Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section converting an image taken from an object into an original image signal, an apparatus body outputting an image or video signal to an external display and further delivering an image data signal to a terminal device, an external data input/output terminal including a main data input/output terminal for data communication with the terminal device and an secondary data input/output terminal for connection of peripheral device executing data communication with the terminal device, a single main power supply unit supplying power to the imaging section and the apparatus body, one or more power supply units supplying power to the peripheral device from the secondary data input/output terminal, and a power supply control unit executing control for converting voltage and current of an external power supply into voltages and currents suitable for operations of the imaging section, the apparatus body and the peripheral device respectively.

Abstract: A visual presenting apparatus includes a support column which is mounted via a pivot shaft on a base so as to be pivotable, a friction braking mechanism applying a frictional load to the pivot shaft over a whole range of pivotal movement of the column, a power assist mechanism which applies a spring force to the column to urge the column rearward, a video camera head mounted on a distal end of the column and located over a document placed on an installation surface of the base, thereby imaging the document. The column is pivotable between a forwardly-tilted position and a folded position. The power assist mechanism is operatively coupled with the column when the column is tilted forward from an upright position. The power assist mechanism is released from the coupled state when the column is tilted rearward from the upright position.

Abstract: A zoom dial mechanism includes a zoom dial mounted on a base plate so as to extend through a central hole of the base plate and so as to be turnable, a coil spring mounted on the base plate to urge the zoom dial toward a neutral position, and a push knob mounted in a central hole of the dial. The base plate has a groove concentric with the central hole. The coil spring is mounted in the groove. The mechanism further includes a first rib fixed to the dial so as to abut one end of the coil spring and a second rib fixed to the dial so as to abut the other end of the spring. The spring is compressed by the first rib when the dial is turned clockwise, and the coil spring is compressed by the second rib when the dial is turned counterclockwise.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a base, a support column mounted on the base and a video camera head mounted on a distal end of the support column. The support column includes a first support column and a second support column. The first support column is mounted on a right or left corner of a front of the base so as to be pivotable in a right-left direction relative to the base. The second support column is mounted on a distal end of the first support column so as to be pivotable in the right-left direction relative to the base. The video camera head is mounted on the distal end of the second support column so as to be pivotable in the right-left direction.

Abstract: A method of exposure control in an image pickup apparatus includes determining whether a zoom lens has been moved, determining whether an F value obtained from information about focal position of a focus lens linked to movement of the zoom lens has changed, estimating a variation in the focus luminance before and after a change in the F value from the F values before and after the change when the F value has been changed, changing the shutter speed determined according to a focus luminance before the change to a shutter speed determined according to the focus luminance after the change, based on the estimated variation in the focus luminance, and changing a frame rate determined according to the focus luminance before the change to a frame rate determined according to a focus luminance after the change according to the changed shutter speed.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a camera support arm including a pivot support arm pivotally supported on a base and having an interior cavity and a slide support arm which is inserted into the interior cavity of the pivot support arm so as to be slidable and having a distal end on which the image pickup camera is mounted. When the pivot support arm is caused to pivot from a storage location where the camera support arm lies to a setup location where the camera support arm stands up, the slide support arm is pushed out of the pivot support arm by the sliding mechanism so that the image pickup camera is set up at a predetermined location. When the pivot support arm is caused to pivot from the setup location to the storage location, the slide support arm is brought into the pivot support arm by the sliding mechanism.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a base, an upright portion standing from the base and having a distal end, a support column including a horizontal portion formed by bending the distal end of the upright portion so that the horizontal portion protrudes forward away from the base, the horizontal portion having a distal end, an imaging camera head mounted on the distal end of the horizontal portion, and a pivot portion provided on the upright portion of the support column so that the horizontal portion is pivotable horizontally.

Abstract: An attachment connects an eyepiece lens tube of microscope and an imaging lens tube of visual presenter and includes a cylindrical part loosely fittable through an opening with the eyepiece lens tube, a circular receiving surface which is formed on the cylindrical part and which a distal end of the imaging lens abuts, the receiving surface having a through hole, an indication line indicative of a center of the hole, a positioning piece standing along an outer circumferential edge of the receiving surface and having an inner circumferential surface with a curvature radius substantially equal to a curvature radius of outer circumference surface of the imaging lens tube, the outer circumferential surface of the imaging lens tube, and at least three screw members which are threadingly thrust radially through a circumferential surface of the cylindrical part into the cylindrical part, the screw members being arranged equiangularly.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a column support standing on a base, and a camera head mounted on a distal end of the column support. The column support includes an upright part standing from the base and a horizontal part extending horizontally ahead of the base. A pedestal is mounted on a first support shaft mounted on the base, so as to be pivotable in a right-left direction between a standing position and a lying position. The pedestal has an end located opposite the first support side. A second support shaft is located on a pedestal end so as to protrude forward from a base front. The upright part includes a basal portion which is mounted on the second support shaft, so as to be pivotable between a first position where the basal portion stands on the pedestal and a second position where the basal portion stands upright on the pedestal.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a base, a column support standing on the base and having a distal end, the column support including an upright part standing upright from the base and a horizontal part that is continuous from the upright part and extends horizontally ahead of the base, the camera head being adapted to image a material placed on an installation surface for the presenter, and a plurality of legs which are mounted on an underside of the base so that one of the legs is located at a predetermined position spaced backward from a front of the base by a predetermined distance. The legs extend in a direction perpendicular to the underside of the base so that an imaging area of the camera head on the installation surface is enlarged so as to cover an area immediately before an installation point of the leg.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a base, a column support including an upright part and a horizontal part, and a camera head mounted on a distal end of the horizontal part. The horizontal part includes first and second horizontal parts. The first horizontal part is mounted on a first support shaft further mounted on the upright part, so as to be pivotable between a downwardly extending position and a horizontal position. The second horizontal part is mounted on a second support shaft further mounted on an end of the first horizontal part located opposite the first support shaft side, so as to be pivotable between a horizontal backward position and a horizontal forward position.

Abstract: A zoom dial mechanism includes a zoom dial mounted on a base plate so as to extend through a central hole of the base plate and so as to be turnable, a coil spring mounted on the base plate to urge the zoom dial toward a neutral position, and a push knob mounted in a central hole of the dial. The base plate has a groove concentric with the central hole. The coil spring is mounted in the groove. The mechanism further includes a first rib fixed to the dial so as to abut one end of the coil spring and a second rib fixed to the dial so as to abut the other end of the spring. The spring is compressed by the first rib when the dial is turned clockwise, and the coil spring is compressed by the second rib when the dial is turned counterclockwise.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system is disclosed in which an image obtained by a surveillance camera controlled to be panned/tilted is displayed on a monitor. The system includes a tilt angle detector which detects a tilt angle of the surveillance camera, an inversion tilt angle storage which stores data of a plurality of the predetermined inversion tilt angles, an inversion tilt angle setting unit which selects and sets either or any one of the inversion tilt angles stored on the inversion tilt angle storage, a tilt angle comparing unit which compares the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle detector with the inversion tilt angle set by the inversion tilt angle setting unit, and an image inversion processing unit which carries out a process of inverting the image obtained by the surveillance camera upside down and symmetrizing the image bilaterally when the tilt angle is equal to or larger than the inversion tilt angle as a result of comparison by the tilt angle comparing unit.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a camera support arm pivotally mounted on a base and having one end on which a camera is mounted, a pivot support including a bracket, a pivot having one end formed with a male thread, a disc spring fitted with the male thread and a nut brought into threading engagement with the male thread so that the spring is fastened to the bracket by the nut with a result that a brake force is effected and a free stop function is given to the pivot support, and a one-way clutch fitted with the pivot to allow the pivot support to be free against rotation causing the pivot support to stand up and to exert a clutching function against rotation causing the pivot support to lie. The camera support arm is pivotally mounted on the pivot support with the one-way clutch being interposed between them.

Abstract: A visual presenter includes a base having a pivot shaft unit including a shaft support bracket, a support column mounted on the pivot shaft unit so as to be pivotable between a standing position and a forwardly-inclined position, a pivot shaft supported on the bracket, a wave washer inserted through the shaft to be tightened against the bracket by a nut in threading engagement with the shaft, and a return spring attached to the shaft so as to apply a biasing force to the shaft. The braking force and the biasing force counteract a pivotal movement of the support column, and the base includes a counterweight disposed in the base so that the base is prevented from being moved during an operation of pivoting the support column.

Abstract: A video magnifier includes a body including a base, a table on which an object to be read is placed, the table being disposed on the base, a video camera disposed over the table, an illumination lamp illuminating the object placed on the table and a pointer irradiating a part of the object photographed by the video camera, and a monitor television displaying a video image delivered from the video camera. In the video magnifier, in synchronization with irradiation of the photographed part of the object by the pointer, an illuminance of the illumination lamp is rendered lower than an illuminance of the pointer.