US4628229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flashlight emission apparatus
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1983-12-16
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Granted: 1986-12-09
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Expires: 2003-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A flashlight emission apparatus is provided which inhibits the emission of flashlight from a flash discharge tube before a voltage to which a main discharge capacitor is charged reaches a proper voltage level for emission. This occurs in response to an output from a detector that detects the voltage across the main capacitor. The apparatus provides an indication that the main capacitor is being charged as long as the converter is in operation to provide a booster action, and terminates the indication and ceases the operation of the converter when the voltage across the main capacitor reaches a proper voltage level for emission.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Inoue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:54
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
A flashlight emission apparatus comprising: a converter for effecting a booster action for an output from a low voltage source; a main discharge capacitor connected to be charged by an output from the converter; detector means for generating an output when the main capacitor has been charged to a given voltage; latch means which are turned on when the main discharge capacitor is charging to enable said converter and being turned off responsive to said detector means to disable said converter and prevent further charging of the main discharge capacitor when it has been charged to said given voltage; a flash discharge tube connected to cause a discharge of the main capacitor therethrough to emit flashlight; semiconductor means coupled between said converter and detector means and said main capacitor to permit discharge of the main capacitor only through said flash tube; means for initiating the emission of flashlight from the flash discharge tube comprising a trigger circuit associated with the flash discharge tube for developing a trigger condition and having a trigger capacitor charged by said converter; and means responsive to an output from the detecting means for disabling the emission initiating means until the voltage across the nain capacitor reaches the given value, said disabling means comprising a switching element within the emission initiating means responsive to the on state of said latch means for normally preventing the operation of the emission initiating means and responsive to the turn off of the latch means by the detecting means output for enabling the emission initiating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
A flashlight emission apparatus comprising: a converter for effecting a booster action for an output from a low voltage source; a main discharge capacitor connected to be charged by an output from the converter; detector means for generating an output when the main capacitor has been charged to a given voltage; latch means which are turned on when the main discharge capacitor is charging to enable said converter and being turned off responsive to said detector means to disable said converter and prevent further charging of the main discharge capacitor when it has been charged to said given voltage; a flash discharge tube connected to cause a discharge of the main capacitor therethrough to emit flashlight; semiconductor means coupled between said converter and detector means and said main capacitor to permit discharge of the main capacitor only through said flash tube; means for initiating the emission of flashlight from the flash discharge tube comprising a trigger circuit associated with the flash discharge tube for developing a trigger condition and having a trigger capacitor charged by said converter; and means responsive to an output from the detecting means for disabling the emission initiating means until the voltage across the nain capacitor reaches the given value, said disabling means comprising a switching element within the emission initiating means responsive to the on state of said latch means for normally preventing the operation of the emission initiating means and responsive to the turn off of the latch means by the detecting means output for enabling the emission initiating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 1 which is disposed in a photographic camera which utilizes an automatic film winding by means of an electric motor; and means responsive to energization of the electric motor to perform a film winding operation for disabling said converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 1 in which the given voltage has a level which is higher than a discharge initiate voltage of the flash discharge tube and which is sufficient to provide a proper amount of emission.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 1 in which the detecting means comprises a neon tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said switching element normally prevents the trigger capacitor from being discharged through the emission initiating means prior to the said main capacitor reaching said given value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 5 in which said switching element comprises a transistor coupled between said trigger circuit and said trigger capacitor and having a control input coupled to said latch means for rendering said transistor conductive when the voltage across the main capacitor reaches said given value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said semiconductor means is coupled between said converter and said trigger capacitor to permit the trigger capacitor to discharge only through said emission initiating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A flashlight emission apparatus comprising: a converter for effecting a booster action for an output from a low voltage source; a main discharge capacitor connected to be charged by an output from the converter; means for detecting that the main capacitor has been charged to a given voltage; a flash discharge tube connected to cause a discharge of the main capacitor therethrough to emit flashlight; means for initiating the emission of flashlight from the flash discharge tube; means responsive to an output from the detecting means for ceasing the operation of the converter when the voltage across the main capacitor has reached the given voltage; and means for indicating that the main capacitor is being charged as long as the converter is in operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A flashlight emission apparatus comprising: a converter for effecting a booster action for an output from a low voltage source; a main discharge capacitor connected to be charged by an output from the converter; means for detecting that the main capacitor has been charged to a given voltage; a flash discharge tube connected to cause a discharge of the main capacitor therethrough to emit flashlight; means for initiating the emission of flashlight from the flash discharge tube; means responsive to an output from the detecting means for ceasing the operation of the converter when the voltage across the main capacitor has reached the given voltage; and means for indicating that the main capacitor is being charged as long as the converter is in operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8 which is disposed in a photographic camera which utilizes an automatic film winding by means of an electric motor; and means responsive to energization of the electric motor to perform a film winding operation for disabling said converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8 in which the given voltage has a level which is higher than a discharge initiate voltage of the flash discharge tube and which is sufficient to provide a proper amount of emission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8 in which the emission initiating means comprises a trigger circuit associated with the flash discharge tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8 in which the detecting means comprises a neon tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8 in which the ceasing means comprises a switching transistor disposed within the converter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8 in which the indicating means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flashlight emission apparatus according to claim 8, further including means responsive to one output state of the detecting means for terminating the operation of the indicating means when the voltage across the main capacitor reaches said given voltage.
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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) | 1989-12-08 | 1990-06-09 | 1990-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-06-09 | 1994-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-08 | 1998-06-09 | 1998-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |