Abstract: A camera assembly includes an endcap assembly for closing off the bottom end of a second film chamber, which is sized to selectively receive a roll of film or a secondary film cartridge housing a roll of film. The endcap assembly can include a movable shutter blade enclosed between two plates. The endcap assembly can be removably secured to the camera assembly. At least a portion of the endcap assembly can be formed with the camera assembly. Embodiments further relate to a method of loading such cameras, especially in the daylight. The method involves bringing a sleeve into light-tight engagement with the endcap assembly and then inserting a winding rod through the sleeve and the endcap assembly and into a second film chamber of the camera. The winding rod can then be used to wind film out of a cassette in the first chamber and into a roll in the second chamber.

Abstract: An infrared communication system is disclosed, that has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a modulator, a first converter, an infrared transmission section. The modulator modulates a first electric signal and generates a second signal as a modulated signal. The first converter converts the second signal into an infrared signal. The infrared transmission section transmits the infrared signal to the receiver. The receiver includes a filter, a second converter, and a demodulator. The filter restrains rays having a spectrum whose peak is present at a predetermined wavelength emitted by a plasma display panel. The second converter converts the infrared signal passed through the filter into a third electric signal. The demodulator demodulates the third electric signal.

Abstract: A shutter device comprising a fixed member which has a plurality of electrodes arranged on a surface, a light-transmitting region which is provided in the fixed member, a light-shielding member which is able to move between two positions where the light-transmitting region is closed and opened, respectively, and which have a plurality of electret parts, and a drive circuit which periodically applies a voltage to the electrodes provided on the fixed member, thereby to generate an electrostatic force acting on the electret parts of the light-shielding member and to drive the light-shielding member.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided, including a radially-retractable optical element constituting a part of a photographing optical system, the radially-retractable optical element being movable between a photographing position located on an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and a radially-retracted position located on an off-optical-axis position; a biasing device for biasing the radially-retractable optical element toward the photographing position; and a swing member which is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the optical axis, the swing member pushing the radially-retractable optical element against a biasing force of the biasing device to move the radially-retractable optical element to the radially-retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device having a lens including a zoom lens and a focus lens; an image sensor for outputting an imaging result of an optical image formed by the lens; a signal processor for processing the imaging result to output a video signal; a detector for processing the video signal to output an evaluation value indicative of the degree of focusing; a memory for storing data of an imaging range where a focused image is ensured, by using a cam curve of the lens; and a controller for moving the focus lens in concert with the zoom lens; wherein when a focal depth detected according to a current position of the zoom lens is less than the imaging range at the current position of the zoom lens, the controller performs autofocus control using the evaluation value to move the focus lens; and when the focal depth is greater than the imaging range at the current position of the zoom lens, the controller performs focus control by the cam curve to move the focus lens.

Abstract: For observing lateral areas of a motor vehicle, a camera is inserted into an existing cavity of a mirror base. The camera is clampingly held between a holding cage and a covering cap. An opening for a camera lens is provided in the covering cap. Through the camera lens opening, the lateral vehicle areas can be observed and displayed in an indicating device of an inside rearview mirror.

Abstract: A shutter for an optical apparatus has multiple sectors and an operation member. Each of the multiple sectors has a cam opening for engagement and is pivotally provided to open and close a shutter opening, the operation member moves each of said multiple sectors in engagement with the cam opening, and the cam opening of at least one sector that is one of the multiple sectors is formed to change a moving direction of said at least one sector, when the operation member moves said at least one sector to a position to close the shutter opening.

Abstract: In this stereo optical module, a constituent member is arranged in at least one of a circuit arrangement space which exists substantially behind a front lens unit and above a primary deflecting mirror and a secondary deflecting mirror and a circuit arrangement space which exists substantially behind a front lens unit and below a primary deflecting mirror and a secondary deflecting mirror.

Abstract: A stand apparatus having the connector so as to correspond to a position of an electronic equipment being housed and comprises a connection inhibiter member to inhibit the connection if the position of the electronic equipment being housed and a turned state of the connector do not match with each other. Furthermore, electronic equipment, e.g., a camera, can be connected with the stand apparatus electrically either in the state of the equipment body facing up with the display apparatus of the camera being folded thereon, or in the state of the display apparatus being folded onto the back side of the equipment body with the display surface facing up.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a digital image processing apparatus such as a digital camera which can continuously photograph the same subject using various setting values stored in advance, and a digital image processing apparatus. The method of controlling the digital image processing apparatus which photographs a subject according to a preset photograph setting value and records the subject as an image file on a recording medium. The method includes: storing a user setting value in which at least one of the photograph setting values is stored by assigning a user setting category for each of the photograph setting values; and continuously photographing a single subject using at least one of the photograph setting values each corresponding to the user setting categories during a single take. Thus, the subject in the same scene can be continuously photographed using the various setting values stored in advance.

Abstract: Auto-focus in a digital camera is improved by stabilizing successive images. Each auto-focus image is correlated to previous images so that scene movement or motion can be tracked. The area in the scene where focus figure-of-merit is computed is adjusted according to the amount of scene movement. Also, two separate focus frames may be compared to determine the direction and speed of the motion. This improves the accuracy of the focus figure-of-merit which results in fewer autofocus failures.

Abstract: A shutter apparatus includes a shutter substrate having a shutter opening, two shutter blades that are pivotally provided in the shutter substrate and that have cam openings, and an operation member that is engaged with the cam openings and that drives to turn the two shutter blades. The two shutter blades move to form three states of a fully open state, a fully closed state, and a small aperture state in this order, in accordance with a movement of the operation member, the two shutter blades are positioned to interpose the shutter opening therebetween in the fully open state, a first shutter blade is positioned on the shutter opening and has an aperture opening in the small aperture state, and moves to the shutter opening in one direction while the state is shifted to the fully open state, the fully closed state, and the small aperture state, and a second shutter blade is reciprocated in the fully closed state that serves as a turning point.

Abstract: A “Panoramic Viewfinder” provides an intuitive interactive viewfinder display which operates on a digital camera display screen. This interactive viewfinder provides real-time assistance in capturing images for constructing panoramic image mosaics. The Panoramic Viewfinder “brushes” a panorama from images captured in any order, while providing visual feedback to the user for ensuring that desired scene elements will appear in the final panorama. This visual feedback presents real-time stitched previews of the panorama while capturing images.

Abstract: A lens control device, for controlling driving of a second lens unit for correcting image movement regarding movement of a variating first lens unit, comprises: a storage unit for storing data indicating the position of the second lens unit corresponding to the position of the first lens unit created for a predetermined focal distance; a control unit for generating information to control driving of the second lens unit based on the data, and for controlling driving of the second lens unit based on this information; and a distance detecting unit for detecting distance to the focus object; wherein the control unit restricts the range of the generated information based on the detection results from the distance detecting unit. Or, the control unit controls driving for the second lens unit to generate the information, and performs weighting based on detection results from the distance detecting unit relating to driving control.

Abstract: An image taking device with a lighting device includes a light irradiating portion for irradiating light to a subject and a light receiving portion for receiving reflected light from the subject that is irradiated by the light. The light irradiating portion is structured to have a plurality of light sources that are arranged so as to surround the light receiving portion. Each of the light sources is adjusted to emit light of an intensity corresponding to an arrangement position.

Abstract: A pop-up flash of a camera includes a slidable member mounted to a camera body, the slidable member being movable between a retreated position and an advanced position in front of the retreated position; and a flash unit supported by the slidable member to be movable between a retracted position, in which the flash unit is accommodated in the camera body, and a fully-lifted position in which the flash unit projects from the camera body. The flash unit moves from the retracted position to the fully-lifted position when the slidable member moves from the retreated position to the advanced position.

Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.

Abstract: A pop-up flash of a camera includes a flash unit movable between a retracted position, in which the flash unit is accommodated in a camera body, and a fully-lifted position, in which the flash unit projects from the camera body; a biasing device which biases the flash unit toward the fully-lifted position; and a speed-change mechanism for changing a speed of movement of the flash unit, which is driven by the biasing force of the biasing device, during movement of the flash unit in a projecting direction from the retracted position to the fully-lifted position.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a CPU (34). The CPU (34) is a multitasking CPU for executing in parallel an imaging task, a file recording task, and a file transmitting task. When a shutter button (32) is operated, JPEG data corresponding to an object scene is written to an SDRAM (22) by the imaging task. An image file including the JPEG data stored in the SDRAM (22) is recorded in a CF memory of a memory/LAN cartridge (30) by the file recording task. The image file recorded in the CF memory is applied to a wireless LAN card of the memory/LAN cartridge (30) by the file transmitting task.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light amount adjusting apparatus for an image pickup apparatus which is capable of reducing the force with which a plate member and a blade member are held in close contact with each other and driving the blade member smoothly even in a high-humidity condition. The light amount adjusting apparatus includes a base plate 5 having an opening 5a, a blade member 1 movable within a range including a position where the blade member overlaps the opening 5a in a light axis direction and restricting the amount of light passing through the opening 5a by overlapping the opening 5a, and a plate member 2 adjacent to the blade member 1 and having a cut portion 2a at a position where the plate member overlaps the blade member 1 in the light axis direction in a state in which the blade member 1 is at a predetermined position.