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Method and apparatus using weighted range signal for controlling photographic functions

  • US 4,357,083 A
  • Filed: 10/06/1980
  • Issued: 11/02/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A camera comprising:

  • a lens assembly for directing image-carrying light rays along a given path from a photographic scene to a focal plane;

    a shutter system for controlling the transmission of light from the scene to the focal plane so as to define an exposure interval during an evaluation period;

    means for first actuating a light source, configured to produce radiation which essentially comprises simultaneously of both visible and non-visible electromagnetic frequencies, to direct a first pulse of said radiation of given intensity toward a subject in the scene prior to commencement of or in the early stages of said exposure interval to evaluate the subject including its distance from the camera, and for subsequently actuating the same source to direct a second pulse of said radiation toward the scene during said exposure interval to artificially illuminate the subject of photographic recording during exposure;

    means for evaluating the intensity of light from the scene during the first pulse of illumination, said evaluating means including means for reducing the contribution to said evaluation of the visible frequencies relative to that of the non-visible frequencies from said scene responsive to said first pulse; and

    means responsive to the evaluated intensity of the scene including the reflection of the first pulse for controlling at least one photograhic function, whereby non-visible frequencies from the source are utilized for subject evaluation and subsequent photographic control, and the visible frequencies from the same source are utilized for scene illumination for photographic recording during the exposure interval.

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