US3836923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contrast control apparatus for a camera
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-15
•
Granted: 1974-09-17
•
Expires: 1991-11-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light received by a camera and the film therefor including a device for obliquely adding light to the resolving lens of a camera to produce diffused light through the lens by a ''''flare'''' effect so that the contrast can be reduced to a level which films can more effectively accommodate; there being provided a control for varying the amount of added light to produce this flare effect and thus control the contrast by increasing by equal amounts the absolute intensity of the bright and dim areas of a scene to be photographed so that the ratio of intensity of the bright to dim areas of a scene will be reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 C Malick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72; G03B27/727; G03B15/00; G03B15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparAtus for reducing image light contrast in a camera, comprising: an image light resolving lens, and attachment means for adding light to the image light including means for introducing light to the object side of the lens from a source sufficiently obliquely with respect to the lens to be outside the image bearing light path and to produce a general diffusion of light through the lens, said added light being separate from said image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparAtus for reducing image light contrast in a camera, comprising: an image light resolving lens, and attachment means for adding light to the image light including means for introducing light to the object side of the lens from a source sufficiently obliquely with respect to the lens to be outside the image bearing light path and to produce a general diffusion of light through the lens, said added light being separate from said image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for reducing image light contrast in a camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for introducing light is on the object side of the lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for reducing image light contrast in a camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for introducing light surrounds the periphery of the lens in line with the transverse plane of the lens.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, and attachment means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light to the object side of the lens through the lens from a source sufficiently obliquely to be outside the image bearing light path and to produce a flare effect, said added light being separate from the image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, and attachment means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light to the object side of the lens through the lens from a source sufficiently obliquely to be outside the image bearing light path and to produce a flare effect, said added light being separate from the image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for introducing light includes means for introducing natural light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for introducing light includes an artificial light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for introducing light includes a stationary ring on the object side of the lens with a plurality of apertures therein, a second ring aligned with said first ring and rotatable relative thereto, said second ring having a plurality of apertures therein positioned to variably register with the apertures in the first ring to control the amount of light added.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, including a hood surrounding the lens on the object side of the lens, said means for introducing light including a reflective surface on the object side of the lens mounted on the inside of the hood.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for adding light includes a plurality of sources of artificial light on the periphery of the lens in line with a transverse plane therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for adding light includes control means for varying the instantaneous duration of the added light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for adding light includes an artificial light that simultaneously illuminates the image and adds light to the image light from a single source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for adding light includes annular means projecting from the lens on the object side of the lens, said annular means having at least one inside reflective surface, and openings in the inside surface of the annular means to permit added light to pass to the lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, wherein both inside surfaces of the annular means are reflective.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera as defined in claim 4, including control means for varying the amount of added light.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light through the lens sufficiently obliquely to produce a flare effect, said means for adding light including a reflective surface surrounding the lens on the object side of the lens, an opening in said surface, and artificial light source means positioned adjacent said opening.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light through the lens sufficiently obliquely to produce a flare effect, said means for adding light including a reflective surface surrounding the lens on the object side of the lens, an opening in said surface, and artificial light source means positioned adjacent said opening.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, and means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light through the lens sufficiently obliquely to produce a flare effect, said means for adding light is responsive to the actuation of the shutter of the associated camera.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, and means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light through the lens sufficiently obliquely to produce a flare effect, said means for adding light is responsive to the actuation of the shutter of the associated camera.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, and attachment means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light to the object side of the lens through the lens from a source sufficiently obliquely to be outside the image bearing light path and to produce a flare effect, said added light being separate from the image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light, a light meter positioned away from the path of light through the lens, and calibration means for the light meter to correct the added light so that the proper exposure setting is obtained, said calibration means including a second flare inducing device on said light meter.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for reducing the contrast of image light in a camera, comprising: an image resolving lens, and attachment means for reducing the contrast of image light passing through the lens including means for adding light to the object side of the lens through the lens from a source sufficiently obliquely to be outside the image bearing light path and to produce a flare effect, said added light being separate from the image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light, a light meter positioned away from the path of light through the lens, and calibration means for the light meter to correct the added light so that the proper exposure setting is obtained, said calibration means including a second flare inducing device on said light meter.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for reducing image light contrast in a camera, comprising: an image light resolving lens; and attachment means for adding light to the image light including means for introducing light at an angle greater than 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the image light resolving lens to produce a general diffusion of light through the lens, said added light being separate from said image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for reducing image light contrast in a camera, comprising: an image light resolving lens; and attachment means for adding light to the image light including means for introducing light at an angle greater than 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the image light resolving lens to produce a general diffusion of light through the lens, said added light being separate from said image light, said lens resolving the image light and diffusing the added light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1244159A
Cited
US2095312A
Cited
US2621569A
Cited
US3096176A
Cited
US3484165A
Cited
US3577898A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |