US5732305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera having centralized electrical connection area
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1997-04-08
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Granted: 1998-03-24
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Expires: 2017-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A camera including a body unit and a top cover unit configured to be mounted on the body unit. The body unit has a body section that defines a space within the camera. The camera also includes a component disposed on the top cover unit and a control unit disposed in the space defined within the camera. The control unit controls the component. The camera also includes a connection unit that electrically connects the component and the control unit. The connection unit is disposed proximately close to the space defined within the camera, thereby allowing the top cover unit to be removed from the body unit without disconnecting the component and the control unit and thereby allowing diagnostic operations to be performed within the camera.
Inventors
- 👤 Kouji Satou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A camera comprising: a body unit and a top cover unit configured to be mounted on the body unit, the body unit having a film cannister load section and a grip section disposed at a side of said camera opposite said film cannister load section; a component disposed on the top cover unit; a control unit disposed in the body unit proximate the grip section, the control unit controlling the component; and a connection unit connecting the component and the control unit, the connection unit being disposed so as to connect at said grip section thereby allowing the top cover unit to be removed from the body unit without disconnecting the component and the control unit and thereby allowing diagnostic operations to be performed within the camera.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A camera comprising: a body unit and a top cover unit configured to be mounted on the body unit, the body unit having a film cannister load section and a grip section disposed at a side of said camera opposite said film cannister load section; a component disposed on the top cover unit; a control unit disposed in the body unit proximate the grip section, the control unit controlling the component; and a connection unit connecting the component and the control unit, the connection unit being disposed so as to connect at said grip section thereby allowing the top cover unit to be removed from the body unit without disconnecting the component and the control unit and thereby allowing diagnostic operations to be performed within the camera.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The camera of claim 1, wherein the component is a data display unit displaying camera operation information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a control circuit controlling the component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The camera of claim 1, wherein a battery is storable in the body unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera of claim 1, wherein the connection unit includes a lead wire and a flexible multi-channel communication device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The camera of claim 5, wherein the flexible multi-channel communication device is a flexible printed circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera of claim 1, wherein the component is a flash lighting unit and the control unit is a flash light control circuit controlling the flash lighting unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
189 words
A camera comprising: a body unit and a top cover unit configured to be mounted on the body unit, the body unit having a film canister load section and a grip section disposed at a side of said camera opposite said film canister load section; a flash lighting device mounted on the top cover unit; a display unit mounted on the top cover unit; a flash control unit disposed in the body unit proximate the grip section, the flash control unit controlling the flash lighting device; a display control unit disposed in the body unit proximate the grip section, the display control unit controlling the display unit; and a connection unit respectively connecting the flash lighting device, the flash control unit, the display unit and the display control unit, the connection unit being disposed so as to connect only at said grip section thereby allowing the top cover unit to be removed from the body unit without disconnecting the flash lighting device and the flash control unit and without disconnecting the display unit and the display control unit and thereby allowing diagnostic operations to be performed within the camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
189 words
A camera comprising: a body unit and a top cover unit configured to be mounted on the body unit, the body unit having a film canister load section and a grip section disposed at a side of said camera opposite said film canister load section; a flash lighting device mounted on the top cover unit; a display unit mounted on the top cover unit; a flash control unit disposed in the body unit proximate the grip section, the flash control unit controlling the flash lighting device; a display control unit disposed in the body unit proximate the grip section, the display control unit controlling the display unit; and a connection unit respectively connecting the flash lighting device, the flash control unit, the display unit and the display control unit, the connection unit being disposed so as to connect only at said grip section thereby allowing the top cover unit to be removed from the body unit without disconnecting the flash lighting device and the flash control unit and without disconnecting the display unit and the display control unit and thereby allowing diagnostic operations to be performed within the camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The camera of claim 8, wherein the connection unit includes a flexible printed circuit board and a lead wire arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera electrical connection, comprising: a first connection unit disposed within a camera body at a grip section thereof, the grip section being formed at a lateral side of said camera body opposite a film canister housing section of said camera body; and a second connection unit disposed within a top unit that connects to said camera body, with the second connection unit being disposed at a grip section side of said top unit, said second connection unit being joinable to said first connection unit, wherein said camera electrical connection allows for said camera to be opened and closed without disconnecting components in said top unit from control devices in said camera body so as to allow for performance of diagnosis operations within the camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera electrical connection, comprising: a first connection unit disposed within a camera body at a grip section thereof, the grip section being formed at a lateral side of said camera body opposite a film canister housing section of said camera body; and a second connection unit disposed within a top unit that connects to said camera body, with the second connection unit being disposed at a grip section side of said top unit, said second connection unit being joinable to said first connection unit, wherein said camera electrical connection allows for said camera to be opened and closed without disconnecting components in said top unit from control devices in said camera body so as to allow for performance of diagnosis operations within the camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera electrical connection of claim 10, wherein said first connection unit is at least one flexible circuit board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera electrical connection of claim 10, wherein said second connection unit is a flexible circuit board and a pair of wires.
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) | 2001-03-23 | 2001-09-22 | 2002-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-23 | 2005-09-22 | 2006-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-23 | 2009-09-22 | 2010-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |