Abstract: An endoscope system including a database and a database managing device is disclosed. The database is configured to store a plurality of pieces of endoscope data. Each piece of the endoscope data corresponds to a different endoscope and is associated with ownership information indicating a term for which the corresponding endoscope is allowed to be utilized. The database managing device selects the piece of endoscope data to be replaced based on the ownership information. The ownership information includes information on whether the corresponding endoscope is purchased or not The database managing device selects and replaces the piece of endoscope data related to the endoscope that is not purchased in preference to purchased endoscope data.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a size of an aperture which defines a photographing aperture in a camera includes a pair of light intercepting plates which can cover a predetermined width of end edges of the aperture to partly intercept light incident thereupon, and an association mechanism which moves the light intercepting plates in association with each other between a retracted position in which the aperture is fully opened and a restricted-size position in which the aperture is partly intercepted. The association mechanism is comprised of a shaft secured to a camera body, and a connecting rotatable member which is rotatably mounted to the shaft. The connecting rotatable member is connected at one end thereof to one of the light intercepting plates and at the other end thereof to the other light intercepting plate, respectively, so that the rotation of the connecting rotatable member causes the associated movement of the light intercepting plates between the retracted position and the restricted-size position.

Abstract: A high zoom ratio zoom lens system for use in a compact camera that has reduced variations in field curvature over the full zooming range. The lens system includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having a positive focal length and a second lens group having a negative focal length, and which performs zooming by adjusting the distance between the two lens groups. In accordance with the invention, the first lens group is composed of a first lens subgroup having a small power and a second lens subgroup having a positive focal length. The distance between the two subgroups is increased during zooming from a wide-angle end to a middle-angle position and decreased during zooming from the middle-angle position to the narrow-angle end.