US5721986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera and strobe charging system
Assignee: Hoya Corp
•
Filing: 1996-12-30
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Granted: 1998-02-24
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Expires: 2016-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a camera provided with a strobe system. The strobe system includes a capacitor to be charged. Charging voltage of the capacitor can be detected through an output terminal. The output terminal can be electrically connected and disconnected to and from the capacitor by a switching element. The circuit has an input terminal which receives a control signal. In response to the control signal, charging operation is enabled, and at the same time, the switching element is controlled to connect the output terminal to the capacitor. While, if the charging voltage has reached an upper limit, the charging operation is disabled and the output terminal is disconnected from the capacitor for a predetermined period of time by changing the status of the control signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Nomura
- 👤 Kazuyoshi Azegami
- 👤 Takamitsu Sasaki
- 👤 Yasushi Tabata
- 👤 Norio Numako
- 👤 Yoshinari Tanimura
- 👤 Takuma Sato
- 👤 Masaaki Kishimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:43
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32; H05B41/325; G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/08; G02B7/10; G02B7/102; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04; G03B17/12; G03B17/14; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/091; G03B7/097; G03B7/10; G03B7/16; G03B9/00; G03B9/08; G03B9/10; G03B9/24; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/28; H05K3/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A strobe charging system, comprising: a charging circuit, said charging circuit being actuated to charge a capacitor; a voltage detecting system which detects a charged voltage of said capacitor; and a controller which enables said voltage detecting system to detect said charged voltage when said voltage is increasing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A strobe charging system, comprising: a charging circuit, said charging circuit being actuated to charge a capacitor; a voltage detecting system which detects a charged voltage of said capacitor; and a controller which enables said voltage detecting system to detect said charged voltage when said voltage is increasing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The strobe charging system according to claim 1, wherein said voltage detecting system detects said charged voltage when said charged voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The strobe charging system according to claim 2, wherein said charging circuit continues charging if said voltage detected by said voltage detecting system is less than a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The strobe charging system according to claim 3, wherein said charging circuit stops charging for a predetermined duration of time if said voltage detected by said voltage detecting system reaches said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A strobe charging system, comprising: a charging circuit, said charging circuit being actuated to charge a capacitor; a voltage detecting system which detects a charged voltage of said capacitor; and a controller which enables said voltage detecting system to detect said charged voltage only when said charging circuit charges said capacitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A strobe charging system, comprising: a charging circuit, said charging circuit being actuated to charge a capacitor; a voltage detecting system which detects a charged voltage of said capacitor; and a controller which enables said voltage detecting system to detect said charged voltage only when said charging circuit charges said capacitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The strobe charging system according to claim 5, wherein said voltage detecting system detects said charged voltage when said charged voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The strobe charging system according to claim 6, wherein said charging circuit continues charging if said voltage detected by said voltage detecting system is less than a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The strobe charging system according to claim 7, wherein said charging circuit stops charging for a predetermined duration of time if said voltage detected by said voltage detecting system reaches said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; a charging voltage detection system, said charging voltage detection system detecting a charging voltage of said capacitor; and a control system, said control system prohibiting said charging voltage detection system from detecting said charging voltage for a predetermined period of time when said charging voltage has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; a charging voltage detection system, said charging voltage detection system detecting a charging voltage of said capacitor; and a control system, said control system prohibiting said charging voltage detection system from detecting said charging voltage for a predetermined period of time when said charging voltage has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The camera according to claim 9, wherein said capacitor is charged when said charging voltage detection system is allowed to detect said charging voltage of said capacitor, and wherein said control system prohibits said strobe circuit from charging said capacitor for said predetermined period of time when said charging voltage has reached said predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined value is a maximum value of the charging voltage of said capacitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The camera according to claim 10, wherein said control system judges whether the charging voltage has reached said predetermined value when charging is executed while said camera is not being operated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera according to claim 10, wherein said control system judges whether the charging voltage has reached said predetermined value when charging is executed while a predetermined operable member of said camera is being operated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
The camera according to claim 13, further comprising: a shutter button; a photometry system, said photometry system performing a photometry operation when the shutter button is operated; and a strobe judging system, said judging system judging whether flashing of said strobe during exposure is necessary based on photometry results obtained by said photometry system, and wherein when said strobe judging system judges that strobe flashing is necessary, said charging voltage detection system judges whether said capacitor has been charged to a voltage sufficient for strobe flashing but is less than said predetermined value, and said control system stops charging if said charging voltage exceeds said predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; a charging voltage detector which detects a charging voltage of said capacitor; a control system, said control system allowing detection of said charging voltage of said capacitor and effecting the charging of said capacitor simultaneously, said control system prohibiting: detection of said charging voltage; and charging of said capacitor simultaneously when said charging voltage has reached a predetermined voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; a charging voltage detector which detects a charging voltage of said capacitor; a control system, said control system allowing detection of said charging voltage of said capacitor and effecting the charging of said capacitor simultaneously, said control system prohibiting: detection of said charging voltage; and charging of said capacitor simultaneously when said charging voltage has reached a predetermined voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
101 words
The camera according to claim 15, wherein said strobe circuit comprises a first terminal into which a charging signal indicating whether charging is to be performed is input, a second terminal which outputs the charging voltage, a switch circuit which electrically connects and disconnects the strobe circuit to and from said second terminal, a third terminal into which a voltage detection enabling signal for controlling said switch circuit is input, and a fourth terminal into which a trigger signal for starting the flashing of the strobe is input, and wherein a signal terminal comprises said first terminal and said third terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
151 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; means for electrically connecting an output terminal to said capacitor; means for detecting a charging voltage of said capacitor through said output terminal; an input terminal which receives a predetermined signal, said predetermined signal having at least two different status, a first status indicating that said capacitor is to be charged and a second status indicating that said capacitor is not to be charged; means for executing charging of said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal; and means for controlling said connecting means to electrically connect said terminal with said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal, wherein when said detecting means detects that said charging voltage has reached a predetermined voltage value, said predetermined signal is controlled to be in said second status for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; means for electrically connecting an output terminal to said capacitor; means for detecting a charging voltage of said capacitor through said output terminal; an input terminal which receives a predetermined signal, said predetermined signal having at least two different status, a first status indicating that said capacitor is to be charged and a second status indicating that said capacitor is not to be charged; means for executing charging of said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal; and means for controlling said connecting means to electrically connect said terminal with said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal, wherein when said detecting means detects that said charging voltage has reached a predetermined voltage value, said predetermined signal is controlled to be in said second status for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
149 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; means for electrically connecting and disconnecting an output terminal to and from said capacitor through which a charging voltage of said capacitor is detected; means for charging said capacitor; a terminal which receives a predetermined signal having at least a first status and a second status which is different from said first status; means for controlling said connecting means to connect said output terminal to said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal; means for charging said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal; means for controlling said connecting means to disconnect said output terminal from said capacitor in response to said second status of said predetermined signal; and means for prohibiting said charging means from charging said capacitor in response to said second status of said predetermined signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
149 words
A camera, comprising: a strobe circuit having a capacitor to be charged; means for electrically connecting and disconnecting an output terminal to and from said capacitor through which a charging voltage of said capacitor is detected; means for charging said capacitor; a terminal which receives a predetermined signal having at least a first status and a second status which is different from said first status; means for controlling said connecting means to connect said output terminal to said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal; means for charging said capacitor in response to said first status of said predetermined signal; means for controlling said connecting means to disconnect said output terminal from said capacitor in response to said second status of said predetermined signal; and means for prohibiting said charging means from charging said capacitor in response to said second status of said predetermined signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
168 words
A strobe system for a camera, comprising: a capacitor to be charged; a charging circuit; a first terminal, a predetermined signal having at least a first status and a second status which is different from said first status being input to said first terminal; a second terminal, a charging voltage of said capacitor being output from said second terminal; a first circuit, said first circuit enabling said charging circuit to charge said capacitor; a second circuit, said second circuit electrically connecting and disconnecting said second terminal to and from said capacitor, wherein said first circuit enables said charging circuit to charge said capacitor and said second circuit electrically connects said second terminal to said capacitor when said first status of said predetermined signal is input to said first terminal, and wherein said first circuit disables said charging circuit to charge said capacitor and said second circuit electrically disconnects said second terminal from said capacitor when said second status of said predetermined signal is input to said first terminal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
168 words
A strobe system for a camera, comprising: a capacitor to be charged; a charging circuit; a first terminal, a predetermined signal having at least a first status and a second status which is different from said first status being input to said first terminal; a second terminal, a charging voltage of said capacitor being output from said second terminal; a first circuit, said first circuit enabling said charging circuit to charge said capacitor; a second circuit, said second circuit electrically connecting and disconnecting said second terminal to and from said capacitor, wherein said first circuit enables said charging circuit to charge said capacitor and said second circuit electrically connects said second terminal to said capacitor when said first status of said predetermined signal is input to said first terminal, and wherein said first circuit disables said charging circuit to charge said capacitor and said second circuit electrically disconnects said second terminal from said capacitor when said second status of said predetermined signal is input to said first terminal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
84 words
The strobe system according to claim 19, wherein said camera comprises a voltage detector which detects a charging voltage output through said second terminal, and a controller which outputs said predetermined signal to said first terminal, wherein said controller outputs said first status of said predetermined signal when said charging voltage is less than a predetermined value, and wherein said controller outputs said second status of said predetermined signal when said charging voltage has reached said predetermined value for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
100 words
A strobe system, comprising: a charging circuit, said charging circuit being actuated to charge a capacitor; a charging voltage output terminal, said charging voltage of said capacitor being output through said output terminal; a control system, said control system connecting said output terminal to said capacitor while said charging system charges said capacitor, said control system prohibiting said charging system from charging of said capacitor for a predetermined period of time when said charging voltage of said capacitor has reached a predetermined voltage, said controller disconnecting said output terminal from said capacitor while said charging system is prohibited from charging.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
100 words
A strobe system, comprising: a charging circuit, said charging circuit being actuated to charge a capacitor; a charging voltage output terminal, said charging voltage of said capacitor being output through said output terminal; a control system, said control system connecting said output terminal to said capacitor while said charging system charges said capacitor, said control system prohibiting said charging system from charging of said capacitor for a predetermined period of time when said charging voltage of said capacitor has reached a predetermined voltage, said controller disconnecting said output terminal from said capacitor while said charging system is prohibited from charging.
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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) | 2001-02-23 | 2001-08-25 | 2002-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-23 | 2005-08-25 | 2006-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-23 | 2009-08-25 | 2010-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |