US4884144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic camera
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-12
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2009-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An electronic camera having a setting circuit for setting values of the aperture, the shutter time and the gain of the image pickup system and a control circuit for causing the setting circuit to alter the preset value of the gain of the image pickup system in relation to the preset values of the aperture and the shutter time, wherein an exposure value suited to the nature of any given photographic situation can be derived.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Jinnai
- 👤 Shinji Sakai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/72; G; G03; G03B; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An electronic camera comprising: (a) detecting means for detecting the brightness of an object to be photographed; (b) image pickup means for receiving an optical image from the object to produce an image signal; (c) an exposure control member for controlling the amount of the light incident on said image pickup means within a predetermined range; (d) sensitivity control means for controlling variation of the amplification of said image signal of said image pickup means; and (e) main control means for controlling said exposure control member in accordance with the detection information of said detecting means and further controlling said sensitivity control means in said range of possible exposure control by said exposure control member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electronic camera comprising: (a) detecting means for detecting the brightness of an object to be photographed; (b) image pickup means for receiving an optical image from the object to produce an image signal; (c) an exposure control member for controlling the amount of the light incident on said image pickup means within a predetermined range; (d) sensitivity control means for controlling variation of the amplification of said image signal of said image pickup means; and (e) main control means for controlling said exposure control member in accordance with the detection information of said detecting means and further controlling said sensitivity control means in said range of possible exposure control by said exposure control member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure control member includes a diaphragm and a shutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said sensitivity control means includes a gain controllable amplifier provided in said image pickup means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said diaphragm and said shutter each have minimum and maximum limit exposure values.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure control means includes image pickup time control means for controlling substantial image pickup time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said image pickup time control means includes a shutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is arranged to detect the brightness on the basis of said image signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure control means includes a diaphragm mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electronic camera comprising: (a) image pickup means; (b) a diaphragm aperture; (c) control means for controlling said diaphragm aperture and the substantial image pickup time in accordance with brightness of an object to be photographed in a predetermined range, said control means selectively controlling the sensitivity of said image pickup means within said predetermined range of variation of the diaphragm aperture and the image pickup time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electronic camera comprising: (a) image pickup means; (b) a diaphragm aperture; (c) control means for controlling said diaphragm aperture and the substantial image pickup time in accordance with brightness of an object to be photographed in a predetermined range, said control means selectively controlling the sensitivity of said image pickup means within said predetermined range of variation of the diaphragm aperture and the image pickup time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said image pickup means includes an amplifier for controlling the sensitivity of said image pickup means selectively by said control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said control means, after having selectively controlled the sensitivity of said image pickup means, compensates the diaphragm aperture and/or the image pickup time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A camera according to claim 9, further comprising display means for displaying that said sensitivity has changed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electronic camera comprising: (a) detecting means for detecting the brightness of an object to be photographed; (b) image pickup means for receiving an optical image from the object; (c) sensitivity control means for controlling a sensitivity of said image pickup means in accordance with the detection information of said detecting means; and (d) an exposure control member for controlling the amount of light incident on said image pickup means in accordance with a change of said sensitivity of said image pickup means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electronic camera comprising: (a) detecting means for detecting the brightness of an object to be photographed; (b) image pickup means for receiving an optical image from the object; (c) sensitivity control means for controlling a sensitivity of said image pickup means in accordance with the detection information of said detecting means; and (d) an exposure control member for controlling the amount of light incident on said image pickup means in accordance with a change of said sensitivity of said image pickup means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A camera according to claim 13, wherein said exposure control member includes a diaphragm and a shutter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 13, wherein said sensitivity control means includes a gain controllable amplifier provided in said image pickup means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A camera according to claim 13, further comprising display means for displaying that said sensitivity has changed.
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) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |