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US4384776A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Charge detection display type electronic flash

Assignee: Pentax Corp
•
Filing: 1980-08-29
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2000-08-29
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Abstract

Abstract A charge detection display type electronic flash in which the fact that the main capacitor is charged is detected and the flash is prevented from operating until the main storage capacitor is fully charged and in which triggering of the flash tube is prevented once the power switch has been turned off. A neon lamp is coupled through a resistor between the output of a DC-DC converter and a parallel combination of an impedance element and a second capacitor. A diode is coupled across the neon lamp. The X contact of the camera is connected between a thyristor which operates the triggering circuit of the flash and the common connection point of the impedance element and the neon lamp. A camera control circuit may be coupled as well to this point.

Inventors

  • 👤 Satoshi Takami

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 13:18
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 166 words
A charge detection display type electronic flash comprising: a DC source; a DC-DC converter for providing a high voltage having an input coupled to receive power from said DC source; a flash discharge tube; a trigger circuit for triggering the operation of said flash discharge tube; a main capacitor for storing energy to operate said flash discharged tube; a neon lamp coupled for detecting whether said main capacitor is charged; a diode, the anode and cathode of which are connected to the positive and negative terminals of said neon tube, respectively; a parallel circuit of an impedance element and a capacitor connected between the negative terminal of said neon tube and ground; and a power switch having an armature selectively switchable between a first terminal connected to said DC source and a second terminal connected to a positive terminal of said neon lamp, whereby, when said armature of said power switch is switched to said second terminal, the positive terminal of said neon lamp is grounded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 166 words
A charge detection display type electronic flash comprising: a DC source; a DC-DC converter for providing a high voltage having an input coupled to receive power from said DC source; a flash discharge tube; a trigger circuit for triggering the operation of said flash discharge tube; a main capacitor for storing energy to operate said flash discharged tube; a neon lamp coupled for detecting whether said main capacitor is charged; a diode, the anode and cathode of which are connected to the positive and negative terminals of said neon tube, respectively; a parallel circuit of an impedance element and a capacitor connected between the negative terminal of said neon tube and ground; and a power switch having an armature selectively switchable between a first terminal connected to said DC source and a second terminal connected to a positive terminal of said neon lamp, whereby, when said armature of said power switch is switched to said second terminal, the positive terminal of said neon lamp is grounded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The electronic flash as claimed in claim 1 in which the connection point of said impedance element and the negative terminal of said neon lamp is connected to a camera control circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 228 words
A charge detection display type electronic flash comprising: a power switch having an armature contact coupled to a ground connection and having first and second terminals; a DC-DC converter; means for coupling a DC power source between said first terminal of said power switch and a power input terminal of said DC-DC converter; a main storage capacitor coupled between an output terminal of said DC-DC converter and said ground connection; a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to said output terminal of said DC-DC converter; a neon lamp having a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of said first resistor, said second terminal of said power switch being coupled to said second terminal of said first resistor; a diode coupled between first and second terminals of said neon lamp; a second resistor and a second capacitor coupled in parallel with said second resistor, said second resistor and said second capacitor being coupled between said second terminal of said neon lamp and said ground connection; a thyristor having a control input terminal coupled through an X contact switch to said second terminal of said neon lamp; a trigger circuit, said trigger circuit being coupled to operate in response to conduction of said thyristor; and a flash discharge tube coupled to receive power from said main storage capacitor and being coupled to be triggered by said trigger circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 228 words
A charge detection display type electronic flash comprising: a power switch having an armature contact coupled to a ground connection and having first and second terminals; a DC-DC converter; means for coupling a DC power source between said first terminal of said power switch and a power input terminal of said DC-DC converter; a main storage capacitor coupled between an output terminal of said DC-DC converter and said ground connection; a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to said output terminal of said DC-DC converter; a neon lamp having a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of said first resistor, said second terminal of said power switch being coupled to said second terminal of said first resistor; a diode coupled between first and second terminals of said neon lamp; a second resistor and a second capacitor coupled in parallel with said second resistor, said second resistor and said second capacitor being coupled between said second terminal of said neon lamp and said ground connection; a thyristor having a control input terminal coupled through an X contact switch to said second terminal of said neon lamp; a trigger circuit, said trigger circuit being coupled to operate in response to conduction of said thyristor; and a flash discharge tube coupled to receive power from said main storage capacitor and being coupled to be triggered by said trigger circuit.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4196988A Cited
US4196458A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-05-23 1986-11-22 1987-05-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-05-23 1990-11-22 1991-05-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-05-23 1994-11-22 1995-05-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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