Abstract: An apparatus for recording data to a film, executing: both unchangeable recording such as optical recording, and changeable recording such as magnetic recording for relatively important data, which is required protection from data failure and is permitted to change such as date, date print mode, and trimming direction of printing area, and executing: only magnetic recording for relatively unimportant data, which is allowed some data failure and has few possibility of changing such as aperture value, shutter time value, photometric value, exposure compensation value, and object distance value; wherein the apparatus is housed in a detachable back cover of a camera, and data being transmitted from the main body of the camera to the back cover.

Abstract: A shake detecting apparatus includes a shake detecting sensor for detecting a shake and for outputting a shake detection signal responsive to the detected shake. A reference voltage output device is provided for outputting a reference voltage, and a differential amplifying device is provided for amplifying a difference between the shake detection signal output by the shake detecting sensor and the reference voltage output by the reference voltage output device. The differential amplifying device outputs a differential amplified signal, and a reference voltage controller is provided for modifying the reference voltage output by the reference voltage output device according to the differential amplified signal output by the differential amplifying device.

Abstract: A one-chip microcomputer system includes a one-chip microcomputer, a nonvolatile memory which can electrically rewritably store changing data of a program stored in a mask ROM of the one-chip microcomputer, an input unit (connection unit) for receiving data to be written in the nonvolatile memory from an external device, and an object to be controlled by the one-chip microcomputer. In one aspect, the nonvolatile memory has first and second correction data areas, and first and second memories for respectively designating these areas. Upon reception of an initialization signal from the external device connected to the input unit, only the second memory for designating the second correction data area is initialized. In another aspect, the mask ROM stores ROM version data, and the nonvolatile memory stores board version data.

Abstract: A camera shake detecting unit detects and outputs an angular velocity applied to a camera. When the camera shake detecting unit detects the angular velocity applied to the camera, a camera rotational angle calculating unit calculates the rotational angle of the camera from focus lock to the ON operation of a 2RSW switch on the basis of an output from the camera shake detecting unit. A moving amount/principal object position calculating unit generates position information based on the moving amount of a principal object to be photographed in an image plane. The position information thus generated on the basis of the moving amount of the principal object in the image plane is recorded in a recording portion of a film.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording data to a film, executing: both unchangeable recording such as optical recording, and changeable recording such as magnetic recording for relatively important data, which is required protection from data failure and is permitted to change such as date, date print mode, and trimming direction of printing area, and executing: only magnetic recording for relatively unimportant data, which is allowed some data failure and has few possibility of changing such as aperture value, shutter time value, photometric value, exposure compensation value, and object distance value; wherein the apparatus is housed in a detachable back cover of a camera, and data being transmitted from the main body of the camera to the back cover.

Abstract: In a data recording module device for a camera and a camera system using the same according to this invention, a detachable module is mounted on a camera body, and a function of recording data on a magnetic track is provided for the module, thereby allowing a data recording operation without adding new components to the camera. A body microcomputer is incorporated in the camera body. A film feed section drives a film having a magnetic track in accordance with a command from the body microcomputer. A module microcomputer is mounted in the module which is detachable with respect to the camera body. An EEPROM for storing data and a data recording circuit are connected to the module microcomputer. A magnetic head for recording data on the magnetic track on the film is connected to the data recording circuit.

Abstract: A data printing apparatus of this invention controls the emission timing or the emission interval of a light-emitting means on the basis of a signal according to traveling of a sheet film along a traveling path so as to print data free from blurring of characters or a variation in interval between characters on the sheet film having no perforations. After an exposure operation is ended, the apparatus feeds the sheet film from an exposure position along a spool wall. Light corresponding to digital numerals representing a date is emitted by light-emitting elements, and the date to be printed by the light-emitting elements is focused on the sheet film by an optical system. The date on the sheet film is printed during traveling of the sheet film along the spool wall.

Abstract: A microcomputer (.mu.COM) in a camera causes an EEPROM in a memory unit to store data on each picture taken. The photographic data stored in the EEPROM is read by the .mu.COM and displayed on a display unit. According to the operation of an UP SW or a DOWN SW, the .mu.COM updates the contents stored in the EEPROM now being displayed. The photographic data stored in the EEPROM is written in a first magnetic track on the film by a first magnetic head arranged in a magnetic information control circuit, at the time of the rewinding of the film. In addition, when a film with which photography is already finished is loaded in the camera, the .mu.COM, while advancing the film, causes the first magnetic head to reproduce the data written in the first magnetic track on the film and stores the reproduced data in the EEPROM.

Abstract: In a camera using a film with a magnetic recording portion, two film guide members restrict displacement of the film in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the film, and a magnetic head magnetizes the magnetic recording portion of the film. A magnetic recording current is output to the magnetic head at a predetermined magnetic recording density D. The magnetic recording density D satisfiesD.ltoreq.K.l/(.DELTA./W)where l is the length of each of the film guides, .DELTA. is the difference between the width of the film the distance between the two guide members, W is the width of a recording medium of the magnetic recording portion, and K is a constant.

Abstract: A microcomputer (.mu.COM) in a camera causes an EEPROM in a memory unit to store data on each picture taken. The photographic data stored in the EEPROM is read by the .mu.COM and displayed on a display unit. According to the operation of an UP SW or a DOWN SW, the .mu.COM updates the contents stored in the EEPROM now being displayed. The photographic data stored in the EEPROM is written in a first magnetic track on the film by a first magnetic head arranged in a magnetic information control circuit, at the time of the rewinding of the film. In addition, when a film with which photography is already finished is loaded in the camera, the .mu.COM, while advancing the film, causes the first magnetic head to reproduce the data written in the first magnetic track on the film and stores the reproduced data in the EEPROM.

Abstract: A data printing apparatus of this invention controls the emission timing or the emission interval of a light-emitting means on the basis of a signal according to traveling of a sheet film along a traveling path so as to print data free from blurring of characters or a variation in interval between characters on the sheet film having no perforations. After an exposure operation is ended, the apparatus feeds the sheet film from an exposure position along a spool wall. Light corresponding to digital numerals representing a date is emitted by light-emitting elements, and the date to be printed by the light-emitting elements is focused on the sheet film by an optical system. The date on the sheet film is printed during traveling of the sheet film along the spool wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a camera using a film having a magnetic recording portion, which has magnetic heads for recording/reading data on/from a magnetic recording portion formed on part of a photosensitive film, which magnetic heads can be urged/withdrawn against/from the film. In this camera, data representing the number of times that a film feed operation or a photographic operation is performed is stored in a storage unit, and necessity to clean the magnetic heads is determined on the basis of the data. If it is determined that cleaning must be performed, a warning unit performs a warning display or inhibits a photographic operation.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording apparatus for a camera using a film having a magnetic recording portion, a magnetic recording device records photographic data on the magnetic recording portion while the film is wound after a photographic operation corresponding to one frame is completed. An electrically erasable nonvolatile storage device stores the photographic data after the photographic operation corresponding to one frame is completed. A magnetic reproducing device reproduces the photographic data recorded on the magnetic recording portion while the film is rewound. A determining device determines whether the photographic data reproduced by the magnetic reproducing device coincides with the photographic data stored in the storage device. When the determining device determines that the two photographic data do not coincide with each other, a re-recording device causes the magnetic recording device to re-record the photographic data stored in the storage device on the magnetic recording portion.

Abstract: A photographing lens system includes at least one zooming lens. A photometric circuit measures brightness of an object. An exposure calculation circuit calculates an exposure value in accordance with an output from the photometric circuit. A distance measurement circuit measures a distance to the object. A magnification setting circuit determines a photographing magnification of an image of the object to be formed on a film arranging surface. An auto-zooming calculation circuit determines a focal length of the photographing lens system in accordance with an output from the magnification setting circuit, and an output from the distance measurement circuit. A drive circuit drives the zooming lens in accordance with an output from the auto-zooming calculation circuit. A switch is turned on upon a first stroke of a release button.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate; a metal wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first insulation layer formed on the metal wiring layer, the first insulation layer being formed by a tensile stress insulation layer having a contracting characteristic relative to the substrate; and a second insulation layer formed on the first insulation layer, the second insulation layer being formed by a compressive stress insulation layer having an expanding characteristic relative to the substrate. The tensile stress insulation layer is produced by thermal chemical vapor deposition or plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition which is performed in a discharge frequency range higher than 2 megahertz; and the compressive stress insulation layer is produced by plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition which is performed in a discharge frequency range lower than 2 megahertz.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body and a camera accessory which may be mounted on the camera body and executes predetermined operations in accordance with instructions from the camera body when the accessory is mounted on the camera body. The camera system comprises circuitry for outputting a control signal to the accessory for bringing the accessory into an operative state prior to a predetermined camera operation, circuitry responsive to the control signal for activating the camera accessory from an inoperative state to an operative state, circuitry for providing a signal to instruct an operation mode to the accessory from the camera body after the accessory has been activated into an operative state, circuitry for executing the operation mode in the accessory in accordance with the operation mode instructing signal, and circuitry for returning the accessory from an operative state to an inoperative state after the execution of the operation mode.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera includes a sensor for detecting an amount and a direction of difference between an image forming position of light from an object being photographed and a film surface to drive a taking lens in response to the measured outputs and focus determining capability which gives a decision of in-focus when the amount of difference is less than a first automatic focusing threshold. A focusing operation is achieved such that, comparing the amount of difference determined by the sensor with a second automatic focusing threshold of a standard value which is larger than the first automatic focusing threshold, when the amount is less than the second threshold and a direction of difference last measured and that presently measured are the same, a taking lens driving is continued to complete a focusing operation and when the directions are different from each other, the measurement is resumed after the next driving of the taking lens even when the amount is less than the second threshold.

Abstract: An optical image of an object is incident on a light-receiving unit of a two-dimensional matrix through a photographing lens. An output from the light-receiving unit is input to a first arithmetic logic unit to calculate an actual object brightness value in consideration of an aperture value of an aperture. An output from the first arithmetic logic unit is input to a multiplexer and a neural network. The neural network determines a main part of the object from brightness value pattern as a set of brightness values of the photoelectric transducer elements and outputs a position signal representing the main part. A multiplexer selectively passes only brightness values of the photoelectric transducer elements corresponding to the main part of the object from the outputs from the first arithmetic logic unit.

Abstract: An optical image transmitted through a photographing lens is incident on a light-receiving unit of a two-dimensional matrix. An output from the light-receiving unit is input to a first arithmetic logic unit, and the first arithmetic logic unit calculates actual object brightness values in consideration of an aperture value of an aperture. An output from the first arithmetic logic unit is supplied to a multiplexer and a neural network. The neural network determines a main part of the object from a pattern of brightness values of the respective photoelectric transducer elements and outputs a position signal of the main part. The multiplexer selectively passes the brightness value of the photoelectric transducer element corresponding to the main part of the object from the outputs generated by the first arithmetic logic unit. An output from the multiplexer is supplied to a second arithmetic logic unit.

Abstract: A lens drive apparatus includes a manual operating member. A pulse generator produces pulses as the operating member is moved. Based on a phase shift between the pulses, the speed with which and the direction in which the operating member is moved are detected. Control circuitry delivers a drive signal to a lens driving motor in accordance with the speed of movement signal and the direction of movement signal. A relationship between the speed of movement signal and the drive signal which prevails in the control circuitry can be modified, allowing a high or low level of the drive output to the motor to be selected with respect to the speed of movement and also allowing the speed with which and the direction in which the motor is driven, thus enabling the control circuitry to control the motor.