US4641943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic camera with electronic flash having periodically disabled charging apparatus
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1985-10-30
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2005-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A photographic camera having a single source of internal electrical power, an electronic flash that includes a flashtube and a charging system for storing an electrical charge for subsequent discharge across the light emitting element of the flashtube, a manually actuatable self-timer for generating an exposure interval initiating electrical signal a predetermined time after the timing cycle of the self-timer has been actuated and apparatus for generating electrically produced visual and/or audible signals indicating that the self-timer is in operation is provided with apparatus for inhibiting the operation of the electronic flash charging system whenever such signals are generated in order to prevent the relatively large electrical load associated with the electronic flash charging system from changing the voltage and/or current levels available from the camera's power source and thereby preclude interferance with the proper operation of the self-timer operation indicators which are sensitive to such changes.
Inventors
- 👤 Judith L. Neely
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for inhibiting the charging of an electronic flash in a photographic camera having a self-timer, whenever a particular function is generated during self-timer operation, comprising: a manually actuatable self-timer for generating a film exposure sequence initiating electrical signal a predetermined time after the timing cycle of said self-timer has been initiated; an electronic flash including a flashtube and a charging system for storing an electrical charge for subsequent discharge across the light emitting element of said flashtube during an exposure interval; means responsive to the operation of said self-timer for generating a particular function during the operation of said self-timer; and control means for enabling the electronic flash to operate in a charge mode during said self-timer timing cycle and for inhibiting the operation of said charging system during said timing cycle whenever said particular function is generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for inhibiting the charging of an electronic flash in a photographic camera having a self-timer, whenever a particular function is generated during self-timer operation, comprising: a manually actuatable self-timer for generating a film exposure sequence initiating electrical signal a predetermined time after the timing cycle of said self-timer has been initiated; an electronic flash including a flashtube and a charging system for storing an electrical charge for subsequent discharge across the light emitting element of said flashtube during an exposure interval; means responsive to the operation of said self-timer for generating a particular function during the operation of said self-timer; and control means for enabling the electronic flash to operate in a charge mode during said self-timer timing cycle and for inhibiting the operation of said charging system during said timing cycle whenever said particular function is generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said particular function generated during the operation of said self-timer is a visual signal indicating that the self-timer is in operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said visual signal indicating that the self-timer is in operation is a source of light from a light-emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said particular function generated during the operation of said self-timer is an audible signal indicating that the self-timer is in operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the said audible signal indicating that the self-timer is in operation is a vibratory sound produced by a piezoelectric buzzer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for inhibiting the charging of an electronic flash in a photographic camera having a self-timer, whenever an indicator indicative of self-timer operation is activated, comprising: a manually actuatable self-timer for generating a film exposure sequence initiating electrical signal a predetermined time after the timing cycle of said self-timer has been initiated; an electronic flash including a flashtube and a charging system for storing an electrical charge for subsequent discharge across the light emitting element of said flashtube during an exposure interval; means responsive to the operation of said self-timer for generating a visual and/or audible signal indicative of self-timer operation; and control means for enabling the electronic flash to operate in a charge mode during said self-timer timing cycle and for inhibiting the operation of said charging system during said timing cycle whenever a self-timer operation indicator is activated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for inhibiting the charging of an electronic flash in a photographic camera having a self-timer, whenever an indicator indicative of self-timer operation is activated, comprising: a manually actuatable self-timer for generating a film exposure sequence initiating electrical signal a predetermined time after the timing cycle of said self-timer has been initiated; an electronic flash including a flashtube and a charging system for storing an electrical charge for subsequent discharge across the light emitting element of said flashtube during an exposure interval; means responsive to the operation of said self-timer for generating a visual and/or audible signal indicative of self-timer operation; and control means for enabling the electronic flash to operate in a charge mode during said self-timer timing cycle and for inhibiting the operation of said charging system during said timing cycle whenever a self-timer operation indicator is activated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control means includes a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses in response to the operation of said self-timer and wherein said charging system in inhibited and said self-timer operation indicator is activated for the duration of each of the pulses forming said pulse train.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the period of time between adjacent pulses in said pulse train becomes progressively shorter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the visual signal responsive to the operation of said self-timer and indicative of self-timer operation is produced by a light emitting diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the audible signal responsive to the operation of said self-timer operation is provided by a piezoelectric buzzer.
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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) | 1990-02-09 | 1990-08-11 | 1991-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |