Unitary trim control

Claim 2

In combination with a photographic exposure control system of the type responsive to at least two distinct parameters; means for selectively altering the response of said control system to changes in each of said parameters, including: a unitary control member; means operatively connected to said unitary control member for selectively attenuating the illumination effecting a photographic exposure independent of said parameters; and means operatively connected to said unitary control member for sensing a predetermined variable attenuated portion of the illumination available for effecting a photographic exposure of a subject and selectively altering exposure duration in response thereto.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1, further including aperture defining means and wherein said sensing means includes a variable density filter operably connected to said unitary control member and positioned in overlying relationship with said aperture defining means whereby the illumination reaching said aperture defining means from a photographic subject may be attenuated by a predetermined amount responsive to said unitary control member.

Claim 4

The invention as delineated in claim 2, wherein said exposure control system is operable in first and second modes and further including means for disabling said exposure duration altering means upon switching from said second mode to said first mode.

Claim 5

The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said unitary control means is operably connected to each of said means for selectively attenuating photographic exposure effecting illumination and said exposure duration altering means such that adjustment of said control means whilst said exposure duration altering means is operable will automatically effect adjustment of the attenuation of said photographic exposure effecting illumination upon switching to said first mode of operation.

Claim 6

The invention as described in claim 4, wherein said exposure system includes aperture adjusting means and further includes first cam means for selectively controlling said aperture adjusting means as a function of the range of a photographic subject and said exposure effecting illumination attenuating means includes means for selectively controlling said aperture adjusting means independent of said range.

Claim 7

The invention as recited in claim 5, wherein said exposure effecting illumination attenuating means includes second cam means and cam follower means operably connected to both said first and second cam means whereby adjustment of said second cam means will alter the response of said aperture adjusting means to said first cam means.

Claim 8

Apparatus as set out in claim 6, wherein said aperture adjusting means includes a housing and an array of apertured plates movably secured within said housing and cooperable to define a variable aperture for the passage of light.

Claim 9

The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein said subject is artificially illuminated by a flash lamp or the like and said aperture adjusting means is operable to attenuate light from said flash lamp or the like reaching an exposure plane.

Claim 10

Trim means for use with an exposure control system for a camera of the type operating in a first mode as a function of camera-to-subject range and in a second mode as a function of subject illumination; said trim means including: unitary control means for selectively altering the response of said exposure control system to said range when operating in said first mode; means operably connected to said control means for selectively altering the response of said exposure control system to said illumination; and means for altering the response of said exposure control system in one mode of operation as a function of alterations made to the response of said exposure control system in a different mode of operation upon switching from said different mode of operation to said one mode of operation.

Claim 11

Trim means for use with an exposure control system for a camera of the type operating in a first mode as a function of camera-to-subject range and in a second mode as a function of subject illumination; said trim means including: unitary control means for selectively altering the response of said exposure control system to said range when operating in said first mode; means operably connected to said control means for selectively altering the response of said exposure control system to said illumination; and means for altering the response of said exposure control system in one mode of operation as a function of alterations made to the response of said exposure control system in a different mode of operation upon switching from said different mode of operation to said one mode of operation.

Claim 12

The invention as recited in claim 9, wherein said exposure control system functions in a first mode to vary the illumination of said subject as a function of the range thereof and in said second mode to vary the duration of exposure in response to the illumination from said subject.

Claim 13

The invention in accordance with claim 10, wherein said response altering means includes means for varying the illumination of said subject independent of the range thereof and means for varying the exposure duration independent of subject illumination.

Claim 14

The invention as delineated in claim 11, wherein said camera includes lamp means and said independent illumination varying means includes cam means operably connected to aperture control means for selectively defining an aperture for the passage of illumination from said lamp means to said subject.

Claim 15

The invention as set out in claim 12, wherein said independent exposure duration varying means includes variable attenuating means disposed in overlying relationship with photosensitive means for selectively attenuating illumination reaching said photosensitive means from said subject.

Claim 16

In combination with an exposure control system for a photographic camera having first and second modes of operation and responsive to at least one distinct parameter when operating in either of said modes, means for selectively altering the response of said control system to changes in said parameters, including: means for altering the response of said exposure control system to a first parameter when operating in said first mode; means for altering the response of said exposure control system to a second parameter when operating in said second mode; and unitary control means for actuating said first and second mode response altering means.

Claim 17

In combination with an exposure control system for a photographic camera having first and second modes of operation and responsive to at least one distinct parameter when operating in either of said modes, means for selectively altering the response of said control system to changes in said parameters, including: means for altering the response of said exposure control system to a first parameter when operating in said first mode; means for altering the response of said exposure control system to a second parameter when operating in said second mode; and unitary control means for actuating said first and second mode response altering means.

Claim 18

The invention as described in claim 14, wherein said unitary control means is operably connected to each of said first and second mode response altering means such that adjustment of said first mode response altering means whilst said second mode response altering means is disabled will automatically effect adjustment of said second mode response altering means upon switching to said second mode of operation.

Claim 19

The invention in accordance with claim 15, wherein said exposure control apparatus includes aperture adjusting means effective in said first mode of operation and exposure duration limiting means effective in said second mode of operation.

Claim 20

The invention in accordance with claim 16, wherein said exposure control system further includes first cam means for selectively controlling said aperture adjusting means as a function of the range of the photographic subject and said first mode response altering means includes means for selectively controlling said aperture adjusting means independent of said subject range.

Claim 21

The invention as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first mode response altering means includes second cam means and cam follower means operably connected to both said first and second cam means whereby adjustment of said second cam means will alter the response of said aperture adjusting means to said first cam means.

Claim 22

The invention according to claim 18, wherein said aperture adjusting means includes a housing and an array of apertured plates movably secured within said housing and cooperable to define a variable aperture for the passage of light.

Claim 23

The invention as stated in claim 19, wherein said subject is artificially illuminated by a flash lamp or the like and said aperture adjusting means is operable to attenuate light from said flash lamp or the like reaching an exposure plane.

Claim 24

The invention as characterized in claim 20, wherein said second mode response altering means includes aperture defining means and a variable density filter operably connected to said unitary control means and positioned in overlying relationship with said aperture defining means, whereby illumination reaching said aperture defining means from said subject may be attenuated by a predetermIned amount responsive to said unitary control member.

Claim 25

The invention of claim 21, wherein said second mode response altering means further includes means for sensing the illumination transmitted by said variable density filter and selectively controlling said exposure duration limiting means responsive thereto.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said unitary control member includes an opening extending therethrough to define an aperture and further including a field lens disposed within said opening for transmitting to said sensing means illumination from said subject corresponding to the field of view of said camera.

Claim 27

Trim control apparatus for use with a camera of the type having support means; receiving means connected to said support means for securing a lamp to illuminate a subject; foldaway cover means disposed outward of said receiving means so as to define a window; an array of apertured plates movably secured within said cover means and cooperable to vary the size of said window; means actuable in accordance with camera-to-subject distance for moving at least one of said array of apertured plates and thereby selectively blocking portions of the illumination from said lamp by varying the size of said window; and exposure control apparatus incorporating photoresponsive means and shutter means whereby exposure duration is controlled via said photoresponsive means; said trim control apparatus including: a unitary control member rotatably connected to said support means and having an opening therethrough; a field lens disposed within said control member for transmitting illumination from said subject to said photoresponsive means; cam means connected to said control member and rotatable therewith; cam follower means operably connected to said cam means and said array of apertured plates for selectively advancing at least one of said apertured plates in response to rotation of said control member; a pinion connected to said control member so as to be rotatable therewith; a variable density filter slideably secured to said support means between said field lens and said photoresponsive means; and a rack disposed along a portion of said filter and in engagement with said pinion whereby rotation of said control member will cause said filter to traverse said support means over said field lens to selectively attenuate the illumination transmitted by said field lens and incident on said photoresponsive means.

Claim 28

Trim control apparatus for use with a camera of the type having support means; receiving means connected to said support means for securing a lamp to illuminate a subject; foldaway cover means disposed outward of said receiving means so as to define a window; an array of apertured plates movably secured within said cover means and cooperable to vary the size of said window; means actuable in accordance with camera-to-subject distance for moving at least one of said array of apertured plates and thereby selectively blocking portions of the illumination from said lamp by varying the size of said window; and exposure control apparatus incorporating photoresponsive means and shutter means whereby exposure duration is controlled via said photoresponsive means; said trim control apparatus including: a unitary control member rotatably connected to said support means and having an opening therethrough; a field lens disposed within said control member for transmitting illumination from said subject to said photoresponsive means; cam means connected to said control member and rotatable therewith; cam follower means operably connected to said cam means and said array of apertured plates for selectively advancing at least one of said apertured plates in response to rotation of said control member; a pinion connected to said control member so as to be rotatable therewith; a variable density filter slideably secured to said support means between said field lens and said photoresponsive means; and a rack disposed along a portion of said filter and in engagement with said pinion whereby rotation of said control member will cause said filter to traverse said support means over said field lens to selectively attenuate the illumination transmitted by said field lens and incident on said photoresponsive means.

Claim 29

A photographic exposure control system having a first exposure control mode for use with artificial light and a second exposure control mode for use with ambient light, said exposure control system including: first means operable in said first mode for automatically determining an exposure parameter as a function of camera focus setting; second means operable in said second mode for automatically determining an exposure parameter as a function of the level of ambient light; and unitary control means for adjusting said first and second means to alter the values of both of said exposure parameters determined thereby.

Claim 30

A photographic exposure control system having a first exposure control mode for use with artificial light and a second exposure control mode for use with ambient light, said exposure control system including: first means operable in said first mode for automatically determining an exposure parameter as a function of camera focus setting; second means operable in said second mode for automatically determining an exposure parameter as a function of the level of ambient light; and unitary control means for adjusting said first and second means to alter the values of both of said exposure parameters determined thereby.

Claim 31

The system of claim 25, wherein said first means comprises means for determining an effective aperture operably disposed with respect to the artificial light.

Claim 32

The system of claim 26, wherein said aperture determining means is located to be disposed intermediate the source of such artificial light and the subject.

Claim 33

The system of claim 25, wherein said exposure control system is adapted to effect the exposure of a film unit to light from a subject and said second means is operable in said second mode to determine the effective time period during which light reflected by the subject is incident upon the film unit as a function of the level of ambient light.

Claim 34

The system of claim 28, wherein said first means comprises means for determining an effective aperture operably disposed with respect to the artificial light.

Claim 35

The system of claim 25, Wherein said exposure parameter determined by said first means differs in type from said exposure parameter determined by said second means.

Claim 36

The system of claim 29, wherein said unitary control means is operably connected to said first and second means such that displacement of said control means whilst in said first exposure control mode will alter one of said parameters and will effect adjustment of said second means to alter the other of said parameters upon changing to said second exposure control mode.

Claim 37

An exposure control system for use with a focusable photographic camera, comprising: means for alternately defining a first exposure mode for use with artifical light and a second exposure mode for use with ambient light to control the amount of light incident upon a film unit in both said exposure modes, said mode defining means having an exposure parameter in said first mode operable over a first given range and an exposure parameter in said second mode operable over a second given range and including means for automatically setting an operating value within said first given range responsive to focus setting according to a first given factor and means for automatically setting an operating value within said second given range responsive to the level of ambient light according to a second given factor; a unitary control member; and means responsive to the actuation of said unitary control member for adjusting both of said first and second given factors.

Claim 38

An exposure control system for use with a focusable photographic camera, comprising: means for alternately defining a first exposure mode for use with artifical light and a second exposure mode for use with ambient light to control the amount of light incident upon a film unit in both said exposure modes, said mode defining means having an exposure parameter in said first mode operable over a first given range and an exposure parameter in said second mode operable over a second given range and including means for automatically setting an operating value within said first given range responsive to focus setting according to a first given factor and means for automatically setting an operating value within said second given range responsive to the level of ambient light according to a second given factor; a unitary control member; and means responsive to the actuation of said unitary control member for adjusting both of said first and second given factors.

Claim 39

A photographic system for use with a film unit, said system comprising: means for alternately defining a first exposure mode for use with artificial light and a second exposure mode for use with ambient light to control the amount of light incident upon the film unit in both said exposure modes, said mode defining means being normally responsive in said first exposure mode to the film unit-to-subject distance according to a first given factor for determining an effective aperture from an available range of effective apertures, said effective aperture being operably disposed with respect to the artificial light, and normally responsive in said second exposure mode to the level of ambient light according to a second given factor for determining the effective time period, from an available range of effective time periods, which light reflected by the subject is incident upon the film unit, said mode defining means including a timing circuit, a light sensitive element coupled to said timing circuit and light filtering means having a variable characteristic optically disposed intermediate the subject and said light sensitive element for facilitating the determination of said effective time period; a unitary control member; and means responsive to the actuation of said unitary control member for simultaneously adjusting both of said first and second given factors, said adjusting means including means for adjusting the effective filter characteristic of said light filtering means.

Claim 40

A photographic system for use with a film unit, said system comprising: means for alternately defining a first exposure mode for use with artificial light and a second exposure mode for use with ambient light to control the amount of light incident upon the film unit in both said exposure modes, said mode defining means being normally responsive in said first exposure mode to the film unit-to-subject distance according to a first given factor for determining an effective aperture from an available range of effective apertures, said effective aperture being operably disposed with respect to the artificial light, and normally responsive in said second exposure mode to the level of ambient light according to a second given factor for determining the effective time period, from an available range of effective time periods, which light reflected by the subject is incident upon the film unit, said mode defining means including a timing circuit, a light sensitive element coupled to said timing circuit and light filtering means having a variable characteristic optically disposed intermediate the subject and said light sensitive element for facilitating the determination of said effective time period; a unitary control member; and means responsive to the actuation of said unitary control member for simultaneously adjusting both of said first and second given factors, said adjusting means including means for adjusting the effective filter characteristic of said light filtering means.

Claim 41

A photographic system for use with a film unit, said system comprising: means for alternately defining a first exposure mode for use with artificial light and a second exposure mode for use with ambient light to control the amount of light incident upon the film unit in both of said exposure modes, said mode defining means being operative at a particular value within an available range of values responsive to an operator input according to a first given factor in said first exposure mode and operative at a particular value within an available range of values responsive to an environmental condition according to a second given factor in said second exposure mode; a unitary control member; and means responsive to the actuation of said unitary control member for simultaneously adjusting both of said first and second given factors when in either of said exposure modes.

Claim 42

A photographic system for use with a film unit, said system comprising: means for alternately defining a first exposure mode for use with artificial light and a second exposure mode for use with ambient light to control the amount of light incident upon the film unit in both of said exposure modes, said mode defining means being operative at a particular value within an available range of values responsive to an operator input according to a first given factor in said first exposure mode and operative at a particular value within an available range of values responsive to an environmental condition according to a second given factor in said second exposure mode; a unitary control member; and means responsive to the actuation of said unitary control member for simultaneously adjusting both of said first and second given factors when in either of said exposure modes.