Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus is provided that comprises an imaging device, a support member, a drive mechanism, and a fixed member. The support member supports the imaging device. The drive mechanism moves the support member in a plane parallel to an imaging surface of the imaging device and in an independent first and second directions. The fixed member is placed within a support-member movable-range, in which the support member is moved by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism induces impact on the support member by engaging the support member with the fixed member.

Abstract: An automatic surveying system is provided that comprises a surveying device, a collinear-line calculating processor, a sighting direction control processor, and an object-point searching processor. The collinear line calculating processor obtains a collinear line for an arbitrarily designated point on a schematic image of which the positional relation to the surveying device is known. The sighting direction control processor controls the surveying device to sight along the collinear line. The object point searching processor searches for an object point where the position of the object point can be determined as a point on the collinear line. This is executed by measuring the sighting direction with the surveying device while carrying out the sighting direction control process. Further, a position obtained by the object point searching processor coincides with an object point that corresponds to the designated point.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a flexible inserting tube to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation unit connected to a proximal end of the flexible inserting tube for operating the flexible inserting tube, and an hollow cylindrical cover member connected to the operation unit to surround a portion of the flexible inserting tube near the proximal end thereof. A proximal end portion of the cover member is made of a first material while a distal end portion thereof is made of a second material. The first material has higher stiffness than the second material.