Abstract: An automatic film sensitivity setting device for cameras in which film sensitivity indicated in coded form on a loaded film package is automatically read in by electric signal terminals and introduced to an exposure control circuit as a parameter for the calculation and control of exposure, characterized in that the device is arranged to elect a predetermined specific film sensitivity in the absence of valid coded information of film sensitivity on a film case of the package, and in the case of an ordinary film package without the coded information, to elect a predetermined specific film sensitivity in the absence of information in any one of the electric signal terminals.

Abstract: An automatic film sensitivity setting device uses part of electrical contacts provided on a film patrone of CAS system to produce from two-bit information a voltage signal indicating the film sensitivity index for the exposure control circuit of a camera. The device includes the circuit for setting the film sensitivity index manually.

Abstract: An electromagnetically releasable shutter for a camera comprises an electromagnet (8) which is energized upon the execution of shutter releasing operation and de-energized after an exposure time corresponding to the brightness of the object has elapsed since energization, an armature lever (7) which is driven by the electromagnet (8), an actuating member (4) which starts moving to drive a diaphragm operating member (6) in a direction to open the diaphragm when the armature lever (7) is attracted by the electromagnet (8), and a shutter closing member (9) which drives the diaphragm operating member (6) in a direction to close the diaphragm when the armature lever (7) is released from the electromagnet (8). The actuating member (4) is provided with a part to restrain the operation of the shutter closing member (9) when the actuating member (4) is at the charged position.

Abstract: In a program shutter including a forwardly/reversely rotatable step motor for opening and closing a shutter blade to effect automatic exposure, a drive pulse number and an interpolation quantity are set in first and second counters. A step drive pulse is generated by the first counter to start opening the sectors. After a final pulse is generated, the second counter is started, and at the timing when the time corresponding to the interpolation quantity is elapsed, the step motor is reversely rotated thereby to fractionate a gap between steps and obtain a proper exposure quantity.

Abstract: An active type distance detecting device wherein either a light emitting element or a light receiving element is operated to scan by a scanning means. A signal for driving the scanning means is interposed between pulse signals for causing the light emitting element to emit flickering light so that the former signal may not overlap with the latter pulse signals in order to reduce fluctuations of a load electric current.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated shutter for a camera wherein automatic focusing and exposing operation are controlled by means of a single reversible stepping motor.

Abstract: An active type range finder has a light-emitting element which is pulsatively driven to project light pulses on an object to be photographed. A photodetector element receives the light reflected from the object and produces a photoelectric output signal proportional to the amount of received light. A light-shielding member is scanned over the light-sensitive surface of the photodetector element in correlation with the distance to the object so that the light-shielding member successively shields successive areas of the light-sensitive surface from receiving light. An a.c. amplifier amplifies the photoelectric output signal, and an integrating circuit integrates the amplified photoelectric output signal and produces an integrated d.c. signal having a negative peak value indicative of the position of the scanning light-shielding member which corresponds to the object distance. Detecting circuitry detects the negative peak value and provides a corresponding detection signal indicative of the object distance.

Abstract: A camera shutter utilizes a single photoelectric element in conjunction with a shutter control circuit for controlling the automatic exposure operation of the shutter in dependence on the integrated value of the ambient light received from an object field being photographed, and a flash control circuit for controlling the timing and duration of the flash in dependence on the total integrated value of the ambient light and flashlight received from the object field. The shutter control circuit effects control of the shutter operation before operation of the flash control circuit so that the automatic exposure operation and the flash operation are carried out in series. By such an arrangement, the flash system is operated within the time lag which occurs between the production of a shutter closing signal and the actual start of the shutter closing operation.

Abstract: An electronic watch having a multiple of modes includes mode selection means operable from the outside and a plurality of external operating buttons for modifying the contents of indication of the watch or for issuing an operational command in each mode. Auxiliary indication means is provided directly with the mode selection means. Alternatively, the auxiliary indication means may be provided separately from the mode selection means but in an interlocked fashion with it. The indication surface of the auxiliary indication means carries at a position corresponding to each of the external operating buttons a symbol or characters which represent the function of said each of the external operating buttons in each selected mode.

Abstract: A distance detector capable of measuring the distance between the range detector and an object by directing a light emitted from a light emission element to the object and receiving the reflected light and advantageously adaptable particularly to small-sized cameras.The light reflected on the object is received by a single light-receiving element. The reflected light is condensed by a condenser and concentrated on the light-receiving element. The light-receiving element comprises an element, for example a photopotentiometric element, varying in the electric output according to the position of the light spot of the reflected light. The output of the element in the form of electric signal continuously varies in proportion to the distance between the range detector and the object.

Abstract: Light projected from active lighting means or light projecting means toward an object is reflected by said object and a light spot is produced on a light sensitive element by the reflected light. A distance to said object is determined by sensing a position of said light spot. When a shade detector scanning the surface of the light sensitive element shields the light spot generated by the light reflected from the object, a photoelectric output from said light sensitive element is varied. Correspondence between the position of said shade detector when said photoelectric output is varied and a distance to said object enables a measurement of the distance to said object.

Abstract: The alarm control button of the alarm clock with a snooze mechanism is operable in two modes; a lateral sliding mode and a vertical pushing mode. The alarm setting and the permanent stopping of the buzzer are controlled by the sliding mode, while the temporary stopping of the buzzer is controlled by the vertical pushing mode.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing camera capable of bringing the lens into focus by automatically detecting the distance between the object and the camera, an automatic focusing device for a camera comprises an actuating member which is operated prior to the start of shutter operation, and a retainer which retains the actuating member at the initial stage of the release operation. The retainer is adapted to cancel the retention of the actuating member prior to start of the shutter operation by the shutter releasing member. The actuating member is interlocked with a coincidence type rangefinder which detects the focus of the lens and the actuating member can be returned to its initial position interlocking with the return motion of the shutter releasing member.

Abstract: A timepiece has a second hand, a minute hand and an hour hand which are rotationally driven by a gear train under control of an electromechanical transducer. The transducer has a plastic coil frame on which is wound a coil and electric drive signals are applied to the coil in response to which the transducer produces a rotational output for driving the gear train. A hand stopping device is formed integrally with the coil frame and functions to temporarily stop the rotational movement of the gear train to thereby enable setting or correction of the position of the second hand.

Abstract: A device for detecting coincident focusing points for use in the controlling of the focusing of an automatically focusable lens comprises a single array of light receiving transducers for converting the distribution of light intensity of an image applied thereon to a set of corresponding electrical signals. The image applied to the array is from a first optical path from an object through the lens and from a second optical path from the object. At least one shutter is provided for cutting off one of the optical paths to alternatively effect the application of light from the one optical path on to the array to produce a first set of signals and thereafter the light from either the other optical path or the sum of the two optical paths on to the array to produce a second set of signals.

Abstract: An illuminating system is provided for a focus detecting device capable of producing range detection signals corresponding to the distance between the camera and the objects by receiving with a plurality of photoelectric elements the light of the objects transmitted through a fixed light passage and a movable light passage provided with a movable mirror.The illuminating light source of the illuminating system is disposed to project the illuminating light through the movable light passage. When the brightness of the objects is low, the plurality of photoelectric elements are integrated into practically a single photoelectric element to combine the outputs of respective photoelectric elements into a single output thus receiving the reflected light of the illumination and providing a focus detection signal.

Abstract: A step second timepiece comprises a quartz crystal oscillator and a frequency divider containing a reset circuit. The reset circuit includes a reset switch operable such that the time interval from when the reset switch is released up to when the next pulse is fed from the frequency divider is shorter than the pulse interval of the successive pulses fed from the said frequency divider thereby compensating for time lag associated with the release of the reset switch.

Abstract: The cam type time detecting mechanism of an alarm clock has a time gear wheel, an alarm gear wheel and a detecting plate, all mounted on a shaft. A hole is formed on either the alarm gear wheel or the detecting plate and a projection is formed on the other. The detecting plate is movable on the shaft in the axial direction of the shaft. The time gear wheel and the detecting plate have guiding parts respectively so that the time gear wheel, in its normal rotation, continuously pushes and turns the detecting plate. At least one of the time gear wheel, the alarm gear wheel and the detecting plate has a cam for lifting up the detecting plate if the time gear wheel and the alarm gear wheel turn either in normal and reverse directions.

Abstract: An exposure control circuit for cameras equipped with a self-timer comprises an RC integrating circuit including a capacitor and a resistance for determining an automatic shutter releasing period and a time constant setting circuit employing the same capacitor for switching from the self-timer operating mode to the exposure time control mode. Exposure time is determined by the capacitor and the output signal of a photoelectric conversion circuit. This circuit construction allows a single electromagnet to control both an automatic shutter releasing period and exposure, and a single capacitor to function in three time constant setting operations.

Abstract: A camera shutter mechanism for opening and closing a shutter aperture to effect an exposure comprises a group of opening blades movable, when released, from a closed position covering the shutter aperture to an open position uncovering the shutter aperture to thereby initiate an exposure, and a group of closing blades movable, when released, from an open position uncovering the shutter aperture to a closed position covering the shutter aperture to thereby terminate the exposure. A release mechanism releases the opening blades thereby enabling them to move to the open position for initiating the exposure, and subsequently releases the closing blades thereby enabling them to move to the closed position for terminating the exposure.