Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash lighting sub-assembly

Abstract

Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A camera having a built-in flash device, comprising: 
 a body having a movable cover member;    a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged, said flash device including a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to said light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source, charges said capacitor; and    wherein said light emitting unit, said capacitor, and said step-up circuit are disposed in said moveable cover member of said body.    
     
     
         2 . The camera according to  claim 1 , wherein the body houses said power source, said step-up circuit and said power source are connected to each other via a connecting member which is flexible in response to movement of said moveable cover member.  
     
     
         3 . The camera according to  claim 2 , wherein said flexible connecting member is a flexible printed circuit board.  
     
     
         4 . The camera according to  claim 2 , wherein said movable cover member is disposed to be slideable between an open position and a closed position, said open position permitting imaging operations by the camera.  
     
     
         5 . The camera according to  claim 1 , wherein said movable cover member is disposed to be slideable between an open position and a closed position, said open position permitting imaging operations by the camera.  
     
     
         6 . The camera according to  claim 1 , wherein said moveable cover member is constructed to prevent ingress of water and the elements.  
     
     
         7 . A camera having a built-in flash device, comprising: 
 a body supporting a flip-up/out type flash sub-assembly;    a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged, said flash device including a light emitting unit and a capacitor for supplying electric current to said light emitting unit to emit a flash of light; and    wherein said light emitting unit and said capacitor are disposed in said flip-up/out type flash sub-assembly.    
     
     
         8 . A camera, comprising: 
 a body housing a power source; and    a flash lighting sub-assembly supported by said body, said flash light sub-assembly including a light emitting unit and capacitor for supplying electric current to said light emitting unit, said light emitting unit and said capacitor being connected to said power source via a flexible connecting member.    
     
     
         9 . The camera according to  claim 8 , wherein said body is a slide-type body and said flash light sub-assembly is disposed in a slideable body member.  
     
     
         10 . The camera according to  claim 8 , wherein said flash light sub-assembly further includes a step-up circuit which, in accordance with said power source, charges said capacitor.  
     
     
         11 . The camera according to  claim 8 , wherein said flexible connecting member is a flexible printed circuit board.  
     
     
         12 . The camera according to  claim 8 , wherein said flash lighting sub-assembly is disposed in a pop-up/out housing which is supported by said body.  
     
     
         13 . The camera according to  claim 8 , wherein said power source is a battery.