Abstract: A length-measuring device comprises a flexible tube having a first slit and a second slit disposed rearwardly of the first slit, said tube being bendable at each of the first and second slit, and said tube further having a length-measuring portion extending forwardly from the first slit to a distal end of said tube; and means for bending said tube at the first and second slits. Typically, the bending means is a wire which has a connection relation with the length-measuring portion to pull the same. The length-measuring portion is coated with regularly arranged scale marks. After being projected from a forceps channel of an endoscope, the length-measuring portion is pulled to assume a T-shape. The length-measuring portion can be disposed at the center of a field of vision of the endoscope, and also can be easily brought into intimate contact with a target affected part. In a reference color display device, the length-measuring portion is replaced by a distal end portion coated with three primary colors.

Abstract: A plurality of optical fibers each introducing an optical signal are connected to a side surface of a fluorescent optical fiber. In response to a light beam provided from the optical fiber, fluorescent light is generated in the fluorescent optical fiber. The fluorescent light is transmitted through the fluorescent optical fiber and detected by a photodetector disposed on at least one end face of the fluorescent optical fiber. An output electric signal from the photodetector represents a mixing result of the optical signals introduced by the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A telephoto lens system which composed of a front group comprising, in order from the object side, a positive first lens having a convex surface of large curvature directed toward the object, a positive meniscus second lens having a convex surface of large curvature directed toward the object and a negative third lens having a concave surface of large curvature directed toward the image, and a rear group comprising, in order from the object side, a biconvex fourth lens, a biconcave fifth lens, a positive sixth lens and a seventh lens having a weak positive refractive power, all lenses except the seventh lens being moved in unison to effect focusing. The lens system satisfies conditions which result in a light weight lens system having a focal length of about 100 mm and a large effective aperture ratio of 1:2.0, and which is capable of satisfactory compensation for spherical aberration and astigmatism over a shooting range from infinity to close-up at a magnification of about -0.1.times..

Abstract: A zoom finder can be provided which ensures high magnification and satisfactory view-finding without the need to increase the size. A positive lens which is movable along the optical axis is provided closest to the object side. A negative lens which is movable along the optical axis is provided on the eye-side of the positive lens. Zooming may be accomplished by the zoom finder by moving these lenses along the optical axis. A third lens is provided on the eye-side of the negative lens. The third lens is a negative lens which is fixed and has an eye-side surface which serves as a half-mirror. On the other side of this third lens is a parallel planar plate having an optical frame on one surface which indicates the imaging range. The parallel planar plate may be moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis in order to compensate for parallax. A fourth lens which is a fixed positive lens is closest to the eye-side.

Abstract: A recording device for an electronic still camera in which, even in the case where, in a recording mode in which video signals and compressed audio signals are recorded in pairs, an audio signal is not recorded after the recording of a video signal and another video signal is recorded immediately thereafter, the recording operation can be achieved readily and the signal recording or reproducing operation can be started quickly. In accordance with the invention a control unit, in response to a video signal recording instruction, operates to record a video signal on a track which is removed by a two-track pitch in one direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded, and, in response to an audio signal recording instruction, operates to record a compressed audio signal on a track which is removed by a one-track pitch in the same direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a scranning beam produced by a polygonal mirror tilting in small surface segments in each mirror surface segment caused by uneven mirror surfaces of the polygonal mirror. Data indicative of the amount of tilting in each of the surface segments is stored in a memory, which is addressed by a data signal indicative of the present scanning position of the polygonal mirror. Output data from the memory is applied to an acousto-optical modulator disposed in the beam path between the light source and the polygonal mirror.

Abstract: Column packing materials useful in applications such as liquid chromatography, as well as a process for producing such a packing material are described. A first aspect of the invention concerns a column packing material composed of a spherical substrate having a coating of a calcium phosphate based compound on the surface thereof.A second aspect of the invention concerns a packing material comprising porous calcium phosphate based granules having open pores with an average pore size of from 0.01 to 20 .mu.m, said granules being composed of crystalline particles with an average size of from 0.1 to 10 .mu.m.A third aspect of the invention concerns a spherical packing material for liquid chromatography comprising spherical particles of at least one material selected from the group consisting of Ca.sub.10 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 (OH).sub.2, Ca.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2, Ca.sub.2 P.sub.2 O.sub.7, Ca(PO.sub.3).sub.2, Ca.sub.10 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 F.sub.2 and Ca.sub.10 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 Cl.sub.

Abstract: A camera having a main body, a front cover, a rear cover, and a lug. The main body has a light blocking tube, a film cartridge chamber and a spool chamber in which the light blocking tube blocks light other than that entering through a lens from reaching a film. The film cartridge chamber is defined at a side of the light blocking tube so that a film cartridge is housed therein. The spool chamber is defined at the other side of the light blocking tube so that a spool for winding the film is housed inside the spool chamber. The lug projects rearward, and has a bent portion bending outward from a main portion toward a side of the camera, and is formed on the main body of the camera integrally thereto along the film cartridge chamber. The lug presses the film cartridge to keep the film cartridge in proper position, thereby to ensure the automatic feeding of the film.

Abstract: A camera system in which a balancer is installed on one side of the camera and is linked to the camera body by two arms so that the photographer's hand can be inserted through a space defined by the camera body, the balancer and the arms. The balancer has substantial weight so as to balance the camera during hand held operation. Batteries are installed in the balancer and a flash unit may be incoporated therein. The arms may be rigid or may be a flexible belt. The balancer is preferably spaced from the camera body by an adjustable distance. Electrical contact is provided between the balancer and the camera body through the arms.

Abstract: A CCD sensor has a photosensitive section, a transfer section, and an output section. The photosensitive section is split up into three regions (front, middle, and rear). When it is necessary to output the middle region and it is not necessary to output the front and rear regions, a method may be implemented so that the rear region is not output through the output section. The data from the photosensitive section is transferred to the transfer section in parallel and in synchronization with a shift pulse. The period of a transfer pulse is changed with respect to the shift pulse so that only the data corresponding to the front and middle regions is serially output from the transfer section. New data is then transferred from the photosensitive section to the transfer section in a manner such that the data corresponding to the new front region overlaps with the data corresponding to the first rear region.

Abstract: A flash device for a photographing camera comprising an ordinary flash mechanism, an improved flash mechanism including a part of the ordinary flash mechanism, an operation mode controller which selectively switches the operation mode of the flash mechanisms and a control terminal which is provided in addition to terminals electrically connecting the ordinary flash mechanism to the photography camera, the control terminal electrically coupling the operation mode controller to the camera, and with the switching of operation modes of the ordinary flash mechanism and the improved flash mechanism being changed by the operation mode controller in response to an input signal to the control terminal.

Abstract: A circuit element mounting structure for an electronic still camera having a photographing lens, a recording medium, a magnetic recording unit provided with a magnetic head, a base, an inner housing lid housing the recording medium and which can be moved into and out of contact with the magnetic head on the base, an outer lid located outside of the inner housing lid, and an image pickup element for converting an image made through the photographing lens into an electric signal. The circuit element mounting structure has a circuit base plate, on which is provided at least a circuit for recording an image on the recording medium and a circuit for driving the recording medium and the magnetic head, with the circuit base plate being disposed along a bottom of the base and a top of the inner housing lid.

Abstract: A high zoom-ratio lens system covering wide angle for compact camera comprising a first lens group having a positive focal length, a second lens group having a positive focal length, and a third lens group having a negative focal length, disposed in order from the object side. When zoomed from a short focal length side to a long focal length side, all of the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group being moved toward the object so that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases and the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases. The second lens group further comprises, in the order from the object side, a lens group IIa having a negative focal length and a lens group IIb having a positive focal length. When zoomed from the short focal length side to the long focal length, a stop diaphragm is moved along with the second lens group. The specific conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A magnetic head adjuster is disclosed for adjusting the positional relation between a magnetic disk and a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information on or from the disk. The magnetic head is secured to a plate spring having at least three support arms located around the magnetic head. The plate spring is supported on a carrier so that the distance between the carrier and each of the three support arms can be adjusted.

Abstract: A porous ceramics material produced by the process comprising the steps of (i) mixing two or more ceramics in such a manner that at least one of the ceramics is different in sinterability from the others and is mixed in an amount of from 1 to 99 wt % based on the total amount of the ceramics; and (ii) sintering thus obtained mixture; a packing for chromatography comprising the porous ceramics material; and a process for producing the porous ceramics material.

Abstract: An image reader is disclosed in which, upon application of an illuminating light beam to an original by an illuminating optical system, a light beam reflected from the original is applied through a contracting optical system to a line sensor for converting an optical image of the original into an image signal. The image reader has a first mirror provided for said original to reflect said light beam reflected from the original; a repetitive reflection optical system including a pair of parallel mirrors for causing said light beam reflected by the first mirror to go and return at least once in a reflection mode; and a second mirror provided for a contracting optical system to reflect the light beam thus caused to go and return towards the contracting optical system.

Abstract: A drawing surface adjusting mechanism for use with a scanning pattern drawing apparatus capable of not only moving a drawing board in a vertical direction but also tilting it, whereby the chance of bringing the drawing surface within the depth of focus of a scanning lens is increased even if the drawing surface has waviness or other flaws within the width of a single storke of scanning.