Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha

Toshinori Imura

Akira Yamanaka

Shinji Tominaga

Seiji Yamada

Tetsuhiko Inagaki

Yasuzi Kogure

Toshio Hayashi

Ikushi Nakamura

Yasuhiro Nanba

Keisuke Maeda

Mitsuru Saito

Harumi Tanaka

Yoshiiku Kikukawa

Maki Yamashita

Haruo Kobayashi

Yoshio Kuramoto

Tetsuro Oya

Mikio Naya

Takashi Iwata

A motor driven film wind-up and rewind device for cameras is automatically switched from a film wind-up mode to a film rewind mode when the entire length of an unexposed film has been wound on a film take-up spool and surely remains in the film rewind mode thereafter. For the automatic switching of the modes a circuit detects increase in a motor current which occurs with a motor forced to stop after completion of the film wind-up. A movable member which is in the form of an through axle extending through a film rewinding sprocket moves from a first position to a second position immediately after initiation of the motor rotation for the film rewind, switching a switch to a state maintaining the device in the film rewind mode as well as connecting the sprocket with the motor. The movable member is returned to the first position in response to insertion of a film cartridge into a cartridge chamber of the camera and restrained at the first position till the initiation of the film rewind. With no cartridge inserted in the cartridge chamber the movable member is not returned to the first position so that the device remains in the film rewind mode allowing a camera exposure operation.

Motor driven film wind-up and rewind device for cameras

An automatic focus adjusting device for a camera is provided that detects the contrast of a target object and generates an appropriate signal. If the target contrast is lower than a predetermined level the objective lens is set at an infinity focusing position. When the camera is set for flash photography it overrides any adjustment signal beyond the maximum flash photography distance.

Automatic focus adjusting device for use in a camera

A camera water-tight housing includes a hollow body member having a rectangular rear access opening delineated by the rear borders of the body member walls and a rectangular transparent lid having grooves formed in its inside face along its long sides. Each groove includes opposing faces, the inside faces being stepped and a resilient packing engages the face stepped portions and is retained therein by the borders of a pressure plate secured to the lid inside face. In the housing closed condition, the wall end borders along the opening long sides engages the lid grooves between the backing and the groove outer faces to compress the packing and effects a water-tight seal. Locking members are provided on the body member end walls and include hook portions for engaging tabs projecting from the lid to lock it in its closed position and cams for engaging the tabs and ejecting the lid when the members are rotated to separate the hook portions from the tabs. A camera mechanism is located in the housing and includes separate covers for the film and battery chambers, the covers being locked in closed position by the lid carried pressure plate in the housing closed condition.

Waterproof housing for camera

A photographic data recording mechanism in a camera includes a data illumination lamp, a first timing circuit actuated in response to the camera shutter release member for energizing the lamp for a set time interval and a second timing circuit also actuated in response to the shutter release member for applying a control signal subsequent to the lamp energizing time interval to a control circuit of shutter releasing electromagnet to release the shutter. The second timing circuit is adjustable to vary the time of application of the control signal and in an alternative structure the lamp energizing circuit may be disabled and the control signal applied is immediate response to the actuation of the release member. A single electromagnet may function to sequentially release the leading or trailing shutter members or separate electromagnets may be employed.

Camera data recording device

An electronic photoflash flash device includes a case containing a photoflash network including an indicator member illuminated in the flash ready condition and transferable by a manually operable selector member from a retracted position fully housed in the case to an advance position projecting from a face of the case for wide visibility. The case is a camera body and the camera diaphragm aperture is controlled by the selector member position which also closes the network power switch when the indicator member is advanced. In one mechanism the indicator member is biased to an advanced position and the selector member is biased to a retracted position in which a member coupled thereto releasably locks the indicator member in its retracted position and when the indicator member is advanced it releasably locks the selector member in its advanced position. Alternatively the indicator member is movable with the selector member and is biased to its retracted position.

Device for indicating the ready condition of an electronic flash device

An auto-focus camera comprising a rangefinder system, an automatic focus adjusting system, a manipulatable zone selector mechanism and a selector switch for electrically connecting the automatic focus adjusting system selectively to the rangefinder system and to the manipulatable zone selector mechanism depending upon the position of the selector switch. In one operative mode, an automatic focus control signal indicative of the zonal distance of the target object to be photographed to the camera and generated from the rangefinder system is applied to the automatic focus adjusting system to bring an objective lens assembly to one of focal positions determined by the automatic focus control signal. In another operative mode, a manual focus control signal indicative of a desired one of the focal positions of the objective lens assembly is applied to the automatic focus adjusting system to bring an objective lens assembly to the desired focal position.

Auto-focus camera having a rangefinder

An electronic photoflash device includes a high voltage DC generator, a main storage capacitor and a reflector backed photoflash tube unit mounted on an insulating substrate on which are printed a high voltage conductor line connecting first terminals of the generator, capacitor and tube and a ground conductor line connecting their opposite terminals. The ground line surrounds and is proximate the high-voltage line so that the deposition of water on the substrate extends between and short-circuits the lines to discharge the high-voltage and eliminates the risk of an electric shock to the device operator. Alternative arrangements may be provided for surrounding the high-voltage conductor with the ground conductor, the conductors having proximate bare portions bridged by a surface which, when moistened, short circuits the conductors.

Shockproof electronic flash device

A camera selectively settable to a daylight photography mode and to a flash photography mode includes an automatic focus adjusting device having a range finder for generating a distance signal representative of a distance from the camera to an aimed object, and an objective setting mechanism responsive to the distance signal for setting the objective to a proper focus of the aimed object. A control circuit responsive to the selection of the photographic modes causes the objective setting mechanism to set the camera objective at a position where the objective focuses on an object located at a predetermined distance zone within the maximum permissible distance for flash photography, upon selection of the flash photography mode. The control circuit may have a switch which causes the objective setting mechanism to effect the above setting of the objective in preference to the existence of the distance signal upon selection of the flash photography mode. Alternatively, the control circuit may have a conditioning circuit which conditions the objective setting mechanism such that, upon selection of the flash photography mode, the objective setting mechanism effects the above setting of the objective either when the distance signal is representative of a distance beyond the maximum permissible distance for flash photography or when the range finder generates no distance signal because of too low brightness of the scene.

Automatic focus adjusting device for cameras

A photographic camera provided with flash tube has a voltage detector for detecting the voltage level of a power supply; a control circuit controlled by the detector for preventing start of the photographing operation until the voltage source of the power supply recovers to a predetermined level during charging of a first capacitor for firing of the flash tube; and a second capacitor connected in parallel with the power supply and connected between a primary winding of an electric voltage boosting circuit and the power supply. By this arrangement, the start of the photographing operation is prevented until the voltage level of the power supply is fully recovered after firing of the flash tube and operation of the camera.

Photographic camera provided with flash means

In a shutter release device adapted for use with a photograpic camera, especially of the compact or miniature type, delay means are selectively actuated in accordance with a set or anticipated shutter speed for delaying or retarding the initiation of actual shutter opening. The shutter opening is commenced after a lapse of time from the manual operation of the shutter release button to the operation of the shutter release member, when the scene brightness is so low that a blurred picture is anticipated. The shutter is actuated immediately after operation of the release member when the scene brightness is high enough. The delay means may be a mechanical governor of an electric delay circuit responsive to shutter speed setting or detection of scene brightness.

Camera shutter release device

An automatic focus control camera which includes automatic exposure control means, automatic focus adjusting means, and flash means. These three means are arranged to have a power source in common, and furthermore, the automatic focus adjusting means and flash means are supplied with electric power through an electric voltage boosting circuit which is arranged not to function during an exposure period for taking photographs. Moreover, an electric voltage checking circuit is included for checking a voltage supplied to the automatic focus adjusting means so that the shutter can not be released unless the voltage reaches a predetermined level.

Automatic focus control camera

An auto-focus camera including an automatic rangefinder device for generating a distance signal indicative of the distance between the camera and a target object to be photographed, a timer circuit for generating an output signal a predetermined time after a power switch is closed, to place a lens drive mechanism in an operative condition for repositioning an objective lens assembly of the camera in search of the true focus setting, and a lens arresting circuit including electromagnetic units. Either of the electromagnetic units is operable to arrest the objective lens assembly at a corresponding focal position when energized by the distance signal. The automatic rangefinder device can measure the distance from the camera to the target object independent of the release of the lens drive mechanism.

Auto-focus camera having rangefinder system

An automatic focusing camera according to the present invention includes an automatic distant measuring system which generates a signal indicative of a distance between the camera and a target object to be photographed upon receipt of electric power. A focusing mechanism is operatively connected to the automatic focusing system for shifting a movable objective lens automatically to a properly focused position relative to the target object. A shutter release button includes a switch mechanism for electrically connecting a power source and the automatic distance measuring system; and a shaft actuating the focusing mechanism when the shutter release button is pressed down. The switch mechanism in the shutter release button is closed upon application of a finger touch to the shutter release button, either by completion of an electric circuit through the fingertip or by sensing the finger pressure, to supply electric power to the automatic distance measuring system. By this means the automatic distance measuring system is powered to reach a stable operational state prior to the opening of the camera shutter.

Power supplying system for use in an automatic focusing camera

An auto-focus camera includes a first signal circuit for generating a first control signal only when the battery voltage exceeds a minimum permissible level for normal operation of an electric range finder and an exposure control circuit, and a second signal circuit for generating a second control signal only when the range finder has reached a stable operating state after commencement of electric power supply thereto. The existence of both the first and second control signals enables an electromagnet provided in an exposure control circuit for arresting the camera shutter in an open state to hold an engaging member out of the locus of movement of a corresponding engaging member provided on a trigger member. The trigger member can be manipulated to a terminal position for allowing operation of a focus adjusting device unless the engaging members engage one another, and the range finder is supplied with electric power from the battery during the course of the manipulation of the trigger member. The camera shutter is opened in response to the termination of the automatic focus adjustment.

Auto-focus camera circuitry

A camera employing an automatic focusing system has a movable objective lens which is automatically moved to a properly focused position in accordance with a distance signal indicative of the distance between the camera and a target object to be photographed from a distance measuring element. The automatic focusing system further includes a discriminator which discriminates whether the distance measuring element properly produces the distance signal or fails to produce such distance signal. When the discriminator detects that the distance measuring element fails to produce the distance signal, the movable objective lens is automatically moved to a pan-focal position.

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Sakai, Japan

Toshinori Imura