US4072962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering device
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1976-06-29
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Granted: 1978-02-07
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Expires: 1996-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A metering device comprises a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed. The converter circuit includes a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of the photoelectric converter element. The device further comprises a voltage generating circuit including a second semiconductor element and a current source for flowing a current proportional to an absolute temperature to a resistor connected in series to the second semiconductor element. The voltage generating circuit is effective to generate a second voltage comprising the sum of the voltages generated in the resistor and the second conductor element. The difference beween the first and the second voltage is put out by a differential amplifier. A third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature is put out by a voltage generating circuit, and the third voltage and the output voltage of the differential amplifier are compared by a comparator circuit. Means is provided for equalizing the output voltage of the differential amplifier and the third voltage by the output of the comparator circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Maida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/10; G01J1/16; G01J1/18; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A metering device comprising: a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed, said photoelectric converter circuit including a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of said photoelectric converter element; a voltage generating circuit including a semiconductor element and a current source for providing a current proportional to an absolute temperature to a resistor connected in series to said second semiconductor element, said voltage generating circuit being effective to generate a second voltage comprising the sum of the voltages generated in said resistor and said second semiconductor element; a differential amplifier for amplifying the voltage difference between said first and second voltage; a voltage generating circuit for generating a third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature; a comparator circuit for comparing the output voltage of said differential amplifier with said third voltage; and means for equalizing the output voltage of said differential amplifier and said third voltage by the output of said comparator circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A metering device comprising: a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed, said photoelectric converter circuit including a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of said photoelectric converter element; a voltage generating circuit including a semiconductor element and a current source for providing a current proportional to an absolute temperature to a resistor connected in series to said second semiconductor element, said voltage generating circuit being effective to generate a second voltage comprising the sum of the voltages generated in said resistor and said second semiconductor element; a differential amplifier for amplifying the voltage difference between said first and second voltage; a voltage generating circuit for generating a third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature; a comparator circuit for comparing the output voltage of said differential amplifier with said third voltage; and means for equalizing the output voltage of said differential amplifier and said third voltage by the output of said comparator circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A metering device according to claim 1, wherein said differential amplifier comprises an operational amplifier and a plurality of resistors, the resistance values of said resistors being selected such that the variation in exposure with temperature variation is minimized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A metering device according to claim 1, wherein said resistor connected in series to said second semiconductor element comprises a variable resistor for introducing exposure determining factors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A metering device according to claim 1, wherein said means for equalizing the output voltage of said differential amplifier and said third voltage by the output of said comparator circuit comprises a variable stop disposed in front of the photoelectric converter element assuming an intensity of illumination which is always at a predetermined ratio to the intensity of illumination on the surface of photograhic film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A metering device according to claim 1, wherein said means for equalizing the output voltage of said differential amplifier and said third voltage by the output of said comparator circuit comprises a variable resistor operatively associated with exposure determining means and connected in series to said second semiconductor element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A metering device according to claim 1, wherein said comparator circuit comprises a plurality of comparator circuits, said third voltage comprises a plurality of different voltages, the output voltage of said differential amplifier provides a common input to said plurality of comparator circuits, said plurality of third voltages are connected as reference voltages to the other input terminals of said comparator circuits, and indicator means is provided which is driven by the outputs of said plurality of comparator circuits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
186 words
A metering device comprising: a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed, said photoelectric converter circuit including a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of said photoelectric converter element; a voltage generating circuit comprising a constant current source including a second semiconductor element for providing a constant current to said second semiconductor element, a resistor, and said constant current source flowing to said resistor a current proportional to an absolute temperature, said voltage generating circuit being effective to generate a second voltage which is the sum of the voltage produced in said second semiconductor element and the voltage produced in said resistor; a differential amplifier for amplifying the voltage difference between said first and second voltage; a voltage generating circuit for generating a third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature; a comparator circuit for comparing the output voltage of said differential amplifier with said third voltage; and means for equalizing the output voltge of said differential amplifier and said third voltage by the output of said comparator circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
186 words
A metering device comprising: a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed, said photoelectric converter circuit including a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of said photoelectric converter element; a voltage generating circuit comprising a constant current source including a second semiconductor element for providing a constant current to said second semiconductor element, a resistor, and said constant current source flowing to said resistor a current proportional to an absolute temperature, said voltage generating circuit being effective to generate a second voltage which is the sum of the voltage produced in said second semiconductor element and the voltage produced in said resistor; a differential amplifier for amplifying the voltage difference between said first and second voltage; a voltage generating circuit for generating a third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature; a comparator circuit for comparing the output voltage of said differential amplifier with said third voltage; and means for equalizing the output voltge of said differential amplifier and said third voltage by the output of said comparator circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A metering device according to claim 7, wherein said resistor forming the circuit for generating said second voltage to which said voltage proportional to the absolute temperature flows comprises a variable resistor for introducing exposure determining factors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
201 words
A metering device comprising: a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed, said photoelectric converter circuit including a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of said photoelectric converter element; a voltage generating circuit including a second semiconductor element and a current source for providing a current proportional to an absolute temperature to a resistor connected in series to said second semiconductor element, said voltage generating circuit being effective to generate a second voltage comprising the sum of the voltage generated in said resistor and said second conductor element; a differential amplifier for amplifying the voltage difference between said first and second voltage; a time-voltage converter circuit including an integrating capacitor adapted to operate in response to opening of a camera shutter to thereby convert time into a logarithmic function and put out a third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature; a comparator circuit for comparing the output voltage of said differential amplifier with said third voltage; and means for effecting the operation for the shutter when the output of said differential amplifier and said third voltage have been equalized by said comparator circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
201 words
A metering device comprising: a photoelectric converter circuit for generating a first voltage corresponding to the brightness of a subject to be photographed, said photoelectric converter circuit including a photoelectric converter element and a first conductor element for logarithmically converting the output of said photoelectric converter element; a voltage generating circuit including a second semiconductor element and a current source for providing a current proportional to an absolute temperature to a resistor connected in series to said second semiconductor element, said voltage generating circuit being effective to generate a second voltage comprising the sum of the voltage generated in said resistor and said second conductor element; a differential amplifier for amplifying the voltage difference between said first and second voltage; a time-voltage converter circuit including an integrating capacitor adapted to operate in response to opening of a camera shutter to thereby convert time into a logarithmic function and put out a third voltage proportional to the absolute temperature; a comparator circuit for comparing the output voltage of said differential amplifier with said third voltage; and means for effecting the operation for the shutter when the output of said differential amplifier and said third voltage have been equalized by said comparator circuit.
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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) | 1981-02-06 | 1981-08-08 | 1982-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-08-08 | 1986-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-06 | 1989-08-08 | 1990-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |