Remote control device for camera

• US 4,290,685 A
• Filed: 02/22/1980
• Issued: 09/22/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Itsuki Ban
• Original Assignee: Itsuki Ban
• Inventors: Ban, Itsuki
• Primary Examiner(s): GRIFFIN, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/123,650
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 352/178, 354/266, 354/293
• US Class Current: 396/59
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08

Abstract

There is described a device for remotely controlling the shutter of a camera. The device includes a housing which incorporates a microphone for receiving an acoustic wave having a relatively high frequency in an audio frequency range, which is generated by a tone generating source, an amplifier circuit for amplifying the output of the microphone, an actuator which is caused to make one reciprocation by the output of the amplifier circuit, and an electric source for energizing the amplifier circuit and the acturator. The device further includes mounting device for fixedly securing the housing to the camera, and a release device for operating the shutter of the camera with the aid of one reciprocation of the actuator.

Claims

1. A remote control device for a camera, which comprises:

a housing incorporating a microphone for receiving an acoustic wave having a relatively high frequency in an audio frequency range, which is generated by a tone generating source, an amplifier circuit for amplifying an output of said microphone, a control circuit which applies an output of said amplifier circuit to a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter, and when said high-pass filter provides no output or said low-pass filter provides an output, stops the charging or discharging of a capacitor, and when only said high-pass filter provides an output, allows the charging or discharging of said capacitor, and a circuit for operating a shutter of said camera with the aid of an electrical signal which is provided when a voltage across said capacitor reaches a predetermined value, and an electric source for energizing said amplifier circuit; and

mounting means for fixedly securing said housing to said camera.

2. A remote control device for a camera, which comprises:

a grip which is utilized as a housing incorporating a microphone for receiving an acoustic wave having a relatively high frequency in an audio frequency range, which is generated by a tone generating source, an amplifier circuit for amplifying an output of said microphone, a circuit for operating a shutter of said camera with the aid of an electrical signal of said amplifier circuit and an electric source for energizing said amplifier circuit; and

mounting means for rotatably securing said grip to said camera so as to hold the grip in a position selectable from either of the following;

vertical or horizontal.

3. A remote control device for a camera as claimed in claim 2, in which the microphone is provided on top of the grip.

4. In a remote control device for a camera, comprising:

a housing incorporating a microphone for receiving an acoustic wave having a relatively high frequency in an audio frequency range, which is generated by a tone generating source, an amplifier circuit for amplifying an output of said microphone, actuator means which is caused to make one reciprocation by an output of said amplifier circuit, and an electric source for energizing said amplifier circuit and said actuator means;

mounting means for fixedly securing said housing to said camera; and

release means for operating the shutter of said camera with the aid of one reciprocation of said actuator means, the improvement wherein said actuator means comprises;

a rotary ring having a relatively small diameter, which is mounted on the rotary shaft of an electric motor;

an eccentric rotary wheel having a relatively large diameter, said rotary wheel being lightly in contact with rotary ring;

a lever supporting the rotary shaft of said rotary wheel at one end; and

a supporting rod which rotatably support the other end of said lever on a body of said remote control device, so that said actuator means is caused to make one reciprocation by one reciprocation of said lever, and which further comprises a control circuit which rotates said electric motor in response to an output of said amplifier, and stops said electric motor when said eccentric rotary wheel makes one revolution.