US4429966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera with photoelectric focus detecting device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1982-04-14
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Granted: 1984-02-07
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Expires: 2002-04-14
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a single reflex camera with a photoelectric focus detecting device or a photoelectric converting element for receiving light from an object through a picture-taking lens. Light reflected by a photosensitive member or film during exposure thereof is directed to the photoelectric converting element. The picture-taking operation is detected or controlled in accordance with the output from the photoelectric converting element with respect to the light reflected from the photosensitive member.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuya Hosoe
- 👤 Takao Kinoshita
- 👤 Masayoshi Yamamichi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B3/00; G03B3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A camera comprising: (A) a focus-adjustable objective lens; (B) means for exposing a photosensitive member to light from said objective lens; (C) a system for detecting the focusing state of said objective lens, said system including means for converting light into an electric signal; (D) optical means for directing the light reflected from said photosensitive member toward said converting means upon exposure of said photosensitive member to the light by said exposing means; and (E) circuit means for producing an output associated with exposure of said photosensitive member in response to an output of said converting means with respect to the light reflected from said photosensitive member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A camera comprising: (A) a focus-adjustable objective lens; (B) means for exposing a photosensitive member to light from said objective lens; (C) a system for detecting the focusing state of said objective lens, said system including means for converting light into an electric signal; (D) optical means for directing the light reflected from said photosensitive member toward said converting means upon exposure of said photosensitive member to the light by said exposing means; and (E) circuit means for producing an output associated with exposure of said photosensitive member in response to an output of said converting means with respect to the light reflected from said photosensitive member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes an exposure confirmation circuit for confirming whether said photosensitive member is properly exposed to the light from said objective lens, on the basis of the output from said converting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said exposure confirmation circuit includes means for discriminating whether the amount of exposure of said photosensitive member is appropriate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising means for indicating an output from said exposure confirmation circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes a detecting circuit for detecting the amount of exposure of said photosensitive member on the basis of the output from said photoelectric converting means, and an exposure control circuit for controlling the amount of exposure of said photosensitive member on the basis of an output from said detecting circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said exposure control circuit controls said exposing means to thereby control the amount of exposure of said photosensitive member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A camera according to claim 6, wherein said exposing means includes shutter means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein the camera is capable of performing flash picture-taking with a flash device, and said exposure control circuit controls the quantity of light to be emitted from the flash device to thereby control the amount of exposure of said photosensitive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is capable of performing flash picture-taking with a flash device, and said circuit means includes a light emission confirmation circuit for confirming the light emission of the flash device on the basis of the output from said converting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said light emission confirmation circuit includes means for discriminating whether the quantity of light emitted from the flash device is appropriate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising means for indicating an output from said light emission confirmation circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 4, wherein the camera has a viewfinder, and said indicating means allows indication of the output from said light emission confirmation circuit within said viewfinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 11, wherein said camera has a viewfinder, and said indicating means allows indication of the output from said light emission confirmation circuit within said viewfinder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A camera according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein said circuit means includes means for selecting only the output from said converting means within a period corresponding to a light emission period of the flash device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A camera according to anyone of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 10, wherein said focus detection system includes focus detecting means for performing focus detection on the basis of the output from said converting means, and the camera further includes switching means for selectively supplying, in association with the operation of said exposing means, the output from said converting means to said focus detecting means or to said circuit means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
A camera according to claim 15, wherein said converting means includes: an array of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each generating an electric signals in response to light incident thereon; a first output path for serially outputting the electric signals generated by said photoelectric conversion elements; and a second output path for outputting, in a parallel manner, the electric signals generated by said photoelectric conversion elements, said switching means supplying the electric signals supplied through said first output path to said focus detecting means and supplying the electric signals supplied through said second output path to said circuit means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A camera according to claim 15, wherein said optical means becomes operative with respect to said converting means only during the exposure of said photosensitive member, in association with the operation of said exposing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
91 words
A camera according to claim 17, wherein said focus detection system includes means disposed in an optical path of said objective lens during focus detection to direct the light from said objective lens to said converting means to perform focus detection, said directing means being withdrawable from the optical path in association with the operation of said exposing means, and said optical means being operatively connected to said directing means so as to become operative with respect to said converting means when said directing means is withdrawn from the optical path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A camera according to claim 18, wherein said directing means and said optical means comprise reflecting mirrors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
A camera comprising: (A) means for exposing a photosensitive member to light from an object scene; (B) light detecting means; (C) first optical means for causing, prior to exposure of said photosensitive member by said exposing means, the light from the object scene to be incident on said light detecting means; (D) second optical means for causing, upon exposure of said photosensitive member by said exposing means, the light reflected from said photosensitive member to be incident on said light detecting means; and (E) changing-over means for withdrawing said first optical means in association with an exposure operation and moving said second optical means to a position at which said second optical means can direct light reflected from said photosensitive member toward said light detecting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
A camera comprising: (A) means for exposing a photosensitive member to light from an object scene; (B) light detecting means; (C) first optical means for causing, prior to exposure of said photosensitive member by said exposing means, the light from the object scene to be incident on said light detecting means; (D) second optical means for causing, upon exposure of said photosensitive member by said exposing means, the light reflected from said photosensitive member to be incident on said light detecting means; and (E) changing-over means for withdrawing said first optical means in association with an exposure operation and moving said second optical means to a position at which said second optical means can direct light reflected from said photosensitive member toward said light detecting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
A camera according to claim 20, further comprising objective lens means for receiving the light from the object scene, said exposing means being arranged to expose said photosensitive member to the light from said objective lens means and said first optical means being arranged to cause the light from said objective lens means to be incident on said light detecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A camera according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the camera is capable of performing flash picture-taking with a flash device and further comprises means for controlling the quantity of light to be emitted from the flash device in accordance with a detection output from said light detecting means with respect to the reflected light from said photosensitive member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
A camera according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the camera is capable of performing flash picture-taking with a flash device and further comprises means for confirming the light emission of the flash device on the basis of a detection output from said light detecting means with respect to the reflected light from said photosensitive member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A camera according to claim 23, wherein said light emission confirmation means includes means for discriminating whether the quantity of light emitted from the flash device is appropriate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 24, further comprising means for indicating an output from said light emission confirmation means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 25, wherein the camera has a viewfinder, and said indicating means allows indication of the output from said light emission confirmation means within said viewfinder.
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) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |