US6430369B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zoom camera with automatic power-shutoff function and the automatic power-shutoff method thereof
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 2001-03-23
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2021-03-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a zoom camera with an automatic power-shutoff function, that includes a motor including a zoom motor, a focal-distance-recognizing unit for outputting a signal corresponding to a focal distance, and a controller for positioning a body tube in a wide-angle position in the case when the camera has not operated during a first stop-time period and shuts off power if the camera has not operated during a second stop-time period, wherein it becomes possible to protect the body tube from an external impact by positioning the body tube in the wide-angle position during the first stop-time period and to take a photograph instantly when he sees a subject by eliminating the time required for turning the power on again.
Inventors
- 👤 Jin-gi Lee
- 👤 Sang-Do Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:49
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A zoom camera with an automatic power-shutoff function comprising: a power supply for supplying power required for operating the camera; a body tube-moving unit for moving a body tube; a body tube position detector for detecting a position of the body tube; a controller for analyzing a signal output from the body tube position detector to move the body tube to a wide-angle position by operating the body tube-moving unit if the body tube is not in the wide-angle position and all switches of the camera have not operated during a first stop-time period after a previous operation of the camera, and putting the body tube in a closed position by operating the body tube-moving unit again and to shut off the power if all the switches of the camera have not operated during a second stop-time period after the first stop-time period; and a switch including a power switch for turning on/off the power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A zoom camera with an automatic power-shutoff function comprising: a power supply for supplying power required for operating the camera; a body tube-moving unit for moving a body tube; a body tube position detector for detecting a position of the body tube; a controller for analyzing a signal output from the body tube position detector to move the body tube to a wide-angle position by operating the body tube-moving unit if the body tube is not in the wide-angle position and all switches of the camera have not operated during a first stop-time period after a previous operation of the camera, and putting the body tube in a closed position by operating the body tube-moving unit again and to shut off the power if all the switches of the camera have not operated during a second stop-time period after the first stop-time period; and a switch including a power switch for turning on/off the power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The zoom camera of claim 1 , wherein the controller maintains a current photographing mode and a photographing preparation state before the second stop-time period elapses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The zoom camera of claim 1 , wherein the controller operates the body tube-moving unit again for closing a lens cap and putting the body tube in a closed position if the camera does not operate during the second stop-time period.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for automatically shutting off power of a zoom camera with an automatic power-shutoff function including a power supply for supplying power, a body tube-moving unit for moving a body tube, a body tube position detector for outputting a signal corresponding to a focal distance, a controller for shutting off power automatically, and a switch including a power switch, comprising: supplying power from the power supply by turning on the power switch; determining whether all switches of the camera have not operated during a first stop-time period; determining whether a current position of the body tube is in a wide-angle position through the body tube position detector, if the controller determines that the first stop-time period has elapsed without any operations of the camera; positioning the body tube in the wide-angle position by driving a zoom motor of the body tube-moving unit, if the controller determines that the body tube is not in the wide-angle position; determining whether all switches of the camera have not operated during a second stop-time period; and putting the body tube in a closed position, and thereafter shutting off the power if the controller determines that the camera has not operated during the second stop-time period.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for automatically shutting off power of a zoom camera with an automatic power-shutoff function including a power supply for supplying power, a body tube-moving unit for moving a body tube, a body tube position detector for outputting a signal corresponding to a focal distance, a controller for shutting off power automatically, and a switch including a power switch, comprising: supplying power from the power supply by turning on the power switch; determining whether all switches of the camera have not operated during a first stop-time period; determining whether a current position of the body tube is in a wide-angle position through the body tube position detector, if the controller determines that the first stop-time period has elapsed without any operations of the camera; positioning the body tube in the wide-angle position by driving a zoom motor of the body tube-moving unit, if the controller determines that the body tube is not in the wide-angle position; determining whether all switches of the camera have not operated during a second stop-time period; and putting the body tube in a closed position, and thereafter shutting off the power if the controller determines that the camera has not operated during the second stop-time period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the controller checks again whether the first stop-time period has elapsed if the controller senses an operation of the camera during the second stop-time period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5309195A
Cited
US5826118A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |