Method and apparatus for controlling continuous photography
First Claim
1. A control method for a camera having a motor for driving a shutter as well as a taking lens, comprising performing a single exposure by performing the following sequence of steps:
- (a) a first step of moving said taking lens from an initial position toward an in-focus position for focusing while said motor is rotating by a rotational amount RM1 in a first direction;
(b) a second step of opening said shutter by rotating said motor further by a rotational amount RM2 in said first direction, wherein the aperture size of said shutter is set in accordance with said amount RM2;
(c) a third step of closing said shutter by rotating said motor by said amount RM2 in a second direction; and
(d) a fourth step of returning said taking lens to said initial position by rotating said motor by said amount RM1 in said second direction; and
performing continuous photography by performing the following sequence of steps;
(e) executing said first to third steps for a first exposure;
(f) repeating said second and third steps alternately for a second and following exposures, thereby to open and close said shutter without moving said taking lens for focusing; and
(g) executing said fourth step of returning said taking lens to said initial position after a last exposure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Continuous photography control for a camera wherein an autofocus system is provided, and a motor is used commonly to move a taking lens for focusing and to open and close a shutter for exposure. When a mode switch is operated to set a continuous photography mode wherein plural exposures are continuously performed, the motor is driven to move the taking lens from an initial position into an in-focus position that is determined by the autofocus system and, thereafter, to open and close the shutter a selected number of times while maintaining the taking lens in the in-focus position. The taking lens is returned to the initial position after the selected number of exposures are performed. Alternatively, when another mode switch is operated to set a photography mode wherein only a single exposure is performed per one depression of the shutter button, then the taking lens is moved from the initial position to the in-focus position; the shutter is opened and closed only once; and then the taking lens is moved back to the initial position.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A control method for a camera having a motor for driving a shutter as well as a taking lens, comprising performing a single exposure by performing the following sequence of steps:
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(a) a first step of moving said taking lens from an initial position toward an in-focus position for focusing while said motor is rotating by a rotational amount RM1 in a first direction; (b) a second step of opening said shutter by rotating said motor further by a rotational amount RM2 in said first direction, wherein the aperture size of said shutter is set in accordance with said amount RM2; (c) a third step of closing said shutter by rotating said motor by said amount RM2 in a second direction; and (d) a fourth step of returning said taking lens to said initial position by rotating said motor by said amount RM1 in said second direction; and
performing continuous photography by performing the following sequence of steps;(e) executing said first to third steps for a first exposure; (f) repeating said second and third steps alternately for a second and following exposures, thereby to open and close said shutter without moving said taking lens for focusing; and (g) executing said fourth step of returning said taking lens to said initial position after a last exposure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus of continuous photography using a camera having a taking lens, comprising:
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an autofocus system for detecting subject distance data and determining an in-focus position of said taking lens; a motor for moving said taking lens from an initial position to said in-focus position and for returning said taking lens to said initial position after exposure, as well as for opening and closing a shutter for exposure; and switch means for setting and resetting a continuous photography mode in which a plurality of exposures are continuously and successively performed upon an actuation of a shutter release switch, wherein when said continuous photography mode is set, said motor is actuated such that said shutter is opened and closed a plural number of times following the focusing of said taking lens before said taking lens is returned to the initial position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A control apparatus for a camera having a motor for driving a shutter as well as a taking lens, comprising means for performing a single exposure comprising:
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(a) means for performing a first step of moving said taking lens from an initial position toward an in-focus position for focusing while said motor is rotating by a rotational amount RM1 in a first direction; (b) means for performing a second step of opening said shutter by rotating said motor further by a rotational amount RM2 in said first direction, wherein the aperture size of said shutter is set in accordance with said amount RM2; (c) means for performing a third step of closing said shutter by rotating said motor by said amount RM2 in a second direction; and (d) means for performing a fourth step of returning said taking lens to said initial position by rotating said motor by said amount RM1 in said second direction; and (e) means for performing continuous photography, comprising means for repeating said second and third steps alternately for a second and following exposures, thereby to open and close said shutter without moving said taking lens for focusing.
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Specification