W. Haking Enterprises, Ltd.

Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp.

Databar Corporation

Arthur J Winter

Rodney L Larson

A film speed correction circuit for electrically controlled cameras having aperture or shutter speed controlled responsively to ambient light sensings from a photosensor features a controllable multi-stage amplifier preferably interposed between the photosensor and the aperture or shutter control means. The amplifier features a plurality of cascaded stages, each stage being operated to two different gain values according to a sensing signal provided thereto, the sensing signals for each stage being derived from coded insulating and conducting areas on the outer surface of the film cassette. Use of active stages interposed between passive attenuating stages substantially eliminates interstage loading and allows the use of standard resistance values to provided proper gain values for each stage.

Camera exposure control system

An electrically operated flash camera employs an infrared pre-flash reflected light signal stored in a single memory storage to control focus and aperture. Two comparators serve to govern both operations, sensing potentiometrically derived analog position indicating signals representing lens position and aperture setting as the lens and aperture control elements are scanningly driven through their ranges of settings. Comparison of these analog signals with the stored signal is used to terminate scanning to set focus and aperture. A visible light photosensing means controls aperture and inhibits the exposure flash if ambient illumination is adequate.

Automatic focussing camera with automatic aperture setting

Computer programs or other informational data are recorded on one or more sheets in the form of lines of optical bar code. At least one Control Array line containing characters which define the format for the program or other informational data to be transmitted to a specific digital computer is included in the optical bar code in addition to the data lines which contain characters representing the particular program of other information. A bar code scanner scans the lines of optical bar code and converts the scanned marks and spaces of the optical bar code into digital data representative of the characters in the line which is scanned. The digital data from the Control Array line is stored as Control Array data, and the digital data from one or more data lines are stored as program or informational data. After a predetermined amount of program or informational data has been stored, the scanner transmits the stored program or informational data to the digital computer in a format which is based upon the stored Control Array data.

Optical scanning reader system for loading computers

A battery-powered, microcomputer controlled optical bar code reader automatically turns itself off under certain predetermined conditions, so as to prevent operation when the battery voltage is low, when the microcomputer of the circuitry controlled by the microcomputer is malfunctioning, or when the scanner has been turned on, but is not being used.

Battery-powered optical bar code reader and voltage regulator therefor

A camera is provided with flash lamp means, preferably a single flash lamp, useful for both range-determining purposes, for automatic focus control and/or flash lamp light exposure control, and in response to depression of the shutter release control, generates an initial range-determining flash of light and then a film exposure flash of light if flash exposure is desired. Before the shutter is opened, the range-determining flash of light reflected from the object involved is detected by a light sensor feeding the inputs of one or more signal level detectors respectively responsive to different peak levels of the reflected flash lamp light profiles indicating object distances falling within different adjacent range zones by being triggered into a given state. In the automatic focus control form of the invention, the outputs of the signal level detectors are scanned sequentially in the order where the signal level detectors responsive to profiles of objects in the nearest range zone are scanned first. A rotatable lens unit starting from a nearest range focussing position is stopped when the first signal level detector having a triggered condition is scanned, the lens unit then being in a properly focussed position for the corresponding range zone.

Automatic focusing camera

An electronic timing circuit to be used in conjunction with photographic cameras using electronic exposure sensing and electrically actuated signal lights responsive to the exposure sensing causes automatic total electrical power shutdown if the camera is left unattended. No separate manual operation is necessary, the shutdown occurring within approximately half a minute after releasing the exposure button. Rundown of the camera battery via inadvertent failure of the operator to turn off the system is eliminated. The timer is turned on and system loads are connected in a latched state to the camera battery by partial depression of the exposure button. Adequate ambient illumination of the subject scene causes a photosensor to actuate a green signal light. Inadequate ambient illumination causes the photosensor to automatically actuate instead a red warning light and a flash tube charging circuit for a built-in flash tube, full charge being evidenced by reappearance of the green light. If the camera is pointed at a new scene of adequate ambient illumination during or after the charging process, charging stops automatically, and the flash trigger circuit is automatically disabled. An inexpensive trigger disabling circuit is disclosed. Two versions of the system are disclosed, one using bipolar comparators and capable of operation from a battery voltage of three volts, the other using CMOS comparators and requiring six volts. Both versions, in the shut-down state, place a total load of less than one microampere on the system battery, resulting in a battery life equal the shelf life if the camera is not used.

Electronic camera with automatic battery shutdown

An AC to DC voltage converter provides both regulated and unregulated voltage from the positive DC voltage output terminal which is connected to a power input terminal of a load. One load circuit is returned to a common circuit terminal (e.g. ground) and another load circuit is returned to the converter whereby the regulator is by-passed.

Voltage converter

An analog-to-digital converter of the single slope detection type comprising a first input terminal for receiving a first input signal formed by the superposition of a common mode noise voltage on a first DC voltage, a second input terminal for receiving a second input signal formed by the superposition of the common mode noise voltage on a second DC voltage, a ramp generator responsive to the second input signal and operative to separate the common mode noise voltage from the second input signal and to develop a ramp reference signal that is modulated by the common mode noise voltage, a first comparator for comparing the signals at the first terminal and at the output of the ramp generator and for developing a first output signal which changes state when the level of the modulated ramp reference signal exceeds the level of the first input signal, a second comparator for comparing the signals at the second terminal and at the output of the ramp generator and for developing a second output signal which changes state when the level of the modulated ramp reference signal exceeds the level of the second input signal, and a logic circuit responsive to the first and second output signals and operative to produce a pulse having a duration that corresponds to the time difference between the changes of state of the first and second output signals and operative to produce a pulse having a duration that corresponds to the time difference between the changes of state of the first and second output signals, such duration being indicative of the voltage difference between the first input signal and the second input signal. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Growing community of inventors

Encino, CA, United States of America

Arthur J Winter