US3922693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera automatic exposure control mechanism
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-05-02
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A camera includes an automatic preset objective lens diaphragm and a light measuring network including a photocell exposed to light traversing the diaphragm. An adjusting member is separably coupled to the diaphragm and swingable between a retracted diaphragm open position and a fully diaphragm closed advanced position and spring biased to advanced position. A brake member locks the adjusting member between its extreme position and is actuated by an electromagnet which is excited by the network when a predetermined amount of light is incident in the photocell and the actuated brake member also releases the shutter. In order to effect proper camera operation in the event of excessive light or depleted batteries there is provided a selectively actuatable mechanism which permits shutter release upon full advance of the adjusting member independently of the electromagnet excitation and also permits the retraction and cocking of the adjusting member independently of the camera winding operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Toru Matsui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/085; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a camera automatic exposure control device including means for adjusting the camera diaphragm aperture biased in the direction reducing the diaphragm aperture, means for releasably locking said adjusting means at a charged fully open diaphragm aperture position, means for releasing said adjusting means in accordance with shutter release operation of the camera, an electromagnet, means including an exposure control circuit having a photo-sensitive element receiving incident light from an object through said diaphragm aperture for energizing said electromagnet when the intensity of said incident light is reduced to a predetermined value, means for opening the camera shutter, and means for stopping said adjusting means and for actuating said shutter opening means when actuated by said energized electromagnet, the improvement which comprises: second means for actuating said shutter opening means; means for selectively, alternatively intercoupling and uncoupling said adjusting means and said second means and including means shiftable between an effective position enabling engagement between said adjusting means and said second means and an ineffective position preventing engagement between said adjusting means and said second means; and means for manually transferring said shiftable means from said ineffective to effective position, whereby the action of said adjusting means upon release thereof by said releasing means is transmitted to said second means through said shiftable means to open the shutter independently of the condition of said electromagnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a camera automatic exposure control device including means for adjusting the camera diaphragm aperture biased in the direction reducing the diaphragm aperture, means for releasably locking said adjusting means at a charged fully open diaphragm aperture position, means for releasing said adjusting means in accordance with shutter release operation of the camera, an electromagnet, means including an exposure control circuit having a photo-sensitive element receiving incident light from an object through said diaphragm aperture for energizing said electromagnet when the intensity of said incident light is reduced to a predetermined value, means for opening the camera shutter, and means for stopping said adjusting means and for actuating said shutter opening means when actuated by said energized electromagnet, the improvement which comprises: second means for actuating said shutter opening means; means for selectively, alternatively intercoupling and uncoupling said adjusting means and said second means and including means shiftable between an effective position enabling engagement between said adjusting means and said second means and an ineffective position preventing engagement between said adjusting means and said second means; and means for manually transferring said shiftable means from said ineffective to effective position, whereby the action of said adjusting means upon release thereof by said releasing means is transmitted to said second means through said shiftable means to open the shutter independently of the condition of said electromagnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
The automatic exposure control device as in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means includes a movable member releasably locked in charged position and releasable to move toward a rest position whereby said diaphragm aperture is reduced with the movement of said movable member from said charged to said rest position, said movable member being provided with an engageable section, and said shiftable means is provided with a section engageable in said effective position with said engageable section of said movable member moving to said rest position, said shiftable means being slideable in said effective position, whereby said shiftable means in said effective position is slid into engagement with said second means with the engagement of the engageable sections of said movable member and said shiftable means to open the shutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The automatic exposure control device as in claim 2, wherein said second means includes a rotatable member engageable with said stopping means and rotated by engagement with said shiftable means slid by said movable member to advance said stopping means into said energized electromagnet actuated condition whereby to open the shutter independently of the condition of said electromagnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The automatic exposure control device as in claim 1, further comprising means for advancing said adjusting means into its releasable locked charged condition in response to the operation of said manual transferring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
The automatic exposure control device as in claim 4, wherein said adjustment means is a movable member locked in said charged position and releasable to a rest position, and said advancing means includes a reciprocating member inter-connected with said transfer means and movable between advanced and retracted positions, said reciprocating member being normally positioned in said retracted position and movable to said advanced position thereupon driving said movable member from said rest position to said charged position in response to said operation of the manual transferring means, said reciprocating member returnable to said retracted position upon termination of said operation of the manual transferring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a camera including a shutter and an objective lens adjustable diaphragm, an exposure control mechanism Comprising a photosensitive element exposed to light traversing said diaphragm, a diaphragm adjusting member moveable between an advanced diaphragm closed position and a retracted diaphragm fully open position and biased to its advanced position, first means responsive to a predetermined amount of light being incident on said photosensitive element for braking said adjusting member during the advance movement thereof and for releasing said shutter, second means for releasing said shutter independently of said first means, and selector means for selectively enabling and disabling said second means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a camera including a shutter and an objective lens adjustable diaphragm, an exposure control mechanism Comprising a photosensitive element exposed to light traversing said diaphragm, a diaphragm adjusting member moveable between an advanced diaphragm closed position and a retracted diaphragm fully open position and biased to its advanced position, first means responsive to a predetermined amount of light being incident on said photosensitive element for braking said adjusting member during the advance movement thereof and for releasing said shutter, second means for releasing said shutter independently of said first means, and selector means for selectively enabling and disabling said second means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism of claim 6 including means responsive to the movement of said selector means between its disabling and enabling positions for retracting and charging said adjusting member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The mechanism of claim 6 wherein said first means comprises an electromagnet transferrable in response to said photocell incident light between first and second excitement states, and a member including an armature motivated by said electromagnet between an advanced position braking said adjustment member and releasing said shutter and a retracted position, and second means includes means for advancing said member independently of the state of said electromagnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 6 including means for locking said adjusting member in its retracted charged position and manually actuatable means for releasing said adjusting member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3829877A
Cited
US3777637A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |