US4743929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flash device for use in photography
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1985-12-20
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2005-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A flash device for use in association with a camera is disclosed. The camera provides focal length data representing a focal length of a lens mounted on the camera to the flash device. The flash device comprises a body portion, a flash head pivotally mounted on the body portion, a xenon tube provided in the flash head for emitting a flash light, and a lens is provided in front of the light emitting means movably to change the angle of the cone of the flash light. A driving circuit, controlled by a microcomputer, is provided for driving the lens in response to the focal length data to set the angle of the cone of the flash light correspondingly to the focal length. A pivot detector is provided for detecting the pivotal movement of the flash head. When the pivotal movement is detected, the microcomputer controls the driving circuit so as not to drive the lens but to maintain the lens, during and after the pivotal movement, in the same position as it was before the pivotal movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuyuki Taniguchi
- 👤 Keiji Yamazaki
- 👤 Hiroshi Hosomizu
- 👤 Makoto Kamiya
- 👤 Kenji Tsuji
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0514; G03B2215/0517; G03B2215/0525; G03B2215/0528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A flash device for use in photography comprising: light emitting means (XE) for emitting a flash light; changing means (FLE) for changing the angle of the cone of said light emitting means to a desired angle; driving means (MCF, MD) for driving said changing means; display means for displaying data representative of a required position of the changing means; and blinking means for blinking said display during said changing means being moved by said driving means and for stopping to blink the display when said changing means is moved to the required position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A flash device for use in photography comprising: light emitting means (XE) for emitting a flash light; changing means (FLE) for changing the angle of the cone of said light emitting means to a desired angle; driving means (MCF, MD) for driving said changing means; display means for displaying data representative of a required position of the changing means; and blinking means for blinking said display during said changing means being moved by said driving means and for stopping to blink the display when said changing means is moved to the required position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
A flash device for use in photography comprising: a body portion (BP); a flash head (FH) pivotally mounted on said body portion to move between a direct flash position and at least one bounce flash position; light emitting means (XE) provided in said flash head for emitting a flash light; pivot position detecting means for detecting the pivot position of said flash head; and improper setting detecting means for detecting an improper setting that the light emitted from said light emitting means partly directly illuminates an object within a photographic frame with said flash head in the bounce flash position; warning producing means for producing a warning when said improper setting is detected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A flash device for use in photography comprising: a body portion (BP); a flash head (FH) pivotally mounted on said body portion to move between a direct flash position and at least one bounce flash position; light emitting means (XE) provided in said flash head for emitting a flash light; pivot position detecting means for detecting the pivot position of said flash head; and improper setting detecting means for detecting an improper setting that the light emitted from said light emitting means partly directly illuminates an object within a photographic frame with said flash head in the bounce flash position; warning producing means for producing a warning when said improper setting is detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
A flash for use in photography comprising: a body portion (BP); a flash head (FH) pivotally mounted on said body portion to move between a direct flash position and at least one bounce flash position; light emitting means (XE) provided in said flash head for emitting a flash light; changing means (FLE) for changing the angle of the cone of said light emitting means to a desired angle; pivot position detecting means for detecting the pivot position of said flash head; and prohibiting means, operative with said flash head in the bounce flash position, for prohibiting the setting of said changing means to a condition that the light emitted from said light emitting means partly directly illuminates an object within a photographic frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
A flash for use in photography comprising: a body portion (BP); a flash head (FH) pivotally mounted on said body portion to move between a direct flash position and at least one bounce flash position; light emitting means (XE) provided in said flash head for emitting a flash light; changing means (FLE) for changing the angle of the cone of said light emitting means to a desired angle; pivot position detecting means for detecting the pivot position of said flash head; and prohibiting means, operative with said flash head in the bounce flash position, for prohibiting the setting of said changing means to a condition that the light emitted from said light emitting means partly directly illuminates an object within a photographic frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A flash device for use in photography, capable of being combined with a detachable wide panel adapter, comprising: light emitting means (XE) for emitting a flash light; changing means (FLE) for changing the angle of the cone of said light emitting means to a desired angle; an adaptor detector means for producing a mount-indication signal when said wide panel adaptor is mounted on said changing means; and means for changing said changing means to a condition which provides a widest angle of the cone of said flash light, when said mount-indication signal is produced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A flash device for use in photography, capable of being combined with a detachable wide panel adapter, comprising: light emitting means (XE) for emitting a flash light; changing means (FLE) for changing the angle of the cone of said light emitting means to a desired angle; an adaptor detector means for producing a mount-indication signal when said wide panel adaptor is mounted on said changing means; and means for changing said changing means to a condition which provides a widest angle of the cone of said flash light, when said mount-indication signal is produced.
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) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |