US5289225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photometering apparatus of camera for variably weighting different areas of an image area
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1991-06-04
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2011-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A photometering apparatus for a camera is provided that includes a split type photometering device for measuring the luminance of an object to be photographed and in which an image area is divided into a plurality of object luminance measuring zones, an automatic focusing device which selectively has a focus lock mode in which once an object within an object distance measuring is in focus, the focus is maintained, and a non-focus lock mode in which the focus is continuously adjusted within the object distance measuring zone. The photometering apparatus also includes an exposure controller which varies the weighting of the luminance signals of the object luminance measuring zones of the split type photometering device, in order to calculate an exposure value, depending on the selection of the focus lock mode or the non-focus lock mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Isamu Hirai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/099; G03B7/0993; G03B7/0997; G03B7/09979; G03B7/091; G03B7/093; G03B7/09971; G03B7/09976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A photometering apparatus for a camera, comprising: a split type photometering device for measuring the luminance of an object to be photographed, in which a picture plane is divided into a plurality of object luminance measuring zones; an insensible band which photoelectrically isolates said object luminance measuring zones from one another; an automatic focusing device which selectively has a focus lock mode in which once an object within an object distance measuring zone is in focus, the focus is maintained, and a non-focus lock mode in which the focus is continuously adjusted within said object distance measuring zone; and, exposure control means to vary the weighting of the luminance signals of said object luminance measuring zones of said split type photometering device in order to calculate an exposure value, depending on the selection of said focus lock mode or said non-focus lock mode; wherein said exposure control means further comprises means for varying the weighting of the luminance signals between operations solely in said focus lock mode, when the luminance difference between outputs from a first photometering zone between a first photometering operation and a second photometering operation is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A photometering apparatus for a camera, comprising: a split type photometering device for measuring the luminance of an object to be photographed, in which a picture plane is divided into a plurality of object luminance measuring zones; an insensible band which photoelectrically isolates said object luminance measuring zones from one another; an automatic focusing device which selectively has a focus lock mode in which once an object within an object distance measuring zone is in focus, the focus is maintained, and a non-focus lock mode in which the focus is continuously adjusted within said object distance measuring zone; and, exposure control means to vary the weighting of the luminance signals of said object luminance measuring zones of said split type photometering device in order to calculate an exposure value, depending on the selection of said focus lock mode or said non-focus lock mode; wherein said exposure control means further comprises means for varying the weighting of the luminance signals between operations solely in said focus lock mode, when the luminance difference between outputs from a first photometering zone between a first photometering operation and a second photometering operation is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said split type photometering device has a central photometering zone for detecting the luminance of the object at the center of the an image area, and an intermediate photometering zone located on opposite sides of the central photometering zone to detect the luminance of the object located in an intermediate portion between the center and the peripheral edge of said image area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said exposure control means weights the luminance signal of the object in said central photometering zone in said focus lock mode by a value smaller than that of the non-focus lock mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said split type photometering device comprises a peripheral photometering zone outside said intermediate photometering zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate photometering zone includes intersecting points between a first pair of lines which equally divide a major side of said image area into three segments and a line normal to said first lines passing the center point of said image area, and intersecting points between a second pair of lines which equally divide a minor side of said image area into three segments and a line normal to said second lines passing the center point of said image area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A photometering apparatus for a camera according to claim 1, wherein said exposure control means comprises means for increasing the weighting of the luminance signals from a second photometering zone, when the luminance difference between the outputs from said first photometering zone between a first photometering operation and a second photometering operation is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A photometering apparatus for a camera, comprising: a first photometering zone corresponding to the center of a rectangular image area; a second photometering zone which contains points located at the intersection of a first pair of lines which equally divide a major side of said rectangular image area into three segments and a line normal to said first pair of lines, on which the center point of said image area is located, and points located at the intersection of a second pair of lines which equally divide a minor side of said rectangular image area into three segments and a line normal to said second pair of lines, also on which the center point of said image area is located; a third photometering zone corresponding to a peripheral area of said image area; and arithmetic operating means for calculating an exposure value in accordance with output from said first, second and third photometering zones; wherein said arithmetic operating means performs different operations when, in a focus lock mode, the luminance difference between the outputs from said first photometering zone between a first photometering operation and a second photometering operation is greater or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A photometering apparatus for a camera, comprising: a first photometering zone corresponding to the center of a rectangular image area; a second photometering zone which contains points located at the intersection of a first pair of lines which equally divide a major side of said rectangular image area into three segments and a line normal to said first pair of lines, on which the center point of said image area is located, and points located at the intersection of a second pair of lines which equally divide a minor side of said rectangular image area into three segments and a line normal to said second pair of lines, also on which the center point of said image area is located; a third photometering zone corresponding to a peripheral area of said image area; and arithmetic operating means for calculating an exposure value in accordance with output from said first, second and third photometering zones; wherein said arithmetic operating means performs different operations when, in a focus lock mode, the luminance difference between the outputs from said first photometering zone between a first photometering operation and a second photometering operation is greater or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said arithmetic operating means performs different operations depending on the auto focus modes of the camera, said auto focus modes including said focus lock mode and a release priority mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said arithmetic operating means comprises means for increasing the weighting of the luminance signals from a second photometering zone, when the luminance difference between the outputs from said first photometering zone between a first photometering operation and a second photometering operation is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photometering apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an insensible band which photoelectrically isolates said photometering zones from one another.
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) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |