Focus detecting camera

• US 4,445,767 A
• Filed: 01/12/1983
• Issued: 05/01/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawazoe, Mitsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS JR, RUSSELL E
• Application Number:
  US06/457,379
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 354/25 R, 354/266, 354/195
• US Class Current: 396/89
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/36 using image sharpness techniques , e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals image data processing per se G06T; in cameras having a solid state image sensor H04N23/67
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08

Abstract

A focus detecting camera comprises a switching circuit for an automatic release which is operated in response to an in-focus detection signal, a shutter release button mechanism which is capable of maintaining a partially depressed condition of a shutter release button and an automatic release switch which is brought into operation prior to a shutter release operation, in cooperation with said shutter release button mechanism. Under the condition in which the automatic release switch is in operation with the release button partially depressed, the shutter release is performed by activation of the automatic release switching circuit in response to an in-focus detection signal which is detected when a moving object being photographed reaches a preset distance position.

Claims

1. A focus detecting camera, comprising:

(A) an automatic focus detector for generating an in-focus detection signal when a moving object to be photographed reaches an in-focus position which is a preset distance from said camera;

(B) a human actuable switch which may be actuated by a user of said camera whenever said camera is to be operated in a moving object focus mode; and

(C) shutter release means for releasing a shutter of said camera whenever said human actuable switch is actuated and said automatic focus detector generates said in-focus detection signal.

2. A focus detecting camera according to claim 1 in which said automatic focus detector comprises a sensor for focus detection, an arithmetic circuit responsive to the output from said sensor, and a focus control circuit for generating an in-focus detection signal in response to the output from said arithmetic circuit.

3. A focus detecting camera according to claim 1, in which said shutter release button mechanism comprises a shutter release button, a release member which is lowered by said shutter release button when said release button is depressed, a first coiled spring for biasing said release member upward to a first position and a second coiled spring which has a weaker resilience force than that of said first spring located between said release button and said release member, said second coiled spring biasing said shutter release button upward to a second position;

and wherein said switch means is activated and only said second spring is compressed when said shutter release button is partially depressed and said first coiled spring is compressed as said shutter release button is depressed further.

4. A focus detecting camera according to claim 2, in which said shutter release button is formed in the shape of a cap and has a protrusion for actuating said switch means located at a peripheral portion thereof, an inner cavity off said cap-shaped release button receiving a flange portion of said release member, said second spring being interposed between the upper surface of said flange portion and the upper bottom surface of said inner cavity, said release member further including a protrusion formed on the central upper surface of said flange portion for limiting the distance said shutter release button can be depressed relative to said release member.

5. A focus detecting camera according to claim 4, in which said first coiled spring is interposed between said flange portion of said release member and a stationary member of said camera.

6. A focus detecting camera according to claim 1, wherein said human actuable switching comprises:

a shutter release button mechanism movable between a fully extended and a fully depressed position; and

switch means associated with said shutter release button mechanism and being actuated when said shutter release button mechanism is partially depressed.

7. A focus detecting camera according to claim 6, wherein said shutter release means also releases said shutter of said camera wheneer said shutter release button is sufficiently depressed that said release member has been lowered to a second position below said first position.

8. A focus detecting camera according to claim 7, in which said shutter release means is associated with a mechanical release type shutter.

9. A focus detecting camera according to claim 7, in which said shutter release means is associated with a shutter release circuit of a motor drive unit which is mounted on a non-electromagnetic release camera and wherein said shutter release circuit is activated when said release member is in said predetermined position.

10. A focus detecting camera according to claim 6, in which said switch means is a normally closed switch and is actuated when it is placed in an open state by said shutter release button.

11. A focus detecting camera according to claim 7, in which said shutter release means comprises a switch associated with an electromagnetic release type shutter and wherein said switch is actuated by said release member when said release member is in said second position.

12. A focus detecting camera, comprising:

(A) an automatic focus detector for generating an in-focus detection signal when a moving object to be photographed reaches an in-focus position which is a preset distance from said camera;

(B) a shutter release button mechanism movable between a fully extended and a fully depressed position;

(C) first switch means associated with said shutter release button and being actuated when said shutter release button is in a partially depressed position;

(D) second switch means associated with said shutter release button and being actuated when said shutter release button is in said fully depressed position; and

(E) shutter release means for releasing a shutter of said camera whenever either of the following conditions is met;

(1) both said first switch means is actuated and said automatic focus detector generates said in-focus signal;

or

(2) said second switch means is actuated.

13. A focus detecting camera according to claim 12, wherein said first switch means is a normally closed switch and is actuated when it is placed in an open state by said shutter release button.