US4527879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera system
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1984-07-16
•
Granted: 1985-07-09
•
Expires: 2004-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A camera system has a camera main body which has a focus detecting device for detecting a focusing state of a photographic optical means in a photographic lens assembly mounted, a display responsive to an output signal from the focus detecting device, and a contact for transmitting the output signal of the focus detecting device to outside of the camera main body. In this camera system, the camera main body are usable with a photographic lens assembly of first type which has an automatic focusing device which is capable of automatically focusing the photographic optical system on the basis of the output signal from the focus detecting device, and with a photographic lens assembly of second type which does not have such an automatic focusing device. When the camera main body is combined with the photographic lens assembly of first type, automatic focusing of the photographic optical system may be performed. When the camera main body is combined with the photographic lens assembly of second type, manual focusing may be performed utilizing a display at the side of the camera main body for displaying the focusing state.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuya Hosoe
- 👤 Takao Kinoshita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
394 words
A camera system comprising: (A) a camera main body having: (A-1) a section for mounting a photographic lens assembly, (A-2) view finder means for viewing a field through a photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, (A-3) a focus detecting device for detecting a focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, said focus detecting system generating an electric output signal representing the focusing state of said photographic optical system, (A-4) displaying means for displaying the focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section in response to the output signal generated by said focus detecting device, (A-5) contact means for transmitting the output signal generated by said focus detecting device to outside of said camera main body, (A-6) a shutter device for photography, (A-7) single manually operable means for both actuating said focus detecting device and releasing of said shutter device, (A-8) a section which accommodates a power source for supplying power to said focus detecting device, and (A-9) power source contact means for transmitting power from said power source accomodated in said accommodating section to outside of said camera main body; and (B) photographic lens assemblies of first and second types selectively used with said camera main body, said photographic lens assemblies of first and second types respectively including, (B-1) mounting means for mounting said photographic lens assembly to said mounting section of said camera main body, and (B-2) a photographic optical system which can be focused, said photographic lens assembly of first type further comprising, (B-13) manually operable means for manually focusing said photographic optical system, and said photographic lens assembly of second type further comprising, an automatic focusing device for automatically focusing said photographic optical system based on the output signal from said focus detecting device of said camera main body, (B-24) contact means connectable to said contact means of said camera main body means, for transmitting the output signal from said focus detecting device of the camera main body to said automatic focusing device, and (B-25) power source contact means, which is connectable to said power source contact means of said main camera body, for supplying power from said power source accommodated in said accommodating section of said camera main body to said automatic focusing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
394 words
A camera system comprising: (A) a camera main body having: (A-1) a section for mounting a photographic lens assembly, (A-2) view finder means for viewing a field through a photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, (A-3) a focus detecting device for detecting a focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, said focus detecting system generating an electric output signal representing the focusing state of said photographic optical system, (A-4) displaying means for displaying the focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section in response to the output signal generated by said focus detecting device, (A-5) contact means for transmitting the output signal generated by said focus detecting device to outside of said camera main body, (A-6) a shutter device for photography, (A-7) single manually operable means for both actuating said focus detecting device and releasing of said shutter device, (A-8) a section which accommodates a power source for supplying power to said focus detecting device, and (A-9) power source contact means for transmitting power from said power source accomodated in said accommodating section to outside of said camera main body; and (B) photographic lens assemblies of first and second types selectively used with said camera main body, said photographic lens assemblies of first and second types respectively including, (B-1) mounting means for mounting said photographic lens assembly to said mounting section of said camera main body, and (B-2) a photographic optical system which can be focused, said photographic lens assembly of first type further comprising, (B-13) manually operable means for manually focusing said photographic optical system, and said photographic lens assembly of second type further comprising, an automatic focusing device for automatically focusing said photographic optical system based on the output signal from said focus detecting device of said camera main body, (B-24) contact means connectable to said contact means of said camera main body means, for transmitting the output signal from said focus detecting device of the camera main body to said automatic focusing device, and (B-25) power source contact means, which is connectable to said power source contact means of said main camera body, for supplying power from said power source accommodated in said accommodating section of said camera main body to said automatic focusing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said contact means of said camera main body is arranged in the vicinity of said mounting section, and said contact means of said photographic lens assembly of second type is arranged in the vicinity of said mounting means and at a position corresponding a position of said contact means of said camera main body so that said contact means is automatically electrically connected to said contact means of said camera main body when said photographic lens assembly is mounted to said mounting section of said camera main body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said power source contact means of said camera main body is arranged in the vicinity of said mounting section, and said power source means of said photographic lens assembly of second type is arranged in the vicinity of said mounting means and at a position corresponding to a position of said power source contact means of said camera main body so that said power source contact means of said photographic lens assembly of second type is automatically electrically connected to said power source contact means of said camera main body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said focus detecting device of said camera main body generates, as the output signal, signals representing an in-focus state, a near-focus state and a far-focus state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said focus detecting means further includes means for detecting an image formation state of images, formed by said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, at an imaging surface of said camera main body and three positions substantially corresponding thereto, and means for discriminating the focusing state of said optical system based upon the output signal from said focus detecting device, said discriminating means generating an electric signal representing the focusing state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera main body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said focus detecting device generates, as the output signal, signals representing an in-focus state, a near-focus state, and a far-focus state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A camera main body according to claim 4, wherein said focus detecting device further includes: means for detecting an image formation state of images, formed by said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, at an imaging surface of said camera main body and three positions substantially corresponding thereto, and means for discriminating the focusing state of said optical system based on the signal from said focus detecting means to generate an electric signal representing the focusing state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
257 words
A camera main body which may be commonly used with a photographic lens assembly having a photographic optical system which can be focused and an automatic focusing device for automatically focusing said optical system, and with a photographic lens assembly which does not have an automatic focusing device and which has means for manually focusing said optical system, comprising: (A-1) a section for mounting a photographic lens assembly, (A-2) view finder means for viewing a field through a photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, (A-3) a focus detecting device for detecting a focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, said focus detecting system generating an electric output signal representing the focusing state of said photographic optical system, (A-4) displaying means for displaying the focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section in response to the output signal generated by said focus detecting device, (A-5) contact means for transmitting the output signal generated by said focus detecting device to outside of said camera main body, (A-6) a shutter device for initiating photographing operation, (A-7) single manually operable means for both actuating said focus detecting device and releasing of said shutter device, (A-8) a section which accommodates a power source for supplying power to said focus detecting device, and (A-9) power source contact means for transmitting power of said power source accommodated in said accommodating section to outside of said camera main body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
257 words
A camera main body which may be commonly used with a photographic lens assembly having a photographic optical system which can be focused and an automatic focusing device for automatically focusing said optical system, and with a photographic lens assembly which does not have an automatic focusing device and which has means for manually focusing said optical system, comprising: (A-1) a section for mounting a photographic lens assembly, (A-2) view finder means for viewing a field through a photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, (A-3) a focus detecting device for detecting a focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section, said focus detecting system generating an electric output signal representing the focusing state of said photographic optical system, (A-4) displaying means for displaying the focusing state of said photographic optical system in said photographic lens assembly mounted to said mounting section in response to the output signal generated by said focus detecting device, (A-5) contact means for transmitting the output signal generated by said focus detecting device to outside of said camera main body, (A-6) a shutter device for initiating photographing operation, (A-7) single manually operable means for both actuating said focus detecting device and releasing of said shutter device, (A-8) a section which accommodates a power source for supplying power to said focus detecting device, and (A-9) power source contact means for transmitting power of said power source accommodated in said accommodating section to outside of said camera main body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera main body according to claim 8, wherein said contact means is arranged in the vicinity of said mounting section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera main body according to claim 8, wherein said power source contact means is arranged in the vicinity of said mounting section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A camera system comprising: a camera body to be used with various detachably mounted lens assemblies, said camera body having an electric power source battery; an auto-focusing lens assembly having a taking lens and a driving unit for receiving electric power from said battery provided in said camera body when said lens assembly is mounted on said camera body to drive said taking lens; and focus detection means, mounted in said camera body, for detecting an object image formed by said taking lens to perform focus detection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
A camera system comprising: a camera body to be used with various detachably mounted lens assemblies, said camera body having an electric power source battery; an auto-focusing lens assembly having a taking lens and a driving unit for receiving electric power from said battery provided in said camera body when said lens assembly is mounted on said camera body to drive said taking lens; and focus detection means, mounted in said camera body, for detecting an object image formed by said taking lens to perform focus detection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
A camera body for use with an auto-focusing lens assembly having driving means for driving a taking lens to an in-focus position and terminal means adopted to supply electric power to said driving means, said camera body comprising: a power source unit; and terminal means adapted to be coupled with corresponding terminal means in the lens assembly when said lens assembly is mounted on said camera body, to supply electric power from said power source unit to the driving means in the auto-focusing lens assembly to drive the taking lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
A camera body for use with an auto-focusing lens assembly having driving means for driving a taking lens to an in-focus position and terminal means adopted to supply electric power to said driving means, said camera body comprising: a power source unit; and terminal means adapted to be coupled with corresponding terminal means in the lens assembly when said lens assembly is mounted on said camera body, to supply electric power from said power source unit to the driving means in the auto-focusing lens assembly to drive the taking lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera body according to claim 12, wherein said power source unit is stored in the hand grip of the camera body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
A camera body according to claim 12, wherein said camera body further comprises focusing state detecting means for detecting the focusing state of an object image formed by the taking lens and a terminal for transmitting an output of said focusing state detecting means to said auto-focusing lens assembly when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on said camera body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A camera body according to claim 14, wherein said focusing state detecting means generates a signal for discriminating in-focus state, near-focus state and far-focus state of the taking lens provided in said auto-focusing lens assembly when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on the camera body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A camera body according to claim 12, wherein said terminal means in the camera body is disposed at a position where the terminal provided in said auto-focusing lens assembly can be connected to said terminal means provided in the camera body when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on said camera body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A camera body according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said terminal means is disposed at a position where the terminal provided in the auto-focusing lens assembly can be connected to said terminal means when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on said camera body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
115 words
An auto-focusing lens assembly to be detachably mounted on a camera body having an electric power source unit for driving a taking lens therein and a terminal for supplying the electric power of said unit to the auto-focusing lens assembly, said lens assembly comprising: a taking lens for forming an image of an object in a camera body when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on the camera body; driving means for driving said taking lens; and terminal means for receiving electric power from the power source unit provided in the camera body and for supplying the received electric power to said driving means when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on the camera body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
115 words
An auto-focusing lens assembly to be detachably mounted on a camera body having an electric power source unit for driving a taking lens therein and a terminal for supplying the electric power of said unit to the auto-focusing lens assembly, said lens assembly comprising: a taking lens for forming an image of an object in a camera body when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on the camera body; driving means for driving said taking lens; and terminal means for receiving electric power from the power source unit provided in the camera body and for supplying the received electric power to said driving means when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on the camera body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
An auto-focusing lens assembly according to claim 18, wherein said auto-focusing lens assembly further comprises a second terminal means for transmitting a signal supplied from the camera body to said driving means when said auto-focusing lens assembly is mounted on the camera body, said signal discriminating near-focus state, far-focus state and in-focus state of the taking lens.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
An auto-focusing lens assembly according to claim 19, wherein said second terminal means is disposed at position where the terminal provided in the camera body can be connected to said second terminal means when said auto-focusing lens assembly mounted on the camera body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
An auto-focusing lens assembly according to claim 18, wherein said terminal means is disposed at a position where the terminal provided in the camera body can be connected to said terminal means provided in the auto-focusing lens assembly when said auto-focusing assembly is mounted on said camera body.
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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) | 1988-07-08 | 1989-01-07 | 1989-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-01-07 | 1993-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-08 | 1997-01-07 | 1997-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |