Control apparatus for optical density changing element

• US 7,474,453 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ishii, Yoshio, Shinohara, Ryuji, Kaneiwa, Hideki, Matsunaga, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): MARTINEZ, JOSEPH P
• Application Number:
  US11/129,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20050254114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 396/249, 396/457, 396/506
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/0075 having an element with variable optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/205 Neutral density filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/24 Liquid filters G02B5/23 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15 based on an electrochromic effect
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/04 Roll-film cameras
• 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 7/08 Control effected solely on the basis of the response, to the intensity of the light received by the camera, of a built-in light-sensitive device
• 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: G03B 9/02 Diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components

Abstract

A control apparatus for an optical density changing element comprising: an electromotive force generating element comprising an electromagnetic wave sensor (example: phototransistor) and a voltage source (example: battery), wherein the electromotive force generating element generates an electromotive force; an optical density changing element (light regulating filter) including an electrochromic material driven by the electromotive force; and a resistor connected in parallel to the optical density changing element.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for an optical density changing element that is used under the condition of EV=8.4 or higher comprising:

an electromotive force generating element comprising an electromagnetic wave sensor and a voltage source, wherein the electromotive force generating element generates an electromotive force;

an optical density changing element that has a change in optical density at a light amount in which EV has a value of 8.4 or higher including an electrochromic material driven by the electromotive force; and

a resistor connected in parallel to the optical density changing element;

wherein the optical density changing element consists of a pair of an anode and a cathode; and

includes at least two different electrochromic materials that change optical densities at different wavelengths between the pair of the anode and the cathode.

2. The control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the optical density changing element includes a nanoporous semiconductor material in which the electrochromic material is adsorbed, and the nanoporous semiconductor material has a roughness factor larger than 20.

3. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical density changing element includes at least two layers of the nanoporous semiconductor material in which the electrochromic material is adsorbed.

4. The control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the optical density changing element in a color erased state has an optical density of 0.2 or less at a wavelength of 400 nm.

5. The control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the optical density changing element in a color erased state has an average optical density of 0.1 or less in each of a wavelength range of 400 to 500 nm, a wavelength range of 500 to 600 nm and a wavelength range of 600 to 700 nm.

6. The control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the electromagnetic wave sensor is a material of which resistance changes according to an intensity of an electromagnetic wave.

7. The control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the voltage source of the optical density changing element is a battery.

8. The control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the electromagnetic wave sensor is a phototransistor.

9. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus is used under the condition of EV=10 or higher.

10. A photographing system comprising a photosensitive material and a control apparatus for regulating the amount of light that is transmitted to the photosensitive material, wherein the control apparatus comprises the control apparatus according to claim 1.

11. A method for regulating the amount of light that is transmitted through a filter, comprising:

subjecting a control apparatus for an optical density changing element to a light condition of EV=8.4 or higher, wherein the control apparatus for the optical density changing element comprises;

an electromotive force generating element comprising an electromagnetic wave sensor and a voltage source, wherein the electromotive force generating element generates an electromotive force;

an optical density changing element including an electrochromic material driven by the electromotive force; and

a resistor connected in parallel to the optical density changing element;

wherein the optical density changing element consists of a pair of an anode and a cathode; and

includes at least two different electrochromic materials that change optical densities at different wavelengths between the pair of the anode and the cathode, to thereby regulate the amount of light that is transmitted through the optical density changing element.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the control apparatus is subjected to a light condition of EV=10 or higher.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the optical density changing element regulates the amount of light arriving at a photosensitive material.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the photosensitive material is a film.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the optical density changing element regulates the amount of light arriving at a CCD or CMOS device.