US5122825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zoom camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-08-02
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Granted: 1992-06-16
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Expires: 2010-08-02
Abstract
Abstract In a zoom camera having a zoom lens including a variator lens, and a driving system for driving the variator lens, the image magnification is computed in accordance with a predetermined program based on the detected object distance, and such a focal length is computed as to obtain a specified value of image magnification based on the detected object distance and the computed image magnification, and the obtained focal length data is fed to the driving system. As a result, auto-zooming with a suitable image magnification in accordance with the object distance can be achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisashi Tokumaru
- 👤 Hisayuki Masumoto
- 👤 Takanobu Omaki
- 👤 Takehiro Katoh
- 👤 Yukio Maekawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A zoom camera comprising, a zoom lens including a variator lens group and having a focal length range, a driving system for driving the variator lens group, object distance detecting means for detecting an object distance from the camera to an object to be photographed, image magnification setting means for setting the image magnification in accordance with a predetermined program based on the object distance, the image magnification being set in such a manner that an image magnification with a small object distance is larger than an image magnification with a large object distance, and computing means for computing such a focal length so as to obtain a specified value of image magnification based on output signals from the object distance detecting means and the image magnification setting means and feeding the obtained focal length data to the driving system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A zoom camera comprising, a zoom lens including a variator lens group and having a focal length range, a driving system for driving the variator lens group, object distance detecting means for detecting an object distance from the camera to an object to be photographed, image magnification setting means for setting the image magnification in accordance with a predetermined program based on the object distance, the image magnification being set in such a manner that an image magnification with a small object distance is larger than an image magnification with a large object distance, and computing means for computing such a focal length so as to obtain a specified value of image magnification based on output signals from the object distance detecting means and the image magnification setting means and feeding the obtained focal length data to the driving system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A zoom camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprising, judging means for judging whether the focal length computed by the computing means is within the focal length range of the zoom lens, and means for setting the focal length at one end of the focal length range when the focal length computed by the computing means is judged not to be within the focal length range of the zoom lens, whereby the driving system is driven by outputs of the judging means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A zoom camera as claimed in claim 2, in which the image magnification is set by the image magnification setting means using such a function as to make the image magnification associated with a small object distance larger than the image magnification associated with a large object distance, and the means for setting the focal length is so constructed as to set the focal length at the shortest focal length of the zoom lens when the image magnification is large, and at the longest focal length thereof when the image magnification is small.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A zoom camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rate of change of the image magnification is slower when the focal length data is within said focal length range than when the focal length data is at the outer limits of said range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A zoom camera as claimed in claim 1, in which the change in focal length is determined in accordance with a predetermined program relating the image magnification to the object distance and the focal length, wherein a rate of change of the image magnification in the case of the object distance being changed when the focal length is changed based on said program is slower than a rate of change of the image magnification in the case of the object distance is changed when the focal length is fixed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A zoom camera comprising: a zoom lens including a variator lens group; object distance detecting means for detecting an object distance from the camera to an object to be photographed; means for inputting the detected object distance and for outputting a focal length, wherein the relationship between the inputted object distance and the focal length to be outputted is predetermined in such a manner that an image magnification with a small object distance is larger than an image magnification with a large object distance; and means for driving the variator lens group based on the outputted focal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A zoom camera comprising: a zoom lens including a variator lens group; object distance detecting means for detecting an object distance from the camera to an object to be photographed; means for inputting the detected object distance and for outputting a focal length, wherein the relationship between the inputted object distance and the focal length to be outputted is predetermined in such a manner that an image magnification with a small object distance is larger than an image magnification with a large object distance; and means for driving the variator lens group based on the outputted focal length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A zoom camera as claimed in claim 6, wherein a rate of change of the image magnification within a predetermined object distance range in the case of the focal length being changed by said inputting and outputting means is slower than a rate of change of the image magnification in the case of the focal length being fixed.
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JPS5564204A
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JPS604911A
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JPH06269224A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-12-16 | 1996-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-16 | 1999-12-16 | 2000-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-16 | 2003-12-16 | 2004-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |