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US 2003/0165334 A1Published application
Camera with viewfinder
OwnerArthur P. Becker, Benjamin A. Wellsinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various cameras are disclosed in which indicia on a mask may be selectively viewable to a user depending on the mode in which the camera is operated. The indicia may include, for example, a framing target to facilitate framing of an image to be photographed, or other symbol(s) indicative of the mode in which the camera may be operated.
Claims23
A camera comprising:
- a viewfinder including a rear lens through which a user can view an image to be photographed;
- a mask including indicia that correspond, respectively, to one or more modes in which the camera may be operated;
- and
- a first partially transmissive mirror in a primary viewing path and a second mirror that together with the first mirror provides a Z-shaped optical path from the mask through the rear lens, wherein indicia on the mask can be made selectively viewable to the user through the rear lens depending on the mode in which the camera is operated.
1 more element
A camera comprising:
- a front lens;
- a rear lens substantially parallel to the front lens, wherein a first optical path can be formed from the front lens to the rear lens to allow a user to view an image to be photographed as the user looks through the rear lens;
- a mirror disposed along said first optical path and tilted at an angle with respect to the front and rear lenses;
- a first mask including indicia that correspond to one of a plurality of modes in which the camera can be operated, the first mask positioned out of the first optical path;
- a light source adjacent the first mask,
- wherein when said light source is activated, it illuminates the first mask and an optical image of the indicia is reflected by the mirror to the rear lens to enable the user to view the indicia simultaneously with the image to be photographed.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.