Automatic electronic flash camera

Claim 2

In combination with a camera having an electric film transport motor; an electronic flash unit, said flash unit comprising a storage capacitor, means responsive to an applied voltage for charging said capacitor, a gas discharge tube, and circuit means responsive to an applied trigger signal for discharging said capacitor through said discharge tube to produce an illuminating flash of light; a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage; first switching means operable to first and second states, circuit means closed by said first switching means in its first state for connecting said terminals to said film transport motor to operate said motor when said terminals are connected to a source; second switching means operable to first and second states, circuit means closed by said second switching means in its first state for connecting said terminals to said capacitor charging means, means effective when said first switching means is in its second state for setting said second switching means to its first state, and means responsive to the discharge of said capacitor through said tube for setting said second switching means to its second state.

Claim 3

Photographic apparatus, comprising a camera, an electronic flash unit mounted on said camera, said camera comprising a housing, means forming an exposure station in said housing, film transport means mounted in said housing and operable in response to an applied voltage to advance a film unit at said exposure station over a predetermined film transport increment, a manually operable pushbutton on said housing, a pair of terminals in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, said electronic flash unit comprising rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, charging circuit means comprising a normally closed switch connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means when said switch is closed and effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals to charge said electronic flash means, sequencing means responsive to the operation of said pushbutton for executing an exposure sequence, means controlled by said sequencing means for triggering said electronic flash means, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for opening said switch, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for connecting said film transport means to said terminals and effective when a film unit is at said exposure station and source of voltage is connected to said terminals for operating said film transport mEans to advance the film unit, over said advance increment means responsive to the extent of operation of said film transport means for disconnecting said film transport means from said terminals after operation of said film transport means sufficient to advance a film unit over said advance increment, and means actuated when said film transport means is disconnected from said terminals for closing said switch.

Claim 4

Photographic apparatus, comprising a camera, an electronic flash unit mounted on said camera, said camera comprising a housing, means forming an exposure station in said housing, film transport means mounted in said housing and operable in response to an applied voltage to advance a film unit at said exposure station over a predetermined film transport increment, a manually operable pushbutton on said housing, a pair of terminals in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, said electronic flash unit comprising rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, charging circuit means comprising a normally closed switch connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means when said switch is closed and effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals to charge said electronic flash means, sequencing means responsive to the operation of said pushbutton for executing an exposure sequence, means controlled by said sequencing means for triggering said electronic flash means, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for opening said switch, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for connecting said film transport means to said terminals and effective when a film unit is at said exposure station and source of voltage is connected to said terminals for operating said film transport mEans to advance the film unit, over said advance increment means responsive to the extent of operation of said film transport means for disconnecting said film transport means from said terminals after operation of said film transport means sufficient to advance a film unit over said advance increment, and means actuated when said film transport means is disconnected from said terminals for closing said switch.

Claim 5

A control system for a camera having a film transport motor, a shutter, a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and a manually operable shutter button, said system comprising means responsive to the operation of said shutter button for opening said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open for triggering said flash unit, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for closing said shutter, means responsive to the closing of said shutter for operating said film transport motor, circuit means comprising a switch and means effective when said switch is closed for recharging said flash means, and means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for opening said switch while said motor is operating.

Claim 6

A control system for a camera having a film transport motor, a shutter, a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and a manually operable shutter button, said system comprising means responsive to the operation of said shutter button for opening said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open for triggering said flash unit, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for closing said shutter, means responsive to the closing of said shutter for operating said film transport motor, circuit means comprising a switch and means effective when said switch is closed for recharging said flash means, and means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for opening said switch while said motor is operating.

Claim 7

A control system for a camera having an electric film transport motor, a shutter, rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, a manually operable shutter button, and a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, said system comprising means effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and responsive to the operation of said shutter button to open said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open for triggering said electronic flash means, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for closing said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is closed after said flash unit is discharged for connecting said terminals to said electric motor to supply operating current to said motor when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals, film transport means driven by said motor over a predetermined cycle, means operated by said film transport means at the end of said cycle for disconnecting said terminals from said motor means, means comprising a normally closed switch and effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and said switch is closed for connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means, and means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for opening said switch at least while said motor is receiving current from said terminals.

Claim 8

A control system for a camera having an electric film transport motor, a shutter, rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, a manually operable shutter button, and a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, said system comprising means effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and responsive to the operation of said shutter button to open said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open for triggering said electronic flash means, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for closing said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is closed after said flash unit is discharged for connecting said terminals to said electric motor to supply operating current to said motor when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals, film transport means driven by said motor over a predetermined cycle, means operated by said film transport means at the end of said cycle for disconnecting said terminals from said motor means, means comprising a normally closed switch and effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and said switch is closed for connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means, and means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for opening said switch at least while said motor is receiving current from said terminals.

Claim 9

A control system for a camera having a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, a film transport motor, and terminals adapted to be connected to a battery, said system comprising a first normally closed switch for connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means when a battery is connected to said terminals and said first switch is closed, a second normally open switch for connecting said terminals to said film transport motor to supply operating current to said motor when a battery is connected to said terminals and said second switch is closed, sequencing means operable to sequentially trigger said electronic flash means, close said switch, and then open said second switch, and means responsive to the discharge of said electronic flash means for opening said first switch at least while said second switch is closed.

Claim 10

A control system for a camera having a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, a film transport motor, and terminals adapted to be connected to a battery, said system comprising a first normally closed switch for connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means when a battery is connected to said terminals and said first switch is closed, a second normally open switch for connecting said terminals to said film transport motor to supply operating current to said motor when a battery is connected to said terminals and said second switch is closed, sequencing means operable to sequentially trigger said electronic flash means, close said switch, and then open said second switch, and means responsive to the discharge of said electronic flash means for opening said first switch at least while said second switch is closed.

Claim 11

In a power distribution system for an automatic camera having a film transport motor, rechargeable electronic flash means, and sequencing means for sequentially triggering said flash means to produce a flash of light and then operating said motor over a film transport cycle, said system comprising a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a battery, means controlled by said sequencing means for connecting said terminals to said motor during said film transport cycle, circuit means comprising a normally closed switch for connecting said terminals to said flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means, and means for opening said switch at least during said film transport cycle.

Claim 12

In a power distribution system for an automatic camera having a film transport motor, rechargeable electronic flash means, and sequencing means for sequentially triggering said flash means to produce a flash of light and then operating said motor over a film transport cycle, said system comprising a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a battery, means controlled by said sequencing means for connecting said terminals to said motor during said film transport cycle, circuit means comprising a normally closed switch for connecting said terminals to said flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means, and means for opening said switch at least during said film transport cycle.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 6 in which said means for opening said switch comprises timing means operated when said flash means is triggered for producing a timing signal having a duration greater than the duration of said film transport cycle, and switch control means responsive to said timing signal for opening said switch while said signal is present.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 6 in which said means for opening said switch comprises a register settable to first and second states, means controlled by said sequencing means for setting said register to its first state at the beginning of a film transport cycle, means controlled by said sequencing means for setting said register to its second state at the end of a film transport cycle, and switch control means actuated by said register for opening said switch when said register is in its first state.

Claim 15

Photographic apparatus, comprising, in combination, a camera comprising a housing, means forming an exposure station in said housing, film transport means mounted in said housing and operable in response to an applied voltage to advance a film unit at said exposure station over a predetermined film advance increment, manually operable means on said housing for producing an exposure initiating signal when operated, a pair of terminals in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, charging circuit means comprising a normally closed switch connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals to charge said electronic flash means, sequencing means responsive to said exposure initiating signal for executing an exposure sequence, means controlled by said sequencing means for triggering said electronic flash means, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for producing a timing signal of predetermined duration sufficient to permit the operation of said film transport means to advance a film unit over said advance increment, means responsive to said timing signal for opening said switch during said predetermined interval, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for connecting said film transport means to said terminals and effective when a film unit is in said exposure station and a source of voltage is connected to said terminals for operating said film transport means to advance the film unit, and means responsive to the extent of operation of said film transport means for disconnecting said film transport means from said terminals after operation of said film transport means sufficient to advance a film unit over said increment.

Claim 16

Photographic apparatus, comprising, in combination, a camera comprising a housing, means forming an exposure station in said housing, film transport means mounted in said housing and operable in response to an applied voltage to advance a film unit at said exposure station over a predetermined film advance increment, manually operable means on said housing for producing an exposure initiating signal when operated, a pair of terminals in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, charging circuit means comprising a normally closed switch connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals to charge said electronic flash means, sequencing means responsive to said exposure initiating signal for executing an exposure sequence, means controlled by said sequencing means for triggering said electronic flash means, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for producing a timing signal of predetermined duration sufficient to permit the operation of said film transport means to advance a film unit over said advance increment, means responsive to said timing signal for opening said switch during said predetermined interval, means responsive to the discharge of said flash means for connecting said film transport means to said terminals and effective when a film unit is in said exposure station and a source of voltage is connected to said terminals for operating said film transport means to advance the film unit, and means responsive to the extent of operation of said film transport means for disconnecting said film transport means from said terminals after operation of said film transport means sufficient to advance a film unit over said increment.

Claim 17

A control system for a camera having a film transport motor, a shutter, means for mounting a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and a manually operable shutter button, said system comprising means responsive to the operation of said shutter button for opening said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open to produce a trigger signal for triggering the flash unit, means responsive to the discharge of the flash means for closing said shutter, means responsive to the closing of said shutter for operating said film transport motor, circuit means comprising a switch and means effective when said switch is closed to produce a current for recharging the flash means, and means for opening said switch while said motor is operating.

Claim 18

A control system for a camera having a film transport motor, a shutter, means for mounting a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and a manually operable shutter button, said system comprising means responsive to the operation of said shutter button for opening said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open to produce a trigger signal for triggering the flash unit, means responsive to the discharge of the flash means for closing said shutter, means responsive to the closing of said shutter for operating said film transport motor, circuit means comprising a switch and means effective when said switch is closed to produce a current for recharging the flash means, and means for opening said switch while said motor is operating.

Claim 19

A control system for a camera having a film transport motor, a shutter, means for mounting a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and a manually operable shutter butTon, said system comprising means responsive to the operation of said shutter button for opening said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open to produce a signal for triggering the flash unit, means for closing said shutter, means for operating said film transport motor, circuit means comprising a switch and means effective when said switch is closed to produce a current for recharging said flash means, and means for opening said switch while said motor is operating.

Claim 20

A control system for a camera having a film transport motor, a shutter, means for mounting a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and a manually operable shutter butTon, said system comprising means responsive to the operation of said shutter button for opening said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is open to produce a signal for triggering the flash unit, means for closing said shutter, means for operating said film transport motor, circuit means comprising a switch and means effective when said switch is closed to produce a current for recharging said flash means, and means for opening said switch while said motor is operating.

Claim 21

A control system for a camera having an electric film transport motor, a shutter, rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, a manually operable shutter button, and a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, said system comprising sequencing means effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and responsive to the operation of said shutter button to open said shutter, to produce a signal for triggering said electronic flash means, and then close said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is closed after said flash unit is discharged for connecting said terminals to said electric motor to supply operating current to said motor when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals, film transport means driven by said motor over a predetermined cycle, means operated by said film transport means at the end of said cycle for disconnecting said terminals from said motor means, means comprising a normally closed switch and effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and said switch is closed for connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means, and means for opening said switch at least while said motor is receiving current from said terminals.

Claim 22

A control system for a camera having an electric film transport motor, a shutter, rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, a manually operable shutter button, and a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a source of voltage, said system comprising sequencing means effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and responsive to the operation of said shutter button to open said shutter, to produce a signal for triggering said electronic flash means, and then close said shutter, means actuated when said shutter is closed after said flash unit is discharged for connecting said terminals to said electric motor to supply operating current to said motor when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals, film transport means driven by said motor over a predetermined cycle, means operated by said film transport means at the end of said cycle for disconnecting said terminals from said motor means, means comprising a normally closed switch and effective when a source of voltage is connected to said terminals and said switch is closed for connecting said terminals to said electronic flash means to supply recharging current to said flash means, and means for opening said switch at least while said motor is receiving current from said terminals.

Claim 23

A control system for a camera having first and second terminals adapted to be connected to the supply terminals of a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and at least a third terminal adapted to supply a trigger signal for triggering the flash means, a film transport motor, and input terminals adapted to be connected to a battery, said system comprising a first normally closed switch for connecting said input terminals to said first and second terminals to supply recharging current to the flash means when a battery is connected to said input terminals and said first switch is closed, a second normally open switch for connecting said input terminals to said film transport motor to supply operating current to said motor when a battery is connected to said input terminals and said second switch is closed, sequencing means operable to sequentially supply a trigger signal to said third terminal, close said second switch, an then open said second switch, and means for opening said first switch at least while said second switch is closed.

Claim 24

A control system for a camera having first and second terminals adapted to be connected to the supply terminals of a rechargeable electronic flash means triggerable when charged to produce a light-emitting discharge, and at least a third terminal adapted to supply a trigger signal for triggering the flash means, a film transport motor, and input terminals adapted to be connected to a battery, said system comprising a first normally closed switch for connecting said input terminals to said first and second terminals to supply recharging current to the flash means when a battery is connected to said input terminals and said first switch is closed, a second normally open switch for connecting said input terminals to said film transport motor to supply operating current to said motor when a battery is connected to said input terminals and said second switch is closed, sequencing means operable to sequentially supply a trigger signal to said third terminal, close said second switch, an then open said second switch, and means for opening said first switch at least while said second switch is closed.