Abstract: A camera with circuitry, a main power source for supplying electric power to the circuitry, a back-up power source for supplying electric power to the circuitry independently from the main power source, a detector for detecting the condition of the back-up power source to produce a warning signal when the back-up power source can not supply sufficient electric power to the circuitry, starting the operation of the detector when the main power source has recovered, setting data to the circuitry in accordance with a manual operation and interrupting the operation of the warning signal when the data setting is operated.

Abstract: In an automatic focus control device of a camera there are provided defocus amount calculation means for calculating a defocus amount for a predetermined focus plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electric signal generated by a light receiving means, comparing means for comparing the obtained value on the basis of the calculated defocus amount with a reference value, control means controlling driving speed of the photographic lens by the lens driving means in response to the comparison result of a comparing means, photographic condition setting means for setting the photographic condition and reference value setting means for setting said reference value in response to the set photographic condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are film cartridges having improved digital code patterns, films having improved digital signal means, and cameras adapted for use with the film cartridges or the films. The improved code patterns include bits with different weights and a bit which is made conductive with at least one of the bits with the different weights.One of the cameras disclosed is provided with a reading device on a spool so that the reading device can continuously read the signal means at a front tip of a leader portion of the film throughout the duration in which the film is wound around the spool. Another camera disclosed is adapted to read the code patterns on the film cartridge upon insertion of the film cartridge into a cartridge chamber.

Abstract: A photographic camera records photographic information and/or development information in an IC card which includes a semiconductor memory capable of reading-out/writing-in, a circuit having a microcomputer and adapted for communication with peripherals and a data communication terminal for the communication. This photographic camera has an attaching portion for attaching the IC card, a data exchange terminal, a microcomputer-incorporated communication device for the data exchange with the IC card and a camera control device for carrying out various operations based on the data input from the IC card. Through the data exchange between the microcomputer of the camera and the microcomputer of the IC card, the photographic information and/or the development information corresponding to an exposed film is recorded in the IC card. Those data and other information are accessible at any time and any place.

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 cartride 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: A film cartridge comprises a chamber in which a film is contained and a semiconductor memory such as nonvolatile memory, e.g., E.sup.2 PROM having a plurality of memory areas for storing various kinds of photographing data of each photography. In this semiconductor memory, photographing data are stored in different areas at each photographing and therefore the preceding photographing data stored in the memory are not deleted by this time photographing and photographing data of a desired film frame are accessible. Data used at a photo processing shop and a photofinishing laboratory can be also stored in the memory of the film cartridge.

Abstract: An electronic shutter control system provided with an imaging device, a driving circuit to drive and control the imaging device and an exposure control circuit to output a signal to the drive circuit. The shutter opens in synchronization with a signal to read out electric charge in a photoelectric converter section to a vertical transfer section. The vertical transfer section is held in a state enabling readout of the signal after cleaning out an unnecessary electric charge. As a result, an electric charge is read out simultaneously with the close of the shutter. According to an electronic shutter controlling method, fast reverse transfer is stopped at a level of the proper exposure less the predetermined amount and an electric charge signal is read out to the vertical transfer section, waiting for the potential of the vertical transfer section to achieve a state wherein it can receive the electric charge signal.

Abstract: A photographic camera having a photographic lens, including a device for selecting a real focal length photographing mode in which a normal range in a frame of a film will be printed on a photographic paper and a pseudo focal length photographing mode in which a range smaller than the normal range in a frame of a film will be printed on a photographic paper, a device for specifying a magnification corresponding to a range to be printed on the photographic paper in printing when the pseudo focal length photographing mode is selected, a device for producing a signal indicative of a characteristic of a film loaded in the camera, and a device for limiting the magnification capable of being specified by the magnification specifying device below a predetermined value depending upon the signal from the producing device.

Abstract: A camera with an automatic focusing device has an objective lens mounted on a camera. An image formed by the objective lens is divided into a plurality of zones. In each zone, a brightness distribution is obtained so as to detect a rough focusing condition in each zone, thereby producing a plurality of rough focusing condition data. Based on the result of the rough focusing condition data, one zone is selected. Furthermore, a precise focusing condition is detected in the selected zone based on the light contained in the selected zone, so as produce a precise focusing condition data. Based on the precise focusing condition data obtained from the selected zone, the objective lens is driven to an infocus condition.

Abstract: An exposure control device for a camera comprising;first means for measuring light from a central area of an object field, said first measuring means including a plurality of means for receiving light from different portions within the central area, respectively; second means for measuring light from a surrounding area other than the central area, the surrounding area being greater than each portion within the central area; means for selecting between a first exposure control mode and a second exposure control mode; and means for controlling exposure in accordance with one of said plurality of receiving means in said first exposure control mode, and in accordance with all of said plurality of receiving means and said second measuring means in said second exposure control mode.

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: A camera including a lens cover and provided with a plurality of picture taking modes. The camera has the capability for outputting a signal representing that the lens cover is open or closed, for selecting one of the plurality of picture taking modes and for sending a photographic film. The camera has a first display portion for displaying the picture taking mode selected and a second display portion for displaying information of the photographic film loaded in the camera. The operation of the camera is controlled according to the picture taking mode selected and such control of the operation of the camera is inhibited while a signal is output representing that the lens cover is closed. While a signal is output representing that the lens cover is open, the first display portion displays the picture taking mode selected; and while a signal is output representing that the lens cover is closed the first display portion is inhibited from displaying the picture taking mode selected.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor drive apparatus in accordance with the present invention enables a solid state image sensor to start integration of photoelectric current in response to an integration clear signal so that electric charges are accumulated to a prescribed level and transferred to a shift register. The accumulated electric charges transferred to the shift register are read out successively based on a transfer signal so that it is supplied to a microcomputer performing various operations. At this time, if a request for interruption is inputted from a load to the microcomputer, the transfer signal supplied to the shift register is stopped and the content of the shift register is not supplied to the microcomputer. When the interruption processing in the microcomputer is completed, the transfer signal is supplied again to the shift register so that transfer of data from the shift register to the microcomputer is restarted.

Abstract: A display system for a camera which can provide an efficient display of information with a reduced entire area for display. The display system for a camera comprises first and second display means for displaying various kinds of information on the outside of a body and within a finder of the camera. Display controlling means controls the first and second display means such that information of a sensitivity of a film loaded in the camera and information regarding feeding of the film are displayed only on the outside of the camera while information of an exposure time and information of a diaphragm aperture value are displayed only within the finder of the camera.

Abstract: An image sensor system for sensing an image of an object includes a plurality of image sensor arrays. Each array comprises photoelectric converting elements arranged to receive the object image and accumulation cells coupled to each photoelectric converting element for accumulating charges produced from the photoelectric converting element. A buffer memory cells are coupled respectively to the accumulation cells for temporarily storing the accumulated charges shifted from the accumulation cells in response to the completion of the charge accumulation in each array. A shift register is provided to receive accumulated charges from the buffer memory cells in every one of the arrays after all the arrays complete the charge accumulation. The accumulated charges stored in the shift register are then sequentially outputted.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an exposure calculation apparatus which includes plural light measuring devices for measuring lights incident on a plurality of regions of a photographing image plane and outputting measured data of the lights; plural devices for detecting the focusing conditions of objects present in a plurality of the regions of the photographing image plane and outputting data on the focusing conditions; a position detecting devices for detecting the position which a main object occupies in the photographing image plane on the data on the focusing condition outputted from the focusing conditions detecting devices; calculation device for making a plurality of calculations each of which is made depending on at least one of the data of measured lights outputted from the light measuring devices; and selecting devices for selecting one of the plurality of calculations on the position detected by the position detecting devices and the data on the focusing conditions of the position.

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 by ROM to output a 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: In an electronic camera having a photographic objective lens, a blocking member is disposed in the path of a propagation of a bundle of light rays from an object. The blocking member is adapted to prevent the bundle of rays from impinging on an image pickup device except during a photographic operation. The blocking member is retractable from the path to permit the bundle of rays to be incident on the image pickup device. A photoelectric conversion circuit includes photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the form of a matrix. A charge control circuit controls the amount of charges to be stored in the photoelectric conversion circuit while the blocking member is completely retracted from the path. An image processing circuit produces an image signal based on the amount of stored charges.

Abstract: A camera having a real-image viewfinder incorporating an optical finder system having the functions of an optical system for automatical focusing or an optical system for automatic exposure. The optical finder system comprises an objective lens having a positive power, an eyepiece, and an optical system such as porro mirror, disposed between the objective lens and the eyepiece and comprising a plurality of mirrors and/or a prism. Some of the mirrors a semitransparent mirrors capable of dividing the incident light for two optical paths. One part of the incident light is transmitted to the eyepiece and the other part of the incident light is transmitted to light receiving elements, which are disposed in substantially conjugate planes with respect to the focal plane of the objective lens, respectively for distance measurement and light measurement.

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.