Abstract: A diopter control apparatus in a zoom camera having a variable finder optical system in which zooming is carried out by varying the distance between at least two lenses of the variable finder optical system. The diopter control apparatus includes a diopter correcting lens which constitutes a part of the variable finder optical system and which is supported for movement in the optical axis direction of the variable finder optical system. A motor is driven to move the lenses of the variable finder optical system in the optical axis direction in accordance with a switching operation to carry out zooming. A transmission mechanism transmits the rotation of the motor to the diopter correcting lens to move the latter in the optical axis direction, and a switching button selectively transmits the rotation of the transmission mechanism to an eyepiece which serves as the diopter correcting lens.

Abstract: A printing head according to the present invention resets the count value of a counter in response to an externally supplied signal, and thereafter, counts a signal supplied upon input of an image signal. A decoder generates a selection signal in accordance with the count value, thereby selecting a divided heat-generating element group in units of 32 clocks. Furthermore, an electric current is supplied to heat-generating resistors which belong to the selected heat-generating element group, thereby performing a printing operation. With this printing head, a printer, which can be controlled by a smaller number of control signals, can be realized.

Abstract: An ink jet head has a substrate on which ejection energy generating elements are provided, and a ceiling plate having a plurality of grooves for forming ink passages. The ceiling plate is pressed against the substrate by a pressing member, i.e., a spring. To improve the ejection performance of the ink jet head, the contact portion of the ceiling plate pressed by the pressing member is divided into a plurality of portions.

Abstract: An electro-developing type camera using an electro-developing recording medium comprises a photographing lens system for forming an optical image on the medium to record and develop the image therein, a finder for viewing the image obtained by the lens system, and an image reader for optically and electronically reading the developed image of the medium. The reader includes an image sensor, a light source for emitting a light beam, and an optical guide system for making the emitted light beam pass through the medium and then for guiding the same to the sensor. The camera further comprises a mirror disposed between the lens system and the medium and having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographic film having an exposure region and an audio recording region for recording the audio signal directly onto the film. The audio recording region may be a recordable/readable magnetic recording region or a chip having an internal or external power supply, and the recording region can store predetermined recordings, or it can store live audio signals. The external power supply may be in the form of a reading device integrally or detachably formed in a photographic album. The magnetic recording region includes first and second magnetic recording strips perpendicular to one another wherein the first magnetic strip is recorded to prior to exiting of the selected film frame and the second magnetic strip is recorded to upon the exiting of the selected film frame.

Abstract: An adjustable iris diaphragm assembly (26) in a zoom lens system (16) of a photographic printer (10) is calibrated for each magnification setting by progressively adjusting the aperture opening until a predetermined light intensity is detected by a sensor (36) near a paper plane of the printer and then determining an output voltage of a feedback sensor (88) of the iris diaphragm assembly. A correlation is established among magnification settings of the printer, iris stop settings, and sensor output voltages to enable the printer to accurately set the iris for a desired exposure.

Abstract: In a photographic and data transmission system utilizing a wireless communication system, a camera used with the wireless system includes film or electronic sensor for capturing an image, a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from the wireless communication system, a decoder for decoding the wireless signal obtained by the receiver and magnetic layer on film or electronic storage device for storing the decoded wireless signal and the image. A trigger signal from the camera can be used to initiate transmission of the wireless signal from the wireless communication system. Moreover, the wireless signal preferably contains an internet address for accessing further information about an item being photographed. Such a camera is of particular use in a tradeshow for conveying information between a wireless communication system in a display booth and a camera brought to the booth by a tradeshow visitor.

Abstract: At first, the film in a film cartridge is wound up. Next, the film is rewound into the film cartridge, and a perforation indicating a reference position of each frame is detected. Then, predetermined information corresponding to the detected perforation is recorded in the magnetic layer. In another embodiment, when the perforation provided closest to the forward end of the film is detected, the film is rewound a required length. Then the magnetic recording is performed after the rewinding is completed. In another embodiment, two detectors for detecting a perforation is provided. One detector is apart from the other by a multiple of a distance between frames. Every time one detector detects a perforation, magnetic recording/regenerating is carried out.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for adjusting the spacing between first and second lens groups spaced apart from each other along the optical axis of a lens barrel of an optical device. The lens barrel is movable between a collapsed position inside the body of the optical device, a wide angle position and a telephoto angle position. The drive mechanism includes a member having a cam groove, and a guide member fit into the cam groove and connected to the second lens group for adjusting the spacing between the first and second lens groups.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a carriage for holding a recording head for recording on a recording medium; a platen positioned opposite to the recording head for supporting the recording medium at a recording area; a conveying device rotatable for introducing the recording medium into the recording area; a passage for introducing, after the recording medium passes the recording head, the recording medium into the conveying device by rendering a lower end of the recording medium as a front end in a conveyance direction; and a line buffer memory for temporarily storing serial recording data of one scanning line of the recording head, the recording data being expandable to H stages and M columns.

Abstract: A panoramic camera has a camera housing rotatable about an axis of rotation that defines a viewpoint which points along a radial optical path that object rays traverse as the camera is rotated about its axis; a lens assembly having an optical path and a front nodal point mounted for rotation with the camera housing with the optical path of the lens offset from the radial optical path; a specular assembly including an object specular member along the radial optical path mounted for rotation with the housing that cooperates with the lens assembly for gathering object rays that traverse the radial optical path and for deviating them along the optical path of the lens assembly in such a way that the front nodal point of the lens subassembly virtually appears to lie on the axis of rotation thereby eliminating image smearing; and has an ambient light responsive controller including an ambient light sensor mounted for rotation with the camera housing for automatically varying the speed of rotation in direct relation

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for pivoting a viewfinder mirror (1) in a single-lens reflex camera between its finding and its taking positions. An improvement in this drive is characterized according to the invention by a separate electrical drive (4, 5, 13), which, mechanically decoupled, can be controlled directly through an external interface (12).

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has an electronic flash device with a flash circuit board. The flash device includes a flash-emitting section for emitting flash light toward a photographic field, and a main capacitor for storing charge to be discharged in the flash-emitting section. The flash-emitting section and main capacitor together constitute a flasher/capacitor unit. In one embodiment, a detachable connector, providing both the electrical connection and the mechanical support, connects the flasher/capacitor unit to the flash circuit board. In another embodiment, a securing portion comprising a pair of rails disposed on the flasher/capacitor unit, secures the flasher/capacitor unit to the flash circuit board, where the rails ride along opposite sides of a projecting portion of the flash circuit board.

Abstract: A camera has an electronic flash unit for providing a flash exposure light pulse, and a selection mean device on the camera or on an auxiliary lamp has a selection setting for allowing the auxiliary lamp to provide a subject-conditioning pre-flash light pulse before the electronic flash unit provides the flash exposure light and another setting for allowing the auxiliary lamp to be continuously on to illuminate the subject instead of providing the pre-flash light pulse.

Abstract: A recording data erecting apparatus for a camera comprises a data input section for inputting a recording data, and a data recording section for recording the recording data in a vertical direction of a photosensitive surface of a film or a horizontal direction thereof. An erection direction input unit is electrically connected to the data recording section for inputting an erection direction of the recording data. A display unit is electrically connected to the data input section for displaying the erection direction of the recording data.

Abstract: A method for creating the perception of visual depth in two dimensional displays. A filter or lens of one color (for example red) covers the left eye of a viewer and a lens of another color (for example green) covers the right eye. Objects moving in either lateral direction can be made to appear closer to or farther away from the viewer depending upon the color of the objects and surrounds. Objects that appear brighter to the left eye appear closer to the viewer when they are moving from left to right. These left eye bright objects appear farther away from the viewer when they are moving from right to left. The effect is reversed for objects that appear brighter to the right eye. Objects that appear brighter to the right eye appear closer to the viewer when they are moving from right to left. These right eye bright objects appear farther away from the viewer when they are moving from left to right. The colors of the areas surrounding moving objects can produce or contribute to the depth effect.

Abstract: A method of making motion picture release-print film, such as 35 mm film. The film has an enlarged frame that occupies substantially the entire width of the film that is available for the exposure of images, and the spacing between frames is minimized. Film having these enlarged frames provides an enhanced image with a minimum of film waste. An aspect ratio of 1.85:1 in the enlarged frame size is contemplated in a three perforation format. A digital soundtrack or other appropriate soundtrack replaces the analog soundtrack that occupies a portion of the available width. The soundtrack may provide for redundancy.

Abstract: A printing machine of the type in which liquid ink is deposited on a recording medium for printing gray scale images. The printing machine includes a printhead having ink ejecting nozzles of different sizes. Nozzles of the same size are arranged in groups and groups of nozzles are offset from one another. Ink drops of one group are deposited at locations corresponding to the points of a grid and ink drops of another group are deposited at locations corresponding to points not on the grid. Gray scale printing is achieved by the variation in drop size produced by different groups of nozzles as well as offsetting nozzles of one or more groups of nozzles from a reference group of nozzles printing on the points of a grid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to free-ink type ink-jet pens. A spring-loaded regulator mechanism is provided within the pen to allow ink from a pressurized ink reservoir to be fed to the pen while maintaining a predetermined set point back-pressure at the printhead as needed for appropriate pen operation. A mechanism in communication with the ambient atmosphere is used in conjunction with a substantially constant force biasing mechanism to maintain the balance between the countervailing forces. Back-pressure is maintained substantially constant regardless of the ink flow rate from the ink reservoir into the pen.

Abstract: An adjustable platform is used with a camera support system which includes a camera support and a support apparatus. The adjustable platform includes a platform, a mounting plate, to which a camera is attached, and a quick release mechanism. The platform has a surface, a first downwardly innerly beveled sidewall and a second downwardly innerly beveled sidewall. The mounting plate is disposed on the platform. The first and second downwardly innerly beveled sidewalls loosely engage the mounting plate so that the mounting plate is slidably coupled to the platform. The quick release mechanism is coupled to the platform and, when the quick release mechanism engages the mounting plate, it secures the mounting plate to the platform. The adjustable platform includes a lateral adjustment mechanism and a longitudinal adjustment mechanism disposed beneath the platform and coupled thereto.