Film end detector for use in cameras

Claim 2

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said time operation by said timer means; detection period changing means including a film end signal generator circuit which is connected to a main switch for the electronic flash unit and said timer means, and automatically prolongs the detection period in response to an "ON" signal to the main switch.

Claim 3

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said time operation by said timer means; detection period changing means including a film end signal generator circuit which is connected to a DC-DC converter for the electronic flash unit and said timer means, to automatically prolong the detection period in response to a hold signal of said DC-DC converter.

Claim 4

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said time operation by said timer means; detection period changing means including a film end signal generator circuit which is connected to a DC-DC converter for the electronic flash unit and said timer means, to automatically prolong the detection period in response to a hold signal of said DC-DC converter.

Claim 5

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means detecting the power voltage applied to said film winding motor to automatically begin prolonging the detection period when the measured power voltage is below a predetermined value; said detection period changing means comprising voltage divider means for dividing the power voltage, comparator means for comparing the voltage divided by said divider means with a reference voltage, and a logic circuit which is connected to said comparator means and said timer means.

Claim 6

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means detecting the power voltage applied to said film winding motor to automatically begin prolonging the detection period when the measured power voltage is below a predetermined value; said detection period changing means comprising voltage divider means for dividing the power voltage, comparator means for comparing the voltage divided by said divider means with a reference voltage, and a logic circuit which is connected to said comparator means and said timer means.

Claim 7

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means detecting the power voltage applied to said film winding motor to automatically begin prolonging the detection period when the measured power voltage is below a predetermined value; said detection period changing means comprising an A/D converter for converting a power voltage into a digital signal and a logic circuit which is connected to said A/D converter and said timer means.

Claim 8

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means detecting the power voltage applied to said film winding motor to automatically begin prolonging the detection period when the measured power voltage is below a predetermined value; said detection period changing means comprising an A/D converter for converting a power voltage into a digital signal and a logic circuit which is connected to said A/D converter and said timer means.

Claim 9

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means detecting a temperature of the power circuit and automatically changing the detection period when the detected temperature lies in a predetermined range.

Claim 10

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means detecting a temperature of the power circuit and automatically changing the detection period when the detected temperature lies in a predetermined range.

Claim 11

A film end detector according to claim 5, in which said detection period changing means comprises a temperature sensor, a voltage generator for converting an output of said temperature sensor into a voltage signal, voltage divider means for dividing an output voltage of said voltage generator, comparator means for comparing a voltage divided by said voltage divider means with a reference voltage and a logic circuit which is connected to said comparator means and said timer means.

Claim 12

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means automatically changing the detection period in accordance with a power voltage for said film winding motor and a temperature.

Claim 13

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means automatically changing the detection period in accordance with a power voltage for said film winding motor and a temperature.

Claim 14

A film end detector according to claim 7, in which said detection period changing means comprises power voltage divider means for dividing said power voltage, a first comparator means for comparing a voltage divided by said power voltage divider means with a first reference voltage, a temperature sensor, a voltage generator for converting an output of said temperature sensor into a voltage signal, voltage divider means for dividing an output voltage of said voltage generator, a second comparator means for comparing a voltage divided by said temperature voltage divider means with a second reference voltage and a logic circuit which is connected to said first and second comparator means and said timer means.

Claim 15

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means including a switch and a logic circuit which is connected to the switch and said timer means for changing the detection period by manually operating said switch.

Claim 16

A film end detector for use in a camera, comprising: timer means for initiating a timing operation in synchronism with initiation of a power supply to a film winding motor; detector means for detecting a winding of the film length corresponding to one frame; means for resetting said timer means in response to an output of said detector means when the film length corresponding to one frame has been wound; means for producing a film end signal when said timer means is not reset by said resetting means within a given detection period after the initiation of said timing operation by said timer means; and means for changing said detection period, said detection period changing means including a switch and a logic circuit which is connected to the switch and said timer means for changing the detection period by manually operating said switch.

Claim 17

Detection means for controlling the operation of a camera having a lid enclosing a film chamber of the camera comprising: a power source for selectively operating the motor drive, electronic flash and exposure control circuits of the camera; a film idle control circuit operating during a predetermined time interval responsive to opening of the camera lid for energizing the motor drive for advancing the film drive; means responsive to depression of a camera shutter release button for providing the exposure control circuit with constant voltage; means responsive to release of the shutter release button for operating the motor drive to advance the film one frame; film winding control means responsive to coupling of the flash to the power source during film winding for increasing the time interval for advancing the film.

Claim 18

Detection means for controlling the operation of a camera having a lid enclosing a film chamber of the camera comprising: a power source for selectively operating the motor drive, electronic flash and exposure control circuits of the camera; a film idle control circuit operating during a predetermined time interval responsive to opening of the camera lid for energizing the motor drive for advancing the film drive; means responsive to depression of a camera shutter release button for providing the exposure control circuit with constant voltage; means responsive to release of the shutter release button for operating the motor drive to advance the film one frame; film winding control means responsive to coupling of the flash to the power source during film winding for increasing the time interval for advancing the film.

Claim 19

The detector means of claim 10, further comprising means for isolating the power source from all of the aforementioned power utilization sources when there is no film in the film chamber.

Claim 20

The detector means of claim 10, further comprising timing means; frame detecting means responsive to the advance of a film frame for generating a detection signal; means responsive to operation of frame detecting means for energizing the timing means; means responsive to a first condition of said timing means and a predetermined number of said detection signals for halting advance of said film by said film idle control means.

Claim 21

The detector of claim 12, wherein said film winding control means further comprises means responsive to a second condition of said timing means when the power source is in a first state and responsive to a third condition of the timing means when the power source is in a second state.