Photoflash lamp array sequencing circuits

Claim 2

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said associated photoflash lamps and said gate controlled switching elements between the terminals of said capacitor; circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the flow of current from said power source to said capacitor when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; and discharge circuit means coupled to said capacitor for discharging said capacitor following the flashing of one of said photoflash lamps.

Claim 3

The circuit of claim 1 wherein said current limiting means further limits the flow of current from said power source to said capacitor when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive to a value below that required to flash said associated photoflash lamps.

Claim 4

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said associated photoflash lamps and said gate controlled switching elements between the terminals of said capacitor; steering circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; and discharge circuit means coupled to said capacitor for discharging said capacitor following the flashing of one of said photoflash lamps.

Claim 5

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said associated photoflash lamps and said gate controlled switching elements between the terminals of said capacitor; steering circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; and discharge circuit means coupled to said capacitor for discharging said capacitor following the flashing of one of said photoflash lamps.

Claim 6

The circuit of claim 3 wherein said current limiting means further limits the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive to a value below that required to flash said associated photoflash lamps.

Claim 7

The circuit of claim 3 further comprising: light responsive means disposed to receive light from a subject to be photographed; and defeat circuit means coupled to said light responsive means for preventing the flashing of said photoflash lamps when the brightness of the light received by said light responsive means exceeds a predetermined level.

Claim 8

The circuit of claim 3 wherein said steering circuit means causes said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive in a predetermined order with the gate Controlled switching element associated with the Nth associated photoflash lamp being the last to be made conductive and further comprising: sensing means for determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether said Nth associated photoflash lamp has previously been flashed.

Claim 9

A circuit for use with an associated photographic apparatus having a shutter mechanism and a first switch which is operated in relation to the cocking of said shutter mechanism and a second switch which is operated in relation to the actuation of said shutter mechanism and a source of electrical current, said circuit successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in response to successive closures of said second switch and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said associated photoflash lamps and said gate controlled switching elements between the terminals of said capacitor; charging circuit means coupled to said source of electrical current, said first switch, and said capacitor for charging said capacitor when said shutter is cocked; steering circuit means coupled to said second switch and said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive in response to the operation of said second switch; and current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said source of electrical current for limiting the direct flow of current from said source of electrical current to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive to a value below that required to flash said associated flash lamps.

Claim 10

A circuit for use with an associated photographic apparatus having a shutter mechanism and a first switch which is operated in relation to the cocking of said shutter mechanism and a second switch which is operated in relation to the actuation of said shutter mechanism and a source of electrical current, said circuit successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in response to successive closures of said second switch and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said associated photoflash lamps and said gate controlled switching elements between the terminals of said capacitor; charging circuit means coupled to said source of electrical current, said first switch, and said capacitor for charging said capacitor when said shutter is cocked; steering circuit means coupled to said second switch and said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive in response to the operation of said second switch; and current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said source of electrical current for limiting the direct flow of current from said source of electrical current to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive to a value below that required to flash said associated flash lamps.

Claim 11

A circuit for flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in connection with the operation of a photographic apparatus and comprising: light responsive means disposed to receive light from the subject to be photographed; circuit means coupled to said photographic apparatus for sequentially flashing said photoflash lamps in response to successive actuations of said photographic apparatus; and flash defeat means coupled to said light responsive means and said circuit means for preventing the flashing of said photoflash lamps when the brightness of the light received by said light responsive means is above a predetermined level.

Claim 12

A circuit for flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in connection with the operation of a photographic apparatus and comprising: light responsive means disposed to receive light from the subject to be photographed; circuit means coupled to said photographic apparatus for sequentially flashing said photoflash lamps in response to successive actuations of said photographic apparatus; and flash defeat means coupled to said light responsive means and said circuit means for preventing the flashing of said photoflash lamps when the brightness of the light received by said light responsive means is above a predetermined level.

Claim 13

The circuit of claim 8 wherein said circuit means comprises a capacitor and firing circuit means coupled to said capacitor for selectively permitting said capacitor to discharge through said associated photoflash lamps and said flash defeat means is operative to prevent said capacitor from charging above a predetermined voltage when the brightness of the light received by said light responsive means is above a predetermined level.

Claim 14

A circuit for flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in connection with the operation of a photographic apparatus and comprising: circuit means for sequentially flashing said photoflash lamps in response to successive actuations of said photographic apparatus in a predetermined sequence with the Nth associated photoflash lamp being the last to be fired; sensing means for coupling to said Nth associated photoflash lamp and determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether said Nth associated photoflash lamp has previously been flashed.

Claim 15

A circuit for flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in connection with the operation of a photographic apparatus and comprising: circuit means for sequentially flashing said photoflash lamps in response to successive actuations of said photographic apparatus in a predetermined sequence with the Nth associated photoflash lamp being the last to be fired; sensing means for coupling to said Nth associated photoflash lamp and determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether said Nth associated photoflash lamp has previously been flashed.

Claim 16

The circuit of claim 10 wherein said indicator means further provides a visual indication when said Nth associated photoflash lamp haS previously been flashed.

Claim 17

The circuit of claim 11 wherein said indicator means comprises a light emitting diode.

Claim 18

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said gate controlled switching elements and said associated photoflash lamps between the terminals of said capacitor; steering circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; light responsive means disposed to receive light from a subject to be photographed; and defeat circuit means coupled to said light responsive means for preventing the flashing of said photoflash lamps when the brightness of the light received by said light responsive means exceeds a predetermined level.

Claim 19

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said gate controlled switching elements and said associated photoflash lamps between the terminals of said capacitor; steering circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; light responsive means disposed to receive light from a subject to be photographed; and defeat circuit means coupled to said light responsive means for preventing the flashing of said photoflash lamps when the brightness of the light received by said light responsive means exceeds a predetermined level.

Claim 20

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in a predetermined order with the Nth assocated photoflash lamp being the last to be flashed and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said gate controlled switching elements and said associated photoflash lamps between the terminals of said capacitor; steering circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; sensing means coupled to said Nth associated photoflash lamp for determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether said Nth associated photoflash lamp has previously been flashed.

Claim 21

A circuit for successively flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in a predetermined order with the Nth assocated photoflash lamp being the last to be flashed and comprising: a plurality of N gate controlled switching elements, each of said gate controlled switching elements being arranged for series coupling with a respective one of said N associated photoflash lamps; a capacitor having two terminals; circuit means coupled to said capacitor and said gate controlled switching elements for coupling each series combination of said gate controlled switching elements and said associated photoflash lamps between the terminals of said capacitor; steering circuit means coupled to said gate controlled switching elements for selectively causing said gate controlled switching elements to be conductive; a power source for supplying current to and charging said capacitor; current limiting means coupled to said capacitor and said power source for limiting the direct flow of current from said power source to said gate controlled switching elements when one of said gate controlled switching elements is conductive; sensing means coupled to said Nth associated photoflash lamp for determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether said Nth associated photoflash lamp has previously been flashed.

Claim 22

A circuit for flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in connection with the operation of a photographic apparatus and comprising: circuit means for sequentially flashing said photoflash lamps in response to successive actuations of said photographic apparatus in a predetermined sequence with the Nth associated photoflash lamp being the last to be fired; sensing means for coupling to said Nth associated photoflash lamp and determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether the conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp is relatively low.

Claim 23

A circuit for flashing a plurality of N associated photoflash lamps in connection with the operation of a photographic apparatus and comprising: circuit means for sequentially flashing said photoflash lamps in response to successive actuations of said photographic apparatus in a predetermined sequence with the Nth associated photoflash lamp being the last to be fired; sensing means for coupling to said Nth associated photoflash lamp and determining the electrical conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp; and indicator means coupled to said sensing means for indicating whether the conductivity of said Nth associated photoflash lamp is relatively low.