Camera with electrochromic filter

• US 5,555,069 A
• Filed: 02/28/1995
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Albrecht, Richard E., Dowe, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US08/395,746
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 354/227.1, 354/271.1, 354/410
• US Class Current: 396/262
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2219/045 adapted for unloading the film in the processing laboratory, e.g. disposable, reusable or recyclable cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/18 in accordance with light-reducing "factor" of filter or other obturator used with or on the lens of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components

Abstract

A camera includes means for supporting an imaging element for recording a scene, an electrochromic filter disposed between the scene and the imaging element and a photoelectric element which emits electrical energy the value of which depends on an amount of scene light which is incident on the photoelectric element. At least a portion of the electrical energy emitted by the photoelectric element is used to directly control the optical density of the electrochromic filter, thereby controlling the amount of scene light which reaches the imaging element.

Claims

1. A camera comprising means for supporting an imaging element for recording a scene, and an electrochromic filter disposed between the scene and the imaging element, is characterized by:

a photoelectric element which emits a electrical energy the value of which depends on an amount of scene light which is incident on the photoelectric element, at least a portion of said electrical energy emitted by the photovoltaic element being used to directly control the optical density of said electrochromic filter, thereby controlling the amount of scene light which reaches the imaging element.

2. The camera of claim 1, further comprising:

a resistor in series with said photoelectric element for preventing said electrochromic filter from receiving more than a maximum working voltage.

3. The camera of claim 1, further comprising:

a resistor in parallel with said electrochromic filter for enhancing the rate of change of the optical density of said electrochromic filter.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein said photoelectric element is located such that scene light passes through said electrochromic filter before becoming incident on said photoelectric element, thereby providing feedback to said photoelectric element.