Abstract: An imaging instrument includes a compact hand-held housing having an electronic imaging element supported within a housing, and a plurality of interchangeable instrument heads separably attachable to the housing. Each of the instrument heads includes an optical system disposed in alignment with the electronic imaging element along an instrument viewing axis. Preferably, the instrument further includes an integral display for displaying at least one captured or real-time video image as viewed through the instrument head of choice. The instrument includes a controller with sufficient programmable logic to capture and store a plurality of imaging images which can be transferred along with audio and/or annotation data relating to a captured image. Corresponding video and audio data can be then transferred using a receiving cradle to a computer which contains software which organizes the stored data for further processing.

Abstract: First, a lens is supplied with a power supply LVDD. Then the state of a chip select signal CSL is input, and the processing waits until chip select signal CSL changes from HIGH.fwdarw.LOW.fwdarw.HIGH, that is, until communication preparation on the lens side is completed. When a microcomputer on the lens side is reset and started, the lens side outputs a communication enable signal and thus the time from mounting of the lens to starting of a communication can be reduced. Thus, a lens-exchangeable camera can be provided capable of starting a BL communication in the shortest time depending on the lens.

Abstract: First, a lens is supplied with a power supply LVDD. Then the state of a chip select signal CSL is input, and the processing waits until chip select signal CSL changes from HIGH.fwdarw.LOW.fwdarw.HIGH, that is, until communication preparation on the lens side is completed. When a microcomputer on the lens side is reset and started, the lens side outputs a communication enable signal and thus the time from mounting of the lens to starting of a communication can be reduced. Thus, a lens-exchangeable camera can be provided capable of starting a BL communication in the shortest time depending on the lens.

Abstract: A camera has a lens mount for mounting an interchangeable lens unit. The camera further includes a casing, a chassis provided in the interior of the casing, a button provided to the casing, a lock mechanism (actuated in response to the button) which locks the lens unit in a state the lens unit is mounted on the lens mount, a sensor unit which detects whether the lock mechanism locks the lens unit or not. The sensor unit is disposed in a space provided to the chassis. The camera is provided with an actuator moved in response to the lock mechanism, which penetrates a panel of the chassis so that the actuator can actuate the sensor unit.

Abstract: A video camera system includes a camera body having a camera electrical connecting terminal which performs at least a communication, a camera mount, a color separation prism, and a plurality of imaging elements, and an optical accessory having an accessory mount which is attachable/detachable to/from the camera mount of the camera body, and having an accessory electrical connecting terminal which is connected with the camera electrical connecting terminal when the optical accessory is attached. The camera electrical connecting terminal is disposed at least at one side position of the direction of the color separation axis where is at the rear of a flange plane of the camera mount along the optical axis and is substantially the same as the direction of the color separation axis of the color separation prism.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic strobe photographing system in which a camera body having an at least a Q contact, a lens provided with a lens shutter mechanism, and an X contact, a strobe device having an X terminal and Q terminal are provided. The strobe device starts emitting light when a predetermined signal is input to the X terminal, and stops emitting light when a predetermined signal is input to the Q terminal. A connecting device is further provided, which connects the X contact of the lens with the X terminal of the strobe device, and the Q contact of the camera body with the Q terminal of the strobe device.

Abstract: When a communication header transmit from the lens side to the body side is input, a reset and start detection signal is checked and if the lens is found to have been reset and started, a body/lens identify signal is communicated to exchange identification signals of each other and the like and resetting of the mechanism is instructed. Thus, malfunction of the lens can be prevented even when the microcomputer for the lens side is reset with the lens mounted on the body.

Abstract: First, a lens is supplied with a power supply LVDD. Then the state of a chip select signal CSL is input, and the processing waits until chip select signal CSL changes from HIGH.fwdarw.LOW.fwdarw.HIGH, that is, until communication preparation on the lens side is completed. When a microcomputer on the lens side is reset and started, the lens side outputs a communication enable signal and thus the time from mounting of the lens to starting of a communication can be reduced. Thus, a lens-exchangeable camera can be provided capable of starting a BL communication in the shortest time depending on the lens.

Abstract: An improved bayonet mount for removably attaching the photo-taking lens barrel to a camera body in an interchangeable lens camera system, which bayonet mount includes a body-side mount surface and a lens-side mount surface which have a plurality of stop members severally provided on each interior surface thereof and electrical contact elements severally provided on each interior side thereof. In the bayonet mount, one pair of the correspondent pairs of stop members which mutually engage when the lens barrel is attached to the camera body are disposed at positions which overlap the electrical contact elements in a radial direction on the mount surfaces.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body and an interchangeable lens. A microcomputer for operation control is provided on each of the camera body and the interchangeable lens. Data communication is performed between the microcomputers. The camera body transmits a signal representing the type of the camera body to the interchangeable lens, and based on the signal, the interchangeable lens chooses a data to be communicated.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the maximum/minimum diaphragm adjustment value of an exchange lens of a camera includes a bar code, in which the maximum/minimum diaphragm adjustment value of an exchange lens is printed in a binary code, formed on the lens and a bar code reader on the camera for reading and decoding the bar code. The bar code reader outputs an electric pulse signal corresponding to the bar code by radiating a fixed scanning line at the bar code.

Abstract: A camera system having a camera body which is attachable to an accessory, such that the camera body includes a detection unit to detect that the accessory is in the process of being installed on the camera body, the detection unit having a detachment pin which sets a detachment switch ON or OFF. When the detection units detects that the accessory is in the course of installation, a semiconductor switching element (a MOSFET) is set OFF, and the provision of a power supply from a battery to a contact point of a electrical contact point unit of the camera body is stopped. As a result, the power supply is not provided to the accessory and various disadvantages are avoided when the accessory is in the course of installation. In addition, the power supply can be safely provided to the accessory regardless of any communication.

Abstract: A camera having a lens, whereby a power source in the camera is activated in response to a mechanical switch on the lens.