Abstract: Operating members for a camera typically comprising a first operating member for the purpose of switching over from automatic adjustment to manual adjustment and vice versa for the camera and a second operating member for turning on or off electric power source. Each of the operating members is designed in the form of a knob and a turning movement indication pattern is formed on the operating member. The operating members themselves may function as a turning movement indication pattern. The camera housing is integrally provided with raised portions on the upper surface thereof and the operating member is disposed in the area between the adjacent raised portions or disposed adjacent to the raised portion. When the operating members are set to their predetermined position, the turning movement indication patterns on the operating members are aligned with the stationary patterns on the raised portions on a common band-shaped area on the upper surface of the camera housing.

Abstract: A wide angle lens having a long back focus substantially equal to the rear focal length of the total lens system comprising six lens components with a stop between the third and fourth components from the object side satisfies the conditions:0.5<.phi..sub.2 /.phi..sub.6 <1.40.8f<f.sub.3 <1.5f0<f/f.sub.R <0.50.8f<r.sub.2 <1.5wherein f is the image-side focal length of the total system, .phi..sub.2 and .phi..sub.6 are refractive powers of the second and the sixth components, f.sub.3 is the focal length of the third component, f.sub.R is the composite focal length of the fourth to the sixth components and r.sub.2 is the radius of curvature of the image-side lens surface of the first component.

Abstract: A projection optical apparatus for projecting the pattern of a mask onto a substrate through a projection optical system includes a stage for supporting thereon a substrate having a plurality of marks for detection on the surface thereof, first detecting means for detecting the amount of inclination of the surface of the substrate relative to the surface on which the pattern is projected and imaged, through the projection optical system, second detecting means for detecting the amount of inclination of the surface of the substrate relative to a predetermined reference plane independently of the projection optical system, and calibrating means for calibrating the amount of inclination detected by the second detecting means on the basis of the amount of inclination detected by the first detecting means.

Abstract: A printer comprises image signal generating element for repeatedly generating one line of image signal, compare element having a plurality of reference levels and comparing the image signal with selected one of the reference levels, thermal head element having a line of heating elements for printing one line of image signal, current supply element for supplying currents to the heating elements in accordance with the compare results, setting element for setting a continuous energization period for supplying the current to the heating elements from the supply element, and control element for controlling the supply element to provide a first period during which the energization of the heating elements in a first group is inhibited and a second period during which the energization of the heating elements in a second group are inhibited.

Abstract: A video finder in a single-lens reflex camera comprises a finder eyepiece, a penta roof prism disposed between the eyepiece and a focusing screen, a beam splitter disposed between the penta roof prism and the finder eyepiece, an image-forming optical system for forming a light image from the split beam and an image pickup device for forming a video signal corresponding to the light image formed by the image-forming optical system.

Abstract: An eye fundus observing and photographing apparatus has an illuminating optical system for supplying illuminating light to an eye to be examined, an optical system for observing and photographing the fundus of the eye to be examined through an observation aperture stop, and an objective lens common to the illuminating system and the observing and photographing system. The objective lens is comprised of a first component which is a cemented positive meniscus lens having its concave surface facing the eye to be examined and a second component which is a cemented positive meniscus lens having its concave surface facing the observation aperture stop. The center of curvature of the concave surface of the first component which is adjacent to the eye to be examined is coincident with a position conjugate with the observation aperture stop with respect to the entire objective lens.

Abstract: An alignment system includes an element bearing a plurality of patterns on the surface thereof, the plurality of patterns being arranged in a predetermined direction, a stage for holding the element, scanning means for scanning the plurality of patterns of the element held by the stage in the predetermined direction and making position signals indicative of the positions of the plurality of patterns in the predetermined direction on the element, and operation means for operating and putting out a signal indicative of a position which is in a predetermined relation with the positions of the plurality of patterns in the predetermined direction, on the basis of the position signals.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus converts information of an original into electrical signals using a one-dimensional image sensor. In the apparatus, an image of an object is converted into an image signal, the image signal is memorized to be read out as needed, and the amount of image signal memorized can be detected.

Abstract: A projection optical apparatus adapted for use in lithographic apparatus for semiconductor device manufacturing purposes and the like. A monitoring light beam of a given polarization is introduced into an imaging optical system of the projection optical apparatus and a polarized component of the monitoring light beam transmitted through the imaging optical system is subjected to photoelectric conversion. A variation of an optical characteristic of the imaging optical system is detected in accordance with the photoelectrically converted output signal.

Abstract: A zoom lens including a wide angle of view has, in succession from the object side, a first lens group of positive refractive power, a second lens group of negative refractive power and a third lens group of positive refractive power. The zoom lens is capable of effecting magnification change by the second lens group being moved relative to the first and third lens groups. When zooming is effected from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first and third lens groups are monotonously moved toward the object side and the second lens group is moved toward the object side at least near the wide angle end.

Abstract: In an exposure apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor devices, a pattern on a photomask is aligned with a plurality of patterns formed on a wafer in a manner that detects and corrects misalignment, including, inter alia, rotational errors, not only between a photomask and a wafer, but also between a photomask and individual chips formed on the wafer, so that pattern matching is attained with very high accuracy. Apparatus for achieving this result employs different arrangements of alignment marks together with optical systems and positional adjustment devices.

Abstract: In a flash photographing system including a camera having a light output control circuit for producing a stop of light emission signal when a light intensity of an illumination light reflected by an object reaches a predetermined level and a start circuit to start activation of the light output control circuit in response to a start of light emission signal, and a flash device electrically connected to the camera and having a flash bulb for emitting the illumination light, the flash device comprises detection means for detecting electrical connection with the camera, start of light emission signal generating means responsive to the detection means for supplying the start of light emission signal to the start circuit of the camera in synchronism with the emission of the illumination light by the flash bulb, and light emission stop means for stopping the emission of the illumination light by the flash bulb in response to the stop of light emission signal from the light output control circuit of the camera.

Abstract: A camera comprises a photo-taking lens system having an optic axis and movable along the optic axis for focusing, a view finder means including an objective having an optic axis different from the optic axis of the photo-taking lens system, first view field indicating means provided to indicate the range of a photographing picture plane obtained when an object to be photographed lying in a predetermined distance range is photographed within an observation view field formed through the objective, and second view field indicating means provided to indicate the range of a photographing picture plane obtained when an object to be photographed lying outside the predetermined distance range is photographed within the observation view field, and preventing means responsive to movement of the photo-taking lens system to prevent viewing of at least a part of the second view field indicating means when the photo-taking lens system is focused to the object to be photographed lying in the predetermined distance range.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording system comprising a supply cartridge including a case and an image forming sheet and an ink sheet housed in the case, taking-out means for taking out the image forming sheet and the ink sheet from the supply cartridge and print means including a thermal head for printing on the taken-out image forming sheet by the taken-out ink sheet.

Abstract: A device for supplying an electric energy to an electric device of a camera includes, first power source means in which a first cell is loaded that has a given output capacity sufficient for the electric device to exert its function, second power source means in which a second cell is loaded that has a given output capacity sufficient for the electric device to exert its function, and switching means to be operatively changed between a first switching state where the electric device is connected to the first power source means and a second switching state where the electric device is connected to the second power source means. Furthermore, the device includes responsive means responsive to the loading operation of the first cell for causing the switching means to change to the first switching state.

Abstract: A camera having a photo-taking lens changeable over to two different focal lengths includes display means for displaying a scale indicative of distances, the scale being displayed by the display means so as to be along a predetermined surface, the scale having a plurality of symbols, means for producing a first detection signal when the focal length of the photo-taking lens is one of the two different focal lengths and producing a second detection signal when the focal length of the photo-taking lens is the other of the two different focal lengths, and control means for controlling the display means, the control means being responsive to the first detection signal to control the display means so that a part of the plurality of symbols is displayed and being responsive to the second detection signal to control the display means so that the remainder of the plurality of symbols except said part is displayed.

Abstract: A solid-state area imaging device for generating an output indicative of an intensity distribution of light received at a predetermined plane is so constructed that the undesired charges of light-receiver photodiodes and the undesired charges of a vertical transfer section are drained collectively. This construction realizes a solid-state area imaging device having a high picture element density and capable of ensuring a high resolution and more particularly a high-efficiency solid-state area imaging device having interline transfer CCD means and well suited for use with electronic shutter equipped electronic still picture cameras or variable shutter speed video cameras.

Abstract: Flash photographing system comprises a camera and a flash unit, which are exchangeable data. The flash unit is provided with a control circuit transmitting a power source control signal to a camera when a power source switch of the camera is not turned on, thereby enabling data exchange between the camera and the flash unit.

Abstract: A diaphragm-control apparatus for controlling stopping-down of an aperture of a photographing lens for a camera to obtain a desired aperture value includes light metering means for detecting an intensity of light reflected by an object to be photographed and transmitted through the aperture and sequentially generating electrical signals each corresponding to a detected light intensity, memory means for storing a predetermined number of electrical signals, storing means for sequentially storing the electrical signals in the memory means. The storing means is adapted to store the electrical signal in place of an oldest electrical signal stored in the memory means. The apparatus further includes operating means for sequentially calculating changing velocities represented by the electrical signals during stopping-down according to the predetermined number of electrical signals stored in the memory means.

Abstract: A focusing screen is inserted from a mirror box side and mounted below a pentaprism. A keeper member formed by bending a linear spring member into the shape of a frame is provided for the positioning of the focusing screen, an engaging pawl for engaging the intermediate portion of the keeper member is provided on a fixed portion near the opening of a lens mount, the opposite end portions of the keeper member opposed to the intermediate portion are rotatably supported on a fixed portion opposite to the lens mount, and the focusing screen is designed to be released from a focusing screen containing chamber along the keeper member when the keeper member is disengaged from the engaging pawl and rotated.