Abstract: A method and camera for electronic image capture provide an electronic image capture device, a scanning aperture shutter located to control light energy received by the image capture device, a flash unit oriented to illuminate an image scene, a photocell unit adapted for sensing visible spectrum energy and infrared spectrum energy received from the image scene, and an exposure control system responsive to the photocell unit and operatively connected to the scanning aperture shutter and the flash unit. The exposure control system is adapted to control an amount of fill flash energy received from the image scene in relation to visible ambient light energy received from the image scene during image capture by illuminating the flash unit once a predetermined amount of ambient visible spectrum energy is sensed by the photocell unit and by extinguishing the flash unit once a predetermined amount of infrared energy is sensed by the photocell unit.

Abstract: A method and camera for electronic image capture provide an electronic image capture device, a scanning aperture shutter located to control light energy received by the image capture device, a flash unit oriented to illuminate an image scene, a photocell unit adapted for sensing visible spectrum energy and infrared spectrum energy received from the image scene, and an exposure control system responsive to the photocell unit and operatively connected to the scanning aperture shutter and the flash unit. The exposure control system is adapted to control an amount of fill flash energy received from the image scene in relation to visible ambient light energy received from the image scene during image capture by illuminating the flash unit once a predetermined amount of ambient visible spectrum energy is sensed by the photocell unit and by extinguishing the flash unit once a predetermined amount of infrared energy is sensed by the photocell unit.

Abstract: A method and camera for electronic image capture provide an electronic image capture device, a scanning aperture shutter located to control light energy received by the image capture device, a flash unit oriented to illuminate an image scene, a photocell unit adapted for sensing visible spectrum energy and infrared spectrum energy received from the image scene, and an exposure control system responsive to the photocell unit and operatively connected to the scanning aperture shutter and the flash unit. The exposure control system is adapted to control an amount of fill flash energy received from the image scene in relation to visible ambient light energy received from the image scene during image capture by illuminating the flash unit once a predetermined amount of ambient visible spectrum energy is sensed by the photocell unit and by extinguishing the flash unit once a predetermined amount of infrared energy is sensed by the photocell unit.

Abstract: A portable audio system includes a housing. A docking cradle includes a connector that is electrically coupled to the electronic audio circuit. The docking cradle is mechanically coupled to the housing such that the docking cradle is capable of being rotated horizontally between an open position in which the connector is external to the housing and a closed position.

Abstract: A portable audio system includes a housing. A docking cradle includes a connector that is electrically coupled to the electronic audio circuit. The docking cradle is mechanically coupled to the housing such that the docking cradle is capable of being rotated horizontally between an open position in which the connector is external to the housing and a closed position.

Abstract: A strobe diffuser attachment for a camera, includes a diffuser body adapted for attachment to a camera, a pair of spaced diffuser lenses mounted in the diffuser body and adapted to be located in front of a range of different integral strobe locations for a camera attached to the body, wherein the pair of diffuser lenses are adapted to serially diffuse light emitted from an integral strobe of a camera attached to the body. A distance measurement device uses a pair of light beams which intersect at a repeatable distance from the diffuser body to readily enable positioning of an object to be photographed at that repeatable distance.

Abstract: A camera and method for image capture at less than a nominal minimum focus distance provide for initiating image capture through a variable aperture at a first aperture size, collecting a predetermined amount of ambient scene light during image capture, initiating closing of the variable aperture, and illuminating a flash unit during closing of the variable aperture at a predetermined restricted second aperture size.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera having a shutter mechanism; actuating means for actuating the shutter mechanism; and, an aperture selecting assembly that is movable from an initial mode position to at least a first mode position. Also disclosed is an aperture selector assembly that is coupled to the shutter actuating mechanism and includes a slide that is selectively movable from an initial mode position to one of a plurality of aperture selecting positions. During slide movement to the desired aperture setting, the strobe is energized and the energy to operate the shutter is stored in a spring. At the desired position, the selector slide is detented by a first clasping device until a shutter button is actuated for releasing the shutter and firing the strobe. A second clasping device becomes operative during shutter actuation to hold the slide in position even though the detent of the first clasping device has been released.

Abstract: A compact camera for producing images on self-developing film, said camera comprising an assembly including a light-tight main frame, a first housing member, and a second housing member; wherein said assembly is arranged to minimize the height of said camera.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-developing compact camera having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a taking lens, shutter, a light-reflector, viewfinder, power source, actuator, a self-developing film compartment, and a spring biased exit flap. The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing said camera.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera having a shutter mechanism; actuating means for actuating the shutter mechanism; and, an aperture selecting assembly that is movable from an initial mode position to at least a first mode position. Also disclosed is an aperture selector assembly that is coupled to the shutter actuating mechanism and includes a slide that is selectively movable from an initial mode position to one of a plurality of aperture selecting positions. During slide movement to the desired aperture setting, the strobe is energized and the energy to operate the shutter is stored in a spring. At the desired position, the selector slide is detented by a first clasping device until a shutter button is actuated for releasing the shutter and firing the strobe. A second clasping device becomes operative during shutter actuation to hold the slide in position even though the detent of the first clasping device has been released.

Abstract: A compact camera for producing images on self-developing film, said camera comprising an assembly including a light-tight main frame, a first housing member, and a second housing member; wherein said assembly is arranged to minimize the height of said camera.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-developing compact camera having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a taking lens, shutter, a light-reflector, viewfinder, power source, actuator, a self-developing film compartment, and a spring biased exit flap. The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing said camera.

Abstract: A compact dual imaging camera is disclosed wherein conventional and self-developing photographic films are generally simultaneously exposed from a common scene through separate taking apertures.

Abstract: A camera shutter and focus lens assembly includes a rotary motor having a central shaft, and a rotary beam actuator connected to the shaft. A moveable focus lens, a first shutter blade, and a second shutter blade are in mechanical communication with the actuator beam. Rotation of the shaft by the motor operates to cause movement of the focus lens to effect a selected focusing relationship between the focus lens and a fixed lens proximate thereto, and further operates to cause movement of the first and second shutter blades to cause the shutter blades cooperatively to define an opening to permit light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A simplifed open loop focus control system for a fixed focus lens camera that positions a supplemental lens into the optical path of a fixed focus lens, for relatively remote subjects, in response to a signal representative of subject reflectivity. Inserting such a lens in this manner substantially reduces focus control system complexity while at the same time minimizing the frequency of supplemental lens movement for most exposures which are typically of subjects that are relatively close to the fixed focus lens camera.

Abstract: An image of a subject in a scene formed by a fixed focus lens through a scanning aperture of an electronic flash camera, particularly that of a subject located closer to the lens than the near distance of its lens normal depth of field, has its clarity or sharpness substantially improved by firing the electronic flash during exposure at the smallest possible aperture for optimum subject image sharpness and overall scene exposure. The appropriate aperture to produce such an image is a function of ambient scene brightness and of the IR light from the electronic flash being reflected from a subject within the scene which are determined prior to and/or at the early stages of an exposure interval.

Abstract: A photographic exposure control system of the type embodying scanning shutter blade elements includes a control blade selectively actuatable in accordance with whether the photographic apparatus is utilized in an ambient or artificial scene-lighted mode of operation for controlling which of two separate sets of photocell sweep secondary apertures in the shutter blade elements will direct scene light to a photoresponsive element while at the same time controlling a maximum effective primary aperture to which the shutter blade elements are allowed to progressively increase.

Abstract: In a variable focus lens system in general, or in a photographic camera having such a system in particular, wherein said system includes means for both automatically and manually focusing a subject image at a focal plane, means are provided for disabling the operation of said automatic focusing means during manual focus and immediately prior thereto.