US5291233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera having an auto zoom function
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-01-29
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2010-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A camera having an auto zoom function includes: a taking lens for photographing an object; a distance measuring device for measuring a distance to the object; a magnification setting device for setting a photographing magnification for the object; and a focal length calculator for calculating a focal length of the taking lens to obtain the photographing magnification set with respect to the distance to the object. Auto zoom operation is carried out by automatic movement of the taking lens so that the focal length of the taking lens may be equal to the calculated focal length.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Hashimoto
- 👤 Masayuki Ikemura
- 👤 Kazuo Kimura
- 👤 Yoshiaki Hata
- 👤 Kohtaro Hayashi
- 👤 Hiroshi Ootsuka
- 👤 Motohiro Nakanishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, an operable member, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object in response to operation of said operable member, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length determined by said focal length determining means, detecting means for detecting operation or non-operation of said operable member, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means when the non-operation of said operable member is detected by said detecting means during the drive of said drive means, even if a focal length of said taking lens does not attain said prescribed focal length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, an operable member, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object in response to operation of said operable member, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length determined by said focal length determining means, detecting means for detecting operation or non-operation of said operable member, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means when the non-operation of said operable member is detected by said detecting means during the drive of said drive means, even if a focal length of said taking lens does not attain said prescribed focal length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
A camera comprising: a finder for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, an operable member, distance measuring member for detecting a distance to an object in response to operation of said operable member, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, detecting means for detecting operation or non-operation of said operable member, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means when the non-operation of said operable member is detected by said detecting means during the drive of said drive means, even if a field angle of said finder does not attain said determined field angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A camera comprising: a finder for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, an operable member, distance measuring member for detecting a distance to an object in response to operation of said operable member, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, detecting means for detecting operation or non-operation of said operable member, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means when the non-operation of said operable member is detected by said detecting means during the drive of said drive means, even if a field angle of said finder does not attain said determined field angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera in accordance with claim 2, further comprising trimming data storing means for storing data for trimming corresponding to said field angle determined by said field angle determining means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, photographing preparation instructing means for providing an instruction signal instructing a preparation for photographing, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object in response to said instruction signal, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the focal length determined by said focal length determining means, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means in absence of said instruction signal during the drive of said drive means, even if a focal length of said taking lens does not attain said prescribed focal length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, photographing preparation instructing means for providing an instruction signal instructing a preparation for photographing, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object in response to said instruction signal, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the focal length determined by said focal length determining means, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means in absence of said instruction signal during the drive of said drive means, even if a focal length of said taking lens does not attain said prescribed focal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A camera comprising: a finder for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, photographing preparation instructing means for providing an instruction signal instructing a preparation for photographing, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object in response to said instruction signal, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means in absence of said instruction signal during the drive, even if a focal length of said finder does not attain said determined focal length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
A camera comprising: a finder for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, photographing preparation instructing means for providing an instruction signal instructing a preparation for photographing, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object in response to said instruction signal, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, and control means for stopping the drive of said drive means in absence of said instruction signal during the drive, even if a focal length of said finder does not attain said determined focal length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A camera in accordance with claim 5, further comprising trimming means for trimming according to the field angle determined by said field angle determining means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens in the taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable when said operable member is operated during a drive operation by said drive means, for controlling said drive means to stop driving, for controlling said focus adjusting means such that a focus adjusting operation is started, and for performing the photographing operation by said release means after completion of the focus adjusting operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens in the taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable when said operable member is operated during a drive operation by said drive means, for controlling said drive means to stop driving, for controlling said focus adjusting means such that a focus adjusting operation is started, and for performing the photographing operation by said release means after completion of the focus adjusting operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera in accordance with claim 7, wherein said focus adjusting means operates based on the distance detected by said distance measuring means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means or driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens included in the taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means for performing the photographing operation by said release means after the focus adjusting operation has been completed when said operable member is operated, even if the driving operation by said drive means has not been completed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
149 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means or driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens included in the taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means for performing the photographing operation by said release means after the focus adjusting operation has been completed when said operable member is operated, even if the driving operation by said drive means has not been completed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
152 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens including in the taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means and for permitting the focus adjusting operation by said focus adjusting means, when said operable member is operated prior to the completion of the driving operation by said drive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
152 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens including in the taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means and for permitting the focus adjusting operation by said focus adjusting means, when said operable member is operated prior to the completion of the driving operation by said drive means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera in accordance with claim 10, wherein said release means performs the photographing operation after the focus adjusting operation has been completed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
164 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder for zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens in a taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, releasable means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable when said operable member is operated during the drive operation by said drive means, for controlling said driving means to stop driving, for controlling said focus adjusting means such that the focus adjusting operation is started, and for performing the photographing operation by said release means after completion of the focus adjusting operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
164 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder for zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens in a taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, releasable means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable when said operable member is operated during the drive operation by said drive means, for controlling said driving means to stop driving, for controlling said focus adjusting means such that the focus adjusting operation is started, and for performing the photographing operation by said release means after completion of the focus adjusting operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera in accordance with claim 12, wherein said focus adjusting means operates based on the distance detected by said distance measuring means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
148 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens included in a taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for preforming photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means for performing the photographing operating by said release means after the focus adjusting operation has been completed when said operable member is operated, even if the driving operation by said drive means has not been completed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens included in a taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for preforming photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means for performing the photographing operating by said release means after the focus adjusting operation has been completed when said operable member is operated, even if the driving operation by said drive means has not been completed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
151 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finer which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens included in a taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means and for permitting the focus adjusting operation by said focus adjusting means when said operable member is operated prior to the completion of the driving operation by said drive means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
151 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finer which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, focus adjusting means for automatically driving a focusing lens included in a taking lens to an in-focus point, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation in response to operation of said operable member, and controlling means for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means and for permitting the focus adjusting operation by said focus adjusting means when said operable member is operated prior to the completion of the driving operation by said drive means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein said release means performs the photographing operation after the focus adjusting operation has been completed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
190 words
A camera comprising: taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object, calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means and the focal length determined by said focal length determining means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
190 words
A camera comprising: taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object, calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means and the focal length determined by said focal length determining means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
170 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, calculating means for calculating a control value based on the focal length determined by said focal length determining means, an operable member, means for performing a predetermined operation according to the control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
170 words
A camera comprising: a taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, calculating means for calculating a control value based on the focal length determined by said focal length determining means, an operable member, means for performing a predetermined operation according to the control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
179 words
A camera comprising: taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object; calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable manner, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
179 words
A camera comprising: taking lens for zooming including a plurality of lens elements, distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, focal length determining means for determining a prescribed focal length corresponding to a desired photographing range, according to the distance detected by said distance measuring means, drive means for driving at least a part of said lens elements to set the prescribed focal length obtained by said focal length determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object; calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable manner, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
190 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object, calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means and the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said driven means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
190 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object, calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means and the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said driven means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
170 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, calculating means for calculating a control value based on the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, an operable member, means for performing a predetermined operation according to the control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
170 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, calculating means for calculating a control value based on the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, an operable member, means for performing a predetermined operation according to the control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
179 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object, calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
179 words
A camera comprising: a zooming finder which enables zooming, distance measuring means for measuring a distance to an object, field angle determining means for determining a field angle according to the distance obtained by said distance measuring means and determining a focal length of said finder corresponding to said field angle, drive means for driving at least a part of said finder to set the field angle determined by said field angle determining means, light measuring means for measuring a brightness of the object, calculating means for calculating an exposure control value based on the brightness measured by said measuring means, an operable member, release means for performing photographing operation according to the exposure control value calculated by said calculating means in response to an operation of said operable member, and controlling means, operable after said operable member is operated, for forbidding the driving operation by said drive means even if the driving operation has not been completed, and for altering the exposure control value based on a focal length at a timing when the driving operation is forbidden.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |