Variable time lag camera

• US 5,640,612 A
• Filed: 10/13/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Owashi, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUCCILLO, NICHOLAS
• Application Number:
  US08/542,805
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 354/237, 354/238.1, 354/256, 354/267.1, 396/55, 396/472
• US Class Current: 396/55
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/40 with delayed or timed action

Abstract

A variable time lag camera includes a release signal generation mechanism that generates a release signal, for example, after a user presses a release button, a shutter mechanism for limiting the time of exposure of a recording medium, and a time lag adjusting mechanism that sets the time lag between the generation of the release signal and the starting of the shutter mechanism from a plurality of available release time lags. Additionally, when in a single frame mode, the time lag corresponds to a time lag selected by the camera user. When in a continuous photography mode, the camera automatically selects the shortest possible time lag so that plural photographs can be taken at the highest possible rate.

Claims

1. A variable time lag camera comprising:

a user actuatable release signal generation mechanism that generates a release signal when actuated by a user;

a shutter mechanism that initiates exposure of a recording medium to an image upon receipt of said release signal; and

a time lag adjusting mechanism that sets a time lag between the generation of the release signal by said release signal generation mechanism and receipt of said release signal by said shutter mechanism, said time lag adjusting mechanism selectively setting said time lag from a plurality of available time lags, said plurality of available time lags including a maximum time lag that is sufficient to permit stabilization of vibrations caused by movement of an internal movable component of the camera, and a minimum time lag that is not sufficient to permit stabilization of said vibrations, wherein said plurality of available time lags have values in the tens of milliseconds.

2. The variable time lag camera of claim 1, wherein said time lag adjusting mechanism includes:

a user actuatable time lag selection mechanism that enables the user to select a time lag from the plurality of available time lags, said time lag selection mechanism generating a time lag selection signal indicating the user selected time lag; and

a controller that is coupled to said release signal generation mechanism, said shutter mechanism, and to said time lag selection mechanism, said controller receiving said release signal from said release signal generation mechanism and forwarding said release signal to said shutter mechanism after the time lag indicated by said time lag selection signal elapses.

3. The variable time lag camera of claim 1, wherein said camera is operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken for each actuation of said user actuatable release signal generation mechanism, said time lag adjusting mechanism being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

4. The variable time lag camera of claim 1, wherein said camera is operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken for each actuation of said user actuatable release signal generation mechanism, said time lag adjusting mechanism being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

5. The variable time lag camera of claim 1, wherein said release signal generation mechanism includes a button that can be depressed by the user and that is located on a surface of the camera.

6. The variable time lag camera of claim 5, wherein said button is located on an upper surface of the camera.

7. The variable time lag camera of claim 1, wherein said time lag adjusting mechanism includes a switch that can be moved by the user and that is located on a surface of the camera.

8. The variable time lag camera of claim 7, wherein said switch is located on an upper surface of the camera.

9. The variable time lag camera of claim 7, wherein said camera surface includes indicia adjacent to said switch, said indicia signifying each of said plurality of available time lags.

10. The variable time lag camera of claim 7, wherein said switch is a slidable switch.

11. The variable time lag camera of claim 10, wherein said slidable switch is slidable between three positions so that said plurality of available time lags comprises three different time lags.

12. The variable time lag camera of claim 1, further comprising:

a film advancing mechanism that selectively advances film in said camera by either a single-frame mode, in which the film is advanced by a single frame, or by a continuous photography mode, in which the film is advanced by a plurality of frames; and

a user actuatable advance mode selection mechanism that generates an advance mode signal indicating whether the film advancing mechanism should advance the film in the single-frame mode or in the continuous photography mode;

wherein said time lag adjusting mechanism sets the time lag to be said minimum time lag when the advance mode signal indicates that the continuous mode is selected.

13. The variable time lag camera of claim 12, wherein said time lag adjusting mechanism includes:

a user actuatable time lag selection mechanism that enables the user to select a time lag from the plurality of available time lags, said time lag selection mechanism generating a time lag selection signal indicating the user selected time lag; and

a controller that is coupled to said release signal generation mechanism, said shutter mechanism, said time lag selection mechanism, said film advancing mechanism, and to said advance mode selection mechanism, said controller receiving said release signal from said release signal generation mechanism and receiving said advance mode signal from said advance mode selection mechanism, said controller forwarding said release signal to said shutter mechanism after the time lag indicated by said time lag selection signal elapses and causing said film advancing mechanism to advance by a single frame when said advance mode signal indicates that the single-frame mode is selected, said controller forwarding said release signal to said shutter mechanism after the minimum time lag elapses and causing said film advancing mechanism to advance by multiple frames when said advance mode signal indicates that the continuous photography mode is selected.

14. The variable time lag camera of claim 12, wherein said advance mode selection mechanism includes a switch that can be moved by the user and that is located on a surface of the camera.

15. The variable time lag camera of claim 14, wherein said switch is a rotatable switch.

16. The variable time lag camera of claim 15, wherein said release signal generation mechanism includes a button that can be depressed by the user and that is located on said surface of the camera.

17. The variable time lag camera of claim 14, wherein said switch is located on an upper surface of the camera.

18. The variable time lag camera of claim 17, wherein said time lag adjusting mechanism includes a switch that can be moved by the user and that is located on said surface of the camera.

19. The variable time lag camera of claim 18, wherein said switch is a slidable switch.

20. A variable time lag camera comprising:

release signal generation means for generating a release signal;

a shutter mechanism that initiates exposure of a recording medium to an image upon receipt of said release signal; and

time lag adjusting means for setting a time lag between the generation of the release signal by said release signal generation means and receipt of said release signal by said shutter mechanism, said time lag adjusting means selectively setting said time lag from a plurality of available time lags, said plurality of available time lags including a maximum time lag that is sufficient to permit stabilization of vibrations caused by movement of an internal movable component of the camera, and a minimum time lag that is not sufficient to permit stabilization of said vibrations, wherein said plurality of available time lags have values in the tens of milliseconds.

21. The variable time lag camera of claim 20, wherein said release signal generation means includes a manually movable selection member that enables the user to initiate generation of said release signal.

22. The variable time lag camera of claim 20, wherein said camera is operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken for each actuation of said release signal generation means, said time lag adjusting means being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

23. The variable time lag camera of claim 20, wherein said camera is operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken for each actuation of said release signal generation means, said time lag adjusting means being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

24. The variable time lag camera of claim 20, further comprising:

film advancing means for selectively advancing film in said camera by either a single-frame mode, in which the film is advanced by a single frame, or by a continuous photography mode, in which the film is advanced by a plurality of frames; and

advance mode selection means for generating an advance mode signal indicating whether the film advancing means should advance the film in the single-frame mode or in the continuous photography mode;

wherein said time lag adjusting means sets the time lag to be said minimum time lag when the advance mode signal indicates that the continuous mode is selected.

25. The variable time lag camera of claim 24, wherein said time lag adjusting means includes:

time lag selection means for selecting a time lag from the plurality of available time lags, said time lag selection means generating a time lag selection signal indicating the user selected time lag; and

control means, coupled to said release signal generation means, said shutter mechanism, said time lag selection means, said film advancing means, and to said advance mode selection means, said control means for receiving said release signal from said release signal generation means and receiving said advance mode signal from said advance mode selection means, said control means forwarding said release signal to said shutter mechanism after the time lag indicated by said time lag selection signal elapses and causing said film advancing means to advance by a single frame when said advance mode signal indicates that the single-frame mode is selected, said control means forwarding said release signal to said shutter mechanism after the minimum time lag elapses and causing said film advancing means to advance by multiple frames when said advance mode signal indicates that the continuous photography mode is selected.

26. The variable time lag camera of claim 24, wherein said advance mode selection means includes a manually movable selection member that enables the user to select between said single-frame mode and said continuous photography mode.

27. The variable time lag camera of claim 20, wherein said time lag adjusting means includes:

time lag selection means for selecting a time lag from the plurality of available time lags, said time lag selection means generating a time lag selection signal indicating the selected time lag; and

control means, coupled to said release signal generation means, said shutter mechanism, and to said time lag selection means, said control means for receiving said release signal from said release signal generation means and forwarding said release signal to said shutter mechanism after the time lag indicated by said time lag selection signal elapses.

28. The variable time lag camera of claim 27, wherein said time lag selection means includes a manually movable selection member that enables the user to select one of said plurality of available time lags.

29. The variable time lag camera of claim 28, wherein said time lag selection means is located on a surface of said camera, said camera surface including indicia adjacent to said time lag selection means, said indicia signifying each of said plurality of available time lags.

30. A camera in which a controller receives a release signal that indicates the camera user'"'"'s command to initiate exposure of a recording medium in the camera to an image, the controller forwarding the release signal to a shutter mechanism of the camera after a set time lag from receipt of the release signal elapses, said camera comprising:

a manually operable time lag selection switch that enables the user to set the time lag, said time lag selection switch having a plurality of available time lag settings, said plurality of available time lag settings having different durations ranging from a minimum time lag to a maximum time lag, said maximum time lag being sufficient to permit stabilization of vibrations caused by movement of an internal movable component of the camera, said minimum time lag not being sufficient to permit stabilization of said vibrations, wherein said plurality of available time lags have values in the tens of milliseconds.

31. The camera of claim 30, wherein said camera is operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken each time said release signal is received, said time lag selection switch being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

32. The camera of claim 30, wherein said camera is operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken each time said release signal is received, said time lag selecting switch being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

33. The camera of claim 30, further comprising:

a film advancing mechanism that selectively advances film in said camera by either a single-frame mode, in which the film is advanced by a single frame, or by a continuous photography mode, in which the film is advanced by a plurality of frames; and

a manually operable advance mode selection switch that enables the user to select between the single-frame mode and the continuous photography mode;

wherein the controller sets the time lag to be said minimum time lag when the continuous mode is selected with said advance mode selection switch.

34. The camera of claim 33, wherein said controller sets the time lag selected by said time lag selection switch when said single-frame mode is selected.

35. The camera of claim 30, wherein said time lag selection switch is located on an upper surface of the camera.

36. The camera of claim 35 wherein said camera surface includes indicia adjacent to said time lag selection switch, said indicia signifying each of said plurality of available time lags.

37. The camera of claim 35, wherein said time lag selection switch is a slidable switch.

38. The camera of claim 37, wherein said slidable switch is slidable between three positions so that said plurality of available time lag settings comprise three different time lag settings.

39. A variable time lag camera comprising:

a user actuatable release signal generation mechanism that generates a release signal when actuated by a user;

a shutter mechanism that initiates exposure of a recording medium to an image; and

a time lag adjusting mechanism that sets a time lag between the generation of the release signal by said release signal generation mechanism and receipt of said release signal by said shutter mechanism, said time lag adjusting mechanism selectively setting said time lag from a plurality of available time lags, said plurality of available time lags having values in the tens of milliseconds;

said camera being operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken for each actuation of said user actuatable release signal generation mechanism, said time lag adjusting mechanism being operable at least during said single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags in said single-frame mode.

40. A camera in which a controller receives a release signal that indicates the camera user'"'"'s command to an image, the controller forwarding the release signal to a shutter mechanism of the camera after a set time lag from receipt of the release signal elapses, said camera being operable in at least a single-frame mode in which a single photograph is taken each time said release signal is received, said camera comprising:

a manually operable time lag selection switch that enables the user to set the time lag, said time lag selection switch having a plurality of available time lag settings, said plurality of available time lag settings having different durations ranging from a minimum time lag to a maximum time lag, said minimum time lag and maximum time lag having values in the tens of milliseconds, said manually operable time lag selection switch being operative at least during the single-frame mode to enable selection between said plurality of available time lags when said camera is in said single-frame mode.