US 4,727,389 AGranted

Automatic focus and exposure controlled camera

AssigneeW. Haking Enterprises Limited

InventorKlaus Raschke

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Abstract

An electrically operated camera is operated automatically from between far-focus and near-focus lens settings responsively to ambient light sensings. The far-focus lens setting is less than infinity. Under strong lighting conditions, the aperture is automatically set between a range of values, the largest of which is no greater than the hyperfocal aperture value corresponding to the far-focus setting of the lens, thereby setting the outer boundary of the depth of field at infinity. In weak light, a flash system is automatically enabled, the lens is set to a near-focus position, and the aperture is automatically set at its maximum value. Timed energization of a single electrically operated solenoid is used to establish all settings in both modes. An additional macrofocus setting is provided for setting the lens at a focusing distance much shorter than the near-focus setting, and the aperture is automatically set at its minimum value in flash mode, or over a range of values according to ambient sensings when bright lighting conditions prevail.

Claims30

Dependent claims

In an improved electrically operated camera having a variable focus lens, a focus setting system for establishing at least two focus settings of said lens respectively at a far-focus distance less than infinity and a near-focus distance less than said far-focus distance, an aperture adjusment system for controllingly setting the lens aperture to a maximum aperture value and to at least one reduced aperture value no greater than the hyperfocal aperture value corresponding to said far-focus setting of said lens, a flash system for scene illumination, a photosensor means responsive to scene illumination, a user-operated release member operable at least to a picture-taking position, a shutter, and a shutter actuating system responsive to movement of said user-operated release member to said picture-taking position to operate said camera shutter, the improvement comprising:

said control system including a single main control means operable between first and second states for controlling both said focus setting and aperture values;
means operable upon at least partial operation of said release member and responsive to illumination below a given value sensed by said photosensor means for enabling triggering of said flash system and for effecting operation of said main control means at said first state, and responsive to said illumination above said given value sensed by said photosensor means for disabling the triggering of said flash system and for effecting the operation of said main control means at said second state,
additional control means responsive to the operation of said single main control means to said first state for operating said aperture adjusting system to establish said lens aperture at said maximum value and for operating said focus setting system to establish said lens at said near-focus setting, said additional control means being responsive to the operation of said single main control means to said second state for operating said aperture adjustment system to operate said lens aperture to said at least one reduced aperture value and to operate said focus setting system to establish said lens at said far-focus setting.

In an improved electrically operated camera having a picture-taking lens, a photosensor means for producing photosensing control signal conditions indicative of scene illumination, a flash system, an aperture adjusment system responsive to said photosensor means for controllingly setting the lens aperture to a maximum aperture value and to a plurality of reduced aperture values, a user-operated release member operable at least to a picture-taking position, a shutter, and a shutter actuating system responsive to movement of said user-operated release member to said picture-taking position to operate said shutter, main control means responsive to said photosensing control signal conditions by assuming a first state for a scene illumination below a given value and a second state for a scene illumination above said value, means operable upon at least partial operation of said release member and responsive to illumination below a given value sensed by said photosensor means for enabling triggering of said flash system and for effecting operation of said main control means at said first state, and responsive to said illumination above said given value sensed by said photosensor means for disabling the triggering of said flash system and for effecting the operation of said main control means at said second state, the improvement wherein said aperture adjustment system comprises:

a movable aperture control member for setting said aperture values according to the position thereof;
an aperture scanning drive system for moving said aperture control member from a dormant initial position through a range of positions corresponding to said aperture values responsive to actuation of the release member and during an adjustment interval before said shutter is opened;
an aperture arresting member operable for movement between a retracted and an arresting position;
means responsive to the first state of said main control means and said photosensor means for effecting operation of said arresting member to an arresting condition to later stop the aperture control member at a position corresponding to said maximum aperture value and responsive to the second state of said main control means and said photosensor means for effecting operation of said arresting member to said retracted position so that said aperture control member is for a while freely movable past the position corresponding to said maximum aperture value to positions corresponding to said reduced aperture values;
position sensing means for sensing the position of said aperture control member and comparison means responsive to correspondence of the aperture setting to the scene illumination indicated by said photosensor means for operating said main control means to said first state to operate said aperture arresting member to said arresting position to set said aperture value at one of said reduced aperture values corresponding to the level of scene illumination.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/926,610Filed 12 Nov 1986 · continuation in part
Priority: 7 Feb 1986
Granted: 23 Feb 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G03B 3/10
Focusing arrangements of general interest for cameras, projectors or printers: power-operated focusing
G03B 7/085
Analogue circuits: for control of aperture
G03B 9/14
Blade or disc rotating or pivoting about axis normal to its plane: two separate members moving in opposite directions
G03B 9/62
Means for varying duration of "open" period of shutter: by varying interval of time between end of opening movement and beginning of closing movement