Photographic camera with electronic flash sneak charge

Claim 2

In a photographic camera system for use with film units of the self-developing type wherein the camera system includes an exposure control system for controlling an exposure interval, motor driven film transport means for automatically transporting exposed film units from the camera system subsequent to exposure and an electronic flash for providing artificial illumination during the exposure interval, the improvement comprising: control means for enabling the electronic flash to operate in a charging mode for a predetermined time interval immediately subsequent to the exposure interval while simultaneously disabling the film transport motor from operating, and for thereafter disabling the electronic flash from operating in its charging mode while simultaneously enabling the film transport motor to operate to transport an exposed film unit from the camera so as to provide a sneak charge during said predetermined interval in order to reduce the apparent charge time subsequent to the film unit being transported from the camera system, without changing the overall charge time required to charge the electronic flash.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the camera system is of the type including a manually actuatable photographic exposure initiation switch connected such that the actuation thereof operates to enable the exposure control system to commence an exposure interval and said control means includes means responsive to the manual actuation of the photographic exposure initiation switch subsequent to the exposure interval for enabling the electronic flash to operate in its charging mode for the duration of the time that the photographic exposure initiation switch remains actuated while simultaneously disabling the film transport motor from operating.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 2 wherein said control means responds to the manual deactuation of the photographic exposure initiation switch subsequent to the expiration of said predetermined time interval to disable the electronic flash from operating in its charging mode while simultaneously enabling the film transport motor to operate to transport the exposed film unit from the camera apparatus.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 3 wherein said predetermined time interval is less than the time required during said charging mode for the electronic flash to reach a select charge condition from a substantially zero charge condition.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 4 wherein said control means comprises a monostable multivibrator circuit responsive to the conclusion of the exposure interval for providing an affirmative logic signal for said predetermined time interval and logic gate means responsive either to said affirmative logic signal from said multivibrator or the manual actuation of said photographic exposure initiation switch for providing said enabling signal to the electronic flash while simultaneously providing said disabling signal to the film transport motor.

Claim 7

A photographic camera system for use with film units of the self-developing type comprises: exposure control means for controlling the exposure of each film unit during an exposure interval; film transport means including a film transport motor for automatically transporting exposed film units from the camera system subsequent to exposure; an electronic flash for providing artificial illumination during the exposure interval; and control means for enabling said electronic flash to operate in a charging mode for a predetermined time interval immediately subsequent to said exposure interval while simultaneously disabling said film transport motor from operating, and for thereafter disabling said electronic flash from operating in its said charging mode while simultaneously enabling said film transport motor to operate to transport an exposed film unit from said camera apparatus, so as to provide a sneak charge during said predetermined interval in order to reduce the apparent charge time subsequent to the film unit being transported from the camera system without changing the overall charge time required to charge the electronic flash.

Claim 8

A photographic camera system for use with film units of the self-developing type comprises: exposure control means for controlling the exposure of each film unit during an exposure interval; film transport means including a film transport motor for automatically transporting exposed film units from the camera system subsequent to exposure; an electronic flash for providing artificial illumination during the exposure interval; and control means for enabling said electronic flash to operate in a charging mode for a predetermined time interval immediately subsequent to said exposure interval while simultaneously disabling said film transport motor from operating, and for thereafter disabling said electronic flash from operating in its said charging mode while simultaneously enabling said film transport motor to operate to transport an exposed film unit from said camera apparatus, so as to provide a sneak charge during said predetermined interval in order to reduce the apparent charge time subsequent to the film unit being transported from the camera system without changing the overall charge time required to charge the electronic flash.

Claim 9

The camera system of claim 6 including a manually actuatable photographic exposure initiation switch connected such that the actuation thereof operates to enable the exposure control system to commence an exposure interval and wherein said control means includes means responsive to the manual actuation of said photographic exposure initiation switch subsequent to said exposure interval for enabling said electronic flash to operate in its said charging mode for the duration of the time that said photographic exposure initiation switch remains actuated while simultaneously disabling said film transport motor from operating.

Claim 10

The camera system of claim 7 wherein said control means responds to the manual deactuation of said photographic exposure initiation switch subsequent to the expiration of said predetermined time interval to disable said electronic flash from operating in its said charging mode while simultaneously enabling said film transport motor to operate to transport the exposure film unit from the camera apparatus.

Claim 11

The camera apparatus of claim 8 wherein said predetermined time interval is less than the time required during said charging mode for said electronic flash to reach a select charge condition from a substantially zero charge condition.

Claim 12

The camera system of claim 9 wherein said control means comprises a monostable multivibrator circuit responsive to the conclusion of the exposure interval for providing an affirmative logic signal for said predetermined time interval and logic gate means responsive either to said affirmative logic signal from said multivibrator or the manual actuation of said photographic exposure initiation switch for providing said enabling signal to said electronic flash while simultaneously providing said disabling signal to said film transport motor.