Abstract: An automatic electronic flash device including: a flash discharge tube, a first switching element connected in series with the flash discharge tube, a main discharge capacitor adapted to supply its charged energy to the flash discharge tube for firing thereof so that an object to be photographed is illuminated, a light receiving circuit which receives light reflected from the object for turning on a second switching element when the amount of the received light reaches a predetermined value, a commutation capacitor which is made to discharge in response to the second switching element being turned on and supplies a reverse current through the first switching element whereby the first switching element is turned off so as automatically to stop illuminating, a trigger circuit for supplying a high voltage pulse to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge tube, and a high voltage supply circuit which generates a high voltage in synchronism with the operation of the trigger circuit so that the generated voltag

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved small-sized electric flash device wherein transformers of its DC-DC converter circuit for producing a high voltage comprises printed coil or coils thereby efficiently reducing their volume and sufficiently flattering their shape, so that, together with miniaturized circuit parts and printed circuit substrate, highly integrated, hence compact photographic flash device is obtainable.

Abstract: Flash and camera apparatus integrally incorporating an electronic flashing device for firing a flash discharge tube and a photographic camera device with a fixed focus lens system. The apparatus includes an aperture change-over mechanism for changing the aperture to an appropriate value depending on the paticular mode of photography selected. The selectable modes include both far and near modes for objects which are within allowable range of the camera to achieve proper flash mode photography and also daylight mode photography. An indication element for indicating the existence of a condition under which the electronic flash device is able to fire in the flash mode and which indicates whether the distance to the object is far or near is also provided. Further provided is a switch mechanism for simultaneously performing the functions of operating the aperture changeover mechanism, operating the indication element and supplying power to the electronic flash device.

Abstract: An automatic photographic flash device wherein the amount of light of the flash tube is automatically controlled in response to intensity of light from the direction of the photographic object by means of an electric circuit A flash tube part is movably installed on a main case part containing a battery and the circuit A switch is installed in the device in such a manner that when the flash tube part is moved to a position not directed at the photographic object, the switch causes the circuit to appropriately increase the amount of light discharged by the flash tube when it is actuated.

Abstract: A camera with an internally arranged electronic flash device in which there is arranged a distance control knob releasably interlocking with a power source switch of the flash device. When the object to be photographed needs the flash device under conditions of low luminance the power source switch is moved to a suitable position indicating a particular distance between the object and the camera while the power source switch is moved into the "ON" position. When the photograph is taken with natural light the distance control knob is operated independently of the power source switch.

Abstract: An electronic photographic flash apparatus which is useful as an artificial light source for taking photographs. The apparatus of this invention does not use an AC charger or the like as its power source, but it uses a plurality of secondary batteries normally held in a charged state by a primary battery, whereby when the flash apparatus is to be used, the connection of the plurality of the secondary batteries is changed to quickly charge a main discharge capacitor of the flash apparatus. By virtue of the ability of the apparatus to quickly charge its main discharge capacitor, the electronic flash apparatus in accordance with the present invention can effectively associate its operation with the operation of the shutter release of a photographic camera when it is incorporated in the latter.

Abstract: In response to the film drive control pulse signal generated when the shutter is closed, a switching circuit is turned ON to energize a film driving motor. When the film has been transported by a predetermined length, another control signal is generated to turn OFF the switching circuit. A control circuit is connected to a control circuit for controlling the shutter and to a circuit for controlling the motor in such a way that in response to the multi-exposure mode signal the control circuit will not energize the motor even when the pulse signal has been generated after the exposure. Thus the camera control device offers versatile multi-exposure operation.

Abstract: The invention discloses a shutter for a camera of the type comprising a light control mechanism which comprises a plurality of shutter blades, which may also function as the aperture control diaphragm, and driving means such as a stepping motor for intermittently driving the shutter blades to open and close them in response to shutter driving pulse signals; a circuit for generating the shutter blade driving pulse signals with a frequency or pulse spacing determined in response to the brightness of a subject; a circuit for reversing the direction of drive of the driving means a predetermined time, which is dependent upon the brightness of the subject, after the shutter blades are started to open; a circuit for controlling the frequency or pulse spacing of the driving pulse signals; and a driving circuit for controlling the driving means in response to the outputs of the pulse generating circuit and of the driving direction reversing circuit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a program-controlled shutter wherein, depending upon the brightness of a subject, a suitable f-number and a suitable exposure time are determined by a plurality of shutter blades which are driven stepwise by a stepping motor in response to driving pulses applied thereto open the camera lens to a suitable f-number and then to close it after a suitable exposure time. To derive the electrical signal representative of the brightness of a subject, a photocell, an A-D converter, an encoder for encoding the output from a A-D converter into the binary-coded decimal signal, and a decoder for converting the output from the encoder into, for instance, a sexadecimal signal are used.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter includes a push pull oscillating circuit having a pair of active components, the anodes of which are connected to each end terminal of the primary winding of a saturable inverter transformer. A secondary winding of the saturable inverter transformer is connected to a load through which the output of the secondary winding is positively fed back to the control electrodes through the cathodes of the active components. The whole circuitry is operated by low voltage small dry cells connected between the midpoint of the primary winding and the cathodes of the active components providing high DC output to the load.

Abstract: In an exposure control device of the type comprising exposure means including a plurality of shutter blades which also function as the aperture setting blades, and a step-motor drivingly coupled to said shutter blades for causing them to open and close stepwise so as to define an aperture; and pulse signal generating means adapted to generate the driving pulse or pulses to be applied to said step-motor dependng upon the brightness of a subject, means is provided for locking the step-motor in an inoperative position when the shutter blades remain closed in order to prevent an erratic exposure due to the mechanical shock.

Abstract: This invention relates to a programmed shutter designed to automatically provide suitable exposures to a camera wherein shutter blades serve also as diaphragm blades and a driving mechanism is intermittently actuated by impressed pulse signals. Suitable exposures are obtained by automatic stepwise selection of an appropriate aperture value in response to the objective brightness and then by automatic regulation of the exposure time under the selected aperture value, both being accomplished by an electronic circuit for feeding said pulse signals to actuate said blades.

Abstract: The invention discloses a program-controlled shutter of the type in which, in response to the brightness of a subject, an electronic control circuit controls the motions of a stepping motor so that a plurality of shutter blades coupled thereto may be opened to define a desired aperture, for a time interval, depending upon the brightness of the subject.

Abstract: In an automatic strobo flash device of the type in which when the quantity of light reflected back from a subject reaches a predetermined level, a switching capacitor is discharged to turn off a silicon-controlled rectifier connected in series to a flash tube so that the strobo flash is automatically extinguished, an indicating means for generating the sound or light signal indicating that the recharge of the switching capacitor is still being made is provided which is actuated when the voltage across a voltage regulator element such as a zener diode inserted in a circuit for recharging the switching capacitor reaches a predetermined level. A malfunction or erratic operation of the strobo flash device may be easily detected, and the correct strobo flash automatically controlled may be ensured.

Abstract: A combination of a camera device and an electronic flash device in which not only switching between the natural light mode and electronic flash mode but also the exposure control are automatically effected depending on the sensitivity of the film and the brightness of the object to be photographed. Said combination comprises means for connecting the electronic flash device to an electric power source only when the former satisfies an optimal condition of use for avoiding the loss of electric energy and does not open the shutter of the camera device when the electronic flash device does not meet the optimal conditions of use for preventing mis-operation thereof.