Abstract: The depth of field of a fixed focus lens in an electronic flash camera is automatically increased and the sharpness or clarity of an image formed by the lens is improved for subjects located closer to the camera than the near end of the lens' normal depth of field by firing the camera's electronic flash at an aperture size that is smaller than one that would normally be used for such closer subjects.

Abstract: A single flash discharge tube system is provided that is capable of emitting artificial light of a controlled and variable spectral output to compensate for photographic film color variations and/or extremes in scene color temperature. The flash tube contains a mixture of two or more gasses with each gas in the tube having a different ionization potential. When ionized, each gas or combination thereof produces light having a different spectral output. The ionization of each gas is controlled by a trigger voltage applied to the flash tube in accordance with a code on a film container indicative of the color balance of film contained therein and/or sensing apparatus that determines scene color temperature.

Abstract: An automatic exposure system for an electronic flash camera incorporates an arrangement for measuring the reflectivity of a scene illuminated by the electronic flash prior to exposure in order to determine certain photographic scene characteristics for use in controlling a subsequent photographic exposure, an arrangement that substantially reduces the complexity and energy consumption of the electronic flash system while improving the ability of the exposure control system to accurately determine these characteristics. The arrangement includes the pre-exposure firing of the electronic flash to illuminate a scene with a pulse of light for a short, fixed period of time. A reflection of this light pulse is integrated for a portion of this fixed period of time. The final integrated value of the reflected light is a measure of subject reflectivity. This integrated value is then employed to derive the desired photographic scene characteristics.

Abstract: A single flash discharge tube system is provided that is capable of emitting artificial light of a controlled and variable spectral output to compensate for photographic film color variations and/or extremes in scene color temperature. The flash tube contains a mixture of two or more gasses with each gas in the tube having a different ionization potential. When ionized, each has or combination thereof produces light having a different spectral output. The ionization of each gas is controlled by a trigger voltage applied to the flash tube in accordance with a code on a film container indicative of the color balance of film contained therein and/or sensing apparatus that determines scene color temperature.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism actuated by a plunger type solenoid in an exposure control system for a reflex camera is provided with a solenoid drive control for reducing the subject-distracting mechanical noise that is normally generated when the solenoid plunger is driven into its fully retracted position in order to close shutter blades forming a portion of the shutter mechanism, immediately prior to an exposure interval. The solenoid drive control comprises a microcontroller and a blade encoder to indicate the degree of blade closure. Blade closure signals are routed to the microcontroller that, in response thereto, causes a reduction in the amount of solenoid actuating current delivered to the solenoid to thereby reduce the amount of solenoid drive and therefore the amount of mechanical noise that is generated when the solenoid plunger is driven into the fully retracted position.

Abstract: A self-developing camera system having an electronic flash, a film transport and processing system including a motor, and a battery for supplying electrical power to the electronic flash and to the motor. The camera system further includes a control system that connects the battery to the electronic flash for charging purposes and to the motor simultaneously during processing of an exposed film unit as long as the battery voltage does not go below a level that would interfere with the motor's ability to properly drive the film transport system, thus reducing the overall camera cycle time.

Abstract: An economical dual zone active rangefinding system for a photographic camera operates upon the principle of triangulation without lateral displacement of either the radiation source or detector to provide an output signal indicative of whether the subject in the scene to be photographed is located in a select distance range from the photographic camera.