Abstract: The present invention is a unit for eliminating the fluctuation of luminous energy reduction by keeping the response time of a shading mechanism constant even if a diaphragm opening degree differs when reading every pixel by setting a shading period. This unit is provided with a shading mask having a quadrangular or V-shaped opening and moves a shading shutter in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertically moving direction of a diaphragm plate. Therefore, a shading period is set in accordance with the constant response time of the shading shutter and the rate of luminous energy reduction becomes constant. Moreover, a high-quality static image having a stable brightness can be obtained by reading the signal of every pixel obtained by a CCD through one-time exposure while using the shading period and then pixel-mixing signals. Furthermore, it is possible to use the Archimedean spiral for the outer periphery of the diaphragm plate or the shading shutter.

Abstract: An informing apparatus informs an operator of procedures for adjusting control parameters used in a control apparatus that controls an electric power steering apparatus based on various control parameter data. The power steering apparatus is used for the steering wheel of a vehicle. A storage portion stores various data. The data includes evaluation data, steering state data, control parameter data of the power steering control apparatus, and adjusting procedure data. The evaluation data is related to steering of the steering wheel. The steering state data represents the steering state when the evaluation data is obtained. The steering state data is related to the evaluation data. The control parameter data is related to the steering state data, and the evaluation data, and is being used when the evaluation data is obtained. The adjusting procedure data is used for adjusting the control parameter data such that the evaluation data is resolved.

Abstract: The present invention is a unit for eliminating the fluctuation of luminous energy reduction by keeping the response time of a shading mechanism constant even if a diaphragm opening degree differs when reading every pixel by setting a shading period. This unit is provided with a shading mask having a quadrangular or V-shaped opening and moves a shading shutter in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertically moving direction of a diaphragm plate. Therefore, a shading period is set in accordance with the constant response time of the shading shutter and the rate of luminous energy reduction becomes constant. Moreover, a high-quality static image having a stable brightness can be obtained by reading the signal of every pixel obtained by a CCD through one-time exposure while using the shading period and then pixel-mixing signals. Furthermore, it is possible to use the Archimedean spiral for the outer periphery of the diaphragm plate or the shading shutter.

Abstract: In a control unit for an electrical-motor-driven power steering apparatus, there are provided an assist current command value calculated based upon a steering torque of a steering wheel, an assist current control value calculated based upon a motor current value of a motor and the assist current command value. A motor outputs an assist force based upon the assist current control value. Further, the control unit provides an estimation means for estimating a road surface &mgr; based upon at least one of the motor current value and the steering torque. To the control unit, there are further inputted a vehicle speed obtained based upon rotation of a wheel, and a steering angle obtained based upon rotation of the steering wheel. Therefore, the estimation means estimates the road surface &mgr; by comparing with a previously memorized standard value corresponding to the vehicle speed and the steering angle.

Abstract: The present invention is a unit for eliminating the fluctuation of luminous energy reduction by keeping the response time of a shading mechanism constant even if a diaphragm opening degree differs when reading every pixel by setting a shading period. This unit is provided with a shading mask having a quadrangular or V-shaped opening and moves a shading shutter in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertically moving direction of a diaphragm plate. Therefore, a shading period is set in accordance with the constant response time of the shading shutter and the rate of luminous energy reduction becomes constant. Moreover, a high-quality static image having a stable brightness can be obtained by reading the signal of every pixel obtained by a CCD through one-time exposure while using the shading period and then pixel-mixing signals. Furthermore, it is possible to use the Archimedean spiral for the outer periphery of the diaphragm plate or the shading shutter.

Abstract: The present invention is a unit for eliminating the fluctuation of luminous energy reduction by keeping the response time of a shading mechanism constant even if a diaphragm opening degree differs when reading every pixel by setting a shading period. This unit is provided with a shading mask having a quadrangular or V-shaped opening and moves a shading shutter in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertically moving direction of a diaphragm plate. Therefore, a shading period is set in accordance with the constant response time of the shading shutter and the rate of luminous energy reduction becomes constant. Moreover, a high-quality static image having a stable brightness can be obtained by reading the signal of every pixel obtained by a CCD through one-time exposure while using the shading period and then pixel-mixing signals. Furthermore, it is possible to use the Archimedean spiral for the outer periphery of the diaphragm plate or the shading shutter.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic endoscope apparatus that can appropriately compensate for the lack of light quantity caused by a delayed response from a shielding mechanism in using the all-pixel reading system to form a high-quality image. In this apparatus, for a moving image, a pixel mix signal is read out from a CCD to reproduce motions faithfully. For a still image, to improve the image quality, a shielding period set by the shielding plate is used to read out all the pixels obtained by the CCD during a single exposure in order to form a pixel mix signal using a mixing circuit. A lamp characteristic memory stores table data indicating the characteristic between the lamp voltage of the current lamp and the quantity of outgoing light so that based on this data, a lamp voltage higher than in moving images is supplied to the lamp during the exposure for still-image formation.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic-endoscope light quantity controlling apparatus that can reduce costs by simplifying a configuration for setting a shielding period in executing an all-pixel reading system. This apparatus uses diaphragm controlling circuit to control a diaphragm so as to maintain the brightness of an image at a predetermined value. It completely closes the diaphragm to set the shielding period and uses this period to form a still image based on the all-pixel reading method. For a moving image, it forms an image signal using a pixel mix reading system at the output of an image pickup device. That is, for a still image, during the shielding period set by the diaphragm, odd-line signals are read out from all pixels obtained by a CCD during a single exposure within a {fraction (1/60)}-second period, and during the next period, even-line signals are read out from these pixels. Subsequently, a mixing circuit pixel-mixes these line signals into a field signal to form a high-quality still image.

Abstract: In a spinning reel for fishing, a fishline guide roller is rotatably supported on a bail support arm pivotably mounted on a rotor. The guide roller has a flattened shape such that a ratio of an axial length of the roller relative to a diameter thereof falls within 0.10-0.40. Further, the guide roller is formed with a narrow fishline guide groove so that a ratio of an axial length of the fishline guide groove relative to an axial length of the roller falls within 0.05-0.35. It is possible to make a fishline guide roller small in weight and size and to restrict axial motion of a fishline along the guide roller which, among other advantages, reduces line twist in the fishline.

Abstract: In a spinning reel for fishing, a fishline guide roller is rotatably supported on a bail support arm pivotably mounted on a rotor. The guide roller has a flattened shape such that a ratio of an axial length of the roller relative to a diameter thereof falls within 0.10-0.40. Further, the guide roller is formed with a narrow fishline guide groove so that a ratio of an axial length of the fishline guide groove relative to an axial length of the roller falls within 0.05-0.35. It is possible to make a fishline guide roller small in weight and size and to restrict axial motion of a fishline along the guide roller which, among other advantages, reduces line twist in the fishline.

Abstract: To avoid degradation of the acoustic signal radiated from the opening of the ducted horn of a ducted horn type speaker, under influence of the ducted horn, below the characteristic of the speaker itself, and input terminal for receiving an audio signal, a non-recursive digital filter for varying the input audio signal, a power amplifier for amplifying the varied signal, and speaker for replaying the amplified signal are provided. The non-recursive digital filter realizes the inverse characteristic of the transfer characteristic of the ducted horn.

Abstract: In a spinning reel for fishing, a brake member is attached to a rotor, which, when a bail support member is operated or reversed from its fishing line retrieving state to its fishing line casting state, is pressed against a spool to thereby brake the rotation of the rotor. The bail support member can be returned from the fishing line casting state to the fishing line retrieving state through a reversing mechanism if the rotor is rotated with a handle in the fishing line retrieving direction. The spinning reel for fishing can prevent the inadvertent operation of a bail in a fishing line casting operation and thereby improve the fishing operation of the spinning reel.

Abstract: A spinning reel for fishing in which a return operation to return a bail to its fishing line retrieving position after casting of a fishing line as well as removal of the unrotatable state of a spool can be carried out automatically and easily. The spinning reel for fishing has a structure which includes a reverse-function lever (6) to be operated by a bail support member (29), a connecting body (5) which is movably fitted with the outer periphery of a large-diameter cylindrical portion (2c) of a rotor (2) connected to the reverse-function lever (6) and also which is fitted with a spool (3) in such a manner that it is free to move but is always prevented against rotation, and a lock member (7) which is fitted with a spool shaft (4) movably but unrotatably.

Abstract: In a spinning reel for fishing, by moving an actuator in accordance with an operation to move a bail support member from a fishing line retrieving position to a fishing line casting position, a cam surface of the actuator contacts with a cam surface of a securing member to bring a securing claw of the securing member into engagement with one of several securing grooves provided on the spool, thereby preventing the spool against rotation. On the other hand, movement of the actuator in accordance with a return operation to return the bail support member back to the fishing line retrieving position, separates the securing claw that was engaged with the securing grove from the securing groove, thereby allowing the spool to rotate.

Abstract: A video contrast enhancer enhances luminance contrast by dividing each video frame or field into blocks, calculating a mean luminance level for each block, selecting mapping functions on the basis of these mean luminance levels over a series of frames or fields, and mapping the video luminance levels according to the selected mapping functions. Color-saturation contrast is enhanced by modifying the amplitude of the modulated chrominance signal by the histogram equalization method, preferably by making a single linear modification in each period of the chrominance signal, so that color phase is not affected. For video signals with non-picture bands, these enhancements are preferably restricted to the picture area. If a black offset is present, it is preferably removed.

Abstract: An endoscopic light guide connector of the type which has an input end of a light guide fitted in a light guide rod to be inserted into a connector socket at a connection port of a light source to locate a light pickup end face of the light guide at a light condensing position of a condenser lens of the light source. The light guide connector includes an adaptor pipe which is detachably fitted on a fore end portion of the light guide rod and which is fitted with a corrective lens to adjust angles of incident light rays from the condenser lens of the light source on the basis of a numerical aperture of the light guide for receiving input light rays at a maximum acceptance angle or at angles close to a maximum acceptance angle of the light guide. An adjustor unit fixedly receives the light guide rod and adjusts the distance between the input end of the light guide and the condenser lens.

Abstract: A handle mounting structure in a fishing reel, which spreads open and deforms a collar by means of the taper action of a tapered engaging surface formed in the end portion of a handle shaft to thereby be sure to prevent the handle shaft from being loosened and clattered in the rotational direction thereof. The handle mounting structure includes: a drive shaft having a drive gear and a through-hole; a handle shaft to which a handle is fixed and which is non-rotatably fitted into the through-hole of the drive shaft; a tapered engaging surface formed on an end portion of the handle shaft; a collar deformable radially outwardly and fitted into the through-hole of the drive shaft so that one end of the collar is confronted with the tapered engaging surface; and a threaded member engageable with the handle shaft.

Abstract: In a spinning reel, the rear portion of the inner periphery of a large-diameter cylindrical portion and base portion of the rotor on the .beta. side of the rotor are formed into a thin-walled portion with a recess as compared with the rear area .alpha. of the rotor. The rear area .alpha. is closer to the bail support arm having a fishline guide portion than to the other bail support arm and is within the fishline winding side of the semi-annular bail arm. Furthermore the bail support arms and the bail support members are offset by a distance D with respect to the center of the rotary shaft of the rotor. This arrangement improves not only fishing operability, by stabilizing the rotational balance of the rotor without increasing the weight of the reel body as a whole but also improves fabrication efficiency by reducing the number of parts needed, since a discrete balance is no longer needed.

Abstract: In a spinning reel for fishing, a bail is fitted via bail support members (5A, 5B) to the bail support arms (4A, 4B) of a rotor rotatably supported by a reel body. The bail support members are reversible between a fishline playing-out position and a fishline winding position. One bail support member is provided with a line roller. As the rotor rotates, the fishline is wound on the spool via the line roller. A fishline entanglement preventive member (8) is installed from the front part of the support member having the line roller fitted to one end of the bail toward the support member on the other end side of the bail, in order to ensure that a fishline is prevented from becoming entangled in the outer end portion in the axial direction of the line roller of the bail support member due to slackening and twisting of the fishline. With the benefit of the described structure, fishing can be enjoyed without encumbrance arising from fishline entanglement, in particular during the fishline winding operation.

Abstract: A spinning reel for fishing includes a rotor rotatably fitted to a reel body, and a spool supported by the reel body via a spool shaft in such a manner that the spool is capable of a traverse motion in the axial direction of the spool shaft and that a fishing line is wound thereon when the rotor is rotated by a manually operated handle. The spinning reel for fishing is further includes a fishing-line entry restrainer for preventing the fishing line from being wound on the spool shaft. The fishing-line entry restrainer is movably fitted to the cylindrical portion of the rotor placed in the spool. A follow-up mechanism is provided for causing the fishing-line entry restrainer to move forward when the spool is moved in the same direction.