Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a focus state has an optical image-forming system that forms an object image, a plurality of line sensors that is arranged on a projected area of the optical image-forming system; a plurality of monitor sensors that is arranged on the projected area along the direction of a line-sensor array, each monitor sensor being adjacent to a corresponding line sensor and monitoring an amount of light incident on the corresponding line sensor; and a signal processor that outputs image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image on the basis of electric charges accumulated in the plurality of line sensors. At least an endmost monitor sensor corresponding to an endmost line sensor is arranged on the center-facing side of the endmost line sensor.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor and a processor that merges together a plurality of images captured by said image sensor to produce a composite image. The positions or the plurality of images being adjusted to reduce displacement of a reference area that is determined within each one of said plurality of images before the plurality of images is merged together. The reference area includes at least one of an in-focus area determined by a focusing operation, a face area determined by face-sensing processes, a predetermined-color area determined by white-balance information and predetermined color information, and a predetermined-brightness area determined by photometry.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group, in this order from an object. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the first and the second lens groups increases, and the distance between the second and the third lens groups decreases. The third lens group includes a positive first sub-lens group and a negative second sub-lens group, in this order from the object. The first sub-lens group comprises a positive lens element provided at the most object-side thereof and a cemented lens provided at the most image-side thereof. The cemented lens includes a positive lens element and a negative lens element, in this order from the object.

Abstract: A variable power lens, having first and second lens groups, includes first and second lens group support frames, a linear guide ring, first and second lens group drive rings which rotate to move the first and second lens group support rings in the optical axis direction relative to the linear guide ring, a drive ring coupler which couples the first and second lens group drive rings with each other to prevent relative rotation therebetween while allowing relative movement therebetween in the optical axis direction; and a drive-ring movement controller which integrally rotates the first and second lens group drive rings via the drive ring coupler without relatively moving in the optical axis direction when a power-variation operating member is operated, and moves one of the first and the second lens group drive rings in the optical axis direction without rotating when a focus operating member is operated.

Abstract: Methods for producing a silica aerogel coating by: producing a wet gel formed by the hydrolysis and polymerization of an alkoxysilane having an ultraviolet-polymerizable unsaturated group; organically modifying the wet gel with an organic-modifying agent to obtain an organically modified silica having a modification ratio of 10-30% based on a total amount of Si—OH in the wet gel; coating a dispersion of the organically modified silica on a substrate to form a layer; and subjecting the layer of the organically modified silica to ultraviolet irradiation and baking, wherein the silica aerogel coating includes the organically modified silica and wherein the silica aerogel coating has a refractive index in the range of 1.05-1.2.

Abstract: A photographing lens system includes a positive front lens group, an aperture diaphragm, and a positive rear lens group, in that order from the object side. The front lens group includes at least one negative lens element, and at least two positive cemented lenses, in that order from the object side, and the following conditions are satisfied: 0.35<fF/fR<1.5??(1), and ?1.4<fL1/f<?0.9??(2), wherein fF and fR designate the focal lengths of the front lens group and the rear lens group, fL1 designates the combined focal length of the negative lens elements provided within said front lens group; and f designates the focal length of the entire photographing lens system.

Abstract: An imager is provided having an imaging sensor and a focusing detector. The imaging sensor reads stored charges in a positive or negative direction and outputs image data created from the read charges. The comparator calculates a differential between first image data output by said imaging sensor and second image data output by the imaging sensor immediately after the first image data is output, and determines whether the differential is larger than a first threshold value. The composer creates composite image data from the data of two images output by the imaging sensor. When the comparator determines that the differential is larger than the first threshold value, the composer creates composite image data from the second image data and negatively scanned image data that is obtained by scanning the second image in a direction that is opposite to the scanning direction of the second image data.

Abstract: An optical low-pass filter is disposed on a light-receiving surface of an imaging device. The filter has a light-transmitting substrate including at least one birefringent plate and an infrared-cut plate , a dust-proofing layer provided on a light-input surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and an infrared-cut coat layer provided between the dust-proofing layer and the light-transmitting substrate or on a light-output surface of the light-transmitting substrate. A surface of the dust-proofing layer contains fine roughness.

Abstract: A mirror drive apparatus incorporating a brake mechanism of an SLR camera includes a mirror pivoted about a mirror rotational shaft and swingable between a viewing position and a retracted position, wherein the mirror is biased to swing from the viewing position to the retracted position; a brake drum which rotates in association with a swing movement of the mirror; a mirror brake member including a brake shoe which is brought into contact with and disengaged from the brake drum; a mirror control cam driven by a motor to return the mirror, which is biased to swing from the viewing position to the retracted position, to the viewing position from the retracted position; and a brake lever control mechanism which makes the brake shoe contact the brake drum and moves the brake shoe off the brake drum by a rotating operation of the mirror control cam.

Abstract: A diaphragm control apparatus incorporated in a camera body, to which an interchangeable lens equipped with a diaphragm apparatus is detachably attached, the diaphragm apparatus including a diaphragm operatively-associated rod for driving an adjustable diaphragm to open and shut the adjustable diaphragm, and the diaphragm control apparatus including a slide member that is driven to move the diaphragm operatively-associated rod, the diaphragm control apparatus includes a diaphragm drive mechanism including a stepping motor and a lead screw which is driven to rotate by the stepping motor, wherein the slide member is moved by rotation of the lead screw, a position detector for detecting a position of the slide member, and a controller for adjusting an excitation phase of the stepping motor based on a stop position of the slide member detected by the position detector.

Abstract: An imager is provided having an image-capturing device, a display, and a view angle controller. The image-capturing device captures a subject image and outputs an image signal. The display displays a through image consisting of multiple images continuously displayed. The view angle controller controls a view angle of an image so that a ratio of an area of a subject in an area of an image is maintained at a certain value when the display displays a through image.

Abstract: A mirror brake mechanism of an SLR camera for applying a brake to a mirror pivoted about a mirror rotational shaft to be swingable between a viewing position and a retracted position. The mirror brake mechanism includes a brake shaft which is independent of the mirror rotational shaft and positionally aligned along an extension line of the mirror rotational shaft; an interlocking rotating member disposed on one of laterally opposite sides of the mirror and rotatable about the brake shaft; a mirror drive shaft which connects a mirror seat, on which the mirror is mounted, and the interlocking rotating member to each other in a rotational direction about the mirror drive shaft; a brake drum which rotates in association with the interlocking rotating member; and a mirror brake member which is brought into contact with and disengaged from the brake drum.

Abstract: A catalog page generation system, comprising a first generation circuit, a first determination circuit, and a second generation circuit, is provided. The first generation circuit generates a catalog page of objects included in a first directory or a first folder. The first determination circuit determines whether or not a second directory different from the first directory or a second folder different from the first folder exists. The second generation circuit generates existence information if the first determination circuit determines that the second directory or the second folder exists. The existence information indicates the existence of another directory or another folder of the same level as the first directory or the first folder.

Abstract: A photographing information management method, which includes: judging whether there is equality between photographing position information added to an image file stored in an external storage medium which is detachably attachable to an imaging apparatus and photographing position information stored in an internal memory of the imaging apparatus; and when it is judged that the two pieces of photographing position information have the equality, displaying an image and the photographing position information of the image file on a display screen of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, and positive third and fourth lens groups. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups increases and the distance between the second and third lens groups decreases. The first lens group includes a positive first sub-lens group which remains at a stationary position during focusing and a positive second sub-lens group which moves during focusing. Condition (1) is satisfied: 0.35<f1b/f1a<0.57??(1), wherein f1b and f1a designate the focal length of the second and first sub-lens groups, respectively.

Abstract: A focus-point selection system comprising an image sensor, a target detector, a location detector, and a first selector is provided. The focus-point selection system selects a subset of focus points corresponding to the location of a target in an image capturing area from a plurality of focus points positioned at predetermined locations. The target is a subject that is brought into focus according to a phase-difference autofocus method. The image sensor generates an image signal corresponding to the captured optical image. The target detector detects the target on the basis of the image signal. The location detector detects a subject location. The subject location is a location of the target detected by the target detector in the image capturing area. The first selector selects the focus point with the shortest distance from the subject location.

Abstract: A digital camera has a display, a magnification input device, and a magnification control device. The display simultaneously displays images. The magnification input device is used to input the magnification factor for the images displayed in said display. The magnification control device which simultaneously changes the magnification of the images displayed in said display by substantially the same multiplier according to the magnification factor input by said magnification input device.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform and a controller. The movable platform has an imager that captures an optical image through a taking lens, and is movable and rotatable on an xy plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. The controller calculates an inclination angle of the photographic apparatus, which is formed by rotation of the photographic apparatus around the optical axis, as measured with respect to a level plane perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, and performs a controlled movement of the movable platform for an inclination correction based on the inclination angle. The controller calculates an elevation/depression angle that represents an angle at which the optical axis intersects said level plane, and calculates the inclination angle in consideration of the elevation/depression angle.

Abstract: An operating device is provided having a supporting member, a button, an elastic member, and a bearing member. The supporting member has an opening which passes through the thickness direction of the supporting member. The button has a shaft and an engaging portion. The shaft is arranged such that the axial direction of the shaft is parallel to the thickness direction of the supporting member. The engaging portion projects parallel to the axial direction of the shaft. The elastic member is set onto the supporting member so as to cover the opening, and has a projecting portion which engages the end of the shaft. The bearing member is provided between the supporting member and the elastic member, which is provided around the opening and is located nearer to the shaft than the engaging portion in the direction orthogonal to the projecting direction of the shaft.

Abstract: An anti-reflection coating comprising a mesoporous silica coating composed of mesoporous silica nano-particles formed on a substrate or a dense coating formed on the substrate, the mesoporous silica coating having a refractive index of more than 1.10 and 1.35 or less.