Patent US5243376A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5243376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photometry apparatus in a camera
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1991-08-28
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Granted: 1993-09-07
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Expires: 2011-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A photometry apparatus in a camera includes a light receiving portion having a plurality of light receiving elements for flash photographing, and a plurality of amplifiers for amplifying the outputs of the light receiving elements, respectively, and is provided with a push button switch for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements, a photographing data setting dial rotated while the push button switch is pushed, and a display device for displaying the set state of the dial, and is further provided with a central processing unit for converting a digital signal into an analog value through a digital-analog converter and variably controlling the output voltage thereof so that the outputs of the light receiving elements may be the same in order to change the amplification factor or factors of the amplifier or amplifiers corresponding to the selected light receiving element or elements so as to make up for the outputs of the light receiving elements which have not been selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Norikazu Yokonuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B7/00; G03B7/16; G03B17/00; G03B17/18; G03B7/08; G03B7/099; G03B7/0993; G03B7/0997; G03B7/09979
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A photometry apparatus including first light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving elements for flash photographing, and second light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving elements for ordinary light photographing, characterized by the provision of: selection means for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements of said first light receiving means, in a first operational state, and selecting one or more of the light receiving elements of said second light receiving means, in a second operational state; and changeover means for detecting whether or not a flash device is in a usable state and changing over between said second and first operational states, and vice versa, so that when the flash device is in its usable state, said selection means selects light receiving elements of said first light receiving means, and when the flash device is not in its usable state, said selection means selects light receiving elements of said second light receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A photometry apparatus including first light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving elements for flash photographing, and second light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving elements for ordinary light photographing, characterized by the provision of: selection means for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements of said first light receiving means, in a first operational state, and selecting one or more of the light receiving elements of said second light receiving means, in a second operational state; and changeover means for detecting whether or not a flash device is in a usable state and changing over between said second and first operational states, and vice versa, so that when the flash device is in its usable state, said selection means selects light receiving elements of said first light receiving means, and when the flash device is not in its usable state, said selection means selects light receiving elements of said second light receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A photometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection means comprises a push button switch, a photographing data setting dial rotated while said switch is pushed, and a display device for displaying the set state of said dial.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A photometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said changeover means is a central processing unit which judges by a signal from a flash device detecting circuit whether said flash device is connected to a camera and is in its usable state, and which is connected to said flash device detecting circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photometry apparatus including a plurality of light receiving elements, and comprising: selection means for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements in a first operational state and for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements in a second operational state, certain of the light receiving elements being selectable by the selection means in one of the first and second operational states but not in the other operational state; and changeover means for detecting whether or not a flash device is in a usable state and changing over between said second and first operational states, and vice versa, so that when the flash device is in its usable state, the selection means is in the first operational state and when the flash device is not in its usable state, the selection means is in the second operational state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photometry apparatus including a plurality of light receiving elements, and comprising: selection means for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements in a first operational state and for selecting one or more of the light receiving elements in a second operational state, certain of the light receiving elements being selectable by the selection means in one of the first and second operational states but not in the other operational state; and changeover means for detecting whether or not a flash device is in a usable state and changing over between said second and first operational states, and vice versa, so that when the flash device is in its usable state, the selection means is in the first operational state and when the flash device is not in its usable state, the selection means is in the second operational state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A photometry apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said plurality of light receiving elements include a central light receiving element and perimeter light receiving elements, wherein in the first operational state the selection means can select any one or all of said light receiving elements, and int he second operational state, the selection means can only select the central light receiving element or all of the light receiving elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-06 | 1997-03-08 | 1997-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-06 | 2001-03-08 | 2001-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-06 | 2005-03-08 | 2005-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |