Patent US4593664A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4643554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera with focal length varying device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-11-01
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-11-01
Abstract
Abstract In a camera which has an automatic focusing device and is arranged to permit a change-over from one focal length of the photo taking optical system thereof to another, the focusing position of the automatic focusing device is arranged to vary in response to the focal length change-over of the photo taking optical system, so that the focusing operation can be always carried out appositely to the selected focal length of the optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Ogawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:41
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/04; G03B19/07; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A camera capable of shifting a photo taking optical system thereof from one focal length to another, comprising: (a) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photo taking optical system; (b) stopping means for stopping said photo taking optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of a distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means; and (c) switching means for varying, in response to the focal length change-over of said photo taking optical system, the position at which said optical system is to be stopped by said stopping means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A camera capable of shifting a photo taking optical system thereof from one focal length to another, comprising: (a) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photo taking optical system; (b) stopping means for stopping said photo taking optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of a distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means; and (c) switching means for varying, in response to the focal length change-over of said photo taking optical system, the position at which said optical system is to be stopped by said stopping means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said photo taking optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said stopping means includes predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photo taking optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position after commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length change-over of said photo taking optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A camera according to claim 4, wherein said stopping means includes priority determining means arranged to render said stopping means inoperative when the object distance is detectable by said automatic focusing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A camera having a flash device and being capable of shifting a photo taking optical system thereof from one focal length to another, comprising: (a) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photo taking optical system; (b) stopping means for stopping said photo taking optical system at a predetermined focusing position corresponding to a far point of said flash device in preference over the focal point adjusting position of said automatic focusing means when the object distance is farther than the far point of said flash device in the event of flash photography; and (c) switching means for varying, in response to the focal length change-over of said photo taking optical system, the position at which said optical system is to be stopped by said stopping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A camera having a flash device and being capable of shifting a photo taking optical system thereof from one focal length to another, comprising: (a) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photo taking optical system; (b) stopping means for stopping said photo taking optical system at a predetermined focusing position corresponding to a far point of said flash device in preference over the focal point adjusting position of said automatic focusing means when the object distance is farther than the far point of said flash device in the event of flash photography; and (c) switching means for varying, in response to the focal length change-over of said photo taking optical system, the position at which said optical system is to be stopped by said stopping means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A camera according to claim 6, wherein said photo taking optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A camera according to claim 7, wherein said stopping means includes predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photo taking optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position after commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A camera according to claim 8, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length change-over of said photo taking optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
A control device for a photographic optical system changeable in focal length, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system at a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to detect the distance to an object; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point setting means in response to the focal length changeover of the photographic optical system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
90 words
A control device for a photographic optical system changeable in focal length, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system at a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to detect the distance to an object; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point setting means in response to the focal length changeover of the photographic optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control device according to claim 10, wherein said photographic optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control device according to claim 11, further comprising stopping means for stopping said photographic optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of the distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means, said stopping means including predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photographic optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position at the commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control device according to claim 12, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length changeover offset photographic optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A control device according to claim 13, wherein said stopping means includes priority determining means arranged to render said stopping means inoperative when the object distance is detected by said automatic focusing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
A control device for a photographic optical system changeable in focal length with a flash device, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when the distance to an object to be photographed is farther than the furthest effective distance of the flash device; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point setting means in response to the focal length changeover of the photographic optical system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
A control device for a photographic optical system changeable in focal length with a flash device, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when the distance to an object to be photographed is farther than the furthest effective distance of the flash device; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point setting means in response to the focal length changeover of the photographic optical system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control device according to claim 15, wherein said photographic optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control device according to claim 16, further comprising stopping means for stopping said photographic optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of the distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means, said stopping means including predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photographic optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position at the commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control device according to claim 17, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length changeover offset photographic optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control device according to claim 18, further comprising stopping means for stopping said photographic optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of the distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means, said stopping means including predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photographic optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position at the commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
87 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system at a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to detect the distance to an object; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point, setting means in response to the focal length variation of the photographic optical system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system at a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to detect the distance to an object; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point, setting means in response to the focal length variation of the photographic optical system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control device according to claim 20, wherein said photographic optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control device according to claim 21, further comprising stopping means for stopping said photographic optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective to the distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means, said stopping means including predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photographic optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position at the commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control device according to claim 22, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length changeover offset photographic optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
A control device according to claim 23, wherein said stopping means includes priority determining means arranged to render said stopping means inoperative when the object distance is detected by said automatic focusing means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system, comprising: (A) hyperfocal condition setting means for setting said photographic optical system in a hyperfocal condition; and (B) means for changing the set state of said photographic optical system by said hyperfocal condition setting means in response to change in the focal length of said photographic optical system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system, comprising: (A) hyperfocal condition setting means for setting said photographic optical system in a hyperfocal condition; and (B) means for changing the set state of said photographic optical system by said hyperfocal condition setting means in response to change in the focal length of said photographic optical system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control device according to claim 25, wherein said photographic optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control device according to claim 26, further comprising stopping means for stopping said photographic optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of the distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means, said stopping means including predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photographic optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position at the commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control device according to claim 27, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length changeover offset photographic optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
106 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when the distance to an object to be photographed is farther than the furthest effective distance of the flash device; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point setting means in response to change of the F-number at the fully open aperture resulting from change in the focal length of said photographic optical system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
106 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when the distance to an object to be photographed is farther than the furthest effective distance of the flash device; and (C) switching means for varying the predetermined focal point to be set by the predetermined focal point setting means in response to change of the F-number at the fully open aperture resulting from change in the focal length of said photographic optical system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control device according to claim 33, wherein said photographic optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control device according to claim 30, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length changeover offset photographic optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control device according to claim 31, further comprising stopping means for stopping said photographic optical system at a predetermined focusing position irrespective of the distance to an object to be photographed when the object distance is undetectable by said automatic focusing means, said stopping means including predetermined focusing position detecting means for detecting the state of said photographic optical system when said optical system reaches said predetermined focusing position at the commencement of movement of said optical system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
73 words
An operation control device for photographic optical system, comprising: (A) setting means responsive to changing over to a flash exposure mode for setting said photographic optical system to a prescribed focal condition; and (B) switching means for changing said prescribed focal condition to be set by said setting means in response to change of the F-number at the fully open aperture resulting from change in the focal length of said photographic optical system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
73 words
An operation control device for photographic optical system, comprising: (A) setting means responsive to changing over to a flash exposure mode for setting said photographic optical system to a prescribed focal condition; and (B) switching means for changing said prescribed focal condition to be set by said setting means in response to change of the F-number at the fully open aperture resulting from change in the focal length of said photographic optical system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control device according to claim 33 wherein said photographic optical system is arranged to begin to move in a predetermined direction in response to a shutter release operation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control device according to claim 34, wherein said switching means includes a switching member for varying, in response to the focal length changeover offset photographic optical system, the detecting position to be detected by said predetermined focusing position detecting means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
98 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system variable in focal length, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to properly adjust the focal point of said photographic optical system; and (C) switching means for changing the predetermined focal point so as to correspond to the focal length of the photographic optical system in response to changes in focal length of the photographic optical system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
98 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system variable in focal length, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to properly adjust the focal point of said photographic optical system; and (C) switching means for changing the predetermined focal point so as to correspond to the focal length of the photographic optical system in response to changes in focal length of the photographic optical system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
106 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system variable in focal length, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to adjust the focal point of the photographic optical system in an appropriate flashing range of said flash device, and (C) switching means for changing the predetermined focal point so as to correspond to the focal length of the photographic optical system in response to changes in focal length of the photographic optical system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
106 words
An operation control device for a photographic optical system variable in focal length, comprising: (A) automatic focusing means for automatically adjusting the focal point of said photographic optical system; (B) predetermined focal point setting means for setting said photographic optical system to a predetermined focal point when said automatic focusing means fails to adjust the focal point of the photographic optical system in an appropriate flashing range of said flash device, and (C) switching means for changing the predetermined focal point so as to correspond to the focal length of the photographic optical system in response to changes in focal length of the photographic optical system.
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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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |