Abstract: The sensor sensitivity and the method of setting the peak selected area of the AF sensor are changed according to the luminance level of the distance measurement object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molding method of a microlens array with an enhanced transfer performance and a molding apparatus of the same. The invention addresses a method for molding a microlens array by heating and compressing a glass element between oppositely placed first and second cores, wherein a depression or projection part is formed for transferring and molding a plurality of concave lens elements on the compression molding surface of at least one of the cores. The glass element is set between each compression molding surface of the first and second cores, and is then compressed between them while providing restriction means for preventing the glass element from escaping in the direction perpendicular to the compression direction of the glass element, thereby compression molding the glass element with the restriction means and between the compression molding surfaces of the first and second cores.

Abstract: The image shake preventing apparatus can optimally correct image shake according to an image-taking environment and so on, in which a parameter can be changed for a phase correction circuit which corrects a phase shift of an output signal of an angular velocity sensor for detecting vibration of a camera, and a predetermined parameter can be changed which is used for arithmetic processing when angle information is obtained from the output signal of the angular velocity sensor, so that a frequency range where image shake can be effectively corrected for vibration can be changed. An all-frequency mode, a low-frequency mode, and a high-frequency mode can be selected by a mode setting device. A microcomputer sets a parameter corresponding to a selected mode, so that image shake is effectively corrected at 1 to 10 Hz in the all-frequency mode, image shake is usefully corrected at 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light control system for electronic endoscopes which provides sufficiently bright images during observation of distant objects, allows stable light control during observation of close objects, and prolongs lamp life. The light control system comprises a CCD drive circuit for controlling a CCD, a microcomputer, a diaphragm drive circuit for driving a diaphragm, a lamp voltage control circuit for variably controlling lamp voltage, and a DVP for generating a luminance signal, wherein the diaphragm drive circuit controls the opening of the diaphragm based on the luminance signal received from the DVP and a constant voltage V1 is normally supplied to the lamp, but a larger voltage up to V2 may be supplied on instructions from the microcomputer if the luminance of an image is insufficient even with the diaphragm fully open.

Abstract: A motor actuation device is constructed of a motor a reduction gear train and a detection mechanism. The reduction gear train includes a worm gear and a worm wheel. The worm gear is fixed to a rotary shaft of the motor and meshes with the worm wheel. The worm wheel transmits the rotation of the motor to the lens barrel to slide it along an optical axis. The detection mechanism includes a first spur gear, an idle gear, a second spur gear, an impeller and a photo interrupter. The first spur gear is molded with the worm gear integrally. The idle gear meshes with the first spur gear and the second spur gear. When the motor causes the rotation, a blade of the impeller passes in the photo interrupter and a pulse is generated from the photo interrupter.

Abstract: A method of detecting a posture of an object comprises the steps of acquiring fringe image data carrying phase information of the object; subjecting the whole or part of fringe image data to arithmetic processing using Fourier transform so as to determine a tilt frequency of a fringe corresponding to an inclination of the object in the fringe image data; and detecting the inclination of the object according to the tilt frequency.

Abstract: An optical scanning device of a type having a scanning optical system for deflecting scanning beams bearing image information of a common subject image which includes a polygon deflection mirror and an f &thgr; lens comprises a scanning beam separation polygon mirror for separating the scanning beams in different directions and a couple of first and second reflection mirrors provided for each scanning beam, the first and second reflection mirrors for at least one of the scanning beams being disposed on opposite sides of the scanning beam separation polygon mirror, respectively so that the scanning beam travels across an axis of the scanning optical system with an effect of providing a long optical path.

Abstract: In a projector optical system comprising a digital micromirror device for modulating illumination light, a device having a polarization separating surface is provided for separating a luminous flux incident on the digital micromirror device and a luminous flux emitted from the digital micromirror device from each other. A device for rotating a polarization direction is disposed between the polarization separating surface and the digital micromirror device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image processor, in which an inverter for driving a fluorescent lamp is disposed in separation into parts at both ends of a carriage mounting the fluorescent lamp thereon in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction of the carriage, so as to shorten a harness between the fluorescent lamp and the inverter and dispense with a part projecting in the scanning direction of the carriage, thereby achieving miniaturization. Inverters for driving a fluorescent lamp are disposed in appropriate separation at both ends of a full-rate carriage mounting the fluorescent lamp thereon in a scanning direction of the full-rate carriage and does not project in the scanning direction of the full-rate carriage. Thus, it is unnecessary to provide space in a casing for accommodating a projecting inverter in the case at a scanning ending end, thereby allowing miniaturizing the casing.

Abstract: A bending manipulation device for endoscope wherein a pair of control wires are taken up by a pulley provided in and given a rotary motion by the main control portion of the endoscope, and one of control wires extended out from the pulley corresponding to the turning operation thereof is taken up by the pulley while the other is paid out from the pulley, thereby enabling the bending manipulation to be carried out. The groove of the above pulley is formed in the shape of a spiral continuously extending in the peripheral direction of this pulley and is used in common by the above pair of control wires. One part from the one end of the groove and the other part from the other end of the groove are arranged side by side and in parallel with each other. Each of control wires is alternately taken up on the groove of the pulley corresponding to the turning direction of the pulley.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element (or plastic molding) comprising an optically functional surface and a flange formed on the outer periphery thereof, and having on the flange outer peripheral surface a fitted portion inscribing on the inner peripheral surface of a lens-barrel and an adhering portion to be adhered to the lens-barrel by the adhesive filled in a concave groove of the lens-barrel, wherein a raised portion is formed on the flange surface inside the flange outer peripheral surface, whereby the adhesion area is enlarged, the adhesive capacity is increased, and a sufficient fitting area is secured, without the possibility of flow of the adhesive to the optically functional surface.

Abstract: A camera includes a main body covered with a front cover and a rear cover. The main body has a film take-up chamber. The film take-up chamber has an opening in a right side. In order to cover the opening, a fixed lens barrel of a lens assembly is disposed. A part of the fixed lens barrel constructs a part of the film take-up chamber. To back and front wall portions of the film take-up chamber, back and front press springs are attached respectively.

Abstract: A safety-lock mechanism for a camera includes a lock member that is rotatable between first and second lock positions for locking a lid open-close mechanism in a latching position where a lid of a cartridge chamber of the camera is latched closed; and an unlock position for allowing the lid open-close mechanism to unlatch the lid of the cartridge chamber. The lock member cooperates with a film transport mechanism such that the lock member moves from the unlock position to the first lock position as the film transport mechanism starts winding the photo filmstrip, and moves from the first lock position to the second lock position as the film transport mechanism starts rewinding the photo filmstrip. The lock member is urged by a spring to move to the unlock position.

Abstract: The LG connector is composed of the proximal portion and the case body. The frame is supported by the proximal portion, and the universal cable and the control cable are fixed to this frame. Watertightness between the universal cable and the case body is maintained at an abutting surface which is orthogonal to the axis thereof, and watertightness between the control cable and the case body is maintained at the outer peripheral surface thereof. Thereby, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the assembly operation without deteriorating the watertightness of the LG connector. Also, the proximal portion is provided with the joint to be connected to the optical apparatus, and on this joint, the light guide bar is projectedly provided. Inside the proximal portion, the guide portion which guides the light guide to the insertion port of the light guide bar is projectedly formed. This guide portion enables the light guide to be easily installed without damaging the light guide.

Abstract: A presentation system comprises a screen, a laser pointer operated by a user to project laser beam on the screen, and an infrared light projector for emitting infrared light on the entire surface of the screen. The laser pointer comprises an infrared light receiving section directed in the same direction as a projection direction of laser beam for receiving infrared light projected from the infrared light projector and reflected from the screen, and a control section for causing the laser pointer to project laser beam only while the infrared light receiving section is receiving infrared light.

Abstract: A correlation value calculation is performed by using AF data arranged at predetermined intervals in the AF data in a pair of window ranges, so that a frequency of calculation can be reduced. On the other hand, a correlation value calculation is performed by using all the AF data in the pair of window ranges only in predetermined ranges before and after the shift amount of the pair of window ranges when the highest correlation value in the correlation values is obtained, thereby suppressing a reduction in measurement precision. For example, in a pair of the AF data obtained from a pair of window ranges, the correlation value calculation is performed by using every third piece of the AF data.

Abstract: An image synthesizing optical apparatus 18 according to the present invention has displays 28a-28c for modulating a first color beam according to an image signal and outputting the first color beam thus modulated. The second display 28b is arranged such that an optical axis of the second color beam coincides with an optical axis of the first color beam from the first display. The third display 28c is arranged such that an optical axis of the third color beam passes a midpoint O between the first and second displays on the optical axis of the color beams from the first and second displays. Also, the apparatus 18 has a color beam combining unit 32 disposed at the midpoint and configured to combine the color beams from the respective displays, and a support 34 for supporting the foregoing components. The support is configured such that optical path lengths of the respective color beams from the displays to the color beam combining unit are kept equal to each other even with change in temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a retrofocus imaging lens in which various aberrations are satisfactorily corrected, having a sufficient space from a mechanism viewpoint so that a focus group does not interfere with a lens shutter mechanism even at the time of focusing according to a rear-focus system. A retrofocus imaging lens has, in order from an object side, a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group is constructed of, in order from the object side, a front-side first lens group having a negative refractive power as a whole and a rear-side first lens group having a positive refractive power as a whole. The first lens group is basically constructed to have a positive refractive power as a whole. The second lens group includes one or more positive lens and one or more negative lens and has a positive refractive power as a whole. Each of the front-side first lens group and the rear-side first lens group includes, basically, one or more positive lens and two negative lenses.

Abstract: An optical lens assembly containing a plural number of lens elements for an optical system to be incorporated into a tip end portion of an endoscopic insertion instrument. Of a plural number of lenses which constitute an optical system, a metal film layer is formed on confronting outer peripheral surface portions of at least two adjacently located lenses, outside respective effective lens areas, and the two adjacently located lenses are assembled and fixedly bonded together by applying solder to the outer peripheral surface portions with a metal film layer.

Abstract: When analyzing the fringe pattern of an object to be observed by using Fourier transform method with respect to closed interference fringe image data, the original data expressed by an orthogonal coordinate system are once converted into fringe image data represented by a polar coordinate system, the converted data are analyzed by the conventional Fourier transform method, and then the resulted data are converted back into the original orthogonal coordinate system by inverse coordinate transformation, so as to obtain the wavefront corresponding to the original wavefront to be observed.