Abstract: A circular region extracting method captures onto a coordinate system a fringe image of a sample having a circular region to be analyzed within an area to be observed, binary-codes the fringe image of the area by a fringe analysis method on the coordinate system, places a plurality of linear gratings in parallel with each other with a predetermined interval on thus binary-coded coordinate system, and uses the linear gratings so as to extract a circular image region representing the region to be analyzed on the coordinate system.

Abstract: This electric mask generating apparatus reads mask bit string generation data, which has a configuration of one pixel per bit and is set in ROM, by a microcomputer, develops the mask bit string generation data in RAM, and thereafter writes the mask bit string generation data in mask generation memory. This electric mask generating apparatus reads a mask signal in this mask generation memory by a microcomputer, and mixes an image signal of an object with the above-described mask signal by using a shift register or the like in a mask-mixing circuit. According to the mask signal having this configuration of one pixel per bit, since it is possible to write the mask signal in the above-described mask generation memory during the time that is one-eighth of conventional write time, it becomes possible to quickly display an image to which a normal mask or a scaled mask is given.

Abstract: When a new processor is connected to an old electronic endoscope provided with a memory storing B data for image processing specific to the scope, white balance control is carried out by a microcomputer. That is, at the time when power is turned on, this microcomputer determines whether or not image processing data compatible with the new processor is present in the old electronic endoscope. If the compatible data are not present, the microcomputer carries out white balance control based on the image of white board picked up by the user, and additionally writes new C data for image processing at the time of white balance control in a memory of the old electronic endoscope together with data identification information. Thereby, the compatibility with an old type of electronic endoscope is maintained.

Abstract: A light-scanning optical system having a function of correcting surface tilt comprises a light source 11; a first optical means 1; a light-deflecting means 14 for reflecting and deflecting a luminous flux by its deflecting/reflecting surface 15 so as to scan a surface to be scanned 18; a first lens 16 having a positive refracting power in each of the main scanning and sub-scanning directions, in which each of both sides is made of a toric surface; and a second lens 17 having a small negative refracting power, in which each of both sides is made of an aspheric surface. A semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 500 nm or shorter is used as the light source. The first and second lenses 16, 17 may be made of plastic. Thus, in a simple configuration, the light-scanning optical system can reduce its size and cost, while being able to respond to higher image density.

Abstract: A light source apparatus comprises a light source and a collimating lens for adjusting a luminous flux from the light source. The light source is supported by a holder made of a steel plate, a supporting member made of a steel plate is supported by the holder so as to slide in a direction of an optical axis to the collimating lens, and the collimating lens is supported by the supporting member.

Abstract: In a low coherent interference fringe analysis method, a light intensity distribution of interference fringes formed by object light and reference light in a sample is represented by a light intensity distribution function using an envelope function. Subsequently, phase shifting is carried out, so as to measure the light intensity at each shift stage. According to thus measured light intensities at respective shift stages, unknowns of the light intensity distribution function are computed. Then, according to the computed unknowns, a peak position of a curve of the envelope function is determined. According to thus determined peak position, phase information of the sample is determined.

Abstract: In a color separating optical system, a first filter adapted to eliminate from light emitted from a red light exit face a light component in a wavelength range longer than a longer-wavelength-side boundary wavelength of a red visible light wavelength region is disposed at a prism surface in an optical path for guiding red region light, whereas a second filter adapted to reflect a light component in a wavelength range longer than a reference wavelength which is longer than the longer-wavelength-side boundary wavelength by a predetermined wavelength but transmit therethrough a light component in a wavelength region shorter than the reference wavelength is placed at the red light exit face.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope includes an illumination guide and a pair of right and left image pickup devices each comprising an objective lens system and a solid state image sensor that are all incorporated in an elongated cylindrical rigid sheath and operates to produce right and left optical images of an object which are displayed on a monitor as a three-dimensional image and is provided with a mounting fixture which has a pair of mounting bores formed side by side therein for holding the right and left solid state image pickup device in the mounting bores, respectively, so as thereby to align the right and left solid state image pickup devices side by side in a diametrical direction of the sheath and is shaped so as to provide an arched space between the mounting fixture and the sheath for receiving the illumination guide therein when it is fitted in the sheath.

Abstract: A printing plate is held at one point thereof by a holding portion provided at a surface plate. When pushed by a pushing portion, the printing plate is only rotationally displaced. Thus, an angular error is substantially eliminated and displacement of the printing plate is small. Then, the pushing portion positions the printing plate in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the surface plate can be moved. Then, movement of the surface plate positions the printing plate in the direction in which the surface plate can be moved.

Abstract: Provided are a light source apparatus capable of preventing a shift in an optical path of a light beam, and an optical scanner comprising the light source apparatus. An optical scanner comprises a light source apparatus in which four light sources corresponding to four colors Y, M, C and B are supported as a unit by one holder. The light sources are integrally disposed in a specific position (a position where the holder is disposed) on an optical base as a supporting base, so even if distortion of the optical base occurs resulting from a dynamic load, ambient temperature or the like, an influence of the distortion is exerted upon each of the light sources supported by the holder to substantially the same extent. Even if a shift in the whole arrangement of the light sources occurs, a large shift in a positional relationship between each light source does not occur.

Abstract: A laser annealer has a laser light source with at least one GaN-type semiconductor laser and is configured so as to form emission points that emit laser beams having a wavelength of 350 to 450 nm, and a scanning device for scanning an annealing surface with the laser beams. The laser annealer may have a spatial light modulator for modulating the laser beams, and in which pixel portions whose light modulating states change in accordance with control signals are arranged on a substrate. The invention is applied to a laser thin-film forming apparatus. The apparatus has a laser source that has at least one semiconductor laser and is configured so as to form emission points, and an optical system for focusing laser beams into a single beam in the width direction of a substrate.

Abstract: While a ferrule held by a clamping apparatus is rotated by a predetermined angle, respective interference fringe images of a spherical leading end part of the ferrule are obtained at three or more rotational positions. Respective interference fringe center positions are obtained in thus obtained three or more interference fringe images. The center position of a circle passing near each of the interference fringe center positions is calculated and defined as a measured center position. Relative distance information between the measured center position and a position corresponding to the rotational center position of the spherical leading end part of the ferrule or the relative distance information and relative directional information thereof are outputted as an inclination error adjustment value for the axis of the ferrule.

Abstract: In an inclination adjusting apparatus comprising two base members opposing each other, an adjusting screw for relatively inclining the two base members with respect to each other is rotatably threaded into and held by one of the two base members while projecting a leading end part from the one base member toward the other base member. The other base member is provided with a sphere-bearing surface opposing the leading end part of the adjustment screw. A rigid spherical member is held between the adjustment screw and the sphere-bearing surface.

Abstract: Shootings for automatic following are previously registered in a memory of a pan head controller. When the automatic following is started, a CPU of the pan head controller chooses a shooting among the shootings registered in the memory according to a center position of a subject inputted from an image processing device so that the subject is in a frame of a camera, and transmits a control signal to a pan head for the shooting.

Abstract: Provided is a close-up attachment lens suitably applicable to a taking lens body comprising a lens group in charge of a focus function and a lens group in charge of a zoom function completely separate from each other. The attachment lens is mounted on the taking lens body on an object side for close-up shooting. The attachment lens comprises a cemented lens having a negative refractive power as a whole, the cemented lens including a first lens with a convex surface on an object side having a positive refractive power and a second lens with a convex surface on an image plane having a negative refractive power, and a third single lens having a positive refractive power. The taking lens body comprises a focus lens group, a zoom lens group and a master lens group which are disposed independently of one another. The use of the attachment lens allows close-up shooting while maintaining various aberrations in a taking lens in a favorable condition.

Abstract: An optical scanner comprises a light source, a reflection mirror, deflection device, and an f·&thgr; lens fixed to a plate-shaped bracket. The optical scanner is characterized in that a luminous flux emitted from the light source is guided to the deflection device by the reflection mirror and the luminous flux deflected by the deflection device is guided to the f·&thgr; lens, a light source optical path from the light source to the reflection mirror is arranged to be tilted with respect to a plane which is drawn by an optical axis of a scanning optical path led to the f·&thgr; lenses deflected by the deflection device, and the light source optical path is arranged on one side across the plane drawn by the optical axis of the scanning optical path, and the plate-shaped bracket of the f·&thgr; lens is arranged on the other side.

Abstract: When an adjustment switch is turned on, the input of an input changeover switch is switched from a lens controller to a test signal generating circuit. A motor operates in accordance with a test signal of a step waveform outputted from the test signal generating circuit, and a lens moves forward and backward. At this time, a CPU receives a position signal of the lens from a potentiometer to read a response waveform of the position signal responsive to the test signal, and adjusts a feedback gain of an amplifier for feeding back a velocity signal of the movement of the lens to the position command signal, which feedback gain determines transient response characteristics of the movement of the lens, so that the response waveform can become a predetermined form.

Abstract: Sidewalls of a flash opening formed in a front cover of a camera are processed with the same surface treatment as that of the front cover. A condenser plate is so fitted into the flash opening from a backside of the front cover that a part of the condenser plate is protrusive from and another part is retractive from an outer surface of the front cover. In a place where the condenser plate is retractive, a part of sidewalls are exposed outside. In wildest-angle photography, edges of a flashlight reflector containing a flash discharge tube are moved to a position between the outer surface and an inner surface of the front cover touching a top surface of the condenser plate. Thus, the camera with a zoom flash device is made thinner.

Abstract: A zoom lens device includes a zoom optical system, in which front, middle and rear lens groups are set at one focal length between a wide-angle end where a focal length is short and a telephoto end where the focal length is long. Lens barrels move in first and second regions to move the front, middle and rear lens groups along an optical axis. The lens barrels, when in the first region, focus the zoom optical system with a predetermined focal length kept by maintaining an interval between the front and middle lens groups, and when in the second region, change the focal length of the zoom optical system. A combination of a cam follower pin and a cam groove effects focusing by moving the middle lens group relative to the front lens group along the optical axis when the lens barrels are in the second region.

Abstract: A mechanism element for optical devices has a light-incident part on which light having a wavelength of 700 nm or more is incident, and the light-incident part is made of aluminum or an alloy of aluminum or magnesium. An anodizing process treatment to form an anodized coating is performed at least on the light-incident part, and then the surface of the light-incident part is colored to be black by a secondary electrolytic coloring method.