Abstract: A film advancement control device, particularly for an automatic camera. The device detects the presence of film and further includes an external operating switch which enables at least one predetermined function which is unrelated to advancement of the film, in response to the external operating switch being actuated in a predetermined manner. The device also advances the film in a predetermined manner in response to (i) the detection of the presence of the film and (ii) the external operating switch being actuated in the predetermined manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a strobe which is used in a camera. The strobe control apparatus includes a charging time-limit selecting device for selecting one of plurality of charging times according to the operating conditions of the camera, and a charging voltage limit selecting device for selecting one of plurality of charge limit voltages according to the operating conditions of the camera. If the charged voltage of the strobe does not reach the selected charge limit voltage after the selected charging time has elapsed, charging is stopped. The strobe control apparatus also includes a charge prohibiting device for prohibiting charging if a predetermined charge prohibit time has not elapsed after charging is completed, so as to prevent damage to the strobe due to heat generated by frequent flashings. The predetermined prohibit time is changed, however, according to the sensed heat condition of the strobe.

Abstract: An indication control unit for an electronically controlled camera. The indication control unit includes a display for indicating photographic information; electrical power supply for the indicator unit; a film presence detecting device; a mechanism for switching the camera between an operable, picture taking state and an inoperable, non-picture taking state; and a mechanism for disabling the electrical power supply if the camera is in the inoperable, non-picture taking state and the film presence detecting device fails to detect film in the camera. With the present invention, the amount of electrical power that is consumed by the indication control unit, which can include a liquid crystal display, for example, is minimized.

Abstract: An auto strobe camera that gives a clear indication of the status of a strobe charge operation only when the photographer intends to take a picture. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the auto strobe camera includes a strobe flashing unit which emits light when a photometric switch is turned on and an exposure value is below a certain level. The invention includes an indicator unit that indicates that a charging process is going on, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, even though the flash is required to obtain a properly exposed photograph. The indicator unit informs the photographer to wait until the charging operation is finished, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, although the use of the strobe flash is required.

Abstract: A lens driving motor control apparatus comprises a lens barrel which moves a photographing lens system in an optical axis direction, a lens driving motor for driving the lens barrel, a coding means on the lens barrel for coding the position of the lens barrel, a code reading means for reading the code signal of the coding means, a position controlling means for controlling the lens driving motor to control the stop position of the lens barrel in accordance with the code signal which is read by the code reading means, and an abnormal code processing means for controlling the position control means, so that when the code read by the code reading means is abnormal, the code signal is treated as not having been read.

Abstract: A camera having a zoom lens and a mode selection switch, including a first drive for moving the zoom lens in an optical axis direction within a zooming range, and a second drive for selectively moving the zoom lens within and out of a zooming range in accordance with a selection mode selected by a mode selection switch, a zoom lens driving apparatus including a device for varying the speed of the movement of the zoom lens by the first drive and by the second drive.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well as into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or closeup photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A zoom lens for a camera having a between-the-lens shutter includes a motor for moving the lens along an optical axis in forward and rearward directions. A switch is operable by an operator to control operation of the motor for moving the lens from an initial position on the axis to a final stationary position that establishes the focal length of the lens. Control apparatus is responsive to the setting of the switch for operating the motor such that movement of the lens from its initial position to its final position always ends after the lens travels to its final position in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A display device in a camera with a zoom lens, for providing a visual indication of the setting of the zoom lens. It includes a zoom encoder (10) for detecting the zoom lens setting, a liquid crystal display (8) having a plurality of display segments (S1-S15) disposed in an arcuate pattern, and drive circuits (24, 25) for driving the display segments. A micro-computer (20) controls the drive circuits, based on the zoom setting as detected by the zoom encoder (10), such that the state of each of the display segments can be changed by the drive circuits in response to a change in the angle of view of the zoom lens.The display device can provide an intuitively perceivable visual indication with the arcuate array of display segments (S1-S15).