Camera for shortening a strobe charge time

• US 5,758,212 A
• Filed: 05/08/1997
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Digital Imaging Company Limited (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (Korea Aerospace Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Yun, Tae-kyong, Chang, Seung-mun
• Primary Examiner(s): Malley, Daniel P.
• Application Number:
  US08/852,418
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 396/201, 396/203, 396/205
• US Class Current: 396/205
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/425 motor drive cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/26 Power supplies; Circuitry or arrangement to switch on the power source; Circuitry to check the power source voltage

Abstract

A camera for shortening a strobe charge time comprising the present invention discloses a camera and a method for shortening the charge time of a strobe by mounting a generator around or within a motor and applying electric energy produced from the turning of the motor to the strobe. The camera includes a switching circuit, an automatic distance measuring circuit, a brightness measuring circuit, a microcontroller, a motor driving circuit, a motor section, a generating circuit, a strobe charged by a charge signal produced from the microcontroller or by the electrical energy produced from the generating circuit, and a shutter driving circuit. The switching circuit includes a first step release switch, a second step release switch, a photographic mode switch, and a back-cover switch. The motor section includes one or more motor driven by a film winding signal or a film rewinding signal produced from the motor driving circuit, and the generating circuit likewise includes one or more generator. The strobe is charged by a charge signal produced from the microcontroller or by the electrical energy produced from the generating circuit.

Claims

1. Flash apparatus for a camera comprising:

a strobe for producing illuminating light;

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the strobe, for analyzing a charge condition of the strobe;

an electrical motor controlling the winding of film mounted in the camera;

a generating circuit, operatively coupled to said motor, for generating electrical energy whenever said motor is energized and for charging said strobe with the generated electrical energy; and

a charge circuit, including a battery, for charging the strobe with electrical energy stored in the battery until the microprocessor determines that the charging of the strobe is finished.

4. The camera for shortening a strobe charge time of claim 1, wherein said electrical motor includes a motor for controlling the movement of a lens system in the camera.

2. Flash apparatus for a camera comprising:

a strobe for producing illuminating light;

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the strobe, for analyzing a charge condition of the strobe;

a first motor for controlling the winding of a film mounted in the camera;

a second motor for controlling the movement of a lens system in the camera;

a first generating circuit, operatively coupled to said first motor, for generating electrical energy whenever said first motor is energized;

a second generating circuit, operatively coupled to said second motor, for generating electrical energy whenever said second motor is energized; and

a charge circuit, including a battery, for charging the strobe with electrical energy stored in the battery;

wherein

the electrical energy generated by either one of said first and second generating circuits is used to charge said strobe when said microcontroller determines the strobe needs to be charged.

3. Flash apparatus for a camera comprising:

a strobe for producing illuminating light;

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the strobe, for analyzing a charge condition of the strobe;

a first motor for controlling the winding of a film mounted in the camera;

a second motor for controlling the movement of a lens system in the camera;

a first generating circuit, operatively coupled to said first motor, for generating electrical energy whenever said first motor is energized;

a second generating circuit, operatively coupled to said second motor, for generating electrical energy whenever said second motor is energized; and

a charge circuit, including a battery, for charging the strobe with electrical energy stored in the battery;

wherein

the electrical energy generated by both of said first and second generating circuits is used to charge said strobe when said microcontroller determines the strobe needs to be charged.