Abstract: In an automatic focusing device for a camera lens, a safety device is provided for insuring that the camera lens will be focused when a coincident auto-focusing point signal is not produced. A movable focus adjustment member for focusing the lens has a first cam thereon defining a plurality of focusing positions and a latch mechanism is coactive with the first cam to select a focusing position in response to the receipt of the signal indicating a coincident auto-focusing point. The safety device includes a second cam on the focus adjustment member defining a focusing position corresponding to a predetermined pan focusing distance between zero and infinity and wherein the latching mechanism is coactive with the second cam when the coincident auto-focusing point signal is not produced.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device controls the setting of an actuating member to effect automatic focusing of a camera lens and is used in conjunction with a focus detecting unit which produces a focus detection signal corresponding to the object distance by photoelectrically comparing optical images transmitted by stationary and movable mirror systems. The automatic focusing device comprises pulse generating circuitry for generating pulses at a fixed repetition rate, a first counting circuit for counting pulses such that the number of pulses counted is a function of the angle of displacement of a movable mirror of the movable mirror system during a range scanning operation, and a second counting circuit connected to receive and memorize the pulse count counted by the first counting circuit when a focus detection signal is produced by the focus detecting unit and operative to count pulses such that the number of pulses counted is a function of the extent of movement of the actuating member.

Abstract: In an electric shutter having a photoelectric element, a time constant circuit for use in controlling exposure and a low brightness sensor circuit for use in connecting said photoelectric element in series with a comparator resistance and in sensing a low brightness in reference to its partial voltage, an exposure information input circuit for setting one reference voltage to be applied for determining said trigger levels of the two sensor circuits so as to feed exposure information such as film sensitivity, etc. and further having a function correction circuit between said reference voltage and one of said two sensor circuits.

Abstract: A focal point adjusting and change-over mechanism for an automatic focusing camera, including a mechanism for restricting a position of the camera photographic lens in response to a distance sensing signal, and a change-over mechanism manually operable to at least two positions including an automatic position and a manual position. The restricting mechanism is operative to provide automatic focusing of the lens when the change-over mechanism is set at a position for automatic operation, and the change-over mechanism renders the distance sensing signal or the restricting mechanism inoperative when set at the position for manual operation, and thereby manual focusing is carried out in accordance with the manually set position of the change-over mechanism in the manual position.

Abstract: Automatic focusing adjustor device provided with a focusing sensor signal corresponding to an object distance by photoelectrically comparing an optical image obtainable through a fixed mirror and another optical image obtainable through a movable mirror wherein when the focusing sensor signal is not obtained, two steps of distance adjustment may be made by an output signal from a brightness sensor circuit for use in sensing a brightness of the object.

Abstract: In a program shutter of the type in which the aperture opening gradually increases with the lapse of time, informations such as sensitivity of the film and the object distance are introduced by an electric circuit.The system has a switching circuit for exposure control. The trigger level of the switching circuit is determined in proportion to the film sensitivity and the object distance to vary the exposure control time corresponding to the informations to automatically determine a proper aperture for flash photography.The system is capable of providing a warning indication prior to the shutter operation if the exposure control time thus obtained is longer than the time during which the aperture is fully opened.

Abstract: In a camera of the type including an electronic flash light unit with an oscillating circuit and an electronic shutter which are both supplied with power from a common power supply, an inhibit circuit for an electric flash charge circuit is provided in which a base of the transistor in the oscillating circuit is connected to the output terminal of the exposure control circuit via a semi-conductor switching element. The semi-conductor switching element stops oscillation in the electric flash charge circuit while the exposure control circuit is in operation.

Abstract: The shutter release button operation is interrupted and a warning is given when the shutter release button is depressed in an excessively quick action which may cause camera shake, to prevent faulty photographing. In addition, with provision of a voltage reference function, irregular shutter operation can be prevented by locking the shutter in case the voltage of the power source has dropped under a prescribed level. Simply composed, the system is applicable to the shutter without difficulty.

Abstract: In an electric shutter control circuit capable of properly controlling exposure in response to information concerning exposure parameters, such as subject brightness, the trigger level of the switching circuit controlling the exposure operation is automatically set in proportion to the sensitivity of the film being used by using a specific conductive part provided on the outer surface of the film holder so that the exposure is properly controlled according to the sensitivity of the film loaded in the camera.

Abstract: The system is provided with an optical means capable of forming images obtained through a first light passage and a second light passage. A light detecting system is formed of a plurality of light responsive elements which receive the image. A focus detection signal is obtained by detecting the differential between the maximum and the minimum intensity of the light pattern or the maximum ratio of the maximum intensity to the minimum intensity using the electric output of the light responsive elements corresponding the light pattern of a composite image.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus for a camera is provided with a movable focusing member which adjusts the focus of the photographic lens of a camera and which has a cam section comprising a set of cam-shaped portions which are disposed thereon to effect the positioning of the focusing member in positions corresponding to predetermined object distances. A first arresting mechanism is mounted for movement between a first range of positions in which it is engageable with any one of the cam-shaped portions and a second range of positions in which it cannot engage the cam-shaped portions. A second arresting mechanism moves in response to the movement of the first arresting mechanism into the second range of positions, from a rest position where it does not engage any cam-shaped portions to an operative position where it engages a predetermined one of the cap-shaped portions corresponding to a cam focus.

Abstract: A driving wheel is mounted on the output shaft of a step motor, and a driven wheel engaging with gear wheels on which pointers are set is driven by said driving wheel. The driving wheel and the drive wheel have respective peripheral portions effective to couple the driving wheel with the driven wheel to rotate the driven wheel as the driving wheel rotates of an angular interval of rotation, and for thereafter disengaging the driving member from the driven member.In order to fix the position of a pointer after the driving wheel has finished rotating the driven wheel, the reversal preventing mechanism acts on the said driven wheel or the driving wheel. The driving wheel is driven by a stepping motor having a rotor which intermittently rotates in one direction through a predetermined angular interval to a rest position. The driven wheel is in turn intermittently rotated by the driving wheel to intermittently change the position of the pointer.

Abstract: A driving mechanism including a stepping motor having a rotor which rotates through a certain angular interval each time the stepping motor is energized. A driving member having a plurality of radial slots is mounted for rotation about an axis and is rotated by the rotor. A driven member is mounted for rotation and includes a pin extending therefrom for engaging one of the slots as the driving member rotates and for disengaging from the one of the slots after the driving member has rotated past the certain angular interval, whereby the driven member is rotated through the certain angular interval upon energization of the stepping motor. The driving member includes arcuate peripheral portions over a limited angular extent and concentric with the axis of rotation of the driving member. The driven member includes concave arcuate portions of limited angular extend spaced about the periphery thereof.

Abstract: In a programming electric shutter for a camera, the photoconductive element receiving light from the subject to be photographed comprises a plurality of photoelectric bodies. An exposure multiple setting device permits using one or more of the photoelectric bodies selectively according to the exposure factors or the sensitivity of the film to be used.

Abstract: A polarized drive rotor having opposite polarity poles is rotatably arranged in the magnetic field developed by a coreless field coil and a polarized auxiliary rotor also having opposite polarity poles is arranged and magnetically coupled to the drive rotor so as to displace, the drive rotor through a preselected angle with respect to the direction of the magnetic field developed by the coreless field coil. An output is taken out of either one of the polarized rotors to drive a gear train and accordingly drive a clock hand. Electric drive circuitry applies a forward electric current to the field coil to rotationally advance the rotors and after the rotors stop and when a preselected time has passed since the energization of the coil, the rotors are rotated again in the same direction by applying a reverse electric current to the coil. In this way the clock hand can be driven stepwise at intervals of preselected constant time.

Abstract: Electric timing circuitry for a camera comprises a series connection of a resistor and capacitor with the junction point of the two being connected to the input of a switching circuit. A series circuit composed of a starting switch for initiating the timing cycle and a source switch for connecting the circuitry to a source of electric energy is connected in parallel with the capacitor. The single capacitor performs the dual role of functioning as a timing capacitor and compensating for switch chatter of the source switch.

Abstract: An electronic camera shutter control circuit having an indicator for indicating when the camera shutter is open. A circuit responsive to a control signal controls a current flow through an electromagnet which is energized during the opening of the camera shutter to prevent the shutter release mechanism from closing the shutters. An indicating element indicates that current is flowing through the electromagnet and therefore indicates that the shutter is open. A control circuit having a photoresponsive element develops a control signal determined by the brightness of the scene to be photograhed and applies the control signal to the circuit responsive to the control signal. The control circuit includes a capacitor which is charged at a rate determined by the conductivity of the photoresponsive element which varies according to the light sensed.