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US5168300A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

TTL automatic flash control device

Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1991-11-25
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Granted: 1992-12-01
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Expires: 2011-11-25
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Abstract

Abstract A TTL automatic flash control device for a flash light source for a camera is disclosed. The device has a flash control unit for controlling flashing of the flash light source. In sequential flashing photographic operation mode in which a plurality of flashing photographic operations are conducted sequentially, the flash control unit preliminarily flashes the flash light source at least once before the series of flashing photographic operations are initiated. Thereafter, the flash control unit performs main flashing of the flash light source for each shot. The device further includes a weighting value operating unit for detecting distribution of reflected light regarding a plurality of photometric areas obtained by dividing a field during the preliminary flashing and for calculating a weighting value for each of the photometric areas on the basis of the distribution of the reflected light, and a quantity of light control unit for metering each of the photometric areas on the basis of the weighting value thereof during the main flashing and for controlling a quantity of light emitted from the flash light source.

Inventors

  • 👤 Seiichi Yasukawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 10:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/099; G03B7/0993; G03B7/0997; G03B7/09971; G03B7/09974; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 168 words
A TTL automatic flash control device for a flash light source for a camera, said device comprising: flash control means for controlling flashing of said flash light source, in sequential flashing photographic operation mode in which a plurality of flashing photographic operations are conducted sequentially, said flash control means preliminarily flashing said flash light source at least once before the series of flashing photographic operations are initiated, thereafter, said flash control means performing main flashing of said flash light source for each shot; weighting value operation means for detecting distribution of reflected light regarding a plurality of photometric areas obtained by dividing a field during the preliminary flashing and for calculating a weighting value for each of the photometric areas on the basis of the distribution of the reflected light; and quantity of light control means for metering each of the photometric areas on the basis of the weighting value thereof during the main flashing and to control a quantity of light emitted from said flash light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 168 words
A TTL automatic flash control device for a flash light source for a camera, said device comprising: flash control means for controlling flashing of said flash light source, in sequential flashing photographic operation mode in which a plurality of flashing photographic operations are conducted sequentially, said flash control means preliminarily flashing said flash light source at least once before the series of flashing photographic operations are initiated, thereafter, said flash control means performing main flashing of said flash light source for each shot; weighting value operation means for detecting distribution of reflected light regarding a plurality of photometric areas obtained by dividing a field during the preliminary flashing and for calculating a weighting value for each of the photometric areas on the basis of the distribution of the reflected light; and quantity of light control means for metering each of the photometric areas on the basis of the weighting value thereof during the main flashing and to control a quantity of light emitted from said flash light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
A TTL automatic flash control device according to claim 1, wherein in the sequential flashing photographic operation, the plurality of flashing photographic operations are sequentially conducted by pressing a release button once.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
A TTL automatic flash control device according to claim 1, wherein the sequential flashing photographic operation comprises bracketing photography in which said quantity of light control means changes the quantity of light for each shot.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5130737A Cited
US5006879A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-12-01 1996-06-01 1996-12-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-12-01 2000-06-01 2000-12-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-12-01 2004-06-01 2004-12-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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