Abstract: Provided is a distance measurement and photometry apparatus used in a camera or the like, which sets a distance between distance measurement sensors and distance measurement light receiving lenses and a distance between a plurality of photometry sensors and photometry light receiving lenses such that a position of a region within the observation field in which information is obtained by the distance measurement sensors is equal to a position of a region within the observation field in which information is obtained by the photometry sensors irrespective of a distance to the measurement object. With this construction, it can be prevented that a distance measurement region in which the measurement object is captured and a photometry region provided corresponding to the distance measurement region are shifted with respect to each other even when the set measurement object is located at any distance.

Abstract: An improved light source for use in an opacity monitor (transmissometer) that reduces the variation in light intensity across a projected light beam to enable a more accurate and stable method for measuring the opacity of gases in a stack/duct, especially at low values (e.g., <10%) of opacity while operating within specific performance requirements.

Abstract: A continuous inspection apparatus comprising a central axis placed in a vertical direction, the central axis penetrating a disc-like conveying table which conveys a subject to be inspected, a driving means for driving the conveying table, and a pair of inspection instruments for inspecting the subject to be inspected, one of the inspection instruments being placed at an inside of a circle where a plurality of the subjects are aligned in a circle and another one of the inspection instruments being placed at an outside of the circle, wherein an opening is provided at a place between the central axis and an inner peripheral portion of the conveying table, and a cable extending from one of the inspection instruments is run downward through the opening.

Abstract: For use with a color imaging system, a projection light engine may be configured in a way such that an output axis of the projection light engine may be in a non-collinear relationship with an input axis of an imaging kernel that provides image data processing to project a display. Undesired polarizations and colors may be dumped out of a critical optical path, using at least two or more ports. As a result, filters and other optical components may be optimized, significantly improving contrast ratios in a projection display system including a color imaging system with at least two panels.

Abstract: A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components providing a multicolor stereoscopic display having an expanded color gamut. A virtual image is electronically generated by an image generation system (70) having four or more color light sources (20) and is projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) that uses a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.

Abstract: There is provided a shake correcting device that can prevent white defects of an image pickup unit from moving around on a display screen, thereby eliminating unsightliness of displays in correcting shakes of subject images, according to image signals that are output by the image pickup unit that converts the subject images into video signals. When an image stabilizing ON/OFF switch of a microcomputer of an image pickup apparatus is set to ON, and the image pickup apparatus is not in a static mode, if a level signal with a higher level than a predetermined reference level signal from a detection signal generating section, is input from a camera signal processing section to a comparison circuit of a white defect detecting section, then the white defect detecting section detects white defects in a CCD as the image pickup unit, and the microcomputer controls an image stabilizing operation to be set in the OFF state.

Abstract: The present invention is a bracket for use with a camera and a flash unit. The bracket comprises a base support member having a mounting portion adapted to engage with the bottom surface of the camera and a vertical support member having a first end portion engaged to the base support member and a second end portion. The bracket further comprises a horizontal support member having a first end portion engaged to the second end portion of the vertical support member and a second end portion.

Abstract: A color separation/combination optical system according to the present invention comprises of a polarization beam splitter which performs at least one of separation of illumination light from a light source into light components for a plurality of colors and combination of light components for modulated by a plurality of image display elements, a plurality of temperature varying units which are disposed in opposition to or in contact with different surfaces of the polarization beam splitter and change the temperature of the polarization beam splitter, a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the polarization beam splitter. The system also includes a control circuit controls the temperature varying units based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to prevent the action of birefringence caused by internal stress in an optical glass material constituting the polarization beam splitter from hindering a desired action of polarized light separation.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus for a camera comprises an area sensor, an integration circuit, and a switching circuit. The above-mentioned area sensor receives light of a picture image in the image plane. The integration circuit integrates output signals of this area sensor. The control circuit controls operations of starting and stopping the integration of the above-mentioned integration circuit, based on output signals corresponding to a specific block of the above-mentioned area sensor. The switching circuit switches the above-mentioned specific block according to using state of the camera.

Abstract: An electronic camera having therein a CCD (image sensing device). A lens barrel is mounted on a camera body thereof. As focusing means, this camera has therein a ranging unit in an active AF manner and a contrast detector in a contrast AF manner using subject light from the lens barrel. A grip portion is arranged at the left side (as seen from the subject) of the camera body. A peak portion is arranged over the grip portion. A ranging window for the ranging unit is arranged over the peak portion. When the camera body is held, it is possible to prevent fingers from moving to the front of the ranging window and covering the window by the peak portion. Even if the lens barrel has a large aperture, it is also possible to arrange the ranging unit on the front portion of the camera body.

Abstract: A microprocessor based strobe controller provides an interface between a digital camera and one or more strobe units. The strobe controller provides interoperability and enhanced user control by enabling the user to vary separately the light output of a variety of strobes of different manufacturers. The strobe controller enables a user to take pictures using digital TTL manual bracketing based on TTL feedback and full manual operation with the ability to adjust light output over a plurality of power levels with any TTL strobe. The strobe controller may be incorporated in a housing for operatively enclosing a digital camera for use underwater or in harsh environments. The housing provides a communication link between the camera and one or more strobes, and includes an intuitive user interface that accesses camera functions, strobe controller functions and gives visual strobe control feedback.

Abstract: A multiple reflective mirrors module is described. The module is utilized in an optical engine of a business machine, such as a projector, a laser printer, a copy machine, or a scanner. The module has a fixed reflective mirror, a first tilting reflective mirror, and a second tilting reflective mirror. The first tilting reflective mirror receives an incident light and reflects the incident light to the fixed reflective mirror. Subsequently, the light is reflected by the fixed reflective mirror to the second tilting reflective mirror. Therefore, the second tilting reflective mirror generates an output light. When the first tilting reflective mirror rotates within an angle &thgr;1 and the second tilting reflective mirror rotates within an angle &thgr;2, the output light is capable of rotating within an output angle, twice of &thgr;1+&thgr;2. The fixed reflective mirror can be replaced by another tilting reflective mirror.

Abstract: An in-line system and method for determining T-top gate dimensions is provided. The system comprises a wafer structure undergoing a T-top gate formation process; a scatterometry system coupled to the formation process for directing light at and collecting reflected light from the wafer structure; a signature store; a T-top gate formation analysis system coupled to the scatterometry system and to the signature store for determining the T-top gate dimensions; and a feedback control system coupled to the T-top gate formation analysis system for optimizing T-top gate formation. The method comprises providing a wafer structure having a T-top gate formed thereon; generating a signature associated with the T-top gate; comparing the generated signature with a signature store to determine the dimensions of the T-top gate; if the dimensions of the T-top gate are not within a pre-determined acceptable range, then adjusting T-top gate process parameters using feedback control.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus includes a viewing optical system having a positive objective optical system and a positive eyepiece optical system, an image of an object formed through the positive objective optical system being viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a photographing optical system, provided independently from the viewing optical system, for photographing the object image viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a first focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of the object image formed through the positive objective optical system of the viewing optical system; a second focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of an object image formed through the photographing optical system; an interconnection mechanism which interconnects the first focusing mechanism with the second focusing mechanism; and a release mechanism for releasing the interconnection mechanism so that the first focusing mechanism and the second focusing mechanism can operate independently of

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor device is provided with several steps, including the step of generating plasma in a processing chamber to form or process a thin firm on a semiconductor device. The step of scanning, through a window, intensity modulated laser beam, which is modulated at a desired frequency inside the processing chamber where the semiconductor device is being processed. The step of receiving by a sensor through the window a back scattered light being scattered from fine particles suspended in the processing chamber by the scanning laser and detecting the desired frequency component from a signal outputted from the sensor. From the detected frequency component information relating to quantity, size, and distribution of the fine particles illuminated by the laser beam inside the processing chamber is obtained. This information is then outputted.

Abstract: A motion picture code evaluator evaluates a transmitted motion picture based on losses caused by a transmission means. The evaluator includes means for testing the frame header of the motion picture code and determining the presence/absence of an error in the frame header to calculate the frame loss ratio per predetermined time. The evaluator further includes means for extracting a motion picture coding parameter contained in the frame header and detecting a variation in the motion picture coding parameter in the predetermined time, and means for summing the motion picture coding parameter and the motion picture coding parameter weighted by the variation in a motion picture coding parameter in the predetermined time to calculate an ideal motion picture information amount in a predetermined time. The motion picture code evaluator thereby obtains an actual motion picture information amount by multiplying the ideal motion picture information amount by 1-frame loss ratio.

Abstract: A vibration correcting optical device includes: a vibration detection unit that detects a vibration of the vibration correcting optical device and outputs a vibration detection signal corresponding to the vibration; a vibration state judgment unit that judges a state of the vibration of the vibration correcting optical device to be one of at least three states, based upon the vibration detection signal; an image vibration correcting optical system that corrects an image vibration caused by the vibration of the vibration correcting optical device; a drive unit that drives the image vibration correcting optical system based upon a drive signal; a drive signal arithmetic operation unit that calculates the drive signal based upon the vibration detection signal and outputs the drive signal to the drive unit; and a drive signal calculation control unit that controls a method for calculating the drive signal adopted at the drive signal arithmetic operation unit in conformance to the state of the vibration ascertaine

Abstract: A camera crane having a carriage, a crane post which is arranged above the carriage, and a boom which is attached in such a manner that the boom can be tilted about a crane pivot axis, with sections of the boom extending on either side of the crane pivot axis. At an end of one section of the boom, a camera can be attached, and on the other section, a moment compensating counterweight can be attached. The section of the boom which carries the counterweight has a smaller length than the length of the crane post between carriage and crane pivot axis, and the boom has a pivot range about the crane pivot axis of more than 180°.

Abstract: A stabilizing platform for attachment to the bottom of the camcorder to steady the filming of subjects with the use of fiber optics positioned along the body of the camcorder to transmit remote control infrared signals to an infrared receiving port on the camcorder. The platform includes a two piece bar that is held together with a locking bolt and includes a mounting screw which attaches the camcorder to the top of the platform and also attaches a handle below the platform. The handle has a locking pin to prevent the handle from rotating with respect to the platform. A remote control is attached to the handle. The remote control also can be imbedded into the handle so that the infrared signal can go from the handle directly into the fiber optics thus giving the user instant control of the signal, and improve the quality of the picture. The fiber optic fibers can be attached along a surface of the platform or along the surface of the camcorder by tape or an adhesive.

Abstract: In a projection arrangement for projecting an image onto a projection surface, there are provided a light source (26), a control unit (25), a light modulator (10), which is controllable by said control unit (25) in order to generate an image on the basis of predetermined image data, an optical device (11), arranged following said light modulator, for projecting said image onto the projection surface (34), a film stage (2) for holding a positive image recorded on a carrier medium, projection optics (3), arranged following the film stage (2) when projecting the positive image, and a control device (6), allowing either to direct light from the light source (26) to the light modulator (10) or to illuminate a positive image, which is held by the film stage (2), with said light. Thus, a projection arrangement is provided which can project both positive images and images generated on the basis of predetermined data onto a projection surface (34).