US4935759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-05-11
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Granted: 1990-06-19
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Expires: 2009-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight includes a stepping motor by which a relative position between a panel and a reflector is controlled to change the illuminating angle. Further, in setting the illuminating angle, the widest angle is set as the starting point, and whereby an unevenness of exposure is not caused though a sudden photography operation is performed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenji Tsuji
- 👤 Makoto Kamiya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:30
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; G03B2215/056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight, the system comprising; a stepping motor, means for controlling the illuminating angle of a flashlight by driving the stepping motor, and means for controlling a driving amount of the stepping motor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight, the system comprising; a stepping motor, means for controlling the illuminating angle of a flashlight by driving the stepping motor, and means for controlling a driving amount of the stepping motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising; a flashlight illumination panel, and a reflector, wherein said illuminating angle control means controls a relative position between the panel and the reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said panel is a Fresnel panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said illuminating angle control means includes means for moving the reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising; means for inputting information about an illuminating angle of the flashlight, wherein said illuminating angle control means controls a driving amount of the stepping motor in response to the inputted information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein the information about said illuminating angle is a focal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein the information about an illuminating angle is a flash starting signal for making the flash device start its operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said illuminating angle control means set an illuminating angle of the flashlight to a predetermined angle when the flash starting signal is inputted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined illuminating angle is the widest illuminating angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein the information about said illuminating angle is a flash stopping signal for making the flash device stop its operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said illuminating angle control means sets the illuminating angle of the flashlight to a predetermined angle when the flash stopping signal is inputted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined illuminating angle is the widest illuminating angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said flash stopping signal is a auto power off signal produced when no operation is performed during the predetermined time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said illuminating angle control means sets the illuminating angle to a predetermined angle when said auto power off signal is inputted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined illuminating angle is the widest illuminating angle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein said information about the illuminating angle is information about a photographing distance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 16, further comprising; means for judging whether a photographing distance is shorter than a predetermined distance or not, wherein said illuminating angle control means sets the illuminating angle of the flashlight to a predetermined angle when the photographing distance is shorter than the predetermined distance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined illuminating angle is the widest illuminating angle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
55 words
A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight, the system comprising; means for controlling the illuminating angle of the flashlight, means for producing a signal when no operation is performed during a predetermined time, and means for setting the illuminating angle of the flashlight to a predetermined angle when said signal is produced.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
55 words
A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight, the system comprising; means for controlling the illuminating angle of the flashlight, means for producing a signal when no operation is performed during a predetermined time, and means for setting the illuminating angle of the flashlight to a predetermined angle when said signal is produced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 19, wherein said predetermined illuminating angle is the widest illuminating angle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 19, further comprising; a flashlight illumination panel, and a reflector, wherein said illuminating angle control means controls a relative position between the panel and the reflector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein said panel is a Fresnel panel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein said illuminating angle control means includes means for moving the reflector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 19, further comprising; means for inputting information about the flashlight illuminating angle, wherein said illuminating angle control means controls in response to the inputted information.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 24, wherein said information is an information about a focal length of a photographing lens.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 19, wherein means for controlling said illuminating angle includes; a stepping motor, means for controlling a driving amount of the stepping motor, and means for controlling the illuminating angle of the flashlight by driving the stepping motor.
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) | 1993-06-18 | 1993-12-18 | 1994-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-18 | 1997-12-18 | 1998-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-18 | 2001-12-18 | 2002-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |