CH637222A5 - PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA WITH AUTO FOCUS. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photographic camera with a lens that can be converted by a power drive as a function of a signal emitted by an automatic distance measuring device into a focus that corresponds to the distance of the object.

Lenses with a variable focal length and apparatuses which use such lenses, such as photo cameras, telescopes and the like, are known and their operation is within the scope of the prior art. A camera with a lens of variable focal length and with a focal length control device for the automatic focusing of image-forming light rays of a distant object in the film plane of the camera on the basis of a signal output by a range finder, which is characteristic of the distance between the camera and the object is also known. A camera with such a control device, which uses acoustic energy to determine the distance of the object from the camera, is described in US Pat. No. 3,522,764.

A bidirectional controller, i.e. Focal length control means which, upon a control command, moves the movable element of the lens in one direction or another from any initial position within the normal focal length range of the lens to focus the lens also belongs to the prior art. An example of such a device is also described in the aforementioned American patent.

Another type of control device for a lens of variable focal length is sometimes referred to as a one-way control device in that the moving or focusing element of such a lens is always moved from the same or known reference point by which

To achieve focus adjustment. Although such an element can be moved in each of the two axial directions, no focal length adjustment is made if it moves within the focal length range in the direction of the reference point s. A one-way control device of this type is significantly less complex than a two-way control device, since the continuous monitoring of the lens element movement when moving towards the reference point is eliminated. The cost savings achievable with a one-way control device er-10 compared to a two-way control device make the former interesting for the designer. An example of such a one-way controller for a variable focal length camera lens is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,713,371. 15 If a single-use control device for a lens of variable focal length is used, the movable element of this lens must be returned to a known reference point, as already mentioned. In practice, this means that an actuator guides the movable object element quite quickly against a fixed mechanical stop which forms the reference point mentioned, which often causes the movable element to snap back and usually at a fixed distance or displacement stops from this fixed stop. The one-way control device then incorrectly assumes that the movable lens element lies against the stop or is positioned in the mentioned reference point and therefore incorrectly adjusts the focus of the lens in proportion to this bounce distance or to the displacement. But even if the movable element is positioned exactly on a given reference point, there is a fairly loose coupling between the movable element and the actuator driving it, which enables the latter to travel a finite distance before it moves the objective lens element offset; this can also result in incorrect focusing of the objective by this one-way control device as a result of the movement over this finite distance.

In a control device for a variable focal length lens, it is sometimes advantageous to be able to use the lens movement as a trigger to trigger a function or series of functions related to the lens. If this release takes place sufficiently within the focal length range of this lens, the movement of the lens can often be used directly as a release or starting means. However, if the triggering has to take place exactly at one or the other end of the focal length range of this lens having a variable focal length, certain problems arise, especially if the process is to be triggered in the same position and also to be ended. In such a situation, lens movement is necessary before an operation is triggered at one end or the other of the focal length range. According to the definition, the process cannot therefore take place before the lens has moved, at least a finite distance 55 from its starting point, which necessarily leads to an error at the start of the process which is proportional to the finite distance. While this error can be reduced, it cannot be completely eliminated. However, even if it has been reduced to a value that could at best still be regarded as 60 acceptable, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to build switches that open and close at exactly the same point according to the lens movement, whether it is is a rotary or longitudinal movement. This difference between the open and the closed position 65 of the movable element of such a lens for the purpose of opening and closing the switch can lead to the introduction of additional control devices or to errors in the processes involving the use of the lens movement

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for triggering and / or ending operations on a transmitter 20 and a timer 22 operating simultaneously

Ends of the focal length range appear impractical. The transmitter 20 sends an acoustic energy surge in let. Direction of object 16, and the timer starts with

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of generating a series of pulses in the same temporal invention, there is a device focal length control distance. A counter 24 counts the pulses generated by the clock generator 22 for a lens with a variable focal length and transmits them to a decoder 26 and one which detects the lens from its normal firing counter 28. After receiving an acoustic echo from the If the upper area is moved out in order to provide a precisely defined reference object 16 due to the energy surge reflected by the transmitter 20, from which or to which this has been achieved, a receiver 30 generates a signal and transmits it, each lens being moved by its variable Focal length according to a timer 22 to be set precisely by a locking OR gate. 32, in order to stop the timer 22 at a point in time, in addition the lens movement outside the normal the number of pulses generated by the characteristic focal length range is used to be switch or nend for the entire time that the energy surge required, lens movement To actuate the scanning means, the actuation of which is used to reach the object 16 from the range finder 14 and the weighing or state is used to control functions which return to the range finder 14. The speed of sound, which is related to either the focal length setting in air, is known, and thus, when one stands by or supports the time, and / or other devices for transmitting an energy surge and receiving one to control the one associated with it called lens combined, echoes from the same could be needed by a distant object. the distance to this distant object can be easily determined

20 den. When the clock designated 22, 124 pulses

The invention is generated with the aid of the accompanying drawings before the receiver 30 shows a reflection of the transmitter, for example, in greater detail. Receives 20 radiated acoustic energy, sends the decorative

1 shows a circuit diagram of the automatic focal length dier 26 dn signal through the locking OR gate 32 control device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the timer 22 in order to activate it after the 124 pulses.

form of the present invention, 25 hold. Decoder 26 limits the clock

Fig. 2 is an end view of the motor mounted on the lens- this number of pulses, because it the depth setting «infinite-

driven encoder gear, which represent the lens movement of the lens 18 to any beyond this position

actuated switch and the tapping module for scanning the young j; jende object, which otherwise the clock 22 to more

Lens position, ajs ^ 24 pulses would tempt as in the depth of field

3 shows a schematic representation of the entire movement lying down.

range of the controlled by the control device as already mentioned; the gate 32 is a locking focal length lens, OR gate, which means that if a normal Fig. 4 is removed, a circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment input signal to the gate 32 will result in the output of an automatic or manually operable control signal at the gate 32 is maintained. This results from a device with manual setting of the same when> that when an output signal at a logic gate changes from manual to automatic operation, this signal returns to the input signal of the Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment, in which the same gate is fed in, so that the gate in its conductive position, which automatically changes over to the state after manual operation. The output signal from gate 32 is only automatic mode, then canceled when the gate is triggered by a pulse

6 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment according to FIG. 4 40 a monostable multivibrator 34 is generated, back with a two-stage switch, the first stage being primarily used for control), this multivibrator then generating the pulse,

Focusing and the other primarily for controlling a film - when the switch Si is closed.

exposure cycle is used, and

7 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 5, in a control device 10 for lenses with variable

also with a two-stage switch, similar to Fig. 6. 45 focal length, the setting, i.e. the movement of

In Fig. 1, a circuit diagram of an automatic control lens 18 is only started by the focal length control part of this device for focusing a lens of the variable device 10 when the distance to the focal length is shown in a preferred embodiment Object as object 16 was first determined. poses. A (not shown) current source is at a terminal If an output signal appears at the locking OR gate 32 of a spring-loaded, manually operated, single-pole switch S j 50, the distance to the object 16 has already been determined, and one terminal of one actuate the lens movement, as it relates to the control part 35 of the device 10, th single-pole switch Sp connected via a terminal 12. If the output signal of the gate 32 with the signal S! From the output of the switch Sj either the signal Sx closed switch Si appears, an AND gate or Sb is combined when this switch Sj is actuated. Signal Sx 36 is conductive and sends a forward motion signal to appear at the output of switch S1; if the switch Sx 55 drive motor 38 until the focus is completed; the Ob-is closed, and the signal Sj appears at the output of the jective holder 39 and the movable element of the lens 18 switch Sl5 when it is open. The signal Sp appears on the are in the feed direction for the purpose of setting the output of the switch Sp when it is closed. A hinge moves. A coding wheel 40 is mounted in a fixed relationship 711 m punch finder 14 determines the distance from the object 16 to the lens holder 39, and thus the movement of this focus adjustment of the 60 focusing wheel 40 having a variable focal length is characteristic of the position of the lens holder lens 18. The distance finder 14 can to be optical is 39 and the movable element of the Ob mounted on it, but preferably of an acoustic type, similar to that in US 18.

Patent Specification No. 3,522,764 or in Patent Application No. A tapping module 42 has a light-emitting diode

840 802 shown range finder. and a light-sensitive transistor that is connected to the

The range finder 14 is activated by manually closing the transmitted light of the diode. While the encoder wheel 40

actuated by the spring-loaded switch Sx, this switch rotating in accordance with the movement of the lens holder 39, is usually brought into its open position by the spring force, and the light emitted by the diode to the transistor is brought through. When switch Sx is closed, slots in wheel 40 are alternately interrupted and cleared again.

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given. The light-sensitive transistor in the tapping module 42 thereby generates pulses which are characteristic of the position of the lens holder 39 and of the movable element of the lens 18. The pulses emitted by the tapping module 42 are transmitted to a counter 28 and counted there. When the number of pulses generated by the timer 22 and the tapping module 42 reaches a combined total of 128 in the counter 28, a decoder 44 generates an output signal 46 which indicates that the adjustment of the lens 18 has been completed. This signal indicating the completed setting 46 has the consequence that a monostable multivibrator 48 currently excites a pawl relay 50 which engages a pawl 52 with the coding wheel 40 and thereby stops its movement and the movement of the lens 18. At the same time, this signal 46 is reversed by an inverter 54 and the absence of an output signal from the inverter 54 causes the AND gate 36 to open, thereby interrupting the forward motion signal to the motor 38 so that the moving force acting on the lens holder 39 also disappears. At this point in time, an image is set in the focal point on an image plane, which is imaged by the lens 18.

When the imaging of the object 16 by the lens 18 is complete, the switch Sx is opened. After its opening, a signal Sx is generated at its output and transmitted to an AND gate 56. When the Sx and Sp signals are combined, the AND gate 56 becomes conductive and a reverse signal is sent to the drive motor 38, thereby moving the lens holder 39 and the movable member of the lens 18 in the opposite direction to that in which the lens holder and the Element were moved to focus the lens 18 on the object 16. As already mentioned, the signal Sp is generated when the switch Sp is moved into its closed position. The switch Sp is coupled to the lens holder 39, and it is the movement of the latter that actuates the switch Sp. If the lens holder 39 moves from its initial position against its focusing position, the switch Sp is actuated in the closed position and thereby generates the signal Sp at its output. In contrast to this, when the switch Sp is actuated into its open position by the movement of the lens holder 39 from its focusing position into its initial position, the signal Sp at the output disappears. The operation of the switch Sp depending on the position of the lens holder 39 is an essential part of the present invention, and the operation of this switch with respect to the lens holder 39 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

With further reference to FIG. 1, it should be noted that in addition to the control or logic signals of the switches Si and Sp, these switches can also be used to interrupt all connections to the energy source, the energy of which appears at the terminal 12. The output signals of the switches Si and Sp are also given to an OR gate 58 and from there to as much electrical loads L as desired. When the switch Si is finally opened, the power supply to the control device 10 and to all other loads selected by the switch Sp actuated by the lens movement continues to be maintained. If, however, the switch Sp is moved back into its starting position, it opens, and thus all loads which received current through it and via the terminal 12 are switched off.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the actuator for the lens movement and the lens position sensing means. The movable lens element 59 is mounted on the lens holder 39 for rotation about and along the axis 60. The coding wheel 40 is attached to the lens holder 39,

and the circumference of this wheel 40 is designed as a gear wheel which is coupled to the drive motor 38 via its pinion 62 and the intermediate gear wheel 64.

The variable focal length lens 18 is mounted in the carrier housing (not shown) in a manner similar to that in which the lens according to U.S. Patent No. 3,914,777 is mounted in its carrier housing. The lens holder 39 has a threaded part of circular cross-section which moves in or out of a corresponding thread which contains the fixed elements of the lens 18, as shown in the mentioned patent specification, during the lens holder rotates about the axis of rotation 60 with the movable element 59. The relationship between the drive motor 38 and the movable member 59 of the lens 18 is such that the motor 38 provides the driving force which moves the movable member 59 about the axis thereof.

The coding wheel 40 has a plurality of slots 66 which extend through the wheel 40 and are arranged at the same radial distance from the axis 60 and at the same distance from one another. If the threaded portion of the lens holder 39 of the movable member 59 is rotated while being threaded into the housing that supports the fixed members of the lens 18, there must be a known relationship between the rotational position of the slots 66 with respect to the axis 60 and the axial position of the movable member 59 of the objective 18 can be produced along this axis 60. Once this relationship has been established, the focal length position of the lens 18 can be determined by counting the number of pulses generated by the tapping module 42 while the slots 66 are rotated through the tapping module 42 by means of the motor 38. The details of the interaction of the slots 66 with the tapping module 42 to generate a series of pulses has already been described 35 in FIG. 1.

The coding wheel 40 also has a cam part 68 which protrudes from its front side. When the wheel 40 is rotated clockwise by hand or by means of the drive motor 38, this cam part 68 of the wheel 40 40 finally comes into engagement with the switch Sp and moves it into its open position. The position of the wheel 40 in which the switch Sp is in its open position is referred to below as the waiting position of the lens 18 (FIG. 1). The operation of the control device 10 (FIG. 1) 4s largely depends on the rotational position and the axial position of the movable element 59 of the objective 18 for actuating the switch Sp and for generating pulses by the tapping module 42. For a better understanding, reference is hereby made to FIG. 3 to explain the entire range of motion of the element 59 and the relationship between its movement and the operation of the control device 10. In this figure, the lens 18 is shown as consisting of an element which can be moved along the object distance axis 70 for the purpose of focusing. Each object located within the 55 positions Mj and on the object distance axis 70 is within the normal focal length range of the objective 18 in the image plane 72. Objects in the position Mj on the object distance axis 70 are imaged on the image plane 72 when the objective 18 is in the 60 M position. The distance to an object located in Mx thus represents the minimum focusing distance of the objective 18. An image of the objects 18 located on the object distance axis 70 at 0 ° j is imaged on the image plane 72 by the objective 18 when this objective is located located in the °° point. 65 objects to the left of the position Mj on the object distance axis 70 cannot be imaged sharply on the image plane 72 by the lens 18, which is why objects to the left of this position are considered to be in an area that is outside

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the focus range of the lens 18. Objects between the positions and oo j on the object distance axis 70, however, are in the normal focal length range of the lens 18.

In addition to the movement of the lens 18 within its focal length range, the lens 18 can also be moved outside of it between a position oo and a position P, which represents the waiting position of the lens, or the position in which the switch Sp (FIG. 2) is in open position. In this, the preferred, embodiment, the P or waiting position is between the image plane 72 and the position oo of the lens 18. However, this special position for the waiting position can be chosen freely in terms of design and could also be just as well between the M position and the Minimum focus position Mj lie on axis 70.

After the full range of motion of the objective 18 has been shown, the other structural features which enable the control device 10 to operate and are shown in FIG. 2 will now be described. In this figure the lens 18 is shown in its waiting position, i.e. in the position in which the switch Sp is open. This switch was moved in this position by the cam part 68 of the coding wheel 40, which came into rotary engagement with it. At the command of the control device 10 (FIG. 1), the drive motor 38 drives the coding wheel 40 in the counterclockwise direction, so that the slots 66 finally come to interact with the tapping module 42 in the manner already illustrated. Each movement of the encoder wheel 40 before the time at which the first slot 66A influences the tapping module 42 is referred to below as the waiting movement of the lens or as movement in the waiting position thereof. If the distance finder 14 (FIG. 1) has determined that the distance to an object to be imaged by the lens 18 is infinitely large, the coding wheel 40 is moved by the motor 38 until the slots 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d the tapping module 42 to generate four pulses for delivery to the counter 28 (Fig. 1). Since the range finder 14 has already generated 124 pulses and sent them to the counter 28, these four pulses generated by the coding wheel 40 and the tapping module 42 result in four additional pulses on the counter 28, so that a total of 128 counts is formed. Once the counter 28 has counted these 128 pulses, the lens adjustment movement is ended by the control device 10, as already mentioned. The movement of the lens 18 from the time at which the slot 66A of the wheel 40 first affects the tapping module 42 to the time when the slot 66d of the wheel 40 has ceased to affect the tapping module 42 is hereinafter referred to as the initial movement of the lens because this is the minimum amount of lens movement that must be applied before the automatic focal length control device can correctly set the lens 18 to an object, and it is also the minimum amount of movement required before the lens 18 ends one of them Focal length range reached, which in the present embodiment is the "infinite" position of the objective 18. If any of the slots 66A, 66B, 66C, or 66D were unable to cooperate with the tapping module 42 for pulse generation purposes due to the position of the encoder wheel 40 at the start of focusing, the automatic controller could cause a misregistration that is proportional to the number of the slots so positioned. If fewer than 124 pulses were given to the counter 28 by the range finder 14, the encoder wheel 40 would continue to rotate until the number of pulses generated by the range finder 14 and the number of pulses by the code wheel

40 and the tapping module 42 together generate 128 to move the lens 18 into the correct image position, which was determined by the range finder 14. 1 and 2, the lens 18 is returned to its waiting position 5 (switch Sp open) by pressing the spring-loaded switch Sx (FIG. 1), as already mentioned, when the imaging of the object by the lens is complete. If the lens 18 is in its normal focal length range, the switch Sp is closed, and the signal Sp._ appears at its output io. By opening the switch Sx and generating the signal SL, the latter and the signal Sp are sufficient for the AND gate 56, which thereby becoming a leader. The output voltage of this gate 56 is applied to the drive motor 38, which thereby returns the coding wheel 40 and the lens 18 in the opposite direction to the waiting position (switch Sp open) of the lens 18. When the cam part 68 of the coding wheel 40 touches the switch Sp and moves it into its open position, the power supply to the drive motor 38 is interrupted before the lens holder is stopped by a mechanical stop 74 (FIG. 2). The movement of the coding wheel 40 after the drive motor 38 is switched off depends only on the moments of inertia of the latter, the movable lens element 59 and the coupling between the motor and element 59. The time at which the 25 switch Sp is actuated by the cam part 68 of the coding wheel 40 is not critical as long as at least two conditions are met. One condition is that when the coding wheel 40 is at a standstill and the switch Sp is open, the slot 66a or a corresponding first slot in the coding wheel 40 must be 30 between the tapping module 42 and the position oo of the lens 18. Another condition that must be met and that is closely related to the first condition is that after opening the switch Sp to turn off the motor 38, there is sufficient moment of inertia in the motor 38, in the movable lens element 59 and in the coupling must be present between the latter and the motor 38 in order to move the lens 18 into its waiting position at the point at which the slot 66a of the coding wheel 40 is located between the tapping module 42 and the position “infinite” of the lens 18. If the slots 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d are not between the tapping module 42 and the "infinite" position of the lens 18 when the switch Sp is open, there is a focusing error which is proportional to the number of slots 45 which are not, as mentioned , so positioned. In this preferred embodiment, the switch Sp is moved into its open position before the lens 18 reaches its waiting area as defined in FIG. 2. In addition, the lens holder 39 may or may not be in contact with the mechanical stop 74 when the switch Sp is open. Further conditions can be placed on the control device 10, for example that the lens holder 39 touches the mechanical stop 74 when the switch Sp is open or that the switch Sp opens immediately after the slot 66a of the coding wheel 40 is between the tapping module 42 and the position "Infinite" of the lens 18 moves; however, such conditions are not necessary for the operation of the control device 10 shown.

The control gear device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has generally been shown as a device for focusing a variable focal length lens. However, the full adjustment signal emitted by decoder 44 could be used to trigger 65 an electrically operated shutter mechanism in a still camera or to set such a shutter mechanism and film development cycle in motion in a self-developing camera such as that described by the applicant the brand name "SX-70" is distributed.

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6

The present invention can be used in a fully automatic focal length control device for a photo camera as mentioned above, but is also suitable for a photo camera which has both automatic and manual control of its variable focal length lens, e.g. the camera described in U.S. Patent Application No. 838,585, which is incorporated in and forms a part of the present application. A control device with the present invention for use in the camera according to the mentioned application is shown schematically in FIG. 4.

In this figure, a focal length control device 76 is shown, which uses the movement of a lens 77 of variable focal length outside its normal focal length range in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the control device

76 is an electrical energy source (not shown) with a terminal of a manually operated, spring-loaded, single-pole switch Sx and with a terminal of a single-pole switch Sp actuated by the lens movement via a terminal 78, to which this source is connected. At the output of the switch Si either a signal Sx or a signal Sx appears when it is actuated. The signal Sx appears at the output of the switch Sl5 when it is closed, and the signal Sx appears at the output of this switch when it is open. Similarly, either a signal Sp or Sp appears at the output of the switch Sp when it is operated. The signal Sp appears at the output of the switch Sp when it is closed and the signal Sp when this switch is open.

When the switch Sj is closed for imaging purposes and thereby generates the signal Sx, an AND gate 80 becomes conductive when the switch Sp actuated by the lens movement is open or when the lens 77 is in its waiting area, as previously mentioned. When switch Sp is open, signal Sp appears at AND gate 80, making it conductive when this signal Sp is combined with signal Sx. When the AND gate 80 is conductive, a distance finder means 82 is activated so that it can determine the distance to the object to be recorded, this means 82 working in a similar manner to the distance finder 14 according to FIG. 1. The output voltage of the AND gate 80 also makes a latch OR gate 84 conductive. This gate 84 remains conductive

even if the input signal from the AND gate 80 disappears for the reasons mentioned above, the OR gate 84 only becoming non-conductive when the switch Sx causes a multivibrator 86 to generate a single reset pulse when that switch Sx is in its Closing position is spent. The output voltage of the locking OR gate 84 is applied to the AND gate 88, which remains non-conductive until a focusing means 90 has brought the lens 77 into the position in which the object to be captured is in focus.

After the distance to the object to be recorded is determined by the distance finder means 82, a corresponding signal is given to a locking OR gate 92 and its output voltage is sent to a focal length control means 90 for the adjustment of the lens

77 to begin with. At the locking OR gate 92 there is still a start of focusing signal for the focusing means 90 after the adjusting movement of the lens 77 has moved the switch Sp into its closed position, as a result of which the AND gate 80 is non-conductive and the distance finder means 82 is deactivated, along with its output voltage for the start of focusing. The focus control means 90 operates in a similar manner to the focus control 35 described earlier and shown in Fig. 1. This means 90 sends

Forward drive signal 94 to the drive motor 96, causing it to move a lens holder 98 together with the variable focal length lens 77 to the correct position where the object is in focus; det; this position is sensed by a lens position sensing means, in a manner similar to that in said focus controller 35 (Fig. 1). When the focal length adjustment is complete, a corresponding signal 100 makes the AND gate 88 conductive and the output voltage from this 1 (gate 88 makes an OR gate 102 conductive. The output signal of this gate 102 actuates a shutter mechanism which exposes an instant developer film and then development begins thereon, as is the case in the self-developing camera mentioned above In a camera 15 in which no self-developing film is used, the output voltage of the OR gate 102 merely triggers a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism has ended or, in the case of a camera without film development, the locking mechanism 20 has been fully actuated, a corresponding signal is issued

103 given to an AND gate 104. If the person operating the camera moves the switch Sx into its open position, a signal Sx appears at its output, as a result of which an AND gate 106 becomes conductive because the locking OR gate

25 84 is still conductive, as mentioned, and because the output signal from this gate 84 is present at the input of the AND gate 106 together with the signal Sx. Upon receipt of the signal 103, which indicates the actuation or development carried out, the AND gate 104 becomes conductive because the 30 AND gate 106 has become conductive when the switch Sx has been actuated in its open position, and the signal Sp is already at the input thereof AND gate 104, because the switch Sp has been brought into its closed position as a result of the adjustment movement of the objective 77 through its normal focusing range. When the AND gate 104 is turned on, a reverse drive signal is given to the drive motor 96 so that it moves the lens holder 98 against its starting or waiting position to the point at which the switch Sp was opened by the movement of the lens holder 98 in a manner and manner as has already been described for the control device 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. When the switch Sp is open, the signal Sp disappears from its output and the gate

104 again becomes non-conductive so that the reverse drive signal to motor 96 is interrupted. At this time

45 detects the lens 77 in its waiting position or in the position in which the switch Sp is open.

If the switch Sp had been in the closed position instead of in the open position if the switch Sx had originally been closed, the AND gate 108 would have become conductive instead of the AND gate 80. The switch Sp would be in its closed position if the lens 77 had been set manually by the person operating the camera. When switches Sx and Sp are closed, signals Sx and Sp 55 appear at the input of said gate 108. There is an output voltage from an inverter 110 because there is no output signal from the locking OR gate 84 due to the lack of an output voltage from the AND gate 80 , which would satisfy AND gate 108. An output signal from the so AND gate 108 makes an interlocking OR gate 112 conductive, which remains in its conductive state until, as mentioned, it is reset. An output voltage from this latch OR gate 112 conducts the OR gate 102, which in turn initiates a film exposure and development cycle in the case of a self-development camera, or merely actuates an electrically operated shutter mechanism in the case of a self-development camera. After film exposure or film

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device and development, depending on the case, the lens 77 is not moved back to the point at which the switch Sp opens, and also not to its previously defined waiting position, since there is no input signal from the AND gate 106 which indicates the AND Would make gate 104 conductive. The AND gate 106 remains in its non-conductive state due to the lack of an output signal from the latch OR gate 84. With further reference to Figure 4, it should be noted that in addition to the control or logic signals, the switches Sj and Sp have these switches can also be used to disconnect all loads from the energy source which output power at terminal 78. The output signals of the switches Si and Sp are also applied to the OR gate 114 and from there to as many electrical loads as desired. When the switch Sx is finally opened, current continues to flow to the variable focal length lens controller 76 and to any other selected loads through the lens actuated switch Sp. However, when the lens 77 is returned to its waiting position, the switch Sp opened, and all electrical loads that received current through him and the terminal 78 are thus switched off.

In the control device 76, the lens 77 is automatically returned to its starting position or to the position in which the switch Sp can only be opened if it is open under the condition that the switch S has been closed by hand. Under these conditions, controller 76 can be considered to be in automatic operation. However, if the switch Sp has been closed by manually shifting the lens 77 to its normal focal length range to be manually adjusted to the object to be photographed, then closing the switch Si under these conditions will result in the lens 77 remains in the position in which it was previously set by hand after a film exposure cycle has expired. It is recommended to always return a lens to its automatic position or to the open position of the switch Sp after the image has been taken, so that the control device of the lens always automatically adjusts the object to be photographed after the switch Sx is closed, unless the lens is inside by hand its normal focal length range some time after opening the switch Sx. Such a device is shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 5.

The control device 116 shown there uses the movement of a lens 118 of variable focal length outside its normal focal length range, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this control device 116, an electrical energy source (not shown) is connected to the one terminal of a manually operated, spring-loaded, single-pole switch Sj and to a terminal of a single-pole switch Sp actuated by the lens movement via a terminal 120, to which this energy source is connected. After the switch Sx has been actuated, either a signal Sj or a signal Sx appears at the output. The signal Sx appears at the output of the switch Sj when it is closed, while the signal Sj appears at the output when the switch Sx is open. Similarly, either a signal Sp or Sp appears at the output of switch Sp when the latter is actuated. The signal Sp then appears at the output of this switch when it is closed, and the signal Sp then appears at the output when the switch Sp is open.

When the switch Sx is closed for recording purposes and thereby generates a signal Sx at its output, an AND gate 122 becomes conductive when the switch Sp actuated by the lens movement is open or when the lens 118 is

as mentioned, is in its waiting position. If the switch Sp is open, the signal Sp appears at the AND gate 122, which makes it conductive when this signal Sp is combined with the signal Sx. If the AND gate 122 becomes conductive, a 5 distance finder means 124 is activated so that it can determine the distance to an object to be recorded, and operates in a similar manner to the distance finder 14 according to FIG. 1. The output signal from the AND Gate 122 also makes an interlocking OR gate 126 conductive. This remains conductive even if the input from the AND gate 122 disappears for reasons already mentioned, this OR gate 126 only becoming non-conductive when the switch Sx causes a multivibrator 128 to generate a single reset pulse when this switch Sx is closed. The output voltage of the locking OR gate 126 is applied to an AND gate 130, which remains non-conductive until a focusing means 132 has brought the lens 118 into its correct position, in which the object is in focus. After the distance to the object 20 to be recorded has been determined by the distance finder 124, a corresponding signal is sent to the locking OR gate 134, from which an output signal is transmitted to a focal length control means 132 in order to focus the lens 118 to start. At the lock 25 OR gate 134, a focus start signal for the focusing means 132 remains after the movement of the lens 118 has closed the switch Sp, whereby the AND gate 122 becomes non-conductive and the distance finder mitrel 124 is deactivated, together with its focus start signal for the Focus 30 medium 132.

The focus control means 132 operates in a similar manner to the controller 35 partially described above and shown in FIG. 1. The control means 132 sends a 35 forward drive signal 136 to a drive motor 138, thereby causing the lens holder 140 together with the lens 118 to be correct Position in which the object is in focus; this position is sensed by a lens positioning means similar to that in the controller 35 40 (FIG. 1). When focus is complete, a corresponding signal 142 makes an AND gate 130 conductive and the output voltage of this gate 130 makes an OR gate 144 conductive. Its output voltage actuates a shutter mechanism which exposes an instant developer film and then initiates its development in a manner similar to that in the self-developer camera already mentioned. In a camera in which no self-developed film is used, the output voltage of the OR gate 144 only triggers a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism. After development has ended or, in the case of a camera without self-development, after the shutter has been fully actuated, a corresponding signal 146 is sent to an AND gate 148. If the switch Sx has been opened by the person operating the camera, the signal Sx is generated at its output and this causes an AND gate 150 to be conductive because the locking OR gate 126 is still in the conductive state and the output voltage from gate 126 is present at the input of AND gate 150. The AND gate 148 becomes conductive upon receipt of the signal 146 because the AND-60 gate 150 has become conductive through the opening of the switch Sx, and the output voltage of this AND gate 150 is connected to the input of the AND gate 148 via the OR - Gate 152 connected. The signal Sp is always present at the input of the AND gate 148 because the switch Sp was closed when the lens 65 was moved against its normal focal length range. When the AND gate 148 becomes conductive, the drive motor 138 receives a feedback signal and in turn moves the lens holder 140 against the waiting position to the point in

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8th

which the switch Sp has been opened by the movement of the lens holder 140. After opening the switch Sp, the signal Sp disappears from its output, and the AND gate 148 becomes non-conductive again and therefore interrupts the return signal to the drive motor 138. At this time, the lens 118 is in its waiting position or in the position in which the Switch Sp is open.

If switch Sp had been in its closed instead of in its open position if switch St had originally been closed, then AND gate 154 would have become conductive instead of AND gate 122. The switch Sp would have been in the closed position if the lens 118 had been manually adjusted by the operator. When the switches Sx and Sp are closed, the signals Sj and Sp appear at the input to the AND gate 154. There is an output signal from the inverter 156 because there is no output signal from the locking OR gate due to the lack of an output signal from the AND gate 122 126 is present, which would satisfy the AND gate 154. An output voltage from the AND gate 154 makes the latch OR gate 158 conductive, and this gate 158 remains conductive until it is reset. An output voltage from this gate 158 makes the OR gate 144 conductive, which in turn initiates a film exposure and development cycle in the case of a self-development camera or only operates a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism in the case of a camera without self-development. After film exposure or film exposure and development has ended, depending on the case, a corresponding signal 146 is sent to the AND gate 148. When the switch Sx has been opened by a person operating the camera and thereby generates a signal Sx at its output, an AND gate 160 becomes conductive because the latch OR gate 158 is still in the conductive state and the The output of this gate 158 and the signal Sx are present at the input of the AND gate 160 mentioned. The AND gate 148 becomes conductive upon receipt of the signal 146 because the AND gate 160 has become conductive through the opening of the switch Sx, and the output voltage of this AND gate 160 is at the input of the AND gate 148 via the OR gate 152 available. The signal Sp is already present at the input of the AND gate 148 because the switch Sp was closed against its normal focal length range by the movement of the lens 118. When the AND gate 148 becomes conductive, the drive motor 138 receives a feedback signal and in turn now moves the lens holder 140 against the waiting position to the point at which the switch Sp is opened by the movement of the lens holder 140. When the switch Sp is finally opened, the signal Sp disappears from its output and the AND gate 148 becomes non-conductive again, thereby interrupting the feedback signal to the motor 138. At this time, the lens 118 is in its waiting position or in the position in which the switch Sp is open.

With reference to FIG. 5, it should also be noted that in addition to the control or logic signals coming from the switches Si and Sp, these switches can also be used to disconnect all loads from the energy source which emit energy at the terminal 120. The output voltages of switches St and Sp are also given to an OR gate 162 and then to as many electrical loads as desired. When the switch St finally opens, the switch Sp actuated by the lens movement continues to apply energy to the control device 116 and to any other selected loads. However, when the lens 118 returns to its waiting position, the switch Sp is opened, as a result of which all electrical loads which receive their current via this switch Sp and the terminal 120 are switched off.

If the control device 76 (FIG. 4) adjusts the lens 77 to the object to be photographed and a person operating the camera is able to see this object during the setting, as in a single-eye reflex camera, 5 this person may have the need to want to prevent recording after the setting has been made and before the film exposure cycle begins. The focal length control device is changed from that according to FIG. 4 in that the switch Sx is replaced by two switches or, as an alternative, by a single switch with two stages. One switch or level is used primarily for focusing and the other switch or level is primarily used to control the recording process.

6, this focal length control device 164 15 is shown with a two-stage switch, one stage serving primarily for adjusting the lens and the other primarily for controlling the film exposure, and using movement of the lens 166 outside its normal focal length range , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the control device 164 is a (not shown) electrical energy source with a clamp of a manually operated, spring-loaded, single-pole switch S1F, with a clamp of a manually operated, spring-loaded, single-pole switch S1T and with a clamp of a 25 single-pole switch Sp actuated by the lens movement via the clamp 168 connected to which this energy source is connected. Switches S1F and Slx are mechanically interconnected to form a two-stage switch, so switch S1F must first be closed 30 before switch S1T can be closed. When the switch S1F is actuated, either a signal S1F or S1F appears at its output. The first signal appears at the switch output when it is closed, and the second signal appears at the switch output when it is open. In the same way, either a signal S1T or a signal S1T appears at the output of switch S1T when switch S1T is actuated. The first signal appears at the switch output when it is closed and the second signal appears at the switch output when it is open. Also 40 appears at the output of the switch Sp either a signal Sp or Sp when this is actuated. The signal Sp appears when the switch Sp is closed, the other signal appears when the switch is open.

The switch S1F primarily controls the automatic adjustment of the lens 166. If it is closed for this purpose and thereby generates the signal S1F, an AND gate 170 becomes conductive when the switch Sp actuated by the lens movement is open or the lens is moving 166, as mentioned, is on hold. If this switch Sp is open, the signal Sp appears at the input to the AND gate 170 and makes it conductive when this signal is combined with the signal S1F. When the AND gate 170 is conductive, a distance finder 172 is activated so that it can determine the distance to the object to be recorded, whereby it works 55 in a similar manner to the distance finder 14 already described and shown in FIG. 1. Gate 170 also makes interlocking OR gate 174 conductive. This gate 174 remains conductive even if the input voltage from gate 17Ò disappears and does not become conductive again until the 60 switch S1F causes a multivibrator 176 to generate a single reset pulse when the switch S1F is closed. The output voltage of the lock OR gate 174 is applied to the input of an AND gate 178 which remains in a non-conductive state until a focus means of the lens 166 of variable focal length has shifted to the correct position in which the object is in focus and until the switch Slx has been closed.

After the distance of the object to be recorded has been determined by the distance finder 172, a signal indicating the complete area is sent to a locking OR gate 182, the output voltage of which is transmitted to the focal length control means 180 in order to start the adjustment of the lens 166 there . An adjustment start signal for the focusing means 180 remains on the interlocking OR gate 182 after the focusing movement of the lens 166 has closed the switch Sp, whereby the AND gate 170 becomes non-conductive and deactivates the distance finder 172 together with its adjustment starting voltage. The focal length control means 180 operates in a similar manner to the focal length control 35 (FIG. 1). It sends a forward drive signal 184 to the drive motor 186, which brings the lens holder 188 together with the variable focal length lens 166 to the correct position where the object is in focus, this position by a lens position sensing means similar to that in the controller 35 (Fig. 1) is scanned. When the setting is complete, a corresponding signal 190 is sent to the AND gate 178. This remains in a non-conductive state until the switch S1T is closed for image acquisition purposes. However, if the person operating the camera is determined not to begin a film exposure cycle after the adjustment has been made, they can only release or open switch S1F, which places lens 166 in its waiting position or in the position in which switch Sp is open. The movement of the lens 166 into this position under the conditions mentioned takes place because the signals S1F and S1T are present at the input of an AND gate 192 when the switches S1F and S1X are open, while the signal Sp is already at the input of this gate 192 is present because the switch Sp was closed when the lens 166 moved to its normal focal length range. There would also be an output voltage from an inverter 193 because an AND gate 194 would be in a non-conductive state due to the lack of an exposure start signal from an OR gate 195. The function of this gate 194 is to prevent the lens 166 from moving to its original state before a film exposure cycle is complete. In the presence of the signals Sp, SiF, S1T and an output voltage from the inverter 193 at the input of the AND gate 192, this becomes conductive and sends an inverse movement signal to the drive motor 186 via an OR gate 196, which moves the lens holder 188 against the waiting position 166 at one point shifts in which the switch is opened by this lens movement in a similar manner as in the control device 10 already described and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the switch Sp is finally opened, the signal Sp disappears from its output and the AND gate 192 becomes non-conductive, so that it interrupts the movement reversal signal to the drive motor 186. At this time, the lens 166 is in its waiting position or in the position in which the switch Sp is open.

If, on the other hand, the switch S1T is closed when the signal 190 is present at the input of the AND gate 178 via the setting that has been made, the signal S1T appears at the output of the switch S1T and the AND gate 178 becomes conductive. The output voltage of this gate causes an interlocking OR gate 198 to become conductive and the output from this gate 198 causes an OR gate 195 to become conductive. The output voltage of the gate 195 actuates a shutter mechanism which exposes and then starts developing an instant developer film like that in the above-mentioned camera for self-developer films. In a camera that does not use self-developed films, the output of OR gate 195 only triggers a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism. After be9 637 222

development or, in the case of a camera without developer film, a corresponding signal 200 is given to an AND gate 202 after the shutter mechanism has been fully actuated. When the switch S1F is released or opened by the operator, the signal S1F is generated at its output and an AND gate 204 becomes conductive because the lock OR gate 174 is still in the conductive state and its output voltage appears at the input of the AND gate 204 together with the signal S1F. The AND gate 202 is

10 conductive after receipt of the termination signal 200, because the AND gate 204 became conductive when the switch S1F was opened and because the signal Sp is already present at the input of this AND gate 202, because the switch Sp due to the movement of the lens 166 against it normal focal length range

15 was closed. When the AND gate 202 becomes conductive, a motion reversal signal is sent through the OR gate 196 to the motor 186, causing the motor 186 to move the lens holder 188 against its home or waiting position until the switch Sp is opened. If the switch Sp is finally opened, the signal Sp disappears from its output and the gate 202 becomes non-conductive again, as a result of which it interrupts the movement reversal signal to the motor 186. At this time, the lens 166 is in its waiting position or in the position in which the switch Sp is open 25.

If the switch Sp were closed instead of open if the switch S1F had originally been closed, the AND gate 170 would have become non-conductive and the focal length setting by the control means 180 would not have been carried out. The switch Sp would be in its closed position if the lens 166 had been set manually by an operator. In order to start an image acquisition sequence in this situation, the switch S1T must be closed. With switches S1T and Sp closed, the signals S1T and Sp appear at the input of gate 206. There would also be an output voltage from an inverter 208, since none of the interlocking OR gate 174 due to the lack of an output voltage from the AND gate 170 Output voltage would be present. An output voltage from AND gate 206 makes a latch OR gate 210 conductive, which remains in this state until, as mentioned earlier, it is reset. An output voltage from this gate 210 makes the OR gate 195 conductive, which in turn triggers a film exposure and development cycle in the case of a camera for 45 self-developed films or only actuates a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism in the case of a camera without self-developed films.

Upon completion of film exposure or film exposure and development, both of which are referred to herein as film exposure cycle 50, as appropriate, the termination signal 200 makes the AND gate 194 conductive, which means that there is no output voltage on the inverter 193 and that the lens 166 remains in position Consequence in which the object is in focus.

It should be noted from FIG. 6 that in addition to the control or logic signals provided by switches S1F and Sp, these switches can also be used to disconnect one and all loads from the energy source supplying terminal 168. The output voltages 60 of switches S1F and Sp are also applied to an OR gate 214 and then to as many electrical loads as desired. When the switch S1F is finally opened, current continues to flow through the lens actuated switch Sp to the controller 164 and to any selected load. However, when the lens 166 has finally returned to its waiting position, the switch Sp is open and all electrical loads receiving current through it and the terminal 168 are switched off.

637 222 10

If the control device 116 according to FIG. 5 has the objectifying means 232, the objective 218 in the correct position vertically 118 from a variable focal length to a subject to be recorded, in which the object is in the focal point, adjusts and adjusts the camera Person operating this Ob- and the switch S1T was closed.

ject during the adjustment, as in a single-lens reflex camera, this operator may need 5 After the distance to the object to be captured, the image after the end of the adjustment and before by the distance finder 224 has been determined, the beginning of the film exposure cycle to prevent. 7 is given opposite the OR gate 234, and its output voltage is changed in FIG. 5 in that the switch St by two to a focal length control means 232 to replace the switches or, alternatively, by a single switch with the lens 218 set from variable focal length to two stages. A switch or level is primarily ginned. At the locking OR gate 234 there remains a signal for the control of the focal length setting and the other speaking signal for the focusing means 232 after the switch or the other stage has primarily closed the switch Sp for controlling the focusing movement of the lens 218.

Image acquisition provided. sen ^ at 'whereby the AND gate 222 becomes non-conductive and the i5 distance finder means 224 together with its focusing

7 shows the focal length control device 216 with ginn output voltage deactivated. The control means 232 comprises a two-stage switch, one stage primarily for operating in a manner similar to the lens setting described above and the other primarily for controlling the film and control 35 shown in FIG. 1. The control means exposure cycle is intended and movement of the 232 sends a forward motion signal 236 to an objective lens 218 of variable focal length outside of its normal drive motor 238, whereupon the latter uses the lens holder 240 together focal length range in accordance with men with the lens 218 in the correct position , a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the object is in focus; this message. In the control device 216, an electrical energy source (not shown by a lens position scanning means) is scanned with a clamp of a manual one in the controller 35 (FIG. 1). After actuated, spring-loaded, single-pole switch S1F, with a 25 digit setting, a corresponding signal 242 is given to the terminal of a manually operated, spring-loaded, single-pole AND gate 230. This remains non-conductive until

Switch S1T and with a clamp of a single-pole switch Sp actuated by the lens switch S1T for the start of the film exposure cycle via the clamp 220. However, the camera operating to which this energy source is connected should be connected. Person has the need to start the film exposure cycle after the switches S1F and Sx F are not mechanically linked to one another, they can only do that to form a two-stage switch in such a way that the switch S1F can be released or opened, whereby the lens switch S1F must be closed before the switch SiT 218 can be closed in its waiting position or in its open the switch Sp. At the output of the switch SiF, the earth position is returned. This movement of the lens, when actuated, appears to be either a signal S1F or SiF. The first-mentioned signal appears at the output of switch 35 because both signals S1F and SiT at the input of an S1F, if the latter is closed, while the other signal is present at AND gate 244, when the switches S1F and S1X open output appears when the switch S1F is open. In the same net are; the signal Sp is already at the input of the AND gate. When the switch SiT is actuated, it appears at its output 244, because the switch Sp releases either a signal S1T or S1T at its output when the lens gear is in motion Focal length range was closed, neither a signal SiT or SiX. The former appears there when an output voltage from an inverter would be closed, the switch S1X is closed, while the other is present when the 245 is open because an AND gate 246 appears due to the absence of a net switch. Likewise, at the output of the exposure start signal from an OR gate 247 non-switch Sp appears when actuated either a signal Sp or tend. The function of this AND gate 246 is to operate the Sp. The former appears at the output if the switch Sp prevents lens 218 from being closed to its initial state, while the other signal returns with switch 45 open before the film exposure cycle is complete . Appears with. the signals Sp, S1F, Srr and an output voltage from the

The switch S1F primarily controls the automatic setting 245 at the input of the AND gate 244, this conducts the lens 218 of variable focal length. When it closes and sends a motion reversal signal through an OR gate closed for this purpose and thereby at its output 248 to the drive motor 238. The drive motor 238 moves a signal S1F, an AND gate 222 becomes conductive when the 50 contacts the lens holder 240 the waiting position of the lens by the lens movement operated switch Sp is open or 218 to the point at which the switch Sp is in the position when the lens 218 is opened in its previously mentioned waiting lens holder 240 in a manner . If the switch Sp is open, the signal Sp appears at the input similar to that in the control device 10 according to FIG. 1 of an AND gate 222, as a result of which this gate 222 is 1 and 2. When the switch Sp is finally opened,

becomes conductive when the signal mentioned comes with the signal SiF, the signal Sp disappears from an output and is AND-binated. When the AND gate 222 is conductive, a distance sub gate 244 becomes non-conductive, whereby it activates the movement reversing means 224, so that it interrupts the distance between one signal and the motor 238. At this point in time, the receiving object can determine, whereby this means 224, the lens 218 works in its waiting position or in a manner similar to the distance finder 14 position, in which the switch Sp is open. If, on the other hand, according to FIG. 1. The output voltage of the AND gate 222 makes 60 the switch Slx is closed when the signal 242 is also conductive via the locking OR gate 226. This gate 226 completed setting at the input of the AND gate 230 remains conductive, even if the input voltage from the AND signal SiX at the output of this switch disappears, and gate 222 disappears, and only becomes non-conductive again when the AND gate 230 becomes a leader. The output voltage of this SiF switch, a gate multivibrator 228, causes an interlocking OR gate 250 to conduct individual reset pulses when this switch 65 and the output voltage from this gate 250 cause SiF to close. The output voltage of the lock- an OR gate 247 conducts. The output voltage of the last

OR gate 226 is actuated on the input of a gate called AND gate, a closing mechanism which gives 230, which remains non-conductive until a focus film exposes a self-developed film and thereupon the

11

637 222

development process begins, as in the self-development camera described above. In a camera without the use of self-developed film, the output voltage of the OR gate 247 only triggers a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism. After development has been completed or, in the case of a camera without a self-developing film, after the shutter mechanism has been fully actuated, a corresponding signal 252 is sent to an AND gate 254. When the operator releases or opens switch S1F, a signal S1F is generated at its output and an AND gate 256 becomes conductive because the latch OR gate 226 is still conductive and the output of this gate_226 at the input of the AND gate 256 is present together with the signal S1F. The AND gate 254 becomes conductive after receipt of the signal 252 because the AND gate 256 has become conductive due to the opening of the switch S1F, and the signal Sp is already present at the input of the AND gate 254 because the switch Sp is caused by movement of the Lens 218 has been closed in its normal focal length range. When the AND gate 254 is conductive, a motion reversal signal is sent via the OR gate 248 to the motor 238, which pushes the lens holder 240 back against its starting or waiting position until the switch Sp is opened. Through this eventual opening of the switch Sp, the signal Sp disappears from its output and the gate 254 becomes non-conductive so that it interrupts the movement reversal signal to the motor 238. At this time, the lens 218 is in its waiting position or in the position in which the switch Sp is open.

If this switch Sp had been closed instead of open when the switch S1F was initially closed, the AND gate 222 would have become non-conductive, and therefore the lens 232 could not have been adjusted by the control means 232. The switch Sp would be in the closed position if the lens 218 had been manually adjusted by the operator. In order to trigger an image recording sequence in this situation, the switch Slx must be closed. With switches S1T and Sp closed, the signals S1X and Sp appear at the input of gate 258. There would also be an output voltage from an inverter 260, because due to the lack of an output voltage from AND gate 222, there is no output voltage from interlocking OR gate 226 is. An output voltage from AND gate 258 makes an OR gate 262 conductive, and this gate remains in its conductive state until, as previously mentioned, it is reset. An output voltage from this gate 262 conducts the OR gate 247, which in turn initiates the film exposure and development cycle in the case of a self-developing film camera, or merely operates a conventional, electrically operated shutter mechanism in the case of a camera without a self-developing film. Upon completion of film exposure or exposure and development, both of which are to be referred to as the film exposure cycle, as the case may be, termination signal 252 turns AND gate 254 conductive when switch S1F has been opened. If this switch is open, the signal S1F appears at its output and at the input of the AND gate 264. With this signal S1F at the input to the gate 264, this becomes conductive because now the output voltage from the previously locked gate 262 also at the input of the gate AND gate 264 is present. The output voltage of the now conductive gate 264 appears at the input of the AND gate 254 when the OR gate 257 has become conductive due to an output voltage from the AND gate 264. The signal Sp is already present at the input of the AND gate 254 because the switch Sp was closed in its normal focal length range by the movement of the lens 218. With the AND gate 254 conducting, a drive reverse signal becomes the motor

238 sent via the OR gate 248, whereupon the motor moves the lens holder 240 back against its starting or waiting position until the switch Sp is opened by said lens holder 240. The OR gate 248 would also conduct the AND gate 244 through 5, because if the switch S1F is open, the switch S1X must also be open, and therefore the signals S1F, S1T and Sp appear at the input of the AND gate 244 together with an output voltage from inverter 245 and make this AND gate 244 conductive. After the io film exposure cycle has ended, an output voltage appears at the output of the AND gate 246, which renders this gate non-conductive, which results in an output voltage from the inverter 245 mentioned. When the switch Sp is finally opened, the signal Sp disappears from its output and the AND gates 244 15 and 254 become non-conductive, as a result of which they interrupt the reverse signal to the drive motor 238. At this time, the lens 218 is in its waiting position or in the position in which the switch Sp is open. 7, it should be noted that in addition to the control or logic signals generated by the 20 switches S1F and Sp, these switches can also be used to disconnect any and all of the loads from the power source that are delivering current to terminal 220. The outputs of switches S1F and Sp are also applied to an OR gate 266 and then 25 to as many electrical loads as desired. When the switch S1F is finally opened, current continues to flow via the switch Sp actuated by the lens movement to the control device 216 and to any other selected loads. However, when the lens finally returns to its waiting position, the switch Sp is opened, and thus all electrical loads which receive current via the switch Sp and the terminal 220 are switched off.

Some general considerations are made below. A lens with a variable focal length contains both fixed and movable lens elements for its 35 setting. In a conventional lens of this type, the movable element can be moved between both ends of its focal length range for adjustment purposes. In such a conventional lens, movement of this movable element over a considerable distance outside its normal focal length range would bring this element into contact with an element which is relatively fixed to it. The focal length characteristics of a conventional variable focal length lens must be changed to provide additional clearance between the fixed and movable lens elements to accommodate the concept of the present invention.

The switch Sp actuated by the lens, which can either be mechanical or a solid or a combination of both, can be actuated directly by moving the lens outside its normal focal length range, as described above, or indirectly by means that sense this lens movement . The control devices for the lens shown here are operationally described in only 55 of a number of possible different embodiments. Furthermore, these functions are not necessarily represented by the smallest number of function blocks or by the actual way in which these function blocks have to be combined 60 with one another. AND gates, OR gates, interlocking OR gates and inverters are the basic function blocks that are used in the control blocks that are functionally shown here. An AND gate block will have an output voltage as long as all of its input voltages are present. 65 An OR gate block also has an output voltage as long as all of its input voltages are present. A latch OR gate block itself maintains its output voltage if there is any input voltage

637 222

then when all these input voltages disappear. The output voltage from an interlocking OR gate can only be made to disappear by resetting that gate after all input voltages have been removed in the manner shown. An inverter always has an output voltage when it has no input voltage and has no output voltage when it has an input voltage.

The SiF and S1T switches have so far been described as either two switches or as the only switch with two stages which are mechanically connected to each other and moved to their open positions under spring pressure so that the switch or stage which constitutes switch S1F closes first must be done before the switch or level, wel12

che represents the switch Slx, can be closed. Another arrangement for the switches S1F and S1T can be that either one or the other switch is first brought into its closed position. However, the output voltage from switch S1T would then be electrically blocked until there is an output voltage from switch S1F. The switches S1F and S1T, whether they are two switches or two stages of a switch, are attached to a camera housing in such a way that they are easily accessible for the operator by hand.

The term "normal focal length range" as used herein means the focal length range that is actually used by the variable focal length lens, and this range can either be equal to or less than 15 the full focal length range of this lens.

C.

6 sheets of drawings

Claims (4)

637 222 PATENT CLAIMS 1. Photographic camera with a lens that can be converted by a power drive as a function of a signal emitted by an automatic distance measuring device into a focus setting corresponding to the distance of the object, characterized in that the adjustment stroke of the lens (18; 39) into a focus area of the lens ( 18, 39) corresponding section (<»- M) and into a section (P-00) receiving the lens (18; 39) in its rest position (P) and at the interface between the two sections when transferring the lens ( 18; 39) is provided by a sensor (Sp) which responds in the other section, and a sensor which returns the objective (18; 39) to its rest position (P) by the power drive (38) and by the sensor (Sp ) controllable logic circuit (56). 2. Photographic camera according to claim 1, characterized in that with the sensor (Sp) a device (40) indicating the angle of rotation of the objective (18; 39) is operatively connected synchronously. 3. Photographic camera according to claim 2, characterized in that the device (40) indicating the angle of rotation of the lens (18; 39) is a disk (40) rotating with the lens (18; 39) and at least in one of the focus areas the sector corresponding to the objective is provided with markings (66), by means of which a focusing device (42) connected to the distance measuring device can be controlled. 4. Photographic camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (Sp) is connected to a control circuit controlling a functional sequence of the camera.