Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting apparatus (1) comprising an array (2) of light sources (3) emitting emission cones (4) with edges (5) which intersect in an intersection plane and a lens unit (7) for homogenizing the intensity distribution in the far field. The array of the light sources and the lens unit are arranged such that i) the emission cones traverse the lens unit and ii) the distance (s) between the array of the light sources and the lens unit deviates from the sum of or the difference between a) the focal length f of the lens unit and b) the distance t between the intersection plane and the array (2) of the light sources (3) by 20 percent or less. This configuration leads to an intermixture of the emission cones in the far field such that the intensity distribution in the far field is substantially homogeneous.

Abstract: A dot-sighting device includes a light source, a beam splitter and a reflective element. The light source emits light. The beam splitter includes a surface that reflects at least a portion of a first light component of the light and transmits at least a portion of a second light component. The reflective element reflects at least a portion of the first light component reflected by the surface of the beam splitter toward the beam splitter. The light reflected by the reflective element includes the second light component.

Abstract: A dot-sighting device includes a light source, a beam splitter and a reflective element. The light source emits light. The beam splitter includes a surface that reflects at least a portion of a first light component of the light and transmits at least a portion of a second light component. The reflective element reflects at least a portion of the first light component reflected by the surface of the beam splitter toward the beam splitter. The light reflected by the reflective element includes the second light component.

Abstract: The focus detection accuracy of a focus detection device that employs an external AF sensor unit having a pair of line sensors that are each comprised of multiple unit line sensors is improved. The individual line sensors are arranged so that the center of the field of view of an imaging optical system at a predetermined subject distance, at which field-of-view adjustment for causing the field of view of the imaging optical system and the field of view of a focus-detection optical system to match has been carried out, corresponds to the center of one of the multiple unit line sensors included in the individual line sensors.

Abstract: A method and system for hiding objectionable frames during autofocusing are disclosed. A personal electronic device such as a cameral telephone can have two cameras that have overlapping fields of view. One camera can provide imaging. The other camera can facilitate autofocusing in a manner wherein images produced thereby are not viewed by a user. Because the autofocus frames are hidden, the user is not distracted or annoying thereby.

Abstract: A technique is provided which can improve the precision of a matching point search with a plurality of images taking the same object where distant and near views coexist. A plurality of first images obtained by time-sequentially imaging an object from a first viewpoint, and a plurality of second images obtained by time-sequentially imaging the object from a second viewpoint, are obtained. Reference regions including a reference point are set respectively in the first images with the same arrangement, and comparison regions corresponding to the form of the reference regions are set respectively in the second images with the same arrangement. One reference distribution of pixel values about two-or-more-dimensional space is generated from the distributions of pixel values about the plurality of reference regions, and one comparison distribution of pixel values about two-or-more-dimensional space is generated from the distributions of pixel values about the plurality of comparison regions.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: Provided is a communication system including a transmitter and a receiver which carry out communication by establishing connection of their plurality of communication layers. The transmitter generates a connection request containing a command and data required for connecting a number of contiguously adjacent layers among the plurality of communication layers and transmits the connection request to the receiver. The receiver receives a connection request containing a command and data required for connecting a number of contiguously adjacent layers among the plurality of communication layers, extracts the command and data from the connection request, and establishes connection for the plurality of communication layers based on the command and data. In this way, the time taken to establish connection is reduced. Therefore, even when the connection is cut off during the data exchange, the connection can be established again without taking much time, allowing quick recovery of data exchange.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, and an optical system configured to image light from an imaging subject on the imaging device. The optical system includes a group of lenses and an aperture diaphragm. When NP point is defined as a point where an extended linear component in an object space of a principal ray located in a Gauss region and selected from among principal rays passing through a center of the aperture diaphragm of the optical system crosses an optical axis of the optical system, D represents a diameter of a lens at the closest side to the imaging subject, and LN represents a distance from a lens surface of the lens at the closest side to the imaging subject to the NP point, a formula; 0?LN?D (1) is satisfied.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: A coupled rangefinder/parallax camera having a 4×5 format or larger utilizing the body shell of a 3¼×4¼ format camera and an adaptor that changes a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a different size film format. In particular, a coupled rangefinder/parallax camera that utilizes components from Polaroid Models 110, 110A, 110B, 120, 900 and 150 cameras and the adaptor.

Abstract: An image signal output device for use in a passive range finder. The device can correct the sensitivities of sensor arrays according to the amount of incident light. The output device has line sensor portions that produce pixel outputs. An A/D converter portion A/D converts these pixel outputs. At this time, the A/D conversion range of the A/D converter portion is modified according to the difference in sensitivity between the line sensor portions.

Abstract: A different size format camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼×4¼ format camera and an adaptor that changes a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a different size film format. In particular, a coupled rangefinder/parallax camera that utilizes components from Polaroid Models 110, 110A, 110B, 120, 900 and 150 cameras and the adaptor.

Abstract: A method of making an interface for adapting a photographic system for a specific format to a camera back for a different film format, in particular from a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 format film back. The interface may be a modified CB 103 film magazine. An adaptor for changing a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 film format or a different size film format, comprising the modified CB 103 interface and a 4×5 or different size connecting frame, wherein the total thickness of the CB 103 interface and the connecting frame is at least ⅜ inch. A different size format camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼a×4¼ format camera and the adaptor. In particular, a method of making a coupled range finder/parallax camera that utilizes components from Polaroid Models 110, 110A, 110B, 120, 900 and 150 cameras and the adaptor.

Abstract: A method of making an interface for adapting a photographic system for a specific format to a camera back for a different film format, in particular from a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 format film back. The interface may be a modified CB 103 film magazine. An adaptor for changing a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 film format or a different size film format, comprising the modified CB 103 interface and a 4×5 or different size connecting frame, wherein the total thickness of the CB 103 interface and the connecting frame is at least ⅜ inch. A different size format camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼a×4¼ format camera and the adaptor. In particular, a method of making a coupled range finder/parallax camera that utilizes components from Polaroid Models 110, 110A, 110B, 120, 900 and 150 cameras and the adaptor.

Abstract: An interface for adapting a photographic system for a specific format to a camera back for a different film format, in particular from a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 format film back, comprises a frame having four walls defining two substantially parallel open planar sides, one side is adapted to be mounted onto the photographic system, the other side is adapted to be mounted onto the camera back for a different film format, wherein the distance between the two open planar sides is at least ⅜ inch. The interface may be a modified CB 103 film magazine. A 4×5 adaptor for changing a 3¼x4¼× format photographic system to a 4×5 film format, comprising the modified CB 103 interface and a 4×5 connecting frame, wherein the total thickness of the CB 103 interface and 4×5 connecting frame is at least ⅜ inch. A 4×5 camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼×4¼ format camera and the 4x5 adaptor.

Abstract: An interface for adapting a photographic system for a specific format to a camel-a back for a different film format, in particular from a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 format film back, comprises a frame having four walls defining two substantially parallel open planar sides, one side is adapted to be mounted onto the photographic system, the other side is adapted to be mounted onto the camera back for a different film format, wherein the distance between the two open planar sides is at least ⅜ inch. The interface may be a modified CB 103 film magazine. A 4×5 adaptor for changing a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 film format, comprising the modified CB 103 interface and a 4×5 connecting frame, wherein the total thickness of the CB 103 interface and 4×5 connecting frame is at least ⅜ inch. A 4×5 camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼×4¼ format camera and the 4×5 adaptor.

Abstract: A parallax corrected image capture system and method for capturing images using such an apparatus. The system has a first camera and a second camera, at least one of which has a variable focus objective lens the focus of which can be adjusted by a first drive. A range finder supplies a distance signal indicating the distance from the capture system to an object in a scene to be captured while a parallax corrector adjusts the angle between an optical axis of the first camera and an optical axis of the second camera. A processor system controls the first drive and the parallax corrector in accordance with the range finder distance signal.

Abstract: A lens assembly, image capturing device and a method for using a lens assembly with an image capturing device. The lens assembly comprises a first lens mounted on a holder which attaches the first lens to a viewing device of an image capturing device. A marking on the first lens is observable through the viewing device when the lens is attached to the viewing device such that the marking is capable of being used to position the lens assembly a properly focused distance from a target having a specified (predetermined) size. The relationship, as seen through the viewing device between the size of the object and the size of the marking may be used to properly position the camera relative to the target object.

Abstract: A parallax correcting mechanism for a real image type viewfinder, particularly for a real image type viewfinder having a zoom function of high magnification and allowing a desired parallax correction to be easily achieved by swinging a housing for an erecting optical system relative to a housing for an objective side optical system and thereby adjusting a relative position between an optical axis of the objective side optical system and an optical axis of the erecting optical system at its incidence side. More specifically, the housing for the objective side optical system containing therein lens holders serving to hold objective lenses respectively, includes a support hole at a position thereon appropriately spaced from a common optical axis of these objective lenses.