Photographic apparatus with dual function sonic transducer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A camera comprising:
- a ranging system for providing a ranging signal indicative of subject distance, said ranging systems being formed in part by a sonic transducer that is electrically driven in the ultrasonic frequency range for emitting non-audible energy towards a subject and for thereafter detecting an echo returned therefrom in conjunction with providing said ranging signal; and
an audio system formed in part by said same sonic transducer and including means for electrically driving said transducer in an audio frequency range for providing audible information to the camera operator.
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Abstract
An autofocusing camera having an ultrasonic ranging system, formed in part by a sonic transducer, for measuring subject distance is provided with an audio system which incorporates the same sonic transducer for providing the camera operator with audible information, such as warning signals indicating that the camera is out of film or that the flash illumination system is not in its operative or ready state.
13 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A camera comprising:
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a ranging system for providing a ranging signal indicative of subject distance, said ranging systems being formed in part by a sonic transducer that is electrically driven in the ultrasonic frequency range for emitting non-audible energy towards a subject and for thereafter detecting an echo returned therefrom in conjunction with providing said ranging signal; and an audio system formed in part by said same sonic transducer and including means for electrically driving said transducer in an audio frequency range for providing audible information to the camera operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sonic assembly for use in photographic apparatus wherein it forms part of both an ultrasonic ranging system that provides a ranging signal indicative of subject distance and an audio system that provides audible information to the apparatus operator, said assembly comprising:
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an electro-acoustic transducer configured to be electrically driven in the ultrasonic frequency range for emitting an ultrasonic output signal towards a subject and thereafter detecting an echo signal returned therefrom in association with the provision of said ranging signal and also being configured to be electrically driven in the audio frequency range for producing an audio output signal in conjunction with operation of said audio system; means responsive to a ranging input signal for electrically driving said transducer in said ultrasonic frequency range and also responsive to an information input signal for electrically driving said transducer in said audio frequency range; means for providing said ranging input signal in response to actuation of said ranging system and; means for providing said information input signal in response to actuation of said audio system. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification