Camera having a remote control function

• US 5,159,375 A
• Filed: 12/07/1990
• Issued: 10/27/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nakajima, Hidekazu, Okada, Hiroyuki, Tsuji, Sadafusa, Taniguchi, Nobuyuki, Tsuji, Kenji, Nakamura, Ikushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US07/625,082
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 354/400-409, 354/266, 354/267.1, 354/131
• US Class Current: 396/56
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/091 Digital circuits

Abstract

A camera system includes a remote controller and a body of a camera. The remote controller is incorporated in a lens cap of the camera. A photographing magnification for an object is set by the remote controller. A taking lens of the camera is automatically driven to attain an in-focus position defined by a distance to the object and the magnification set by the remote controller. Thus, an image of a desired magnification can be photographed by remote control using the remote controller.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising:

a remote control device provided separately from a camera, said remote control device including

a manual operable member, and

transmitting means for transmitting a prescribed signal by operation of said manual operable member; and

the camera including

distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, and

means for recording information on a film based on the prescribed signal and the distance to the object.

2. The camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said prescribed signal indicates information on the photographing magnification.

3. A camera system comprising:

remote control means provided separately from a camera, including

transmitting means for transmitting a prescribed signal representing information on photographing magnification; and

a camera including

setting means for setting a photographing magnification in accordance with the transmitted prescribed signal,

a taking leans capable of changing a focal length,

distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object,

means for calculating the focal length of said taking lens based on the photographing magnification set by the setting means and the distance to the object detected by the distance measuring means, and

drive means for driving said taking lens to attain the focal length calculated by said calculating means.

4. The camera system as claimed in claim 3, wherein

said remote control means further includes an operating member, and said transmitting means transmits the prescribed signal by operation of said operating member.

5. The camera system as claimed in claim 4, wherein

said operating member is used to designate a number of persons of said object.

6. The camera system as claimed in claim 4, wherein

said operating member is used to designate a photographing range of said object.

7. The camera system as claimed in claim 3, wherein

said remote control means is detachably attached to a camera body.

8. The camera system as claimed in claim 3, wherein

said remote control means is provided in a lens cap detachably attached to a front of said taking lens to cover a front surface thereof.

9. The camera system as claimed in claim 8, wherein

said lens cap includes an operating member, and

said operating member is located on an inner surface of said lens cap, opposite the front surface of said taking lens when said lens cap covers said taking lens.

10. A camera system comprising:

a lens cap provided detachably on a front of a taking lens to cover a front surface thereof, including

an operating member located on a surface other than a front surface of said lens cap, and

transmitting means for transmitting a prescribed signal to a camera body in a wireless manner in response to operation of said operating member; and

a camera including

the taking lens to be covered with said lens cap,

receiving means for receiving said prescribed signal from said transmitting means in a wireless manner, and

means for determining operation of said camera in response to said prescribed signal received by said receiving means.

11. A camera system comprising:

a lens cap provided detachably on a front of a taking lens to cover a front surface thereof, including

an operating member, and

transmitting means having a light emitting member to provide a light signal for transmitting a prescribed signal to a camera body in response to operation of said operating member, wherein the light emitting member is located on a surface other than a front surface of said lens cap; and

a camera including

the taking lens to be covered with said lens cap,

receiving means having a light receiving member to receive the light signal for receiving said prescribed signal from said transmitting means, and

means for determining operation of said camera in response to said prescribed signal received by said receiving means.

12. A camera system comprising:

means provided separately from a camera for transmitting a prescribed signal representing information on the photographing magnification; and

a camera including

means for receiving said prescribed signal from said transmitting means,

setting means for setting a photographing magnification in accordance with said prescribed signal,

a taking leans capable of changing a focal length,

distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object,

means for calculating the focal length of said taking lens based on the photographing magnification set by the setting means and the distance to the object detected by the distance measuring means, and

drive means for driving said taking lens to attain the focal length calculated by said calculating means.

13. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said transmitting means is a remote control device.

14. A camera system comprising:

remote control means provided separately from a camera, including

transmitting means for transmitting a prescribed signal representing information on the photographing magnification; and

a camera including

setting means for setting a photographing magnification in accordance with the transmitted prescribed signal,

distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, and

means for causing a picture with a desired composition, based on the photographing magnification set by the setting means and the distance to the object detected by the distance measuring means.

15. A camera system comprising:

remote control means provided separately from a camera, including

transmitting means for transmitting a prescribed signal representing information on the photographing magnification; and

a camera including

setting means for setting a photographing magnification in accordance with the transmitted prescribed signal,

distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, and

means for calculating a focal length covering a desired area in an objective field, based on the photographing magnification set by the setting means and the distance to the object detected by the distance measuring means.

16. A camera system comprising:

remote control means provided separately from a camera, including

transmitting means for transmitting a prescribed signal representing information on the photographing magnification; and

a camera including

setting means for setting a photographing magnification in accordance with the transmitted prescribed signal,

distance measuring means for detecting a distance to an object, and

means for determining an angle of view covering a desired area in an objective field, based on the photographing magnification set by the setting means and the distance to the object detected by the distance measuring means.