US5528333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera system capable of converting between a built-in flash and an external flash and control method thereof
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-02-18
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2014-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A camera system capable of automatically switching between a built-in flash and an external flash and including a body and an external flash detachable from the body. The body of the camera system includes a power supply integral therein, a built-in flash integral therein and coupled to the power supply, a device for determining a distance between an object and the body and producing a distance value representing the determined distance, a device for determining brightness and producing a brightness value representing the determined brightness, a device for selecting one of the external flash and the built-in flash based on the distance value and the brightness value, and a device for activating a selected one of the external flash and the built-in flash.
Inventors
- 👤 Jin-gi Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503; G03B2215/0514; G03B2215/0517; G03B2215/0553; G03B2215/0557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A camera system capable of automatically switching between a built-in flash and an external flash, comprising: a body; and an external flash detachable from said body, said body including: a power supply integral therein, a built-in flash integral therein and coupled to said power supply, means for determining a distance between an object and said body and producing a distance value representing the determined distance, means for determining brightness and producing a brightness value representing the determined brightness, means for selecting one of said external flash and said built-in flash based on said distance value and said brightness value, means for activating a selected one of said external flash and said built-in flash, and means for electrically coupling said selected one of said external flash and said built-in flash to said power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A camera system capable of automatically switching between a built-in flash and an external flash, comprising: a body; and an external flash detachable from said body, said body including: a power supply integral therein, a built-in flash integral therein and coupled to said power supply, means for determining a distance between an object and said body and producing a distance value representing the determined distance, means for determining brightness and producing a brightness value representing the determined brightness, means for selecting one of said external flash and said built-in flash based on said distance value and said brightness value, means for activating a selected one of said external flash and said built-in flash, and means for electrically coupling said selected one of said external flash and said built-in flash to said power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The camera system of claim 1, wherein said selecting means of said body further includes: means for determining a flash illumination value from said distance and brightness values, means for comparing said flash illumination value to a reference value, and wherein said means for selecting selects one of said external flash and said built-in flash based on a result of the comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The camera system of claim 1, wherein said body further includes means for controlling an illumination of said selected one of the built-in flash and external flash based on a flash illumination value derived from said distance and brightness values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The camera system of claim 1, wherein said body further includes means for informing the user of the camera system of said selected one of the external flash and the built-in flash.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
A camera system capable of automatically switching between a built-in flash and an external flash, comprising: a body; and an external flash detachable from said body, said body including: a power supply for supplying power integral in the body, a built-in flash integral in the body, flash control means for controlling the illumination of said built-in flash and said external flash, means for measuring a distance from the object to the body and producing a distance value representing the measured distance, means for measuring ambient brightness and producing an exposure value representing said measured brightness, micro controller means for determining a flash illumination value based on said distance and exposure values, and means for electrically coupling the power supply to a selected one of said built-in flash and said external flash based on said flash illumination value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
A camera system capable of automatically switching between a built-in flash and an external flash, comprising: a body; and an external flash detachable from said body, said body including: a power supply for supplying power integral in the body, a built-in flash integral in the body, flash control means for controlling the illumination of said built-in flash and said external flash, means for measuring a distance from the object to the body and producing a distance value representing the measured distance, means for measuring ambient brightness and producing an exposure value representing said measured brightness, micro controller means for determining a flash illumination value based on said distance and exposure values, and means for electrically coupling the power supply to a selected one of said built-in flash and said external flash based on said flash illumination value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The camera system of claim 5, wherein said micro controller meads includes means for comparing said flash illumination value to a reference value and means for selecting one of the external flash and the built-in flash based on the result of the comparison.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera system of claim 5, wherein said flash control means includes means for controlling the illumination of said selected one of the external flash and the built-in flash based on said flash illumination value.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for automatically switching between a built-in flash integral in a camera and an external flash detachable from said camera, comprising the steps of: determining a distance between an object and the camera and producing a distance value representing the determined distance; determining brightness and producing an exposure value representing the determined brightness; selecting one of said built-in flash and said external flash based on the distance value and the brightness value; and activating said selected one of said built-in flash and said external flash by electrically coupling said selected one of said built-in flash and said external flash to a power supply integral in said camera.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for automatically switching between a built-in flash integral in a camera and an external flash detachable from said camera, comprising the steps of: determining a distance between an object and the camera and producing a distance value representing the determined distance; determining brightness and producing an exposure value representing the determined brightness; selecting one of said built-in flash and said external flash based on the distance value and the brightness value; and activating said selected one of said built-in flash and said external flash by electrically coupling said selected one of said built-in flash and said external flash to a power supply integral in said camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said selecting step includes the substeps of: determining a flash illumination value from said distance and exposure values; comparing said flash illumination value to a reference value; and selecting one of said external and built-in flashes based on the result of the comparison.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of controlling an illumination of said selected one of the built-in and external flashes based on a flash illumination value derived from the distance and exposure values.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of informing the user of the camera of said selected one of the built-in and external flashes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |