Abstract: The invention is directed to an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism comprises a cam element which moves upon modification of an engaging position, a cam follower abutted against a cam surface of the cam element, a detecting element for detecting a position of the cam follower, and a section to be detected provided on the cam follower, for giving at least three different kinds of output values to the detecting element.

Abstract: In an imaging field changing apparatus capable of changing three or more imaging fields having different aspect ratios, a changing order can be set such that one of two imaging fields having largest rate of change in aspect ratios during imaging field changing is changed to the other of the two imaging fields. The imaging fields are exemplified as a standard size, a panorama size, and a high-vision size. Aspect ratio changing is performed such that the standard size is changed to the panorama size. A change in imaging field can be easily recognized. For example, when a change is to be made between the standard size and the panorama size, the upper and lower portions are cut or trimmed and the right and left portions are widened to emphasize wideness.

Abstract: An illuminating device comprises a light source and a light guide member which allows light supplied by the light source to enter the light guide member and guides the light to a predetermined light exit position while totally reflecting the light in the light guide member, the light guide member having, in a vicinity of a light entrance surface of the light guide member, a nonuniform refractive index distribution for making a light distribution characteristic different between a light entrance side and a light exit side. A photographing apparatus comprises a photographing optical system for photographing an image of an object and an illuminating system for illuminating the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use camera comprising an apparatus for reflecting light and/or a siren.

Abstract: Data bits representing different aspect ratio formats of film image frames are optically recorded on photographic film by means of light emitting devices energized from the flash charge storage capacitor. The light emitting devices are driven by a constant current source control circuit, the control circuit and light emitting devices being coupled to the capacitor by the flash sync switch. Data bit format selection is achieved by either user operated light emitting device selection switches or by means of an optical bit forming mask having plural aperture selectable by means of a movable slide shutter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic strobe photographing system in which a camera body having an at least a Q contact, a lens provided with a lens shutter mechanism, and an X contact, a strobe device having an X terminal and Q terminal are provided. The strobe device starts emitting light when a predetermined signal is input to the X terminal, and stops emitting light when a predetermined signal is input to the Q terminal. A connecting device is further provided, which connects the X contact of the lens with the X terminal of the strobe device, and the Q contact of the camera body with the Q terminal of the strobe device.

Abstract: A motion compensation camera having a camera body and a lens which is attachable to and removable from the camera body, such that the camera is able to compensate for blurring of a photographic image on an image plane resulting from motion or vibration of the camera body. The camera body has a main control unit which controls a series of camera operations. The lens either (a) determines whether it is possible to compensate for the blurring of the photographic image and transmits those results to the main control unit and controls the motion compensation operation or (b) determines whether the motion compensation operation is in progress and transmits signals which indicate this condition to the main control unit. If the lens side control unit determines that motion compensation is not possible, the main control unit controls the display unit to that effect or performs control, such as increasing the shutter speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic recording or reproducing device, preferably a camera, with a transportation device for the frame-by-frame transportation of a film along a film transportation path and with a film length-measuring device with an engagement member pivotable about an axle for engagement in perforation holes along a perforated edge of the film, the film transportation device being locked when the film reaches a position during the course of its transportation for recording or reproducing an image, the engagement member containing a leading engagement element in relation to its rotary movement and a following support element and being adjustable transversely to the film transportation path as a function of the support of the support element on a surface extending parallel to the film transportation path.

Abstract: A simple, effective apparatus and method for directing light from a swivel flash head at positions above a camera lens unit when the camera is oriented in horizontal and vertical camera orientations is provided. Lighting is provided for a camera having a camera lens unit by mounting a swivel flash head on the camera and attaching a reflector to the swivel flash head. The reflector is preferably mounted to the swivel flash head by removably attachable fasteners, such as, Velcro fastening strips. In one embodiment, the reflector is an integral "shell" reflector. The shell reflector has a neck region for mounting the reflector to the swivel flash head and a reflective region for redirecting light emitted by the swivel flash head to illuminate a camera field of view. The reflective region can further include shaped contoured regions for producing a soft, diffuse light of portrait quality with less harsh shadow. An asymmetric shape adds fill light.

Abstract: A camera equipped with a data processing device with memory to execute stored data and program instructions for a plurality of metering modes, which analyze light data input from a light metering device. The output of the data processing device is connected to a viewfinder, to an audio output device and to relevant camera settings. The processor executes instructions based on a main metering mode, such as matrix metering, to determine exposure settings of camera, and to display results in the viewfinder. The processor then executes instructions based a second auxiliary--metering mode--which is set to an available mode, such as spot metering, and associates a sequence of sound types to the resulting exposure information. The sequence is then output to the audio output device, thereby enabling a photographer to meter a scene by "listening".

Abstract: The driving apparatus for driving an object housed in a main body of the driving apparatus in a direction which is determined by a predetermined reference axis that includes a detector which detects a physical amount relating to a rotary motion of the main body around a predetermined detection axis; an arithmetic device .paren close-st. which calculates a driving amount of the object based on at least the output of the detector and an angle between the detection axis and the reference axis; and a driving mechanism which drives the object in a direction determined with the reference axis based on a calculation output from the arithmetic device.

Abstract: A forced-driving apparatus for a film rewinding motor of a camera which is adapted to rewind a film into a film cartridge includes supplemental power supply terminals which can be connected from the outside to supply power to rotate the film rewinding motor in a film rewinding direction.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit contains a cartridge shell into which an IC memory is incorporated, and a roll of photo filmstrip having a magnetic recording layer. Unit ID data and date-of-manufacture data are written in the IC memory in the factory. A data recording circuit is provided on a flash circuit board. The data recording circuit is connected to the IC memory through a printed circuit board mounted to a cartridge chamber of the film unit. A finder mask and a photo sensor for detecting the position of the finder mask are mounted in the film unit. The photo sensor is connected to the data recording circuit, to write photographic data corresponding to the output of the photo sensor in the IC memory at each exposure. Before printing, the data written in the IC memory is read to be recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the photo filmstrip by use of an external recording device which is connectable to the IC memory through an interface terminal which is exposed to an exterior of the film unit.

Abstract: A camera includes a film cartridge chamber in which a film cartridge is loaded by being inserted therein in an axial direction of the film cartridge, a locking claw for locking the film cartridge when it is loaded at a desired position in the film cartridge chamber, and an indicating unit for indicating that the film cartridge is not loaded at the desired position in the film cartridge chamber in response to a state in which the locking claws is not locking the film cartridge which has been inserted into the film cartridge chamber.

Abstract: A photographic film cartridge canister provided with an integrally formed, separate compartment for storage of a sound device, such as an IC sound card, used to record sound in association with still images captured on the photographic film stored in the canister.

Abstract: A non-photographic strip includes a base layer similar in properties and characteristics to a base layer of a known photographic filmstrip and a magnetic recording layer over the base layer. A cartridge is sized and shaped to be received in a cartridge receiving chamber of a photographic camera. The cartridge contains the non-photographic strip which is sized and shaped to be moved within the camera from the cartridge. Preferably, the magnetic recording layer is opaque. The magnetic recording layer is used to transfer information to and/or from the camera.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for manufacturing a color CRT (10) having a faceplate panel (12) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a photoreceptor (36) on an interior surface of a viewing faceplate (17); establishing a substantially uniform electrostatic charge on the photoreceptor (36); and exposing selected areas of the photoreceptor (36) to visible light to form a latent charge image. The process further includes the steps of developing the latent charge image on the photoreceptor (36) by depositing (212, 213, 214) thereon charged phosphor particles; monitoring the width (218) of the deposition of the charged phosphor particles; and terminating the deposition (226, 227, 228) of the charged phosphor particles when predetermined process parameters (222, 224) are satisfied. A phosphor deposition monitor (PDM) apparatus (90) for monitoring the deposition of the charged phosphor particles on the latent charge image, formed on the photoreceptor (36), also is described.

Abstract: A display panel is incorporated on the back of a camera body and a cover plate is pivotally attached to the side of the camera body. Operating buttons are provided on the inside of the cover plate. When the cover plate is closed, the operating buttons are contained in the camera body and covered with the cover plate. When the cover plate is opened, the inside of the cover plate faces substantially parallel to an indicating surface of the display panel. At this time, the operating buttons and the display panel are visible from a common vantage point.

Abstract: A data transcribing device for a camera includes structure to adjust the threshold voltage of an external display to be higher than the threshold voltage of the transcribing structure to easily check the battery voltage through the external data display and to prevent data transcription failures when the battery voltage drops. The data transcribing device includes a battery power source, a data transcribing display, and an external display powered by the battery power source. When the data transcribing display includes a light emitting source powered by the battery power source and a component other than the light emitting source that is not powered by the battery power source, or when the data transcribing display consists of only the light emitting source (such as, e.g., an LED), the driving threshold level of the external display is set to be higher than the driving threshold level of the light emitting source.

Abstract: A dustproof view finder in which an image formed by an objective optical system is made erect by an image erecting optical system and is observed through an ocular optical system as an erect image, the optical system including a pair of front and rear optical elements spaced from one another at a predetermined distance to define an aerial space therebetween, and a seal member which encloses the aerial space.