US5335042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera with a motion compensation device
Assignee: Nikon Corp
•
Filing: 1993-01-22
•
Granted: 1994-08-02
•
Expires: 2013-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A camera, having a motion compensation device, permits the user to select one of two modes of operations using a selector switch. Partial depression of a shutter release button initiates exposure and auto-focus routines while complete depression actuates an exposure routine effecting a shutter release. A first mode of operation enables the motion compensation device and prevents or delays an exposure from being executed if a motion level of the camera is outside a maximum range of compensation. A second mode of operation permits an exposure to be executed regardless of whether the camera motion level is outside of the maximum range of compensation, thus allowing events to be rapidly photographed on-demand. A first embodiment of the first mode of operation calculates exposure and focus parameters and then repetitively monitors the motion level until the motion level is within the maximum range of compensation and the exposure is executed. A warning signal is produced indicating excessive motion during the repetitive motion level monitoring. A second embodiment repetitively executes exposure and focus routines in sequence with the monitoring of the motion level. When the motion level is within the maximum range of compensation a shutter release is executed utilizing updated exposure and focus parameters. Another embodiment of the invention incorporates both first and second embodiments of the present invention and a second selector switch for selecting between operation according to either embodiment.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuharu Imafuji
- 👤 Nobuhiko Terui
- 👤 Akira Katayama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G03; G03B; G03B5/00; G03B2205/00; G03B2205/0007; G03B2205/0053; G03B2207/00; G03B2207/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for detecting a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image when said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; and means for selectively disabling said means for preventing exposing an image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for detecting a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image when said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; and means for selectively disabling said means for preventing exposing an image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a first switch and a second switch; means, responsive to said first switch being actuated to a first position at less than its extreme travel, for measuring said motion level; and means, responsive to said first switch being at its extreme travel, and said second switch being at a second position, for actuating said means for exposing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein: said means for selectively disabling includes a mode selection switch; and said means for selectively disabling being responsive to a position of said mode selection switch for one of enabling and disabling said exposing an image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A camera according to claim 3, further comprising: said means for preventing including a delay means for executing a delay period while the motion level is outside of said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing having means for repetitively measuring said motion level and executing said delay period while said motion level remains outside said maximum range of compensation; and said means for preventing triggering said means for exposing an image when said motion level is within the maximum range of compensation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A camera having a motion compensation feature, according to claim 5, wherein: said means for preventing actuates a warning indicator while the motion level is outside of said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing activates said means for measuring, after activating said warning indicator, such that said f-stop and said shutter speed are reset; and said means for preventing triggers said means for exposing an image when said motion level is within said maximum range of compensation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A camera having a motion compensation feature, according to claim 6, wherein said means for measuring includes means for sensing a distance to a subject and focusing a lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for measuring a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image while said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing including means for repetitively measuring said motion level; said means for preventing including means for delaying actuated sequentially with said means for repetitively measuring; and means for selectively disabling said means for preventing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for measuring a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image while said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing including means for repetitively measuring said motion level; said means for preventing including means for delaying actuated sequentially with said means for repetitively measuring; and means for selectively disabling said means for preventing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 8 wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A camera according to claim 8, further comprising: a first switch and a second switch; said means for measuring said motion level responding to said first switch being actuated to a first position at less than its extreme travel; and said means for exposing responding to said first switch being at its extreme travel and said second switch being at a second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 10 wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for measuring a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image while said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing including means for reactivating said means for measuring; and means for selectively disabling said means for preventing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for measuring a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image while said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing including means for reactivating said means for measuring; and means for selectively disabling said means for preventing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 12 wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
A camera according to claim 12, further comprising: a first switch and a second switch; said means for measuring said motion level responding to said first switch being actuated to a first position at less than its extreme travel; and said means for exposing responding to said first switch being at its extreme travel and said second switch being at a second position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 14 wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for measuring a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image while said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing having a first and a second means for preventing exposing an image; means for selectively disabling said means for preventing exposing an image; said first means for preventing including means for reactivating said means for measuring; said second means for preventing including means for repetitively measuring said motion level; said second means for preventing including means for delaying actuated sequentially with said means for repetitively measuring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera, having a motion compensation feature, comprising: means for measuring a motion level of said camera; means for compensating motion of said camera; said means for compensating having a maximum range of compensation; means for exposing an image; means for preventing exposing an image while said motion level exceeds said maximum range of compensation; said means for preventing having a first and a second means for preventing exposing an image; means for selectively disabling said means for preventing exposing an image; said first means for preventing including means for reactivating said means for measuring; said second means for preventing including means for repetitively measuring said motion level; said second means for preventing including means for delaying actuated sequentially with said means for repetitively measuring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 16 wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
A camera according to claim 16, further comprising: a first switch and a second switch; said means for measuring said motion level responding to said first switch being actuated to a first position at less than its extreme travel; said means for exposing responding to said first switch being at its extreme travel and said second switch being at a second position; said means for selectively disabling responding to a mode selection switch for selecting one of an enabling mode and a disabling mode; and said means for selective disabling responding to an enabling mode selection switch for selecting one of said first means for preventing and said second means for preventing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A camera according to claim 18 wherein: said means for measuring includes means for sensing a light level; and said means for measuring includes means for setting an f-stop and a shutter speed responsive to said light level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
126 words
A method, for operating a camera having a motion compensation feature, comprising: actuating a first-switch; measuring a motion level after said first switch is set; determining whether a shutter release priority mode or a motion compensation priority mode is selected; activating a shutter release routine followed by ending the method if said shutter release priority mode is selected; comparing said motion level to a maximum range of compensation if said motion compensation priority mode is selected; activating a shutter release routine employing motion compensation if said motion level is within said maximum range of compensation; delaying said shutter release routine, if said motion level is outside of said maximum range of compensation, until a new motion level is measured is within said maximum range of compensation.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
126 words
A method, for operating a camera having a motion compensation feature, comprising: actuating a first-switch; measuring a motion level after said first switch is set; determining whether a shutter release priority mode or a motion compensation priority mode is selected; activating a shutter release routine followed by ending the method if said shutter release priority mode is selected; comparing said motion level to a maximum range of compensation if said motion compensation priority mode is selected; activating a shutter release routine employing motion compensation if said motion level is within said maximum range of compensation; delaying said shutter release routine, if said motion level is outside of said maximum range of compensation, until a new motion level is measured is within said maximum range of compensation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of delaying comprises: indicating an out of range condition; and executing said method again.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of delaying comprises: waiting a fixed period; measuring a new motion level; activating a shutter release routine employing motion compensation if said new motion level is within said maximum range of compensation; returning to the step of waiting a fixed period if said motion level is outside of said maximum range of compensation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS59222823A
Cited
US4901096A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |