Abstract: A camera has an automatic data reading arrangement for reading ISO data provided on a film cartridge. When a main battery is exchanged with an old battery while the film is still loaded in the camera, ISO data is maintained in a memory supported and powered by a back-up battery. If such an ISO data is not available after the exchange of the main battery, ISO data again read from the loaded film cartridge is employed. If the film is not the type that can provide an ISO data, the most widely used ISO data will be automatically set for the further exposure calculation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an area imaging device having an array of picture elements formed of photodiodes and insulated-gate MOSTs which is vertically scanned by a shift register and horizontally scanned by a charge transfer device (CTD). The solid-state imaging device according to this invention has a transfer MOST provided between a vertical signal output line and a horizontal switch MOST, a resetting MOST connected to the junction between said transfer MOST and the horizontal switch MOST, and a mechanism for setting the vertical signal line at a reference potential just before signal transfer. The transfer MOST connected between the junction of the horizontal switch MOST and the resetting MOST and the vertical signal line is a double-gate MOST formed of a series connection of a transfer gate and another transfer gate. Therefore, the charges under the gate of the transfer MOST can be removed for fixed noise to be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A data reading device for a camera can provide a data being accurate with high probability through repeated data reading of a code pattern on a film cartridge even in hard conditions, such as a condition where contact between contact terminals of the device and code regions of the code pattern is unstable and a condition where the resistance value of a conductive code region is comparatively high or varies with the area on which the corresponding contact terminal abuts. In one operation example of an embodiment, the device discriminates consistency and inconsistency between the contents of the successively read data bit by bit and substitutes the contents of the later read data discriminated as being inconsistent for those of the previously read data only when the inconsistency discriminated contents of the later read data indicate conduction of the corresponding code regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-dimensionally arrayed solid-state imaging device for a television camera having a photodiode array arranged at a photo-sensing section and a readout horizontal register constructed by a charge transfer device (CTD) such as a BCD, CCD or BBD. An inverter circuit is provided for each of the vertical signal lines. An input of the inverter circuit is connected to a vertical signal line drain of at least one transfer transistor arranged between the vertical signal line and the CTD, and an output of the inverter circuit is connected to a gate of the transfer transistor. Transfer efficiency is improved by the insertion of the inverter circuit and fixed pattern noise is substantially reduced by supplying bias currents.

Abstract: A flash photographing system includes a camera body, a flash controller connected to the camera body and three flash devices: the first flash device is directly mounted on the camera body; the second flash device is mounted on the flash controller; and the third flash device is connected through a suitable cord to the flash controller. A microcomputer is provided in the camera body and also in each of the flash devices so as to control the three flash devices in various different modes of operations, such as simultaneous flash mode, sequence flash mode, and yet providing an appropriate amount of light for the proper exposure.

Abstract: Accessories for use in photographic camera systems provide various data that are inherent to the objective lens being used and are transmitted from the objective lens to the camera body, and the various data are processed and the resultant data are used for automatic exposure control, automatic focusing, and various warnings and indications. Such data may include the maximum and minimum F-numbers, the focal length and the shortest photographable distance of the lens, data indicative of the relationship between the direction of the rotation of a motor within the camera body for automatic focusing and the direction of movement of the lens system, and data indicative of the relationship between the amount of rotation of the motor and the amount of the shifting of the image plane.

Abstract: A camera system operable with data carried from a camera accessory to a camera body. The camera accessory has a ROM for storing various data at a plurality of addresses, respectively, each of which data consists of a plurality of bits, and a coupling terminal for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body. A circuit is also provided for sequentially designating the address of the ROM one by one to permit the ROM to output data stored at the designated address. In the circuit, an address signal is formed in response to the clock pulses, received through the coupling terminal, for designating an address. The data derived from the ROM are transmitted to the camera body.

Abstract: A flash photography system for a photographic camera and a flash device adapted to be connected thereto with the camera providing an aperture value output for flash light photography and a flash light stop signal obtained from an integrated output of the light reflected from a photographic object to terminate flash light emission when the integrated value reaches a predetermined value. The flash device calculates a maximum photographing distance covered by the flash light for effecting a correct exposure of the photographic object from the maximum flash light value and the aperture value from the camera. The maximum photographing distance is displayed by a suitable display visible to the camera operator.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is provided with picture elements which are each composed of a photoelectric conversion element and a MOS transistor as a switching element and which are arranged in the form of a matrix. A scanning mechanism sequentially scans the picture elements to sequentially read out photoelectric conversion signals. To eliminate smear and reduce parasitic capacitance, a high-impurity-concentration diffusion layer serving as an output terminal of the MOS transistor constituting the picture element is formed on an insulator layer for isolating the elements.

Abstract: A flash photography system using a first aperture value output calculated from a desired diaphragm aperture value for flash light photographing with data obtained from ambient light, film sensitivity and the exposure data, a second aperture value output independent of the light value of the ambient light, data selecting circuitry for outputting any one of the first aperture value output and the second aperture value output, an aperture controller for controlling the actual diaphragm aperture size from the output of the data selecting circuitry, and means for producing a stopping signal to stop the emission of the flash light when the flash light emission reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A camera accessory capable of transmitting data to a camera includes a ROM for storing various data at a plurality of addresses, respectively. The data includes a group of data related to the camera accessory and other groups of data which are not related to the camera accessory, but are related to other camera accessories, such that the ROM memorizes all the data of different kinds of camera accessories, and such data are divided into a number of groups, each group related to one kind of camera accessory. The camera accessory further includes a code signal producer which produces a code signal when an accessory is mounted on the camera so as to identify the type of the camera accessory, a receiver for receiving a digital signal from the camera, and a controller responsive to the code signal and the digital signal for controlling the data transmission from the camera accessory to the camera so that only the data of one group related to the particular camera accessory are transmitted to the camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device wherein optical information of a number of photo-electric conversion elements arranged in a matrix is read into vertical signal lines by a vertical shift register and then the optical information on the vertical signal lines is horizontally scanned by a horizontal register of a charge transfer device. Bias charge storage means and quasi-signal sweep-out drains are disposed between the horizontal register and the vertical signal lines, and a bias charge input means is arranged in the horizontal register. In order to ensure high efficiency in transferring signals between the vertical lines to the storage means, the sweep-out drains and the charge transfer device, it is arranged for bias charges to be provided at each stage of transfer. Thus, bias charges supplied from the storage means are used to transfer charges from the vertical lines to the storage means.

Abstract: An operation mode display device is provided for a picture taking device such as a camera which controls exposure in a plurality of modes such as a programmed automatic exposure control mode, a diaphragm priority automatic shutter speed control mode, a shutter speed priority automatic diaphragm control mode and a manual exposure control mode. A plurality of display devices are individually operable for displaying a letter for each display means and arranged in a single line to display the letters P, R, O, G, R, A, M and S in order of mention. When the programmed automatic control mode, which is the most frequently used mode in practice, has been selected, all or almost all of the display devices are driven to display the letters "PROGRAMS" or "PROGRAM". When another mode, e.g., the diaphragm priority automatic shutter speed control mode has been selected, one of the display devices is driven to display a single letter "A".

Abstract: A camera system having an interchangeable objective lens selectively mountable to at least two different types of camera bodies of a, first type and second type, is involved. The camera system has a ROM located in the interchangeable objective lens for storing a plurality of compensation data: one is suitable for the first type camera body; and the other is suitable for the second type camera body. Each data compensates an error in fully-open aperture light measurement for each type of camera. The compensation data is transmitted from the lens to the camera body. A register is provided in the camera body for storing a selected compensation data which is necessary for the type of camera body mounted with the lens. A device is provided in the camera body for practicing a fully-open aperture light measurement through the interchangeable objective lens to produce a light measuring information including the light measurement error.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control camera is of a type capable of controlling both the camera exposure and the flash light amount to be emitted by an electronic flash device. The automatic exposure control camera includes an average light measuring device for measuring an amount of the entire light impinging on an image forming plane and for producing an average signal representing the average light amount, and a spot light measuring device for measuring an amount of light impinging on a spot of the image forming plane and for producing a spot signal representing the light amount at the spot.

Abstract: A camera system includes a data source provided in a camera accessory such as an interchangeable lens and a micro-computer in a camera body. A requesting data for requesting particular data related to the lens is sent from the camera body to the lens, whereby the lens produces the particular data and sends it to the camera body. By the use of the particular data from the lens and other data obtained from the camera body, the micro-computer carries out exposure calculations and controls the camera based on the calculated result.

Abstract: A camera includes a manually adjustable photographic parameter such as diaphragm aperture, shutter speed, focus distance or the like and an electrically energizable network indicating the value of the adjusted parameter or a related value. The indicator network is connected through a normally open signal controlled semiconductor switch to a current source and a device is located on the manually accessible face of the photographic parameter adjusting member and is electrically connected to the switch network input and is touch responsive to produce of switch network closing signal so as to automatically energize the indicator network upon manual engagement of the adjusting member. The sensing member is alternatively a pair of spaced conductor electrodes or a piezo-electric element and the switch is respectively responsive to resistance or voltage values applied to its input. A network is provided for opening the closed switch after a predetermined period.

Abstract: A flash photography system for a camera which is adapted to be used with an electronic flash device which supplies a control signal when the device is a ready condition. The camera includes a diaphragm control circuit which automatically control the diaphragm aperture in accordance with a measurement of the light from the scene to be photographed. The diaphragm control circuit includes a circuit for producing a first program signal for controlling the diaphragm aperture and camera exposure time in a first programmed relationship with the light measurement for daylight or natural light photography, and a circuit for produces a second program signal for controlling the diaphragm aperture in a second programmed relationship with the light measurement for flash photography. The second program signal is adapted to provide a proper exposure for the ambient light condition as well as the flash light illumination.

Abstract: An aperture size control device for use in a still camera includes an aperture stop device which can change its aperture size rapidly in response to a drive circuit during a single exposure cycle. A control device is connected to the drive circuit for controlling the aperture size to a first size with no change in the brightness of an object to be photographed and to a second size when the brightness of the object changes due to, e.g., the emission of flash light during the exposure period. The aperture size can return to the first aperture size after the completion of the emission of the flash light during the same exposure period.

Abstract: A camera system is provided that permits memory data dedicated to particular camera accessories to be transmitted to the camera body for enabling the operation of the camera. The camera accessories can carry dedicated information or variable information to the camera body. Synchronization between the camera accessory and the camera body can be provided by a train of clock pulses. Information can be programmed in a fixed memory circuit to insure that only a particular accessory so designated will provide information to the camera body to prevent any erroneous inputting of data from a plurality of camera accessories that are contemplated for use with a particular camera body.