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US5537175A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Camera adaption for self photography

Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-07
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Granted: 1996-07-16
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Expires: 2014-09-07
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Abstract

Abstract A camera is adapted for self photography by provision of a reflective element disposed over a image receiving means thereof. The reflective element is disposed along or proximate to the focal axis of the image receiving portion for avoiding a parallax effect such that a camera operator may accurately monitor the image during self photography. Several variations on the arrangement of the reflective element allow various photographic effects to be obtained and in addition, the arrangement of the invention may also by applied for effecting audio/visual communication.

Inventors

  • 👤 Naoki Kamaya
  • 👤 Kazuo Yamakawa
  • 👤 Yoshiyuki Umehara
  • 👤 Hiroshi Mamiya, deceased
  • 👤 Tooru Akutagawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 15:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/56; G03B17/565; G03B11/00; G03B11/04; G03B11/06; G03B17/02; G03B17/06; G03B17/38; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N23/633; H04N23/635; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/142; H04N23/695

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 38 words
In a camera having a lens: a lens cap; a half reflective mirror included in said lens cap for allowing a person to observe, during self photography, exactly the same image as will be recorded by the camera.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 38 words
In a camera having a lens: a lens cap; a half reflective mirror included in said lens cap for allowing a person to observe, during self photography, exactly the same image as will be recorded by the camera.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 63 words
A hand-held video camera comprising: a lens; a transparent lens cap; a half reflective mirror included in said lens cap for allowing a person to observe, during self photography, exactly the same image as will be recorded by the camera; a record button placed at the front of the camera at a location proximate said lens and so arranged to facilitate self photography.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 63 words
A hand-held video camera comprising: a lens; a transparent lens cap; a half reflective mirror included in said lens cap for allowing a person to observe, during self photography, exactly the same image as will be recorded by the camera; a record button placed at the front of the camera at a location proximate said lens and so arranged to facilitate self photography.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
A hand-held video camera as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a frame visibly marked on said lens cap to depict the limits within which photography is possible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
A hand-held video camera as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means for adjusting the size of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 45 words
A hand-held video camera as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a zoom lens and wherein said frame size adjusting means is operatively synchronized with the operation of the zoom lens so as to vary in size in accordance with the degree of zooming.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
An adaptor for a hand-held video camera comprising: a lens cap; mirror means included in said lens cap for allowing a person to observe, during self photography, exactly the same image as will be recorded by the camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 38 words
An adaptor for a hand-held video camera comprising: a lens cap; mirror means included in said lens cap for allowing a person to observe, during self photography, exactly the same image as will be recorded by the camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 31 words
An adaptor for a hand-held video camera as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lens is a conversion lens and said half reflective mirror is formed on an external surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 32 words
An adaptor for a hand-held video camera as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lens is a conversion lens and wherein said half reflective mirror is formed on an internal surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 95 words
In a hand-held video camera having an electronically controlled zoom lens: a housing; a half reflective mirror element disposed in said housing; means for pivotally mounting said housing on a body of a video camera so that said half reflective mirror can be moved into a position directly in front of the electronically controlled zoom lens; frame means, included in said housing and responsive to the operation of the electronically controlled zoom lens, for limiting the size of the image which is visible in said half reflective mirror in accordance with the degree of zooming.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 95 words
In a hand-held video camera having an electronically controlled zoom lens: a housing; a half reflective mirror element disposed in said housing; means for pivotally mounting said housing on a body of a video camera so that said half reflective mirror can be moved into a position directly in front of the electronically controlled zoom lens; frame means, included in said housing and responsive to the operation of the electronically controlled zoom lens, for limiting the size of the image which is visible in said half reflective mirror in accordance with the degree of zooming.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 121 words
An adaptor for a hand-held video camera having an electronically controlled zoom lens, comprising: a housing; a half reflective mirror element disposed in said housing; means for pivotally mounting said housing on a body of a video camera so that said half reflective mirror can be moved into a position directly in front of the electronically controlled zoom lens; a frame for visibly indicating limits within which photography is possible, said frame being defined by a pair of apertured blade members; and servo means operatively connected with the pair of apertured blade members and responsive to the operation of the electronically controlled zoom lens in a manner to vary the size of the frame in accordance with the degree of zooming.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 121 words
An adaptor for a hand-held video camera having an electronically controlled zoom lens, comprising: a housing; a half reflective mirror element disposed in said housing; means for pivotally mounting said housing on a body of a video camera so that said half reflective mirror can be moved into a position directly in front of the electronically controlled zoom lens; a frame for visibly indicating limits within which photography is possible, said frame being defined by a pair of apertured blade members; and servo means operatively connected with the pair of apertured blade members and responsive to the operation of the electronically controlled zoom lens in a manner to vary the size of the frame in accordance with the degree of zooming.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1999-07-16 2000-01-15 2000-07-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-07-16 2004-01-15 2004-07-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-07-16 2008-01-15 2008-07-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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