Camera with self-timer and electronic flash

• US 5,555,071 A
• Filed: 07/29/1994
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Johnson, Glenn, Koenig, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, MATTHEW D
• Application Number:
  US08/282,994
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 354/418, 354/145.1, 354/238.1, 354/267.1, 354/127.12
• US Class Current: 396/155
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/40 with delayed or timed action
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0507 Pop-up mechanisms

Abstract

A camera includes a self-timer operable to delay picture taking for a predetermined interval and an electronic flash having a variable re-charge time. Operation of the self-timer is prevented when the predetermined interval is less than the re-charge time of the electronic flash.

Claims

1. A camera comprising a self-timer operable to delay picture taking for a predetermined interval, and an electronic flash having a variable recharge time, is characterized by:

means for preventing operation of said self-timer when the predetermined interval is less than the recharge time of said electronic flash.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein said preventing means includes means for checking a battery power in said camera such that said self-timer is prevented from operation when said battery power is not capable of recharging said electronic flash during said predetermined interval.

3. The camera of claim 2, further including means for checking a battery power in said camera such that said self-timer is allowed to operate when said battery power is capable of recharging said electronic flash during said predetermined interval.

4. The camera of claim 1, further including means for checking a battery power in said camera such that said self-timer is allowed to operate when said battery power is capable of recharging said electronic flash during said predetermined interval.

5. The camera of claim 1, further including means for indicating to a camera operator that the predetermined interval is less than the re-charge time of said electronic flash.

6. A camera comprising a self-timer operable to delay picture taking for a predetermined interval, and an electronic flash having a variable recharge time, is characterized by:

means for preventing commencement of charging of said electronic flash when the predetermined interval is less than the re-charge time of said electronic flash.

7. The camera of claim 6, wherein said preventing means includes means for checking a battery power in said camera such that commencement of charging of said electronic flash is prevented when said battery power is not capable of recharging said electronic flash during said predetermined interval.

8. The camera of claim 7, further including means for checking a battery power in said camera such that commencement of charging of said electronic flash is allowed when said battery power is capable of recharging said electronic flash during said predetermined interval.

9. The camera of claim 6, further including means for checking a battery power in said camera such that commencement of charging of said electronic flash is allowed when said battery power is capable of recharging said electronic flash during said predetermined interval.