Abstract: A disk array system includes a disk array, an array controller, an offtrack detecting unit, an error processing unit, an offtrack measuring unit, a reformat control unit, and a reformat processing unit. The disk array includes a plurality of disk devices storing a plurality of data in parallel and storing redundant data used for restoring data lost if one of the plurality of data is lost. The array controller controls input from or output to the disk array based on a request from an upper system, such as a host computer. The offtrack detecting unit is provided in each of the disk devices for detecting offtrack and informing the array controller of the offtrack. Further, an error processing unit is provided in the array controller for logically disconnecting a disk device having communicated information if offtrack detection information is received from the offtrack detecting unit, and for issuing a diagnostic I/O command.

Abstract: An electronic still camera has a mechanical diaphragm mechanism for controlling the exposure of an image surface. The diaphragm mechanism includes an exposure plate having an opening of an aperture greater than an effective aperture corresponding to an open f-stop value, and at least one opening equal to an effective aperature corresponding to an f-stop value. By shifting the diaphragm plate, it is possible to set at least two types of f-stop values which include the open f-stop value. As a result, a diaphragm function in which effective aperture is made less than 1 mm can be achieved with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A filter is provided which can pass therethrough only a signal component having a frequency corresponding to a secondary higher harmonic frequency component (200-240 Hz) of the fluorescent light of the output signal from a light-receiving element for receiving incident light thereto from the photograph area. Based on the signal which is passed through the filter, it is detected whether the photography area is illuminated with the fluorescent light. Since the color temperatures of sunlight (outdoors in fine weather) and fluorescent light show substantially the same value, it is difficult to distinguish two kinds of above light sources. A ripple period of the fluorescent light and the like is measured, and the output signal of a light detecting device (e.g., a color temperature sensor, photometry element, and so forth) is sampled at a plurality of times in a length of time equivalent to one period of the measured ripple period.

Abstract: In a still-video camera, a video signal representing the image of a photographed subject is written in a video floppy during one revolution of the floppy, namely during an interval between one phase pulse PG and the next. Immediately after the phase pulse PG is generated, a field-shift pulse FS for reading the video signal out of an electronic image pick-up device is outputted. Read-out from the electronic image pick-up device by the field-shift pulse FS is inhibited during the time that a shutter is open. Writing is carried out from the moment of the next phase pulse PG after read-inhibit is cancelled. If the inhibition on read-out from the electronic image pick-up device were to be cancelled between the phase pulse PG and the field-shift pulse FS, read-out of the video signal by the field-shift pulse FS would be carried out, but it would not be possible to carry out recording without waiting for the next phase pulse PG.

Abstract: Method and device for measuring the brightness of an object in photographing the object in flash synchronization by use of an AE sensor capable of averaged overall light reading. In the method and device, in accordance with the distance of the object and also with the focal distance of a taking lens, an area occupied by a main object or a ratio of the occupation area on the light receiving surface of the AE sensor is estimated. Then, in accordance with said estimated occupation area or occupation area ratio of the main object and also with a measurement brightness B.sub.V(AV) measured by the AE sensor, there is found a brightness correction value .DELTA.B.sub.V which provides a value that increases as the occupation area of the main object increases and the measurement brightness B.sub.V(AV) measured by the AE sensor increases. Further, the thus obtained brightness correction value .DELTA.B.sub.V is added to the measurement brightness B.sub.V(AV) by the AE sensor to thereby find an object brightness.

Abstract: A mechanism for lifting and lowering a magnetic head into and out of contact with a magnetic medium such as a magnetic sheet includes at least one guide shaft rotatably supported on a frame and having an eccentric portion. A magnetic head carriage supports a magnetic head thereon and is slidably movable along the guide shaft toward a recording/playback position, the magnetic head carriage having an end held in engagement with the eccentric portion of the guide shaft. A driver mechanism is mounted on the frame for rotating the guide shaft to cause the eccentric portion to displace the magnetic head toward a backing plate with a magnetic medium such as a magnetic sheet interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A multicolor optical filter for, e.g., color solid image pickup elements composed of an interference filter and a dye filter united with each other in such a manner that the filter surface of the interference filter faces the filter surface of the dye filter. The dye filter is preferably prepared by developing a silver halide emulsion layer on a transparent substrate with a color developer containing a color coupler.