US5508779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Auto-bracketing system
Assignee: Hoya Corp
•
Filing: 1994-12-19
•
Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An auto-bracketing system for use with a camera. A plurality of exposure values, representing different exposure conditions, are calculated. The plurality of exposure values are calculated in accordance with at least two brightness values metered by optical sensors associated with the camera. A plurality of film frames, of a film installed in the camera, are subsequently exposed to the different exposure conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Satou
- 👤 Isamu Hirai
- 👤 Masahiro Nakata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/099; G03B7/0993; G03B7/0997; G03B7/09971; G03B7/09972; G03B7/091; G03B7/097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors for metering a plurality of brightnesses, and a film compartment adapted to receive a film roll therein, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames, said system comprising: means for determining at least two exposure values, each said exposure value being determined in accordance with at least one brightness metered by at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for calculating plurality of frame exposure values, said plurality of frame exposure values including said at least two determined exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value that is different from each of said at least two determined exposure values, each of said additional frame exposure values being determined as a function of both of said at least two determined exposure values; means for exposing each of a plurality of successively arranged frames of said roll of film in accordance with respective ones of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values corresponding to brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit comprises an average value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors for metering a plurality of brightnesses, and a film compartment adapted to receive a film roll therein, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames, said system comprising: means for determining at least two exposure values, each said exposure value being determined in accordance with at least one brightness metered by at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for calculating plurality of frame exposure values, said plurality of frame exposure values including said at least two determined exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value that is different from each of said at least two determined exposure values, each of said additional frame exposure values being determined as a function of both of said at least two determined exposure values; means for exposing each of a plurality of successively arranged frames of said roll of film in accordance with respective ones of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values corresponding to brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit comprises an average value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values corresponding to brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit comprises a minimum value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values corresponding to brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit comprises a maximum value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
246 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors for metering a plurality of brightnesses, and a film compartment adapted to receive a roll of film therein, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames, said system comprising: means for determining at exposure values, each said exposure value being determined in accordance with at least one brightness metered by at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values, said plurality of frame exposure values including said at least two determined exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value that is different from each of said at least two determined exposure values, each of said additional frame exposure values being determined as a function of both of said at least two determined exposure values; means for exposing each of a plurality of successively arranged frames of said roll of film in accordance with respective ones of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values, wherein at least one of said at least two determined exposure values is determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
246 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors for metering a plurality of brightnesses, and a film compartment adapted to receive a roll of film therein, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames, said system comprising: means for determining at exposure values, each said exposure value being determined in accordance with at least one brightness metered by at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values, said plurality of frame exposure values including said at least two determined exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value that is different from each of said at least two determined exposure values, each of said additional frame exposure values being determined as a function of both of said at least two determined exposure values; means for exposing each of a plurality of successively arranged frames of said roll of film in accordance with respective ones of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values, wherein at least one of said at least two determined exposure values is determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 4, further comprising means for controlling said film advancing means so as to cease said advancing of said roll of film when a number of frames advanced by said film advancing means reaches the number of frame exposure values calculated by said frame exposure value calculating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 4, further comprising means for controlling said film advancing means, said controlling means having a switch member for controlling said film advancing means so as to advance said roll of film when said switch member is ON, while ceasing said advancement of said roll of film when said switch member is OFF.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 4, further comprising means for examining whether said frame exposure values calculated by said frame exposure value calculating means are included within an area bounded by two predetermined values; and means for inhibiting said exposing of said frames of said roll of film if said frame exposure value examined by said examining means is out of said area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 4, each of values and said exposure being defined by an equation: Ev=Av+Tv; where, Ev equals a frame exposure value; Av equals an aperture value; and Tv equals a shutter-speed value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
244 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors for metering a plurality of brightnesses, and a film compartment adapted to receive a film of roll therein, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames, said system comprising: means for determining at least two exposure values, each said exposure value being determined in accordance with at least one brightness metered by at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values, said plurality of frame exposure values including said at least two determined exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value that is different from each of said at least two determined exposure values, each of said additional frame exposure values being determined as a function of both of said at least two determined exposure values; means for exposing each of a plurality of successively arranged frames of said roll of film in accordance with respective ones of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values, wherein said at least two determined exposure values are determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
244 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors for metering a plurality of brightnesses, and a film compartment adapted to receive a film of roll therein, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames, said system comprising: means for determining at least two exposure values, each said exposure value being determined in accordance with at least one brightness metered by at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values, said plurality of frame exposure values including said at least two determined exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value that is different from each of said at least two determined exposure values, each of said additional frame exposure values being determined as a function of both of said at least two determined exposure values; means for exposing each of a plurality of successively arranged frames of said roll of film in accordance with respective ones of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values, wherein said at least two determined exposure values are determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
182 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors, said system comprising: a film compartment that is associated with said camera, said film compartment comprising means for receiving a roll of film, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames; means for determining at least two exposure values that correspond to at least two brightnesses metered by said plurality of sensors of said light measuring circuit, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values comprises an average value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values that include said at least two exposure values; means for exposing said frames of said roll of film in accordance with said calculated plurality of frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
182 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors, said system comprising: a film compartment that is associated with said camera, said film compartment comprising means for receiving a roll of film, said roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames; means for determining at least two exposure values that correspond to at least two brightnesses metered by said plurality of sensors of said light measuring circuit, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values comprises an average value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values that include said at least two exposure values; means for exposing said frames of said roll of film in accordance with said calculated plurality of frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 10, wherein one of said at least two determined exposure values, which corresponds to brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit, comprises a minimum value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 10, wherein one of at least said two determined exposure values, which correspond to brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit, comprises a maximum value of said brightnesses measured by said light measuring circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 10, wherein a number of said calculated frame exposure values is greater than a number of said at least two determined exposure values.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 10, wherein an exposure range of said calculated frame exposure values is greater than a range of said at least two determined exposure values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
179 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors, said system comprising: a film compartment that is associated with said camera, said film compartment comprising means for receiving a roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames; means for determining at least two exposure values that correspond to at least two brightnesses metered by said plurality of sensors of said light measuring circuit, at least one of said two determined exposure values being determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values that include said at least two exposure values; means for exposing said frames of said roll of film in accordance with said calculated plurality of frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
179 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors, said system comprising: a film compartment that is associated with said camera, said film compartment comprising means for receiving a roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames; means for determining at least two exposure values that correspond to at least two brightnesses metered by said plurality of sensors of said light measuring circuit, at least one of said two determined exposure values being determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values that include said at least two exposure values; means for exposing said frames of said roll of film in accordance with said calculated plurality of frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frame is exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 15, wherein a number of said plurality of calculated frame exposure values is greater than a number of said plurality of determined exposure values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 15, wherein an exposure range of said plurality of frame exposure values is greater than a range of said at least two determined exposure values.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
173 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors, said system comprising: a film compartment associated with said camera, said film comprising means for receiving a roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames; means for determining at least two exposure values that correspond to at least two brightnesses metered by said plurality of sensors of said light measuring circuit, said at least two determined exposure values being determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values that include said at least two exposure values; means for exposing said frames of said roll of film, in accordance with said calculated plurality of frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frames exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
173 words
An auto-bracketing system for performing exposure variations with a camera, said camera having a light measuring circuit that includes a plurality of sensors, said system comprising: a film compartment associated with said camera, said film comprising means for receiving a roll of film having a plurality of successively arranged frames; means for determining at least two exposure values that correspond to at least two brightnesses metered by said plurality of sensors of said light measuring circuit, said at least two determined exposure values being determined in accordance with a plurality of brightnesses metered by said light measuring circuit; means for calculating a plurality of frame exposure values that include said at least two exposure values; means for exposing said frames of said roll of film, in accordance with said calculated plurality of frame exposure values; and means for advancing said roll of film by one frame for each exposure value to be executed by said exposing means so that each frames exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
163 words
An auto-bracketing system in a camera for sequentially exposing a plurality of frames of film, said system comprising: a photometry circuit including a first photometry sensor and a second photomerry sensor; means for calculating a first exposure value and a second exposure value, said first exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said first sensor, said second exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said second sensor; means for determining five frame exposure values, a first one of said five frame exposure values comprising said first exposure value, and a second one of said five frame exposure values comprising said second exposure value, wherein third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values of said five frame exposure values are calculated based on said first and second exposure values; and means for sequentially exposing five of said film frames, each of said five film frames being exposed using a different one of said five frame exposure values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
163 words
An auto-bracketing system in a camera for sequentially exposing a plurality of frames of film, said system comprising: a photometry circuit including a first photometry sensor and a second photomerry sensor; means for calculating a first exposure value and a second exposure value, said first exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said first sensor, said second exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said second sensor; means for determining five frame exposure values, a first one of said five frame exposure values comprising said first exposure value, and a second one of said five frame exposure values comprising said second exposure value, wherein third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values of said five frame exposure values are calculated based on said first and second exposure values; and means for sequentially exposing five of said film frames, each of said five film frames being exposed using a different one of said five frame exposure values.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 19, wherein said third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values are between said first and second exposure values.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 20, wherein said third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values are uniformly spaced between said first and second exposure values.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 19, wherein said third frame exposure value has a value which is between the values of said first and second exposure values, said fourth frame exposure value has a value which is larger than a larger of said first and second exposure values, and said fifth frame exposure value has a value which is smaller than a smaller of said first and second exposure values.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 22, wherein said five frame exposure values are uniformly spaced.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 19 wherein at least one of said third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values is determined by summing said first exposure value, as modified by a predetermined weighting factor, with said second exposure value, as modified by a predetermined weighting factor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
166 words
An auto-bracketing system in a camera for sequentially exposing a plurality of frames of film, said system comprising: a photometry circuit including a plurality of photometry sensors for measuring brightness; means for calculating a first exposure value and a second exposure value, said first exposure value being calculated in accordance with one brightness value measured by said plurality of sensors, said second exposure value being calculated in accordance with another brightness value measured by said plurality of sensors; means for determining five frame exposure values, a first one of said five frame exposure values comprising said first exposure value, and a second one of said five frame exposure values comprising said second exposure value, wherein third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values of said five frame exposure values are calculated based on said first and second exposure values; and means for sequentially exposing five of said film frames, each of said five film frames being exposed using a different one of said five frame exposure values.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
166 words
An auto-bracketing system in a camera for sequentially exposing a plurality of frames of film, said system comprising: a photometry circuit including a plurality of photometry sensors for measuring brightness; means for calculating a first exposure value and a second exposure value, said first exposure value being calculated in accordance with one brightness value measured by said plurality of sensors, said second exposure value being calculated in accordance with another brightness value measured by said plurality of sensors; means for determining five frame exposure values, a first one of said five frame exposure values comprising said first exposure value, and a second one of said five frame exposure values comprising said second exposure value, wherein third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values of said five frame exposure values are calculated based on said first and second exposure values; and means for sequentially exposing five of said film frames, each of said five film frames being exposed using a different one of said five frame exposure values.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 25, wherein said third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values are between said first and second exposure values.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 26, wherein said third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values are uniformly spaced between said first and second exposure values.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
71 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 25, wherein said third frame exposure value has a value which is between the values of said first and second exposure values, said fourth frame exposure value has a value which is larger than a larger of said first and second exposure values, and said fifth frame exposure value has a value which is smaller than a smaller of said first and second exposure values.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 28, wherein said five frame exposure values are uniformly spaced.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 25, wherein at least one of said third, fourth and fifth frame exposure values is determined by summing said first exposure value, as modified by a predetermined weighting factor, with said second exposure value, as modified by a predetermined weighting factor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
171 words
An auto-bracketing system in a camera for sequentially exposing a plurality of frames of film, said system comprising: a photometry circuit including a first photometry sensor and a second photometry sensor; means for calculating a first exposure value and a second exposure value, said first exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said first sensor, said second exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said second sensor; means for determining a plurality of frame exposure values, a first one of said plurality of frame exposure values comprising said first exposure value, and a second one of said plurality of frame exposure values comprising said second exposure value, and wherein at least one frame exposure value of said plurality of frame exposure values is calculated based on said first and second exposure values; and means for sequentially exposing a plurality of said film frames, each of said plurality of film frames being exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
171 words
An auto-bracketing system in a camera for sequentially exposing a plurality of frames of film, said system comprising: a photometry circuit including a first photometry sensor and a second photometry sensor; means for calculating a first exposure value and a second exposure value, said first exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said first sensor, said second exposure value being calculated in accordance with brightness values measured by said second sensor; means for determining a plurality of frame exposure values, a first one of said plurality of frame exposure values comprising said first exposure value, and a second one of said plurality of frame exposure values comprising said second exposure value, and wherein at least one frame exposure value of said plurality of frame exposure values is calculated based on said first and second exposure values; and means for sequentially exposing a plurality of said film frames, each of said plurality of film frames being exposed using a different one of said plurality of frame exposure values.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 31, wherein said at least one frame exposure value is between said first and second exposure values.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 31, wherein said at least one frame exposure value is uniformly spaced between said first and second exposure values.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
67 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 31, wherein said at least one frame exposure value has a value which is between the values of said first and second exposure values, and at least one additional frame exposure value has a value which is larger than a larger of said first and second exposure values or is smaller than a smaller of said first and second exposure values.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
The auto-bracketing system according to claim 31, wherein said at least one frame exposure value is determined by summing said first exposure value, as modified by a predetermined weighting factor, with said second exposure value, as modified by a predetermined weighting factor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |