Electromagnetically regulated exposure control system

Claim 2

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining a scene light entrance opening, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; drive means controllable for moving said exposure mechanism toward said open positions and including tractive electromagnetic means; means for effecting a magnetic retardation of said drive means movement of said exposure mechanism means by energizing said tractive electromagnetic means from said source following commencement of and substantially throughout said movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions, said energization being at a predetermined current level to derive a programmed variation of said aperture values; and means for selectively controlling said drive means so as to define a predetermined value of exposure.

Claim 5

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining a scene light entrance opening, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; drive means controllable for moving said exposure mechanism between said positions and including tractive electromagnetic means; means for effecting a magnetic retardation of said drive means movement of said exposure mechanism means by energizing said electromagnetic means at one current level substantially throughout said aperture value defining movement of said exposure mechanism means to derive a programmed variation of said aperture values; and means for selectively controlling said drive means by energizing said tractive electromagnetic means from said source at another current level to move said exposure mechanism means toward said closed position so as to define a predetermined value of exposure.

Claim 6

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining a scene light entrance opening, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; drive means controllable for moving said exposure mechanism between said positions and including tractive electromagnetic means; means for effecting a magnetic retardation of said drive means movement of said exposure mechanism means by energizing said electromagnetic means at one current level substantially throughout said aperture value defining movement of said exposure mechanism means to derive a programmed variation of said aperture values; and means for selectively controlling said drive means by energizing said tractive electromagnetic means from said source at another current level to move said exposure mechanism means toward said closed position so as to define a predetermined value of exposure.

Claim 7

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus, said apparatus including means for positioning a film unit at a focal plane and means for defining an entrance through which scene light may enter said apparatus to effect an exposure of said film unit, said exposure control system comprising an exposure mechanism mounted for movement between a position wherein it precludes scene light from exposing said film unit and at least one other selected position wherein it does not preclude scene light from exposing said film unit and means for effecting movement of said exposure mechanism between its said positions to define a controlled exposure, said movement effecting means including actuating means responsive to a given level of electrical energization for facilitating the movement of said exposure mechanism from one of its said positions into the other of its said positions and responsive to a level of electrical energization less than said given level substantially throughout the movement of said exposure mechanism from its said other position into its said one position to retard the movement of said exposure mechanism towards its said one position and means for selectively electrically energizing said actuating means at said two mentioned levels from electrical energy source means to alternately facilitate the movement of said exposure mechanism towards its said other position and retard its movement towards its said one position.

Claim 8

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus, said apparatus including means for positioning a film unit at a focal plane and means for defining an entrance through which scene light may enter said apparatus to effect an exposure of said film unit, said exposure control system comprising an exposure mechanism mounted for movement between a position wherein it precludes scene light from exposing said film unit and at least one other selected position wherein it does not preclude scene light from exposing said film unit and means for effecting movement of said exposure mechanism between its said positions to define a controlled exposure, said movement effecting means including actuating means responsive to a given level of electrical energization for facilitating the movement of said exposure mechanism from one of its said positions into the other of its said positions and responsive to a level of electrical energization less than said given level substantially throughout the movement of said exposure mechanism from its said other position into its said one position to retard the movement of said exposure mechanism towards its said one position and means for selectively electrically energizing said actuating means at said two mentioned levels from electrical energy source means to alternately facilitate the movement of said exposure mechanism towards its said other position and retard its movement towards its said one position.

Claim 9

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining a scene light entrance opening, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; drive means including tractive electromagnetic means and loadable spring means, said spring means being configured and arranged for moving said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions; means for selectively controlling said drive means to define a predetermined value of exposure and operative to energize said tractive electromagnetic means from said source at one current level for loading said spring means and effecting movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said closed position; and means for effecting a magnetic retardation of said movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions by energization of said electromagnetic means at another current level selected lower than said one level substantially throughout said movement of said exposure mechanism means by said spring means.

Claim 10

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining a scene light entrance opening, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; drive means including tractive electromagnetic means and loadable spring means, said spring means being configured and arranged for moving said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions; means for selectively controlling said drive means to define a predetermined value of exposure and operative to energize said tractive electromagnetic means from said source at one current level for loading said spring means and effecting movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said closed position; and means for effecting a magnetic retardation of said movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions by energization of said electromagnetic means at another current level selected lower than said one level substantially throughout said movement of said exposure mechanism means by said spring means.

Claim 11

The exposure control system of claim 5 in which said means effecting said magnetic retardation includes electrical calibrating means for selectively adjusting said other current level to regulate the rate of said movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions in accordance with a given standard.

Claim 12

The exposure control system of claim 5 in which said spring means includes means for adjusting the extent of said loading thereof to adjust the rate of said movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions in accordance with a given standard.

Claim 13

The exposure control system of claim 5 in which: said tractive electromagnetic means is present as a solenoid having an excitation winding and a plunger assembly retractably movable thereinto when said winding is energized at said one current level, said movement being toward a position deriving a high flux linkage condition, said plunger assembly being movable away from said position under the bias of said spring means upon de-energization of said winding; and said means effecting said magnetic retardation is operative to energize said excitation winDing at said other level when said plunger assembly is moved under said bias away from said position deriving said high flux linkage condition.

Claim 14

The exposure control system of claim 8 in which said solenoid is configured having orifice means for minimizing the pneumatic effects of said movements of said plunger within said excitation winding.

Claim 15

The exposure control system of claim 8 in which said means effecting said magnetic retardation includes switch means actuable to effect initiation of said other level energization when said plunger assembly is moved under said bias beyond said position deriving said high flux linkage condition.

Claim 16

The exposure control system of claim 10 in which said plunger assembly is configured for selectively actuating said switch means.

Claim 17

The exposure control system of claim 10 in which said switch means is operative to effect said other level energization when said plunger assembly has moved during said one level of enegization into said position deriving said high flux linkage condition.

Claim 18

In an exposure control system of a variety wherein a tractive electomagnetic device is employed to be energized at one level to drive an exposure mechanism into an orientation blocking the optical path of a photographic apparatus and said mechanism is driven by resilient means to move toward orientations unblocking said optical path, the improvement comprising: control means for energizing said tractive electromagnetic device at another level of energization selected below said one level substantially throughout said movement when said exposure mechanism is driven toward said unblocking orientations, so as to alter the photographic exposure characteristics of said path in accordance with a predetermined program.

Claim 19

In an exposure control system of a variety wherein a tractive electomagnetic device is employed to be energized at one level to drive an exposure mechanism into an orientation blocking the optical path of a photographic apparatus and said mechanism is driven by resilient means to move toward orientations unblocking said optical path, the improvement comprising: control means for energizing said tractive electromagnetic device at another level of energization selected below said one level substantially throughout said movement when said exposure mechanism is driven toward said unblocking orientations, so as to alter the photographic exposure characteristics of said path in accordance with a predetermined program.

Claim 20

In an exposure control system of a variety wherein a solenoid including an excitation winding and a plunger is employed to be energized at one current level to cause said plunger to be retracted toward a position providing a high flux linkage condition within the magnetic circuit of said solenoid, said plunger being driveably associated with an exposure mechanism and spring means such that said mechanism is moved to block a scene light entrance opening when said plunger is retracted and is moved with said plunger by a bias of said spring means to define a variation of aperture values over said opening upon de-energization of said winding, the improvement comprising: control means for energizing said winding at another current level selected below said one current level substantially throughout said movement under said bias for selectively regulating the rate of said plunger movement under said spring means bias.

Claim 21

In an exposure control system of a variety wherein a solenoid including an excitation winding and a plunger is employed to be energized at one current level to cause said plunger to be retracted toward a position providing a high flux linkage condition within the magnetic circuit of said solenoid, said plunger being driveably associated with an exposure mechanism and spring means such that said mechanism is moved to block a scene light entrance opening when said plunger is retracted and is moved with said plunger by a bias of said spring means to define a variation of aperture values over said opening upon de-energization of said winding, the improvement comprising: control means for energizing said winding at another current level selected below said one current level substantially throughout said movement under said bias for selectively regulating the rate of said plunger movement under said spring means bias.

Claim 22

The invention defined by claim 14 in which said control means is operative to energize said winding at said other current level when said plunger is moved from said high flux linkage position.

Claim 23

The invention defined by claim 14 further including means for pneumatically venting said plunger within said solenoid so as to facilitate the said retraction thereof.

Claim 24

The invention defined by claim 14 in which said control means includes a switch actuable to effect inititation of said other current level energization when said plunger is moved from said high flux linkage position.

Claim 25

The invention defined by claim 17 in which said plunger is configured for selectively actuating said switch.

Claim 26

The invention defined by claim 14 in which said control means is operative, when activated, to initially energize said winding at said one current level to effect the said retraction of said plunger and movement of said exposure mechanism to block said opening, thence to energize said windng at said other current level when said high flux linkage position is attained, thence de-energize said winding to effect the commencement of an interval of exposure, thence to energize said winding at said other current level to effect said rate of movement regulation, and thence to energize said winding at said one current level to effect the termination of said interval of exposure.

Claim 27

The invention defined by claim 19 in which said control means is operative to provide said other current level energization to regulate the rate of said plunger movement under said spring bias when said plunger is moved from said high flux linkage position.

Claim 28

The invention defined by claim 20 further including means for pneumatically venting said plunger within said solenoid so as to facilitate the said retraction thereof.

Claim 29

The invention defined by claim 20 in which said control means includes a switch actuable to effect initiation of each said energization at said other current level.

Claim 30

The invention defined by claim 22 in which said plunger is configured for selectively actuating said switch.

Claim 31

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining an entrance opening for scene light, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement toward said open positions defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; solenoid means including an excitation winding and plunger means driveably associated with said exposure mechanism means, said plunger means being movable toward a retracted position deriving a high flux linkage condition upon energization of said winding at one current level for moving said exposure mechanism means toward said closed position; spring means for biasing said plunger means to move from said retracted position thereby biasing said exposure mechanism means to move toward said open positions; and control circuit means for selectively energizing and de-energizing said solenoid means to define an exposure interval, said control circuit means including means for energizing said excitation winding from said source at another current level when said plunger means attains said retracted position and being operative to effect said de-energization, thence to re-assert said energization at said other current level when said plunger means have moved a predetermined amount under said spring bias way from said retracted position and to maintain said re-asserted energization throughout said movement under said spring bias.

Claim 32

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus of a variety including a source of electricity and means defining an entrance opening for scene light, comprising: exposure mechanism means movable about said opening between a closed position blocking the passage of light therethrough and open positions, said movement toward said open positions defining a time dependent variation of aperture values over said opening; solenoid means including an excitation winding and plunger means driveably associated with said exposure mechanism means, said plunger means being movable toward a retracted position deriving a high flux linkage condition upon energization of said winding at one current level for moving said exposure mechanism means toward said closed position; spring means for biasing said plunger means to move from said retracted position thereby biasing said exposure mechanism means to move toward said open positions; and control circuit means for selectively energizing and de-energizing said solenoid means to define an exposure interval, said control circuit means including means for energizing said excitation winding from said source at another current level when said plunger means attains said retracted position and being operative to effect said de-energization, thence to re-assert said energization at said other current level when said plunger means have moved a predetermined amount under said spring bias way from said retracted position and to maintain said re-asserted energization throughout said movement under said spring bias.

Claim 33

The exposure control system of claim 24 in which said control circuit means includes electrical calibrating means for selectively adjusting said other current level to regulate the rate of said movement of said exposure mechanism means towards said open positions in accordance with a given standard.

Claim 34

The exposure control system of claim 24 in which said spring means includes means for adjusting the amount of said bias to control the rate of said movement of said exposure mechanism means toward said open positions in accordance with a given standard.

Claim 35

The exposure control system of claim 24 in which said control circuit means includes switch means actuable to effect initiation of said other current level when said plunger means is moved under said bias beyond said retracted position.

Claim 36

The exposure control system of claim 27 in which said plunger means is configured for selectively actuating said switch means.

Claim 37

The exposure control system of claim 27 in which said switch means is operative to effect said other current level energization when said plunger means has moved during said one current level of energization into said retracted position.

Claim 38

The exposure control system of claim 24 in which said solenoid means is configured having orifice means for minimizing pneumatic effects emanatiing from said movements of said plunger means within said excitation winding.

Claim 39

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus, said apparatus including means for positioning a film unit at a focal plane and means for defining an entrance through which scene light may enter saId apparatus to effect an exposure of said film unit, said exposure control system comprising an exposure mechanism mounted for movement between a position wherein it precludes scene light from exposing said film unit and at least one other selected position wherein it does not preclude scene light from exposing said film unit and means for effecting movement of said exposure mechanism between its said positions to define a controlled exposure value, said movement effecting means including a first spring urging said exposure mechanism from one of its said positions towards the other of its said positions, a second spring urging said exposure mechanism from its said other position towards its said one position, said second spring exerting a greater force on said movement effecting means than said first spring thereby causing said exposure mechanism to move into its said one position against the force exerted thereon by said first spring, tractive electromagnetic means responsive to a given level of electrical energization to overcome the influence of said second spring on said exposure mechanism to permit said first spring to move said exposure mechanism from its said one position into its said other position and responsive to a level of electrical energization less than said given level to retard but not preclude said second spring from effecting a movement of said exposure mechanism from its said other position into its said one position and means for selectively electrically energizing said actuating means at said two mentioned levels from electrical energy source means to alternately facilitate the movement of said exposure mechanism towards its said other position and retard its movement towards its said one position.

Claim 40

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus, said apparatus including means for positioning a film unit at a focal plane and means for defining an entrance through which scene light may enter saId apparatus to effect an exposure of said film unit, said exposure control system comprising an exposure mechanism mounted for movement between a position wherein it precludes scene light from exposing said film unit and at least one other selected position wherein it does not preclude scene light from exposing said film unit and means for effecting movement of said exposure mechanism between its said positions to define a controlled exposure value, said movement effecting means including a first spring urging said exposure mechanism from one of its said positions towards the other of its said positions, a second spring urging said exposure mechanism from its said other position towards its said one position, said second spring exerting a greater force on said movement effecting means than said first spring thereby causing said exposure mechanism to move into its said one position against the force exerted thereon by said first spring, tractive electromagnetic means responsive to a given level of electrical energization to overcome the influence of said second spring on said exposure mechanism to permit said first spring to move said exposure mechanism from its said one position into its said other position and responsive to a level of electrical energization less than said given level to retard but not preclude said second spring from effecting a movement of said exposure mechanism from its said other position into its said one position and means for selectively electrically energizing said actuating means at said two mentioned levels from electrical energy source means to alternately facilitate the movement of said exposure mechanism towards its said other position and retard its movement towards its said one position.