Control system for photographic apparatus

Claim 2

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to selectively effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said Control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source following the actuation of said start switch means to effect said closed circuit condition at least until completion of said first operational event so as to commit said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event.

Claim 3

The control system of claim 1 in which said latch means is operative to selectively interrupt the said energization of said control means from said source in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 4

The control system of claim 1 in which: said instrumentality means includes an exposure mechanism selectively actuable to block and unblock an optical path; said control means includes control network means operable during a photographic cycle to generate a signal for effecting the actuation of said exposure mechanism to block said optical path to terminate a photographic exposure, said control means being operative to inhibit the carrying out of a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition and said signal is generated.

Claim 5

The control system of claim 1 in which: said control means includes cycle phase switch means actuable in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event; and said latch means is operative to selectively discontinue the said energization of said control means from said source in response to said cycle phase switch means actuation.

Claim 6

The control system of claim 4 in which said control means is operative to prevent the repetition of a said photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition and said phase cycle switch means is actuated in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 7

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to selectively effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source following the actuation of said start switch means to effect said closed circuit condition at least until completion of said first operational event, said latch means being operative to assume a first energization state when said start switch means is actuated to assume said closed circuit condition and to assume a second energization state subsequent to said first event and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition, and being further operative to selectively interrupt the said energization of said control means from said source in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 8

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to selectively effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source following the actuation of said start switch means to effect said closed circuit condition at least until completion of said first operational event, said latch means being operative to assume a first energization state when said start switch means is actuated to assume said closed circuit condition and to assume a second energization state subsequent to said first event and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition, and being further operative to selectively interrupt the said energization of said control means from said source in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 9

The control system of claim 6 wherein said latch means is operative to assume said first energization state whenever said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during a given said photographic cycle.

Claim 10

The control system of claim 6 wherein said latch means is operative to assume only said first energization state when said start switch means is continuously retained in closed circuit condition subsequent to and following the termination of a said photographic cycle.

Claim 11

The control system of claim 6 in which: said control means includes cycle phase switch means actuable in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event; And said latch means is operative to assume only said first energization state when said cycle phase switch means is actuated and said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition.

Claim 12

The control system of claim 9 wherein said latch means is operative to discontinue the said energization of said control means from said source in response to said cycle phase switch means actuation and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition.

Claim 13

The control system of claim 6 in which: said control means includes cycle phase switch means initially actuable following said first operational event and subsequently actuable in conjunction with said last operational event; said latch means is operative to assume said second energization state when said cycle phase switch means is initially actuated and said start switch means is in said open circuit condition.

Claim 14

The control system of claim 11 wherein said latch means is operative to assume said first energization state prior to said cycle phase switch means initial actuation and when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition.

Claim 15

The control system of claim 12 wherein said latch means is operative during a given said photographic cycle to assume only said first energization state when said cycle phase switch means is subsequently actuated and said start switch means is in closed circuit condition.

Claim 16

The control system of claim 13 wherein said latch means is operative to discontinue the said energization of said control means from said source of electrical energy in response to said cycle phase switch means subsequent actuation and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition.

Claim 17

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; latch means responsive to said start switch means actuation and coupled with said control means for effecting a continuous energization of said control means from said source following the movement of said start switch means to said closed circuit condition for committing said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event; said control means including circuit components operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 18

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; latch means responsive to said start switch means actuation and coupled with said control means for effecting a continuous energization of said control means from said source following the movement of said start switch means to said closed circuit condition for committing said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event; said control means including circuit components operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 19

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; latch means responsive to said start switch means actuation and coupled with said control means for effecting a continuous energization of said control means from said source following the movement of said start switch means to said closed circuit Condition and only following the completion of the first of said operational events for committing said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event; said control means being operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 20

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; latch means responsive to said start switch means actuation and coupled with said control means for effecting a continuous energization of said control means from said source following the movement of said start switch means to said closed circuit Condition and only following the completion of the first of said operational events for committing said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event; said control means being operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 21

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety energized from a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; latch means responsive to said start switch means actuation and coupled with said control means for effecting a continuous energization of said control means from said source following the movement of said start switch means to said closed circuit condition for committing said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event, said latch means being further operative to interrupt said energization of said control means from said source in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition; said control means being operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 22

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety energized from a source of electrical energy, said system being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; latch means responsive to said start switch means actuation and coupled with said control means for effecting a continuous energization of said control means from said source following the movement of said start switch means to said closed circuit condition for committing said control means to effect said instrumentality means performance through said photographic cycle last event, said latch means being further operative to interrupt said energization of said control means from said source in conjunction with the performance of said last operational event and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition; said control means being operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 23

Photographic apparatus comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed; exposure mechanism means actuable to block and unblock said optical path to effect the exposure of photographic material at an exposure plane; reflex means actuable to convert said optical path between viewing and exposure mode configurations; a source of electrical energy; control means energizable from said source for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex means in accordance with a predetermined order of operational events to define a photographic cycle; switch means manually actuable between open circuit and closed circuit conditions for energizing said control means at least during a select initial portion of said photographic cycle; and latch means present in fixed circuit configuration and coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source following said select initial portion of said photographic cycle.

Claim 24

Photographic apparatus comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed; exposure mechanism means actuable to block and unblock said optical path to effect the exposure of photographic material at an exposure plane; reflex means actuable to convert said optical path between viewing and exposure mode configurations; a source of electrical energy; control means energizable from said source for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex means in accordance with a predetermined order of operational events to define a photographic cycle; switch means manually actuable between open circuit and closed circuit conditions for energizing said control means at least during a select initial portion of said photographic cycle; and latch means present in fixed circuit configuration and coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source following said select initial portion of said photographic cycle.

Claim 25

The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which said latch means is operative to selectively terminate the said energization of said control means to terminate a said photographic cycle.

Claim 26

The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which said latch means is operative to effect the continuous energization of said control means when said reflex means commences a said optical path conversion from said viewing mode configuration to said exposure mode configuration.

Claim 27

The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which: said control means includes a control network having an output signal for effecting a said actuation of said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path so as to terminate a said exposure, said control means being operative to prevent the repetition of a said photographic cycle when said switch means is retained in said closed circuit condition and said control network generates said output signal.

Claim 28

Photographic apparatus of a variety incorporating a source of electrical energy, comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed; exposure mechanism means actuable to block and unblock said optical path to effect the exposure of photographic material at an exposure plane; reflex means actuable to convert said optical path between viewing and exposure mode configurations; control means energizable from said source for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex means in accordance with a predetermined order of operational events to define a photographic cycle; switch means manually actuable between open circuit and closed circuit conditions for energizing said control means at least during a select initial portion of said photographic cycle; said control means being operative to actuate said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path in response to the actuation of said start switch means to said closed circuit condition at the commencement of a said photographic cycle, and to actuate said reflex means to convert said optical path from said viewing mode to said exposure mode configuration in response to said blocking of said optical path; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source in response to said reflex means actuation.

Claim 29

Photographic apparatus of a variety incorporating a source of electrical energy, comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed; exposure mechanism means actuable to block and unblock said optical path to effect the exposure of photographic material at an exposure plane; reflex means actuable to convert said optical path between viewing and exposure mode configurations; control means energizable from said source for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex means in accordance with a predetermined order of operational events to define a photographic cycle; switch means manually actuable between open circuit and closed circuit conditions for energizing said control means at least during a select initial portion of said photographic cycle; said control means being operative to actuate said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path in response to the actuation of said start switch means to said closed circuit condition at the commencement of a said photographic cycle, and to actuate said reflex means to convert said optical path from said viewing mode to said exposure mode configuration in response to said blocking of said optical path; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting the continuous energization of said control means from said source in response to said reflex means actuation.

Claim 30

The photographic apparatus of claim 22 wherein said latch means is operative to assume a first energization state when said start switch means is actuated to assume said closed circuit condition, and to assume a second energization state in response to said reflex means actuation and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition.

Claim 31

The photographic apparatus of claim 23 wherein said latch means is operative to assume only said first energization state when said start switch means is continuously retained in said closed circuit condition subsequent to and following the termination of a said photographic cycle.

Claim 32

The photographic apparatus of claim 22 in which: said control means includes cycle phase switch means actuable in response to the said actuation of said reflex means converting said optical path from said viewing mode to said exposure mode configuration; and said latch means is operative to effect said continuous energization of said control means in response to said cycle phase switch actuation.

Claim 33

The photographic apparatus of claim 25 wherein said latch means is operative to assume a first energization state when said start switch means is actuated to assume said closed circuit condition, and to assume a second energization state in response to said cycle phase switch actuation and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition.

Claim 34

The photographic apparatus of claim 26 wherein said latch means is operative to assume only said first energization state when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition.

Claim 35

The photographic apparatus of claim 27 in which said control means includes a control network for generating an output signal for effecting an actuation of said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path to terminate a said exposure; said control means being operative to prevent said apparatus from carrying out a next succeeding said photographic cycle in the presence of said output signal and when said latch means is in said first energization state.

Claim 36

A photographic camera of a variety utilizing a source of electrical energy comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed at an exposure plane; means for supporting photosensitive material at said exposure plane; exposure mechanism means selectively energizable from said source to block and unblock said optical path for regulating the exposure of said photosensitive material; reflex component means movable between a securiNg position blocking the passage of light to said exposure plane and an exposure position orienting said optical path to effect said exposure of said photosensitive material; control means energizable from said source for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex component means in a manner defining a given photographic cycle wherein said exposure mechanism means is initially energized to block said optical path at the commencement of a said cycle whereupon said reflex component means is moved initially from said securing position into said exposure position, following which said exposure mechanism means is de-energized and subsequently selectively energized to define an interval of exposure, said subsequent energization being maintained to block said optical path while said reflex component means is returned to said securing position, said cycle then being terminated with a subsequent de-energization of said exposure mechanism means; start switch means manually actuable to move from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition energizing said control means; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting a selective continuous energization of said control means commencing with said reflex component means initial movement and continuing until said cycle termination.

Claim 37

A photographic camera of a variety utilizing a source of electrical energy comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed at an exposure plane; means for supporting photosensitive material at said exposure plane; exposure mechanism means selectively energizable from said source to block and unblock said optical path for regulating the exposure of said photosensitive material; reflex component means movable between a securiNg position blocking the passage of light to said exposure plane and an exposure position orienting said optical path to effect said exposure of said photosensitive material; control means energizable from said source for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex component means in a manner defining a given photographic cycle wherein said exposure mechanism means is initially energized to block said optical path at the commencement of a said cycle whereupon said reflex component means is moved initially from said securing position into said exposure position, following which said exposure mechanism means is de-energized and subsequently selectively energized to define an interval of exposure, said subsequent energization being maintained to block said optical path while said reflex component means is returned to said securing position, said cycle then being terminated with a subsequent de-energization of said exposure mechanism means; start switch means manually actuable to move from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition energizing said control means; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting a selective continuous energization of said control means commencing with said reflex component means initial movement and continuing until said cycle termination.

Claim 38

The photographic camera of claim 29 wherein said latch means is operative to selectively terminate the said energization of said control means to effect said cycle termination.

Claim 39

The photographic camera of claim 30 wherein said latch means is operative to assume a first energization state when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition, and to assume a second energization state with said commencement of said reflex means initial movement, and when said start switch means is in said open circuit condition.

Claim 40

The photographic camera of claim 31 wherein said latch means is operative to effect said cycle termination only when in said second energization state.

Claim 41

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said apparatus being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable from a viewing mode condition to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to fully automatically effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order, said control means causing said instrumentality means to be automatically returned to said viewing mode condition at the termination of the last of said operational events; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; said control means being operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 42

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electrical energy, said apparatus being actuable to serially perform operational events in a predetermined order from first to last defining a photographic cycle, comprising: instrumentality means actuable from a viewing mode condition to perform said operational events; control means energizable from said source to fully automatically effect said instrumentality means actuation to perform said operational events in accordance with said predetermined order, said control means causing said instrumentality means to be automatically returned to said viewing mode condition at the termination of the last of said operational events; manually actuable start switch means movable between an open circuit condition and a closed circuit condition for selectively connecting said source of electrical energy with said control means; said control means being operative to prevent said control system from carrying out a next succeeding photographic cycle when said start switch means is in said closed circuit condition during the performance of said last operational event.

Claim 43

A photographic camera of a variety utilizing a source of electrical energy comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed at an exposure plane; means for supporting photosensitive material at said exposure plane; exposure mechanism means selectively energizable from said source to block and unblock said optical path for regulating the exposure of said photosensitive material; reflex component means movable between a securing position blocking the passage of light to said exposure plane and an exposure position orienting said optical path to effect said exposure of said photosensitive material; start switch means manually actuable to move from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition; control means energizable from said source in response to said start switch means actuation for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex component means in a manner defining a given photographic cycle wherein said exposure mechanism means is initially energized to block said optical path at the commencement of a said cycle whereupon said reflex component means is moved initially from said securing position into said exposure position, following which said exposure mechanism means is de-energized and subsequently selectively energized to define an interval of exposure, said subsequent energization being maintained to block said optical path while said reflex component means is returned to said securing position, said cycle then being terminated with a subsequent de-energization of said exposure mechanism means, said control means being further operative to prevent the completion of a next succeeding photographic cycle when said subsequent exposure mechanism means de-energization has occurred and said start switch means is retained in said closed circuit condition prior to and beyond said termination of said given photographic cycle; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting a selective continuous energization of said control means commencing with said reflex component means initial movement and continuing until said cycle termination.

Claim 44

A photographic camera of a variety utilizing a source of electrical energy comprising: means defining an optical path for imaging a scene to be photographed at an exposure plane; means for supporting photosensitive material at said exposure plane; exposure mechanism means selectively energizable from said source to block and unblock said optical path for regulating the exposure of said photosensitive material; reflex component means movable between a securing position blocking the passage of light to said exposure plane and an exposure position orienting said optical path to effect said exposure of said photosensitive material; start switch means manually actuable to move from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition; control means energizable from said source in response to said start switch means actuation for regulating said exposure mechanism means and said reflex component means in a manner defining a given photographic cycle wherein said exposure mechanism means is initially energized to block said optical path at the commencement of a said cycle whereupon said reflex component means is moved initially from said securing position into said exposure position, following which said exposure mechanism means is de-energized and subsequently selectively energized to define an interval of exposure, said subsequent energization being maintained to block said optical path while said reflex component means is returned to said securing position, said cycle then being terminated with a subsequent de-energization of said exposure mechanism means, said control means being further operative to prevent the completion of a next succeeding photographic cycle when said subsequent exposure mechanism means de-energization has occurred and said start switch means is retained in said closed circuit condition prior to and beyond said termination of said given photographic cycle; and latch means coupled with said start switch means and said control means for effecting a selective continuous energization of said control means commencing with said reflex component means initial movement and continuing until said cycle termination.