US4122466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zoom lens camera equipped with flash unit
Assignee: West Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1977-02-15
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Granted: 1978-10-24
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Expires: 1997-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A zoom lens camera equipped with a flash unit including a flash unit and zoom lens. The illuminating angle of the flash unit varies with a change in the magnification of the zoom lens so as to effectively direct the flash light of the flash unit to an object to be photographed. Further, when the flash unit includes a light sensor sensing the light reflected from the object, the sensing angle of the light sensor also varies with a change in the magnification of the zoom lens so as to effectively control the quantity of the flash light directed to an object to be photographed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Iwata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B17/00; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503; G03B2215/0507; G03B2215/051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A camera comprising: a zoom lens including a movable focusing ring; a flash unit including a flash light source means, and a light sensing means for sensing the light reflected from an object to be photographed; means for changing the magnification of said zoom lens; means for adjusting both the illuminating angle of said flash light source means and the light sensing angle of said light sensing means; and a linking member operatively connecting said magnification changing means with said adjusting means so that the illuminating angle of said flash light source means and the light sensing angle of said light sensing means vary in correspondence with the variation of the magnification of said zoom lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A camera comprising: a zoom lens including a movable focusing ring; a flash unit including a flash light source means, and a light sensing means for sensing the light reflected from an object to be photographed; means for changing the magnification of said zoom lens; means for adjusting both the illuminating angle of said flash light source means and the light sensing angle of said light sensing means; and a linking member operatively connecting said magnification changing means with said adjusting means so that the illuminating angle of said flash light source means and the light sensing angle of said light sensing means vary in correspondence with the variation of the magnification of said zoom lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjusting means includes (i) a lens disposed in front of said flash light source means of said flash unit; and (ii) a displacement mechanism linking said lens with said linking member such that the movement of said linking member causes said lens to move.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjusting member consists of (i) a first lens disposed in front of said flash light source means of said flash unit; (ii) a first displacement mechanism linking said first lens with said linking member such that the movement of said linking member causes said first lens to move; (iii) a second lens disposed in front of said light-sensing means; and (iv) a second displacement mechanism linking said second lens with said linking member such that the movement of said linking member causes said second lens to move.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera as set forth in claim 1, further comprising; a limiting mechanism associated with said linking mechanism, said limiting mechanism limiting the focusing movement of said movable focusing ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A camera as set forth in claim 4, further comprising; an indicating mechanism provided in association with said limiting mechanism, said indicating mechanism being adapted to indicate the limiting stop for the focusing movement of said movable focusing ring when said movable focusing ring is locked by said limiting mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A camera as set forth in claim 1, wherein said magnification changing means comprises a magnification adjusting ring by means of which said linking member is controlled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera as set forth in claim 6, wherein said magnification changing means comprises a magnification control knob for controlling movement of said magnification adjusting ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera as set forth in claim 7, wherein said magnification control knob controls the movement of said linking member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-23 | 1982-04-24 | 1982-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-23 | 1986-04-24 | 1986-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-23 | 1990-04-24 | 1990-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |