US4969007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic flash apparatus for cameras
Assignee: Nikon Corp
•
Filing: 1989-02-16
•
Granted: 1990-11-06
•
Expires: 2009-02-16
Abstract
Abstract In a camera system including an electronic flash apparatus, a main capacitor of the flash apparatus is charged for a predetermined time interval, in response to a preparatory operation such as a first stroke of a release button. During this time interval, operation of an automatic distance measuring device, an automatic exposure controlling device and an object luminance discriminating circuit is prevented. A warning device warns a photographer that the main capacitor is insufficiently charged. Several voltage detectors detect different voltage levels of the main capacitor and produce detection signals for inhibiting the operation of the warning device and/or preventing further charging of the main capacitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadashi Otani
- 👤 Toru Kosaka
- 👤 Hiroshi Meguro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A camera system comprising: electronic flash means including a main capacitor and means for generating flash illumination in response to electric charge stored in said main capacitor; measuring means for measuring luminance of an object; charging means for supplying said electric charge to said main capacitor; and control means for causing said charging means to initiate the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor in response to a preparatory operation of said camera system and for causing said charging means to stop the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the initiation of the supply of said electric charge, said control means further causing said measuring means to measure the luminance of said object upon the stopping of the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor by said charging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A camera system comprising: electronic flash means including a main capacitor and means for generating flash illumination in response to electric charge stored in said main capacitor; measuring means for measuring luminance of an object; charging means for supplying said electric charge to said main capacitor; and control means for causing said charging means to initiate the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor in response to a preparatory operation of said camera system and for causing said charging means to stop the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the initiation of the supply of said electric charge, said control means further causing said measuring means to measure the luminance of said object upon the stopping of the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor by said charging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
A camera system comprising: electronic flash means including a main capacitor and means for generating flash illumination in response to electric charge stored in said main capacitor; detecting means for detecting information relating to the distance from said camera system to an object; charging means for supplying said electric charge to said main capacitor; and control means for causing said charging means to initiate the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor in response to a preparatory operation of said camera system and for causing said charging means to stop the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the initiation of the supply of said electric charge, said control means further causing said detecting means to detect the information relating to the distance from said camera system to the object upon the stopping of the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor by said charging means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
A camera system comprising: electronic flash means including a main capacitor and means for generating flash illumination in response to electric charge stored in said main capacitor; detecting means for detecting information relating to the distance from said camera system to an object; charging means for supplying said electric charge to said main capacitor; and control means for causing said charging means to initiate the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor in response to a preparatory operation of said camera system and for causing said charging means to stop the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the initiation of the supply of said electric charge, said control means further causing said detecting means to detect the information relating to the distance from said camera system to the object upon the stopping of the supply of said electric charge to said main capacitor by said charging means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4162836A
Cited
US4426144A
Cited
US4239361A
Cited
US4348087A
Cited
US4367025A
Cited
US4462667A
Cited
US4361389A
Cited
US4693582A
Cited
US4470684A
Cited
US4472041A
Cited
US4607931A
Cited
US4641943A
Cited
US4777507A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |