US5223887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Autofocus camera
Assignee: Pentax Corp
•
Filing: 1991-12-20
•
Granted: 1993-06-29
•
Expires: 2011-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for monitoring the operation of a measuring unit for obtaining information related to a predetermined parameter. The measuring unit provides an indication of said information having been measured, which can take the form of an indicator lamp, for example. The measuring unit includes a mechanism for inhibiting operation of the indicator for a predetermined time interval, after the elapse of a time period which is related to the information obtained by said measuring unit. The monitoring apparatus measures the length of time of the time period and provides an indication of the time period measured, preferably in terms of the monitored parameter. The disclosed invention is particularly suited to the monitoring of an distance measuring unit or a photometric unit for an automatic camera so that proper operation of such units can be confirmed without having to disassembly the camera.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeo Kobayashi
- 👤 Yasushi Tabata
- 👤 Norio Numako
- 👤 Katsutoshi Nagai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30; G02B7/32; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B43/00; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A combination of a camera having an electronic control unit that includes an indicator for indicating photography-related information, and an apparatus for monitoring an operation of said electronic control unit, comprising: means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined time interval, the length of which is a function of said photograph-related information; and means for measuring said length of said time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A combination of a camera having an electronic control unit that includes an indicator for indicating photography-related information, and an apparatus for monitoring an operation of said electronic control unit, comprising: means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined time interval, the length of which is a function of said photograph-related information; and means for measuring said length of said time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for interrupting said lighting of said indicator for a predetermined segment of time, so as to define the end of said predetermined time interval, said predetermined segment of time being substantially imperceptible to a human.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 250 microseconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for delaying said operation of said monitoring apparatus for a predetermined time prior to said operation of said means for measuring said length of said time interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein said delaying means comprises means for delaying said operation of said monitoring unit for approximately 300 milliseconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for producing a digital signal having a value that is indicative of said photography-related information, and wherein said means for lighting said indicator lights said indicator for said predetermined time interval as a function of said value of said digital signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for measuring the length of said time interval includes a photocell for receiving light emitted from said indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said autofocus camera further comprises an operation button array that includes a button for operating a photometric switch, wherein said means for lighting said indicator means is responsive to an actuation of said photometric switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 8, wherein said button comprises a two-stage switch which further includes a shutter release switch, wherein a first actuation of said button actuates said photometric switch and a second actuation of said button actuates said shutter release switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said camera is an autofocus camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a substantially humanly imperceptible predetermined interval of time, said substantially humanly imperceptible time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a substantially humanly imperceptible predetermined interval of time, said substantially humanly imperceptible time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The camera of claim 1, wherein said distance-measuring unit comprises means for determining a distance between said autofocus camera and a subject to be photographed by said autofocus camera.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The camera of claim 11, wherein said camera is an autofocus camera.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A camera, comprising: a photometric unit; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to photometry information obtained by said photometric unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A camera, comprising: a photometric unit; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to photometry information obtained by said photometric unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The camera of claim 14, further comprising means for interrupting said lighting of said indicator for a predetermined segment of time, so as to define the end of said predetermined time interval, said predetermined segment of time being substantially imperceptible to a human.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The camera of claim 15, wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 250 microseconds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The camera of claim 14, wherein said camera is an autofocus camera.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A camera, comprising: means for obtaining photography-related information; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to photography-related information obtained by said means for obtaining photography-related information, wherein said photography-related information comprises photometry information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A camera, comprising: means for obtaining photography-related information; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to photography-related information obtained by said means for obtaining photography-related information, wherein said photography-related information comprises photometry information.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus for monitoring an operation of a distance-measuring unit of a camera having an indicator, said indicator being lit for a predetermined interval of time in response to distance information obtained from said distance-measuring unit, comprising: means for receiving light produced by said indicator; and means for measuring said time interval of said light received by said receiving means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus for monitoring an operation of a distance-measuring unit of a camera having an indicator, said indicator being lit for a predetermined interval of time in response to distance information obtained from said distance-measuring unit, comprising: means for receiving light produced by said indicator; and means for measuring said time interval of said light received by said receiving means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further including an indicator for indicating information obtained by said means for measuring said length of said time interval, which is indicative of said information indicated by said indicator.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for monitoring an operation of a photometric unit of a camera having an indicator, said indicator being lit for a predetermined interval of time in response to photometry information obtained from said photometric unit, comprising: means for receiving light produced by said indicator means; and means for measuring said time interval of said light received by said receiving means.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for monitoring an operation of a photometric unit of a camera having an indicator, said indicator being lit for a predetermined interval of time in response to photometry information obtained from said photometric unit, comprising: means for receiving light produced by said indicator means; and means for measuring said time interval of said light received by said receiving means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit; and means for interrupting said lighting of said indicator for a predetermined segment of time, so as to define the end of said predetermined time interval, said predetermined segment of time being substantially imperceptible to a human.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit; and means for interrupting said lighting of said indicator for a predetermined segment of time, so as to define the end of said predetermined time interval, said predetermined segment of time being substantially imperceptible to a human.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit, wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 250 microseconds.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit, wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 250 microseconds.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
150 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit, said distance-measuring unit comprising means for determining a distance between said camera and a subject to be photographed by said camera; means for indicating whether a subject to be photographed is at a proper distance for focusing; and means for blinking said indicator at a humanly imperceptible rate when said subject to be photographed is determined to be too close for focusing, and means for continuously lighting said indicator when said subject to be photographed is determined to be at a proper distance for focusing, wherein said means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined time interval is operational prior to an operation of said means for blinking and said means for continuously lighting said indicator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
150 words
A camera, comprising: a distance-measuring unit; an indicator; means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to distance information obtained by said distance-measuring unit, said distance-measuring unit comprising means for determining a distance between said camera and a subject to be photographed by said camera; means for indicating whether a subject to be photographed is at a proper distance for focusing; and means for blinking said indicator at a humanly imperceptible rate when said subject to be photographed is determined to be too close for focusing, and means for continuously lighting said indicator when said subject to be photographed is determined to be at a proper distance for focusing, wherein said means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined time interval is operational prior to an operation of said means for blinking and said means for continuously lighting said indicator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
96 words
A combination of a measuring unit for obtaining information related to a predetermined parameter, said measuring unit having means for providing an indication of said obtained information, and an apparatus for monitoring the operation of said measuring unit, comprising: means for inhibiting an operation of said means for providing an indication of said information, for a predetermined time interval, after the elapse of a time period which is related to said information obtained by said measuring unit; means for measuring the length of said time period; and means for indicating the length of said time period.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
A combination of a measuring unit for obtaining information related to a predetermined parameter, said measuring unit having means for providing an indication of said obtained information, and an apparatus for monitoring the operation of said measuring unit, comprising: means for inhibiting an operation of said means for providing an indication of said information, for a predetermined time interval, after the elapse of a time period which is related to said information obtained by said measuring unit; means for measuring the length of said time period; and means for indicating the length of said time period.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
A camera, comprising: means for obtaining photography-related information; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a substantially humanly imperceptible predetermined interval of time, said substantially humanly imperceptible time interval being determined in response to photography-related information obtained by said means for obtaining photography-related information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
A camera, comprising: means for obtaining photography-related information; an indicator; and means for lighting said indicator for a substantially humanly imperceptible predetermined interval of time, said substantially humanly imperceptible time interval being determined in response to photography-related information obtained by said means for obtaining photography-related information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The camera of claim 26, wherein said photography-related information comprises distance information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The camera of claim 26, wherein said camera is an autofocus camera.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
76 words
A camera, comprising: means for obtaining photography-related information; an indicator; means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to photography-related information obtained by said means for obtaining photography-related information; and means for interrupting said lighting of said indicator for a predetermined segment of time, so as to define the end of said predetermined time interval, said predetermined segment of time being substantially imperceptible to a human.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
76 words
A camera, comprising: means for obtaining photography-related information; an indicator; means for lighting said indicator for a predetermined interval of time, said time interval being determined in response to photography-related information obtained by said means for obtaining photography-related information; and means for interrupting said lighting of said indicator for a predetermined segment of time, so as to define the end of said predetermined time interval, said predetermined segment of time being substantially imperceptible to a human.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The camera of claim 29, wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 250 microseconds.
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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 |