Abstract: A stethoscope chestpiece is disclosed having an acoustic-to-electrical transducer residing within the acoustic pathway of the chestpiece. The transducer resides within a mounting that can provide shock attenuation and vibration isolation. The transducer preferably resides within a coaxial position in the acoustic pathway. The chestpiece is useful in a stethoscope which can be electrically connected to auscultation systems.

Abstract: A pan/tilt device consists of a pan motor and a tilt motor on a motor mount structure, a camera mount structure rotatable by the pan motor about the pan axis, a camera bracket on the camera mount structure rotatable by the tilt motor along the tilt axis. A pair of concentric drive shafts extend from the motor mount structure to the camera mount structure to accomplish the pan and tilt functions. The pan/tilt device is capable of remote operation over a computer network.

Abstract: A waterproof integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, especially video cameras, is comprised of a thin transparent skin or membrane which enables submerged use of the equipment, provides a barrier to damaging water and particulate matter and simultaneously permits uninhibited access to and operation of audio, video and infra-red components of the equipment. The apparatus is comprised of three primary components including the integument, a support platform upon which the equipment is secured, and a combination air extraction and membrane closure means. The latter is comprised generally of an elongated tubular shaft rotatably mounted to the support platform. In operation, the shaft is rotated about the platform causing the membrane within to twist and seal itself about the exterior walls of an air evacuation tube.

Abstract: A scanning-light-band display apparatus includes a light-valve panel and an optical system. The optical system includes a multicolor light source and a faceted, rotatable light-transmissive polygonal prism. The light source projects illumination rays for forming images of red, green and blue light bands through the prism along different respective paths. A combination of optical components is arranged for intercepting the illumination rays and forming the images on the panel.

Abstract: An attention grabber or attention focusing device to serve as a point of eye contact for the party whose photo is to be taken, which device is removably mountable to any type of camera. Various embodiments of the device all feature a common base such that a plurality of these can be interchangeably used on the camera. The base is disposable in a receiver, which receiver can be removably or permanently affixed to a camera body. Each device includes at least one of two attention directing elements, selected from sound and light, which elements are disposed within a head section attached to an elongated cylindrical base.

Abstract: An anti-vibration device for an optical imaging system which cancels or mitigates forces arising when the anti-vibration device is driven in a first or second direction. The anti-vibration device is held in a lens frame which is driven in a first or second direction by a drive force generating device. The drive generating device includes first and second motors, the force of which is transmitted to the lens frame via respective transmission gear trains and drive shafts which move a movable member and thus move the lens frame. The position of action of the force on the lens frame due to the respective shafts is set to a position which divides the lens frame in a specified ratio, and the positions of action of the respective shafts are close to each other.

Abstract: A data recording camera utilizes a keyboard mounted to an access door associated with the camera, and the keyboard inputs information to a light emitting diode array positioned within the camera. The light emitting diode array is removably attached between the camera's shutter and a bottom edge of a film frame to be exposed. The light emitting diode array is magnetically attached within the camera so as to be easily removable, and it includes light shielding means which isolates the bottom edge of a film frame from the rest of the film to be exposed during a conventional picture taking operation. A unique access door hinge is utilized to allow an electrical connector to be directed from the keyboard to the light emitting diode array.

Abstract: Advancing sheath film loader, method of film loading, and camera frame assembly. In the method a photographic filmstrip is loaded in a film supply. A sheath is advanced into the film supply. The sheath defines a substantially cylindrical scroll space within the film supply. During the advancing, the filmstrip is propelled into the scroll space to form a scroll. During the propelling, the sheath is tensioned against the scroll. The sheath can be disposed substantially in the film supply prior to film loading. If so, the sheath is partially extracted and then is returned to the film supply in coordination with the propelling of the filmstrip into the film supply.

Abstract: An electronic still video camera has an electro-developing recording medium. As soon as an optical image is formed on the medium, the image is recorded and developed as a visible image therein. The developed image is electronically read as image data by a line sensor, and the read image data may be stored in an IC memory card, a floppy disk, a hard disk or the like. Optionally, the read image data may be transferred from the camera to an external device such as a computer, a TV monitor or the like. The developed image can be thermally erased from the medium by using an electric heater. When one of: the formation of the optical image on the medium is carried out; the reading of the image data from the developed image of the medium: and the erasing of the developed image from the medium is carried out, the remaining operations are enabled.

Abstract: A release switch is directly activated by a self-timer button, and a shutter release button first activates a photometric switch, then the release switch. The self-timer operation is carried out in response to the activation of only the release switch, a photometric operation is carried out in response to the activation of only the photometric switch, and a shutter release operation is carried out in response to the sequential activation of both the photometric switch and the release switch.

Abstract: A self-contained camera enclosure provides protection from intermittent exposure to high temperatures and fire. The protection is provided without connection to electricity or water, and is practical for use in remote areas. Protection is provided by a heat-reflecting outer box containing a liner of insulating material and a frozen-liquid cooling system. A double-pane window using an outer heat-resistant glass and an inner hot mirror allow visible light to enter the enclosed camera while simultaneously blocking heat transmission. To accommodate remote camera equipment, a four-ply thermal insulation is used to protect the cable extending from the enclosure. The enclosure can accommodate different models and types of camera equipment.

Abstract: A magnetically recordable photographic film has perforations each being in at least one side edge region of the film lying between adjacent image areas (frames). A magnetic recording track region extends throughout the overall length of the side edge region adjacent to each frame in at least one side edge of the film. Camera information is recorded on the side edge track region. Information is read and rewrote on the film in camera. Film information is recorded on the leading end of film, and recording extension may be provided additionally. The film information is read and recorded on the film for each of the frames. Signals for clock and data are based on three-bit encoded data, and a pulse period can be varied depending on film transport speed. Such signals may be selected to have a frequency corresponding to the film transport speed.

Abstract: A single use camera has a film cassette and film spool compartment for receiving unexposed film withdrawn from the cassette. A battery is disposed inside the film spool compartment and is insertable and removable via a port on the bottom of the camera aligned with the film spool compartment. Packaging is disposed about an exterior surface of the camera and is arranged so as to permit an end user to take exposures without removing the packaging but such that removal of at least one of the back cover or battery requires at least partial removal or at least partial destruction of at least part of the packaging.

Abstract: A compact camera comprising a camera body, a multi-lamp flash unit supported for movement relative to the camera body to advance respective flash lamps successively to a flash illumination position for illuminating a subject being photographed, and a drive assembly actuated to move the flash unit to advance the flash lamps to the flash illumination position in coordination with film movement to advance respective unexposed film sections successively to an exposure position in the camera body, is characterized in that the flash unit is supported for movement to a folded position collapsed to the camera body for compactness, and separated from the drive assembly to prevent actuation of the drive assembly from moving the flash unit, and to an unfolded position extended from the camera body to be used, and engaged with the drive assembly to permit actuation of the drive assembly to move the flash unit.

Abstract: A camera capable of remote-control operations comprises a receiver for receiving a remote-control signal and a magnification alterer for altering a magnification optical system into a predetermined magnification in response to receipt by the receiver of the remote-control signal. The alterer alters the magnification state of the magnification optical system until the optical system reaches the predetermined magnification state beyond a magnification state accessible by the optical system at the time at which the receiver stops receiving the remote-control signal.

Abstract: Bellows (14) for optical equipment comprising a tubular concertina structure of adjustable axial length, the folds of the concertina structure acting as hinges, the structure having portions of laminated construction, a first layer of the construction being of flexible light-inhibiting material (66) and a further layer (70) being of load-bearing material which stiffens the folds whereby upon axial adjustment the bellows retains its configuration without external support or restraint.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board housing structure for a lens barrel of a camera as applied to a camera that includes a control unit, a film chamber, a stationary barrel, a movable barrel, and a flexible printed circuit board. The movable barrel is supported on the stationary barrel in a manner enabling movement in the optical axis direction. The movable barrel houses a shutter unit and the flexible printed circuit board is connected between the shutter unit and the control unit. The flexible printed circuit board housing structure includes an FPC housing space, an FPC relief hole, and a spring. The FPC housing space is formed between the stationary barrel and a substantially cylindrical outer face of the film chamber and is provided with the spring. The FPC relief hole is formed in the stationary barrel and passes through the stationary barrel to the FPC housing space. The spring applies an urging force to urge the flexible printed circuit board into the FPC housing space through the FPC relief hole.

Abstract: A camera or an apparatus adapted for use of an image recording medium cartridge, or a unit applicable to the camera or the apparatus, includes a support part for supporting the cartridge. The support part is provided with a curved surface part formed where the support part engages the shaft of the cartridge loaded on the camera or the apparatus.

Abstract: A camera-cap with a light manual camera operated by remote control, the camera being attached on the head cover portion of the cap with its lens looking forwardly, and a multipurpose cap which includes: a rear view mirror being placed in front of the cap, the mirror angle being controlled by fixed and pivot arms attached to the side of the head cover portion; a camera attached on the front part of the head cover portion and operated by remote control; and an audio recorder attached to the front part of the head cover portion and also operated by remote control.

Abstract: An information setting apparatus of a camera includes an information storage unit, a display unit, a selecting unit, a step altering unit, an information setting unit, and a control unit. The information storage unit stores photographic information values pertaining to photography. The display unit displays the information values stored in the information storage unit. The selecting unit selects an information value by sequentially changing the display on the display unit step by step. The step altering unit alters the display step for the value of the photographic information on the information display unit within a specific range of the information value while the selecting unit is selecting an information value. The information setting unit sets, as the photographic information, the information value selected by the selecting unit and displayed on the display unit. The control unit controls the camera on the basis of the information set by the information setting unit.