Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus determines an optimal apparatus condition setting at which a pattern layer is to be inspected based upon images of a test piece captured by an image-capturing device while irradiating illuminating light onto the surface of the test piece and varying an apparatus condition at which the images are captured. An optimal apparatus condition setting is determined by using images obtained before forming an uppermost pattern layer, an optimal apparatus condition setting is determined by using images obtained after the formation of the uppermost pattern layer and it is judged as to whether or not an image captured by the image-capturing device originates from the uppermost pattern based upon the plurality of optimal settings thus is ascertained.

Abstract: A panhead (11) has a base body (20), a tilting body (21), and a camera mount (41). The base body (20) is adapted to be connected to a leg system 12. The tilting body (21) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (X) that horizontally extends in the lateral direction. The camera mount (41) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (A) that horizontally extends in the fore-and-aft direction and coincides with the axial direction of a side-tilting shaft. The rotation center axis (A) of the camera mount (41) approximately coincides with a lateral-dimension-bisecting line (B) of the base body (20) as viewed from the top. The side-tilting shaft is disposed approximately below a camera fixing screw (59) of the camera mount (41).

Abstract: A parallax compensation system and method is provided for a camera including an independent viewfinder. For close focus pictures, the camera's taking lens is shifted towards the viewfinder. In one embodiment, for far focus pictures the camera's taking lens is moved away from the viewfinder and is not centered on the image recording medium axis. The lens shifting is accomplished by mounting the taking lens eccentrically in a lens barrel. Rotation of the lens barrel shifts the taking lens towards the independent viewfinder for close focus shots. In one embodiment, the viewfinder axis is tilted towards the taking lens to help eliminate parallax in close focus pictures.

Abstract: A calibration standard which may be used to calibrate lateral dimensional measurement systems is provided. The calibration standard may include a first substrate spaced from a second substrate. In addition, the calibration standard may include at least one layer disposed between the first and second substrates. The layer may have a traceably measured thickness. For example, a thickness of the layer may be traceably measured using any measurement technique in which a measurement system may be calibrated with a standard reference material traceable to a national testing authority. The calibration standard may be cross-sectioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the first substrate. The cross-sectioned portion of the calibration standard may form a viewing surface of the calibration standard. In this manner, a lateral dimensional artifact of the calibration standard may include the traceably measured thickness of at least the one layer.

Abstract: A visual and audio system for theaters includes a spherical screen having a desired radius of curvature while having a surface reflectivity of 5-50%, and a projector located at a focal point of the spherical screen. The curvature radius of the spherical screen corresponds to the projection distance of the projector. The image projected from the projector at the focal point of the spherical screen is reflected from the spherical screen in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, viewers can view images projected on the screen corresponding to 5-50 time the brightness of images viewed on conventional theaters screens. Central speakers are arranged at the focal point of the spherical screen, so that viewers perceive the sound effect as coming directly from the spherical screen. This visual and audio system can be effectively used in theaters for stereoscopic moves, theaters for high resolution images, and theaters for viewing of images at a higher brightness such as sports arenas, and restaurant theaters, etc.

Abstract: A camera includes a rigid cover formed by an integrated front cover and side cover, with the rigid cover being slidable in a transverse direction (a side direction). A lens aperture is formed in the rigid cover. A lens barrier that openings and closes the lens aperture due to the lens barrier being moved interlockingly with a sliding movement of the rigid cover is formed at a front side of a camera body. When the rigid cover is reciprocated in a state in which the lens aperture is closed, the lens aperture is opened by the lens barrier moving. When the rigid cover is reciprocated in a state in which the lens aperture is opened, the lens aperture is closed by the lens barrier moving.

Abstract: An object imaging system, particularly for slaughtered animal carcases or meat pieces, includes an imaging station to which the object (10) is introduced, a camera (20) at the imaging station, and lighting means (30). The imaging station includes a backing member (15) for providing a background for the object (10), and an image capture enclosure (21) which has an open side (22) facing towards the backing member (15), the inside surfaces of the enclosure (21) being non-reflective. The camera (20) is mounted in the enclosure (21) and faces towards the open side (22) and towards the backing member (15).

Abstract: The invention accurately sets a polarization direction of a polarization element, and prevents deterioration of the usage efficiency of the light and a reduction in image contrast. Field lenses are provided on a projection display device. A polarizer is placed on a flat surface of a field lens. The flat surface of the field lens is provided with a reference shape to place the polarizer at the end thereof. The reference shape may be one or more planes provided on the end of the field lens. In addition, the reference shape may be a straight line drawn on the flat surface of the field lens.

Abstract: A camera is provided which has a back cover for opening and closing an aperture, a spool chamber and a cassette chamber. A battery chamber for housing a battery is disposed on a supporting shaft side of the back cover, and the aforementioned battery chamber is present obliquely behind the cassette chamber inside the camera when the back cover is in a closed state. A part of the battery chamber protrudes from the back face of the back cover. Therefore, the exterior shape of the camera can be miniaturized and downsized without hindering loading of a film cassette. Further, since the battery chamber portion protruding from the back cover can be made to function as a grip portion of the camera, a camera superior in portability and favorable in holdability is provided.

Abstract: method and apparatus for aligning an optical element in an optical sub-assembly is provided. Pivoting fine tuning plates connected to the main body of the sub-assembly are used to set the height and angle of the optical element. The optical element is connected on a pin through the optical element frame between two portions of the main body. Pivoting the fine tuning plate with a cam causes the optical element pin to cant, adjusting the position and/or angle of the optical element. In one embodiment of the present invention, a laser may be used to better align the optical element.

Abstract: A video signal is generated representative of a background scene, such as a weather map, which provides an outline of all the detail in the map. This outline detail is made visible to a foreground subject by projecting it onto a white screen behind the subject in a selected color such as green. The projector is selectively inhibited so as to prevent the background detail from projecting onto the foreground subject. The white screen and the green detail lines are removed and replaced by the background scene by an image compositing process. Prompts are visible to the foreground subject, but not visible to a home viewing audience.

Abstract: A color wheel comprises a motor, a plurality of filter segments and an obstructing plate. The motor has a rotating casing. Protruding from the center of an upper side of the rotating casing, there is a rotating shaft. One end of each fan-shaped filter segment is in contact with the rotating shaft, and one side of its lower surface has a formation of a glue area to be glued onto an upper side of the motor, forming a rear clearance from the upper side. The filter segments are joined to each other to become a ring shape surrounding the rotating shaft. A center hole of the ring-shaped obstructing plate is mounted on the rotating shaft, keeping a clearance from the filter segment. On the outside of the obstructing plate is a ring recess. The invention provides ways of heat insulation and radiation for the filter segments, to enhance product quality.

Abstract: A color wheel having a bonding apparatus consists of a carrier and a filter set. The carrier is a circular disk and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first surface has a bulged rim formed thereon. The carrier has a plurality of apertures formed thereon between the bulged rim and the perimeter thereof. The filter set is mounted onto the first surface of the carrier. Adhesive is injected and filled into the apertures from the second surface such that the filter set is bonded to the first surface of the carrier to form the color wheel of the invention. The color wheel thus made has evenly coated adhesive without increasing the thickness thereof.

Abstract: A cool-down system for portable projectors including a battery configured to power a cooling fan, if power to the cooling fan is cut off before the device has cooled down sufficiently to prevent degradation of one or more components.

Abstract: A screen is arranged substantially in parallel with a yz-plane. A first mirror is placed with its reflection plane substantially perpendicular to the yz-plane and also inclined approximately 45° to an xy-plane. At least an electro-optical device, color combining means, and projection lens are arranged along the xy-plane so that an image-light ray emitted from a color-combining optical system enters the first mirror with its optical-axis parallel to the xy plane and inclined &agr;° with respect to a y-axis. A second mirror is placed substantially perpendicularly to an XZ-plane and also with an inclination of smaller by &agr;/2° than 45° approximately with respect to the yz-plane, so that the image-light ray reflected from the first mirror is reflected by the second mirror again so as to enter the screen with the optical axis being incident on the substantial center of the screen and substantially perpendicular to the screen.

Abstract: In a document processing array, an imaging/illumination arrangement for illuminating and imaging the documents at one or several imaging-sites as they are rapidly transported there-past, each site having, as its illumination source, a hollow Lambertian integrating cylinder housing lamps which project essentially all their light onto the inner cylinder walls to be reflected/diffused thereby in Lambertian fashion and sent to the imaging site(s).

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body and a lens in which a motor circuit and an electric circuit are arranged and are supplied with electric power from a power source in the camera body. Ground contact terminals for the motor circuit and the electric circuit are separately arranged in the lens, and the motor circuit and the electric circuit are electrically connected to the power source negative terminal through the separate ground contact terminals.

Abstract: A camera has a transmitting mechanism, for transmitting a driving force necessary for camera operation, that is provided behind a path for feeding a film. The camera has a cartridge chamber wherein a film cartridge is loaded, and the film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber in a direction parallel to the orientation of its shaft. The transmitting mechanism may be provided behind an exposure aperture through which light flux from an object is projected onto a film.

Abstract: In an image blur prevention device a control device changes the image blur prevention device (fluctuation detection sensor) into a predetermined state (a non-operation state) in accordance with a first operation (e.g., release of depression of a shutter release button of a camera) at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operation and, when a second operation (e.g., depression of the shutter release button of the camera) is executed before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control device operates to regulate the change of the image blur prevention device into the predetermined state and to maintain the image blur prevention device in the first state (the operation state).

Abstract: A photographic device eliminates photometric errors that occur in photometry, obtains a more accurate exposure, and shortens the time required for photometry. The device includes an orientation position detector and photographic mode setter, which outputs photographic conditions based on a set photographic mode. A photometer divides the subject field into multiple regions and analyzes the light. An exposure calculator calculates the exposure value based on the output of the photometer. A memory stores weighing coefficients corresponding to multiple light brightness patterns. A tilt switch position orientation detector determines the position of the camera. A selector selects the weighing coefficients from the memory, based on the photographic mode setting component output and the position of the camera. A frequency analyzer then analyzes the output frequency of the photometer. A re-calculator re-calculates the exposure value based on the result of the frequency analyzer and the selection of the selector.