US5159364A — Initial mode setting device for camera

Claim 1

Independent Claim 118 words

A mode setting device for a camera, comprising: a first actuation member to be actuated, prior to a phototaking operation, for rendering the camera capable of phototaking operation; a second actuation member to be actuated for selecting one of plural modes; means for setting a predetermined initial mode in response to the actuation of said first actuation member, and varying the mode in succession in response to the subsequent actuations of said second actuation member; means for counting the number of uses of each mode; and initial mode determining means for selecting a mode of largest number of uses based on the result of counting by said counting means and setting said mode as the above-mentioned initial mode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 118 words

A mode setting device for a camera, comprising: a first actuation member to be actuated, prior to a phototaking operation, for rendering the camera capable of phototaking operation; a second actuation member to be actuated for selecting one of plural modes; means for setting a predetermined initial mode in response to the actuation of said first actuation member, and varying the mode in succession in response to the subsequent actuations of said second actuation member; means for counting the number of uses of each mode; and initial mode determining means for selecting a mode of largest number of uses based on the result of counting by said counting means and setting said mode as the above-mentioned initial mode.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 114 words

A mode setting device for a camera, comprising: an actuation member to be actuated for selecting one of plural modes; means for varying the mode in succession in response to each actuation of said mode selecting actuation member; means for counting the number of uses of each mode; means for selecting a mode of largest number of uses, based on the result of counting by said counting means; means for discriminating whether the mode set by said setting means is said mode of largest number of uses; and means for generating an alarm in case the mode set by said setting means is identified not to be said mode of largest number of uses.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 114 words

A mode setting device for a camera, comprising: an actuation member to be actuated for selecting one of plural modes; means for varying the mode in succession in response to each actuation of said mode selecting actuation member; means for counting the number of uses of each mode; means for selecting a mode of largest number of uses, based on the result of counting by said counting means; means for discriminating whether the mode set by said setting means is said mode of largest number of uses; and means for generating an alarm in case the mode set by said setting means is identified not to be said mode of largest number of uses.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 209 words

A focal length control device for a camera, comprising: a first actuation member to be actuated prior to a phototaking operation, for rendering the camera capable of phototaking operation; a second actuation member to be actuated for varying the focal length of a phototaking lens; means for driving said phototaking lens to a predetermined initial focal length in response to the actuation of said first actuation member, and for driving said phototaking lens, in response to the actuation of said second actuation member while the camera is in a state capable of phototaking operation, to a focal length corresponding to the actuation of said second actuation member; detection means for detecting the focal length or the focal length range of said phototaking lens; counting means for counting the number of settings of said phototaking lens at each focal length or in each focal length range, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and selection means for selecting a focal length or a focal length range of the largest number of settings of the phototaking lens, based on the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected focal length or a focal length in said selected focal length range as said initial focal length.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 209 words

A focal length control device for a camera, comprising: a first actuation member to be actuated prior to a phototaking operation, for rendering the camera capable of phototaking operation; a second actuation member to be actuated for varying the focal length of a phototaking lens; means for driving said phototaking lens to a predetermined initial focal length in response to the actuation of said first actuation member, and for driving said phototaking lens, in response to the actuation of said second actuation member while the camera is in a state capable of phototaking operation, to a focal length corresponding to the actuation of said second actuation member; detection means for detecting the focal length or the focal length range of said phototaking lens; counting means for counting the number of settings of said phototaking lens at each focal length or in each focal length range, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and selection means for selecting a focal length or a focal length range of the largest number of settings of the phototaking lens, based on the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected focal length or a focal length in said selected focal length range as said initial focal length.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 139 words

A constant magnification phototaking device for a camera, comprising: an actuation member to be actuated for selecting the photographing magnification in a constant magnification phototaking operation; magnification setting means for selecting a predetermined initial photographing magnification from plural magnifications in response to an instruction for constant magnification phototaking, and varying said photographing magnification in succession in response to each subsequent actuation of said magnification selecting actuation member; means for detecting the object distance concerning the distance to the object; means for setting image angle information for photographing said object with said set photographing magnification, based on said detected object distance; means for counting the number of uses of each photographing magnification; and means for selecting a photographing magnification of the largest number of uses as said initial photographing magnification, based on the result of counting by said counting means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 139 words

A constant magnification phototaking device for a camera, comprising: an actuation member to be actuated for selecting the photographing magnification in a constant magnification phototaking operation; magnification setting means for selecting a predetermined initial photographing magnification from plural magnifications in response to an instruction for constant magnification phototaking, and varying said photographing magnification in succession in response to each subsequent actuation of said magnification selecting actuation member; means for detecting the object distance concerning the distance to the object; means for setting image angle information for photographing said object with said set photographing magnification, based on said detected object distance; means for counting the number of uses of each photographing magnification; and means for selecting a photographing magnification of the largest number of uses as said initial photographing magnification, based on the result of counting by said counting means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 89 words

A device according to claim 4, further comprising position detecting means for detecting whether the camera is in a horizontal position or in a vertical position, wherein said magnification setting means is adapted to set a magnification for the horizontal camera position for said photographing magnification in case the camera is in said horizontal position, or to set a magnification for the vertical camera position for said photographing magnification in case the camera is in said vertical position, based on the result of detection by said position detecting means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 99 words

A constant magnification photographing device for a camera, comprising: means for detecting the object distance concerning to the distance to the object; means for setting image angle information for photographing the object with a predetermined photographing magnification, based on said detected object distance; means for correcting said photographing magnification by modifying said set image angle information, in response to the actuation of an actuation member; and means for cumulatively storing the number of uses of information on the used photographing magnification and/or of said photographing magnification, and determining said predetermined photographing magnification based on the result of said storage.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 99 words

A constant magnification photographing device for a camera, comprising: means for detecting the object distance concerning to the distance to the object; means for setting image angle information for photographing the object with a predetermined photographing magnification, based on said detected object distance; means for correcting said photographing magnification by modifying said set image angle information, in response to the actuation of an actuation member; and means for cumulatively storing the number of uses of information on the used photographing magnification and/or of said photographing magnification, and determining said predetermined photographing magnification based on the result of said storage.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 105 words

A self-timer phototaking control device for a camera, comprising: an actuation to be actuated for selecting one of plural self-timer modes; means for setting a predetermined initial self-timer mode in response to a self-timer instruction and varying the self-timer mode in succession in response to each subsequent actuation of said actuation member; phototaking means for effecting a self-timer phototaking operation in said set self-timer mode; means for counting the number of uses of each self-timer mode; and means for selecting a self-timer mode of the largest number of uses as said predetermined initial self-timer mode, based on the result of counting by said counting means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 105 words

A self-timer phototaking control device for a camera, comprising: an actuation to be actuated for selecting one of plural self-timer modes; means for setting a predetermined initial self-timer mode in response to a self-timer instruction and varying the self-timer mode in succession in response to each subsequent actuation of said actuation member; phototaking means for effecting a self-timer phototaking operation in said set self-timer mode; means for counting the number of uses of each self-timer mode; and means for selecting a self-timer mode of the largest number of uses as said predetermined initial self-timer mode, based on the result of counting by said counting means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 159 words

A camera capable of automatically setting an exposure correction value, comprising: means for correcting the exposure value in response to a correction instructing signal; means for storing exposure correction values in relation to kinds of films; means for identifying the kind of loaded film; means for reading the exposure correction value corresponding to the loaded film from said storage means based on the result of identification by said identifying means, and sensing a correction instructing signal corresponding to that exposure correction value to said exposure value correcting means, said storage means being adapted to store also the number of uses of each of said exposure correction values; and detection means for detecting an exposure correction value of the largest number of uses for the identified kind of film, and wherein said correction value setting means is adapted to a correction instructing signal corresponding to the exposure correction value of said largest number of uses detected by said detection means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 159 words

A camera capable of automatically setting an exposure correction value, comprising: means for correcting the exposure value in response to a correction instructing signal; means for storing exposure correction values in relation to kinds of films; means for identifying the kind of loaded film; means for reading the exposure correction value corresponding to the loaded film from said storage means based on the result of identification by said identifying means, and sensing a correction instructing signal corresponding to that exposure correction value to said exposure value correcting means, said storage means being adapted to store also the number of uses of each of said exposure correction values; and detection means for detecting an exposure correction value of the largest number of uses for the identified kind of film, and wherein said correction value setting means is adapted to a correction instructing signal corresponding to the exposure correction value of said largest number of uses detected by said detection means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 89 words

An alarm device for a camera, comprising: means for releasing sensitivity information of the loaded film; means for determining a frequently used film sensitivity based on the output of said sensitivity information releasing means and setting said sensitivity as a standard sensitivity; means for discriminating, when a film is loaded in a state said standard sensitivity is set, whether the sensitivity of said loaded film coincides with said standard sensitivity; and means for generating an alarm in case said discriminating means identifies that both sensitivities are not mutually equal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 89 words

An alarm device for a camera, comprising: means for releasing sensitivity information of the loaded film; means for determining a frequently used film sensitivity based on the output of said sensitivity information releasing means and setting said sensitivity as a standard sensitivity; means for discriminating, when a film is loaded in a state said standard sensitivity is set, whether the sensitivity of said loaded film coincides with said standard sensitivity; and means for generating an alarm in case said discriminating means identifies that both sensitivities are not mutually equal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 95 words

A camera with interchangeable lens, comprising: first detection means for detecting information relating to the photographing distance; memory means for storing the distance information detected by said first detection means; second detection means for detecting the presence or absence of interchange of said lens; and lens drive means for regulating, when a lens interchange is detected by said second detection means, the focus state of the lens after said interchange according to the distance information stored in said memory means in such a manner as to obtain the photographing distance prior to said lens interchange.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 95 words

A camera with interchangeable lens, comprising: first detection means for detecting information relating to the photographing distance; memory means for storing the distance information detected by said first detection means; second detection means for detecting the presence or absence of interchange of said lens; and lens drive means for regulating, when a lens interchange is detected by said second detection means, the focus state of the lens after said interchange according to the distance information stored in said memory means in such a manner as to obtain the photographing distance prior to said lens interchange.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 85 words

An alarm device for a camera, comprising: means for discriminating whether the photographing condition is a condition requiring an alarm; alarm means for giving an alarm to the photographer based on the result of said discrimination, with plural levels of alarm; means for detecting that a phototaking operation has been conducted disregarding the alarm; and means for controlling said alarm means for varying the next alarm to a higher level of alarm, in case said detection has been made for a predetermined number of times.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 85 words

An alarm device for a camera, comprising: means for discriminating whether the photographing condition is a condition requiring an alarm; alarm means for giving an alarm to the photographer based on the result of said discrimination, with plural levels of alarm; means for detecting that a phototaking operation has been conducted disregarding the alarm; and means for controlling said alarm means for varying the next alarm to a higher level of alarm, in case said detection has been made for a predetermined number of times.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 130 words

An alarm device for a camera, comprising: means for discriminating whether the photographing condition is a condition requiring an alarm; alarm means for giving an alarm to the photographer based on the result of said discrimination, with plural levels of alarm selectively; first counting means for counting the number of phototaking operations disregarding the alarm; second counting means for counting the number of phototaking operations without alarm; and means for controlling said alarm means to give a higher level of alarm when a comparison of results of counting by said first and second counting means indicates that the number of phototaking operations conducted disregarding the alarm is larger than the number of phototaking operations conducted without alarm, and to give a lower level of alarm when the comparison indicates otherwise.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 130 words

An alarm device for a camera, comprising: means for discriminating whether the photographing condition is a condition requiring an alarm; alarm means for giving an alarm to the photographer based on the result of said discrimination, with plural levels of alarm selectively; first counting means for counting the number of phototaking operations disregarding the alarm; second counting means for counting the number of phototaking operations without alarm; and means for controlling said alarm means to give a higher level of alarm when a comparison of results of counting by said first and second counting means indicates that the number of phototaking operations conducted disregarding the alarm is larger than the number of phototaking operations conducted without alarm, and to give a lower level of alarm when the comparison indicates otherwise.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 155 words

A camera provided with a plurality of photographing conditions, comprising: generating means for generating a photographing preparation signal prior to a photographing operation; an actuation member to be actuated for varying said plurality of photographing conditions; adjusting means for adjusting said camera to a predetermined initial photographing condition in response to said photographing preparation signal, and for adjusting said camera, in response to the actuation of said actuation member, to the photographing condition corresponding to the actuation of said actuation member; photographing condition detecting means for detecting the photographing condition; counting means for counting the number of settings of the camera at each photographing condition on the basis of detection by said detecting means; and selecting means for selecting the photographing condition of the largest number of settings of the camera on the basis of the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected photographing condition as a new initial photographing condition.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 155 words

A camera provided with a plurality of photographing conditions, comprising: generating means for generating a photographing preparation signal prior to a photographing operation; an actuation member to be actuated for varying said plurality of photographing conditions; adjusting means for adjusting said camera to a predetermined initial photographing condition in response to said photographing preparation signal, and for adjusting said camera, in response to the actuation of said actuation member, to the photographing condition corresponding to the actuation of said actuation member; photographing condition detecting means for detecting the photographing condition; counting means for counting the number of settings of the camera at each photographing condition on the basis of detection by said detecting means; and selecting means for selecting the photographing condition of the largest number of settings of the camera on the basis of the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected photographing condition as a new initial photographing condition.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 43 words

A camera according to claim 13, wherein a focus length of a phototaking lens is changeable, and wherein said adjusting means adjusts the focal length of the phototaking lens in response to said photographing preparation signal and the actuation of said actuation member.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 64 words

A camera according to claim 13, wherein a phototaking lens is detachable from a body of the camera, wherein said generating means detects that the phototaking lens is attached to the camera body and thereafter generates said photographing preparation signal, and wherein said adjusting means adjusts a photographing distance of the phototaking lens in response to said photographing preparation signal and said actuation member.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 47 words

A camera according to claim 13, which further comprises memory means for fixedly storing said predetermined initial photographing condition and changing means for reading said predetermined initial photographing condition from said memory means and for substituting said new initial photographing condition for said predetermined initial photographing condition.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 33 words

A camera according to claim 13, which further comprises alarming means for detecting that the photographing condition adjusted by said adjusting means is different from said new initial photographing condition and thereafter alarming.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 122 words

A camera provided with a plurality of photographing conditions, comprising: an actuation member to be actuated for varying said plurality of photographing conditions; adjusting means responsive to the actuation of said actuation member for adjusting the camera to the photographing condition corresponding to the actuation of said actuation member; photographing condition detecting means for detecting the photographing condition; counting means for counting the number of settings of the camera at each photographing condition on the basis of detection by said detecting means; and selecting means for selecting the photographing condition of the largest number of settings of the camera on the basis of the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected photographing condition as an initial photographing condition.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 122 words

A camera provided with a plurality of photographing conditions, comprising: an actuation member to be actuated for varying said plurality of photographing conditions; adjusting means responsive to the actuation of said actuation member for adjusting the camera to the photographing condition corresponding to the actuation of said actuation member; photographing condition detecting means for detecting the photographing condition; counting means for counting the number of settings of the camera at each photographing condition on the basis of detection by said detecting means; and selecting means for selecting the photographing condition of the largest number of settings of the camera on the basis of the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected photographing condition as an initial photographing condition.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 37 words

A camera according to claim 18, which further comprises memory means for storing the plurality photographing conditions therein and reading means for firstly reading the initial photographing condition in response to the actuation of said actuation member.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 38 words

A camera according to claim 18, wherein a focus length and photographing distance of a phototaking lens are changeable, and wherein said adjusting means adjusts the photographing magnification of the phototaking lens in response to said actuation member.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

A camera according to claim 18, wherein a focus length of a phototaking lens is changeable, and wherein said adjusting means adjusts the focus length of the phototaking lens in response to said actuation member.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 24 words

A camera according to claim 18, wherein said adjusting means adjusts a photographing distance of a phototaking lens in response to said actuation member.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 77 words

A camera comprising: memory means for storing a plurality of photographing conditions therein; correcting means for correcting a predetermined one of the plurality of photographing conditions; counting means for counting the number of photographing operations corresponding to at least one not corrected photographing condition and the corrected predetermined photographing condition; and updating means for updating the predetermined one condition stored in said memory means on the basis of the result of the counting by said counting means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 77 words

A camera comprising: memory means for storing a plurality of photographing conditions therein; correcting means for correcting a predetermined one of the plurality of photographing conditions; counting means for counting the number of photographing operations corresponding to at least one not corrected photographing condition and the corrected predetermined photographing condition; and updating means for updating the predetermined one condition stored in said memory means on the basis of the result of the counting by said counting means.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 23 words

A camera according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of photographing conditions correspond to a plurality of photographing magnifications of the phototaking lens.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 164 words

A camera provided with a plurality of photographing conditions, comprising: attachment detecting means for detecting that a phototaking lens is attached to a camera body and thereafter generating a photographing preparation signal; an actuation member to be actuated for varying said plurality of photographing conditions; adjusting means for adjusting said camera to a predetermined initial photographing condition in response to said photographing preparation signal, and for adjusting said camera, in response to the actuation of said actuation member, to the photographing condition corresponding to the actuation of said actuation member; photographing condition detecting means for detecting the photographing condition; counting means for counting the number of settings of the camera at each photographing condition on the basis of detection by said detecting means; and selecting means for selecting the photographing condition of the largest number of settings of the camera on the basis of the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected photographing condition as a new initial photographing condition.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 164 words

A camera provided with a plurality of photographing conditions, comprising: attachment detecting means for detecting that a phototaking lens is attached to a camera body and thereafter generating a photographing preparation signal; an actuation member to be actuated for varying said plurality of photographing conditions; adjusting means for adjusting said camera to a predetermined initial photographing condition in response to said photographing preparation signal, and for adjusting said camera, in response to the actuation of said actuation member, to the photographing condition corresponding to the actuation of said actuation member; photographing condition detecting means for detecting the photographing condition; counting means for counting the number of settings of the camera at each photographing condition on the basis of detection by said detecting means; and selecting means for selecting the photographing condition of the largest number of settings of the camera on the basis of the result of counting by said counting means, and setting said selected photographing condition as a new initial photographing condition.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 46 words

A camera according to claim 25, which further comprises memory means for fixedly storing said predetermined initial photographing condition and changing means for reading said predetermined initial photographing condition from said memory means and substituting said new initial photographing condition for said predetermined initial photographing condition.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 33 words

A camera according to claim 25, which further comprises alarming means for detecting that the photographing condition adjusted by said adjusting means is different from said new initial photographing condition and thereafter alarming.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-10-27	1996-04-27	1996-10-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-10-27	2000-04-27	2000-10-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-10-27	2004-04-27	2004-10-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Initial mode setting device for camera

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