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US5140358A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Camera

Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1989-10-04
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2009-10-04
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Abstract

Abstract A camera has a first photographing mode for also performing a second photographing operation at a focusing-lens position of a first photographing operation, a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing for every photographing operation, and diaphragm controller for controlling the amount of an aperture of a diaphragm. The diaphragm controller maintains the diaphragm in a state at the first photographing operation when the first photographing mode is selected, and returns the diaphragm to a predetermined position for every photographing operation when the second photographing mode is selected.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tatsuyuki Tokunaga
  • 👤 Masayuki Suzuki

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 12:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091; G03B7/095

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
A camera comprising: (a) means for selecting a first photographing mode for performing a second photographing operation at an in-focus lens position used for a first photographing operation; (b) means for selecting a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing for every photographing operation, wherein said first and second photographing modes are modes for performing continuous photographing operations; and (c) diaphragm control means for controlling the amount of an aperture of a diaphragm, said diaphragm control means maintaining said diaphragm in a state at the first photographing operation when said first photographing mode is selected, and returning said diaphragm to a predetermined position for every photographing operation when said second photographing mode is selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 113 words
A camera comprising: (a) means for selecting a first photographing mode for performing a second photographing operation at an in-focus lens position used for a first photographing operation; (b) means for selecting a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing for every photographing operation, wherein said first and second photographing modes are modes for performing continuous photographing operations; and (c) diaphragm control means for controlling the amount of an aperture of a diaphragm, said diaphragm control means maintaining said diaphragm in a state at the first photographing operation when said first photographing mode is selected, and returning said diaphragm to a predetermined position for every photographing operation when said second photographing mode is selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined position represents an open position of said diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 56 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said means for selecting a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing is capable of selecting between a first autofocusing mode for performing a focusing operation only once for a photographing operation and a second autofocusing mode for performing a focusing operation a plurality of times for a photographing operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein said first photographing mode can be selected when said first autofocusing mode is selected, and said second photographing mode can be selected when said second autofocusing mode is selected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined position represents an aperture position of said diaphragm for enabling autofocusing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
A camera according to claim 1, further comprising a motor as a driving source for the opening or closing of said diaphragm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 51 words
A camera according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure control circuit for controlling exposure by a photometric value for the first photographing operation when said first photographing mode has been selected, and for controlling exposure by performing photometry for every photographic operation when said second photographing mode has been selected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 126 words
A camera body removably including an interchangeable lens incorporating a diaphragm comprising: (a) means for selecting a first photographing mode for performing a second photographing operation at an in-focus lens position used for a first photographing operation; (b) means for selecting a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing for every photographing operation, wherein said first and second photographing modes are modes for performing continuous photographing operations; and (c) diaphragm control means for controlling the amount of an aperture of a diaphragm within said interchangeable lens, said diaphragm control means maintaining said diaphragm in a state at the first photographing operation when said first photographing mode is selected, and returning said diaphragm to a predetermined position for every photographing operation when said second photographing mode is selected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 126 words
A camera body removably including an interchangeable lens incorporating a diaphragm comprising: (a) means for selecting a first photographing mode for performing a second photographing operation at an in-focus lens position used for a first photographing operation; (b) means for selecting a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing for every photographing operation, wherein said first and second photographing modes are modes for performing continuous photographing operations; and (c) diaphragm control means for controlling the amount of an aperture of a diaphragm within said interchangeable lens, said diaphragm control means maintaining said diaphragm in a state at the first photographing operation when said first photographing mode is selected, and returning said diaphragm to a predetermined position for every photographing operation when said second photographing mode is selected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 52 words
A camera body according to claim 8, further comprising an exposure control circuit for controlling exposure by a photometric value for the first photographing operation when said first photographing mode has been selected, and for controlling exposure by performing photometry for every photographic operation when said second photographing mode has been selected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
A camera body according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined position represents an open position of said diaphragm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 57 words
A camera body according to claim 8, wherein said means for selecting a second photographing mode for performing autofocusing is capable of selecting between a first autofocusing mode for performing a focusing operation only once for a photographing operation and a second autofocusing mode for performing a focusing operation a plurality of times for a photographing operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 37 words
A camera body according to claim 11, wherein said first photographing mode can be selected when said first autofocusing mode is selected, and said second photographing mode can be selected when said second autofocusing mode is selected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A camera body according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined position represents an aperture position of said diaphragm for enabling autofocusing.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3842587A Cited
US4657368A Cited
US4723139A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-08-18 1996-02-17 1996-08-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-08-18 2000-02-17 2000-08-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-08-18 2004-02-17 2004-08-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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