US5223884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera system
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-08-16
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2010-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A camera includes an object distance detecting device. The detected object distance can be used to calculate magnification which, in turn, can be used to determine an aperture value. The object distance detecting device can be selectively operated depending on, for example, whether flash lighting is being used.
Inventors
- 👤 Takehiro Katoh
- 👤 Yoshihiko Azuma
- 👤 Masayasu Hirano
- 👤 Naohiro Kageyama
- 👤 Toshihiko Ishimura
- 👤 Kenji Tsuji
- 👤 Hiroshi Ootsuka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/42; G03B17/425; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091; G03B7/093; G03B7/097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting an object distance of an object to be photographed; means for outputting data indicating a focal length of a taking lens; means for calculating a magnification on the basis of the detected object distance and the data of the focal length; and first means for determining an aperture value to obtain a predetermined depth of field in accordance with the magnification calculated by said calculating means regardless of a brightness of the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting an object distance of an object to be photographed; means for outputting data indicating a focal length of a taking lens; means for calculating a magnification on the basis of the detected object distance and the data of the focal length; and first means for determining an aperture value to obtain a predetermined depth of field in accordance with the magnification calculated by said calculating means regardless of a brightness of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A camera according to claim 1 further comprising: means for measuring a brightness of the object; and second means for determining a shutter speed in accordance with the measured brightness and the aperture value determined by said first determining means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting a magnification representing a size of an image of an object to be photographed; first means for determining an aperture value in accordance with the detected magnification regardless of a brightness of the object; and means, when the detected magnification is between a first magnification and a second magnification lower than the first magnification, for controlling said first determining means within an aperture range between a first aperture value and a second aperture value smaller than the first aperture value so as to decrease the aperture value with decreasing magnification.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting a magnification representing a size of an image of an object to be photographed; first means for determining an aperture value in accordance with the detected magnification regardless of a brightness of the object; and means, when the detected magnification is between a first magnification and a second magnification lower than the first magnification, for controlling said first determining means within an aperture range between a first aperture value and a second aperture value smaller than the first aperture value so as to decrease the aperture value with decreasing magnification.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A camera according to claim 3 wherein said controlling means further controls said first determining means within an aperture range between the second aperture value and a third aperture value larger than the second aperture value so as to increase the aperture value with decreasing magnification when the detected magnification is between a third magnification lower than the second magnification and a fourth magnification lower than the third magnification.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A camera according to claim 4 wherein said controlling means further controls said first determining means so as to keep aperture value at the second aperture value regardless of the detected magnification when the detected magnification is between the second magnification and the third magnification.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A camera according to claim 3 further comprising: means for measuring a brightness of the object; and second means for determining a shutter speed in accordance with the measured brightness and the aperture value determined by said first determining means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A camera according to claim 4 wherein the first aperture value is larger than the third aperture value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A camera according to claim 3 wherein said detecting means includes means for detecting an object distance of the object, means for outputting data indicating a focal length of a taking lens and means for calculating a magnification on the basis of the detected object distance and the data of the focal length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting an object distance of an object to be photographed; first selecting means for selecting one of a first mode wherein a detection of said detecting means is enabled and a second mode wherein a detection of said detecting means is disabled; means for determining an aperture value; second selecting means for selecting one of a first state wherein said determining means determines an aperture value in accordance with the detected object distance and a second state wherein said determining means determines an aperture value without using information of object distance; and means responsive to said second selecting means for controlling said first selecting means to forcibly select the first mode when said second selecting means selects the first state with the second mode being selected by said first selecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting an object distance of an object to be photographed; first selecting means for selecting one of a first mode wherein a detection of said detecting means is enabled and a second mode wherein a detection of said detecting means is disabled; means for determining an aperture value; second selecting means for selecting one of a first state wherein said determining means determines an aperture value in accordance with the detected object distance and a second state wherein said determining means determines an aperture value without using information of object distance; and means responsive to said second selecting means for controlling said first selecting means to forcibly select the first mode when said second selecting means selects the first state with the second mode being selected by said first selecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A camera according to claim 9 wherein said detecting means further comprises: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of a taking lens including a focusing lens; means for driving the focusing lens; drive control means for controlling said driving means to drive the focusing lens towards an in-focus position on the basis of a detection result of said focus detecting means; and means for calculating an object distance on the basis of movement of the focusing lens driven by said driving means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting an object distance of an object to be photographed; means for selecting one of a first mode wherein a photographing operation of said camera is carried out with a flash lighting and a second mode wherein the photographing operation is carried out without a flash lighting; and means for determining an aperture value in accordance with the detected object distance when the second mode is selected by said selecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A camera comprising: means for detecting an object distance of an object to be photographed; means for selecting one of a first mode wherein a photographing operation of said camera is carried out with a flash lighting and a second mode wherein the photographing operation is carried out without a flash lighting; and means for determining an aperture value in accordance with the detected object distance when the second mode is selected by said selecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
A camera according to claim 11 wherein said detecting means further comprises: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of a taking lens including a focusing lens; means for driving the focusing lens; drive control means for controlling said driving means to drive the focusing lens towards an in-focus position on the basis of a detection result of said focus detecting means; and means for calculating an object distance on the basis of movement of the focusing lens driven by said driving 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) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |