Digital Camera Patent

Digital camera

Digital Camera Patent Abstract

A digital camera with five automatic exposure modes is provided with corresponding individual cards upon selective insertion into the camera to effect the operation of either or both of the shutter and diaphragm in accordance with the digital output of a computer through logic selection circuits as the mode information on the inserted card is read into a binary coded decimal counter controlling operation of the logic circuits. When the card is absent from the camera, a first controlling push button for sequential display of the modes is rendered effective to pass a pulse train to the counter so that upon release of the button, the current mode displayed can be set. The card further includes information relating to the determination of whether or not to give a sound warning signal which occurs, in one embodiment, when the film nears the terminal end of footage. In another embodiment, the buzzer is utilized to assist in releasing not only a first but also an additional three buttons for setting exposure factors and a number of film frames available just after a desired symbol or digital value appears in the display as they are sequentially presented.

Digital Camera Patent Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera comprising:

(a) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the level of brightness of an object being photographed;

(b) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to preset values of exposure factors;

(c) exposure value computing means responsive to the electrical signals from said light measuring and said factor setting means for producing an output;

(d) shutter control means;

(e) diaphragm control means;

(f) exposure mode selecting means responsive to first and second switch signals for directing the output of said computing means to either of said shutter control means and said diaphragm control means, respectively; and

(g) signal forming means having terminals receptive of one of a number of different mode setting members upon reading of information on said mode setting member for producing either one of said first and second signals to be applied to said mode selecting means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mode selecting means comprises a first gate circuit which is enabled by said first switch signal so that the output of said computing means is directed to said shutter control means, and a second gate circuit which is enabled by said second switch signal so that the output of said computing means is directed to said diaphragm control means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said exposure factor setting means comprises a first setting means for setting film sensitivity, a second setting means for setting shutter time or diaphragm aperture and a pulse generator, said first setting means having a first counter for counting a pulse train from said pulse generator, and said second setting means having a second counter for counting the pulse train from said pulse generator.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first setting element has a first switch connected between said first counter and said pulse generator, and said second setting element has a second switch connected between said second counter and said pulse generator.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further including warning means for producing a warning signal each time one pulse is applied to said first or second counter.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said first and second counters for displaying the set values of exposure factors.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further including:

(a) pulse generating means;

(b) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for setting a maximum possible number of film frames;

(c) a first counter cooperative with said first switch for counting a pulse train from said pulse generating means in order to set said number;

(d) a second counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of said camera for advancing one count each time one frame has been exposed;

(e) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said first and second counters with each other upon attainment of a predetermined relationship for producing a warning signal; and

(f) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, further including a second switch cooperative with a back cover of said camera and operating upon opening of said cover to reset said first and second counters.

9. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(a) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the object brightness level;

(b) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the set values of exposure factors, said means being associated with correcting means responsive to a switch signal for producing an electrical signal proportional to a corrected value of exposure factor;

(c) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(d) shutter control means;

(e) diaphragm control means;

(f) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either one of said shutter control and said diaphragm control means, said means comprising a first gate circuit which is enabled by a first switch signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, and a second gate circuit which is enabled by a second switch signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means;

(g) first detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said first gate circuit is outside a dynamic range of said shutter control means and for producing an actuating signal to be applied to said correcting means when the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range;

(h) second detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside a dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and for producing an actuating signal to be applied to said correcting means when the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range; and

(i) signal forming means for producing first and second switch signals for controlling the operation of said mode selecting means, said means having terminals receptive of one of a number of different mode setting members upon reading of information on said mode setting member for applying either of said first and second signals to said mode selecting means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further including gate means interposed between said mode selecting means and said signal forming means and wherein said signal forming means produces one of four signals, namely, a shutter preselection signal, a shutter preselection magic signal, a diaphragm preselection signal and a diaphragm preselection magic signal, so that when said signal forming means produces either of said shutter preselection signal and said shutter preselection magic signal, said gate means produces said second switch signal, while when said signal forming means produces either of said diaphragm preselection signal and said diaphragm preselection magic signal, said gate means produces said first switch signal.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first detecting means is actuated when a first counter produces said diaphragm preselection magic signal, and said second detecting means is actuated when a second counter produces said shutter preselection magic signal.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, further including:

(a) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(b) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for setting a maximum possible number of film frames;

(d) a second counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of said camera for advancing one count each time one frame has been exposed;

(e) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said first and second counters with each other upon attainment of a predetermined relationship to produce a warning signal; and

(f) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, further including a second switch cooperative with a back cover of said camera and operating upon opening of said cover to reset said first and second counters.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, further including a second switch cooperative with a back cover of said camera and operating upon opening of said cover to reset said first and second counters.

15. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(a) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(b) exposure factor setting means having:

(1) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(2) a first counter for counting the pulse train from said generating means to set a desired value of exposure factor;

(3) a first switch connected between said generating means and said first counter; and

(4) a second counter responsive to a control signal for correcting the set value of exposure factor;

(c) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said second counter for producing an output;

(d) shutter control means;

(e) diaphragm control means;

(f) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either one of said shutter control means and said diaphragm control means, said means including a first gate circuit which is enabled by either one of first and second switch signals so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, and a second gate circuit which is enabled by either one of third and fourth switch signals so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means;

(g) first detecting means rendered operative by said second signal when it is detected that the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means to produce an actuating signal which is applied to said second counter.

(h) second detecting means rendered operative by said fourth signal when it is detected that the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means to produce an actuating signal which is applied to said second counter; and

(i) a third counter having input terminals receptive of information of one of a number of different mode setting members and responsive to the reading of the information on the selected member for producing one of said first, second, third and fourth signals for controlling operation of said mode selecting means.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further including warning means for producing a warning signal each time one pulse is applied to said second counter.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said second and third counters for displaying the set mode and the preset value of the exposure factor.

18. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(a) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the object brightness level;

(b) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset values of exposure factors;

(c) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(d) shutter control means;

(e) diaphragm control means;

(f) exposure mode selecting means responsive to first and second signals for directing the output of said computing means to either of said shutter and said diaphragm control means and responsive to a third signal for directing the output of said computing means to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means; and

(g) signal forming means having input terminals receptive of information on one of a number of different mode setting members and responsive to insertion of the mode setting member into said camera for producing one of said first, second and third signals which are applied to said exposure mode selecting means.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said mode selecting means includes a first gate circuit which is enabled by said first signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, a second gate circuit which is enabled by said second signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means, and a third gate circuit which is enabled by said third signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to both said diaphragm control means and said shutter control means.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said exposure factor setting means includes a first setting element for setting film sensitivity, a second setting element for setting a preselected exposure factor and a pulse generating source for producing a pulse train, said first and second setting elements having first and second counters, respectively, for counting the pulse train.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said first setting element has a first switch connected between said first counter and said pulse generating means, and said second setting element has a second switch connected between said second counter and said pulse generating means.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said exposure value computing means has a first computing section responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said first and second counters for producing a first output which is applied to said first and second gate circuits and has a second computing section responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said first counter for producing a second output which is applied to said third gate circuit.

23. An apparatus according to claim 21, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said first and second counters for displaying the set mode and the preset values of exposure factors.

24. An apparatus according to claim 18, further including:

(a) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(b) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for setting a maximum possible number of film frames;

(c) a first counter cooperative with said first switch for counting the pulse train from said pulse generating means in order to set said number;

(d) a second counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of said camera for advancing one count each time one frame has been exposed;

(e) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said first and second counters with each other and, upon attainment of a predetermined relationship between them, producing a warning signal; and

(f) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, further including a second switch cooperative with a back cover of said camera and operating upon opening of said cover to reset said first and second counters.

26. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(a) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(b) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the set values of exposure factors, said means being associated with correcting means responsive to a control signal for producing an electrical signal proportional to a corrected value of exposure factor;

(c) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(d) shutter control means;

(e) diaphragm control means;

(f) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either or both of said shutter and said diaphragm control means, said means including a first gate circuit which is enabled by a first switch signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, a second gate circuit which is enabled by a second switch signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means, and a third gate circuit which is enabled by a third switch signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to both said shutter and said diaphragm control circuits;

(g) first detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, for producing an actuating signal which is applied to said correcting means;

(h) second detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside a dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, for producing an actuating signal which is applied to said correcting means;

(i) signal forming means having a mode information reader arranged upon selective reception of a number of different mode setting members from the outside of the camera housing for producing one of said first, second and third signals which is applied to said mode selecting means.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, further including gate means interposed between said mode selecting means and said signal forming means and wherein said signal forming means produces one of five signals, namely, a shutter preselection signal, a shutter preselection magic signal, a diaphragm preselection signal, a diaphragm preselection magic signal and a program signal so that, when said signal forming means produces either of said shutter preselection signal and said shutter preselection magic signals, said gate means produces said second switch signal; when said signal forming means produces either of said diaphragm preselection signal and said diaphragm preselection magic signal, said gate means produces said first switch signal; and when said signal forming means produces said program signal, said gate means produces said third signal.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, further including a first counter for producing said diaphragm preselection magic signal which actuates said first detecting means, and a second counter for producing said shutter preselection magic signal which actuates said second detecting means.

29. An apparatus according to claim 26, further including:

(a) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(b) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for setting a maximum possible number of film frames;

(d) a second counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of said camera for advancing one count each time one frame has been exposed;

(e) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said first and second counters with each other upon attainment of a predetermined relationship for producing a warning signal; and

(f) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

30. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means having:

(a) photosensitive means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed; and

(b) analog-to-digital converting means for converting the analog signal of said photosensitive means to a digital signal;

(B) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(a) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting an exposure factor;

(b) a second switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting film sensitivity;

(c) a first counter for setting the exposure factor, said first counter counting the pulse train in response to actuation of said first switch;

(d) a second counter for setting the film sensitivity, said second counter counting the pulse train in response to actuation of said second switch; and

(e) a third counter which is provided for a setting value altering purpose and is receptive of the output of said first counter, said third counter being arranged to alter the count output of the first counter by counting oscillation pulses produced by said pulse generating means while a detecting signal is being applied thereto;

(D) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output in digital form, said means having:

(a) first computing means for digitally computing the outputs of said analog-to-digital converting means, said first counter and said second counter; and

(b) second computing means for digitally computing the outputs of said analog-to-digital converting means and said second counter;

(E) shutter control means;

(F) diaphragm control means;

(G) exposure mode selecting means having;

(a) a first gate circuit enabled by either of first and second signals to apply the output of said first computing means to said shutter control means;

(b) a second gate circuit enabled by either of third and fourth signals to apply the output of said first computing means to said diaphragm control means; and

(c) a third gate circuit enabled by a fifth signal to apply the output of said second computing means to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means;

(H) first detecting means rendered operative by said second signal when the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means for producing an actuating signal which is applied to said third counter;

(I) second detecting means rendered operative by said fourth signal when the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said diaphragm control means for producing an actuating signal which is applied to said third counter; and

(J) a fourth counter having a mode information reader arranged upon selective reception of a number of different mode setting members from the outside of the camera housing for producing one of said first, second, third and fourth signals.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, further including warning means for producing a warning signal each time one pulse is applied to said first and second counters.

32. An apparatus according to claim 30, further including display means for displaying the preset value of exposure factor and the selected mode based on the outputs of said first, second and fourth counters.

33. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(B) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset values of exposure factors;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(F) exposure mode selecting means responsive to a first signal for directing the output of said computing means to said shutter control means and responsive to a second signal for directing the output of said computing means to said diaphragm control means;

(G) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(H) a first counter for counting the pulse train for producing either one of said first and said second signals depending upon the number of pulses counted; and

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said mode selecting means has a first gate circuit which is enabled by said first signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, and a second gate circuit which is enabled by said second signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said exposure factor setting means has a first setting member for setting film sensitivity and a second setting member for setting a preselected exposure factor, said first setting member having a second counter for counting the pulse train and said second setting members having a third counter for counting the pulse train.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said first setting member has a second switch connected between said pulse generator and said second counter, and said second setting member has a third switch connected between said pulse generator and said third counter.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, further including warning means for producing a warning signal each time one pulse is applied to said first, second and third counters.

38. An apparatus according to claim 36, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said first, second and third counters for displaying the set mode and the preset values of exposure factors.

39. An apparatus according to claim 33, further including:

(a) a second switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing to set a maximum possible number of frames of the used film;

(b) a second counter connected through said second switch to said pulse generating means upon actuation of said second switch to count the pulse train in order to set that number;

(c) a third counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of the camera for advancing one count each time one exposure has been completed;

(d) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said second and third counters when the difference therebetween attains a predetermined value for producing a warning signal; and

(e) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

40. An apparatus according to claim 39, further including a third switch cooperative with a back cover of the camera and operating upon opening of said back cover to reset said second and third counters.

41. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(B) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset values of exposure factors;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(G) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(H) a first counter for counting the pulse train for producing either one of said first and said second signals depending upon the number of pulses counted; and

(I) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera, said first switch being arranged to cause a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of the first switch to be applied to said first counter and to cause the first counter to produce either the first signal or the second signal thereof according to the count value of the first counter; and wherein said first counter has a trigger terminal connected to the output of said pulse generating means, and has input terminals receptive of mode information supplied from the outside of the camera with selection of one of a number of different mode setting members, so that when the mode member is loaded, a signal representative of the selected load is applied to said first counter and the reception of the pulse train at the trigger terminal of said counter is inhibited, while said first counter applies either one of said first and second signals to said mode selecting means depending upon the input signal at the input terminals thereof.

42. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the object brightness level.

(B) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset values of exposure factors, said means being associated with correcting means responsive to a control signal for producing an electrical signal proportional to a corrected value of exposure factor;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the output of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(F) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either one of said shutter and said diaphragm control means, said means having a first gate circuit which is enabled by a first signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, and a second gate circuit which is enabled by a second signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means;

(G) first detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, for producing the signal which is applied to said correcting means;

(H) second detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, for producing the signal which is applied to the correcting means;

(I) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(J) a first counter for counting the pulse train for producing either one of said first and second signals dependent upon the number of pulses counted; and

43. An apparatus according to claim 42, further including gate means interposed between said first counter and said mode selecting means, and wherein said first counter produces one of four signals, namely, a shutter preselection signal, a shutter preselection magic signal, a diaphragm preselection signal and a diaphragm preselection magic signal, so that when said first counter produces either one of said shutter preselection signal and said shutter preselection magic signal, said gate means produces the second signal which is applied to said mode selecting means, while when said first counter produces either one of said diaphragm preselection signal and said diaphragm preselection magic signal, said gate means produces the first signal which is applied to said mode selecting means.

44. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said first detecting means is rendered operative when said first counter produces said diaphragm preselection magic signal, and said second detecting means is rendered operative when said first counter produces said shutter preselection magic signal.

45. An apparatus according to claim 42, further including:

(a) a second switch for use in setting a maximum possible number of frames of the used film accessible from the outside of the camera housing;

(b) a second counter connected through said second switch to said pulse generating means upon actuation of said second switch to count the pulse train in order to set that number;

(c) a third counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of the camera for advancing one count each time one frame has been exposed;

(d) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said second and third counters with each other when the difference therebetween attains a predetermined value for producing a warning signal; and

(e) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45, further including a third switch cooperative with a back cover of the camera and operating upon opening of the back cover to reset said second and third counters.

47. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the object brightness level;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the output of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(I) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(J) a first counter for counting the pulse train for producing either one of said first and second signals dependent upon the number of pulses counted; and

(K) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera, said first switch being arranged to cause a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of the first switch to be applied to said first counter and to cause the first counter to produce either the first signal or the second signal thereof according to the count value of the first counter; and wherein said first counter has a trigger terminal connected to the output of said pulse generating means and has input terminals receptive of mode information supplied from the outside of the camera with selection of one of a number of different mode setting members, so that when the mode setting member is loaded, a signal representative of the selected mode is applied to said first counter so that the reception of the pulse train at the trigger terminal of said first counter is inhibited, while said first counter applies either one of said first and second signals to said mode selecting means depending upon the input signal at the input terminals thereof.

48. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(B) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(1) a first switch accessible from outside of the camera housing for use in setting an exposure factor;

(2) a first counter for setting a value of the exposure factor, said first counter being arranged to receive and count a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of said first switch applied thereto from said pulse generating means; and

(3) a second counter which is provided for a setting value changing purpose and is receptive of the count output of said first counter, said second counter being arranged to alter the count output of the first counter by counting oscillation pulses produced by said pulse generating means while a detecting signal is being applied thereto;

(D) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said second counter;

(E) shutter control means;

(F) diaphragm control means;

(G) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either one of said shutter and said diaphragm control means, said means having a first gate circuit which is enabled by one of first and second signals so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, and a second gate circuit which is enabled by one of third and fourth signals so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means;

(H) first detecting means rendered operative by said second signal to detect whether or not the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means and, when such output is outside the range of the dynamic range, producing an actuating signal which is applied to said second counter;

(I) second detecting means rendered operative by said fourth signal to detect whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, for producing an actuating signal which is applied to said second counter;

(J) a second switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting a mode; and

(K) a third counter arranged to receive and count a number of pulses which corresponds to the switching operation time of generating means, said third counter being further arranged to apply one of the first, second, third and fourth signals to said exposure mode selecting means according to the count value obtained at the third counter.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48, further including warning means for producing a warning signal each time one pulse is applied to said first and third counters.

50. An apparatus according to claim 48, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said first and third counters for displaying the selected mode and the preset value of exposure factor.

51. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(B) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset values of exposure factors;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(F) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either or both said shutter and said diaphragm control means, said means responsive to a first signal directing the output of said computing means to said shutter control means, responsive to a second signal directing the output of said computing means to said diaphragm control means, and responsive to a third signal directing the output of said computing means to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means;

(G) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(H) a first counter for counting the pulse train for producing one of said first, second and third signals which is applied to said exposure mode selecting means depending upon the number of pulses counted; and

52. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said exposure mode selecting means has a first gate circuit which is enabled by said first signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, a second gate circuit which is enabled by said second signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means, and a third gate circuit which is enabled by said third signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means.

53. An apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said exposure factor setting means has a first setting member for setting film sensitivity, and a second setting member for setting a preselected exposure factor, said first setting member having a second counter for counting the pulse train; and said second setting member having a third counter for counting the pulse train.

54. An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said first setting member has a second switch connected between said pulse generating means and said second counter, and said second setting member has a third switch connected between said pulse generating means and said third counter.

55. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said exposure value computing means has a first computing member for computing the outputs of said light measuring means, said second and third counters for producing an output which is applied to said first and second gate circuits, and a second computing member for computing the outputs of said light measuring means and said second counter for producing an output which is applied to said third gate circuit.

56. An apparatus according to claim 54, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said first, second and third counters for displaying the selected mode and the preset values of exposure factors.

57. An apparatus according to claim 51, further including:

(a) a second switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting a maximum possible number of frames of the used film;

(b) a second counter connected through said second switch to said pulse generating means upon actuation of said second switch to count the pulse train in order to set that number;

(c) a third counter cooperative with an internal mechanism of the camera to advance one count each time one frame has been exposed;

(d) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said second and third counters with each other upon attainment of the difference therebetween to a predetermined value for producing an output signal;

(e) warning means for converting said output signal of said comparing means to an audible or visible signal.

58. An apparatus according to claim 57, further including a third switch cooperative with a back cover of the camera housing and operating upon opening of said cover to reset said second and third counters.

59. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(B) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset value of exposure factors;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(F) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either or both said shutter and said diaphragm contol means, said means responsive to a first signal directing the output of said computing means to said shutter control means, responsive to a second signal directing the output of said computing means to said diaphragm control means, and responsive to a third signal directing the output of said computing means to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means;

(G) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(I) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera, said first switch being arranged to cause a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of the first switch to be applied to said first counter and to cause the first counter to produce one of the first, second and third signals according to the count value obtained at the first counter: wherein said first counter has a trigger terminal connected to the output of said pulse generating means, and has input terminals receptive of mode information supplied from the outside of the camera housing with selection of one of a number of different mode setting members so that when the mode setting member is loaded, a signal representative of the selected mode is applied to said first counter so that the reception of the pulse train at the trigger terminal of said counter is inhibited, while said first counter applies either one of said first, second and third signals to said mode selecting means depending upon the input signal at the input terminals thereof.

60. An atuomatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(B) exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to the preset values of exposure factors, said means being associated with correcting means for correcting the preset values of exposure factors in response to a control signal;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(F) exposure mode selecting means for directing the output of said computing means to either or both said shutter and said diaphragm control means, said means having a first gate circuit which is enabled by a first signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said shutter control means, a second gate circuit which is enabled by a second signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to said diaphragm control means, and a third gate circuit which is enabled by a third signal so that the output of said computing means is applied to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means;

(G) first detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means and, when such signal exceeds the dynamic range, producing an actuating signal which is applied to said correcting means;

(H) second detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and, when such signal is outside the dynamic range, producing an actuating signal which is applied to said correcting means;

(I) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(J) a first counter connected to the output of said pulse generating means for producing one of said first, second and third signals which is applied to said mode selecting means depending upon the number of pulses counted; and

61. An apparatus according to claim 60, further including gate means interposed between said first counter and said mode selecting means, and wherein said first counter responsive to signals applied to input terminals thereof produces one of five signals, namely, a shutter preselection signal, a shutter preselection magic signal, a diaphragm preselection signal, a diaphragm preselection magic signal, and a program signal, so that when said first counter produces one of said shutter preselection signal and said shutter preselection magic signal, said gate means produces said first signal; when said first counter produces one of said diaphragm preselection signal and said diaphragm preselection magic signal, said gate means produces said second signal; and when said first counter produces the program signal, said gate means produces said third signal.

62. An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said first detecting means is rendered operative when said first counter produces said diaphragm preselection magic signal, and said second detecting means is rendered operative when said first counter produces said shutter preselection magic signal.

63. An apparatus according to claim 60, further including:

(a) a second switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting a maximum possible number of frames of the used film;

(b) a second counter connected through said second switch to said pulse generating means upon actuation of said second switch to count the pulse train in order to set that number;

(d) comparing means for comparing the outputs of said second and third counters with each other when the difference therebetween attains a predetermined value for producing a warning signal; and

(e) warning means for converting said warning signal to an audible or visible signal.

64. An apparatus according to claim 63, further including a third switch cooperative with a back cover of the camera housing and operating upon opening of said cover to reset said second and third counters.

65. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed;

(C) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output;

(D) shutter control means;

(E) diaphragm control means;

(H) second detecting means for detecting whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and, when such signal is outside the dynamic range, producing an actuation signal which is applied to said correcting means;

(I) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(K) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera, said first switch being arranged to cause a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of the first switch to be applied to said first counter and to cause the first counter to produce one of the first, second and third signals according to the count value obtained at the first counter: and wherein said first counter has a trigger terminal connected to the output of said pulse generating means, and has input terminals receptive of mode information supplied from the outside of the camera with the selection of one of a number of different mode setting members, so that when the mode setting member is loaded, a signal representative of the selected mode is applied to said first counter to that the reception of the pulse train at the trigger terminal of said counter is inhibited, while said first counter applies either one of said first, second and third signals to said mode selecting means depending upon the input signal at the input terminals thereof.

66. An automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera including:

(A) light measuring means having;

(a) a photosensitive element for producing an electrical signal proportional to the brightness level of an object being photographed; and

(b) analog-to-digital converting means for converting the analog signal of said photosensitive element to a digital signal;

(B) pulse generating means for producing a pulse train;

(a) a first switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting a preselected exposure factor;

(b) a second switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting film sensitivity;

(c) a first counter for setting an exposure value, said first counter being arranged to have a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of said first switch applied thereto from said pulse generating means and to count the pulses thus applied;

(d) a second counter for setting a film sensitivity value, said second counter being arranged to have a number of pulses corresponding to the switching operation time of said second switch applied thereto from said pulse generating means and to count the pulses thus applied; and

(e) a third counter which is provided for an exposure setting value altering purpose and is receptive of the output of said first counter, said third counter being arranged to alter the count output of the first counter by counting oscillation pulses produced by said pulse generating means while a detecting signal is being applied thereto;

(D) exposure value computing means responsive to the outputs of said light measuring means and said exposure factor setting means for producing an output in digital form, said means having:

(a) a first computing member for digitally computing the outputs of said analog-to-digital converting means, said first counter and said second counter; and

(b) a second computing member for digitally computing the outputs of said analog-to-digital converting means and said second counter;

(E) shutter control means;

(F) diaphragm control means;

(G) exposure mode selecting means having:

(a) a first gate circuit enabled by either one of first and second signals to direct the output of said first computing means to said shutter control means; and

(b) a second gate circuit enabled by either one of third or fourth signals to direct the output of said first computing means to said diaphragm control means; and

(c) a third gate circuit enabled by a fifth signal to direct the output of said second computing member to both said shutter and said diaphragm control means;

(H) first detecting means rendered operative by said second signal to detect whether or not the output of said first gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said shutter control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, producing a detecting signal which is applied to said third counter;

(I) second detecting means rendered operative by said fourth signal to detect whether or not the output of said second gate circuit is outside the dynamic range of said diaphragm control means and, when such output is outside the dynamic range, producing a detecting signal which is applied to said third counter;

(J) a third switch accessible from the outside of the camera housing for use in setting a mode; and

(K) a fourth counter arranged to receive and count a number of pulses which corresponds to the switching operation time of said third switch and are applied thereto from the pulse generating means, said fourth counter being further arranged to apply one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth signals to said exposure mode selecting means according to the count value obtained at the fourth counter;

67. An apparatus according to claim 66, further including warning means for producing a warning signal each time one pulse is applied to one of said first, second and fourth counters.

68. An apparatus according to claim 66, further including display means responsive to the outputs of said first, second and fourth counters for displaying the selected mode and the preset values of exposure factors.

Digital Camera Patent Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a digital camera with dualpriority and program automatic exposure controls and, more particularly, to a system for providing the various display and setting conditions of such a camera in selective and/or corrective manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is already known in the prior art to provide a camera equipped with a shutter preselection automatic diaphragm range and a diaphragm preselection automatic shutter range which are set in a selective manner by taking into account their respective advantages. The former exposure control is convenient in snapshot and sport photography where camera shake or the formation of blurred images of subjects of principal photographic interest has to be avoided. The latter enables the photographer to adjust, in advance, the depth of field which is quite important in portrait, close-up and copying photography. Since the exposure value is a function of scene brightness, there is a strong possibility for the light value to fall outside of the dynamic range of the diaphragm setting or the shutter timing control. If this occurs, the photographer must alter the preset value of shutter time or diaphragm aperture until a correct exposure value is derived. This necessary manipulation is somewhat time-consuming and, therefore, will sometimes result in missing a good shutter opportunity that will never again recur.

It is also known to provide a program camera in which shutter time and diaphragm aperture are automatically set mutually or alternately in accordance with a predetermined program. While this exposure control is capable of deriving exposure values over the entire range of photographic situations which may be encountered, skilled photographers cannot always apply their full knowledge of the influence of shutter times or diaphragm aperture to the quality of exposures.

An attempt has been made to solve the complementary problems of these two types of cameras by incorporating all of the aforementioned exposure controls in a single camera. In this case, however, a more stringent requirement is placed on the rapid access of setting not only a desired mode but also a preselected exposure factor. It is also necessary to set the sensitivity of the film used into the camera. As long as the manual settings are performed by analog means such as the shutter and film dials, diaphragm ring and mode selection control knob, the necessary manipulation of these setting means becomes very complicated. This is particularly so when the number of program schemes employed is not limited to a single program but is increased to contain shutter preselection and diaphragm preselection magic modes, and the photographer, therefore, will often be misled when two or more mode symbols are displayed at a time. It is desirable to shield not only all of the mode symbols available except for the current one, but also all of the graduations for the shutter time, diaphragm aperture and film speed scales except for the selected values. However, this calls for an increase in the complexity and size of the camera housing structure. What is even worse is that the decorative aspect of the camera, which is of great importance in the market of this kind of item, is adversely affected.

Accordingly, the present invention has, for a general object, the incorporation of the dual-priority and program automatic exposure modes in a common camera, while nevertheless eliminating all of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera having incorporated therein a mode selection device receptive of one of a number of setting members corresponding to the number of automatic exposure modes available from the outside of the camera housing and responsive to the information on the received setting member for providing outputs to control the shutter timing and diaphragm setting devices of the camera in accordance with the selected mode.

According to one embodiment of the invention, as is applied to a digital control system for the shutter timing and diaphragm setting devices, the mode selection device is constructed in the form of a logic circuit rendered responsive to information coded in binary form on the setting member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera of the character described above with a single operating member for a number of display and setting conditions corresponding to the number of automatic exposure modes available.

To achieve these objects, the present invention incorporates the use of a counter in combination with a pulse generator which also serves to digitally display and set the values of shutter time, diaphragm aperture, film speed and film footage. When no setting member is present in the camera, actuation of the operating member or push button causes the counter to cooperate with the pulse generator so that all of the mode symbols are sequentially displayed. Upon release of the button, the current mode is set. When the setting member is supplied to the camera, the counter is no longer efffective to count the pulses from the generator but, instead, is rendered responsive to the information on the setting member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a digital camera of smart appearance with a number of controlling push buttons necessary to symbolically display all of the exposure factors on the upper panel of the camera housing as well as in the field of view of the finder and to select and/or correct the values of the exposure factors displayed. The push buttons are to be neatly arranged to reduce the possibility of erroneous manipulation.

Another object of the invention is to display the number of film frames available and the number of frames exposed and to sound an alarm when a few fresh frames are reached.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the sound alarming device in facilitating actuation and release of each of the set buttons. In this connection, a sound signal of short duration is heard each time the displayed discrete value advances one graduation.

In accordance with the invention, an automatic exposure control apparatus for a camera comprises light measuring means for producing an electrical signal proportional to the level of brightness of an object being photographed, exposure factor setting means for producing electrical signals proportional to preset values of exposure factors, and exposure value computing means responsive to the electrical signals from the light measuring and the factor setting means for producing an output. Also included are shutter control means, diaphragm control means and exposure mode selecting means responsive to first and second switch signals for directing the output of the computing means to either of the shutter control means and the diaphragm control means, respectively. Finally included are signal forming means having terminals receptive of one of a number of different mode setting members and upon reading of information on said mode setting member, for producing either of one of the first and second signals to be applied to the mode selecting means.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the present invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of one embodiment of a digital camera according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement of the various switches of a setting system in the exposure control apparatus of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) together comprise a schematic electrical circuit diagram of a digital control system in the camera of FIGS. 1 and 2, with FIG. 3(a) being the left-hand portion of the circuit and FIG. 3(b) being the corresponding right-hand portion of the circuit;

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram showing the details of the digital display of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5(a) to 5(e) are plan views of an example of an arrangement of the various digital values displayed along with their respective function symbols headed, on the upper panel of the camera housing of FIG. 1, in five different operative positions for the shutter preselection automatic, diaphragm preselection automatic shutter preselection magic, diaphragm preselection magic and program modes, respectively; and

FIGS. 6, 7, 8(a) and 8(b) are similar views to those of FIGS. 1 to 3, respectively, showing another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown one embodiment of a digital camera according to the present invention with an interchangeable objective lens being omitted for illustration purposes. On the upper panel of the camera housing and between a film winding lever and a finder housing, there is shown a digital display window 5 composed of three sections 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2 and 5.sub.3. Adjacent these sections are positioned three controlling push buttons 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 and 4.sub.3, respectively. A shutter release button is indicated at 3. In an upper right-hand portion of the front panel of the camera housing is formed a recess 7 having a rectangular opening shape to receive a mode setting member or card 8. This card 8 has six binary bits and a common bus which are to be read by respective sensing contacts m.sub.1 to m.sub.7 within the camera housing (FIGS. 2 and 3(a)). The first three of the bits give information representative selectively of five automatic exposure modes, namely, the shutter preselection automatic diaphragm range (hereinafter referred to as TP), the diaphragm preselection automatic shutter time range (FP), the shutter preselection magic program (TPM), the diaphragm preselection magic program (FPM) and the dual-range automatic program (P). When the card 8 is inserted into and seated in the recess 7, the symbol of the selected mode is displayed in the window 5.sub.1 as shown in FIG. 5. Without the use of any card 8, it is possible to set a desired mode into the camera by the first controlling push button 4.sub.1.

As the mode symbol displayed is cleared by supply of a battery into the camera to "TP", if the desired mode is different from "TP", the photographer needs to depress the first button so that all the symbols are sequentially displayed in the order shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(e), and this sequence repeats itself so long as the first button 4.sub.1 is depressed. As soon as the symbol of the desired mode appears, the photographer has to release the button. Thus, the desired mode is manually set into the camera. A safety button 6 is provided to prevent occurence of accidental correction of the display of the mode symbol, of a digital value of film speed, and of a possible maximum number of film frames by the second and third buttons 4.sub.2 and 4.sub.3, respectively. While depressing the safety button 6, the photographer may depress the second button 4.sub.2 to sequentially display the values of the film speed in discrete progression, beginning with "100" in ASA as the cleared state. As soon as the corresponding value to that of the used film appears at the window 5.sub.2, the photographer has to release either one of the buttons 6 and 4.sub.2. Such setting procedure applies similarly to the third button 4.sub.3 for continuous progressin of integer numbers from zero.

With "TP", or "TPM" selected, when the shutter time takes a value of 1/500 second causing a number "500" to be displayed to the right of the heading "TP" or "TPM", correction may be effected by first pushing a lock button 10 which also serves as an actuator for the same switch S5 (FIG. 2) of the safety button 6 and then actuating a slide knob 9 for upward or downward movement depending upon the setting of larger or smaller values, i.e., faster or slower, shutter time values, respectively. Just after the readout of the corresponding number to a value to be set appearing on the display 5, the photographer must rapidly release either the knob 9 or the button 10 to its initial inactive position. Next, upon change to "FP" or "FPM" mode, the shutter time display is blanked out and, instead, the diaphragm value which depends on the last readout in "TP" or "TPM" mode is displayed in an F-number as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(d). If the photographer desires to change this value to a larger or smaller value, i.e., a smaller or larger size of the diaphragm aperture, he will first press the button 10 and then move the knob 9 upward or downward, respectively. In the "P" position, the shutter and diaphragm are controlled in accordance with a predetermined program, for example, at equal rates over the entire ranges of controls. Therefore, the digital display is maintained in a blanked-out condition.

FIG. 2 shows the basic moving parts within the camera housing of FIG. 1 associated with twelve switches S1 to S12. Of these, there are the switches S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 (S5') and S8 (S9) cooperative with the button 4.sub.1, knob 9, buttons 4.sub.2, 4.sub.3 and 6 (10) and shutter button 3, respectively. The switch S6 is arranged to be opened when an interchangeable lens is attached to the camera housing and when a diaphragm ring 101 is set with a symbol "AE" thereon in registry with a stationary index 102 so as to push a shaft 142 rearwardly at its forward end on a cam lobe 101b. The opposite end of the shaft 142 turns a lever 143 against the force of a spring 143a to open that switch S6 controlling operation of a camera function display within the finder 79 and 80 (FIG. 3(b)) and a mode setting counter 14 (FIG. 3(a)). Such movement of the lever 143 also causes clockwise movement of an intermediate lever 170 against the bias of a spring 170a which, in turn, causes counterclockwise movement of a locking lever 171 against the bias of a spring 171a. A diaphragm setting scanning is thereby rendered operative with an electromagnetic actuator Mg1. The operational mechanical mounting for the objective lens is further provided with a pin 153 having a length related to the maximum possible size of diaphragm aperture (Avo) and is arranged so that an Avo-set lever 154 is turned in a counterclockwise direction with the resultant positions of its four sliders, n.sub.1 to n.sub.4, on a binary coded signal forming plate 168, depending upon the minimum F-number.

After the aforesaid setting operation has been performed, the photographer will turn to shortly depress the shutter button 3 while looking through the finder. At this time, a conductive rod of the shutter button 3 touches a movable contact 166 so that the switch S8 is closed. Assuming that the "TP" mode is set and that the computed exposure value is out of the dynamic range of diaphragm setting control, then either of the upward and downward pointed arrows in a left-hand bottom corner of the viewfield of the finder is caused to glow, informing the photographer of the necessity of alteration of the preselected shutter time value. Therefore, he must manipulate the knob 9 and button 10 until the glowing of the arrow ceases.

Upon further depression of the shutter button 3, the movable contact 166 is brought into electrical connection with a fixed contact 167. The switch S9 is thereby closed to instantaneously energize a second electromagnetic Mg2 as a camera release actuator. As the magnet flux of a permanent magnet piece is cancelled, an armature 113a is moved away from the magnet Mg1 with a first latching lever 113 which is turned clockwise by the action of a spring 113c. Motion of the lever 113 is transmitted through a pin 113b to an intermediate lever 114 and then to three levers 115, 116 and 150.

Counterclockwise movement of the second latching lever 116 actuates the diaphragm setting scanning mechanism. A diaphragm presetting ring 103 is biased by a spring 103a and has a rearwardly extending arm 103c borne by a swing lever 129 which is suspended by a lever 128 and which is connected to a sector gear 118 through a rod 118d. When the second latching lever 116 is disengaged from the sector gear 118, the latter is driven by the spring 103 which overcomes a spring 118c so as to rotate about a shaft 118a. This causes a slider 118b to scan a comb-toothed electrical conductance track 161 with successive production of pulses. The speed of rotation of the sector gear 118 is regulated by a governor 119. When the number of pulses produced has reached a level dependent upon the preselected value of the diaphragm aperture or the computed exposure value, the first magnetic winding Mg1 is de-energized, causing an arresting lever 130 to engage with one of the teeth of a star gear 119c under the action of a spring 131a. Thus, the deflected position of the diaphragm presetting ring 103 is translated to the proper diaphragm aperture through a forwardly extending arm 103d which acts on a diaphragm blade control mechanism (not shown) when a diaphragm closing down member 104 is operated by a lever 105 in synchronism with upward movement of a mirror 138. The latter is driven by a lever 111 through a return control lever 136 on a mirror control lever 137.

When the mirror drive lever 111 nears the terminal end of movement, a front curtain (not shown) latching lever 133 is disengaged from a pin on a master gear 134 which meshes with a pinion 135 on a wind-off drum shaft (not shown). At this time, a shutter timing start switch S10 is opened. At the termination of a time interval dependent upon the preselected value of shutter time or the computed exposure value, a third magnetic winding Mg3 is energized to cancel out the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet piece associated therewith, causing a rear curtain latch lever 140 to disengage from a pin 139a on a master gear 139 under the action of a spring 140b. Soon after the start of rotation of the gear 139, and downwardly extending pin 139b is moved away from the switch S7. Thus, the footage counter advances one frame.

After the exposure has been completed, the pin 139a strikes a lever 141 at its tail, the head of which is acted on the mirror return control lever 136. The mirror 138 is thus returned to its viewing position and the diaphragm blades are reset to the full open position. When the film winding lever 1 (FIG. 1) is cocked, a drive shaft 108 turns in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow, while driving a reset mechanism. This mechanism includes a cam disc 109 fixedly secured to the shaft 108, a cam follower 110a on one arm of a lever 110, the opposite end of which has a pin 110b arranged upon cocking to turn an intermediate lever 107 in a counterclockwise direction and also the mirror drive lever 111 in a clockwise direction. The mechanism also includes an escapement lever 112 arranged to transmit motion of the lever 107 both to the sector gear 118 through intermediary 120, 121 and 127 and to the arresting lever 130. Counterclockwise movement of the lever 110 also causes the first latching lever 113 to move the armature 113a into the range of attraction of the permanent magnet piece against the force of a spring 113c, while permitting the levers 114 and 150 to return to their initial positions by the action of springs 114g and 150a. Thus, all of the mechanism is reset to the cocked position.

When a remaining number of fresh frames has reached six, an actuating signal is applied to a buzzer 155 on the back cover of the camera housing through a contact member 156 which is mounted on the stationary part of the camera housing. After six more frames have been exposed, the photographer will rewind the film and then open the back cover to remove the film. The switch S12 is thereby actuated so as to open for allowing automatic resetting of the film footage function display to zero in both readings.

FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 4 show a circuit diagram of logic circuitry of the camera of FIGS. 1 and 2. An electrical power supply source or battery E, when loaded in a chamber within the camera housing below the card receptacle 7, gives the most positive voltage V.sub.BAT (logic one) to a camera function setting system mainly shown in FIG. 3(a) and is grounded at the negative terminal thereof. Thus, positive logic is employed throughout. A constant voltage Vcc from a circuit 11 is supplied to an exposure control circuit of FIG. 3(b).

Circuit 11 includes a transistor Tr1 with its emitter connected to the terminal V.sub.BAT and with its collector connected to a terminal Vcc, a first resistor R1 connected between the emitter and base of the transistor Tr1, and a second resistor R2 connected between the base of the transistor Tr1 and the first shutter button switch S8.

A card reader 12 includes seven sensing contacts, m.sub.1 to m.sub.7, arranged in the receptacle 7 to read the binary words on the card 8 seated therein as they vary according to the different cards 8 which are five in number. While the 7th contact is grounded, the other contacts, m.sub.1 to m.sub.6, are connected to respective pull-up resistors in a first switch signal generator 13 cooperative with the voltage V.sub.BAT =1. A truth table for the five mode setting states corresponding to the valid combinations of outputs of m1, m2 and m3 is given below.

TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Mode Display m1 m2 m3 State Remark ______________________________________ 0 0 0 TP Shutter preselection automatic diaphragm range 1 0 0 FP Diaphragm preselection automatic shutter range 0 1 0 TPM Shutter preselection magic program 1 1 0 FPM Diaphragm preselection magic program 0 0 1 P Dual-range program ______________________________________

A mode set ring counter 14 has three preset inputs A, B and C connected to the signal generator 13 at m1, m2 and m3, respectively, and has a latch input L connected through an inverter 15 to a signal output m4 which takes on the most negative voltage of logic zero only when any card 8 is presented. A signal m5=0 appears only when the "P" mode setting card 8 is employed and is applied on a line D10 to establish no display of the exposure function in the viewfield of the finder 80 (FIG. 3(b)). All the five cards 8 have an order to be given at m6 to cause production of a sound warning by the buzzer 155 (FIG. 2) when the condition of only six fresh frames remaining has been reached, as the signal m6 is applied through an inverter 16 and an AND gate 17 to a control circuit 53 for the buzzer 155.

A setting control logic further includes a second switch signal generator 19 in the form of a pull-up resistor group associated with the manual MODE-DIGIT switch arrangement 18. A signal S1 is applied to a first input of a NOR gate 20 having a second input connected to an output of an oscillator 40. The output of NOR gate 20 is connected to a timing pulse input T of the ring counter 14. Signals S2a and S2c are applied to respective inputs of an AND gate 21 having an output connected to a first input of a NOR gate 22, a second input of the NOR gate 22 being connected to the oscillator 40. The output of the NOR gate 22 is connected to a timing pulse input T of a ring counter 23 for selecting or correcting an initially set value of preselected exposure factor, i.e., shutter time or diaphragm aperture. Since the counter 23 has inputs A=1, B=0, C=0 and D=1, when a power-up clear circuit 36 is actuated to produce an output "0", which after having been inverted by an inverter 37 is applied to a latch input L of the counter 23, the output stages a, b, c and d, of the counter 23 is in the initial setting (1001) state corresponding to either 1/500 second in shutter time, or F/22 in diaphragm aperture.

Since the signal S2c is applied to an UP-DOWN control input U/D of the counter 23, it functions as an UP or DOWN counter dependent upon which logic level takes place, "1" or "0", respectively. Upon upward movement of the knob 9 (FIG. 1) followed by depressin of the button 10, signal S2a=0 causes AND gate 21 to produce "0" output which actuates NOR gate 22 so that a pulse train from the S5-actuated oscillator 40 is passed therethrough to the timing input T of counter 23. In the UP mode, upon advent of a first pulse, counter 23 advances one count so that a one-step larger number, i.e., 1000 or 32, is displayed on the window 5.sub.1 with the setting of 1/1000 second in shutter time, or F/32 in diaphragm aperture, respectively. After six more pulses have been counted, counter 23 reverts to the maximum, i.e., longest shutter time or largest diaphragm aperture setting state. As long as the knob 9 and button 10 are left unchanged in position, successive cycles of eleven setting states occur, as shown in the following truth table for the FACTOR setting states corresponding to the valid combinations of binary conditions of the output stages a, b, c and d.

TABLE 2 ______________________________________ Setting State Equivalent Actual Actual in Counter Decimal No. Shutter Diaphragm Value a b c d in Tv or Av Time in Sec. in F-Number ______________________________________ 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 1/2 1.4 0 1 0 0 2 1/4 2.0 1 1 0 0 3 1/8 2.8 0 0 1 0 4 1/15 4.0 1 0 1 0 5 1/30 5.6 0 1 1 0 6 1/60 8.0 1 1 1 0 7 1/125 11.0 0 0 0 1 8 1/250 16.0 1 0 0 1 9 1/500 22.0 0 1 0 1 10 1/1000 32.0 ______________________________________

A switch signal S3 goes to a NOR gate 24 for passing the pulse train from the oscillator 40 therethrough to a timing input T of a film speed-set ring counter 39. Since preset inputs A=1, B=0, C=1 and D=0, the outputs a, b, c and d of counter 39 are in the initial setting (1010) state corresponding to a film speed value of 100 in ASA. A truth table is given below:

TABLE 3 ______________________________________ Actual Film Setting State Equivalent Speed Setting State in Counter 39 Decimal in in Counter 39 a b c d No. in Sv ASA a b c d Sv ASA ______________________________________ 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 6 200 1 0 0 0 1 6 1 1 1 0 7 400 0 1 0 0 2 12 0 0 0 1 8 800 1 1 0 0 3 25 1 0 0 1 9 1600 0 0 1 0 4 50 0 1 0 1 10 3200 1 0 1 0 5 100 ______________________________________

A switch signal S4 goes to a NOR gate 25 at a first input thereof upon advent of a switch signal S5 at the oscillator 40 to pass the pulse train therethrough to a timing input T of a ring counter 38 for setting the capacity of the used film, i.e., the maximum possible number of frames. Counter 38 has six output stages a to f for 63 setting states.

A footage-set ring counter 33 has a "set" input connected through an inverter to a third switch signal generator 30 with the arrangement of the switches S6 to S8 at 29, and has a "reset" input connected through a common OR gate 46 of counter 38 to a point of connection between a resistor R11 and the switch S12, the opposite input of the OR gate 46 being connected through an inverter 37 to the output of the power-up clear circuit 36.

The power-up clear circuit 36 includes a resistor R3, a capacitor C1 connected in series to the resistor R3, a transistor Tr2 with its base connected to the junction point between the resistor R3 and capacitor C1, with its emitter grounded, and with its collector connected through a resistor R4 to V.sub.BAT, and a second transistor Tr3 with its base connected to the collector of the transistor Tr2, with its emitter grounded, and with its collector connected to V.sub.BAT through a resistor R5 and also to the AND gate 31 and inverter 37.

The oscillator 40 includes a NAND gate 27 having two inputs, one of which is conncted through an inverter 26 to a point of connection between the switch S5 (S5') and the resistor element 19, and another input which is connected through series-connected resistors R6 and R7 to an output of itself, an inverter 41 having an input connected to the output of NAND gate 27, and a capacitor C2 connected between the output of the inverter 41 and a point of connection between the resistors R6 and R7. The output of the inverter 41 is connected to all the NOR gates 20, 22, 24 and 25 at one of their inputs.

Another oscillator 50 of the same construction as that of the first oscillator 40 contains a NAND gate 35, resistors R8 and R9, a capacitor C3 and inverter 51, and has an input stage connected through an inverter 34 to the output S8 of the signal generator 30, and an output stage connected to a second input of the AND gate 17. A third input of the AND gate 17 is connected to an output of a magnitude comparator 48 having two sets of inputs A and B thereof. The first set of inputs A1 to A6 are connected to respective outputs S1 to S6 of an adder 49, while the second set of inputs B1 to B6 is connected to the outputs FCS1 to FCS6 of the film capacity-set ring counter 38. The outputs FC1 to FC6 of the footage counter 33 are connected to respective inputs A1 to A6 of the adder 49 which adds seven to the number of frames counted by the counter 33, since the inputs B1 to B6 are in a presetting state (111000). When the number of pulses counted by the counter 33 at the time of completion of each exposure plus seven exceeds the number set in counter 38, the magnitude comparator 48 changes its output from "0" to "1". With no more than six fresh frames available, therefore, when the photographer depresses the shutter button 3 to the first stroke, the second oscillator 50 is rendered operative to produce a pulse train which is permitted to pass through the AND gate 17 to the buzzer control circuit 53, provided that the card 8 is loaded in the reader 12.

By reference to FIG. 4, MODE-SET ring counter 14 produces control signals m1, m2 and m3 which are supplied to a decoder 201 acting as a control circuit for a three-alphabetical character display 207 along with a matrix of diodes (indicated at 240 taking, for example) and a five-segment driver 206. The first character readout device is formed by three display segments a, b and c which are arranged to selectively represent "T" and "F" by exciting the first two segments a and b, and by the segments b and c, respectively. The fourth and fifth segments d and c are configured to the alphabetical characters "P" and "M", respectively. Thus, the mode symbols "TP", "FP", "TPM", "FPM" and "P" can be displayed in a selective manner by selective combination of excitation of individual segments a to e, as is effected by character-control signals (not shown).

The outputs a to d of FACTOR-SET counter 23 produce control signals SET1 to SET4 which are supplied to the last four inputs b2 to b5 of a decoder 202 acting as a control circuit for a four-digit and one-decimal point display of stations 212 to 216 along with a matrix of diodes and four 7-segment drivers 208 to 211 with a point segment driver 217 to display a digital value of shutter time or diaphragm aperture dependent upon the logic values of control signals m1 and m3 applied to the first two inputs b0 and b1 of the decoder 202. Each 7-segment display station can represent the digits 0 to 9 by selective excitation of individual segments, a to f.

The outputs, a to d, of FILM SPEED-SET counter 39 produce control signals Sv1 to Sv4 which are decoded by a decoder 203 to control four segment drivers 218 to 221 for a four-digit display through a diode matrix. The FILM CAPACITY and FOOTAGE counters 33 and 38 are connected through respective multiplex circuits 205 and 204 to a pair of decoders 232 and 233 and a pair of decoders 226 and 227, respectively. The film function data thus decoded are represented by four-digit displays 237 to 230.

Referring to FIG. 3(b), there is shown a light measuring circuit 60 including an operational amplifier 61 having two inputs across which is connected a light sensitive element 62, and a feedback diode 63 connected between one of the inputs and an output of the operational amplifier 61. The output of the circuit 60 is applied to an analog-to-digital converter 64 having five output stages, a to e, connected to inputs A1 to A5 of an adder 55 which has also four inputs B1 to B4 connected to respective outputs of a signal generator composed of the maximum possible diaphragm value setting switch arrangement 66 (corresponding to 158 in FIG. 2) and a pull-up resistor group 67. The adder 65 have five output stages S1 to S5 connected to five inputs A1 to A5 of a second adder 69 which has also four inputs; B1 to B4 to receive the control signals Sv1 to Sv4 of FIG. 3(a), an additional input B5 of the adder 69 being grounded. Five outputs S1 to S5 of adder 69 provide two sets of control signals Ev1 to Ev5 in the first set, and (1/2) Ev2 to (1/2) Ev5 in the second set, the latter being directly applied to a program selection logic 73. A subtracter 70 has a first five inputs A1 to A5 connected to the outputs S1 to S5 of second adder 69. An additional five inputs B1 to B5 of subtracter 70, one of which B5 is grounded, are supplied with the outputs SET1 to SET4 of counter 23 through a shift register 47 (FIG. 3(a)). Outputs U1 to U4 of subtracter 70 constitute information representative of a computed exposure value for use in all of the exposure modes except the "P" mode where the first set of outputs (1/2) Ev2 to (1/2) Ev5 of second adder 69 are used in place of the outputs U1 to U4 and SET1 to SET4.

Turning again to FIG. 3(a), the outputs m1 to m3 of MODE-SET counter 14 are connected to inputs A to C of a binary coded decimal counter 44 having five outputs 0 to 4 thereof which produce switch signals TP, FP, TPM, FPM and PRG, respectively, for the selection logic 73 (FIG. 3(b)) with an OR gate 71 having two inputs supplied by TP and TPM and another OR gate 73 having two inputs supplied by FP and FPM.

The outputs SET1 to SET4 of FACTOR-SET counter 23 are connected to inputs A to D of an UP-DOWN counter 47 which functions to shift the preset value of exposure factor in response to manual actuation of the button 6 (FIG. 2), as the computed exposure value (U1 to U4) is out of the dynamic range of the shutter or diaphragm control. For this purpose, a latch input L of counter 47 is connected to an output of an OR gate 28 having two inputs connected to the switches S6 and S8, while a timing input T is connected to an output of an AND gate 52 which is enabled by an output of an OR gate 54 to pass the pulse train from the oscillator 50 therethrough. An input UM of the OR gate 54 is connected to an U/D input of counter 47, another input of OR gate 54 being DM.

In FIG. 3(b), the selection logic 73 is shown as being composed of two gating circuits. The first circuit includes twelve AND gates 74.sub.1 to 74.sub.12 with their outputs grouped in three's to enter respective OR gates 76.sub.1 to 76.sub.4 which provide a set of shutter control signals Tv1 to Tv4. The second gating circuit includes twelve AND gates 75.sub.1 to 75.sub.12 with their outputs grouped in three's to enter respective common OR gates 77.sub.1 to 77.sub.4 which provide a set of diaphragm control signals Av1 to Av4. Switch signal PRG is applied to gating control inputs of all of the first AND gates in each group, that is, the AND gates 74.sub.1, 74.sub.4, 74.sub.7, 74.sub.10, 75.sub.1, 75.sub.4, 75.sub.7 and 75.sub.10 which also have other inputs connected to the outputs S2 to S5 of the second adder 69. Switch signal TP or TPM is applied through the OR gate 71 to all of the third AND gate 74.sub.3, 74.sub.6 , 74.sub.9 and 74.sub.12 at their gating control inputs. The opposite inputs of these AND gates are connected to the outputs SET1 to SET4 of shift register 47, and to all of the second AND gates 75.sub.2, 75.sub.5, 75.sub.8 and 75.sub.11 at their gating control inputs. The opposite inputs of these AND gates are connected to the outputs U1 to U4 of the subtracter 70. Switch signal FP or FPM is applied through the OR gate 72 to all of the second AND gate 74.sub.2, 74.sub.5, 74.sub.8 and 74.sub.11 in the first circuit at their gating control inputs. The opposite inputs of these AND gates are connected to the outputs U1 to U4 of the subtracter 70 and to all of the third AND gate 75.sub.3, 75.sub.6, 75.sub.9 and 75.sub.11 in the second circuit at their gating control inputs. The opposite inputs of these AND gates are connected to the outputs SET1 to SET4 of the shift register 47.

A shutter timing control circuit includes a decade counter 81.sub.1 having four inputs A1 to A4 connected to the outputs Tv1 to Tv4 of logic 73, a clock pulse generator 81.sub.2, an AND gate 81.sub.3 which is enabled by the switch S10 to pass a clock pluse train from 81.sub.2 to a timing input T of a counter 81.sub.4, and a magnitude comparator 81.sub.5 interposed between the decade counter 81.sub.1 and counter 81.sub.4 and capable, upon coincidence of the contents of the counters 81 and 81.sub.4, of producing an actuating signal which is applied to a switching circuit 82 for the magnetic winding Mg3 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, when transistor 82.sub.2 conducts, the magnetic winding Mg3 is energized in the form of impulse with power supplied from a capacitor C5 which is previously charged through a resistor R11.

To detect when the computed exposure value exceeds the upper limit or drops below the lower limit of the given shutter range, in this instance, 1/2 second and 1/2000 second, respectively, there are provided maximum and minimum range comparators 83 and 84. Each of these comparators has four inputs A1 to A4 connected to the output Tv1 to Tv4 of the logic 73, while the other inputs B1 to B4 of comparators 83 and 84 are in the states (1000) and (1011), respectively. The outputs of comparators 83 and 84 are supplied to a display control circuit 79 through respective OR gates 89.sub.1 and 89.sub.2 and to inputs of AND gates 87.sub.1 and 87.sub.2 which have also gating control inputs supplied with switch signal FPM. The outputs of AND gates 87.sub.1 and 87.sub.2 go through respective OR gates 88.sub.1 and 88.sub.2 to function as switch signals DM and UM for the AND gate 52 and UP-DOWN counter 47.

The outputs Av1 to Av4 of the logic 73 are supplied to a subtracter 68, maximum range magnitude comparator 85, minimum range magnitude comparator 86, all at their inputs A1 to A4, and the display control circuit 79. Inputs B1 to B4 of the subtracter 68 are connected to the outputs Avo1 to Avo4 of the generator 67, causing information representative of the difference between the full open aperture and the proper one to appear at outputs U1 to U4 thereof.

A diaphragm setting control circuit 90 includes an inverter 90.sub.1 connected between the pulse forming switch S11 (FIG. 2) and an input T of a counter 90.sub.2, a magnitude comparator 90.sub.3 interposed between the subtracter 68 and counter 90.sub.2 and a buffer gate 90.sub.4 through which the output of comparator 90.sub.3 is applied to the magnetic winding Mg1 (FIG. 2).

The maximum and minimum range magnitude comparators 85 and 86 have opposite inputs B1 to B4 preset in the states (1000) and (0101) corresponding to F/1.4 and F/32, respectively. The outputs of comparators 85 and 86 are supplied to the display control circuit 79 through the OR gates 89.sub.1 and 89.sub.2 and to inputs of AND gates 87.sub.3 and 87.sub.4 which are enabled by the switch signal TPM to effect automatic shifting operation of UP-DOWN counter 47 until the output of AND gate 87.sub.3 or 87.sub.4, which after having passed through the OR gate 88.sub.1 or 88.sub.2 functions as switch signal DM or UM, respectively, changes to a logic level "0".

OPERATION

The digital camera of FIG. 1, when supplied with a battery E in the chamber under the card receptacle 7, assumes an initial operative position where the settings of "TP" mode, 1/500 second in shutter speed, ASA 100 and zero in film function readings automatically take place without the use of any card 8, as the positive potential V.sub.BAT is applied to the various portions of the logic circuitry, causing at first the power-up clear circuit 36 to change its output to "0" in a short time interval. Responsive to this pulse of the clear circuit 36, the NAND gate 31 changes its output of "1" at which MODE-SET counter 14 is reset to the state (000), and the inverter 37 produces a "1" output which is applied to the inputs L of FACTOR-SET counters 23 and 39, thereby counters 23 and 39 are reset to the states (1001) and (1010), respectively. At the same time, FILM FUNCTION-SET counters 38 and 33 are also reset to zero.

Since the outputs m1, m2 and m3 of counter 14 in the initial setting state have (000), the shutter preselection automatic diaphragm range is rendered effective. Again, since the content of counter 23 is (1001), the preset value of shutter time in TV is 9, which is equivalent to 1/500 second. Further, the outputs m1, m2 and m3 of counter 14 are decoded by the decoder 201, causing a "1" output to appear at a.sub.0 thereof. This output is distributed by the diode matrix to inputs a', b' and d' of the five-segment driver 207 so that the segments, a, b and d, are excited to preset the display of "TP" which can be seen through the window 5.sub.1 as shown in FIG. 5(a). On the other hand, the first and third outputs m1 and m3 of counter 14 and the outputs SET1 to SET4 of counter 23 are decoded by the decoder 202. Because of their being (001001) at inputs b0 to b5, decoder 202 produces a "1" output at its outlet a36, which is distributed to inputs a, c, d, f and g of the second 7-segment driver 209 and further to inputs a to f of the third and fourth drivers 210 and 211, with the resulting display of "500" being presented in the second, third and fourth stations 213, 214 and 215. The above discussion applies to the display of "100" with the heading of a printed symbol "ASA" which can be seen through the window 5.sub.2. Since the counters 38 and 33 are empty, all of the outputs FCS1 to FCS6 and FC1 to FC6 are at a "0" level so that the display stations 230 and 236 present the digits "0".

(1) Automatic Setting of the Shutter Preselection Mode

When a "TP" setting card 8.sub.1 is inserted into the receptacle 7, information encoded in binary form (000010) is read by the sensing contacts m1 to m6 of the card reader 12. The fourth contact m4 takes a logic "0" potential which, after having changed to a switch signal of logic "1" value by the inverter 15, goes to MODE-SET counter 14 at the latch input L, thereby the counter 14 is rendered receptive of the MODE information from the reader 12 at the inputs A, B and C, but not of the pulse train at the trigger input T. Thus, any intentional manual or accidental correction of the setting of "TP" mode is prevented from occurring. The fifth contact m5 produces a D10 switch signal which is directed to the finder display control circuit 79. The value of preselected shutter time is thereby displayed along with a computed exposure value, i.e., diaphragm value, with or without an out-of-range warning light signal. A switch signal of "0" value at m6 is inverted by inverter 16 and then applied to AND gate 17. The sound warning signal generator 53 is thereby rendered responsive to the outputs of the magnitude comparator 48 and oscillator 50.

Because the contacts m1, m2 and m3 have "0" potentials, the initial setting state of the counter 14 remains unchanged. The outputs a, b and c of the counter 14 are decoded by the binary-code decimal counter 44 to produce a switch signal "TP" of a logic "1" value from the output stage 0, the other output stages 1 to 4 producing signals of a logic "0" value which have no effect on the gating-on operation of the program selection