Camera system

• US 4,512,656 A
• Filed: 12/11/1980
• Issued: 04/23/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kawamura, Masaharu, Ito, Tadashi, Ito, Fumio, Sakurada, Nobuaki, Shinoda, Nobuhiko, Murakami, Hiroyashu
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS JR, RUSSELL E
• Application Number:
  US06/216,070
• Time in Patent Office: 1,594 Days
• Field of Search: 354/60 L, 354/53, 354/289, 354/475, 354/286, 354/289.12
• US Class Current: 396/227
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/005 Blur detection
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/0805 Setting of priority modes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/091 Digital circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/16 in accordance with both the intensity of the flash source and the distance of the flash source from the object, e.g. in accordance with the "guide number" of the flash bulb and the focusing of the camera

Abstract

Most of the elements constituting this camera system consists of digital circuits, whereby a central processing unit is built in this camera system in such a manner that various kinds of photographic modes are possible without increasing the number of the elements.

Claims

1. A photographic camera comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged so as to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element corresponding to said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply a driving voltage in sequence to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

said film speed information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a film speed dial having positions corresponding to a plurality of film speed information values;

(c) a digital data plate having a number of patterns corresponding to the positions of said film speed dial, each of the patterns of said digital data plate composed of a plurality of marks arranged to represent one of said film speed information values;

(d) detecting means having a plurality of electrical elements to receive the timing pulses from said timing pulse generating means and for detecting the marks on the digital data plate one after another in synchronism with each timing pulse, each of said electrical elements of said detecting means being connected to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means corresponding thereto;

(e) means coupled to the detecting means for supplying output digital signals from said detecting means corresponding to each of the marks; and

(f) a plurality of diodes each connected between said electrical elements corresponding thereto and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

2. A photographic camera, comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element corresponding to said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to corresponding display segments of said display unit so as to apply in sequence a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristics;

a film speed information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a digital data plate having a pattern of a plurality of marks representing the film speed information;

(c) detecting means having a number of electrical elements for receiving the timing pulses from said timing pulse generating means and for sequentially detecting the marks of said digital data plate in synchronism with each timing pulse, each of the electrical elements of said detecting means being connected to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generation means corresponding thereto;

(d) means coupled to the detecting means for supplying output digital signals from said detecting means corresponding to the states of said marks one after another to said single data output line; and

(e) a plurality of diodes each connected between said electrical element corresponding thereto and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

3. A photographic camera comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged to represent a predetermined pattern each with a one-way conductive characteristic;

(b) a plurality of switching elements connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit to enable at least one light emitting element corresponding to said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply a driving voltage in sequence to each of said light emitting elements;

a film speed information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a film speed dial having positions corresponding to a plurality of film speed information values;

(c) a digital data plate provided with a number of patterns corresponding to the positions of said film speed dial, each of the patterns of said digital data plate having a pluraltiy of conductive means which are arranged to indicate one of said film speed information values;

(d) detecting means coupled to said pulse generating means and said plate for receiving timing pulses from said timing pulse generating means and including a plurality of electrical brushes arranged to be able to come into contact with the conductive means of said digital data plate respectively, each of said brushes of said detecting means being connected to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means corresponding thereto;

(e) conductive connection means connected to the conductive means of said digital data plate and to said single data output line to transfer to said single data output line output digital signals corresponding to the state of the conductive means of said digital data plate in contact with said brushes; and

(f) a plurality of diodes each connected between said brushes corresponding thereto and the timing pulse output lines corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

4. A photographic camera according to claim 3, wherein said digital data plate is mounted on an insulating plate.

5. A photographic camera according to claim 4, wherein said conductive connection means is arranged to said insulating plate.

6. A photographic camera according to claim 5, wherein the conductive means of said digial data plate are arranged on a concentric circle respectively.

7. A photographic camera according to claim 3, which further comprises inverting means for inverting the digital signal from said conductive connection means.

8. A photographic camera comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements each connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element corresponding to said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to corresponding display segments of said display unit so as to apply in sequence a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements;

a minimum aperture information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a digital data plate having an indication part consisting of a plurality of marks representing a smallest aperture value;

(c) detecting means having a number of electrical elements coupled to said timing pulse generating means and said plate for receiving said timing pulses and detecting the marks of said digital data plate one after another, in synchronism with each timing pulse, each of said electrical elements of said detecting means being connected to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means corresponding thereto;

(d) means coupled to said detecting means for sequentially supplying digital output signals of said detecting means corresponding to the states of said marks to said single data output line; and

(e) a plurality of diodes connected between said brush corresponding thereto and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

9. A photographic camera capable of permitting use of an interchangeable lens and having a minimum aperture information generating device and an exposure parameter indicating device, said exposure parameter indicating device including:

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element corresponding to said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply a driving voltage in sequence to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

said minimum aperture information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) signal means mounted on said interchangeable lens, the signal means having a length corresponding to a smallest aperture value;

(c) a digital data plate having a number of patterns corresponding to a plurality of smallest aperture information values, said patterns of said digital data plate having a plurality of conductive means each arranged to indicate one of said smallest aperture information values;

(d) contact means which comes into contact with one of said patterns corresponding to the length of said signal means in response to attachment of said interchangeable lens to the camera;

(e) detecting means coupled to the data plate for sequentially transferring, to said single data output line, output digital signals corresponding to the states of the conductive means of said digital data plate contacted by said contact means in synchronism with the timing pulses from said timing pulse generating means; and

(f) a plurality of diodes each connected between said conductive means corresponding thereto and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

10. A camera according to claim 9, wherein said digital data plate including a plurality of conductor rings;

each of said conductive means which forms said patterns is arranged on each corresponding conductive ring.

11. A camera according to claim 9, wherein each of said contact means includes a plurality of brushes connected to each corresponding conductive means.

12. A camera according to claim 11, wherein said brushes are electrically connected to each other, and are also connected to said detecting means.

13. A camera according to claim 12, wherein said digital data plate includes a common conductor ring connected to said detecting means.

14. A camera according to claim 11, wherein said signal means is mounted on an interchangeable lens and includes a pin of a length corresponding to the smallest aperture value.

15. A camera according to claim 14, which further comprises a lever for moving said brushes to a position corresponding to the length of the pin in response to attachment of said interchangeable lens to the camera.

16. A photographic camera comprising:

an aperture size information generating device and an exposure parameter indicating device, said exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements each connected to a light emitting element of said display unit to enable at least one light emitting element in said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines each connected to said display unit to sequentially apply a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

said aperture size information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line; and

(b) pulse transfer control means having a number of electrical control elements and connected between said timing pulse generating means and said single data output line to enable said timing pulses being sequentially generated to be transferred to the data output line in accordance with selected aperture size information, each of said electrical elements of said pulse transfer control means corresponding to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means corresponding thereto; and

(c) a plurality of diodes each connected between one of said electrical elements and the one of the timing pulse output lines corresponding thereto for preventing a reverse current.

17. A camera according to claim 16, wherein said pulse transfer control means comprises:

(a) a plurality of conductive marks arranged to denote said aperture size information;

(b) electrical connecting means connected to all of said marks and also to said single data output line; and

(c) contact means having brushes contacting said conductive marks, said generating means being arranged to supply the pulses to corresponding brushes of said contact means.

18. A photographic camera comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements connected to corresponding light emitting elements of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element corresponding to said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply in sequence a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements;

an aperture size information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a digital data plate having a pattern composed of a plurality of conductive marks denoting aperture size values;

(c) detecting means having a plurality of electrical elements and coupled to said timing pulse generating means for receiving said timing pulses and detecting the marks of said digital data plate one after another in synchronism with each of said timing pulses, each of said electrical elements of said detecting means corresponding to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means;

(d) supply means coupled to said detecting means and said data output line for sequentially supplying output digital signals which result from the contact of said detecting means and the digital data plate to said single data output line; and

(e) a plurality of diodes each connected between one of said electrical elements and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

19. A photographic camera comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit to enable at least one light emitting element in said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply in sequence a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

an aperture size information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) an aperture dial having a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of aperture size information values;

(c) a digital data plate coupled to said dial and having patterns corresponding to the positions of said aperture dial, each of said patterns of the digital data plate including a plurality of conductive means arranged to denote one of said aperture size information values;

(d) contact means coupled to said timing pulse generating means for receiving said timing pulses and having a plurality of electrical brushes each being arranged to contact one of the conductive means of said digital data plate, each of said brushes corresponding to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means;

(e) conductive connection means connected to the conductive means of said digital data plate and to said single data output line to transfer to said single data output line output signals corresponding to the states of the conductive means of said digital data plate which are in contact with said brushes; and

(f) a plurality of diodes each between one of said brushes and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

20. A camera according to claim 19, wherein said digital data plate is disposed on an insulating plate.

21. A camera according to claim 20, wherein said conductive connection means is arranged on said insulating plate.

22. A camera according to claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of conductive means of said digital data plate is arranged with others in a concentric circle.

23. A camera according to claim 19, wherein said single data output line comprises inverting means for inverting the state of the digital signal from said conductive connection means.

24. A photographic camera comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements each connected to a light emitting element of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element in said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply in sequence a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

a shutter speed information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line; and

(b) pulse transfer control means having a plurality of electrical elements and connected between said timing pulse generating means and said single data output line to enable said timing pulses being generated in sequence to be transferred to the data output line in accordance with selected shutter speed information, each of said electrical elements of said pulse transfer control means corresponding to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means; and

(c) a plurality of diodes each connected between one of said electrical elements and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

25. A camera according to claim 24, wherein said pulse transfer control means comprising:

(a) a plurality of conductive marks arranged to denote said shutter speed information;

(b) electrical connecting means connected to all of said conductive marks and also to said single data output line; and

(c) contact means provided with brushes which are arranged to contact with each of said conductive marks, said timing pulses being arranged to be supplied to corresponding brushes of said contact means.

26. A photographic camera, comprising:

an exposure parameter indicating device including;

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements each connected to a light emitting element of said display unit to enable at least one light emitting element in said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to apply in sequence a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

a shutter speed information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a digital data plate having a pattern composed of a plurality of conductive marks which denote shutter speed information;

(c) detecting means having a number of electrical elements and coupled to said timing pulse generating means for receiving said timing pulses and detecting the marks of said digital data plate one after another in synchronism with each of said timing pulses, each of said electrical elements of said detecting means corresponding to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means;

(d) supply means coupled to said detecting means and said output line for sequentially supplying output digital signals which results from the contact of said detecting means and the digital data plate to said single data output line; and

(e) a plurality of diodes each connected between one of said electrical elements and the timing pulse output lines corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

27. A photographic camera having a shutter speed information generating device and an exposure parameter indicating device,

said exposure parameter indicating device including:

(a) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(b) a plurality of switching elements each connected to a corresponding light emitting element of said display unit to enable at least one light emitting element in said predetermined pattern; and

(c) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines each connected to said display unit so as to sequentially apply a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

said shutter speed information generating device including;

(a) a single data output line;

(b) a shutter speed dial having a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of shutter speed information values;

(c) a digital data plate coupled to said dial and having patterns corresponding to the positions of said shutter speed dial, each of said patterns of the digital data plate having a plurality of conductive means which are arranged to denote one of said shutter speed information values;

(d) contact means coupled to said timing pulse generating means for receiving said timing pulses and having a plurality of electrical brushes each being arranged to contact one of the conductive means of said digital data plate, each of said brushes corresponding to one of the timing pulse output lines of said timing pulse generating means;

(e) conductive connection means connected to the conductive means of said digital data plate and to said single data output line to transfer to said single data output line signals corresponding to the states of the conductive means of said digital data plate which are in contact with said electrical brushes; and

(f) a plurality of diodes each connected between one of said brushes and the timing pulse output line corresponding thereto for preventing reverse current.

28. A camera according to claim 27, wherein said digital data plate is disposed on an insulating plate.

29. A camera according to claim 28, wherein said conductive means is arranged on said insulating plate.

30. A camera according to claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of conductive means of said digital data plate is arranged with others on a concentric circle.

31. A camera according to claim 27, wherein said single data output line comprises inverting means for inverting the state of the digital signal from said conductive connection means.

32. A photographic camera capable of permitting exposure value control either in a shutter priority automatic exposure mode or in an aperture priority automatic exposure mode, the camera comprising:

(a) an exposure parameter indicating device, the indicating device including;

(I) at least one display unit having a plurality of light emitting elements each with a one-way conductive characteristic and arranged to represent a predetermined pattern;

(II) a plurality of switch elements each connected to one of said light emitting elements of said display unit so as to enable at least one light emitting element having the one-way conductive characteristic in said predetermined pattern; and

(III) timing pulse generating means having a plurality of timing pulse output lines connected to said display unit so as to sequentially apply a driving voltage to each of said light emitting elements having the one-way conductive characteristic;

(b) a single data output line;

(c) mode switch means selectively switched between a first state and a second state according to the mode desired;

(d) setting means for setting an exposure parameter factor;

(e) a digital data plate having a plurality of conductive marks arranged to denote said exposure parameter factor and associated with said setting means;

(f) electrical connecting means connected to all of said conductive marks and also to said single data output line;

(g) contact means provided with brushes capable of contacting with said conductive marks and for sequentially contacting the marks corresponding to the exposure parameter factor selected by said setting means, said timing pulses being arranged to be supplied to corresponding ones of said brushes of said contact means;

(h) sorting means coupled to the output line for dividing the output signals of said single data output line into a mode signal according to the state of said mode switch and a digital exposure parameter value according to the exposure parameter factor;

(i) exposure control means;

(j) operation step control means for controlling said exposure control means to perform an exposure control in said shutter priority automatic exposure mode according to the digital exposure parameter value when the mode signal represents the speed reference automatic exposure mode and for causing the exposure control means to perform an exposure control in said aperture priority automatic exposure mode according to the digital exposure parameter value when the mode signal represents the aperture preference automatic exposure mode; and

(k) a plurality of diodes each connected between one of said brushes and a corresponding one of the timing pulse output lines for preventing reverse current.

33. A photographic camera according to claim 32, wherein said mode switch means is connected to said single data output line and to corresponding ones of the output terminals of said timing pulse generating means.

34. A photographic camera according to claim 32, further comprising actuating means for switching the mode switch means between the first and second states in response to the selected mode.

35. A digital display device for a camera, comprising:

digital data generating means having a plurality of bits and generating first digital data corresponding to photographic information,

circuit means to add prescribed second digital data to prescribed bits of said first digital data, and

display means which is located at a position higher than that of said prescribed bits of the first digital data to which the second digital data are added and is connected to said circuit means for decoding and displaying said first digital data after said addition.

36. A camera, comprising:

a digital indicator including a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged to indicate prescribed patterns relating to photographic information,

a plurality of switching means respectively connected to each of said light emitting diodes related for selectively enabling the light emitting diodes to make a display,

a photographic information setting line including a plurality of bits to be selectively turned ON or OFF corresponding to the set photographic information,

timing pulse generating means having a plurality of output lines connecting to each of the related light emitting diodes for supplying driving voltage in sequence to each of the light emitting diodes and at the same time being connected to the photographic information setting line for supplying information readout signals in sequence to the related bits of the photographic information setting line,

detection means for generating output signals being synchronized with the timing pulses from said timing pulse generation means and at the same time corresponding to the ON, OFF state of each bit of the photographic information setting line, and

a plurality of one-way conductive elements having one of the electrodes in each element connected to an output line of the timing pulse generating means and having the other electrode in each element connected to each bit of the photographic information setting line related to each output line, each of said elements being connected in a direction to prevent reverse current.

37. A camera comprising:

(a) signal changeover means responsive to a changeover signal for receiving at least two analog signals to selectively produce one of the received analog signals depending on the changeover signal;

(b) changeover signal applying means for applying to said signal changeover means a changeover signal related to at least one of said analog signals;

(c) analog-to-digital converting means connected to said signal changeover means for converting the selected analog signal from said signal changeover means into a digital signal; and

(d) exposure control means, connected to said analog-to-digital converting means, for controlling an exposure value based on the digital signal from said analog-to-digital converting means,

(e) said exposure control means being responsive to the changeover signal so as to control the exposure value in a photographic mode corresponding to the changeover signal.