Abstract: An exposure control circuit for camera of TTL reflective photometry type includes a shutter blind of a lower reflectivity than that of a film. The circuit is arranged such that until a given proportion of the film surface becomes exposed as a result of running of a first shutter blind, a correction semiconductor element is rendered conductive to supply a current, which represents a magnified version of minimal current from a photoelectric transducer element when reflected light from the surface of a first blind is incident on the transducer element, the current being supplied to an integrating operation. However, after the given proportion of the film surface has been exposed to increase the magnitude of the photocurrent, the correction semiconductor element is rendered non-conductive, thus allowing an integrating operation of only the photocurrent.

Abstract: A limpness detector for examining documents at high speed. A pair of rollers having star-like cross-sectional configurations comprised of substantially V-shaped projections and interspaced V-shaped grooves are cooperatively arranged so that the projections of one of said rollers at least partially enter into the grooves of the other. The rollers are rotated in a synchronous manner. One swingably mounted roller is preferably yieldably urged toward the other. Documents to be examined are fed between the rollers and, depending upon their relative limpness or stiffness, serve to "lift" the swingable roller such that the amount of displacement between the rollers is a function of document limpness. Sensor means is utilized to detect the amount of displacement. Threshold detection circuitry is provided to facilitate calssification of the documents into limp, moderately stiff and stiff documents, for example. The apparatus may also be utilized to detect the presence of overlapping and/or multiply-fed documents.

Abstract: A companding analog to digital converter for converting an analog signal into a variable length multi-bit binary word, the number of said bits being a function of the magnitude of the analog signal being converted relative to the high end of the range of magnitudes capable of being converted. The analog signal is temporarily stored and is attenuated by a predetermined amount. The attenuated signal is converted into a multi-bit digital word. A group of the most significant bits of said digital word are examined to alter the attenuation of the stored analog signal dependent upon its magnitude relative to the full scale. The attenuated analog signal is again converted into a multi-bit digital word which is temporarily stored. The group of binary bits initially stored together with results of the second conversion operation are combined to develop a multi-bit digital word whose bit length is a function of the magnitude of the stored analog signal relative to scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a routine shot distance of taking lens for camera which includes a lens protective cover is provided. The cover is movable between a first position in which it covers a taking lens and a second position in which it allows the taking lens to be exposed. An arrangement is provided for moving the taking lens to a position corresponding to a selected routine shot distance in response to the opening/closing movement of the lens protective cover. The position corresponding to a selected routine shot distance can be freely chosen.

Abstract: A camera and electronic flash combination is provided which permits the electrical circuits of a camera and an electronic flash to be coupled to each other through four terminals, thus achieving an efficient transfer of signal between both units. The electronic flash includes an illumination control circuit which can be controlled by an illumination control signal from the camera, preferentially from an output from a photometric circuit contained in the electronic flash, by an operation of a changeover switch which is disposed within the camera.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus employs a real time photometry technique, and includes a central processing unit to which information concerning the characteristic of a film such as a film speed and other information relating to photographing conditions are supplied through input means. The central processing unit selectively controls the connection of integrating capacitors in an integrating circuit on the basis of such input information, and accurately derives an expected exposure period and the remainder of the exposure period. Also, a display of various information is permitted.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a central processing unit to which input information is supplied inclusive of film speed, correction factors to correct for the failure of the reciprocity law and other photographing conditions which are based on such input information, controls a selective connection of integrating capacitors in an integrating circuit and calculates an expected exposure period and the remainder of the exposure period in which the failure of the reciprocity law is corrected for.

Abstract: A digital time phase shifter for shifting a signal in very precise increments and which performs the steps of: mixing a reference frequency signal with the signal to be time or phase delayed for generating an intermediate frequency signal; selectively delaying (i.e. advancing or retarding) the intermediate frequency signal; and mixing the delayed intermediate frequency signal and reference signal developing an output signal whose frequency is an integer multiple or sub-multiple of the input signal frequency and whose phase delay is proportional to the ratio of the intermediate signal and input signal frequencies. Small delay increments are obtained by judicious selection of the reference frequency. The output frequency may be slowly delayed relative to the input frequency by repeating the delay step. The phase shifter employs a pair of phase-locked loops, digital mixing circuits and a programmable delay generator.

Abstract: A high speed non-impact printer including an array of selectively operable light sources. A closed looped band moving across said array at a high linear rate of speed is provided with a plurality of small openings, each associated with one of the light sources. Said sources are selectively energized in a predetermined manner to collectively produce a row of dots and/or lines of varying length which, together with successive rows of dots, cooperate to produce a graphic pattern or a row or rows of characters of the dot matrix type, for example. The design of the system, together with the use of the light sources, totally eliminates the need for a complex optical system, employed in conventional high speed non-impact printers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for exposing laundry to be dried and/or laundry water to be heated to a source of radiation. In addition, the source of radiation is disposed so that it is transmitted substantially loss-free between the radiation source and the water or moisture which is to receive the energy. In one embodiment, a microwave generator is employed and is disposed as a compensation weight on the drum box of the drying and/or washing machine. Preferably, the drum box is made out of metal and has a plastic ring through which the microwave generator can transmit the microwave radiation. The microwave radiation passes through the plastic ring with relatively low loss and then passes through the air without loss to the moisture contained in the laundry in the drum, so that the laundry is heated up and dried by absorption. As a result, there is a considerable increase in efficiency.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a shutter mechanism comprising a light shield member which intercepts the incidence of extraneous light onto a photosensitive drum through an exposure window, and a detecting member which is operated by a cover which forms a conveyor unit for a sheet-shaped original or by a book carrier on which a thick original is placed. A movement of the light shield member into or out of an exposure light path is controlled by the operation of the detecting member.

Abstract: The invention provides an attache case having an expansion gusset and improved fastening arrangements for opening and closing the expansion gusset. These include releasable snap fasteners, straps with slack sections or elastic sections, or elastic members overlapping the interior of the expansion gusset.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a core holder for holding a magnetic head element and including a first conductive region which is adapted to bear against the magnetic head element, and a shielding case which defines a second conductive region adapted to bear against the first conductive region and covering both the magnetic head element and the core holder to provide a magnetic shielding. In this manner, any static electricity developed on a magnetic tape is conducted to the ground potential of an instrument in which the magnetic head is mounted through the first and the second conductive region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for an improved beat-up system for beating up the weft threads into the fell of the fabric. The improved beat-up mechanism includes a plurality of spacer elements which are moved into and out of position between the warp threads for maintaining the spacing between the warp threads. The beat-up mechanism further includes a plurality of beat-up elements which are inserted into and out of position between the warp threads for beating up the weft threads onto the fell of the fabric. The beat-up elements also operate to maintain the spacing between the warp threads when the spacer elements are withdrawn from between the warp threads. In addition, the present invention discloses apparatus for increasing the spacing between adjacent groups of warp threads in the same plane so that weft-advancing arms or shed-retaining elements may be more easily inserted into the plane of the warp threads.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for a sheet-shaped heating element includes a thermistor which is fixedly mounted in a mounting aperture formed in a sheet-shaped heating element. The thermistor is disposed in the mounting aperture so that lead wires within the envelope of the thermistor extend normal to the plane of the heating element.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a photosensitive member of an electrophotographic copying machine is provided. The apparatus comprises a cleaning brush disposed for contact with a photosensitive drum while rotating in order to remove unnecessary developing toner which attaches to the drum, means for moving the cleaning brush into contact with or away from the drum, a striker rod to strike off the toner attaching to the cleaning brush, and trap means for collecting the toner which is removed by the cleaning brush and the striker rod. An arrangement is made to cause an angular movement of the striker rod to change its surface for abutment against the brush in association with the movement of the cleaning brush into contact with or away from the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A diaphragm control apparatus for combined use of an electronic flash with a camera includes a changeover switch which assumes different positions depending whether a flash photography utilizing a usual electronic flash, a flash photography utilizing a devoted electronic flash or normal photography is involved. The apparatus operates to produce a signal indicative of the use of a devoted electronic flash which predominates whenever the devoted electronic flash is mounted on the camera if the changeover switch assumes its position indicative of the use of a usual electronic flash, thus automatically establishing a diaphragm value in a camera which is associated with the devoted electronic flash.

Abstract: A voice-operated starter for tape recorder includes an FM tuner circuit which responds to a frequency modulated wave transmitted from a wireless microphone assembly by producing an output which is fed to a voice-operated starter circuit, thus operating the latter.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus detects whether a film winding assembly mounted utilizes an automatic or a manual film winding mechanism. The apparatus includes detecting means in the form of a diode across which a voltage is developed in response to a current flow through a film winding motor of the automatic film winding mechanism. The voltage developed across the diode permits a discrimination whether the film winding assembly mounted utilizes an automatic or a manual film winding mechanism.