the exposure interval, so that the exposure interval is determined by said time-delay circuit means as a function of the level of scene illumination and the size of the exposure aperture.

Claim 7

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 for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to any position along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture; c. eletromechanical transducer means actuatable to position said diaphragm to establish an exposure aperture; d. 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 first predetermined level; e. 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; f. 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; g. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; h. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture in response to positioning of said diaphragm member by said transducer; i. 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 position of the diaphragm member and of the level of scene illumination, said second voltage level being below said first voltage level; j. means for connecting said second circuit means with said trigger circuit for switching said circuit from said first state to said second state a period of time after activation of said trigger circuit, the period of time being established as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; k. means for activating said second circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and l. means for actuating said diaphragm to close the aperture in response to switching of said trigger circuit from its second state to its first state to terminate the exposure interval when the voltage from said second circuit means reaches said first predetermined level, 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.

Claim 8

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 for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to any position along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture; c. eletromechanical transducer means actuatable to position said diaphragm to establish an exposure aperture; d. 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 first predetermined level; e. 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; f. 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; g. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; h. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture in response to positioning of said diaphragm member by said transducer; i. 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 position of the diaphragm member and of the level of scene illumination, said second voltage level being below said first voltage level; j. means for connecting said second circuit means with said trigger circuit for switching said circuit from said first state to said second state a period of time after activation of said trigger circuit, the period of time being established as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; k. means for activating said second circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and l. means for actuating said diaphragm to close the aperture in response to switching of said trigger circuit from its second state to its first state to terminate the exposure interval when the voltage from said second circuit means reaches said first predetermined level, 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.

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 for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to any position along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture; c. electromechanical transducer means actuatable to position said diaphragm to establish an exposure aperture; d. 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 first predetermined level; e. 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; f. means for adjusting the functional relationship between the voltage output of said first circuit means and the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; g. 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. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; i. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture in response to adjustment of said diaphragm member by said transducer; j. 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 position of the diaphragm member and of the level of scene illumination, said second voltage level being below said first voltage level; k. means for connecting said second circuit means with said trigger circuit for switching said circuit from said first state to said second state a period of time after activation of said trigger circuit, the period of time being established as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; l. means for activating said second circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and m. means for actuating said diaphragm means to close the aperture in response to switching of said trigger circuit from its second state to its first state to terminate the exposure interval when the voltage from said second circuit means reaches said first predetermined level, 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.

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 for exposing the film, said diaphragm means including a member movable to any position along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture; c. electromechanical transducer means actuatable to position said diaphragm to establish an exposure aperture; d. 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 first predetermined level; e. 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; f. means for adjusting the functional relationship between the voltage output of said first circuit means and the level of illumination incident on said photoresponsive means; g. 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. shutter means normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture; i. means for actuating said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture in response to adjustment of said diaphragm member by said transducer; j. 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 position of the diaphragm member and of the level of scene illumination, said second voltage level being below said first voltage level; k. means for connecting said second circuit means with said trigger circuit for switching said circuit from said first state to said second state a period of time after activation of said trigger circuit, the period of time being established as a function of the position of the diaphragm member and the level of scene illumination; l. means for activating said second circuit means in synchronization with the actuation of said shutter means to uncover said exposure aperture; and m. means for actuating said diaphragm means to close the aperture in response to switching of said trigger circuit from its second state to its first state to terminate the exposure interval when the voltage from said second circuit means reaches said first predetermined level, 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.

Claim 11

The exposure control apparatus claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for adjusting the functional relationship between the first circuit output voltage and the level of illumination on said photoresponsive means comprises means for selectively attenuating light incident on said photoresponsive means when it is connected with said first circuit means.

Claim 12

Exposure control apparatus for exposing a light sensitive medium to incident illumination comprising: a. diaphragm means adjustable for defining an exposure aperture of varying size; b. an opening shutter blade actuatable for exposing the light sensitive medium to the incident illumination through said exposure aperture; c. actuatable circuit means for providing a first signal indicative of the intensity of the incident illumination and for providing a second signal a time interval after actuation thereof, said time interval being related to the intensity of the incident illumination; and d. means responsive to said first signal for opening said shutter blade and for adjusting said diaphragm means to a size related to the intensity of the incident illumination; and e. means responsive to said second signal for actuating said diaphragm means to close said exposure aperture to terminate the exposure after said time interval.

Claim 13

Exposure control apparatus for exposing a light sensitive medium to incident illumination comprising: a. diaphragm means adjustable for defining an exposure aperture of varying size; b. an opening shutter blade actuatable for exposing the light sensitive medium to the incident illumination through said exposure aperture; c. actuatable circuit means for providing a first signal indicative of the intensity of the incident illumination and for providing a second signal a time interval after actuation thereof, said time interval being related to the intensity of the incident illumination; and d. means responsive to said first signal for opening said shutter blade and for adjusting said diaphragm means to a size related to the intensity of the incident illumination; and e. means responsive to said second signal for actuating said diaphragm means to close said exposure aperture to terminate the exposure after said time interval.

Claim 14

Exposure control apparatus for exposing a light sensitive medium to incident illumination, comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination for varying an electrical parameter in accordance with the intensity of the incident illumination; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture; c. a shutter blade normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture for exposing the medium to incident illumination; d. an electronic circuit including said photoresponsive means for providing a first signal corresponding tO the magnitude of said electrical parameter, said circuit including actuatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a second signal a time interval after activation thereof, said time interval being related to the intensity of the incident illumination; and e. means responsive to said first signal for adjusting said member to a position along said path relative to the magnitude of said electrical parameter and for opening said shutter blade; and f. means responsive to said second signal for actuating said member to close said exposure aperture.

Claim 15

Exposure control apparatus for exposing a light sensitive medium to incident illumination, comprising: a. photoresponsive means adapted to receive illumination for varying an electrical parameter in accordance with the intensity of the incident illumination; b. diaphragm means for establishing an exposure aperture, said diaphragm means including a member movable along a path to vary the size of the exposure aperture; c. a shutter blade normally covering the exposure aperture and actuatable to uncover the exposure aperture for exposing the medium to incident illumination; d. an electronic circuit including said photoresponsive means for providing a first signal corresponding tO the magnitude of said electrical parameter, said circuit including actuatable time-delay circuit means including said photoresponsive means for producing a second signal a time interval after activation thereof, said time interval being related to the intensity of the incident illumination; and e. means responsive to said first signal for adjusting said member to a position along said path relative to the magnitude of said electrical parameter and for opening said shutter blade; and f. means responsive to said second signal for actuating said member to close said exposure aperture.