Camera having a sound-making element

• US 4,223,987 A
• Filed: 05/19/1978
• Issued: 09/23/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Masami, Aizawa, Hiroshi, Uchidoi, Masanori, Date, Nobuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US05/907,853
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 352/170, 354/23 D, 354/60 R, 354/60 E, 354/238, 354/289
• US Class Current: 396/264
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/18 Signals indicating condition of a camera member or suitability of light indicating depth of field G03B13/30
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/40 with delayed or timed action
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/0807 Control circuits G03B7/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/081 Analogue circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/087 for control of both exposure time and aperture
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/089 for storage of exposure value in mirror reflex cameras

Abstract

In the disclosed camera a sound-making element is provided to produce warning signals or confirming signals for operation of a self-timer. A binary counter which digitally controls the camera controls the sound-making element. Warning signals and confirming signals for operation of a self-timer are distinguished from each other by a difference in oscillation pulses.

Claims

1. A camera, comprising:

(a) a light sensing circuit for generating electric signals corresponding to an object brightness,

(b) data input means for producing electric signals corresponding to data set therein,

(c) output means for producing electric signals corresponding to a fully-open F-value of a photo-taking lens,

(d) an exposure value operating circuit responsive to said light sensing circuit and said data input means for producing exposure information corresponding to an object brightness,

(e) a constant voltage circuit for producing a reference voltage signal,

(f) low brightness signal detection means responsive to said exposure value operating circuit and said constant voltage circuit for producing an electric signal to indicate whether an exposure value is proper or not,

(g) logic means for detecting the condition of a power supply and a film winder to produce an electric control signal,

(h) pulse generation means for digitally controlling the camera and having an oscillator to generate clock pulses and a counter producing counting signals corresponding to signals from said oscillator,

(i) a sound-making control circuit responsive to said detection means, logic means and pulse generation means for generating a control signal indicating inadequate brightness and corresponding to the counting signals, and

(j) a sound-making element responsive to said control circuit for producing sound signals corresponding to the pulse waves of the control signal.

3. A camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera includes a back lid and the sound-making element is mounted on the back lid.

5. A camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera includes a bottom lid and the sound-making element is secured to the bottom lid.

7. A camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera includes an upper lid and the sound-making element is mounted on the upper lid.

9. A camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection means includes comparison means and controls the oscillation of the control signal of the sound-making control circuit.

10. A camera as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

stop means for terminating the sound and having a switch to block output of control signals of said sound-making control circuit and to block output of the control signals by closing the switch.

11. A camera as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a sound volume selector circuit having switch means connected to said sound-making control circuit and the sound-making element for changing the levels of the output signals of the sound-making control circuit in response to the switching of the switch means.

14. A camera according to claim 10 or 13, further comprising a back lid, said sound-making element being mounted on said lid.

15. A camera according to claim 10 or 13, further comprising a bottom lid, said sound-making element being mounted on said lid, and transmitting means to transmit said self-timer control signal to the sound-making element.

16. A camera according to claim 10 or 13, further comprising an upper lid, said sound-making element being mounted on said lid, and a terminal to transmit control signals for controlling the sound-making of said element being electrically connected to the element.

18. A camera having a sound-making element according to claim 15, wherein the sound volume selector circuit includes a selector switch and said selector switch and the self-timer coact so that the sound volume of the sound-making element becomes automatically adjusted by setting of the self-timer.

2. A camera, comprising:

(a) a light sensing circuit for generating electric signals corresponding to an object brightness,

(b) data input means for producing electric signals corresponding to data set therein,

(c) output means for producing electric signals corresponding to a fully-open F-value of a photo-taking lens,

(d) an exposure value operating circuit responsive to said light sensing circuit and said data input means for producing exposure information corresponding to an object brightness,

(e) a constant voltage circuit for producing a reference voltage signal,

(f) exposure information detecting means responsive to said exposure value operating circuit and said constant voltage circuit for producing an electrical signal indicating whether or not an exposure value obtained through said operating circuit is within a specified range,

(g) logic means for detecting the condition of a power supply and a winder to produce an electric control signal,

(h) pulse generation means for digitally controlling the camera and having an oscillator to generate clock pulses and a counter producing counting signals corresponding to signals from said oscillator,

(i) a sound-making control circuit, responsive to said exposure information detection means, said logic means and said pulse generation means for generating a control signal indicating inadequate exposure value and corresponding to the counting signal, and

(j) a sound-making element responsive to said control circuit for producing sound signals corresponding to the pulse waves of the control signal.

4. A camera according to claim 2, which includes transmitting means to transmit the control signal to the sound-making element, wherein said transmitting means includes a collector and applies the control signals from a sound-making control circuit into the sound-making element through the collector.

6. A camera according to claim 4, which includes transmitting means to transmit control signals from the sound-making control circuit to the sound-making element.

8. A camera according to claim 6, further comprising transmitting means to transmit control signals from the sound-making control circuit to the sound-making element.

12. A camera, comprising:

(a) shutter release operating means having a plurality of switches arranged in a mechanical series and a shutter release switch,

(b) a light sensing circuit having conversion means for generating electric signals corresponding to an object brightness and having a light sensing switch for controlling the power to the conversion means,

(c) data input means for producing electric signals corresponding to entered information,

(d) an exposure value operating circuit responsive to the light sensing circuit and data input means for producing an exposure value corresponding to an object brightness,

(e) first detection means to detect the status of a power supply and a film winder as well as a shutter release switch to produce corresponding electric control signals,

(f) pulse generation means for digitally controlling the camera and having an oscillator to generate clock pulses and a counter to produce counting signals in response to signals from said oscillator,

(f'"'"') a self-timer, a self-timer switch for the self-timer,

(g) second detection means to detect the operating state of the self-timer, said second detecting means having a logic circuit to produce a power supply control signal by opening and closing the self-timer switch and counting signals of said pulse generation means,

(h) a sound-making control circuit responsive to the self-timer and said pulse generation means input therein for producing predetermined control signals for the self-timer,

(i) a sound-making element responsive to the control circuit for producing one sound-signal for the self-timer,

(j) third detection means responsive to the second detection means and the pulse generation means for producing output signals indicating completion of operation of the self-timer, and

(k) a release having a control member to control the operating circuit and a magnet to control the action of said control member.

13. A camera, comprising:

(a) shutter release operating means having a light measuring switch and a shutter release switch,

(b) a light sensing circuit having conversion means for generating electric signals corresponding to an object brightness

(c) data input means for producing electric signals corresponding to entered information,

(d) an exposure value operating circuit responsive to the light sensing circuit and data input means for producing an exposure value corresponding to object brightness,

(e) first detection means to detect the status of a power supply and a film winder as well as a shutter release switch to produce corresponding electric control signals,

(f) pulse generation means for digitally controlling the camera and having an oscillator to generate clock pulses and a counter to produce counting signals in response to signals from said oscillator,

(f'"'"') a self-timer, a self-timer switch for the self-timer,

(g) second detection means to detect the operating state of the self-timer, said second detection means having a logic circuit to produce a power supply control signal by opening and closing the self-timer switch and counting signals of said pulse generation means,

(h) a sound-making control circuit responsive to the self-timer and said pulse generation means input therein for producing predetermined control signals for the self-timer,

(i) a sound-making element responsive to the control circuit for producing one sound-signal for the self-timer,

(j) third detection means responsive to the second detection means and the pulse generation means for producing output signals indicating completion of operation of the self-timer, and

(k) a release having a control member to control the operating circuit and a magnet to control the action of said control member.

17. A camera, comprising:

(a) shutter release handling means having a light sensing switch and a shutter release switch,

(b) a light sensing circuit coupled to the light sensing switch for having power applied thereto and having conversion means to produce an electric signal corresponding to the brightness of an object,

(c) photographic data input means for producing an electric signal corresponding to information entered therein,

(d) an exposure value operating circuit for receiving brightness information and photographic information from said sensing circuit and said input means and for setting an exposure value corresponding to the ojbect brightness,

(e) first detection means to detect a power supply signal to the camera, a film wind up completion signal and an indicating signal from the shutter release switch and to produce an electric control signal,

(f) pulse generating means to digitally control the camera, said pulse generation means having an oscillator to generate clock pulses and a counter to produce counting signals corresponding to a signal from said oscillator,

(g) second detection means for detecting the operating state of a self-timer and having a logic circuit to produce a power supply control signal and a logic signal, in response to the counting signal of the pulse generation means,

(h) a sound-making control circuit responsive to signals from said first and second detection means and cycle pulses of said pulse generation means for self-timer for producing a control signal for a self-timer,

(i) a sound-making element responsive to a self-timer control signal for producing sound signals corresponding to the cycle pulses for the self-timer,

(j) a sound volume selector circuit connected to said sound-making control circuit and the sound-making element for changing levels of the self-timer control signals,

(k) third detection means for detecting completion of operation of the self-timer and responsive to said second detection means and the pulse generation means for producing a signal indicating completion of operation of the self-timer, and

(l) a release arrangement having a control member to produce an exposure corresponding to the exposure value of said exposure operating circuit, an electromagnet to control the action of said control member, and a logic circuit responsive to the output signals of said first and second detection means to control the electromagnet.

19. A camera for producing a sound signal during the operation of a self-timer, comprising:

(a) a pulse generator,

(b) counter means for counting the pulse signals from the pulse generator,

(c) release means for producing an operation signal of the release operation of a camera,

(d) self-timer operation means having selector means for switching into a self-timer mode and producing a self-timer operation termination signal after elapse of a predetermined time from the operation of the self-timer in accordance with the signal of the changeover means and the counter means,

(e) release actuating signal producing means for producing an electrical signal for actuating the release operation of a camera in accordance with the signal from either the self-timer operation means or the release means,

(f) a sound-making element for producing a sound signal,

(g) a sound-making element operating circuit for supplying an excitation signal to the sound-making element at least in accordance with the signal from the changeover means and the counting signal of the counter means,

(h) the release operation actuating signal producing means including logic means whose output signal is controlled at least in response to the self-timer operation means,

(i) electromagnet means responsive to the electrical signal from the release actuating signal producing means for actuating the camera release operation.

20. A camera, comprising:

(a) a pulse generator,

(b) counter means for counting the signals from the pulse generator,

(c) shutter release means for producing a camera release operation signal,

(d) film winding completion detecting means for detecting completion of film winding,

(e) start signal producing means for producing the camera operation start signal in accordance with the signal of the film winding completion detecting means and the shutter release means,

(f) self-timer operation means including selector means for changing the operation into the self-timer mode and producing a self-timer mode termination signal upon elapse of a predetermined time of the self-timer mode operation after the shutter release means operation in accordance with the signal of the shutter release means and the counting signal of the counter means,

(g) release actuating signal producing means for producing an electrical signal for actuating the camera release operation on the basis of the signal of the self-timer operation means and the shutter release means,

(h) a sound-making element for producing a sound signal,

(i) a sound-making element operating circuit for supplying the sound-making excitation signal to the sound-making element in synchronization with the counting signal from the counter means in response to the signal from the start signal producing means, the release actuating signal producing means and the selector means.

21. A camera in accordance with claim 20, further comprising:

electromagnet means responsive to the electrical signal from the release actuating signal producing means for actuating the camera release operation.

22. A camera in accordance with claim 20, further comprising:

sound-volume selector means for changing the amount of energy applied to the sound-making element so as to enable selection between a loud and a softer sound.

23. A camera producing a sound signal in response to a self-timer, comprising:

(a) a pulse generator,

(b) counter means for counting the pulse signals from the pulse generator,

(c) shutter release means for producing a camera release operation signal,

(d) self-timer operation means including first selector means for switching into the self-timer mode and for producing a self-timer termination signal after elapse of a predetermined time of self-timer operation in accordance with the signal of the selector means and the counter means,

(e) film winding completion detecting means for detecting the film winding completion signal,

(f) start signal producing means for producing a camera operation start signal in response to the film winding completion detecting means and the shutter release means,

(g) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal in accordance with the brightness of an object,

(h) a standard signal producing circuit for producing a standard electrical signal,

(i) photographic information input means for entering photographic information and including second selector means for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the entered photographic information,

(j) calculating means for calculating the exposure value information corresponding to the brightness of an object at least on the basis of the signal of the light measuring means and the photographic information input means,

(k) a sound-making element for producing a sound signal,

(l) release actuating signal producing means for porocuding a camera release operation actuating electrical signal in response to the signal either of the self-timer operation means or the shutter release means,

(m) an object brightness detecting circuit for comparing the exposure value information of the calculating means with the signal from the standard signal producing circuit so as to produce a comparison signal,

(n) a sound-making element operating circuit for supplying a first sound-making element excitation signal to the sound-making element for self-timer operation in synchronism with the counting signal from the counter means and in response to the signal of the start signal producing means, the release actuating signal producing means and the first changeover means, and a second sound-making element excitation signal for low object brightness to the sound-making element in response to the signal from the detecting circuit when the brightness of an object is low.

24. A camera in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

sound-making stopping means for interrupting the signal from the sound-making element operating circuit so as to stop the sound-making operation of the sound-making element.

25. A camera in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

a sound-volume selector circuit including second selector means for shifting the amount of energy applied to the sound-making element for enabling selection between loud and soft sound by the sound-making element in response to the selector operation.

26. A camera in accordance with claim 25, wherein the second selector means of the sound-volume selector circuit is in operative engagement with the first selector means so that the sound during the self-timer operation differs from that for the low object brightness in response to selection of the self-timer mode.

27. A camera for producing a sound signal during the operation of a self-timer, comprising:

(a) a pulse generator,

(b) counter means for counting the pulse signals from the pulse generator,

(c) release means for producing an operation signal of the release operation of a camera,

(d) self-timer operation means having selector means for switching into a self-timer mode and producing a self-timer operation termination signal after elapse of a predetermined time from the operation of the self-timer in accordance with the signal of the changeover means and the counter means,

(e) release actuating signal producing means for producing an electrical signal for actuating the release operation of a camera in accordance with the signal from either the self-timer operation means or the release means,

(f) a sound-making element for producing a sound signal,

(g) a sound-making element operating circuit for supplying an excitation signal to the sound-making element at least in accordance with the signal from the changeover means and the counting signal of the counter means,

(h) the release operation actuating signal producing means including logic means whose output signal is controlled at least in response to the self-timer operation means, and

(i) sound-volume selector means for changing the amount of energy applied to the sound-making element so as to enable selection between a loud and a softer sound.