US4563068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light measuring device for a single lens reflex camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-02-16
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Granted: 1986-01-07
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Expires: 2004-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A light measuring device for a single lens reflex camera includes a principal or main mirror capable of dividing light passing through an objective lens towards a finder system and towards a film plane. A submirror is provided behind the main mirror and directs the light passed therethrough towards the film plane for ultimately determining a focusing condition and a measurement of light intensity. A pair of focus detecting photosensor arrays, as well as a spotlight measuring photocell, is arranged relative to the submirror to receive the object light. The auxiliary mirror can be formed with a center portion for reflecting the light through the photocell arrays and a second light-reflecting plane having light diffusive characteristics for directing light for the detection of light measurement.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Kimura
- 👤 Yasuo Yamazaki
- 👤 Hiromu Mukai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:34
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/099; G03B7/0993; G03B7/0997; G03B7/09979; G03B7/09971; G03B7/09972
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A light measuring device for a single lens reflex camera having an objective lens and a finder system, comprising: means, having a light dividing area, for dividing light which has passed through the objective lens into light reflected toward the finder system and light passed through said light dividing area toward a film plane; means for reflecting the light which has passed through said light dividing area of said dividing means, said reflecting means being located behind the dividing means and in almost a parallel relationship to said film plane, said reflecting means having a first reflecting means constituted by a plane mirror for reflecting light incident on a predetermined area defined so as to be smaller than an area surrounded by marginal rays of a predetermined F-number of the objective lens, said marginal rays being incident on a point on which the optical axis of the objective lens intersects the film plane, and second reflecting means, provided around said first reflecting means, for reflecting light incident thereon, said second reflecting means having a diffusive characteristic; means for detecting a focusing condition of the objective lens, said detecting means including at least a photo sensor array which has plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row, said photo sensor array being directed to receive the light reflected from said first reflecting means; and means for measuring light which has passed through said objective lens, said measuring means including at least a first light receiving element positioned to receive the light reflected from said second reflecting means, and means for condensing the light reflected from said second reflecting means into said first light receiving element, said condensing means being located near said first light receiving element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A light measuring device for a single lens reflex camera having an objective lens and a finder system, comprising: means, having a light dividing area, for dividing light which has passed through the objective lens into light reflected toward the finder system and light passed through said light dividing area toward a film plane; means for reflecting the light which has passed through said light dividing area of said dividing means, said reflecting means being located behind the dividing means and in almost a parallel relationship to said film plane, said reflecting means having a first reflecting means constituted by a plane mirror for reflecting light incident on a predetermined area defined so as to be smaller than an area surrounded by marginal rays of a predetermined F-number of the objective lens, said marginal rays being incident on a point on which the optical axis of the objective lens intersects the film plane, and second reflecting means, provided around said first reflecting means, for reflecting light incident thereon, said second reflecting means having a diffusive characteristic; means for detecting a focusing condition of the objective lens, said detecting means including at least a photo sensor array which has plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row, said photo sensor array being directed to receive the light reflected from said first reflecting means; and means for measuring light which has passed through said objective lens, said measuring means including at least a first light receiving element positioned to receive the light reflected from said second reflecting means, and means for condensing the light reflected from said second reflecting means into said first light receiving element, said condensing means being located near said first light receiving element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said second reflective surface has a directivity toward said first light receiving element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said measuring means further includes a second light receiving element located around said first light receiving element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention of claim 3, wherein said measuring device includes means for calculating a spot metering value in accordance with an output of said first light receiving element, and means for calculating an averaged light measuring value in accordance with sum of the outputs of said first and second light receiving elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said first reflecting means has long and slender configuration extending in parallel to said photo sensor array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein said first reflecting means has a plurality of rectangular projections or recesses arranged regularly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
279 words
A light measuring device for a single lens reflex eamera having an objective lens and a finder system, comprising: means, having a light dividing area, for dividing light which has passed through the objective lens into light reflected toward the finder system and light directed through said light dividing area toward a film plane; means for reflecting the light which has passed through said light dividing area of said dividing means, said reflecting means being located behind the dividing means and almost parallel to said film plane, said reflecting means having a first reflecting means constituted by a plane mirror for reflecting light incident on a predetermined area defined so as to be smaller than an area surrounded by marginal rays of a predetermined F-number of the objective lens, said marginal rays being incident on a point on which the optical axis of the objective lens intersects the film plane, and second reflecting means, providing around said first reflecting means, for reflecting light incident thereon, said second reflecting means having a diffusive characteristic; means for detecting a focusing condition of the objective lens, said detecting means including at least a photo sensor array which has a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row, said photo sensor array being directed to receive the light reflected from said first reflecting means; and means for measuring light which has passed through said objective lens, said measuring means including a light receiving element positioned to receive the light reflected from said second reflecting means, and means for condensing the light reflected from said second reflecting means to said light receiving element, said condensing means being located near said light receiving element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
279 words
A light measuring device for a single lens reflex eamera having an objective lens and a finder system, comprising: means, having a light dividing area, for dividing light which has passed through the objective lens into light reflected toward the finder system and light directed through said light dividing area toward a film plane; means for reflecting the light which has passed through said light dividing area of said dividing means, said reflecting means being located behind the dividing means and almost parallel to said film plane, said reflecting means having a first reflecting means constituted by a plane mirror for reflecting light incident on a predetermined area defined so as to be smaller than an area surrounded by marginal rays of a predetermined F-number of the objective lens, said marginal rays being incident on a point on which the optical axis of the objective lens intersects the film plane, and second reflecting means, providing around said first reflecting means, for reflecting light incident thereon, said second reflecting means having a diffusive characteristic; means for detecting a focusing condition of the objective lens, said detecting means including at least a photo sensor array which has a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row, said photo sensor array being directed to receive the light reflected from said first reflecting means; and means for measuring light which has passed through said objective lens, said measuring means including a light receiving element positioned to receive the light reflected from said second reflecting means, and means for condensing the light reflected from said second reflecting means to said light receiving element, said condensing means being located near said light receiving element.
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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) | 1989-01-06 | 1989-07-08 | 1990-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-06 | 1993-07-08 | 1994-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-06 | 1997-07-08 | 1998-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |