US3852777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exposure control apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1974-03-15
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1994-03-15
Abstract
Abstract Light sensing exposure control apparatus that effects exposure in relation to scene illumination intensity includes (1) a circuit including light sensing means and an indicator energizable to indicate when a sensed illumination intensity is at or below a minimum level that corresponds to an exposure exceeding a predetermined duration, (2) a sensor that senses underexposure latitude of film received by the camera, and (3) a circuit coupled with the indicator circuit and latitude sensor and being responsive to concurrent sensing of the minimum intensity level or below and sensing the underexposure latitude of the film, to reduce the duration of the exposure by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude, and to adjust the indicator circuit to energize the indicator only after illumination intensity decreases below the minimum level by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude.
Inventors
- 👤 O Wisst
- 👤 C Hopfner
- 👤 E Lieser
- 👤 W Ort
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/083; G03B9/00; G03B9/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various exposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, the combination comprising: light sensitive means for sensing the intensity of received scene illumination and having a parameter variable as the intensity of illumination thereon varies; exposure control apparatus, coupled with said light sensitive means and being responsive to variations of said parameter, for varying the duration of an exposure in relation to said parameter and thus to received illumination intensity; means for sensing the presence in said camera of film of a predetermined exposure latitude; control means, coupled with said light sensitive means and cooperative therewith and with said film sensing means, to become active upon the concurrent sensing of the presence of such film of predetermined exposure latitude and an illumination intensity in a range of predetermined intensities that correspond to exposures exceeding a predetermined duration, for providing a control output; and illumination adjustment means, coupled with said control means and being responsive to said output, for increasing the illumination received by said light sensitive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various exposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, the combination comprising: light sensitive means for sensing the intensity of received scene illumination and having a parameter variable as the intensity of illumination thereon varies; exposure control apparatus, coupled with said light sensitive means and being responsive to variations of said parameter, for varying the duration of an exposure in relation to said parameter and thus to received illumination intensity; means for sensing the presence in said camera of film of a predetermined exposure latitude; control means, coupled with said light sensitive means and cooperative therewith and with said film sensing means, to become active upon the concurrent sensing of the presence of such film of predetermined exposure latitude and an illumination intensity in a range of predetermined intensities that correspond to exposures exceeding a predetermined duration, for providing a control output; and illumination adjustment means, coupled with said control means and being responsive to said output, for increasing the illumination received by said light sensitive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various underexposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, the combination comprising: photosensitive means located for receiving scene illumination; exposure control means, including said photosensitive means, for effecting an exposure of duration related to received illumination intensity, said exposure control means being responsive to the sensing of a predetermined range of intensities by said photosensitive means, for generating a range of exposures each exceeding a predetermined duration; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; and illumination adjustment means, cooperative with said photosensitive means and said underexposure latitude sensing means to become active upon concurrent sensing of illumination intensity in said predetermined range and sensing a predetermined underexposure latitude, for increasing the illumination intensity received by said photosensitive means by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude of the film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various underexposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, the combination comprising: photosensitive means located for receiving scene illumination; exposure control means, including said photosensitive means, for effecting an exposure of duration related to received illumination intensity, said exposure control means being responsive to the sensing of a predetermined range of intensities by said photosensitive means, for generating a range of exposures each exceeding a predetermined duration; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; and illumination adjustment means, cooperative with said photosensitive means and said underexposure latitude sensing means to become active upon concurrent sensing of illumination intensity in said predetermined range and sensing a predetermined underexposure latitude, for increasing the illumination intensity received by said photosensitive means by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude of the film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various underexposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, exposure control apparatus comprising: photosensitive means for sensing the intensity of existing scene illumination; circuit means, coupled with said photosensitive means and being responsive thereto, for controlling the duration of an exposure in relation to the illumination intensity, said circuit means, when scene illumination intensity is at or below a minimum intensity, producing exposures exceeding a predetermined duration; sensor means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; adjustment means, coupled with said circuit means and becoming active upon the combination of sensing illumination intensity at or below said minimum intensity and sensing a predetermined underexposure latitude of the film, for increasing the amount of illumination received by said photosensitive means; and an indicator coupled with said photosensitive means and latitude sensing means and being responsive thereto to become energized upon concurrent sensing said film underexposure latitude and an illumination intensity lower than said minimum intensity by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude of the film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various underexposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, exposure control apparatus comprising: photosensitive means for sensing the intensity of existing scene illumination; circuit means, coupled with said photosensitive means and being responsive thereto, for controlling the duration of an exposure in relation to the illumination intensity, said circuit means, when scene illumination intensity is at or below a minimum intensity, producing exposures exceeding a predetermined duration; sensor means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; adjustment means, coupled with said circuit means and becoming active upon the combination of sensing illumination intensity at or below said minimum intensity and sensing a predetermined underexposure latitude of the film, for increasing the amount of illumination received by said photosensitive means; and an indicator coupled with said photosensitive means and latitude sensing means and being responsive thereto to become energized upon concurrent sensing said film underexposure latitude and an illumination intensity lower than said minimum intensity by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude of the film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a camera having means for sensing the presence of a film cartridge carrying film of predetermined underexposure latitude received by the camera and means for making exposures of varying duration, exposure control apparatus comprising: a photosensitive element located to receive light and having a parameter related to received light intensity, said photosensItive element being connected with said exposure making means for effecting an exposure interval of duration related to the value of said parameter, said parameter attaining values corresponding to exposures exceeding a predetermined duration; adjustment means, mounted for movement relative to said photosensitive element and being movable in response to the combination of the sensing of said film and sensing an illumination intensity in which said parameter attains said values corresponding to said predetermined exposures of duration exceeding said predetermined duration, for permitting the amount of light received by said photosensitive element to be increased by an amount related to the underexposure latitude of said film; and indicator means, coupled with said photosensitive element and said film cartridge sensing means to become energized upon said parameter attaining a value corresponding to an exposure of duration longer than said predetermined duration by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude of said film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a camera having means for sensing the presence of a film cartridge carrying film of predetermined underexposure latitude received by the camera and means for making exposures of varying duration, exposure control apparatus comprising: a photosensitive element located to receive light and having a parameter related to received light intensity, said photosensItive element being connected with said exposure making means for effecting an exposure interval of duration related to the value of said parameter, said parameter attaining values corresponding to exposures exceeding a predetermined duration; adjustment means, mounted for movement relative to said photosensitive element and being movable in response to the combination of the sensing of said film and sensing an illumination intensity in which said parameter attains said values corresponding to said predetermined exposures of duration exceeding said predetermined duration, for permitting the amount of light received by said photosensitive element to be increased by an amount related to the underexposure latitude of said film; and indicator means, coupled with said photosensitive element and said film cartridge sensing means to become energized upon said parameter attaining a value corresponding to an exposure of duration longer than said predetermined duration by an amount corresponding to the underexposure latitude of said film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various underexposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, the combination comprising: a photosensitive element, disposed to receive ambient scene illumination, for sensing the ambient illumination intensity; memory circuit means, connected with said photosensitive means, for storing a signal indicative of the level of existing illumination intensity; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; a circuit, including a light emitting element located to emit light to impinge onto said photosensitive element, said circuit being connectable with said memory circuit said latitude sensing means to become operative in response to the combination of said stored signal and sensing such film, for operating said light-emitting element to emit light; and timing circuit means, connectable with said photosensitive means and said exposure making means, for effecting an exposure of duration corresponding to the combined intensity of ambient illumination and the light emitted by said light-emitting element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a camera adapted to receive film of various underexposure latitudes and to make exposures of varying duration, the combination comprising: a photosensitive element, disposed to receive ambient scene illumination, for sensing the ambient illumination intensity; memory circuit means, connected with said photosensitive means, for storing a signal indicative of the level of existing illumination intensity; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; a circuit, including a light emitting element located to emit light to impinge onto said photosensitive element, said circuit being connectable with said memory circuit said latitude sensing means to become operative in response to the combination of said stored signal and sensing such film, for operating said light-emitting element to emit light; and timing circuit means, connectable with said photosensitive means and said exposure making means, for effecting an exposure of duration corresponding to the combined intensity of ambient illumination and the light emitted by said light-emitting element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a camera, exposure control apparatus comprising: means, located to receive ambient scene illumination, for sensing the level of ambient illumination intensity; exposure control apparatus, associated with said illumination sensing means, for effecting the duration of an exposure in relation to ambient illumination intensity, said apparatus, during illumination intensity in a range of intensities at or below a minimum intensity, effecting an exposure exceeding a predetermined duration; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; indicator means, cooperative with said illumination sensing means, for indicating when said exposure will exceed said predetermined duration by an amount corresponding to said underexposure latitude; a mask mounted for movement relative to said illumination sensing means to vary the illumination received thereby; and control means, coupled with said latitude sensing means and said indicating means and being associatable with said mask means in response to concurrent sensing illumination intensity corresponding to an exposure of duration longer than said predetermined duration and the sensing of a predetermined exposure latitude, for positioning said mask relative to said illumination sensing means according to the intensity of ambient illumination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a camera, exposure control apparatus comprising: means, located to receive ambient scene illumination, for sensing the level of ambient illumination intensity; exposure control apparatus, associated with said illumination sensing means, for effecting the duration of an exposure in relation to ambient illumination intensity, said apparatus, during illumination intensity in a range of intensities at or below a minimum intensity, effecting an exposure exceeding a predetermined duration; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; indicator means, cooperative with said illumination sensing means, for indicating when said exposure will exceed said predetermined duration by an amount corresponding to said underexposure latitude; a mask mounted for movement relative to said illumination sensing means to vary the illumination received thereby; and control means, coupled with said latitude sensing means and said indicating means and being associatable with said mask means in response to concurrent sensing illumination intensity corresponding to an exposure of duration longer than said predetermined duration and the sensing of a predetermined exposure latitude, for positioning said mask relative to said illumination sensing means according to the intensity of ambient illumination.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said control means includes an electromagnetic transducer connected with said illumination sensing element to become energized when said indicating means becomes energized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a camera, the combination comprising: light sensitive means for sensing the level of received light intensity and having a parameter variable as received light intensity varies; exposure control apparatus, coupled with said light sensing means and being responsive to The value of said parameter, for effecting an exposure of duration related to said parameter; indicator means, coupled with said light sensing means and being responsive thereto, for indicating received light intensity that corresponds to an exposure exceeding a predetermined duration; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; and adjustment means, cooperative with said exposure control apparatus and said light sensitive means and being responsive to concurrent underexposure latitude sensing and sensing light intensity at or below a first minimum level, for reducing the exposure duration a predetermined amount corresponding to the film underexposure latitude and for de-energizing said indicator, said adjustment means being further cooperative with said exposure control apparatus and said indicator for discontinuing reduction of said exposure duration and re-energizing said indicator upon sensing a received light intensity an amount equal to said film underexposure latitude below said first minimum level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a camera, the combination comprising: light sensitive means for sensing the level of received light intensity and having a parameter variable as received light intensity varies; exposure control apparatus, coupled with said light sensing means and being responsive to The value of said parameter, for effecting an exposure of duration related to said parameter; indicator means, coupled with said light sensing means and being responsive thereto, for indicating received light intensity that corresponds to an exposure exceeding a predetermined duration; means for sensing the underexposure latitude of film received by the camera; and adjustment means, cooperative with said exposure control apparatus and said light sensitive means and being responsive to concurrent underexposure latitude sensing and sensing light intensity at or below a first minimum level, for reducing the exposure duration a predetermined amount corresponding to the film underexposure latitude and for de-energizing said indicator, said adjustment means being further cooperative with said exposure control apparatus and said indicator for discontinuing reduction of said exposure duration and re-energizing said indicator upon sensing a received light intensity an amount equal to said film underexposure latitude below said first minimum level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3678827A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |