Abstract: First, a lens is supplied with a power supply LVDD. Then the state of a chip select signal CSL is input, and the processing waits until chip select signal CSL changes from HIGH.fwdarw.LOW.fwdarw.HIGH, that is, until communication preparation on the lens side is completed. When a microcomputer on the lens side is reset and started, the lens side outputs a communication enable signal and thus the time from mounting of the lens to starting of a communication can be reduced. Thus, a lens-exchangeable camera can be provided capable of starting a BL communication in the shortest time depending on the lens.

Abstract: An improved easily attachable and easily removable pick to be worn over the end of a finger for the purpose of plucking the strings of a stringed musical instrument. The pick comprises a picking element or artificial nail worn over the natural nail and conforming closely to the size, shape and contour of the natural nail. The artificial nail is held in place over the natural nail by a closely fitting, thin, flexible securement sleeve which extends from the fingertip almost to the first joint of the finger. The close conformity of the artificial nail to the natural nail imparts optimal sensitivity and natural feel to the player of the instrument.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera includes a first distance measurement circuit for measuring a first distance to an object located at a central portion of a frame, a second distance measurement circuit for measuring a plurality of second distances to other objects located at a peripheral portion of the frame, a CPU for comparing the first and second distance with a shortest photographing distance of the camera, for, when the first distance is shorter than the shortest photographing distance, selecting the shortest photographing distance as an object distance regardless of the second distance, for, when the first distance is not shorter than the shortest photographing distance and the second distance is shorter than the shortest photographing distance, selecting the first distance as the object distance, and for, when the first and second distances are not shorter than the shortest photographing distance, selecting a shorter one of the first and second distances as the object distance, and a mechanism for focusing

Abstract: A Keplerian or real image type of viewfinder optical system comprising an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system for allowing observation of an intermediate image formed by the objective lens system. The viewfinder optical system has a space sufficiently widened for arranging the prisms for vertically and horizontally inverting an intermediate image by composing the eyepiece lens system of a first lens component having positive refractive power and a second lens component having negative refractive power, and locating the first lens component and the second lens component at locations rather close to the eye point of the eyepiece lens system without prolonging the focal length of the eyepiece lens system as a whole.

Abstract: In a device for driving a shutter having a bimorph element displaceable or deformable by the application of a voltage thereto, and so constructed as to open and close the shutter by using the displacing or deforming effect of the bimorph element, the device comprises a first switching means for short-circuiting the bimorph element at a usual time and a second switching means for releasing the bimorph element from the short-circuited state caused by the first switching means only at the time of opening the shutter and at the same time charging the bimorph element with a voltage from an electric source for the bimorph element, so that the shutter can be surely closed at the usual time.

Abstract: A photodetector element for use in a rangefinder of a camera comprises a first photoelectric element having a plurality of light receiving segments parallel to each other and adapted to provide a photoelectric output, and a second photoelectric element having a plurality of light receiving segments also parallel to each other with different available light receiving areas that increase from one side to the opposite side of the photodetector element to provide a photoelectric output that progressively varies from the one side to the other side of the photodetector element. The first and second photoelectric elements are electrically insulated from each other and so disposed that the light receiving segments thereof interfinger with spaces therebetween. The photodetector element provides two different photoelectric outputs from the first and second photoelectric elements whose intensities depend on the location on which incident light reflected from a subject falls.

Abstract: A camera provided with an automatic focusing device which automatically detects the focus condition of an objective lens and driving the objective lens towards an in-focus position in response to the manual operation to a shutter release button. The operation of the automatic focusing device is actuated by a switching means when the shutter release button is touched by a user's finger or is depressed down after the touching. When the shutter release button is further depressed beyond the first stroke, the operation of the automatic focusing device is inhibited once an in-focus condition is obtained.

Abstract: In the disclosed distance measuring arrangement, a light projector turns on and off to illuminate an object over the ambient light during projection periods when light is projected and during space periods when light is not projected. The reflected light is detected as a function of distance by integrating projection signals representing light reflected during projection periods, integrating space signals representing light during reflected space periods, subtracting the integration space signals from the projection signals, and extracting measurements based on the subtractions. Compensation for change in ambient light between periods is obtained by changing the timing of the integrations and extractions from concidence with the projections and space periods.

Abstract: A method is described for producing and projecting a theater quality entertainment motion picture, by photographing and then projecting the motion picture on a screen, which creates an unusually vivid impression of realism. The film frames have a resolution of over 40 line pairs per milimeter, and each frame has an area of at least 0.36 square inch, which creates more than 10 million pixels per frame on the film and on the screen. The illumination level on the screen is at least 15 foot lamberts. The film frames are photographed and projected at a predetermined constant rate of more than 50 frames per second, such as 60 fps. The high resolution and light level, combined with the unusually high frame rate, has been found to produce an unusually vivid impression of realism.

Abstract: A focusing mechanism for a camera includes a drive arrangement for displacing the camera lens in accordance with the contents of a counter into which the output of a pulse generator is gated during a range pulse whose duration is directly related to the distance of a subject from the camera. The pulse generator is programmed so that its pulse repetition rate matches the time-derivative of the function relating the subject distance to the lens position at which a subject is in focus. Integration of the generator output is carried out by gating the generator pulses into a counter during the range pulse such that at the trailing edge of the range pulse, the contents of the counter will be the integral of the time-derivative evaluated between the limits of the range pulse, i.e., a definite integral representative of the lens position at which a subject will be in focus when located at a distance defined by the duration of the range pulse.

Abstract: Remote control apparatus for cameras having an automatic exposure control circuit and a mechanaism for operating the shutter and advancing the film in the camera comprises a first circuit responsive to a remotely generated photography signal for generating a first control signal to actuate the automatic exposure circuit and a delay circuit for generating a second control signal delayed relative to the first control signal to actuate the shutter-operating and film-advancing mechanism.