US4716429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display apparatus for single-lens reflex camera
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-12-22
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Granted: 1987-12-29
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Expires: 2006-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A microprocessor (CPU) controlled autofocus single-lens reflex camera having an interchangeable lens displays the subject distance (3) and the corresponding subject vertical and horizontal dimensions (1,2) in the camera viewfinder adjacent to the in-focus picture (4) which normally appears in the viewfinder by calculating data obtained by a subject distance detecting means and by a focal distance detecting means for detecting the lens focal distance which is used to determine the field angle. The relationship in size between the normal camera picture size and the subject (4) are calculated to provide the corresponding subject dimensions which are displayed in the viewfinder (1,2,3).
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Misawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In a single lens reflex camera of the type having a camera body removably mountable to an interchangeable lens and comprising means for effecting autofocusing of said mounted lens, said camera body comprising a viewfinder picture display means for displaying an in-focus picture of a subject to be photographed; the improvement comprising means for detecting and displaying the distance to said subject from said camera in said viewfinder picture display means adjacent said in-focus picture, and means for detecting a focal distance of said interchangeable lens removably mounted to said camera body and for displaying corresponding vertical and horizontal dimensions of said subject based on said detected lens focal distance, said subject vertical and horizontal dimension display further being provided in said viewfinder picture display means adjacent said in-focus picture, said subject vertical and horizontal dimension display providing means comprising means for obtaining a field angle based on said detected lens focal distance and for calculating a relationship in size between the camera picture size and said subject; whereby the vertical and horizontal dimensions of an in-focus subject and the distance to said subject may be displayed in the camera viewfinder along with the in-focus picture of the subject in an improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a single lens reflex camera of the type having a camera body removably mountable to an interchangeable lens and comprising means for effecting autofocusing of said mounted lens, said camera body comprising a viewfinder picture display means for displaying an in-focus picture of a subject to be photographed; the improvement comprising means for detecting and displaying the distance to said subject from said camera in said viewfinder picture display means adjacent said in-focus picture, and means for detecting a focal distance of said interchangeable lens removably mounted to said camera body and for displaying corresponding vertical and horizontal dimensions of said subject based on said detected lens focal distance, said subject vertical and horizontal dimension display further being provided in said viewfinder picture display means adjacent said in-focus picture, said subject vertical and horizontal dimension display providing means comprising means for obtaining a field angle based on said detected lens focal distance and for calculating a relationship in size between the camera picture size and said subject; whereby the vertical and horizontal dimensions of an in-focus subject and the distance to said subject may be displayed in the camera viewfinder along with the in-focus picture of the subject in an improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said camera picture size comprises a 35 mm picture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said camera body comprises a microprocessor means for controlling the operation of said viewfinder display means for providing said in-focus subject distance and subject corresponding vertical and horizontal dimension displays adjacent said in-focus picture, said microprocessor means determining said field angle based on said detected lens focal distance and calculating said size relationship for providing a viewfinder display control signal comprising display data corresponding to said subject vertical and horizontal dimension displays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said removably mounted interchangeable lens comprises means for providing said lens focal distance information to said microprocessor means in said camera body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said camera further comprises a lens focus drive mechanism for moving said removably mounted lens to a in-focus position for providing said in-focus picture, said subject distance detecting means further comprising means for detecting said subject distance based on a detected change in in-focus distance relative to the focus drive stroke for said removably mounted lens focus drive mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for providing said viewfinder display control signal comprises means for providing said display control signals in accordance with the following relationship: H=2×tan wh ×S W=2×tan wW ×S where H corresponds to said subject vertical dimension or height, W corresponds to said subject horizontal dimension or width, S denotes said subject distance, wh corresponds to the half vertical field angle, and wW corresponds to the half horizontal field angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said film size is substantially 36×24 mm, said camera picture size comprising a 35 mm picture and tan wh=24/(2 ×f) tan wW=36/(2 ×f) where f corresponds to said lens focal distance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for providing said viewfinder display control signal comprises means for providing said display control signals in accordance with the following relationship: H=2 ×tan wh ×S W=2 ×tan wW ×S where H corresponds to said subject vertical dimension or height, W corresponds to said subject horizontal dimension or width, S denotes said subject distance, wh corresponds to the half vertical field angle, and wW corresponds to the half horizontal field angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said film size is substantially 36×24 mm, said camera picture size comprising a 35 mm picture and tan wh=24/(2 ×f) tan wW=36/(2 ×f) where f corresponds to said lens focal distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
An improved single lens reflex camera display apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said camera further comprises a lens focus drive mechanism for moving said removably mounted lens to an in-focus position for providing said in-focus picture, said subject distance detecting means further comprising mean for detecting said subject distance based on a detected change in in-focus distance relative to the focus drive stroke for said removably mounted lens focus drive mechanism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4400071A
Cited
US4655572A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-28 | 1991-06-29 | 1991-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-28 | 1995-06-29 | 1995-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-28 | 1999-06-29 | 1999-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |