Light measuring optical system for use in a reflex camera

Claim 2

A light measuring optical device for use with a reflex camera, said device comprising: a pentaprism mounted on said camera, said pentaprism having a first surface for receiving said light and a second surface for exiting said light; a reflecting mirror mounted adjacent said second surface of said pentaprism, said reflecting mirror diverting said light back into said pentaprism; and a detector element for measuring light intensity mounted adjacent said pentaprism to receive said light after it has been diverted back into said pentaprism.

Claim 3

A light measuring optical device as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising an auxiliary prism mounted adjacent said pentaprism wherein said pentaprism is situated between said auxiliary prism and said reflecting mirror, resulting in said light leaving said mirror traveling through said pentaprism to said auxiliary prism for diversion to said detector element.

Claim 4

A light measuring optical device as defined in claim 2 wherein said detector element is mounted adjacent said auxiliary prism on the same side of said pentaprism

Claim 5

A light measuring mechanism in a single lens reflex camera, said mechanism comprising: a pentaprism mounted within said camera for receiving said light in two phases, said pentaprism having a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, said light entrance surface receiving the first phase of light; a reflector mirror mounted adjacent said light exit surface of said pentaprism to direct said first phase of light leaving said exit surface back into said pentaprism representing the second phase of light entering said pentaprism; and a detector element mounted adjacent said exit surface to receive said second phase of light when it departs said pentaprism to measure light intensity.

Claim 6

A light measuring mechanism in a single lens reflex camera, said mechanism comprising: a pentaprism mounted within said camera for receiving said light in two phases, said pentaprism having a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, said light entrance surface receiving the first phase of light; a reflector mirror mounted adjacent said light exit surface of said pentaprism to direct said first phase of light leaving said exit surface back into said pentaprism representing the second phase of light entering said pentaprism; and a detector element mounted adjacent said exit surface to receive said second phase of light when it departs said pentaprism to measure light intensity.

Claim 7

A light measuring device for use in a single lens reflex camera, said device comprising: a pentaprism set within said camera for directing the light image received within said camera; means mounted adjacent said pentaprism for diverting said light image leaving said pentaprism back into said pentaprism; and means adjacent said pentaprism for detecting the intensity of said light image leaving said pentaprism after having been diverted back into said pentaprism wherein the length of travel of said light image after entering said pentaprism for the light measuring operation is confined within said pentaprism, eliminating any additional space requirements within the camera to accommodate the travel of said light for said light measuRing operation.

Claim 8

A light measuring device for use in a single lens reflex camera, said device comprising: a pentaprism set within said camera for directing the light image received within said camera; means mounted adjacent said pentaprism for diverting said light image leaving said pentaprism back into said pentaprism; and means adjacent said pentaprism for detecting the intensity of said light image leaving said pentaprism after having been diverted back into said pentaprism wherein the length of travel of said light image after entering said pentaprism for the light measuring operation is confined within said pentaprism, eliminating any additional space requirements within the camera to accommodate the travel of said light for said light measuRing operation.

Claim 9

A light measuring device for use in a single lens reflex camera as defined in claim 5, wherein said diverting means comprises a reflector mirror and wherein said detecting means comprises a detector element.

Claim 10

A light measuring optical system for use in a reflex camera, said system comprising: a pentaprism mounted within said camera for receiving light information which has entered said camera, said pentaprism having a plurality of surfaces, said light information being reflected off more than one of said surfaces and exiting said pentaprism through an exit surface; a reflector mirror mounted adjacent said exit surface of said pentaprism to reflect said exiting light information back into said pentaprism, said light information being reflected off more than one surface a second time; and a detector element for receiving said light information in a single spot after said light information has been reflected within said pentaprism said second time.

Claim 11

A light measuring optical system for use in a reflex camera, said system comprising: a pentaprism mounted within said camera for receiving light information which has entered said camera, said pentaprism having a plurality of surfaces, said light information being reflected off more than one of said surfaces and exiting said pentaprism through an exit surface; a reflector mirror mounted adjacent said exit surface of said pentaprism to reflect said exiting light information back into said pentaprism, said light information being reflected off more than one surface a second time; and a detector element for receiving said light information in a single spot after said light information has been reflected within said pentaprism said second time.

Claim 12

A light measuring optical system for use in a reflex camera, said system comprising: a pentaprism mounted within said camera for receiving light information which has entered said camera, said pentaprism having a plurality of surfaces, said light information being reflected off more than one of said surfaces and exiting said pentaprism through an exit surface; a reflector mirror mounted adjacent said exit surface of said pentaprism to reflect said exiting light information back into said pentaprism, said light information being reflected off more than one surface a second time, said reflector mirror diverting said light information back into said pentaprism a second time in such a manner that said light information, after being reflected off at least one of said surfaces of said pentaprism, will exit said exit surface at a single spot; and a detector element for receiving said light information in said single spot after said light information has been reflected within said pentaprism said second time.

Claim 13

A light measuring optical system for use in a reflex camera, said system comprising: a pentaprism mounted within said camera for receiving light information which has entered said camera, said pentaprism having a plurality of surfaces, said light information being reflected off more than one of said surfaces and exiting said pentaprism through an exit surface; a reflector mirror mounted adjacent said exit surface of said pentaprism to reflect said exiting light information back into said pentaprism, said light information being reflected off more than one surface a second time, said reflector mirror diverting said light information back into said pentaprism a second time in such a manner that said light information, after being reflected off at least one of said surfaces of said pentaprism, will exit said exit surface at a single spot; and a detector element for receiving said light information in said single spot after said light information has been reflected within said pentaprism said second time.