US3724349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Viewfinder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-14
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1992-04-14
Abstract
Abstract In an optical system an objective defining an optical axis and at least one image plane, the objective forming a real image of an object in the image plane. A device is provided for varying the contrasts of said image. The means is arranged on the optical axis and comprises a plurality of photoelectric receivers arranged in at least one plane within the range of the image plane. The photoelectric receivers have a nonlinear characteristic and have an output, the value of which varies in dependence on the sharpness of the real image in the plane of the photoelectric receivers, the value assuming an extreme with coincidence of the image plane and the plane of the photoelectric receivers. A layer of a plurality of electrooptic transducers is provided, each of the transducers being connectable with a corresponding receiver. Each of the transducers is associated to the other transducers in the same configuration as the corresponding receiver with respect to the other receivers to form an image corresponding to the real image, but having contrasts varied in dependence on the depth of field of the objective.
Inventors
- 👤 Belvard P Von
- 👤 R Scheiber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 02:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/135; G03B13/00; G03B13/02; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In an optical system an objective defining an optical axis and at least one image plane, said objective forming a real image of an object in said image plane; means for varying the contrasts of said image, said means being arranged on said optical axis and comprising: a plurality of photoelectric receivers arranged in at least one plane within the range of said image plane, said photoelectric receivers having a nonlinear characteristic and having an output, the value of which varies in dependence on the sharpness of said real image in the plane of said photoelectric receivers, said value assuming an extreme with coincidence of said image plane and said plane of the photoelectric receivers; a layer of a plurality of electrooptic transducers, each of said transducers being connectable with a corresponding receiver, each of said transducers being associated to the other transducers in the same configuration as the corresponding receiver with respect to the other receivers to form an image corresponding to said real image, but having contrasts varied in dependence on the depth of field of said objective.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an optical system an objective defining an optical axis and at least one image plane, said objective forming a real image of an object in said image plane; means for varying the contrasts of said image, said means being arranged on said optical axis and comprising: a plurality of photoelectric receivers arranged in at least one plane within the range of said image plane, said photoelectric receivers having a nonlinear characteristic and having an output, the value of which varies in dependence on the sharpness of said real image in the plane of said photoelectric receivers, said value assuming an extreme with coincidence of said image plane and said plane of the photoelectric receivers; a layer of a plurality of electrooptic transducers, each of said transducers being connectable with a corresponding receiver, each of said transducers being associated to the other transducers in the same configuration as the corresponding receiver with respect to the other receivers to form an image corresponding to said real image, but having contrasts varied in dependence on the depth of field of said objective.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a network electrically connected with said means for varying contrasts and having a variable output; control means connected with said network to control said output of said network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said control means are manually operable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said layer of electrooptic transducers comprise a liquid crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said liquid crystal is a nematic crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising adjustable diaphragm means arranged within a diaphragm plane of said objective.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 6, further comprising further photoelectric transducer means having an output depending only on the brightness of said object, automatic diaphragm control means connected with said diaphragm means and being controlled by the output of said further photoelectric transducer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 1, being incorporated in a camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 8, forming at least part of the viewfinder system of said camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising operating means connected with said means for varying contrasts to move the same from a first position outside the range of said optical axis to a second position on said optical axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a circuit electrically connected with said means for varying contrasts; interrupter means within said circuit, said intErrupter means being connected with said operating means and having an open and a closed position, with said means for varying contrasts in said first position said interrupter means being in said open position and vice-versa.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
In an optical system an objective defining an optical axis and at least one image plane, said objective being adapted to form a real image of an object in said image plane; means for varying contrasts of said image, said means being arranged on said optical axis and comprising: a plurality of photoelectric receivers arranged within said image plane, said photoelectric receivers having an output, the value of which varies in dependence on the brightness of said real image; a layer of a plurality of electrooptic transducers, each of said transducers being connectable with a corresponding receiver, said transducers having a nonlinear characteristic, each of said transducers being associated to the other transducers in the same configuration as the corresponding receiver with respect to the other receivers to form an image corresponding to said real image, but having intensified contrasts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
140 words
In an optical system an objective defining an optical axis and at least one image plane, said objective being adapted to form a real image of an object in said image plane; means for varying contrasts of said image, said means being arranged on said optical axis and comprising: a plurality of photoelectric receivers arranged within said image plane, said photoelectric receivers having an output, the value of which varies in dependence on the brightness of said real image; a layer of a plurality of electrooptic transducers, each of said transducers being connectable with a corresponding receiver, said transducers having a nonlinear characteristic, each of said transducers being associated to the other transducers in the same configuration as the corresponding receiver with respect to the other receivers to form an image corresponding to said real image, but having intensified contrasts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 12, further comprising: a network electrically connected with said means for varying contrasts and having a variable output; control means connected with said network to control said output of said network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said control means are manually operable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said layer of electrooptic transducers comprise a liquid crystal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said liquid crystal is a nematic crystal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 12, further comprising adjustable diaphragm means arranged within a diaphragm plane of said objective.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 12, being incorporated in a camera.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 18, forming at least part of the viewfinder system of said camera.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 12, further comprising: operating means connected with said means for varying contrasts to move the same from a first position outside the range of said optical axis to a second position on said optical axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
An optical system as set forth in claim 20, further comprising: a circuit electrically connected with said means for varying contrasts; interrupter means within said circuit, said interrupter means being connected with said operating means and having an open and a closed position, with said means for varying contrasts in said first position, said interrupter means being in said open position and vice-versa.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |