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US6496657B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Camera

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 2000-02-15
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Granted: 2002-12-17
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Expires: 2020-02-15
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Abstract

Abstract A camera includes: a distance measuring device for measuring an object distance; a photometry device for measuring an object brightness; a mode setting device for setting a self portrait photographic mode to set a photographic condition appropriate for photographing a photographer oneself holding the camera; and a controller for controlling to perform photographing without conducting at least one of the measurement by the distance measuring device and the measurement by the photometry device when the self portrait photographic mode is set by the mode setting device.

Inventors

  • 👤 Takeshi Aizawa
  • 👤 Tsuyoshi Kakita

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 14:41
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 133 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself, wherein the auxiliary member is moved so as to face the object in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; a lens setting means for moving the photographic lens to a predetermined focal point in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 133 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself, wherein the auxiliary member is moved so as to face the object in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; a lens setting means for moving the photographic lens to a predetermined focal point in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The camera of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined focal point is positioned such that an object located at a distance ranging from about 0.5 meters to about 0.6 meters is focused.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 151 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself, wherein the auxiliary member is moved so as to face the object in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; a photometry means for measuring an object brightness, wherein the photographic lens is set to a predetermined focal point, measurement by the photometry means is inhibited, and an electronic flash is operated in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 151 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself, wherein the auxiliary member is moved so as to face the object in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; a photometry means for measuring an object brightness, wherein the photographic lens is set to a predetermined focal point, measurement by the photometry means is inhibited, and an electronic flash is operated in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The camera of claim 3 , wherein the predetermined focal point is positioned such that an object located at a distance ranging from about 0.5 meters to about 0.6 meters is focused.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 145 words
A zoom camera comprising: a photographic zoom lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself, wherein the auxiliary member is moved so as to face the object in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; a zooming means for adjusting the photographic zoom lens, wherein the zooming means fixes the photographic zoom lens at a wide angle end position in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 145 words
A zoom camera comprising: a photographic zoom lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself, wherein the auxiliary member is moved so as to face the object in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; a zooming means for adjusting the photographic zoom lens, wherein the zooming means fixes the photographic zoom lens at a wide angle end position in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
The zoom camera of claim 5 , wherein the predetermined focal point is positioned such that an object located at a distance ranging from about 0.5 meters to about 0.6 meters is focused.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 172 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself by facing the object, and the auxiliary member moving between a first state at which the photographer can identify the image of oneself and a second state at which the photographer cannot identify the image of oneself, wherein the self portrait photographic mode is set in association with movement of the auxiliary member from the second state to the first state; a lens setting means for moving the photographic lens to a predetermined focal point in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 172 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself by facing the object, and the auxiliary member moving between a first state at which the photographer can identify the image of oneself and a second state at which the photographer cannot identify the image of oneself, wherein the self portrait photographic mode is set in association with movement of the auxiliary member from the second state to the first state; a lens setting means for moving the photographic lens to a predetermined focal point in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
The camera of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined focal point is positioned such that an object located at a distance ranging from about 0.5 meters to about 0.6 meters is focused.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 190 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself by facing the object, and the auxiliary member moving between a first state at which the photographer can identify the image of oneself and a second state at which the photographer cannot identify the image of oneself, wherein the self portrait photographic mode is set in association with movement of the auxiliary member from the second state to the first state; a photometry means for measuring an object brightness, wherein the photographic lens is set to a predetermined focal point, measurement by the photometry means is inhibited, and an electronic flash is operated in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 190 words
A camera comprising: a photographic lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself by facing the object, and the auxiliary member moving between a first state at which the photographer can identify the image of oneself and a second state at which the photographer cannot identify the image of oneself, wherein the self portrait photographic mode is set in association with movement of the auxiliary member from the second state to the first state; a photometry means for measuring an object brightness, wherein the photographic lens is set to a predetermined focal point, measurement by the photometry means is inhibited, and an electronic flash is operated in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
The camera of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined focal point is positioned such that an object located at a distance ranging from about 0.5 meters to about 0.6 meters is focused.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 184 words
A zoom camera comprising: a photographic zoom lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself by facing the object, and the auxiliary member moving between a first state at which the photographer can identify the image of oneself and a second state at which the photographer cannot identify the image of oneself, wherein the self portrait photographic mode is set in association with movement of the auxiliary member from the second state to the first state; a zooming means for adjusting the photographic zoom lens, wherein the zooming means fixes the photographic zoom lens at a wide angle end position in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 184 words
A zoom camera comprising: a photographic zoom lens for photographing an object; a mode setting means for selecting a self portrait photographic mode for enabling a photographer to photograph oneself while holding the camera; an auxiliary member provided on the camera for enabling the photographer to identify an image of oneself by facing the object, and the auxiliary member moving between a first state at which the photographer can identify the image of oneself and a second state at which the photographer cannot identify the image of oneself, wherein the self portrait photographic mode is set in association with movement of the auxiliary member from the second state to the first state; a zooming means for adjusting the photographic zoom lens, wherein the zooming means fixes the photographic zoom lens at a wide angle end position in association with setting of the self portrait photographic mode; and a distance measuring means for measuring an object distance, wherein when the self portrait photographic mode is set, the photographic lens is set to the predetermined focal point, and operation of the distance measuring means is inhibited.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 33 words
The zoom camera of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined focal point is positioned such that an object located at a distance ranging from about 0.5 meters to about 0.6 meters is focused.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4560261A Cited
US4757388A Cited
US5537175A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2005-12-16 2006-06-17 2006-12-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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