Flash photographic control system

Claim 2

A control system for photographic apparatus of a variety having an electrical power supply comprising: instrumentality means for carrying out, when regulated, select operational events of photographic cycles for flash and ambient illuminative modes and including exposure mechanism means actuable to selectively unblock and block an optical path to define an exposure phase of said cycles; light sensitive circuit means responsive to the brightness of a scene for selectively actuating said exposure mechanism means; firing circuit means energizable from said power supply and actuable to effect the ignition of a flashlamp for illuminating a scene; control means for regulating said instrumentality means to carry out a select one of said photographic cycles and operative, during said flash mode, to selectively actuate said exposure mechanism means and said firing circuit means during said cycle exposure phase and to disable said light sensitive circuit means at a select point in time following the commencement of said cycle exposure phase.

Claim 3

The control system of claim 1 in which said control means is operative to disable said light sensitive circuit means only in response to the said ignition of a said flashlamp.

Claim 4

The control system of claim 1 in which said control means is operative to disable said light sensitive circuit means at a select point in time following the said actuating of said firing circuit means.

Claim 5

The control system of claim 1 in which: said firing circuit means is configured to derive a unique output signal condition following the ignition of a said flashlamp; and said control means includes means responsive to said signal condition for disabling said light sensitive circuit means.

Claim 6

The control system of claim 4 wherein said means responsive to said signal condition is present as an electronic switch.

Claim 7

The control system of claim 1 in which: said firing circuit means comprises flashlamp switching logic network means actuable to selectively ignite a said flashlamp, monitoring means having a condition responsive to the ignition of a said flashlamp, and latch means for deriving a unique output signal in response to said monitoring means condition; and said control means includes means responsive to said signal condition for disabling said light sensitive circuit means.

Claim 8

The control system of claim 6 wherein said means responsive to said unique output signal is present as an electronic switch.

Claim 9

The control system of claim 1 wherein said control means includes means operative to de-energize said firing circuit means in response to actuation of said exposure mechanism means effecting the said blocking of said optical path.

Claim 10

A control system for photographic apparatus comprising: instrumentality means for carrying out, when regulated, select operational events of photographic cycles for flash and ambient illuminative modes, said cycles including a pre-exposure operational phase, an exposure operational phase and a post-exposure operational phase, said instrumentality means including electromagnetic actuators selectively energizable and de-energizable to derive said cycle operational phases in a predetermined order; firing circuit means actuable when enabled to effect the ignition in predetermined sequence of a flashlamp within an array of flashlamps oriented for illuminating a photographic subject; and control means for selectively regulating said instrumentality means automatically to carry out sAid operational phases in said predetermined order, and being operative during a said flash illuminative mode cycle to effect the acutation of said firing circuit means when said electromagnetic actuators are in a de-energized condition.

Claim 11

A control system for photographic apparatus comprising: instrumentality means for carrying out, when regulated, select operational events of photographic cycles for flash and ambient illuminative modes, said cycles including a pre-exposure operational phase, an exposure operational phase and a post-exposure operational phase, said instrumentality means including electromagnetic actuators selectively energizable and de-energizable to derive said cycle operational phases in a predetermined order; firing circuit means actuable when enabled to effect the ignition in predetermined sequence of a flashlamp within an array of flashlamps oriented for illuminating a photographic subject; and control means for selectively regulating said instrumentality means automatically to carry out sAid operational phases in said predetermined order, and being operative during a said flash illuminative mode cycle to effect the acutation of said firing circuit means when said electromagnetic actuators are in a de-energized condition.

Claim 12

The exposure control system of claim 9 in which said control means operative to effect de-energization of said firing circuit means substantially throughout said pre-exposure and post-exposure operational phases.

Claim 13

The exposure control system of claim 9 in which: said instrumentality means includes a motor selectively actuable by said control means during said pre-exposure and post-exposure phases; and said control means is operative to effect the disabling of said firing circuit means when said motor is actuated.

Claim 14

The exposure control system of claim 9 in which: said instrumentality means includes exposure mechanism means movable to terminal and open positions respectively to block and unblock an optical path; and said control means includes transducer means responsive to said exposure means movement to said terminal position to effect disabling of said firing circuit means.

Claim 15

The exposure control system of claim 12 in which said transducer means is responsive substantially to the commencement of movement of said exposure mechanism means from said terminal toward said open position for enabling said firing circuit means.

Claim 16

The exposure control system of claim 9 in which: said instrumentality means includes: exposure mechanism means having at least one element movable along a given locus of travel from a closed terminal position blocking an exposure aperture toward an open terminal position unblocking said aperture to initiate a photographic exposure and returnable to said closed terminal position to terminate said exposure, and electromagnetic actuator means energizable during said flash mode to effect the arresting of said element at a select position within said locus of travel; said control means includes: transducer means responsive to said exposure mechanism means element movement from said closed terminal position for effecting the enablement by energization of said firing circuit means, means selectively de-energizing said electromagnetic actuator means; and said firing circuit means includes means responsive to said electromagnetic actuator means de-energization for effecting said actuation to ignite a said flashlamp.

Claim 17

The exposure control system of claim 14 in which said transducer means is responsive to said exposure mechanism means element return toward said closed terminal position to effect de-energization of said firing circuit means.

Claim 18

The exposure control system of claim 15 in which said transducer means is configured and arranged to effect said firing circuit means energization and de-energization when said exposure mechanism means element is closely proximate said closed terminal position.

Claim 19

The exposure control system of claim 14 in which: said instrumentality means include electromagnetic exposure actuator means energizable to effect said element movement into said closed terminal position, and means biasing said element to move toward said open terminal position; and said control means includes: means establishing a first signal condition for de-energizing said electromagnetic exposure actuator means to initiate said exposure phase; and said selective de-energizing means includes a delay network actuable in response to said first signal condition and deriving a second signal condition following a delay period selected substantially in correspondence with the inter-terminal position travel time of movement of said exposure mechanism element under drive from said biasing means.

Claim 20

The exposure control system of claim 17 in which said transducer means is reponsive to said exposure mechanism means element return toward said closed terminal position to effect de-energization of said firing circuit mEans.

Claim 21

The exposure control system of claim 14 in which: said firing circuit means is configured to derive a unique signal condition following the ignition of said flashlamp; and said control means includes flash timing means actuable in response to said unique signal condition for effecting the said exposure mechanism means element movement into said closed terminal position at the termination of a select period of time following said flashlamp ignition.

Claim 22

The exposure control system of claim 19 in which said flash timing means period of time is selected in correspondence with the period of light output generation of said flashlamp.

Claim 23

A control system for photographic apparatus comprising: instrumentality means for carrying out, when regulated, select operational events of photographic cycles for transient and ambient illuminative modes and including exposure mechanism means actuable to selectively unblock and block an optical path to define an exposure phase of a said cycle; light sensitive circuit means responsive to the light levels of a scene for selectively actuating said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path; firing circuit means actuable when enabled to effect the ignition of a flash lamp and having a unique signal condition subsequent to a said ignition; and control means for regulating said instrumentality means to carry out a select one of said photographic cycles and for selectively enabling and disabling said light sensitive circuit means and said firing circuit means, said control means including timing means responsive during said transient illuminative mode to said unique signal condition for actuating said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path following a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 24

A control system for photographic apparatus comprising: instrumentality means for carrying out, when regulated, select operational events of photographic cycles for transient and ambient illuminative modes and including exposure mechanism means actuable to selectively unblock and block an optical path to define an exposure phase of a said cycle; light sensitive circuit means responsive to the light levels of a scene for selectively actuating said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path; firing circuit means actuable when enabled to effect the ignition of a flash lamp and having a unique signal condition subsequent to a said ignition; and control means for regulating said instrumentality means to carry out a select one of said photographic cycles and for selectively enabling and disabling said light sensitive circuit means and said firing circuit means, said control means including timing means responsive during said transient illuminative mode to said unique signal condition for actuating said exposure mechanism means to block said optical path following a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 25

The control system of claim 21 wherein said control means is operative to disable said light sensitive circuit means only in response to the said ignition of a said flashlamp.

Claim 26

The control system of claim 21 in which said control means is operative to disable said light sensitive circuit means at a select point in time following said actuation of said firing circuit means.

Claim 27

The control system of claim 21 in which said control means is responsive to said unique signal condition for disabling said light sensitive circuit means.

Claim 28

The control system of claim 21 in which said firing circuit means comprises: flashlamp switching means for selectively igniting a said flashlamp; monitoring means having a condition responsive to the ignition of a said flashlamp; and latch means for deriving said unique signal condition in response to said monitoring means condition.

Claim 29

A photographic exposure control system for apparatus for exposing photographic material with either ambient or flash illumination, said system comprising: means for alternately blocking and unblocking such exposure path; for initiating an exposure cycle including means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means so as to unblock such exposure path; a light sensitive element; normally inoperative means responsive to a predetermined amount of illumination incident on said light sensitive element for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block said path following the unblocking thereof; means responsive to the initiation of such exposure cycle for first activating said light responsive means and for subsequently, after a lapse of a predetermined time following the initiation of such exposure cycle, activating a source of illumination; and means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for precluding further operation of said light responsive means and for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block such exposure path whereby said light responsive means operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if, during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is incident on said light sensitive element and said means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if, during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is not incident upon said light sensitive element.

Claim 30

A photographic exposure control system for apparatus for exposing photographic material with either ambient or flash illumination, said system comprising: means for alternately blocking and unblocking such exposure path; for initiating an exposure cycle including means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means so as to unblock such exposure path; a light sensitive element; normally inoperative means responsive to a predetermined amount of illumination incident on said light sensitive element for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block said path following the unblocking thereof; means responsive to the initiation of such exposure cycle for first activating said light responsive means and for subsequently, after a lapse of a predetermined time following the initiation of such exposure cycle, activating a source of illumination; and means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for precluding further operation of said light responsive means and for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block such exposure path whereby said light responsive means operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if, during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is incident on said light sensitive element and said means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if, during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is not incident upon said light sensitive element.

Claim 31

A photographic exposure control system for apparatus for exposing photographic material with either ambient or flash illumination, said system comprising: means for alternately blocking and unblocking such exposure path; means for initiating an exposure cycle including means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means so as to unblock such exposure path; a light sensitive element; normally inoperative means responsive to a predetermined amount of illumination incident on said light sensitive element for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block said path following the unblocking thereof; means responsive to the initiation of such exposure cycle for first activating said light responsive means and for subsequently, after a lapse of a predetermined time following the initiation of such exposure cycle, activating a source of illumination; and means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for precluding further operation of said light responsive means and for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block such exposure path after a lapse of a predetermined time following the commencement of such activation of such a source of illumination whereby said light responsive means operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is incident on said light sensitive element and said means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if, during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is not incident upon said light sensitive element.

Claim 32

A photographic exposure control system for apparatus for exposing photographic material with either ambient or flash illumination, said system comprising: means for alternately blocking and unblocking such exposure path; means for initiating an exposure cycle including means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means so as to unblock such exposure path; a light sensitive element; normally inoperative means responsive to a predetermined amount of illumination incident on said light sensitive element for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block said path following the unblocking thereof; means responsive to the initiation of such exposure cycle for first activating said light responsive means and for subsequently, after a lapse of a predetermined time following the initiation of such exposure cycle, activating a source of illumination; and means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for precluding further operation of said light responsive means and for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block such exposure path after a lapse of a predetermined time following the commencement of such activation of such a source of illumination whereby said light responsive means operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is incident on said light sensitive element and said means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination operates to cause the blocking of such exposure path if, during the lapse of said predetermined time following initiation of such exposure cycle, said predetermined amount of ambient light is not incident upon said light sensitive element.

Claim 33

The system of claim 27 wherein said light responsive means includes means responsive to said light sensitive element for charging to a predetermined voltage level as a function of said incident light and a normally operative shunt for said charging means, said means for activating said light responsive means includes means rendering said shunt inoperative, and said means for precluding further operation of said light responsive means including means for rendering said shunt operative.

Claim 34

Photographic exposure control system for exposing photographic material with either ambient or flash illumination, said system comprising: means for varying the amount of illumination transmitted along a given exposure path including means for alternately blocking and unblocking such exposure path; means responsive to the lapse of a predetermined time following the unblocking of such exposure path for activating a source of flash illumination; means responsive to scene light for regulating said varying means in accordance with ambient illumination; and means independent of said light responsive means and responsive to the lapse of a predetermined amount of time following the unblocking of such exposure path for regulating said varying means in accordance with flash illumination, and means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for precluding regulation by said light responsive means subsequent to the activation of such a source of illumination whereby said light responsive means operates to regulate said varying means prior to the lapse of said predetermined time and said means independent of said light responsive means operates to solely regulate said varying means following the lapse of said predetermined time.

Claim 35

Photographic exposure control system for exposing photographic material with either ambient or flash illumination, said system comprising: means for varying the amount of illumination transmitted along a given exposure path including means for alternately blocking and unblocking such exposure path; means responsive to the lapse of a predetermined time following the unblocking of such exposure path for activating a source of flash illumination; means responsive to scene light for regulating said varying means in accordance with ambient illumination; and means independent of said light responsive means and responsive to the lapse of a predetermined amount of time following the unblocking of such exposure path for regulating said varying means in accordance with flash illumination, and means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for precluding regulation by said light responsive means subsequent to the activation of such a source of illumination whereby said light responsive means operates to regulate said varying means prior to the lapse of said predetermined time and said means independent of said light responsive means operates to solely regulate said varying means following the lapse of said predetermined time.

Claim 36

Apparatus for carrying out a plurality of operational phases of a photographic proGram including a pre-exposure operational phase, an exposure operational phase, and a post-exposure operational phase, said apparatus comprising: normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means; means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means; and means for rendering said energizing means inoperative during such pre-exposure and post-exposure phase so as to preclude inadvertent activation of such a source of illumination during such pre-exposure and post-exposure phases responsive to spurious signals.

Claim 37

Apparatus for carrying out a plurality of operational phases of a photographic proGram including a pre-exposure operational phase, an exposure operational phase, and a post-exposure operational phase, said apparatus comprising: normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means; means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means; and means for rendering said energizing means inoperative during such pre-exposure and post-exposure phase so as to preclude inadvertent activation of such a source of illumination during such pre-exposure and post-exposure phases responsive to spurious signals.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 30 wherein such preexposure phase includes the termination of a scene viewing operation and such post-exposure phase includes a film processing operation.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said rendering means includes means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination.

Claim 40

A photographic exposure control system for use with a source of artificial illumination for exposing photographic material, said system comprising: means for blocking and unblocking an exposure path; normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means; means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means when said activating means is energized and such exposure path is unblocked; and means for rendering said energizing means inoperative responsive to the lapse of a predetermined interval of time after the commencement of the activation of such source illumination to de-energize said activating means and thereby preclude current flow to said activating means from such source of electrical power and preclude spurious signals from inadvertently activating such a source of illumination subsequent to the lapse of such a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 41

A photographic exposure control system for use with a source of artificial illumination for exposing photographic material, said system comprising: means for blocking and unblocking an exposure path; normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means; means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means when said activating means is energized and such exposure path is unblocked; and means for rendering said energizing means inoperative responsive to the lapse of a predetermined interval of time after the commencement of the activation of such source illumination to de-energize said activating means and thereby preclude current flow to said activating means from such source of electrical power and preclude spurious signals from inadvertently activating such a source of illumination subsequent to the lapse of such a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 42

The control system of claim 33 wherein said means for rendering said energizing means inoperative includes a time delay circuit which is responsive to activation of such a source of illumination.

Claim 43

The control system of claim 33 wherein said energizing means includes a means responsive to the blocking and unblocking of such exposure path for respectively uncoupling and coupling such source of power to said activating means, said means for rendering said energizing means inoperative includes means responsive to the lapse of such a predetermined interval for actuating said blocking and unblocking means following the unblocking of such exposure path to block such exposure path whereby said coupling and coupling means is actuated to uncouple such source from said activating means.

Claim 44

A photographic exposure control system for use with a source of artificial illumination for exposing photographic material, said system comprising: means for blocking and unblocking an exposure path; normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means; means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means when said activating means is energized and such exposure path is unblocked; and means for rendering said energizing means inoperative responsive to the lapse of a predetermined amount of time following the activation of such source of illumination to de-energize said activating means and thereby preclude current flow to said activating means from such source of electrical power and preclude spurious signals from inadvertentLy activating such a source of illumination subsequent to the lapse of such a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 45

A photographic exposure control system for use with a source of artificial illumination for exposing photographic material, said system comprising: means for blocking and unblocking an exposure path; normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means; means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means when said activating means is energized and such exposure path is unblocked; and means for rendering said energizing means inoperative responsive to the lapse of a predetermined amount of time following the activation of such source of illumination to de-energize said activating means and thereby preclude current flow to said activating means from such source of electrical power and preclude spurious signals from inadvertentLy activating such a source of illumination subsequent to the lapse of such a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 46

A photographic exposure control system for exposing photographic material with artificial illumination comprising: means for alternately blocking and unblocking an exposure path; normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means responsive to unblocking of said exposure path; and means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means.

Claim 47

A photographic exposure control system for exposing photographic material with artificial illumination comprising: means for alternately blocking and unblocking an exposure path; normally inoperative means for activating a source of illumination responsive to being energized from a source of electrical power and simultaneously therewith or subsequently thereto receiving of a predetermined trigger signal; means for energizing said activating means responsive to unblocking of said exposure path; and means for providing said predetermined trigger signal to said activating means.

Claim 48

The system of claim 37 additionally including means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for rendering said energizing means inoperative so as to de-energize said activating means.

Claim 49

A photographic exposure control system for use with apparatus having means defining an exposure path for exposing photographic material with flash illumination, said system comprising: means for selectively blocking and unblocking such exposure path; means for initiating an exposure cycle including means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to unblock such exposure path; means for activating a source of flash illumination; and means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means after the unblocking of such exposure path to block said path responsive to the lapse of a predetermined time after the commencement of activation of such a source of illumination, said actuating means includes a trigger circuit configured for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block such path in response to a given trigger signal, means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for producing such given trigger signal, and means for connecting said activation responsive means to said trigger circuit and for delaying the conduction of such trigger signal thereto for said predetermined lapse of time following the production of such trigger signal.

Claim 50

A photographic exposure control system for use with apparatus having means defining an exposure path for exposing photographic material with flash illumination, said system comprising: means for selectively blocking and unblocking such exposure path; means for initiating an exposure cycle including means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to unblock such exposure path; means for activating a source of flash illumination; and means for actuating said blocking and unblocking means after the unblocking of such exposure path to block said path responsive to the lapse of a predetermined time after the commencement of activation of such a source of illumination, said actuating means includes a trigger circuit configured for actuating said blocking and unblocking means to block such path in response to a given trigger signal, means responsive to the activation of such a source of illumination for producing such given trigger signal, and means for connecting said activation responsive means to said trigger circuit and for delaying the conduction of such trigger signal thereto for said predetermined lapse of time following the production of such trigger signal.

Claim 51

A flash firing circuit for use in an artificial light exposure control system of a photographic camera, such control system having means responsive to a unique signal for performing a function associated with the operation of such camera, said circuit comprising: first terminal means configured for coupling to a source of electrical power; a plurality of lamp switching circuits connected to said first terminal means, each of said lamp switching circuits including second terminal means for releasable electrical connection to one of a plurality of flash lamps and means for rendering its respective lamp switching circuit conductive when one of such lamps is coupled to its respective second terminal means; control means responsive to a predetermined trigger signal for sequentially actuating each of said conductive rendering means in a predetermined order of first to last so as to sequentially activate each such lamp; and means coupled to said switching circuits for providing such a unique signal upon activation of one of such lamps whereby such unique signal is made available to such exposure control system to initiate the performance of such function.

Claim 52

A flash firing circuit for use in an artificial light exposure control system of a photographic camera, such control system having means responsive to a unique signal for performing a function associated with the operation of such camera, said circuit comprising: first terminal means configured for coupling to a source of electrical power; a plurality of lamp switching circuits connected to said first terminal means, each of said lamp switching circuits including second terminal means for releasable electrical connection to one of a plurality of flash lamps and means for rendering its respective lamp switching circuit conductive when one of such lamps is coupled to its respective second terminal means; control means responsive to a predetermined trigger signal for sequentially actuating each of said conductive rendering means in a predetermined order of first to last so as to sequentially activate each such lamp; and means coupled to said switching circuits for providing such a unique signal upon activation of one of such lamps whereby such unique signal is made available to such exposure control system to initiate the performance of such function.

Claim 53

The firing circuit of claim 40 wherein said means for providing such a unique signal is responsive to activation current flowing in one of said lamp switching circuits.

Claim 54

The firing circuit of claim 40 additionally including means responsive to such unique signal for precluding actuation of any of said conductive rendering means.

Claim 55

The firing circuit of claim 40 wherein said first terminal means includes a current sensing element in series with said switching circuits, and said means for providing such a unique signal includes means responsive to said current sensing element for producing a high level voltage when said activation current is flowing in one of said lamp switching circuiTs.

Claim 56

The firing circuit of claim 43 wherein said means for producing a high level voltage includes a transistor element coupled to said first terminal means and said current sensing element so as to be reverse biased when currents less than such activation current flows in any one of said switching circuits and forward biased when a current approximately equal to or greater than such activating current flows in said switching circuits.