US5319413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera system
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-11-25
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Granted: 1994-06-07
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Expires: 2012-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector. The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit. In the camera system, a photographer may only select the exposure mode in accordance with his intention and purpose in photography, and then the film driving mode corresponding to the intention and purpose is automatically selected.
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 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/42; G03B17/425; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091; G03B7/097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A camera system having an automatic focus mode and a manual focus mode, comprising: means for measuring a brightness of an object field; means, with a plurality of exposure lines, for automatically determining a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed according to a measuring brightness on the basis of the exposure line, wherein each exposure line is different; means for detecting a focusing condition of the photo-taking lens with respect to an object; means, in the automatic focus mode, for automatically adjusting the photo-taking lens in order to obtain an in-focus condition on the basis of the detected focusing condition; means for selecting one of the exposure lines; means for changing the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode; and means for making the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode when a predetermined exposure line is selected by the selecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A camera system having an automatic focus mode and a manual focus mode, comprising: means for measuring a brightness of an object field; means, with a plurality of exposure lines, for automatically determining a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed according to a measuring brightness on the basis of the exposure line, wherein each exposure line is different; means for detecting a focusing condition of the photo-taking lens with respect to an object; means, in the automatic focus mode, for automatically adjusting the photo-taking lens in order to obtain an in-focus condition on the basis of the detected focusing condition; means for selecting one of the exposure lines; means for changing the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode; and means for making the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode when a predetermined exposure line is selected by the selecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determining means has a first exposure line and a second exposure line, and the making means makes the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode only when the first exposure line is selected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determining means determines a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed suitable for especially a sports photography when the first exposure line is selected and otherwise determines a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed suitable for any kind of photography.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determining means determines a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed suitable for especially a photography considered depth of field when the first exposure line is selected and otherwise determines a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed suitable for any kind of photography.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determining means determines a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed suitable for especially a portrait photography when the first exposure line is selected and otherwise determines a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed suitable for any kind of photography.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A camera system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an operable member, and wherein the changing means changes the focus mode in response to the operation of the operable member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A camera system having an automatic focus mode and a manual focus mode, comprising: a photo-taking lens; means for measuring a brightness of an object field; means, with a plurality of exposure modes, for automatically determining at least an aperture or a shutter speed according to a measured brightness on the basis of the exposure mode, wherein each exposure mode is different; means for detecting a focusing condition of the photo-taking lens with respect to an object; means, in the automatic focus mode, for automatically adjusting the photo-taking lens in order to obtain an in-focus condition on the basis of the detected focusing condition; means for selecting one of the exposure modes; means for changing the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode; and means for making the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode when a predetermined exposure mode, in which the detected focusing condition is used, is selected by the selecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A camera system having an automatic focus mode and a manual focus mode, comprising: a photo-taking lens; means for measuring a brightness of an object field; means, with a plurality of exposure modes, for automatically determining at least an aperture or a shutter speed according to a measured brightness on the basis of the exposure mode, wherein each exposure mode is different; means for detecting a focusing condition of the photo-taking lens with respect to an object; means, in the automatic focus mode, for automatically adjusting the photo-taking lens in order to obtain an in-focus condition on the basis of the detected focusing condition; means for selecting one of the exposure modes; means for changing the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode; and means for making the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode when a predetermined exposure mode, in which the detected focusing condition is used, is selected by the selecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
A camera system having an automatic focus mode and manual focus mode, comprising: means for measuring a brightness of an object field; means, having a plurality of exposure modes, for automatically determining a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed according to a measured brightness on the basis of the exposure mode, wherein each exposure mode is different; means for detecting a focusing condition of a photo-taking lens with respect to an object; means, in the automatic focus mode, for automatically adjusting the photo-taking lens in order to obtain an in-focus condition on the basis of the detected focusing condition; means for selecting one of the exposure modes; means for changing the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode; and means for making the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode when a predetermined exposure mode is selected by the selecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
A camera system having an automatic focus mode and manual focus mode, comprising: means for measuring a brightness of an object field; means, having a plurality of exposure modes, for automatically determining a combination of an aperture and a shutter speed according to a measured brightness on the basis of the exposure mode, wherein each exposure mode is different; means for detecting a focusing condition of a photo-taking lens with respect to an object; means, in the automatic focus mode, for automatically adjusting the photo-taking lens in order to obtain an in-focus condition on the basis of the detected focusing condition; means for selecting one of the exposure modes; means for changing the focus mode between the automatic focus mode and the manual focus mode; and means for making the changing means change the focus mode to the automatic focus mode when a predetermined exposure mode is selected by the selecting 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) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-12-06 | 1998-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-06 | 2001-12-06 | 2002-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-12-06 | 2006-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |