Abstract: An image capture apparatus having a speech recognition function, when a detector has detected an eye approach state with respect to a viewfinder, recognizes input speech using the speech recognition function, makes settings of the image capture apparatus based on the recognized speech, makes settings of the image capture apparatus according to an operation accepted via an operation unit, and distinguishably displays the settings of the image capture apparatus made based on speech, and the settings of the image capture apparatus made according to an operation accepted via the operation unit, on the viewfinder.

Abstract: An image capture device including a housing that defines a cavity and a user interface that covers the cavity and has interior and exterior surfaces. The user interface includes an actuation portion that is positioned on the exterior surface and receives an input command from a user. The user interface includes a protrusion that extends from the interior surface and actuates an imaging feature of the image capture device when an input command is received at the actuation portion. The actuation portion and the protrusion in combination prevent premature activation of the input command from hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and mitigating non-compliances include determining an agent location of a money service business for review, obtaining a photograph and geographic coordinates of the agent location, and collecting field data at the agent location through a mobile application. Such information are sent from the mobile application to a central server of a third party vendor for a series of quality checks and stored at the central server. Such information may be used for further corrective action against the agent location reviewed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a dual camera unit and a device, the dual camera unit includes a first camera, a second camera and a driving component. The second camera is movable relative to the first camera. The method includes determining whether current ambient-light intensity reaches a preset threshold; controlling the driving component to deform, thereby to drive the second camera to move and change the distance between the first camera and the second camera to a first preset distance, when the current ambient-light intensity fails to reach the preset threshold; controlling the first camera and the second camera to be in a first imaging mode corresponding to the first preset distance; and controlling the first camera and the second camera to shoot in the first imaging mode, and outputting a first image in the first imaging mode.

Abstract: A lens driving mechanism is provided, configured to drive an optical lens, including a bottom plate, a movable portion, an elastic member, and a biasing assembly. The movable portion is disposed on the bottom plate and has a base and a holder, wherein the holder is configured to hold the optical lens, and the holder is movably connected to the base. The elastic member connects the movable portion to the bottom plate. The biasing assembly connects the bottom plate and the movable portion and is configured to force the movable portion to move relative to the bottom plate. When the holder moves to a lower-limit position relative to the base, the holder comes into contact with the elastic member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera accessory that connects to a camera. The camera accessory includes a wireless antenna and can communicate on a wireless local area network with a separate wireless enabled device. The camera accessory controls and interacts with a camera through Picture Transfer Protocol. According to some embodiments the separate wireless enabled device is a smart phone, tablet or computer.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus 10 includes a lower housing 11, an upper housing 21, a lower LCD 12, an outer camera, a plurality of buttons 14A to 14E, and a touch panel 13. The lower housing 11 has a horizontally long shape. The upper housing 21 has a horizontally long shape, and a long side of the upper housing 21 is connected to an upper long side of the lower housing 11 such that the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 21 are foldable. The lower LCD 12 has a display screen which is provided in an inner surface of the lower housing 11. The outer camera is provided in an outer surface of the upper housing 21, and located at an end of the outer surface of the upper housing 21 which is opposite to a connection portion where the upper housing 21 is connected to the lower housing 11. The plurality of buttons 14A to 14E are provided on an inner surface of the lower housing 11 and on both sides of the display screen in a horizontal direction of the lower housing 11. The touch panel 13 is provided on the display screen.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a camera module including a lens holder that holds a lens, a transparent substrate disposed below the lens in the lens holder, a driving-device, a substrate including a sensor unit, a driver IC, a plurality of external electrodes electrically connected to the sensor unit and the driver IC, and a wiring for the driving-device. The driving-device is a device which moves the lens in the vertical direction and which is disposed above the transparent substrate in the lens holder. The substrate is disposed below the transparent substrate in the lens holder. The driver IC is an IC which drives the driving-device and which is disposed at a rear side of the substrate. The wiring for the driving-device electrically connects the driving-device with the driver IC.

Abstract: A handheld communication device capable of transmitting and receiving at least voice and text communication. The device has a body assembly including a front face arranged to be directed toward an operator of the device when held in a text communicating orientation. A display screen and a text-input keyboard are included and are each exposed at the front face of the body assembly. The keyboard has a plurality of keys that include a set of alphabetic keys with which either QWERTY-, QWERTZ- AZERTY- or Dvorak-arranged alphabetic characters are associated. An integrated camera assembly is also included that is configured for taking photographs and the communication device enabled to wirelessly communicate photographs taken with the camera assembly to a remote receiver. The camera assembly includes a photo-initiating actuator having an actuated position and an unactuated position and at least one of a selective enablement device or a selective disablement device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus 10 comprises a lower housing 11, an upper housing 21, an outer camera 25, and at least one photographing button (buttons 14H and 14G). The upper housing 21 is connected to an upper surface of the lower housing 11 such that the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 11 are foldable. The outer camera 25 is provided in an outer surface of the upper housing 21 which is located outside when the two housings 11 and 21 are folded. The at least one photographing button is provided on an upper surface of the lower housing 11 for performing an instruction to sore an image taken by the outer camera 25.

Abstract: When a second cam gear and a first cam gear rotate one turn, a shutter device changes to a first state, a second state, and a third state in this order. In the first state, the second cam gear charges a mirror lever drive spring and a blade drive spring, so that the first cam gear holds the blade lever. In the second state, the second cam gear releases charging of the mirror lever drive spring and charges the blade drive spring, so that the first cam gear releases holding of the blade lever. In the third state, the second cam gear releases charging of the mirror lever drive spring and charging of the blade drive spring, so that the first cam gear releases holding of the blade lever.

Abstract: A shutter base plate is formed with a first shaft parallel to an optical axis of a photographic light flux, and a blade lever rotates about the first shaft to drive a first blade and a second blade. A drive lever rotates about the first shaft to drive the blade lever. A second cam gear rotates about a second shaft formed on the shutter base plate in parallel to the first shaft to charge a mirror drive spring. A first cam gear rotates about a third shaft formed on the shutter base plate in parallel to the first shaft to switch between a state in which the blade lever is held so that the first blade and the second blade close the aperture and a state in which holding of the blade lever is released.

Abstract: A shutter base plate is formed with a first shaft parallel to an optical axis of a photographic light flux, and a drive lever rotates around the first shaft to drive a first blade and a second blade. A mirror lever rotates around a second shaft parallel to the first shaft to drive a main mirror. A second cam gear rotates around a third shaft parallel to the first shaft to charge a mirror lever drive spring and a blade drive spring.

Abstract: A cascaded electrostatic actuator can be formed from a substantially planar substrate. The cascaded electrostatic actuator can be formed in a plane of the substrate. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, a storing module, an infrared shutter module, and a controlling module. The image sensor converts light rays projected thereon to digital image signals. The storing module is for storing the digital image signals. The infrared shutter module includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver adjacent to the infrared emitter, and when infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitter are transmitted into the infrared receiver, the infrared shutter module outputs a triggering signal. The controlling module electrically connects to the image sensor, the storing module, the infrared shutter module and stores the digital image signals in the storing module when receiving the triggering signal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a camera module including a lens holder that holds a lens, a transparent substrate disposed below the lens in the lens holder, a driving-device, a substrate including a sensor unit, a driver IC, a plurality of external electrodes electrically connected to the sensor unit and the driver IC, and a wiring for the driving-device. The driving-device is a device which moves the lens in the vertical direction and which is disposed above the transparent substrate in the lens holder. The substrate is disposed below the transparent substrate in the lens holder. The driver IC is an IC which drives the driving-device and which is disposed at a rear side of the substrate. The wiring for the driving-device electrically connects the driving-device with the driver IC.

Abstract: A shutter base plate is formed with a first shaft parallel to an optical axis of a photographic light flux, and a blade lever rotates about the first shaft to drive a first blade and a second blade. A drive lever rotates about the first shaft to drive the blade lever. A second cam gear rotates about a second shaft formed on the shutter base plate in parallel to the first shaft to charge a mirror drive spring. A first cam gear rotates about a third shaft formed on the shutter base plate in parallel to the first shaft to switch between a state in which the blade lever is held so that the first blade and the second blade close the aperture and a state in which holding of the blade lever is released.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus 10 comprises a lower housing 11, an upper housing 21, an outer camera 25, and at least one photographing button (buttons 14H and 14G). The upper housing 21 is connected to an upper surface of the lower housing 11 such that the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 11 are foldable. The outer camera 25 is provided in an outer surface of the upper housing 21 which is located outside when the two housings 11 and 21 are folded. The at least one photographing button is provided on an upper surface of the lower housing 11 for performing an instruction to store an image taken by the outer camera 25.

Abstract: A drive unit and drive module which use a shape memory alloy as a drive source to move a driven member, and which can drive at a high speed, independently of the ambient temperature and the position of the driven member. The timing of moving the driven member is controlled based on the position to which the driven member is moved, and based on the settling time for the driven member moved to that position to settle at that position, thus, the driven section can be moved in the minimum drive time, and this arrangement provides the drive unit and drive module that can drive at a high speed, independently of the ambient temperature and the position of the driven member.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a cam-incorporated gear which rotates in one rotational direction by a driving force transmitted from a drive source via a planet gear when engaged with the planet gear, wherein the cam-incorporated gear stops rotating when disengaged from the planet gear; a driven member which includes a follower which contacts at least one surface cam formed on the cam-incorporated gear, the driven member being driven in accordance with the rotation of the cam-incorporated gear in the one rotational direction, and exerting a surplus torque on the cam-incorporated gear in the one rotational direction thereof so as to increase the rotation of the cam-incorporated gear in the one rotational direction, the surplus torque being independent of a torque exerted on the cam-incorporated gear by the drive source; and a damping mechanism which continuously exerts a load torque on the cam-incorporated gear in a rotational direction opposite to the one rotational direction of the cam-incorporated

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a shutter driving member which drives a shutter blade; a shutter spring which urges the shutter driving member; a shutter charge unit which charges the shutter spring, and is switched between an over-charged state and a travel prepared state; a driving unit which drives the shutter charge unit; a retaining unit which, when the shutter charge unit is set in the travel prepared state, retains the shutter driving member in a state in which the shutter spring is charged; a determination unit which determines whether or not the apparatus is executing a continuous shooting operation; and a controller which, when it is determined that the apparatus is executing the continuous shooting operation, controls to drive the shutter charge unit to the travel prepared state without stopping the shutter charge unit in the over-charged state after the charge operation of the shutter spring is complete.

Abstract: A shutter device and an image capturing apparatus including the shutter device are provided. The shutter device includes at least one shutter blade assembly, each of the at least one shutter blade assembly including at least one shutter blade that opens and closes the shutter opening and a driving link that drives the shutter blades, and at least one actuators for rotating the driving link, wherein a rotation center of the actuator is eccentric from a rotation center of the driving link.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera, with an electromechanical shutter device for interrupting the ray path from time to time, has a motor (1), a motor shaft (2) and a shutter flag (3). The motor shaft (2) and the shutter flag (3) are in connection with one another via a crank-and-rocker mechanism. The crank-and-rocker mechanism includes a crank (4) rotatable about the motor shaft (2) with a crank pin (5) and with a rocker (6), at one end of which an elongated hole (8) is provided, which forms a rectilinear sliding joint together with the crank pin (5), and at the other end of which the shutter flag (3) is formed.

Abstract: A shutter system may be used as part of an imaging device, such as a CMOS imaging device. The shutter system comprises a support structure, and first and second shutter members are rotatably mounted to the support structure so as to have respective first and second axes of rotation. The first and second shutter members have respective first and second shutter apertures defined therethrough, with the first shutter apertures having a first circular orbit about the first axis of rotation and the second shutter aperture having a second circular orbit about the second axis of rotation. The first and second shutter members at least partially overlap, and the first circular orbit and the second shutter circular orbit also at least partially overlap, so that rotation of the first and second shutter members at different frequencies cycles the first and second shutter apertures into and out of registration with each other.

Abstract: A single-lens reflex camera including a mirror driving device comprises: a mirror; a first biasing spring that biases the mirror downward; a drive lever for performing charge drive and a mirror drive; a second biasing spring that biases the drive lever in a mirror up direction; a locking lever that swings around a pivoting shaft on the drive lever; a mirror up and down lever engaged with the locking lever, the mirror up and down lever pivoting with the drive lever to raise the mirror by the second biasing spring against the first biasing spring, the mirror up and down lever releasing the engagement with the locking lever, and the mirror up and down lever pivoting in a direction opposite the direction during the mirror up by the first biasing spring to thereby lower the mirror; a locking spring that engages and biases the locking lever to the mirror up and down lever; and a charge gear that includes a charge abutment that pivots the drive lever in a charge direction against the second biasing spring and a rele

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a shutter driving member which drives a shutter blade; a shutter spring which urges the shutter driving member; a shutter charge unit which charges the shutter spring, and is switched between an over-charged state and a travel prepared state; a driving unit which drives the shutter charge unit; a retaining unit which, when the shutter charge unit is set in the travel prepared state, retains the shutter driving member in a state in which the shutter spring is charged; a determination unit which determines whether or not the apparatus is executing a continuous shooting operation; and a controller which, when it is determined that the apparatus is executing the continuous shooting operation, controls to drive the shutter charge unit to the travel prepared state without stopping the shutter charge unit in the over-charged state after the charge operation of the shutter spring is complete.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a shutter spring which urges a shutter drive member for driving shutter blades, a shutter charge unit which is used to charge the shutter spring, and is switched between a fixed state in which a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, and the shutter drive member is fixed and a released state, and a drive unit which drives the shutter charge unit. When a second determination unit determines that a switching ready state of a mirror from a mirror-down state to a mirror-up state is set when a first determination unit determines that a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, the drive unit is controlled to drive the shutter charge unit to the released state without latch the shutter charge unit in the fixed state after the charge operation of the shutter spring is complete.

Abstract: An image photographing apparatus includes a main body, and a gripping unit rotatably disposed on the main body. The gripping unit includes a first member that protrudes from and is rotatably disposed on a side surface of the main body to adjust in a linear direction, and a second member fixed at approximate right angles to the first member. With this construction, a user can photograph while freely changing a position of her/his hand according a photographing angle that she/he wants to photograph at, in a position that a gripping state to the apparatus is held.

Abstract: A digital camera having a housing and a lens assembly receiving in the housing, includes a touch screen, a right shutter button, a left shutter button, and a selection switch. The right shutter button is configured for right-handed activation of a shutter function of the lens assembly of the digital camera. The left shutter button is configured for a left hand to turn on the lens assembly of the digital camera. The selection switch is electronically connected to the left, right shutter buttons and the touch screen. The selection switch is configured for selecting and activating one of the left, right shutter buttons to turn on the lens assembly of the digital camera. The selection is also configured for changing a relative position of the image-displaying area and the virtual button area in response to the left shutter button and the right shutter button that is activated.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an image pickup unit including an image pickup element and a control substrate mounted with the image pickup element; and a shutter unit including a blade for adjusting an amount of light reaching the image pickup element and a drive source for driving the blade. The shutter unit includes a terminal portion electrically connected to a coil of the drive source. The terminal portion extends outward from the shutter unit and is electrically connected to the control substrate. The terminal portion and the image pickup unit include alignment means for aligning these each other. The shutter unit is aligned with the image pickup unit via the terminal portion.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a cam-incorporated gear which rotates in one rotational direction by a driving force transmitted from a drive source via a planet gear when engaged with the planet gear, wherein the cam-incorporated gear stops rotating when disengaged from the planet gear; a driven member which includes a follower which contacts at least one surface cam formed on the cam-incorporated gear, the driven member being driven in accordance with the rotation of the cam-incorporated gear in the one rotational direction, and exerting a surplus torque on the cam-incorporated gear in the one rotational direction thereof so as to increase the rotation of the cam-incorporated gear in the one rotational direction, the surplus torque being independent of a torque exerted on the cam-incorporated gear by the drive source; and a damping mechanism which continuously exerts a load torque on the cam-incorporated gear in a rotational direction opposite to the one rotational direction of the cam-incorporated

Abstract: An electronic device includes an operation member which is arranged within a range where a particular finger of right hand gripping the electronic device in a vertical orientation reaches and in which assigned functions can be customized, a storage unit adapted to store information on a first function and a second function which are set in the operation member as the assigned functions, an orientation information obtaining unit adapted to obtain information on an orientation related to the electronic device, a function assignment control unit adapted to assign the first function to the operation member when it is determined based on the information on the orientation that the electronic device is in a horizontal orientation and assign the second function to the operation member when it is determined based on the information on the orientation that the electronic device is in the vertical orientation.

Abstract: A shutter device of a camera includes an upper plate and a bottom plate. An oscillator, which is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, includes a rotator having a spindle, and the spindle pivots its opposite ends on pivot portions of the upper plate and the lower plate respectively. A driving arm is provided to the spindle to swing two shutter blades for exposing or shading an aperture of an aperture plate. One of the shutter blade is fixed to the driving arm that the spindle is no longer to be a rotation center of the second shutter blade, so that a working space, in which the aperture plate, the shutter blades are received, is elevated to the same level as the pivot portion of the lower plate to reduce a thickness of the shutter device.

Abstract: A camera apparatus includes a lens module, an image detecting module, a shutter and a shutter control apparatus. The shutter is disposed between the lens module and the image detecting module. The shutter control apparatus has a switch for controlling the lens module and the shutter. The switch has a first trigger status and a second trigger status. While the switch produces the first trigger status, the lens module automatically focuses. By contrast, while the switch produces the second trigger status, the shutter control apparatus turns on/off the shutter, so that the image detecting module detects an image through the lens module.

Abstract: A method and system provides a series of images having different focuses. The method can include storing at least one image in a buffer while an autofocus mechanism is determining a focus of the camera. Then, at least one image can be stored in the buffer after the autofocus mechanism has determined the focus of the camera. Images in the buffer can be transferred to a flash memory. In this manner, a plurality of images, each generally having a different focus, can be provided and the user can select an image having a desired focus.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an image pickup unit including an image pickup element and a control substrate mounted with the image pickup element; and a shutter unit including a blade for adjusting an amount of light reaching the image pickup element and a drive source for driving the blade. The shutter unit includes a terminal portion electrically connected to a coil of the drive source. The terminal portion extends outward from the shutter unit and is electrically connected to the control substrate. The terminal portion and the image pickup unit include alignment means for aligning these each other. The shutter unit is aligned with the image pickup unit via the terminal portion.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a shutter substrate having an opening; a blade for opening and closing the opening; a drive member swingably supported for driving the blade; a drive spring for driving the drive member; and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting an urging force of the drive spring. One end of the drive spring is engaged with the drive member. The adjustment mechanism includes: an adjustment member engaging the other end of the drive spring and rotatably supported to adjust the urging force of the drive spring; and an engagement member abutting the adjustment member to stop rotation of the adjustment member. The adjustment member has a clearance portion for avoiding abutment against the engagement member at a given rotational position.

Abstract: A camera including a camera body having a substantially flat shape, a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographing operation and accommodated in the camera body, the photographing optical system having a photographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera body and a photographing object side plane, the photographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed when photographing, and a release button configured to activate the photographing operation of the photographing optical system provided on a side surface of the camera body corresponding with the photographing object side plane of the photographing optical system.

Abstract: A camera has a shutter release button, held in an initial position, that is movable from the initial position to a full-pressed position via a half-pressed position. The camera has three detectors for detecting that the shutter release button is in the initial, half-pressed and full-pressed positions respectively. When the first detector detects that the shutter release button is displaced from the initial position, it is determined that the shutter release is being activated, so the camera starts preparatory operations for shooting. When the second detector detects the shutter release button in the half-pressed position, the camera completes preparatory operations for shooting. When the third detector detects that shutter release button in the full-pressed position, the camera carries out an actual shutter release to write image data on a memory card.

Abstract: In a position controller, a driving mechanism and an image pickup system according to the present invention, an operation of controlling a position of a movable member is performed by using, as a reference value, a first resistance value giving a first change point at which a resistance change rate per unit temperature change in a shape-memory-alloy member changes from a first rate to a second rate different from said first rate. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to control the position of the movable member based on a resistance of a shape-memory-alloy member, without a position sensor.

Abstract: An image capture device is disclosed which is equipped with an imaging unit, a first motion detector adapted to detect the rotational component of motion, a second motion detector adapted to detect the translational component of the motion, and an image blur compensation unit adapted to make compensation for image blur on the imaging unit on the basis of output signals of the first and second motion detectors.

Abstract: A digital camera structure is provided, which is used for preventing deviation of a preset optical axis caused by a reaction force generated when pressing a shutter button. A conductive element parallel to the optical axis and located on a pressing path of the shutter button is disposed in the digital camera. By pressing the shutter button, the conductive element is deformed and reset in a direction parallel to the preset optical axis. Thus, the vibration in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis is prevented, thereby not influencing the imaging quality.

Abstract: A timer mechanism including a base piece, a top piece, a rod, and a spiral spring. The base piece includes an inner hub forming a threaded surface and a central passage. The top piece includes an inner post that a central passage and a threaded surface for engaging the inner hub. The rod is slidably disposed within the central passages and is selectively coupled to the top piece. The spiral spring is coaxially wrapped about the inner hub and terminates in a leading end connected to the top piece. The top piece is rotatable relative to the bottom piece to a raised position in which energy is stored by the spiral spring. The spiral spring rotates the top piece in an opposite direction, causing the top piece to wind relative to the bottom piece, forcing the rod downwardly for depressing a camera shutter release button.

Abstract: A camera frame assembly has a frame and a driver mounted to the frame. The driver is rapidly movable relative to the frame from a charged position to a discharged position. A first striker member is joined in fixed relation to the driver. A second striker member telescopes onto or into the first striker member, between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A camera is adjustable such that the force required to actuate one or more of the camera's controls can be adjusted by a camera user. In a preferred embodiment, the force required to depress the camera's shutter release button is adjustable. The force may be adjusted to accommodate changing photographic situations, to accommodate a physical disability of the photographer, or simply to accommodate the camera user's taste. Mechanical and electromechanical embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A push button switch includes a push button positioned on a switch base; a biasing member positioned between the push button and the switch base; a switching element having a press portion, the switching element being provided at a position offset from an axis of the push button; a press projection and a rocking projection which are formed on the push button on opposite sides of the center thereof; and a fulcrum formed on the switch base to be associated with the rocking projection. The rocking projection and the fulcrum are disengaged from each other when the push button is in a non-depressed position. The rocking projection comes into contact with the fulcrum when the push button is half depressed. The push button turns about the fulcrum when the push button is further depressed following the half depression of the push button.

Abstract: A camera body of an instant camera is provided with four light sources LED1 to LED4 for a display. The four light sources LED1 to LED4 flash on and off in mutually different display modes in accordance with the state of progress of a series of processing of an exposure operation, a developing operation and a delivery operation which is carried out in accordance with one time photographic operation. This feature makes it possible to exactly inform a user of the state of progress of a series of processing.

Abstract: A camera including a camera body having a substantially flat shape, a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographing operation and accommodated in the camera body, the photographing optical system having a photographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera body and a photographing object side plane, the photographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed when photographing, and a release button configured to activate the photographing operation of the photographing optical system provided on a side surface of the camera body corresponding with the photographing object side plane of the photographing optical system.

Abstract: An operation member is moved from a first position to a third position via a second position. When the operation member is rotated from the second position to the third position, a plate portion integrally formed with the operation member pushes and rotates a changeover ring to rotate a stop changing plate and a shutter-speed changing plate. When the operation member is kept in the second position, the plate portion is not interlocked with the changeover ring. Thus, a stop and a shutter speed are not carelessly changed if the operation member is slightly rotated by a finger. Since the stop changing plate starts to rotate at a near portion of a rotational end of the changeover ring, the stop is substantially maintained in a smaller-stop state or in a larger-stop state even if the operation member stops on its way.

Abstract: A timer mechanism including a base piece, a top piece, a rod, and a spiral spring. The base piece includes an inner hub forming a threaded surface and a central passage. The top piece includes an inner post that a central passage and a threaded surface for engaging the inner hub. The rod is slidably disposed within the central passages and is selectively coupled to the top piece. The spiral spring is coaxially wrapped about the inner hub and terminates in a leading end connected to the top piece. The top piece is rotatable relative to the bottom piece to a raised position in which energy is stored by the spiral spring. The spiral spring rotates the top piece in an opposite direction, causing the top piece to wind relative to the bottom piece, forcing the rod downwardly for depressing a camera shutter release button.