Remote control camera using optical signal

• US 5,715,480 A
• Filed: 08/05/1996
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Nonaka, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chizmar, John
• Application Number:
  US08/692,382
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 396/263, 396/48, 396/100, 396/101, 396/162, 396/171, 396/268, 396/269, 396/271, 396/272, 396/276, 396/393, 396/56-59, 396/106, 396/109, 396/300
• US Class Current: 396/59
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0525 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0532 Flashtube mounting
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0535 Built-in diffusor

Abstract

A camera body has at least one opening formed in a front position thereof for receiving optical information about a subject. A remote control light sensor is provided within the camera body to receive a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter. An optical unit is placed between the opening and the remote control light sensor to direct at least the remote control light signal onto the light sensor. A control unit is responsive to an output of the remote control light sensor to control a predetermined operation associated with the camera body.

Claims

1. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body having an opening formed on a front portion thereof for introducing optical information about a subject;

a remote control light sensor provided inside said camera body for receiving a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter;

an optical device provided in said camera body opposing said opening, said optical device splitting light introduced through said opening into said remote control light signal and another light signal which is used for performing an operation in said camera, and directing at least said remote control light signal onto said remote control light sensor; and

a control unit provided in said camera body, said control unit being responsive to an output signal from said remote control light sensor for controlling a predetermined operation associated with said camera body.

2. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body;

a light sensor provided inside said camera body for receiving a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter and for measuring a brightness of a subject in response to visible light;

an optical member provided on a front portion of said light sensor, said optical member being responsive to a control signal for selectively causing one of visible light and infrared light to pass therethrough; and

a control unit which provides said control signal to said optical member based on a predetermined operation sequence associated with said camera body, and which controls a predetermined operation associated with said camera body in response to an output signal from said light sensor.

3. A remote control camera according to claim 2, wherein said optical member includes a variable wavelength filter having wavelength passbands which can be varied by changing a voltage applied thereto.

4. A remote control camera according to claim 2, wherein said optical member includes a variable wavelength filter having a plurality of electric-field controlled birefringent cells which are stacked on each other.

5. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body;

a photoelectric unit provided in said camera body, said photoelectric unit including a light emitting device for emitting light to measure a distance to a subject and a light receiving device for receiving a remote control signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter, said light emitting device and said light receiving device being connected together at respective ends thereof and being formed on a single semiconductor substrate in a single package; and

a single optical member provided on a front portion of said photoelectric unit.

6. A remote control camera according to claim 5, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises gallium arsenide.

7. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body having an optical device;

a photometric unit which receives light reflected from a subject through said optical device and which measures a brightness of the subject;

a light receiving device which receives a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter through a part of said optical device; and

a control unit which is responsive to an output signal from said light receiving device for controlling a predetermined operation associated with said camera body,

wherein said optical device includes an electrically controlled variable wavelength filter on an optical path thereof, and said photometric unit and said light receiving device are formed in common.

8. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body having an optical device;

a photometric unit which receives light reflected from a subject through said optical device and which measures a brightness of the subject;

a light receiving device which receives a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter through a part of said optical device;

a control unit which is responsive to an output signal from said light receiving device for controlling a predetermined operation associated with said camera body; and

a wavelength selective filter device provided in an optical path of said optical device, said wavelength selective filter device being arranged such that visible light falls on said photometric unit and such that infrared light falls on said light receiving device.

9. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body;

a viewfinder provided within said camera body and having a lens for viewing a subject; and

a light receiving device which receives a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter through said lens of said viewfinder.

10. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body;

an electronic flash unit having a window, said electronic flash unit being provided in said camera body for illuminating a subject through said window; and

a light sensor device which receives a remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter through said window of said electronic flash unit.

11. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body;

a first light sensor for receiving visible light and infrared light and a second light sensor for receiving only infrared light, said first and second light sensors being provided in said camera body; and

a control unit which determines an exposure setting based on a difference between outputs from said first and second light sensors, and which controls a predetermined operation associated with said camera body in response to an output of said second light sensor when said second light sensor receives an infrared remote control light signal emitted from an external remote control transmitter.

12. A remote control camera comprising:

a camera body having an opening for receiving outside light;

an operation determining unit which determines a predetermined operation associated with said camera body based on light passing through said opening;

an optical device which splits light emitted from an external remote control transmitter and passed through said opening, said optical device splitting said light into respective light components which are used for performing respective operations in said camera; and

a receiving device which receives a light component output from the optical device and which outputs responsive thereto a signal that allows said predetermined operation associated with said camera body to be performed.

13. A remote control camera according to claim 12, wherein said operation determining unit includes a control device which controls an exposure of said camera body.

14. A remote control camera according to claim 12, wherein said opening enables surrounding light and light emitted from said remote control transmitter to pass therethrough.

15. A camera comprising:

a photometric unit which measures light in a plurality of different wavelength passbands;

a selecting unit which selectively sets said plurality of different wavelength passbands on a time-division basis; and

a control unit which is responsive to an externally applied instruction for controlling an exposure of said camera based on an output from said photometric unit.