US4636054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photometric method and apparatus for cameras
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1986-01-15
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Granted: 1987-01-13
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Expires: 2006-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A camera comprises means for dividing a field to be photographed into a plurality of metering sections and metering the metering sections in a photometry menner to produce a plurality of metering outputs respectively corresponding to the metering sections, and means for operation processing said plurality of metering outputs to produce a value corresponding to a desired proper brightness value, the value being used to control exposure in the camera. The camera comprises means for discriminating the type of a lens mounted, means for producing an output signal indicative of photometry mode, means for operation processing said value corresponding to the proper brightness value, and means for changing said operation processing in accordance with said output signal indicative of said photometry mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Saegusa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091; G03B7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A camera in which a first phototaking lens having means producing a stop signal pertinent to a stop and a second phototaking lens having no means producing said stop signal are capable of being attached on and detached from the camera, comprising: (a) metering means provided with a plurality of light receiving elements and which measures the field through at least a phototaking lens, the light receiving elements each producing a metering output according to the intensity of light received on each of elements; (b) first detection means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal; (c) second detection means which detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; (d) determination means determining an amount of exposure and having a first state and a second state, the determination means operating the brightnesses of a plurality of areas where at least two light receiving elements each measures, according to the metering output thereof and said stop signal, to determine the exposure depending on the operated brightnesses of plural areas when the determination means is at the first state, said determination means determining an amount of exposure depending upon the metering output of at least one light receiving element when the determination means is at said second state; and (e) selection means which causes said determination means to be at said first state in response to said first detection signal and causes said determination means to be at said second state in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A camera in which a first phototaking lens having means producing a stop signal pertinent to a stop and a second phototaking lens having no means producing said stop signal are capable of being attached on and detached from the camera, comprising: (a) metering means provided with a plurality of light receiving elements and which measures the field through at least a phototaking lens, the light receiving elements each producing a metering output according to the intensity of light received on each of elements; (b) first detection means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal; (c) second detection means which detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; (d) determination means determining an amount of exposure and having a first state and a second state, the determination means operating the brightnesses of a plurality of areas where at least two light receiving elements each measures, according to the metering output thereof and said stop signal, to determine the exposure depending on the operated brightnesses of plural areas when the determination means is at the first state, said determination means determining an amount of exposure depending upon the metering output of at least one light receiving element when the determination means is at said second state; and (e) selection means which causes said determination means to be at said first state in response to said first detection signal and causes said determination means to be at said second state in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A camera according to claim 1, in which said at least one light receiving element measures the area of said field positioned substantially in the center thereof, while the plural areas where said at least two light receiving elements measure are arranged to substantially encircle the area positioned at substantially the center of said field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
211 words
A camera being capable of mounting a first phototaking lens having means producing an optical characteristic signal showing information concerning an optical characteristic and a second phototaking lens having no means producing said optical characteristic signal, respectively, comprising: (a) metering means measuring a field, the metering means separating the field into plural areas to produce plural metering outputs according to said plural areas; (b) discrimination means which discriminates the brightness distribution of said field according to said plural metering outputs to produce discrimination signals, said discrimination means having a first state where the brightness distribution of said field is discriminated on the basis of plural conditions and a second state where the brightness distribution of the field is discriminated on the basis of conditions fewer than the conditions at the first state; (c) means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal and which detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; and (d) selection means which causes said discrimination means to be at said first state in response to said first detection signal and causes the discrimination means to be at said second state in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
A camera being capable of mounting a first phototaking lens having means producing an optical characteristic signal showing information concerning an optical characteristic and a second phototaking lens having no means producing said optical characteristic signal, respectively, comprising: (a) metering means measuring a field, the metering means separating the field into plural areas to produce plural metering outputs according to said plural areas; (b) discrimination means which discriminates the brightness distribution of said field according to said plural metering outputs to produce discrimination signals, said discrimination means having a first state where the brightness distribution of said field is discriminated on the basis of plural conditions and a second state where the brightness distribution of the field is discriminated on the basis of conditions fewer than the conditions at the first state; (c) means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal and which detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; and (d) selection means which causes said discrimination means to be at said first state in response to said first detection signal and causes the discrimination means to be at said second state in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein said discrimination means detects the focal distance of said first phototaking lens from said optical characteristic signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 3, further comprising means which determines an amount of exposure in response to said discrimination signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein said discrimination means discriminates according to said optical characteristic signal when it is at said first state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein said plural conditions are set for the purpose of discriminating that the brightness distribution of said field following said plural metering outputs corresponds to either of plural patterns of preclassified brightness distribution of field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
164 words
A camera being capable of mounting a first phototaking lens having means producing an optical characteristic signal showing information about an optical characteristic and a second phototaking lens having no means producing an optical characteristic signal, respectively, comprising: (a) metering means measuring a field and separating the field into plural areas to produce plural metering outputs according to said plural areas; (b) means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal and detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; and (c) correction means correcting said plural metering outputs, said correction means effecting correction relative to said plural metering outputs according to the optical characteristic shown by said optical characteristic signal in response to said first detection signal and effecting predetermined correction relative to said plural metering outputs irrespective of the optical characteristic of said second phototaking lens in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
A camera being capable of mounting a first phototaking lens having means producing an optical characteristic signal showing information about an optical characteristic and a second phototaking lens having no means producing an optical characteristic signal, respectively, comprising: (a) metering means measuring a field and separating the field into plural areas to produce plural metering outputs according to said plural areas; (b) means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal and detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; and (c) correction means correcting said plural metering outputs, said correction means effecting correction relative to said plural metering outputs according to the optical characteristic shown by said optical characteristic signal in response to said first detection signal and effecting predetermined correction relative to said plural metering outputs irrespective of the optical characteristic of said second phototaking lens in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A camera according to claim 8, wherein said correction means serves to add plural signals each to each of said plural metering outputs in response to said first detection signal, said plural signals differing for each of information showing said optical characteristics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A camera according to claim 8, wherein said correction means serves to add each of a plurality of predetermined signals to each of said plural metering outputs in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
226 words
A camera in which a first phototaking lens having means producing a stop signal about a stop and a second phototaking lens having no means producing said stop signal are capable of being attached on and detached from the camera, comprising: (a) metering means measuring a field through said phototaking lens and separating said field into plural areas to produce plural metering outputs corresponding to said plural areas; (b) first detection means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal; (c) second detection means which detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; (d) determination means which determines an amount of exposure and has a first state where the brightness distribution of said plural areas is operated according to said plural metering outputs and said stop signal and the amount of exposure is determined according to the operated brightness distribution and a second state where the amount of exposure is determined according to at least one of said plural metering outputs without effecting a brightness distribution operation; and (e) selection means which causes said determination means to be at said first state in response to said first detection signal and causes said determination means to be at said second state in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
226 words
A camera in which a first phototaking lens having means producing a stop signal about a stop and a second phototaking lens having no means producing said stop signal are capable of being attached on and detached from the camera, comprising: (a) metering means measuring a field through said phototaking lens and separating said field into plural areas to produce plural metering outputs corresponding to said plural areas; (b) first detection means which detects the mounting of said first phototaking lens on said camera to produce a first detection signal; (c) second detection means which detects the mounting of said second phototaking lens on said camera to produce a second detection signal; (d) determination means which determines an amount of exposure and has a first state where the brightness distribution of said plural areas is operated according to said plural metering outputs and said stop signal and the amount of exposure is determined according to the operated brightness distribution and a second state where the amount of exposure is determined according to at least one of said plural metering outputs without effecting a brightness distribution operation; and (e) selection means which causes said determination means to be at said first state in response to said first detection signal and causes said determination means to be at said second state in response to said second detection signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A camera according to claim 11, wherein said plural areas are composed of one area positioned at substantially the center of said field and the predetermined number of areas arranged to substantially encircle said area positioned at the center of the field and wherein said determination means determines an amount of exposure according to the metering output at the area positioned at substantially the center of the field at said second state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-12 | 1990-07-14 | 1991-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-12 | 1994-07-14 | 1995-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-12 | 1998-07-14 | 1999-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |