Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically switching between alternate ones of a pair of light sensing photocells having different photoresponsive characteristics in an exposure control system usable with a photographic apparatus. Included in the system is a light integrating circuit responsive to a first one of the photocells until commencement of a flash mode and then to the other until termination of such flash mode at which time the circuit is again responsive to the first photocell.

Abstract: A method of and system for ranging are disclosed. The method and system transmit ranging energy toward different portions of a scene and sense ranging energy reflected from the different scene portions. Included is a step or means responsive to the sensing for detecting the ranges of the different scene portions.

Abstract: A photographic system for minimizing exposure tracking error under flash illumination using a low-cost camera in which an automatic shutter system constitutes the sole control of exposure illumination passed to the film. The source of flash illumination is a low-cost filament vaporizable flash bulb in which the effective burn time is increased without change in total illumination energy to the maximum interval of exposure time compatible with hand-held camera operation. The reduced maximum intensity and lengthened burn time reduces the proportionate amount of exposure illumination during shutter closing movement and, consequently, the deleterious effect of variation in shutter closing movement so that exposure with varying camera/subject distances and flash illumination is relatively unaffected.

Abstract: A photographic exposure control system automatically classifies ambient scene lighting conditions as normal, backlit or forelit and then selects an exposure parameter signal program that is appropriate for the indicated conditions. The system monitors a plurality of different portions of the scene area with a multi-sensor array that detects both subject range and ambient light intensity. A comparison of range measurements identifies that scene area portion having the nearest subject therein as the subject area. Ambient light intensity measurements of subject and non-subject areas are compared to classify lighting conditions and select a corresponding one of normal, backlit and forelit signal programs which control operation of system components to vary the ratio of ambient to artificial light contribution to exposure for the indicated lighting conditions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling exposure of a photographic film by evaluating selected spectral scene light frequencies during certain ambient light portions of an exposure interval and evaluating scene light frequencies exclusive of visible frequencies during other portions of the interval.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed which direct a preliminary pulse of radiation from a selectively energizable light source toward a subject, and a device for evaluating the amplitude of the reflected pulse of radiation therefrom so as to determine a weighted range signal as a function of the amplitude of generally non-visible radiation frequencies selected for reducing the non-uniformity in reflectivity values of reflected visible radiation in the scene, which weighted range signal includes a reflectivity factor and a range factor. The reflectivity factor, which detracts from the range factor for focusing, significantly enhances exposure control under certain scene lighting conditions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus usable for automatically controlling exposure of a photographic film by evaluating selected spectral scene light frequencies during certain ambient light portions of an exposure interval and evaluating additional spectral frequencies during a flash portion of the interval.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with a fully automatic exposure control system for determining the camera-to-subject range either directly by sonic ranging or indirectly by sampling reflected flash light immediately subsequent to the firing of a source of artificial illumination and for automatically responding to either the sonically determined subject range or the sampled flash light to provide either a shortened maximum exposure interval time out period under conditions where the photographic subject is located far enough from the camera as to be just beyond the effective range of the flash or within the effective range of the flash but without sufficient reflectance to effect the termination of exposure solely as a function of scene light integration or an extended maximum exposure interval time out period under conditions where the photographic subject is located far enough from the camera as to be far beyond the effective range of the flash where there is likely to be little or no reflected flash ligh

Abstract: Photographic scene light detecting apparatus particularly suitable for use with a camera of the type which includes an electronic control system for receiving an input signal and controlling the firing of an electronic flash at a predetermined time after the initiation of an exposure interval. The apparatus includes a photodetector and an optical system by which scene radiation can be collected from a predetermined field of view and directed along an optical path onto the photodetector which operates to provide an output signal for use as the input signal to the camera electronic control system. A blade apparatus operates to selectively block and unblock the optical path to the photodetector such that the photodetector receives scene radiation from one region of the scene prior to the firing of the electronic flash and from another region of the scene in correspondence with the firing of the electronic flash.

Abstract: A foldable flash holder comprised of three integrally molded plastic parts interconnected exclusively by snap fit. One of the parts is a contact retainer which includes an elongated receptacle well for receiving a multi-bulb flash array and a contact retaining bracket formation holding a plurality of U-shaped contacts uniformly spaced with one another, with one end of each contact cantilevered in position for resilient engagement with a contact blade portion of the flash array, while the opposite end of each contact is held in engagement with a flexible power cable. One embodiment of the flash holder includes an actuator movable in response to engagement by the flash array to actuate a mechanism in the associated camera which places the camera in an artificial illumination mode.

Abstract: A trim mechanism for an automatic exposure control system used in photographic cameras to regulate the rate at which a pair of scanning shutter blades are accelerated toward an open position so as to vary the effective flash aperture as well as to variably filter light passing to the photocell of an electronic system for closing the shutter blades. The mechanism includes an arrangement of a manually adjustable trim slide, a trim slide follower and a tension spring extending directly between the follower and the shutter blade mechanism so that the tension of the spring and thus the force by which the blades are driven to an open position is adjusted simultaneously with adjustment of a photocell filter variation.

Abstract: A camera having an automatic lens focusing system is provided with a torsion spring drive arrangement for rotatably driving a disc having a plurality of different focal length lens elements thereon in circumferentially spaced apart relation to sequentially present each of the lens elements at a focusing position. A combined shutter blade latch and lens disc actuator member is movable between latching and unlatching positions and additionally serves to releasably hold an acceleration arm of the torsion spring at an initial cocked position, to release the acceleration arm to effect disc rotation in response to movement of the member from the latching to the unlatching position, and thereafter to recock the acceleration arm when the member is moved back to the latching position.

Abstract: A camera, including an automatic lens focusing system of the type wherein a disc holding a plurality of different lens elements is accelerated by an arm of a torsion spring to effect disc rotation for sequentially presenting the lens elements at a focusing system, is provided with an arrangement for easily adjusting the amount of energy stored in the spring prior to release to thereby change the resultant disc rotational velocity. The adjustment is made in connection with a method of calibrating disc rotational velocity.

Abstract: A photographic camera is disclosed having a housing, and a plurality of operational components are mounted within the housing interior, wherein at least one of the components requires a final adjustment to alter its operation to the particular camera into which it is assembled. The housing includes an opening in one of the wall surfaces thereof in aligned relation to said one component so as to allow access thereto. For covering the opening, a panel is mounted on the housing wall surface in covering relation to said opening, whereby following assembly of the component and the housing into a substantially complete camera, the one component can be adjusted and then the panel mounted over the housing opening. A method of camera manufacture is also discussed.

Abstract: A hand held camera is disclosed having a camera body with a flash unit mounted thereon for movement between an erect position and a stored position. For effecting a first photographic cycle, there is a first actuator manually operative. This actuator is positioned so that one hand of the operator actuates it while simultaneously supporting the camera therewith. A second actuator is manually operative for affecting the photographic cycle when the second actuator is operative generally during actuation of the first actuator. The second actuator is positioned on the flash unit so as to only be accessible when the latter is in its erect position and so that a second hand must operate it and so that during operation of both actuators, both hands of the operator can be located for effectively holding the camera in a stable condition.

Abstract: A multi-flash lamp array includes a plurality of flash lamps interconnected in pairs so that the second flash lamp of each pair is fusably connected to fire during the next exposure in response to the firing of the first flash lamp of that pair. If the first flash lamp of the pair should fail to fire and thereby fail to fusably connect the second flash lamp of the pair, there is provided a redundant fusing arrangement whereby the second flash lamp of the pair is subsequently fused in connection to fire during the next exposure in response to the firing of the first flash lamp in the next succeeding pair of flash lamps to be fired.

Abstract: Camera apparatus of the type having an objective taking lens and an electronic flash movable between an erect operative position and a folded storage position is provided with a built-in, close-up lens arrangement for extending the focus range of the objective lens thus enabling a user to take pictures at nearer distances than would otherwise be possible using the camera objective lens alone. The close-up lens arrangement is structured for manual movement between a first position in which a close-up lens is in a storage location and a second position in which the close-up lens is captured and optically registered with the camera objective lens. The close-up lens can be released either manually or in response to movement of the electronic flash into its storage position. Upon release, the close-up lens automatically returns to its storage location.

Abstract: A calibrating arrangement is disclosed for use in accurately correcting for exposure errors in an exposure control system having a plurality of photoresponsive regions. A scene light detecting and integrating circuit includes a pair of photoresponsive regions. Each region provides an output response as a function of its photoresponsiveness to the scene radiation intensity incident thereon. A first light attenuating member is selectively positioned to attenuate scene radiation incident to at least one of the regions so that the output of the one region can be correlated to a preselected output therefor. Independently positionable relative to at least the other region is a second light attenuating member. The second attenuating member is movable independently of the first light attenuating member to attenuate scene radiation incident to at least the other region so that the output of the other region can be correlated to a preselected output therefor.

Abstract: An automatic camera apparatus includes an integrated exposure control system comprising a sonar rangefinder for first determining camera-to-subject range and then setting the objective lens focus condition to correspond to the determined camera-to-subject distance and thereafter firing an electronic flash at an appropriate exposure aperture also corresponding to the determined camera-to-subject distance in a manner providing for a proportional fill-in flash under conditions of high ambient scene light intensity.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus and method employing a diaphragm shutter having a time variable exposure aperture with flash firing, following actuation of the shutter, after a time interval dependent on subject range. The functional relationship between the time interval and subject range establishes a parametric relationship between the brightness of the subject due to its flash illumination and the scan time of the diaphragm shutter. The inverse of this parametric relationship constitutes the timewise variation in the exposure aperture area of the shutter. Consequently, whenever the subject is within a predetermined maximum distance from the camera, dependent upon the maximum aperture area attainable by the shutter, the instantaneous product of subject brightness and aperture area will be a constant with the result that proper exposure of the photographic film is achieved independent of the subject range.