US5196877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Viewfinder framing device for zoom lens camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-01-14
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Granted: 1993-03-23
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Expires: 2012-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A camera which has a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, and a viewfinder which shows a first photographing range and a display which displays one frame defining a second photographing range smaller than the first photographing range, wherein out of photographing range showing mode is provided. And when the out of photographing range mode is selected, after zooming operation is carried out, the second photographing range is exposed on a film, whereby the visual field in the finder can be enlarged and, provided that a camera has a focus detector, the focus detecting area can be relatively enlarged.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiromu Mukai
- 👤 Hisashi Tokumaru
- 👤 Kohtaro Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B17/20; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/102; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the photo-taking lens using light passing through the photo-taking lens; and zooming means for automatically carrying out a zooming operation after the focus detecting operation is carried out by the focus detecting means, irrespective of the focus detecting result to shift the photo-taking lens with a predetermined amount in the direction toward the longest focal length from a preset focal length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the photo-taking lens using light passing through the photo-taking lens; and zooming means for automatically carrying out a zooming operation after the focus detecting operation is carried out by the focus detecting means, irrespective of the focus detecting result to shift the photo-taking lens with a predetermined amount in the direction toward the longest focal length from a preset focal length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: a release switch for directing the shutter release operation; zooming means for carrying out a zooming operation to shift the photo-taking lens by a predetermined amount in a direction toward the longest focal length in response to an operation of the release switch, and exposure means for exposing a film after the zooming operation is carried out by the zooming means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: a release switch for directing the shutter release operation; zooming means for carrying out a zooming operation to shift the photo-taking lens by a predetermined amount in a direction toward the longest focal length in response to an operation of the release switch, and exposure means for exposing a film after the zooming operation is carried out by the zooming means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: a switch; zooming means for carrying out a zooming operation in response to an actuation of the switch to shift the photo-taking lens by a predetermined amount in a direction toward the longest focal length from a preset focal length; a viewfinder device, and indicating means for indicating ranges in the viewfinder, including first means for indicating a first range corresponding to a field of view for the preset focal length of the photo-taking lens in a viewfinder device, and second means for indicating a second range smaller than the first range in the viewfinder device, wherein the zooming means carries out the zooming operation until the field of view of the photo-taking lens corresponds to the second range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: a switch; zooming means for carrying out a zooming operation in response to an actuation of the switch to shift the photo-taking lens by a predetermined amount in a direction toward the longest focal length from a preset focal length; a viewfinder device, and indicating means for indicating ranges in the viewfinder, including first means for indicating a first range corresponding to a field of view for the preset focal length of the photo-taking lens in a viewfinder device, and second means for indicating a second range smaller than the first range in the viewfinder device, wherein the zooming means carries out the zooming operation until the field of view of the photo-taking lens corresponds to the second range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera system claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch is a release switch for directing a shutter release operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second indicating means indicates the second range with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second indicating means indicates the second range with an ECD (Electrochromic Display) device. h
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A camera system claimed in claim 3, further comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the photo-taking lens using light passing through the photo-taking lens; and wherein the focus detecting means detects the focus condition before the zooming operation is carried out by the zooming means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A camera system claimed in claim 3, wherein the camera is a single-lens reflex camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera system claimed in claim 3, wherein the camera is a lens shutter camera having a viewfinder device separated from the photo-taking lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: third means for indicating a focus detection area in the viewfinder device, said focus detection area corresponding to an area in which the focus detecting means detects the focus condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third indicating means indicates the third range with an LCD (Electrochromic Display) device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third indicating means indicates the third range with an ECD (Electrochromic Display) device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A camera system having an objective lens capable of changing its focal length, comprising: a release switch for directing a shutter release operation; changing means for changing the focal length of the objective lens in response to an actuation of the release switch from a first focal length to a second focal length which is longer than the first focal length, and exposure means for exposing a film after the changing operation is carried out by the changing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A camera system having an objective lens capable of changing its focal length, comprising: a release switch for directing a shutter release operation; changing means for changing the focal length of the objective lens in response to an actuation of the release switch from a first focal length to a second focal length which is longer than the first focal length, and exposure means for exposing a film after the changing operation is carried out by the changing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A camera system having an objective lens capable of changing its focal length, comprising: a switch; changing means for changing the focal length of the objective lens in response to an actuation of the switch from a first focal length to a second focal length which is longer than the first focal length; a viewfinder device, and indicating means for indicating, in the viewfinder device, first and second ranges corresponding to fields of view for the first and second focal length, respectively, wherein the changing means carries out the changing operation until the field of view of the objective lens corresponds to the second range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
A camera system having an objective lens capable of changing its focal length, comprising: a switch; changing means for changing the focal length of the objective lens in response to an actuation of the switch from a first focal length to a second focal length which is longer than the first focal length; a viewfinder device, and indicating means for indicating, in the viewfinder device, first and second ranges corresponding to fields of view for the first and second focal length, respectively, wherein the changing means carries out the changing operation until the field of view of the objective lens corresponds to the second range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
83 words
A camera system having an objective lens capable of changing its focal length, comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the objective lens using light passing through the objective lens; and changing means for automatically changing the focal length of the objective lens after the focus detecting operation is carried out by the focus detecting means, irrespective of the focus detecting result from a first focal length to a second focal length which is longer than the first focal length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
A camera system having an objective lens capable of changing its focal length, comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the objective lens using light passing through the objective lens; and changing means for automatically changing the focal length of the objective lens after the focus detecting operation is carried out by the focus detecting means, irrespective of the focus detecting result from a first focal length to a second focal length which is longer than the first focal length.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the photo-taking lens using light passing through the photo-taking lens; a release switch for directing the shutter release operation; judging means for judging whether or not the release switch is operated after the focus detecting operation is carried out by the focus detecting means; zooming means for automatically carrying out a zooming operation to shift the photo-taking lens by a predetermined amount in a direction toward the longest focal length when the judging means judges the release switch is operated; and exposure means for exposing a film after the zooming operation is carried out by the zooming means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
A camera system having a photo-taking lens capable of zooming, comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of the photo-taking lens using light passing through the photo-taking lens; a release switch for directing the shutter release operation; judging means for judging whether or not the release switch is operated after the focus detecting operation is carried out by the focus detecting means; zooming means for automatically carrying out a zooming operation to shift the photo-taking lens by a predetermined amount in a direction toward the longest focal length when the judging means judges the release switch is operated; and exposure means for exposing a film after the zooming operation is carried out by the zooming means.
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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) | 1996-03-22 | 1996-09-21 | 1997-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-22 | 2000-09-21 | 2001-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-22 | 2004-09-21 | 2005-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |