US5150145A — Lens shutter camera including zoom lens

Claim 1

Independent Claim 68 words

A lens shutter type of camera having a zoom lens and a viewfinder optically separate form said zoom lens, said zoom lens driven by a motor, means, associated with said motor, for driving said zoom lens continuously between an extreme wide angle position and an extreme telephoto position, and means, associated with said motor, for driving said zoom lens beyond said telephoto position into a close-up photographic position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 68 words

A lens shutter type of camera having a zoom lens and a viewfinder optically separate form said zoom lens, said zoom lens driven by a motor, means, associated with said motor, for driving said zoom lens continuously between an extreme wide angle position and an extreme telephoto position, and means, associated with said motor, for driving said zoom lens beyond said telephoto position into a close-up photographic position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a stationary strobe assembly.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, said zoom lens being movable into at least three different positions.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein said zooming lens includes a photographing optical system having at least two separate lens groups.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein said motor comprises means for continuously driving said zoom lens into an infinite number of positions of different focal lengths.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 47 words

A camera in accordance with claim 5, wherein said camera includes an finder optical assembly and a strobe assembly, said finder optical assembly and said strobe assembly are positionable in a continuous fashion into a plurality of positions in accordance with the position of the zoom lens.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 54 words

A camera in accordance with claim 6, wherein said zoom lens has a barrel block, said means for positioning said finder optical assembly and said strobe assembly in association with zooming movement of said lens includes a flexible code plate which is positioned about a cam ring which surrounds the zoom lens barrel block.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

A camera in accordance with claim 7, wherein said code plate comprises a plurality of conductive lands, and said camera comprises a conductive brush with a plurality of terminals which are electrically connected to a printed circuit board.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

A camera in accordance with claim 8, wherein said code plate further comprises a plurality of nonconductive lands.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

A camera in accordance with claim 7, wherein said code plate is rotatable in a constant axial position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a generally cylindrical, rotatable cam ring positioned about said zoom lens and driven by said motor, said motor and said cam ring together comprising mans for zooming said lens along a photographic optical axis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

A camera in accordance with claim 11, wherein a sector gear is attached to the outer periphery of said cam ring and comprises means for rotating said cam ring when said sector gear is driven by said motor.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 50 words

A camera in accordance with claim 12, wherein said zoom lens includes a front lens group and a rear lens group, said cam ring having a front lens cam groove and a rear lens group cam groove for slidably receiving pins attached to frames for each of said lens groups.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 48 words

A camera in accordance with claim 13, wherein said front lens group is adapted to be engaged by a pin on a frame which surrounds said front lens, and said rear lens group is adapted to ben engaged by a pin attached to a rear lens group frame.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 229 words

A camera in accordance with claim 14, wherein said frame surrounding said front lens group comprises a shutter block and a pin mounted to said shutter block and received in said front lens group cam groove said front lens cam groove includes a shutter block opening and closing section, and an extreme wide angle position section which said shutter block pin engages when said cam ring travels over an angle θ 1 , a variable magnification ring travels oven an angle θ 2 , and an extreme telephoto position section, a macro transfer section, and an extreme telephoto position section, a macro transfer section, and an extreme macro fixing section which said shutter block pin engage when said cam ring travels over said angle θ 3 , wherein said rear lens groove includes an extreme wide angle position section which said rear lens group frame pin engages when said cam ring travels over an angle θ 1 , a variable magnification section which said rear lens group frame pin engages when said cam ring travels over said angle θ 2 , and an extreme telephoto position which said rear lens group frame pin engages when said cam ring travels over said angle θ 2 , and an extreme telephoto position which said rear lens group frame pin engages when said cam ring travels over said angle θ 3 .

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for automatically focusing said camera.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

A camera in accordance with claim 16, wherein said automatic focusing means includes means for measuring the distance of a subject from the film plane of said camera by triangulation.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 64 words

A camera in accordance with claim 17, further comprising means for extending the base length of said distance measuring device in a macro camera mode when said lens is located beyond an extreme telephoto position, said base length extending means comprising an optical wedge which is movable to a position along the axis of a light receiver forming part of said distance measuring means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

A camera in accordance with claim 18, wherein said optical wedge comprises a prism.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 94 words

A camera in accordance with claim 19, wherein said prism is positioned within a frame having a front surface and a rear surface, a top, a bottom, and two sides, when in its moved position wherein a substantially central portion of said frame is positioned along the optical axis of said light receiver, said prism being positioned in an upper portion of said frame, said front wall having an elongated opening for permitting light to enter said frame, said rear wall having an elongated slit comprising means for permitting light to exit said frame.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

A camera in accordance with claim 20, wherein said rear wall slit is located substantially along said light receiver optical axis, and said prism is positioned between said slits and thereby comprises means for refracting light entering said front wall slit and for conducting said light, via internal reflection, through said

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 31 words

A camera in accordance with claim 17, further comprising means for extending the base length of the subject distance measuring device when said camera is placed into a macro photographic mode.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 74 words

A camera in accordance with claim 18, wherein a rotatable cam ring is attached to said zoom lens, said cam ring including a driving gear positioned thereon, said driving ring including a camming projection, said projection comprising means for engaging a lower end of said optical wedge and means for pivoting said optical wedge, against the biasing force of a spring attached to said optical wedge, into the optical axis of said light receiver.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 35 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein said movable lens is positioned within a lens barrel block, said lens barrel block having a sector gear positioned about at least a portion of said block.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 30 words

A camera in accordance with claim 24, wherein said sector gear is positioned about a rotatable cam ring and extends over more than 180° about said ring and said block.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 34 words

A camera in accordance with claim 25, further comprising a first pinion attached to a shaft of said motor, said first pinion operatively connected to said sector gear to rotatably drive said cam ring.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

A camera in accordance with claim 26, further comprising a second pinion engaging said sector gear, said sector gear comprising means for rotatably driving said second pinion.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 21 words

A camera in accordance with claim 27, further comprising at least two additional gears driven by rotation of said second pinion.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

A camera in accordance with claim 24, further comprising a movable cam plate and means for moving said cam plate in a linear fashion in response to rotation of said sector gear.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 38 words

A camera in accordance with claim 29, wherein said cam plate comprises a rack attached to a flat portion of said cam plate, said rack extending downwardly from said flat cam plate portion in a substantially perpendicular fashion.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

A camera in accordance with claim 30, wherein said cam plate includes a plurality of camming grooves.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 33 words

A camera in accordance with claim 1, wherein said zoom lens comprises a front lens group and a rear lens group, said camera comprising a shutter block mounted around said front lens group.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 20 words

A camera in accordance with claim 32, wherein only said front lens group zooms in order to focus said camera.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

A camera in accordance with claim 32, wherein both of said lens groups are capable of moving over different linear displacements.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 103 words

A subject distance measuring device for an automatic focus camera having a macro photographic position, said subject distance measuring device comprising means for determining the distance of a subject from a film plane in said camera, said camera having a photographic optical system which is automatically focused in accordance with the detected distance of said subject, said optical system being movable to an extreme telephoto position and to a macro position beyond said extreme telephoto position, said subject distance measuring device comprising an optical element and means for selectively inserting said optical element into the optical path of said subject distance measuring device.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 103 words

A subject distance measuring device for an automatic focus camera having a macro photographic position, said subject distance measuring device comprising means for determining the distance of a subject from a film plane in said camera, said camera having a photographic optical system which is automatically focused in accordance with the detected distance of said subject, said optical system being movable to an extreme telephoto position and to a macro position beyond said extreme telephoto position, said subject distance measuring device comprising an optical element and means for selectively inserting said optical element into the optical path of said subject distance measuring device.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 53 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 35, further comprising a light emitter and a light receiver, wherein said optical element is selectively positionable between said light receiver and said light emitter to optically extend the base length between said two elements when said photographing optical system is moved into said macro position.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 41 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 36, wherein said optical element comprises a total internal reflection prism having at least two totally reflective surfaces for moving light incident on said prism in parallel in order to extend said base length.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 31 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 37, wherein said optical element comprises means for intersecting the optical axes of said light emitter and said light receiver at a finite distance.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 40 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 38, wherein said optical element comprises a correction flag which is pivotably connected to said camera at one end and which has a second, free end in which said optical element is positioned.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 60 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 39, wherein said camera further comprises a spring for continuously biasing said flag into a retracted position away from the optical path of the light receiver, and means for rotating said flag to overcome the bias of said spring and for positioning said optical element in the optical path of said light receiver.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 40 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 40, wherein said camera includes a rotatable driving ring and said flag rotating means comprises a projection on said driving ring which is adapted to engage and rotate the pivoted first flat end.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 13 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 39, wherein said flag is flexible.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 54 words

A measuring device in accordance with claim 35, wherein said optical element comprises a prism positioned in a frame, said frame having a front surface and a rear surface and including an elongated slit on an upper portion of said front surface and an elongated slit on a central portion of said rear surface.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 81 words

A photographing zoom lens positionable within a camera, said zoom lens having at least a first lens groups and a second lens group, and means for positioning said zoom lens in an extreme wide angle position and an extreme telephoto position, said zoom lens further comprising means for moving only said first lens group into a position beyond said extreme telephoto position in order to provide close focusing of said lens when the camera is placed into a macro photographic mode.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 81 words

A photographing zoom lens positionable within a camera, said zoom lens having at least a first lens groups and a second lens group, and means for positioning said zoom lens in an extreme wide angle position and an extreme telephoto position, said zoom lens further comprising means for moving only said first lens group into a position beyond said extreme telephoto position in order to provide close focusing of said lens when the camera is placed into a macro photographic mode.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 27 words

A zoom lens in accordance with claim 44, wherein said first lens group is located closer tot he subject being photographed than is said second lens group.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 113 words

In a camera having a zoom lens positionable in an extreme wide angle position, an extreme telephoto position, a plurality of variable magnification positions therebetween, and a macro photographing position located beyond said telephoto position, an autofocus assembly comprising a light emitter and a light receiver, said light receiver comprising a position sensing device, wherein said position sensing device comprises a first area which is used to sense the position of a subject during automatic focusing of said camera for all lens positions except said macro position, and a second area closely adjacent to said first area which comprises means for sensing the position of a subject during macro focusing of said camera.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 113 words

In a camera having a zoom lens positionable in an extreme wide angle position, an extreme telephoto position, a plurality of variable magnification positions therebetween, and a macro photographing position located beyond said telephoto position, an autofocus assembly comprising a light emitter and a light receiver, said light receiver comprising a position sensing device, wherein said position sensing device comprises a first area which is used to sense the position of a subject during automatic focusing of said camera for all lens positions except said macro position, and a second area closely adjacent to said first area which comprises means for sensing the position of a subject during macro focusing of said camera.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 15 words

A camera in accordance with claim 46, wherein said first and second areas are identical.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 15 words

A camera in accordance with claim 46, wherein said first and second areas are overlapping.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 35 words

A camera in accordance with claim 46, wherein said auto focus system comprise an optical wedge which is positioned in front of said light receiving mans when said lens is in said macro focusing position.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 119 words

A camera comprising: (a) a zoom lens which is movable between an extreme wide angle position, an extreme telephoto position, a plurality of variable magnification positions between said two extreme positions, and a macro focusing position beyond said telephoto position; (b) a device for measuring the distance of a subject from the film plane of said camera, said measuring device including a light receiver and a light emitter; (c) an optical element which is selectively positionable in the optical path between said light receiver and said light emitter; (d) means for driving said lens; and (e) means for positioning said optical element between said light receiver and said light emitter when said lens is driven into said macro position.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 119 words

A camera comprising: (a) a zoom lens which is movable between an extreme wide angle position, an extreme telephoto position, a plurality of variable magnification positions between said two extreme positions, and a macro focusing position beyond said telephoto position; (b) a device for measuring the distance of a subject from the film plane of said camera, said measuring device including a light receiver and a light emitter; (c) an optical element which is selectively positionable in the optical path between said light receiver and said light emitter; (d) means for driving said lens; and (e) means for positioning said optical element between said light receiver and said light emitter when said lens is driven into said macro position.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 25 words

A camera in accordance with claim 50, wherein said lens driving means comprises a motor and means for drivably connecting said motor to said lens.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 39 words

A camera in accordance with claim 50, wherein said optical element has a stem attached to a base end thereof, and said positioning means comprises a camming projection which rotates when said lens moves along the photographing optical axis.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 39 words

A camera in accordance with claim 52, wherein said camming projection comprises means for pivoting said optical element into said light path between said light receiver and said light emitter by abutting said base end of said optical element.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 33 words

A camera in accordance with claim 53, further comprising a recess adjacent to said camming projection, said recess comprising means for permitting said base end to turn prior to engaging said camming projection.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 27 words

A camera in accordance with claim 54, wherein said camming projection and said recess are located on a driving ring engaged with said motor via a pinion.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 37 words

A camera in accordance with claim 54, wherein said stem is flexible and maintains said optical element in a substantially vertical upright position when located in the optical path between said light receiver and said light emitter.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 62 words

A camera in accordance with claim 56, wherein said optical element is positioned within a mask which is attached to said stem, said mask having first and second opposite sides and a stop attached to said second side, said stop being adapted to engage a motor support plate when said optical element is located between said light emitter and said light receiver.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 117 words

In an autofocusing system for measuring the distance of a subject from a reference plane of a camera, comprising a light emitter and a light receiver spaced from said light emitter by a fixed base length, means for optically extending the base length of said autofocus system, said extending means comprising a means for inserting an optical element into the path of light entering said light receiver, said optical element comprising a prism positioned within a frame having a front wall and a rear wall each said wall having a slot therein, said slots being spaced from each other by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of light entering said light receiver.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 117 words

In an autofocusing system for measuring the distance of a subject from a reference plane of a camera, comprising a light emitter and a light receiver spaced from said light emitter by a fixed base length, means for optically extending the base length of said autofocus system, said extending means comprising a means for inserting an optical element into the path of light entering said light receiver, said optical element comprising a prism positioned within a frame having a front wall and a rear wall each said wall having a slot therein, said slots being spaced from each other by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of light entering said light receiver.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 34 words

An autofocus system in accordance with claim 58, further comprising means refracting light entering said front wall slot for conducting said light by internal reflection through said rear wall slot to said light receiver.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 24 words

An autofocus system in accordance with claim 58, wherein said inserting means is responsive to said camera being placed in a macro photography mode.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 36 words

An autofocus system in accordance with claim 59, wherein said front wall slot is spaced from the optical axis of said receiver and said rear wall slot is located along the optical axis of said receiver.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 41 words

An autofocus system in accordance with claim 58, wherein said optical element comprises a total internal reflection prism having at least two totally reflective surfaces for moving light incident on said prism in parallel in order to extend said base length.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 122 words

In an apparatus for adjusting the focus in a macro photographing mode in an automatic focusing camera having an object distance measuring optical system defining an optical axis, including a light emitter which emits measuring light and a light receiver which receives the measuring light reflected by an object to be photographed, to output distance data, said apparatus comprising: a mask having an aperture having a center which is offset from the optical axis of the said object distance measuring optical system, and means for deflecting measuring light which passes through said aperture of said mask toward to said light receiver, said mask and said means for deflecting being retractably located in front of said light receiver in said macro photographing mode.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 122 words

In an apparatus for adjusting the focus in a macro photographing mode in an automatic focusing camera having an object distance measuring optical system defining an optical axis, including a light emitter which emits measuring light and a light receiver which receives the measuring light reflected by an object to be photographed, to output distance data, said apparatus comprising: a mask having an aperture having a center which is offset from the optical axis of the said object distance measuring optical system, and means for deflecting measuring light which passes through said aperture of said mask toward to said light receiver, said mask and said means for deflecting being retractably located in front of said light receiver in said macro photographing mode.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said light receiver comprises a light receiving lens.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said light emitter comprises a light projecting lens.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said means for deflecting comprises a deflecting prism.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 33 words

An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said mask and said prism are retracted on opposite sides of the optical axis of said light receiving lens with respect to said light emitting lens.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 38 words

An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said aperture of said mask is in the form of a slit which extends in direction perpendicular to the base length between said light emitting lens and said light receiving lens.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 19 words

An apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said aperture of said mask is in the form of a pinhole.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 17 words

An apparatus according to claim 69, wherein said prism and said mask are integral with each other.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 21 words

An apparatus according to claim 69, wherein said prism and said mask are interconnected by means of an adhesive applied therebetween.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said mask is located on the side of said prism opposite said light receiving lens.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 23 words

An apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said mask is located on the side of said prism adjacent to said light receiving lens.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 94 words

A distance measuring optical system comprising: (a) means for emitting measuring light toward an object; (b) means for receiving said measuring light reflected by the object, said receiving means defining an optical axis; (c) a mask adapted to be located between the object and said means for receiving said measuring light; (d) an aperture located in said mask and adapted to permit said measuring light to pass therethrough, said aperture having a center which is offset for the defined optical axis; and (e) means for deflecting said measuring light which passes through said aperture.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 94 words

A distance measuring optical system comprising: (a) means for emitting measuring light toward an object; (b) means for receiving said measuring light reflected by the object, said receiving means defining an optical axis; (c) a mask adapted to be located between the object and said means for receiving said measuring light; (d) an aperture located in said mask and adapted to permit said measuring light to pass therethrough, said aperture having a center which is offset for the defined optical axis; and (e) means for deflecting said measuring light which passes through said aperture.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 28 words

A distance measuring optical system according to claim 74, wherein said means for receiving said measuring light comprises a measuring light receiving lens positioned along the optical axis.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 35 words

A distance measuring optical system according to claim 76, wherein said means for receiving said measuring light further comprises a light position detecting element for receiving said measuring light form said measuring light receiving lens.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 26 words

A distance measuring optical system according to claim 74, wherein said means for deflecting said measuring light comprises a prism having a single light reflecting surface.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 45 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera, said apparatus incorporating the distance measuring opticals system of claim 75, wherein said light position detecting element is adapted to generate an output signal for moving at least a portion of a photographic optical system of the camera.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 41 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 77, further comprising a zoom photographing optical system comprising at least two lens groups, wherein said output signal is adapted to move at one of said at least two lens groups.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 27 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 79, wherein said zoom photographing optical system further comprises means to enable focusing in a macro-photographing mode.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 41 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 80, wherein said mask and said means for detecting said measuring light are retractable from a position adjacent said light receiving lens, in which position they are during said macro-photographing mode.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 24 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 81, wherein said mask and said means for deflecting said measuring light are integral.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 27 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 81, wherein said mask and said means for deflecting said measuring light are connected by an adhesive.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 41 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 82, wherein said means for deflecting said measuring light comprise a prism having a surface through which said measuring light is received, and wherein said mask is located on said surface.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 41 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 82, wherein said means for deflecting said measuring light comprises a prism having a surface through which said measuring light is emitted, and wherein said mask is located on said surface.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 96 words

An object distance measuring optical system comprising: means for emitting measuring light towards an object, the distance to which is to be measured; a measuring light receiving lens positioned to define an optical axis and adapted to receive only measuring light reflected from the object, and a mask having an aperture therethrough, said mask adapted to be positioned adjacent said measuring light receiving lens so that said aperture is offset for the optical axis, wherein said reflected measuring light is displaced for the optical axis as said light is received by said measuring light receiving lens.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 96 words

An object distance measuring optical system comprising: means for emitting measuring light towards an object, the distance to which is to be measured; a measuring light receiving lens positioned to define an optical axis and adapted to receive only measuring light reflected from the object, and a mask having an aperture therethrough, said mask adapted to be positioned adjacent said measuring light receiving lens so that said aperture is offset for the optical axis, wherein said reflected measuring light is displaced for the optical axis as said light is received by said measuring light receiving lens.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 39 words

An object distance measuring optical system according to claim 86, further comprising measuring light deflecting means adapted to be positioned adjacent said measuring light receiving lens and said mask and between said measuring light receiving lens and the object.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 78 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera, said apparatus incorporating said object distance measuring optical system of claim 87, wherein said mask and said measuring light deflecting means are retractable form said position adjacent said measuring light receiving lens, wherein said mask blocks measuring light from being received by said measuring light receiving lens along the optical axis, to a position wherein said mask blocks substantially no measuring light form being received by said measuring light receiving lens.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 60 words

A focus adjusting apparatus for a camera according to claim 88, further comprising a photographing optical system which comprises at least one photographic lens, and wherein said measuring light receiving means further comprises a light position detecting element which is adapted to generate a signal for moving said at least one photographic lens, to thereby focus said photographing optical system.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 299 words

An automatic focus adjusting apparatus for a camera which comprises a zoom photographing optical system adapted for operation in a normal photographing mode and in a macro photographing mode, wherein at least a portion of said zoom photographing optical system is moved a predetermined amount for operation in said macro-photographing mode, said apparatus comprising: (a) a light source for emitting measuring light towards an object to be photographed; (b) a measuring light receiving lens positioned to define an optical axis and adapted to receive measuring light reflected from the object to be photographed; (c) light position detecting means adapted to receive measuring light form said measuring light receiving lens and to thereby detect deviation of said measuring light depending upon the distance between said object and a predetermined point on the camera; (d) a mask adapted to be moved to a position adjacent said measuring light receiving lens when said camera is set for operation in said macro-photographing mode and adapted to be retracted from said position when said camera is set for operation in said normal photographing mode, said mask comprising at least one aperture offset from the optical axis; and (e) measuring light deflecting means adapted to be located adjacent said mask and said measuring light receiving lens; whereby said apparatus further comprises a predetermined number of feed movement measuring steps for focusing the camera in both the normal photographing mode and in the macro-photographing mode between predetermined ranges of object distances, respectively, and wherein the deviation detected by said light position detection means at each of said steps when the camera is set at said normal photographing mode is substantially the same as the deviation detected by said light position detecting means at each of said steps when the camera is set at the macro-photographing mode.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 299 words

An automatic focus adjusting apparatus for a camera which comprises a zoom photographing optical system adapted for operation in a normal photographing mode and in a macro photographing mode, wherein at least a portion of said zoom photographing optical system is moved a predetermined amount for operation in said macro-photographing mode, said apparatus comprising: (a) a light source for emitting measuring light towards an object to be photographed; (b) a measuring light receiving lens positioned to define an optical axis and adapted to receive measuring light reflected from the object to be photographed; (c) light position detecting means adapted to receive measuring light form said measuring light receiving lens and to thereby detect deviation of said measuring light depending upon the distance between said object and a predetermined point on the camera; (d) a mask adapted to be moved to a position adjacent said measuring light receiving lens when said camera is set for operation in said macro-photographing mode and adapted to be retracted from said position when said camera is set for operation in said normal photographing mode, said mask comprising at least one aperture offset from the optical axis; and (e) measuring light deflecting means adapted to be located adjacent said mask and said measuring light receiving lens; whereby said apparatus further comprises a predetermined number of feed movement measuring steps for focusing the camera in both the normal photographing mode and in the macro-photographing mode between predetermined ranges of object distances, respectively, and wherein the deviation detected by said light position detection means at each of said steps when the camera is set at said normal photographing mode is substantially the same as the deviation detected by said light position detecting means at each of said steps when the camera is set at the macro-photographing mode.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 91 words

An object distance measuring optical system having an optical axis, said object distance measuring optical system comprising: measuring light emitting means for emitting measuring light towards an object, the distance to which is to be measured; a measuring light receiving lens positioned with the optical axis located at the center of said measuring light receiving lens; and means for enabling said measuring light receiving lens to receive only measuring light reflected from the object in which said reflected measuring light is displaced form the center of said measuring light receiving lens.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 91 words

An object distance measuring optical system having an optical axis, said object distance measuring optical system comprising: measuring light emitting means for emitting measuring light towards an object, the distance to which is to be measured; a measuring light receiving lens positioned with the optical axis located at the center of said measuring light receiving lens; and means for enabling said measuring light receiving lens to receive only measuring light reflected from the object in which said reflected measuring light is displaced form the center of said measuring light receiving lens.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 54 words

An object distance measuring optical system according to claim 91, wherein said means for enabling comprises a mask having an aperture therethrough, wherein said mask is positioned for movement to and from a position adjacent said measuring light receiving lens such that said aperture has a center which is offset from the optical axis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-09-22	1996-03-23	1996-09-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-09-22	2000-03-23	2000-09-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-09-22	2004-03-23	2004-09-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Lens shutter camera including zoom lens

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