Water-proof photographic camera with an automatic focusing device

Claim 2

A water-proof photographic camera with an automatic focusing device for adjusting a taking-lens to a best-in-focus position, said camera comprising: a detecting means for detecting whether said camera is in an air or in a water environment and generating a detected signal representing the result of the detection; a first signal generating means for generating a first focusing signal for adjusting said taking-lens to a best-in-focus position. a second signal generating means for generating a second focusing signal for adjusting said taking-lens to a given fixed focusing position; a selecting means, responsive to said detected signal, for selecting said first focusing signal when said camera is in an air environment and selecting said second focusing signal when said camera is in a water environment; and an adjusting means for adjusting said taking-lens to a position in accordance with said selected signal.

Claim 3

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 1 wherein said first and second signal generating means respectively generate signals representing values of camera-to-object distances, and said adjusting means adjusts said taking-lens such that said taking-lens is driven to a position to be focused on an object at the distance represented by the value of said selected signal.

Claim 4

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 2 wherein said first signal generating means includes a range finding means for measuring the distance from said camera to an object to be photographed and generating a signal representative of the measured distance, and said second signal generating means includes a third signal generating means for generating a number of signals respectively representing given camera-to-object distances to be focused by the lens and a switch means manually operable for selecting one of said number of signals.

Claim 5

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 2 wherein said first signal generating means includes a range finding means for measuring the distance from said camera to an object to be photographed and generating a signal representative of the measured distance, and said second signal generating means includes a fourth signal generating means for generating a signal representing a specific camera-to-object distance predetermined relevant to underwater photography.

Claim 6

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 4 wherein said fourth signal generating means generates said signal representing said specific camera-to-object distance that is expected to be most frequently used in underwater photography.

Claim 7

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 4 wherein said fourth signal generating means generates said signal representing said specific camera-to-object distance that is predetermined in accordance with an available amount of light to be emitted from an electronic flash device.

Claim 8

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 4, wherein said second signal generating means further includes a fifth signal generating means for generating a number of signals respectively representing given camera-to-object distances to be focused by the lens, and a switch means manually operable for selecting one of said number of signals, and said selecting means further includes a changeover switch manually operable for selecting either said first or second signal generating means, and a gate means for outputting the signal generated from said first signal generating means when said camera is in an air environment and outputting the signal generated from said fourth signal generating means when said camera is in a water environment with said changeover switch selecting said first signal generating means and the signal generated from said fifth signal generating means and selected by said switch means when said camera is in a water environment with said changeover switch selecting said second signal generating means.

Claim 9

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 7 where said switch means includes said changeover switch.

Claim 10

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 1 wherein said first signal generating means includes a focus condition detecting means for detecting a focus condition upon a focus adjustment of said taking-lens by detecting the contrast of an image of an object to be photographed, and said adjusting means includes an initiation means for initiating driving of said taking-lens, and a lock means for locking the driving of said taking-lens when said focus condition detecting means detects a proper focus condition.

Claim 11

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 1 wherein said detecting means is a transparent optical material provided on the surface of said camera and having an index of refraction different than that of air and water, respectively, and photodetecting means including a photodetector for receiving at a given angle of incidence light transmitted from said optical material.

Claim 12

A water-proof photographic camera according to claim 10 wherein said optical material is a material having an index of refraction greater than that of air and water, respectively, and said photodetecting means includes a light emitter for emitting a light beam towards the outside of said camera through said optical material at a given angle of incidence according to said index of refraction, a photodetector for receiving said light beam substantially totally reflected from said optical material, a measured voltage generating circuit for generating a measured voltage corresponding to the intensity of said received light beam, a reference voltage source for generating a reference voltage, and a comparator for comparing said measured voltage and reference voltage.