Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus includes a movable unit supported by a fixed unit and movable in first and second directions as well as rotated on a movable plane. A first and second driving unit supply driving forces to the movable unit in a first direction. A third and fourth driving unit supply driving forces to the movable unit in a second direction. A first detector detects a direction of a gravitational force acting on the movable unit. A second detector detects a rotational movement around a straight line perpendicular to the movable plane. A control unit controls the third and fourth driving forces to correct the rotational movement when the gravitational direction is parallel to the first direction. The control unit controls the first and second driving forces to correct the rotational movement when the gravitational direction is parallel to the second direction.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; an X-direction moving member supported on the stationary support plate by an X-direction guide device; and a Y-direction moving member supported on the X-direction moving member by a Y-direction guide device. The X-direction guide device has an X-direction elongated hole extending in the X-direction and formed in one of the X-direction moving member and the stationary support plate, and an X-direction engagement projection provided on the other of the X-direction moving member and the stationary support plate and is engaged in the X-direction elongated hole. The Y-direction guide device has a Y-direction elongated hole extending in the Y-direction and formed in one of the X-direction and Y-direction moving members, and a Y-direction engagement projection which is provided on the other of the X-direction and Y-direction moving members and is engaged in the Y-direction elongated hole.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes an X-direction movable member provided parallel to a reference plane and relatively movable thereto only in a specific X-direction via an X-direction guide device; a Y-direction movable member supported by the X-direction movable member thereon to be movable only in a Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction of the reference plane via a Y-direction guide device, wherein the X-direction movable member is provided in between a stationary support plate, which is parallel with the reference plane, and the Y-direction movable member; three ball retaining through-holes formed in the X-direction movable member at three vertices of an imaginary triangle; and three balls installed in respective the three ball retaining through-holes so as to contact the stationary support plate and the Y-direction movable member, wherein the three ball retaining through-holes allow each of the three balls to rotate in any rotational direction therein.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing-apparatus comprises a movable-unit and a fixed-unit. The movable-unit has an imaging-device and a position-detecting magnet. The movable-unit can be moved in a first-direction and a second-direction. The fixed-unit has a hall-element unit. The first-direction is perpendicular to an optical-axis of a camera-lens of the photographing-apparatus. The second-direction is perpendicular to the optical-axis and the first-direction. The position-detecting magnet is used for detecting a first location in the first-direction of the movable-unit and a second location in the second-direction of the movable-unit, and has a front-surface which faces the hall-element unit. The hall-element unit has hall-elements which are used for detecting the first location, and has hall-elements which are used for detecting the second location, and faces the position-detecting magnet.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position detecting device includes a movable member which relatively moves parallel to a stationary member; a light source and a two-dimensional position sensor which are fixed to one and the other of the stationary member and the movable member, respectively, the two-dimensional position sensor receiving light emitted from the light source to detect a light-receiving point on a light receiving surface of the two-dimensional position sensor; and a reducing projector optical system, positioned between the light source and the two-dimensional position sensor, for converging the light that is emitted from the light source on the light receiving surface of the two-dimensional position sensor.

Abstract: A light-amount control device includes a plurality of lighting units each of which emits light for illuminating a photographing area of a photographing optical system. Further, the light-amount control device includes a peripheral light amount data calculator and a lighting unit controller. The peripheral light amount data calculator calculates a peripheral light amount data defining ratios of light emission intensities for the lighting units, to make the illuminance of an image plane of a standard object that has a flat surface being perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing optical system and having a constant reflecting light ratio, constant when the standard object is illuminated by the lighting units. The image plane is formed by reflected light from the surface of the standard object that enters the photographing optical system.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft; a hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft positioned around the rotary input shaft; a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft to form at least one accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface; a movable member; balls positioned between first and second holding surfaces; at least one roller member installed in the accommodation space; and a biasing device which biases the movable member so that the balls are sandwiched between the first and second holding surfaces and so that an normal surface and the roller member come into pressing contact with each other. The circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion is shaped so that a rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft via the roller member when the rotary input shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support base-plate; a Y-direction moving member supported on the stationary support base-plate to move in a Y-direction; and an X-direction moving member supported on the Y-direction moving member to move in an X-direction orthogonal to the Y-direction. The Y-direction moving member includes a Y-direction rod portion which extends in the Y-direction and an X-direction rod portion connected to the Y-direction rod portion and extends in the X-direction. The stationary support base-plate includes a Y-direction guide device for guiding the Y-direction rod portion of the Y-direction moving member so as to slide in the Y-direction, and a Y-direction support device for supporting a free end of the X-direction rod portion so as to allow movement of the X-direction rod portion in the Y-direction. The X-direction moving member is supported by the Y-direction moving member so as to slide in the X-direction.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit has an imaging device and can be moved and rotated on a plane which is perpendicular to an optical axis of a camera lens of the photographing apparatus. The fixed unit supports the movable unit in a movable and rotatable situation on the plane. The movable unit and the fixed unit have a position-detecting apparatus that detects first position-information of the movable unit in a first direction being perpendicular to the optical axis. The is fixed unit has an optical sensor unit that has two position-detecting elements which are used for detecting the first position-information as the position-detecting apparatus. The movable unit has a slit light-source unit that has two slit light-sources which are used for detecting the first position-information as the position-detecting apparatus.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus, comprises a movable unit, a fixed unit, and an urging member. The movable unit has one of an imaging device and a hand-shake correcting lens, and can be moved in first and second directions. The first direction is perpendicular to an optical axis of a photographing optical system of the photographing apparatus. The second direction is perpendicular to the optical axis and the first direction. The fixed unit slidably supports the movable unit in both the first and second directions. The urging member extends, and then urges and fixes the movable unit when the urging member is in the off state, and shrinks, and then releases fixing the movable unit when the urging member is in the on state.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a stationary support board; a movable stage; a leaf spring supported by the stationary support board; a press portion and a pressed portion provided on the leaf spring and the movable stage, respectively, a frictional contacting member being fixed to at least one of opposed surfaces of the press portion and the pressed portion; an electromagnet for resiliently deforming the leaf spring in a lock releasing direction to disengage the frictional contacting member from the one of opposed surfaces of the press portion and the pressed portion; and a permanent magnet, fixed to the stationary support board, which magnetically attracts the leaf spring to hold the frictional contacting member and the one of opposed surfaces of the press portion and the pressed portion in a disengaged state when the leaf spring is resiliently deformed by the electromagnet.

Abstract: A cleaning attachment for removing dust stuck to a surface of an image pickup device in a camera body of a digital camera using an interchangeable lens capable of being detachably attached to a mount portion of the camera body, the cleaning attachment includes a mount portion detachably attached to the mount portion of the camera body; a facing member facing the surface of the image pickup device; a radial-air-passage forming surface, formed on a rear surface of the facing member to extend parallel to the image pickup device, for forming a radial air passage between the radial-air-passage forming surface and the image pickup device, the radial air passage extending orthogonally to an optical axis of the camera; a suction port formed in the radial-air-passage forming surface; and a suction device for producing a flow of air into the suction port through the radial air passage.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for lighting subjects to be photographed, includes a plurality of lighting units each having a lighting element and a radiating surface for radiating light from the lighting element, and each radiating surface having a normal line oriented in the same direction. Further, the lighting apparatus includes an optical-path deflection unit that has a plurality of optical-path deflectors for each of the lighting units, to deflect a direction and an illuminating angle of light emitted by each of the lighting elements. The optical-path deflectors are formed as one body. Therefore, the lighting apparatus has a simple structure, and uniformly illuminates the photographing area of the camera, by deflecting each optical path of light from the lighting units.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus includes a movable stage; a pair of engaging members provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members positioned between the engaging members and movable along an imaginary straight line passing through the engaging members; a first link member movable along a reference straight line between the lock members; a pair of second link members rotatably mounted on the first link member and rotatably mounted on the lock members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members mutually away from each other to engage with the engaging members by moving the first link member along the reference straight line; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members mutually toward each other so as to disengage with the engaging members by moving the first link member in the other direction along the reference straight line.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a movable stage provided on a stationary member which is movable in a reference plane; a pair of engaging members which are provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members which are positioned between the engaging members and are movable so as to move toward and away from corresponding the engaging members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members to an engaged position wherein the lock members mutually move away from each other and engage with the corresponding engaging members; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members to a disengaged position wherein the lock members mutually move toward each other so as to disengage with the corresponding engaging members.

Abstract: A fluorescent structure is provided on a curved recess plane of a reflector. The fluorescent structure has a shape of a cylinder which is cut by a plane including its central axis and along its longitudinal direction. An inner wall of the fluorescent structure tapers in like a cone from both ends to the central portion of the fluorescent structure. The structure includes a fluorescent material, for example YAG, which converts blue light to white light and diffuses the white light. Blue LEDs are provided close to both ends of the structure. The blue LEDs are positioned such that blue light emitted from the blue LED enters from both ends and is led to the central portion.

Abstract: A stage apparatus comprising: a stationary support board; a movable stage positioned to face the stationary support board to be movable relative to the stationary support board; at least three support members which are in contact with one surface of the movable stage which faces the stationary support board to be slidable thereon; at least three position adjusting devices provided on the stationary support board and configured to adjust positions of the three support members, respectively, in a direction toward/away from the movable stage; and a biasing device which biases the movable stage in a direction to bring the three support members into contact with the movable stage.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft and a hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft coaxially arranged; a bearing supporting the rotary input shaft and the hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft and on which a first orthogonal surface is formed; a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft to form an accommodation space; a retainer which moves with the rotary input shaft and on which a second orthogonal surface is formed; and a roller member installed in the accommodation space and held between the first and second orthogonal surfaces. The circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion is shaped so that rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft via the roller member. The bearing, the retainer and the roller member are made of a magnetic material, and magnetic circuits attract the roller member to the first and second orthogonal surfaces.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position detecting device includes a movable member which relatively moves parallel to a stationary member; a light source and a two-dimensional position sensor which are fixed to one and the other of the stationary member and the movable member, respectively, the two-dimensional position sensor receiving light emitted from the light source to detect a light-receiving point on a light receiving surface of the two-dimensional position sensor; and a reducing projector optical system, positioned between the light source and the two-dimensional position sensor, for converging the light that is emitted from the light source on the light receiving surface of the two-dimensional position sensor.