Abstract: A method of compressing gas using the same gas as the working fluid, using a compressor comprising a reciprocating piston type compressor, a driving cylinder and a driven cylinder. The piston type compressor receives low pressure gas and fills the driven cylinder to a medium pressure target. A valve then directs the output from the piston type compressor to fill the driving cylinder, creating sufficient force to drive the connecting rod between the cylinders fully toward the driven cylinder. The connecting rod force compresses the gas in the driven cylinder and forces it out through a one way valve to a storage cylinder. A valve then directs the piston type compressor to fill the opposite side of the driving cylinder and the driven cylinder, forcing the connecting rod to retract. This cycle is repeated until the final output target high pressure is achieved in the storage vessel.

Abstract: A camera auxiliary light system provides supplemental illumination for a passive ranging system in determining camera-to-object distance, provides a self-timer activation status light to persons in a scene, provides a point of visible light to assist in aiming the camera, and provides red-eye reduction illumination. Thus, multiple functions are performed by a single auxiliary light, thereby reducing the number of camera elements and reducing camera cost, size, and weight. The system includes an auxiliary light source, a mode control switch that selects between a self-timer mode, a red-eye reduction mode, and a flash defeat mode, a light sensor that receives light from the scene and produces a signal that indicates the relative amount of light that was received, and a light source controller that controls operation of the auxiliary light source in response to actuation of a shutter release of the camera.

Abstract: A camera system includes a user friendly interface to enable a camera user to enter text data to be printed on a photographic film in a simple and convenient manner. The user interface is also used to display text messages to the user indicating certain camera conditions. More specifically, a camera is provided that includes a display unit, a display control interface for manually selecting text data to be displayed on the display unit and a control unit for controlling the operation of the display unit to display the text data selected by the manual user interface. The display unit preferably includes a text data display section and fixed icon display section.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with a display including organic electroluminescent material energizable in patterns representing camera information. The patterns are defined by electrically isolated illumination elements that are controlled to emit light by selectively applying a voltage to the elements forming the desired pattern. The material may be chosen to emit light in different colors representing levels of concern associated with camera conditions. Certain features provide a display having an in-line array of alpha-numeric character generators comprising a matrix of closely spaced illumination elements and a control for energizing selected combinations of the elements to emit light collectively defining alpha-numeric characters. Display brightness can be adjusted by changing the applied power as a function of the ambient light conditions to enhance viewability of the display.

Abstract: Camera autofocus apparatus and method employing an autoranging device to determine a lens destination focus position in terms of a target number of signal pulses from a lens motion sensor photo-interrupter. A lens drive motor is initially driven at maximum speed by a 100% pulse width modulated drive signal. At a fixed number of signal pulses in advance of the target, the average motor speed is calculated and a reduced pulse with modulated drive signal, determined based on the calculated motor speed, is applied to the drive motor to cause the lens to arrive at a uniform speed at a near destination focus position that is suitable for application of a standard motor stopping routine. During the motor stopping routine, the motor is initially "plugged" (reverse polarity drive signal) and the signal pulse period is monitored until a predetermined period is reached.