US5019845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flash device for camera
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1990-06-12
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2010-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A flash device for a camera comprises a plurality of flash light emitting portions having different flash illumination angles. A single common electric charge storage supplies energy to each of the flash light emitting portions. Each of a plurality of triggers corresponds to one of flash light emitting portions. In response to the focal length of a taking lens disposed in the camera, a controller determines which of a plurality of the flash light emitting portions to be fired and trigger the appropriate trigger corresponding to the flash light emitting portion to be fired.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuo Asakura
- 👤 Yuji Imai
- 👤 Yuji Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503; G03B2215/0507; G03B2215/051; G03B2215/0514; G03B2215/0517; G03B2215/0553
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A flash device for a camera having a taking lens comprising: a plurality of flash light emitting portions having different flash illumination ranges; and control means responsive to the focal length of the taking lens of the camera for selectively firing one of a plurality of flash light emitting portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A flash device for a camera having a taking lens comprising: a plurality of flash light emitting portions having different flash illumination ranges; and control means responsive to the focal length of the taking lens of the camera for selectively firing one of a plurality of flash light emitting portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which said control means selects a flash light emitting portion of a plurality of said flash light emitting portions, having a wide flash illumination range for firing the same when an object distance is smaller than a given distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 2 in which said control means obtains object distance information from means for detecting a focussed position of a taking lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 and further including single power supply means for supplying electric power to a plurality of the flash light emitting portions; and a plurality of trigger means for activating each of a plurality of the flash light emitting portions to fire the same; said control means being adapted to select one of the trigger means to fire one of a plurality of the flash light emitting portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which a flash light emitting portion of a plurality of the flash light emitting portions having a narrower illumination range is disposed at a position farther from an optical axis of the taking lens than the other flash light emitting portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which a plurality of said flash light emitting portions are juxtaposed in a linear direction which perpendicularly intersects an optical axis of said taking lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which a plurality of said flash light emitting portions are juxtaposed in a height direction of a body of the camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which a plurality of said flash light emitting portions are enabled to emit light when they are in a position extending from the upper surface of the camera body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which said control means obtains focal length information from a focal length detecting means disposed at the taking lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A flash device for a camera as defined in claim 1 in which a flash light emitting portion of a plurality of said flash light emitting portions, having a wider flash illumination range is disposed at a position farther from an optical axis of the taking lens other than the other flash light emitting portions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling light emission of a plurality of flash light emitting portions of a flash device having different illumination ranges for photographing purposes comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the flash light emitting portions are enabled to fire; determining whether or not the focal length of a taking lens is longer than a given focal length; selecting a flash light emitting portion having a smaller flash illumination range for firing the same when the focal length is longer than a given focal length; and selecting a flash light emitting portion having a wider illumination range for firing the same when the focal length of the taking lens is shorter than a given focal length.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling light emission of a plurality of flash light emitting portions of a flash device having different illumination ranges for photographing purposes comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the flash light emitting portions are enabled to fire; determining whether or not the focal length of a taking lens is longer than a given focal length; selecting a flash light emitting portion having a smaller flash illumination range for firing the same when the focal length is longer than a given focal length; and selecting a flash light emitting portion having a wider illumination range for firing the same when the focal length of the taking lens is shorter than a given focal length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of controlling light emission as defined in claim 11 and further including the step of selecting a flash light emitting portion having a wide illumination range for firing the same when the focal length of the taking lens is longer than a given focal length and the object distance is smaller than a given distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens; means for adjusting the focal length of the taking lens; a plurality of flashlight emitting means each having a different flash illumination range; control means responsive to the focal length position of the adjustable taking lens for selectively enabling one of said flashlight emitting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens; means for adjusting the focal length of the taking lens; a plurality of flashlight emitting means each having a different flash illumination range; control means responsive to the focal length position of the adjustable taking lens for selectively enabling one of said flashlight emitting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 13 further comprising control means for operating the camera and enabled flash means in a synchronized manner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5362330A
Cited
JPS632030A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |