Abstract: An automatic focusing camera is provided with a determining device that determines a plurality of positions of a lens group or an imaging surface of a CCD for focusing on a plurality of subjects in a subject image, an AF motor that sequentially moves the lens group or the imaging surface of the CCD to the determined positions, and a shooting device that performs shootings when the lens group or the imaging surface of the CCD is at the positions.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for compensating auto-focus of image capture device by utilizing red-eye eliminating function. An auto-focus module preliminarily determines a first distance from an object to the image capture device based on a first focal length evaluation value of the object, so as to perform a rough adjustment of the focal length. Whenever a red-eye eliminating device flashes to eliminate red-eye effect, the image sensor captures the image of the object so as to obtain a second focal length evaluation value of the object. The auto-focus module determines a second distance from the object to the image fetching device based on the second focal length evaluation value of the object, thereby performing a fine adjustment of the focal length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera comprising a cam member having cam groves formed for moving lens units, where the cam groves alternately have variable power cam regions for moving the lens units for variable power and focusing cam regions for moving the lens units for focusing, an illumination device whose light distribution angle is changeable, and a finder device whose angle is changeable wherein the light distribution angle of the illumination device and the field angle of the finder device are changed while the lens units move in the variable power cam regions for variable power, and on the other hand, the light distribution angel of the illumination device and the field angle of the finder device are not changed while the lens units move in the focusing cam regions for focusing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stereo image photographing system capable of easily obtaining a stable, highly reliable and accurate stereo image when three-dimensional measurement is carried out by a general camera. A photographing unit includes a camera and an omni-directional prism. By collimating the prism on the photographing unit, a measuring unit measures position data thereof (measured value). A photographing position calculating unit calculates a proper photographing position based on a photographing condition set by a condition setting unit. To realize coincidence or rough coincidence between the data of the position (measured value) of the photographing unit measured by the measuring unit and the data of the photographing position calculated by the photographing position calculating unit, a photographing control unit allows a movement control unit and a driving unit to move the photographing unit, and outputs a timing signal for photographing to the photographing unit and the measuring unit.

Abstract: A strobe mounting structure is used for retractably mounting a pop-up strobe on an upper portion of a single lens reflex camera having a pentagonal prism. The pop-up strobe has a strobe case which is movable between an operable position and a retracted position. The strobe case further has a pair of legs, which astride the pentagonal prism. Each of the pair of legs has a U-shaped cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof. The strobe case is rotatably mounted on the upper portion of the single lens reflex camera by a shaft penetrating through opposing walls of each of the pair of legs.

Abstract: A passive autofocus sensor for a camera comprising charge-coupled device (“CCD”) elements arranged in a plurality of curved segments to form generally circular or semi-circular sensor spots. Such an autofocus sensor enables the camera to detect contrast in the subject being photographed in a multitude of directions about the axis of the camera's focusing lens, hence improving the camera's ability to automatically focus upon the subject being photographed.

Abstract: This invention provides a photographing apparatus with a shake detection function that can instantaneously execute shake detection operation while suppressing current consumption in non-use. More specifically, the photographing apparatus with the shake detection function according to this invention is characterized in that a standby shift determination unit changes, in accordance with the photographing mode state set by a photographing mode setting unit, a time used to determine whether to shift the photographing apparatus to a low-power consumption mode.

Abstract: A lens drive system includes a lens case supporting an image pick-up device; a movable lens frame supporting a lens group; a reversible motor supported by the lens case; a feed screw supported by the lens case and driven by the reversible motor; a half nut which moves together with the movable lens frame, is normally engaged with the feed screw, and is disengaged from the feed screw to slide thereon when more than a predetermined force is applied to the half nut in optical axis direction; and a plurality of ribs formed in the lens case projecting inwards behind a space for movement of the movable lens frame. Each rib includes a stop surface which comes into contact with a rear surface of the movable lens frame when the movable lens frame retreats while the half nut is sliding on the feed screw.

Abstract: A display optical unit includes a light valve which modulates light to form picture information, a light splitter which splits light into a plurality of color components and for directing each of the color components to the light valve, an illumination unit which directs light emanated from a light source to the light splitter, and a projection lens which magnifies and projects the modulated light having the picture information for displaying a picture. An optical axis of the projection lens is shifted from an optical axis of the illumination unit and the light splitter, and a projection lens unit including the light valve and the projection lens has a positioning mechanism which determines a position thereof when attached and is attachable and detachable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection lens unit.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for a camera having a plurality of distance measurement zones, includes a light receiving device having a plurality of light sensors which output analog pixel signals corresponding to the amount of light received; an A/D converter which converts each analog pixel signal into digital pixel data; a logarithmic transformation device which performs logarithmic transformation on each digital pixel data at a predetermined logarithmic transformation range to obtain a first transformation data; a determination device which determines the contrast state of each distance measurement zone based on the first transformation data; a calculation device which calculates an average relative object brightness based on the first transformation data; and a control device which obtains a second transformation data by performing logarithmic transformation again by utilizing a predetermined object brightness range including the average relative object brightness in the distance measurement zone as a l

Abstract: In a focus detecting device of the type in which light fluxes passing through two areas obtained by dividing a pupil of an image forming lens are received by a sensor to detect a phase difference, pixels of the sensor are disposed in such a manner that the sensor has the light-receiving sensitivity in different directions with respect to the luminance distribution, and the phase-difference detection and the contrast detection are performed according to the direction of the light-receiving sensitivity so as to perform appropriate focus detection.

Abstract: The camera shutter unit of the present invention is provided with a diaphragm blade arranged to be capable of moving between a stopping-down position wherein an aperture is stopped down, and an evacuating position wherein the aperture is opened. A shutter blade is arranged to be capable of moving between an opening position, wherein the aperture is opened, and a closing position, wherein the aperture is closed. A drive-control mechanism is provided for drive-controlling the shutter blade and the diaphragm blade. The drive-control mechanism has a single electromagnetic drive source, and a spring for restricting movement of the shutter blade toward the closing position when the diaphragm blade is positioned in the stopping-down position, and for releasing its restriction by a predetermined or more drive force generated by the electromagnetic drive source. Therefore, the unit can be of a small size and low in cost, and its reliability of function can be improved.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) illumination device for generating modulated light for a scannerless range imaging system includes circuitry for generating a drive signal having a given phase and frequency characteristic; a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a plurality of LED banks, wherein each LED bank comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series to the circuitry to receive the drive signal; and a switching stage for simultaneously activating the plurality of LED banks such that the LED banks generate the modulated light according to the phase and frequency characteristics of the drive signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a camera provided with a focus adjusting apparatus having an automatic mode for automatically selecting a focus detection area and an arbitrary mode for manually selecting the focus detection area. This invention provides a camera designed such that even in the case of the automatic mode in the camera, when an in-focus state is attained, the selection of the focus detection area can be effected in that state by a manual operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic flash device, and in particular, an electronic flash device including forward and flyback type booster circuits. The two booster circuits are appropriately switched depending on the charged state of a capacitor of the electronic flash device or the operative state of the camera, thereby achieving proper charging time and charging efficiency.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes a pupil dividing device for dividing an exit pupil of an objective lens into separate areas, a field mask located at a position substantially optically equivalent to an image forming position of the objective lens, a condenser lens located in the vicinity of the field mask to make the exit pupil conjugate with the pupil dividing device, a light quantity distribution forming device for receiving light transmitted through the separate areas and forming light quantity distribution portions wherein the relative position of the light quantity distribution portions varies in accordance with a focus state of the objective lens, and a focus detection apparatus having at least one group of photoelectric transducers which receive the light quantity distributed by the pupil dividing device. The condenser lens is moved in accordance with the position of the exit pupil of the objective lens.

Abstract: A specification-variable camera comprises a plurality of switches. A specification-change member renders a predetermined combination of the plurality of switches conductive. An operation member is used to select a mode of the camera. A detection switch serves to detect an operation on the operation member. A control means is compatible with a plurality of specifications. The control means sets a mode of the camera in correspondence with conducting states of the switches, when an output is supplied from the detection switch. The specification of the camera is changed by changing the combination of the conducting states of the switches.

Abstract: In a driving mechanism of an optical device that communicates the motive power generated at a drive source to an object to be driven by employing a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears are each constituted by using, at least, one of; polyester, polyamide and polyacetals. The plurality of gears include a gear having a low bending elastic modulus set to 10 kgf/mm2 or higher and 100 kgf/mm2 or lower and a gear having a high bending elastic modulus set to 50 kgf/mm2 or higher and 1000 kgf/mm2 or lower that meshes with the gear having the low bending elastic modulus, and thus, it becomes possible to reduce the noise generated at the gear meshing portion without compromising the durability of the gears.

Abstract: The invention relates to a view finder with improved structure for providing accurate posisioning and alignment of optical elements of its optical system. The view finder comprises an object lens system at least one lens of which is movable along an optical axis of the object lens system being guided by a first guide shaft and an eye-piece lens system at least one lens of which is movable along an optical axis of the eye-piece lens system being guided by a second guide shaft, wherein the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft are positioned in axial alignment. Preferably the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft are integrally formed and immovable optical elements such as fixed lens and prism of the optical system are also supported by the same guide shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic flash device capable of dimming control, particularly with the objective of enhancing the dimming precision in weak light emissions. The electronic flash device of the present invention thus predicts the quantity of overrun light after stopping of the emission based on the target quantity of emission, and performs correction to advance emission stop timing in accordance with the quantity of overrun light. Here, the rate between the target quantity of emission and the quantity of full emission by the emission means (the rate of emission) is preferably obtained so that the quantity of overrun light after stopping of the emission is predicted based on the rate of emission. In split emission, the emission stop timing is preferably corrected on each chopper emission.