Camera apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A camera apparatus comprising in combination:
- (a) a camera for taking still pictures and including a lens system for receiving light patterns of images to be photographed and a normally closed shutter for allowing, when opened, light to pass into said camera and to be recorded on a record medium therein, and manually operable means for causing said shutter to be briefly opened to allow light to be received and patterns thereof recorded in said camera, the improvement comprising;
first means secured to said camera for sensing movement thereof and generating movement sensing signals,second means including electronic computing means for receiving, processing and analyzing said movement sensing signals and generating control signals,third means for receiving said control signals and preventing the operation of said shutter of said camera by a person attempting to employ said camera to take a picture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a camera, such as a photographic camera or a still image recording electronic camera, to prevent the recording of picture information which is blurred due to camera movement while the shutter of the camera is open. In one form, a push-button or lever operated mechanism effects shutter opening when actuated by a finger of the hand wherein such shutter opening is prevented by a lock or braking mechanism which is activated by a signal generated when camera movement is detected by a motion sensor. In a second form, a camera shutter brake or lock normally prevents shutter operation and is released when a shutter actuating push button or lever is operated provided that a motion detector supported by the camera does not detect camera movement. In a third form, the camera shutter is operated to openb by a motor or solenoid when a control signal is generated by an electronic circuit such as a computer or microprocessor which processes signals generated when a motion sensor senses camera movement. The generation of a motion indicating signal prevents the shutter driving motor from operating to open the shutter even though a switch for connecting the shutter motor to a battery power supply is closed by hand. In a particular form, the signal generated when the camera motion sensor senses camera movement, is also applied to activate a display such as an electric light emitting diode, the direct or reflected light of which is viewable through the camera viewer or view finder to warn the photographer that the camera is not being held steadily enoght to take a proper picture.
54 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A camera apparatus comprising in combination:
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(a) a camera for taking still pictures and including a lens system for receiving light patterns of images to be photographed and a normally closed shutter for allowing, when opened, light to pass into said camera and to be recorded on a record medium therein, and manually operable means for causing said shutter to be briefly opened to allow light to be received and patterns thereof recorded in said camera, the improvement comprising; first means secured to said camera for sensing movement thereof and generating movement sensing signals, second means including electronic computing means for receiving, processing and analyzing said movement sensing signals and generating control signals, third means for receiving said control signals and preventing the operation of said shutter of said camera by a person attempting to employ said camera to take a picture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Camera apparatus comprising in combination:
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(a) a camera for taking still pictures and including a housing and a lens system for receiving light from objects in the scanning field of said camera, and a normally closed shutter for allowing, when opened, light to pass into said camera and to be recorded on a record medium such as photographic film within said housing, and manually operable means for causing said shutter to briefly open to allow light to pass into said housing to said recording medium, the improvement comprising; (a) first means supported by said camera for sensing movement of said camera and generating movement sensing signals, (b) second means operable in response to receipt of said sensing signals for generating control signals, and (c) third means response to said control signals for preventing the operation of said normally closed shutter in the act of opening when hand force is applied to said manually operable means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling the operation of a camera comprising:
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(a) sensing movement of a camera which is operable to receive light reflected from images to be recorded as still image information on a recording medium of said camera, (b) generating electrical signals when movements of said camera are sensed, and (c) applying said electrical signals to a control means which is operable in response thereto to prevent the operation of a shutter for said camera while said electrical signals are generated as a result of sensing camera movement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification