US4479169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Calculator and apparatus for macrophotography
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-05-13
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Granted: 1984-10-23
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Expires: 2002-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for macrophotograph comprising a camera, an electronic flash unit having a variable power output, a bracket for connecting the electronic flash unit to the camera in such manner that an angle formed between an axis passing through a lens of the camera and an axis passing through the flash unit is adjustable, and a calculator device for calculating an appropriate power setting for the flash unit. The calculator device has a first set of indicia for determining the reproduction ratio between the size of the object being photographed and the size of an image of the object on film, a first set of cooperating scales for adjusting actual film sensitivity to obtain an effective film sensitivity based on the reproduction ratio, a second set of cooperating scales correlating the effective film sensitivity with the f-stop or lens opening, and a third set of cooperating scales correlating the flash to subject distance with different power outputs of the flash unit. The second and third sets of scales are positioned on the calculator device in such manner that variation of the relationship between the scales of one of the sets automatically varies the relationship between the scales of the other of the sets. The calculator device is effective to determine appropriate power settings for both macrophotography and fill flash at close distances.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Holmes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G1/00; G06G1/0005; G06G1/0042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for use with a camera used in macrophotography comprising: an electronic flash unit having a variable power output; bracket means for supporting the flash unit and for connecting the flash unit to the camera in such manner that an angle formed between an axis passing through a lens of the camera and an axis passing through the flash unit is adjustable; and a calculator device for calculating a desired power ratio setting for the flash unit for a particular set of exposure parameters, the exposure parameters including a reproduction ratio representative of the ratio between the actual size of an object being photographed and the size of an image on film, a desired film sensitivity, a desired lens opening size, and a flash to object distance; wherein said calculator device comprises first scale means for correlating the reproduction ratio and the desired film sensitivity to obtain an effective film sensitivity, second scale means for correlating the effective film sensitivity and the desired lens opening, and third scale means responsive to the correlation of the effective film sensitivity and the desired lens opening by said second scale means and responsive to the flash to object distance for displaying the desired power ratio setting.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for use with a camera used in macrophotography comprising: an electronic flash unit having a variable power output; bracket means for supporting the flash unit and for connecting the flash unit to the camera in such manner that an angle formed between an axis passing through a lens of the camera and an axis passing through the flash unit is adjustable; and a calculator device for calculating a desired power ratio setting for the flash unit for a particular set of exposure parameters, the exposure parameters including a reproduction ratio representative of the ratio between the actual size of an object being photographed and the size of an image on film, a desired film sensitivity, a desired lens opening size, and a flash to object distance; wherein said calculator device comprises first scale means for correlating the reproduction ratio and the desired film sensitivity to obtain an effective film sensitivity, second scale means for correlating the effective film sensitivity and the desired lens opening, and third scale means responsive to the correlation of the effective film sensitivity and the desired lens opening by said second scale means and responsive to the flash to object distance for displaying the desired power ratio setting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculator device includes means for measuring the reproduction ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for measuring the reproduction ratio comprises a scale positioned adjacent an exterior portion of said calculator device and having indicia representative of various reproduction ratios.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first scale means comprises a set of cooperating scales, one scale of said set of cooperating scales being a ratio scale having indicia representative of various reproduction ratios, another scale of said set of cooperating scales being a sensitivity scale having indicia representative of various film sensitivities.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second scale means comprises a set of cooperating scales, one scale of said set of cooperating scales being a sensitivity scale having indicia representative of various effective film sensitivities, another scale of said set of cooperating scales being a lens opening scale having indicia representative of various lens openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said third scale means comprises a set of cooperating scales, one scale of said set of cooperating scales being a distance scale having indicia representative of various flash to object distances, another scale of said set of cooperating scales being a power ratio scale having indicia representative of various power ratios.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said calculator device comprises a body member having spaced apart upper and lower members with interconnected end portions, the upper and lower members defining a guide path, and a sliding member having opposed edges guided by said guide path for translation of said sliding member with respect to said body member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first scale means comprises a set of cooperating scales including one scale positioned on said body member and another scale positioned on said sliding member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said one scale is a ratio scale and said another scale is a sensitivity scale.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second scale means comprises a set of cooperating scales including one scale positioned on said body member and another scale positioned on said sliding member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said one scale is an effective sensitivity scale and said another scale is a lens opening scale.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said third scale means comprises a set of cooperating scales including one scale positioned on said body member and another scale positioned on said sliding member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said one scale is a distance scale and said another scale is a power ratio scale.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-23 | 1988-04-23 | 1988-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-23 | 1992-04-23 | 1992-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-23 | 1996-04-23 | 1996-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |