Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A camera having a taking lens system in a lens barrel changeable in focal length between at least two different focal lengths, said camera comprising a motor operationally coupled to said lens barrel to move said lens barrel axially back and forth to change said lens system between said at least two different focal lengths; switch means for causing said motor to move said lens barrel in one axial direction so as selectively to change said lens system to one of said at least two different focal lengths; detecting means for detecting an occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel by which said lens system is prevented from being changed to have the focal length selected by said switch means; and a controller for controlling said motor to move said lens barrel in another axial direction opposite to said one direction so as to change said lens system to have a focal length different from said focal length selected by said switch means when said detecting means detects the occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A camera having a taking lens system in a lens barrel changeable in focal length between at least two different focal lengths, said camera comprising a motor operationally coupled to said lens barrel to move said lens barrel axially back and forth to change said lens system between said at least two different focal lengths; switch means for causing said motor to move said lens barrel in one axial direction so as selectively to change said lens system to one of said at least two different focal lengths; detecting means for detecting an occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel by which said lens system is prevented from being changed to have the focal length selected by said switch means; and a controller for controlling said motor to move said lens barrel in another axial direction opposite to said one direction so as to change said lens system to have a focal length different from said focal length selected by said switch means when said detecting means detects the occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes position detecting means for detecting said lens barrel at different axial positions wherein said lens system has said different focal lengths, respectively, and for signalling the occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel when said position detecting means detects the absence of said lens barrel at any axial position for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes current detecting means for detecting a current flowing through said motor, and for indicating the occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel when said current detecting means detects a current larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller includes memory means for storing the occurrence of unusual motion of said lens barrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera as defined in claim 4, wherein said memory means is reset when said switch means is operated and when a shutter release is made.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least two different focal lengths are a relatively short focal length suitable for wide-angle photography and a relatively long focal length suitable for telephotography, respectively.