US4994844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera system
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-04-13
•
Granted: 1991-02-19
•
Expires: 2009-04-13
Abstract
Abstract An camera system includes a body and an accessory which is attachable to the camera body. A controller is provided in the camera body for controlling camera function. And an operable switch is also provided in the camera body. A function data concerning with camera function is sent from the accessory to the camera body. The camera body receives the function data and determines in response to the operation of the operable switch whether or not the controller controls camera function based on the received function data. According to the camera system, it is possible to enable or disable the camera function depending on the accessory by simple operation with the accessory attached to the camera body.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiko Azuma
- 👤 Takehiro Katoh
- 👤 Yasuteru Yamano
- 👤 Masayasu Hirano
- 👤 Hiroshi Ootsuka
- 👤 Takeshi Egawa
- 👤 Masaaki Nakai
- 👤 Toshihiko Ishimura
- 👤 Naohiro Kageyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B17/42; G03B17/425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: means, provided in the accessory, for sending first exposure data to the attached camera body; means, provided in the camera body, for receiving the first exposure data which is concerned with photographic exposure sent from the sending means; means, provided in the camera body, for generating second exposure data which is concerned with photographic exposure; an operable member provided in the camera body; means, provided in the camera body, for selecting said first or second exposure data alternatively in response to the operation of said operable member; and means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the exposure operation of the camera body in accordance with the selected exposure data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: means, provided in the accessory, for sending first exposure data to the attached camera body; means, provided in the camera body, for receiving the first exposure data which is concerned with photographic exposure sent from the sending means; means, provided in the camera body, for generating second exposure data which is concerned with photographic exposure; an operable member provided in the camera body; means, provided in the camera body, for selecting said first or second exposure data alternatively in response to the operation of said operable member; and means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the exposure operation of the camera body in accordance with the selected exposure data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera system of claim 1, wherein said accessory is an IC card which includes an integral circuit as said sending means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The camera system of claim 2, the camera body further comprising means for detecting that the accessory is attached to the camera body to send a signal to the selecting means, and wherein said selecting means including means for selecting the first data at receiving said signal compulsorily.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The camera system of claim 2, further comprising means, provided in the camera body, for indicating an information concerned with selected data selected by the selecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: first operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a first function; second operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a second function which is different from the first function; storing means, provided in the accessory and divided into two portions, one portion having datum corresponding to the first function the other having datum corresponding to the second function; means, provided in the camera body, for controlling transmission of data from each portion to each operating means so that each function is operated in accordance with the transmitted datum; manual operable member provided in the camera body; and means, provided in the camera body, for inhibiting both of the operating means from operating the functions in accordance with the transmitted data when the manual operable member is operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: first operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a first function; second operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a second function which is different from the first function; storing means, provided in the accessory and divided into two portions, one portion having datum corresponding to the first function the other having datum corresponding to the second function; means, provided in the camera body, for controlling transmission of data from each portion to each operating means so that each function is operated in accordance with the transmitted datum; manual operable member provided in the camera body; and means, provided in the camera body, for inhibiting both of the operating means from operating the functions in accordance with the transmitted data when the manual operable member is operated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera system of claim 5, further comprising means for rewriting each datum in a storing means so as to change a certain function without changing another function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
The camera system of claim 5, further comprising: means for detecting focus condition of a taking lens; and means for driving the taking lens in accordance with the detected focus condition, wherein said first operating means controls the detecting means in either of a first and second mode, wherein in the first mode, the detecting means detects the focus condition on a narrow area and in the second mode, the detecting means detects the focus condition on a wide area, and wherein said second operating means operates the driving means in either of a third and fourth mode, wherein in the third mode, operation of the driving means is inhibited after the detecting means detects an in-focus condition once and in the fourth mode, operation of the driving means is continued even after the detecting means detects in-focus condition, and wherein one datum in one portion designates either of the first and second modes and the other datum in the other portion designates either of the third and fourth modes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera system of claim 5, wherein said controlling means includes means, provided in the camera body, for displaying a information concerned with the function data from the sending means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory including an integral circuit, the accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: first storing means, provided in the accessory, for storing a first function datum which is concerned with camera function; second storing means, separated from the first storing means and provided in the accessory, for storing a second function datum which is also concerned with camera function; means, provided in the accessory, for sending the function data to the camera body; first controlling means, provided in the camera body, for controlling first camera function; second controlling means, provided in the camera body, for controlling second camera function; and means, provided in the camera body, including an operable member, for determining in response to the operation of the operable member whether or not the first and second controlling means control the first and second camera functions based on the function data which are sent from the accessory, said operable member being provided in the camera body exclusively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory including an integral circuit, the accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: first storing means, provided in the accessory, for storing a first function datum which is concerned with camera function; second storing means, separated from the first storing means and provided in the accessory, for storing a second function datum which is also concerned with camera function; means, provided in the accessory, for sending the function data to the camera body; first controlling means, provided in the camera body, for controlling first camera function; second controlling means, provided in the camera body, for controlling second camera function; and means, provided in the camera body, including an operable member, for determining in response to the operation of the operable member whether or not the first and second controlling means control the first and second camera functions based on the function data which are sent from the accessory, said operable member being provided in the camera body exclusively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The camera system of claim 9, further comprising means, provided in the body, for detecting that the accessory is just attached to the camera body to send a signal to the determining means, and wherein said determining means compels that both of the controlling means control the camera function based on the function data from the sending means at receiving the signal from the detecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera system of claim 9, wherein said controlling means includes means, provided in the camera body, for displaying a information concerned with the function data from the sending means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
206 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: first operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a first mode of the camera function; second operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a second mode of the camera function; storing means, having two portions and provided in the accessory, for storing first and second data corresponding to the first and second modes into the two portions respectively; sending means, provided in the accessory, for sending the first and second data in the storing means; receiving means, provided in the camera body, for receiving the first and second data from the sending means; first control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the first operating means in accordance with the first data received by the receiving means; second control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the second operating means in accordance with the second data received by the receiving means; a manually operable member provided in the camera body; and inhibiting means, provided in the camera body, for inhibiting the operations of the first and second control means from being operated by the sent data when the manually operable member is operated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
206 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body, comprising: first operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a first mode of the camera function; second operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a second mode of the camera function; storing means, having two portions and provided in the accessory, for storing first and second data corresponding to the first and second modes into the two portions respectively; sending means, provided in the accessory, for sending the first and second data in the storing means; receiving means, provided in the camera body, for receiving the first and second data from the sending means; first control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the first operating means in accordance with the first data received by the receiving means; second control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the second operating means in accordance with the second data received by the receiving means; a manually operable member provided in the camera body; and inhibiting means, provided in the camera body, for inhibiting the operations of the first and second control means from being operated by the sent data when the manually operable member is operated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera system of claim 12, wherein said accessory is an IC card which includes an integral circuit as said sending means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
Camera system including a camera body, comprising: an accessory which is able to attach to the camera body; means, provided in the camera body, for detecting the attachment of the accessory; means, provided in the camera body, for displaying a photographic information; and means, provided in the camera body, for controlling said display means to indicate attachement information instead of the photographic information during a predetermined period from the attachment of the accessory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
Camera system including a camera body, comprising: an accessory which is able to attach to the camera body; means, provided in the camera body, for detecting the attachment of the accessory; means, provided in the camera body, for displaying a photographic information; and means, provided in the camera body, for controlling said display means to indicate attachement information instead of the photographic information during a predetermined period from the attachment of the accessory.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
The camera system of claim 14, wherein said accessory is one of different kinds of accessories, said camera system further comprising: means, provided in each accessory, for outputting individual data which represent the kind of the accessory; means, provided in the camera body, for inputting said individual data; and means, provided in the camera body, for judging the kind of accessory in accordance with the input data; and wherein said attachment information of said display means represents the kind of the accessory.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The camera system of claim 15, wherein each accessory has an identical card shape as IC card which includes said outputting means respectively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
148 words
Camera system including a camera body and a plurality of accessories, comprising; means, provided in each accessory, for outputting a function data individually; means, provided in the camera body, for detecting the attachment of the accessory; means, provided in the camera body, for inputting said function data from the attached accessory; an operable member provided in the camera body; light measuring means, provided in the camera body, for detecting the brightness of an object in response to the operation of the operable member; means, provided in the camera body, for displaying a photographic information in accordance with the light measurement during the operation of the operable member; and display control means, provided in the camera body, for making said display means display which of the accessories is attached in accordance with the input function data when the attachment is detected irrespective of the operation of the operable member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
Camera system including a camera body and a plurality of accessories, comprising; means, provided in each accessory, for outputting a function data individually; means, provided in the camera body, for detecting the attachment of the accessory; means, provided in the camera body, for inputting said function data from the attached accessory; an operable member provided in the camera body; light measuring means, provided in the camera body, for detecting the brightness of an object in response to the operation of the operable member; means, provided in the camera body, for displaying a photographic information in accordance with the light measurement during the operation of the operable member; and display control means, provided in the camera body, for making said display means display which of the accessories is attached in accordance with the input function data when the attachment is detected irrespective of the operation of the operable member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The camera system of claim 17, wherein display control means making display means display which of the accessories is attached during a predetermined period.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined period starts at the attachment of the accessory being detected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera system of claim 17, wherein each accessory has an identical card shape as IC card which includes said sending means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
128 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory, comprising: means, provided in the camera body, for detecting attachment of the accessory to the camera body to generate a signal; first operable member provided in the camera body: light measuring means, provided in the camera body, for detecting brightness of an object in response to the operation of the first operable member; display means, provided in the camera body, having two display states, first state for displaying a photographic information based on the brightness of the object and second state for displaying another information which is not concerned with the brightness; second operable member provided in the camera body; and means for changing the display states alternatively when said signal exists in response to the second operable member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
128 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory, comprising: means, provided in the camera body, for detecting attachment of the accessory to the camera body to generate a signal; first operable member provided in the camera body: light measuring means, provided in the camera body, for detecting brightness of an object in response to the operation of the first operable member; display means, provided in the camera body, having two display states, first state for displaying a photographic information based on the brightness of the object and second state for displaying another information which is not concerned with the brightness; second operable member provided in the camera body; and means for changing the display states alternatively when said signal exists in response to the second operable member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The camera system of claim 21, wherein said accessory has card shape.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
The camera system of claim 21, wherein said second state displays a plurality of camera functions which are selectable for the camera body, said camera system further comprising; third operable member provided in the camera body, and means, provided in the camera body, for selecting camera function in response to the operation of the third operable member from the plurality of functions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
95 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory, comprising: means, provided in the accessory, for generating function data; means, provided in the accessory, for receiving photographic data from the camera body; judge means, provided in the accessory, for judging the effectiveness of the function data in accordance with the photographic data to send effective signal to the camera; means, provided in the camera body, for sending the photographic data to the accessory, and means for receiving the function data and the effective signal from the accessory to control the function of the camera body.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
95 words
Camera system including a camera body and an accessory, comprising: means, provided in the accessory, for generating function data; means, provided in the accessory, for receiving photographic data from the camera body; judge means, provided in the accessory, for judging the effectiveness of the function data in accordance with the photographic data to send effective signal to the camera; means, provided in the camera body, for sending the photographic data to the accessory, and means for receiving the function data and the effective signal from the accessory to control the function of the camera body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera system of claim 24, wherein said accessory is an IC card which includes an integral circuit as said generating means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
61 words
The camera system of claim 24, wherein said generating means generates a plurality of the function data, and said camera system further comprising: an operable member provided in the camera body; and means, provided in the camera body, for reducing the camera function from all effective functions received by the receiving means in response to the operation of the operable member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
191 words
Camera system, including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body comprising: first operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a first function; second operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a second function; storing means, having two portions and provided in the accessory, for storing first and second data corresponding to the first and second functions into the two portions respectively; sending means, provided in the accessory, for sending the first and second data in the storing means; receiving means, provided in the camera body, for receiving the first and second data from the sending means; first control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the first operating means in accordance with the first data read by the reading means; second control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the second operating means in accordance with the second data read by the reading means; a manual operable member provided in the camera body; and inhibiting means, provided in the camera body, for inhibiting the operations of the first and second control means when the manual operable member is operated.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
191 words
Camera system, including a camera body and an accessory adapted to cooperate with the camera body comprising: first operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a first function; second operating means, provided in the camera body, for operating a second function; storing means, having two portions and provided in the accessory, for storing first and second data corresponding to the first and second functions into the two portions respectively; sending means, provided in the accessory, for sending the first and second data in the storing means; receiving means, provided in the camera body, for receiving the first and second data from the sending means; first control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the first operating means in accordance with the first data read by the reading means; second control means, provided in the camera body, for controlling the second operating means in accordance with the second data read by the reading means; a manual operable member provided in the camera body; and inhibiting means, provided in the camera body, for inhibiting the operations of the first and second control means when the manual operable member is operated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4286849A
Cited
JPS5778033A
Cited
US4461560A
Cited
US4455068A
Cited
US4469419A
Cited
US4494851A
Cited
JPS58198031A
Cited
US4673277A
Cited
US4621914A
Cited
JPS61167934A
Cited
US4727244A
Cited
JPS6276370A
Cited
US4728978A
Cited
US4814812A
Cited
JPS62270931A
Cited
JPS635331A
Cited
US4855779A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |