Abstract: An image sensing method, comprising: (a) controlling an image sensor to apply a first frame rate to sense a first frame during a first frame period; (b) determining exposure variation in the first frame period; and (c) during one of the first frame period and a second frame period following the first frame period, switching the image sensor to apply a second frame rate different from the first frame rate to sense at least one third frame, when the step (b) determines the exposure variation exceeds a threshold level. A related image sensing system is also disclosed. Via such image sensing method, the frame switch delay of a conventional frame switch can be reduced.

Abstract: A control method for a mechanical shutter in an image sensing apparatus that has the mechanical shutter which includes and a second curtain held in a pre-travel initial position using electric power, that performs image sensing using an image sensor, and that has an electronic viewfinder function. The voltage of the electric power for holding the second curtain is reduced during execution of the electronic viewfinder function, the voltage of the electric power for holding the second curtain is raised if a shutter speed set for image sensing is faster than a preset period in a case where still image sensing is instructed, and the second curtain is made to travel when a period corresponding to the shutter speed has elapsed.

Abstract: A highly versatile optical shutter for industrial and scientific applications is disclosed. The has a aperture which defines a light path through the shutter, and a shutter vane or blade that is moved into and out of the light path using a precision, microprocessor controlled motor, such as a stepping motor. Preferably, the motor is mounted on the shutter housing using a shock absorbing material. A control unit associated with the shutter comprises the microprocessor, a motor driver, preferably one which is capable of microstepping the motor, and a non-volatile memory device, such as EEPROM, which stores a plurality of shutter control programs defining different trajectories of the shutter vane. Different programs may be used, for example, to maximize shutter speed or frequency, or to minimize vibrations.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a light quantity adjusting member arranged to vary a quantity of light when the member is moved, a stepping motor arranged to drive the light quantity adjusting member, a luminance detecting part for detecting the luminance of a shooting object on the basis of the quantity of light obtained through the light quantity adjusting member, and a control circuit for driving and controlling the stepping motor in such a way as to make a difference between the luminance of the object detected by the luminance detecting part and a target luminance value smaller, the control circuit being arranged to change the driving speed of the stepping motor to be lowered when the object luminance comes near to the target luminance value.