Abstract: Object brightness color information is recorded on a recording medium such as a photographic film at the time of taking an object image. In making a photoprint, the brightness information or color information is read from the photographic film, and is used for the calculation of a print exposure amount. The brightness information is used to convert photometric values at respective measurement points within a frame into brightness information. The color information is used to obtain the actual color of an object at respective measurement points. In one embodiment, effective measurement points are determined in accordance with the value of brightness information at respective measurement points, and characteristic values to be used for the calculation of a print exposure amount are derived by using the effective measurement points.

Abstract: An audio-visual furniture stand is disclosed which includes three horizontal shelves. An upper shelf for supporting a television, VCR, or other audio-visual equipment is provided. The furniture stand also includes a second and third shelf disposed below the upper shelf and designed to receive in the openings defined by the shelves and the legs of the stand, two speaker enclosures. The speaker enclosures are eight-sided and each includes two hexagonal walls designed to enable various orientations or positions of the speakers as they rest upon supporting surfaces. The speaker enclosures also include a protective grill cover which may include color coordinated cloth or foam material which matches the interior decor of a particular room or home.

Abstract: A camera remote control device locally displays information that is derived in the camera. A remote control beam is transmitted from a remote control unit and received by a photo detector on the camera through a light intercepting lens. The received signal is processed in an arithmetic circuit and a CPU and a confirming signal is returned from a light emitting diode in the camera to a receiving circuit in the remote device, as a completion signal. The remote device is responsive to the completion signal to display the state of the camera.

Abstract: In an electronic flash device according to the present invention, a main condenser (101) charged by a high power voltage supply (100) is connected in series with a flash discharge tube (102) and an IGBT (104). To the gate of the IGBT (104), bias voltage is applied by a gate bias power supply (105') before a flash start signal is provided, and the IGBT (104) waits, in an ON state that the flash discharge tube (102) is triggered in response to the flash start signal. When predetermined time elapses after the flash discharge tube (102) starts to flash, a flash stop circuit (106') changes gate bias voltage of the IGBT (104) so as to shift the IGBT (104) to an OFF state by predetermined time width. Application of high voltage to the IGBT (104) is made for extremely short period of time in the OFF state. Consequently, requirement for high breakdown voltage and less leaking current is eased. In addition, a gate controlling circuit becomes simple.

Abstract: An image stabilizing apparatus which compensates image blurring by means of a compensatory optical system displaceably supported relative to a barrel comprises an electrical locking device for electrically locking the compensatory optical system relative to the barrel, a mechanical locking device for mechanically locking the compensatory optical system relative to the barrel, and a control device for activating the electrical locking device prior to the activation or releasing of the mechanical locking device.

Abstract: In an electronically controlled camera capable of being operated in an automatic release mode in which a plurality of shootings can be automatically executed, when the number of shootings to be executed, the interval time between each shooting is automatically set in accordance with the set number of shootings to be executed.

Abstract: A camera having a flash for illuminating an object to be photographed includes a film cassette inside the camera housing. A template is located within the film cassette to overlie a stack of film units during their sequential exposure. The template includes an opaque section with transparent portions to cause an identifying indicia to be produced on any resulting photograph. A reflector is mounted on the camera outside of the field of view of its objective lens and intermediate the flash and the object to be photographed, to reflect a portion of the light from the flash back through the camera lens to impinge on the template. The result, in the developed film unit, is increased contrast in the section of the photograph underlying the template between the opaque and transparent portions.

Abstract: An acoustic device (10) in the form of a musical instrument comprises a metal plate (11) having opposite rectilinear edges converging towards a handle portion (15) to which is secured a handle (12) there being secured to the handle (12) by means of a connecting member (26) of resilient material a clapper (13). When the handle is grasped, a quick movement of the wrist will effect striking of the plate (11) by a ball (28) of the clapper (13) and the plate (11) will resonate.

Abstract: A film cartridge support in a photographic camera is provided in a film chamber which holds a film cartridge. The support includes a stopper for limiting the rotation of the film cartridge around a shaft of the film cartridge, and the stopper is supported for rotation in a direction approximately parallel to a surface of a film set on the camera. A modification of the support can include a block portion on the support extending across the lower end of the film chamber to prevent incorrect insertion of the film cartridge into the film chamber. A cut portion which is large enough to allow insertion of an operator's finger may be provided at the top end of the film chamber to allow easier insertion and removal of the film cartridge into and from the film chamber.

Abstract: A muffler for an internal combustion engine or the like having improved attenuation, minimal back pressure and minimal effect to column inertia through the muffler. The muffler comprises an outer housing and a first perforated tube insert extending from one end of the housing and terminating within the muffler. In another embodiment the perforated first tube includes a second tube insert abutting the distal end of the first tube in a continuous flow relationship therewith. The second tube has a smaller diameter than the first tube and includes at least one enlarged portion between its ends. Other embodiments are shown that include a combination of either the first and second tubes alone, a second tube with a plurality of enlarged portions between its ends, different sized enlarged portions between the ends of the second tube, various configured enlarged portions and at least two different sized perforations through the perforated tubes. A bracket is shown for attaching the tubes within the housing.

Abstract: A noise reducing apparatus comprising a first passageway group consisting of a plurality of first passageways aligned in parallel with each other for forming a first flat wave A by sound waves having a first same phase passed through each first passageway from a sound source, and a second passageway group consisting of a plurality of second passageways aligned in parallel with each other for forming a second flat wave B by sound waves being a second same phase passed through each second passageway from the sound source, said first passageway group having positioned above said second passageway group, and the phase of said first flat wave being advanced by a phase difference of 240.degree..+-.60.degree. with respect to the phase of said second flat wave to thereby reduce noise emitted from the sound source by interference of the first and second flat waves A and B.

Abstract: A camera with a multi-zone focus detecting device has an objective lens mounted on a camera. An image formed by the objective lens is divided into a plurality of zones. In each zone, a focusing condition is detected based on the image formed by the objective lens so as to produce a plurality of focusing condition data. Based on the result of the focusing conditions, one zone is selected. Furthermore, a light which has passed through the objective lens is measured separately in each zone so as to produce a plurality of measured light data. Based on a focusing condition data obtained from the selected zone, the objective lens is driven to an infocus condition. When the objective lens is driven to the infocus condition, a measured light data obtained from the selected zone is used for calculating exposure data with which the exposure is controlled.

Abstract: A sonic wave generator includes at least one pair of concave acoustic baffles arranged in concavely facing relationship in mutual coaxial alignment. The facing acoustic baffles of the pair are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance so that an annular opening is formed between the peripheral edges of the openings of the facing concave baffles. A driven diaphram is located at the closed end of each audio baffle opposite the open end of the baffle. The driven diaphrams located in the baffle pair face toward each other in mutual coaxial alignment and in coaxial alignment with the acoustic baffles.

Abstract: An intake muffler, which is particularly intended for use in two-stroke-cycle internal combustion engines, comprises a stiff housing, in which a partition defines two chambers. An inlet tube extends into the larger first chambr. At least two communicating tubes extend through the partiton. The second chamber communicates with a tubular outlet port. In order to ensure an effective damping of sound even in conjunction with a high engine power, the inlet tube consists of a diffuser, which is divided into two or more passages, and the tubes through which the two chambers communicate with each other differ in diameter and/or in length.

Abstract: An odometer apparatus having an error elimination mechanism for eliminating an error in an indication figure. The odometer apparatus includes a set of gears rotatably supported on a first shaft for indicating each digit of a set of digits in the indication figure, a set of pinions coupled with the gears and rotatably supported on a second shaft for transmitting a rotation force to the gears, a set of bosses each arranged between two adjacent pinions and formed integrally with the pinions, each of the bosses having a substantially square section taken in a plane perpendicular to the second shaft, and a pressure member for eliminating an error in the indication figure due to a backlash between the gears and the pinions.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided having a screw mount. The lens barrel includes a mount ring having a threaded portion, which can be engaged by a corresponding screw mount of the camera body to which the lens barrel is to be attached, a focus adjusting ring which is rotatably supported by the mount ring, a barrel body which is screw-engaged by the focus adjusting ring to support a focus adjusting lens, a linear movement guide member which is rotatably supported by the mount ring to restrict the movement of the barrel body so as to move only in the optical axis direction of the focus adjusting lens, and a frictional resisting member which resists the rotational movement of the linear movement guide member relative to the mount ring.

Abstract: A shutter actuation apparatus is described that is used in combination with a camera, a camera shutter release button and a cable shutter release. The apparatus has a first and second base. Both bases have gripping side members that grip the body of the camera. The apparatus is snugly attached to the body of the camera over the shutter release and an adapter is aligned with the shutter release button and secured in place. The first base has a longitudinal locator slot to allow the adapter to be moved into more complete alignment with the shutter button. The cable shutter release is then connected to the adapter. This allows a camera that has no provision for using a cable shutter release to be used with one. The first and second base members have a coating of plastic-like material on their lower surface to reduce the chance of scratching the surface of the camera and to enhance the grip of the side members on the camera body.

Abstract: Keys for an electronic musical instrument which is capable of giving an after-touch effect is disclosed. If a key is pressed, the point contact rubber is also pressed to point-contact-operate the circuit board, and at the same time, the point contact pin of the key is contacted with the point contact rubber, so that its contact with the circuit board should be transmitted to the hand of the player in the form of an after-touch effect.

Abstract: A drumhead having a tone control ring which suppresses unwanted overtones while preserving the desirable fundamental tones. The tone control ring has its outside edge fixed to the drumhead hoop and extends along the inwardly facing surface of the drumhead sheet with its inside edge free to move and located inwardly of the bearing area of the drumhead. Small vent openings may be provided in the peripheral area or some other vibrational area of the drumhead to accelerate the decay of vibrations for further muffling of overtones. In an embodiment of the invention applicable to bass drums, the batterhead of the base drum is provided with an imperforate annular flap interposed loosely between the control ring and the drumhead for additional overtone suppression.

Abstract: A lens barrier for opening and closing a lens opening of a lens barrel, including a plurality of barrier plates which are spaced from one another in the direction of their thickness so as to slide in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens opening. A barrier driving mechanism is provided which moves the barrier blades between an open position in which the barrier blades are superimposed on one another outside the lens opening and a closed portion in which the barrier blades are located side by side in the lens opening to close the latter.