Method and apparatus using weighted range signal for controlling photographic functions

Claim 2

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce radiation which essentially comprises simultaneously of both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of said radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of said radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject of photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination, said evaluating means including means for reducing the contribution to said evaluation of the visible frequencies relative to that of the non-visible frequencies from said scene responsive to said first pulse; and means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene including the reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photograhic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval.

Claim 3

The camera of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling at least one photographic function includes means for controlling said camera during the second actuation thereof to provide a predetermined contribution of the illumination to the exposure.

Claim 4

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce radiation which essentially comprises simultaneously of both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of said radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of said radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination; and means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene resulting from reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval.

Claim 5

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce radiation which essentially comprises simultaneously of both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of said radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of said radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination; and means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene resulting from reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval.

Claim 6

The camera of claim 3 wherein said means for evaluating the reflected intensity from the first pulse comprises means for the evaluation of essentially infrared frequencies.

Claim 7

The camera of claim 3 wherein said means for controlling at least one photographic function includes means for controlling the operation of the source during the second actuation thereof to provide a predetermined contribution of the artifical illumination to the exposure.

Claim 8

The camera of claim 3 wherein said shutter system includes blade means operative for providing selected aperture values, and said means for controlling at least one photographic function includes means for coordinating operation of said blade means with the second actuation of the source to provide a predetermined aperture value during the second pulse in accordance with said evaluated intensity of said first pulse.

Claim 9

The camera of claim 3 wherein said means for controlling at least one photographic function includes means for controlling said camera during the second actuation thereof to provide a predetermined contribution of the illumination to the exposure.

Claim 10

The camera of claim 3 wherein said actuating means produces the first and second pulses of radiation such that regardless of subject range the second pulse is fired so that it is generally visually indistinguishable from the first pulse.

Claim 11

A camera system comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; an actuatable light source operative to produce radiation which essentially comprises simulataneously of both artificial visible and non-visible electromagnetic radiation frequencies; means for first actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of said radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera system, and to subsequently actuate said light source to direct a second pulse of said radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible frequencies of the scene during said first pulse of radiation; and means responsive to the evaluated intensity resulting from the scene including said first pulse for controlling at least one camera function of said system, whereby said non-visible frequencies from said source is utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent camera system control, and said visible light from the same source is utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval.

Claim 12

A camera system comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; an actuatable light source operative to produce radiation which essentially comprises simulataneously of both artificial visible and non-visible electromagnetic radiation frequencies; means for first actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of said radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera system, and to subsequently actuate said light source to direct a second pulse of said radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible frequencies of the scene during said first pulse of radiation; and means responsive to the evaluated intensity resulting from the scene including said first pulse for controlling at least one camera function of said system, whereby said non-visible frequencies from said source is utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent camera system control, and said visible light from the same source is utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval.

Claim 13

The camera system of claim 9 wherein said means for evaluating the reflected intensity from said first pulse comprises means for the evaluation of infrared frequencies.

Claim 14

The camera system of claim 9 wherein said means for controlling said system includes means for controlling said camera system during the second actuation of said source to provide a predetermined contribution of the artificial illumination to the exposure.

Claim 15

The camera system of claim 11 wherein said means for controlling at least one camera system function includes means for controlling said light source during the second actuation thereof to provide a predetermined contribution of the artificial illumination to the photographic recording during the exposure interval.

Claim 16

Photographic apparatus comprising: an actuatable light source operative to produce pulses of radiation which essentially comprises simultaneously of both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of scene light to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means responsive to a first signal for actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of said radiation thereof of given intensity toward a subject in a photographic scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of an exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the light source and being responsive to a second signal for subsequently actuating said light source to direct a second pulse of frequencies of said radiation toward the scene during an exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light reflected from the scene during said first pulse; and means responsive to evaluated intensity resulting from reflection of said first pulse for controlling said light source during the second actuation thereof to provide a selected illumination of the subject during the exposure interval, whereby non-visible frequencies from said source are utilized for subject evaluation and control of the visible light from the same source subsequently utilized for scene illumination for photographic exposure during the exposure interval.

Claim 17

Photographic apparatus comprising: an actuatable light source operative to produce pulses of radiation which essentially comprises simultaneously of both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of scene light to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means responsive to a first signal for actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of said radiation thereof of given intensity toward a subject in a photographic scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of an exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the light source and being responsive to a second signal for subsequently actuating said light source to direct a second pulse of frequencies of said radiation toward the scene during an exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light reflected from the scene during said first pulse; and means responsive to evaluated intensity resulting from reflection of said first pulse for controlling said light source during the second actuation thereof to provide a selected illumination of the subject during the exposure interval, whereby non-visible frequencies from said source are utilized for subject evaluation and control of the visible light from the same source subsequently utilized for scene illumination for photographic exposure during the exposure interval.

Claim 18

The camera of claim 13 wherein said means for evaluating the reflected intensity from said first pulse comprises means for the evaluation of essentially infrared frequencies.

Claim 21

The method of claim 15 wherein said step of controlling at least one photographic function comprises the step of controlling the contribution of the source illumination of the source to the exposure during the exposure interval in correspondence with said evaluated amplitude.

Claim 26

The method of claim 18 wherein said step of evaluating essentially only non-visible radiation comprises the step of evaluating infrared frequencies.

Claim 27

The method of claim 18 wherein said step of controlling at least one photographic function comprises the step of controlling the contribution of the source illumination of the source to the exposure during the exposure interval in correspondence with said evaluated amplitude.

Claim 28

The method of claim 18 wherein the time between the steps of first and second actuations of said source is sufficiently short such that the pulses are visually indistinguishable from each other as separate pulses.

Claim 29

The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of also evaluating non-visible radiation during said second pulse.

Claim 30

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination, said evaluating means including means for reducing the contribution to said evaluation of the visible frequencies relative to that of the non-visible frequencies from said scene responsive to said first pulse; means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene including the reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said evaluating means includes a photocell sensitive to both visible and non-visible frequencies and means for reducing transmission of visible frequencies to said photocell during the first pulse for determining said scene information and for permitting transmission of visible radiation to said photocell at another time to evaluate scene lighting for the photographic recording during exposure.

Claim 31

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination, said evaluating means including means for reducing the contribution to said evaluation of the visible frequencies relative to that of the non-visible frequencies from said scene responsive to said first pulse; means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene including the reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said evaluating means includes a photocell sensitive to both visible and non-visible frequencies and means for reducing transmission of visible frequencies to said photocell during the first pulse for determining said scene information and for permitting transmission of visible radiation to said photocell at another time to evaluate scene lighting for the photographic recording during exposure.

Claim 32

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination; means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene resulting from reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said evaluating means includes a photocell sensitive to both visible and non-visible frequencies and means for reducing transmission of visible frequencies to said photocell during the first pulse for determining said scene information and for permitting transmission of visible radiation to said photocell at another time to evaluate scene lighting for the photographic recording during exposure.

Claim 33

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination; means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene resulting from reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said evaluating means includes a photocell sensitive to both visible and non-visible frequencies and means for reducing transmission of visible frequencies to said photocell during the first pulse for determining said scene information and for permitting transmission of visible radiation to said photocell at another time to evaluate scene lighting for the photographic recording during exposure.

Claim 34

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination; means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene resulting from reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photograhic recording during the exposure interval; and said lens assembly is a variable objective lens assembly, and wherein said means for controlling at least one photographic function includes means for varying said variable objective lens assembly to provide a focal position thereof in accordance with said evaluated intensity of the first pulse.

Claim 35

A camera comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination; means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene resulting from reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photographic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photograhic recording during the exposure interval; and said lens assembly is a variable objective lens assembly, and wherein said means for controlling at least one photographic function includes means for varying said variable objective lens assembly to provide a focal position thereof in accordance with said evaluated intensity of the first pulse.

Claim 36

A camera system comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; an actuatable light source operative to produce both artificial visible and non-visible electromagetic radiation frequencies; means for first actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera system, and to subsequently actuate said light source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible frequencies of the scene during said first pulse of radiation; means responsive to the evaluated intensity resulting from the scene including said first pulse for controlling at least one camera function of said system, whereby said non-visible frequencies from said source is utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent camera system control, and said visible light from the same source is utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said evaluating means includes a photocell sensitive to both visible and non-visible frequencies and means for blocking transmission of visible frequencies to said photocell during the first pulse for determining said scene information and for permitting transmission of visible radiation to said photocell at another time to evaluate scene lighting for the photographic recording during exposure.

Claim 37

A camera system comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; an actuatable light source operative to produce both artificial visible and non-visible electromagetic radiation frequencies; means for first actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera system, and to subsequently actuate said light source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible frequencies of the scene during said first pulse of radiation; means responsive to the evaluated intensity resulting from the scene including said first pulse for controlling at least one camera function of said system, whereby said non-visible frequencies from said source is utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent camera system control, and said visible light from the same source is utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said evaluating means includes a photocell sensitive to both visible and non-visible frequencies and means for blocking transmission of visible frequencies to said photocell during the first pulse for determining said scene information and for permitting transmission of visible radiation to said photocell at another time to evaluate scene lighting for the photographic recording during exposure.

Claim 38

A camera system comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; an actuatable light source operative to produce both artificial visible and non-visible electromagetic radiation frequencies; means for first actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera system, and to subsequently actuate said light source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible frequencies of the scene during said first pulse of radiation; means responsive to the evaluated intensity resulting from the scene including said first pulse for controlling at least one camera function of said system, whereby said non-visible frequencies from said source is utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent camera system control, and said visible light from the same source is utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said lens assembly includes a variable objective lens assembly, and wherein said means for controlling said camera system includes means for varying said variable objective lens assembly to provide a focal position thereof in accordance with said evaluated intensity of said first pulse.

Claim 39

A camera system comprising: a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane; a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period; an actuatable light source operative to produce both artificial visible and non-visible electromagetic radiation frequencies; means for first actuating said light source to direct a first pulse of radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera system, and to subsequently actuate said light source to direct a second pulse of radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to illuminate the subject for photographic recording during exposure; means for evaluating the intensity of primarily non-visible frequencies of the scene during said first pulse of radiation; means responsive to the evaluated intensity resulting from the scene including said first pulse for controlling at least one camera function of said system, whereby said non-visible frequencies from said source is utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent camera system control, and said visible light from the same source is utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval; and said lens assembly includes a variable objective lens assembly, and wherein said means for controlling said camera system includes means for varying said variable objective lens assembly to provide a focal position thereof in accordance with said evaluated intensity of said first pulse.