Abstract: A system is described for recycling radiation reflected by an illuminated patterning mask in a via-hole drilling or exposure tool. The mask is illuminated by high-energy laser radiation, and the illuminated region is imaged onto a substrate by a projection, proximity, or contact method. The source radiation is suitably shaped by a lens assembly and focused into an optical intensity homogenizer with the desired numerical aperture. The homogenizer has the base function of converting the focused beam to self-luminous light required for drilling of via-holes or other processes accomplished by the tool, while maintaining the numerical aperture of the beam. The homogenizer also participates in the radiation-recycling function. An apertured reflector allows radiation from the source to enter the homogenizer. The radiation passing through and exiting the homogenizer is image by a lens to illuminate a portion of the mask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-point distance measuring camera. The present invention provides a camera in which target marks representative of distance measuring points are indicated in an image field in a finder to thereby indicate for which object focus detection can be effected and the indication of the marks representative of those of the distance measuring points which are in a state incapable of distance measurement is prohibited to thereby enable a photographer to appropriately know a position in which distance measurement is possible.

Abstract: A cadmium/inert gas discharge lamp of the short arc type, which suppresses an unnecessary emission upstream and downstream of the necessary emission spectra in a wavelength range of 210 to 230 nm, achieves a high efficiency of the emission spectra in the range 210 to 230 nm and can be used in very satisfactory manner for industrial applications. Also, a highly efficient projection exposure device through the incorporation of a cadmium/rare gas discharge lamp of the short arc type having good emission spectrum characteristics in the wavelength range 210 to 230 nm, which can transmit in projecting manner fine image patterns with a large depth of focus. The cadmium/rare gas discharge lamp of the short arc type is arranged within a temperature-regulated quartz bulb, and is provided with a pair of adjacently facing electrodes, together with inert gas selected from xenon, krypton, argon, neon or mixtures of them.

Abstract: In a camera, one of a plurality of predetermined print aspect ratios is selected for each scene by manual operation of a print mode selection switch, and mechanically readable data representing the print aspect ratio is thereby recorded on the photographic film for each original frame during photographing. The original frames are recorded at a constant taking aspect ratio in the same size on the photographic film. During printing, the trimming data is read from the photographic film, and a part of the original frame that excludes both lateral sides of the original frame is printed based on the trimming data, so as to make a photographic print having the selected print aspect ratio. The camera is provided with a device for changing the field of view, that cooperates with the print mode selection switch, so as to change the aspect ratio of the field of view in accordance with the selected aspect ratio.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus performs a variety of characteristic actions to record, information on a photographing film, including a claim of copyright. As one version thereof, the information recording apparatus is constructed to make switchable a system of fully recording four figures of year number and a system of automatically recording low-order two figures, depending on whether or not the number of figures of a person's name is larger than a predetermined number of figures. Further, the information recording apparatus is constructed to surely record the copyright data on the film by making a timing of recording the copyright data different from a timing of recording date/hour information. The information recording apparatus is further constructed to preferentially record the copyright data on the film by independently controlling a recorder for recording the copyright data and a recorder for recording other date/hour information.

Abstract: The light having passed through a photographing lens is directed in a form of one pair of optical images to each of one pair of image sensors. The electric charge accumulated in one pair of image sensors is output in the form of the output signal trains. The photographing lens is driven on the basis of an operation result which has been calculated based on the output signal trains and judged to be reliable. The reliability judgment standard for the operation result representing the focus condition is set loose when the electric charge accumulation has been made while the photographing lens is stopped or is set more strictly when the electric charge accumulation has been made while the photographing lens is being driven.

Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the camera, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balance mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.

Abstract: A finder system for a reflex camera is disclosed with a finder in the form of a hood with an eyepiece at the top that can be looked straight down through. The hood has an opening in one wall of the hood, an attachment that accepts either a 90.degree. telescopic finder or a video finder which rests against the opening, the optical axis of the telescopic or video finder is perpendicular to that of the straight-down finder, a mirror is positioned in the hood at the intersection of the optical axes and at an angle of 45.degree. thereto, and the mirror deflects the light 90.degree. parallel with the optical axis of the telescopic or video finder.

Abstract: A vehicle trip odometer has a central shaft with both ends protruding for coupling of either end or both ends with other odometers. A total distance odometer likewise has both ends available for coupling to a trip odometer. Thus several arrangements of counter mechanisms are possible with a single design of trip and total odometers. Two trip odometers are serially driven by one end of the total odometer, or are each driven at opposite ends of the total odometer. A molded coupler connects shaft ends for joining adjacent odometers. Each shaft end has a flat for positive rotational drive of a coupler with a mating recess.

Abstract: A decorative outer cover for a camera body of a single-use camera comprises a single-piece information-bearing panel and write-on panel connected together at a common fold line. The information-bearing panel is located on top of the write-on panel to substantially conceal the write-on panel and is foldable beneath the write-on panel along the fold line to substantially reveal the write-on panel.

Abstract: A strobe control apparatus for a strobe-incorporated camera. A light emitter is supported in a camera body by a supporting mechanism so as to move between a retracted position and an operative position. A drive mechanism moves the light emitter between the retracted position and the operative position. A light emitter controller drives the drive mechanism to move the light emitter to the operative position, and an emission controller controls the strobe to emit strobe light when the light emitter is in the operative position.

Abstract: A method for measuring image density of a color original in advance for adjusting exposure with which an image of the color original is to be printed on a photosensitive material which includes the steps of: conveying a negative film to a photometering stage provided with an opening through which light passes; irradiating light onto an image recorded on the negative film on the stage; making light having passed through each pixel of the image incident onto a spectral filter having a plurality of interference filter sections each of which transmits light of a different wavelength, and which are arrayed in a conveying direction of the negative film; and photometering each light wave having passed through respective interference filter sections of a spectral filter by means of a photometer. The spectral filter is optically arranged such that light waves which pass through respective divisions of the opening divided into units of pixel rows, are made incident onto different interference filter sections.

Abstract: A zoom finder of a camera including a variable power zoom finder optical system and a parallax error compensating optical member that is rotatable between a retracted position and a parallax error compensating position in which the parallax error compensating optical member is in the optical path of the finder. Upon transfer to a macro mode, the parallax error compensating optical member is rotated to the compensating position from the retracted position. The finder is further provided with a snap-action mechanism, wherein an immediate rotation of the parallax error compensating optical member occurs between the compensating position and the retracted position when the parallax error compensating optical member moves beyond a point of instability of the snap-action mechanism in a direction of the compensating position and the retracted position, respectively.

Abstract: A camera uses a drive mechanism to scroll a lens barrel in and out of a camera body and to open and close a lens barrier that covers the front of the lens barrel. A spring is attached to the lens barrier, providing a spring force in the closing direction of the barrier and thereby preventing motion of the barrier in the opening direction of the barrier under an external force. A single electric motor is provided for driving a switching device, which includes a series of gears. The switching device switches power transmission of the motor between the lens barrel and the lens barrier, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor. Switching between scrolling in and out of the lens barrel and opening and closing of the lens barrier is possible only when the lens barrier can move in front of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A distance measuring device for an automatic focusing camera includes a light receiving lens and a multilayer printed circuit board mounted on a holder. A potting frame is provided on the lens-facing side surface of the printed circuit board. An optical sensor and an IC are both mounted within a space enclosed by the potting frame and simultaneously sealed by a protecting resin. Resistors and capacitors of a distance measuring circuit are mounted on the opposite surface of the printed circuit board. The two surfaces of the printed circuit board are connected to each other via a through hole to construct the distance measuring circuit. The protecting resin transmits light having specified wavelengths. The light reflected from a subject to be photographed is received by the optical sensor after passing through the protecting resin, and the distance to the subject is calculated on the basis of the received light data.

Abstract: A camera, capable of loading a cartridge housing a film which is provided with image recording areas and a magnetic recording area in which plural sets of a same magnetically recorded information are consecutively recorded along the longitudinal direction, is provided with a film feeding device for effecting a pre-winding operation for winding the film in the loaded cartridge to the end onto a winding spool prior to the photo-taking operations; a magnetic head capable of being contacted with or separated from the magnetic recording area of the film and reading the magnetically recorded information in the contacted state; a contact/separating mechanism for contacting or separating the magnetic head with or from the magnetic recording area of the film; and controller for controlling the contact/separating mechanism so as to contact the magnetic head with the magnetic recording area, in the course of the pre-winding operation, for a period which is shorter than the time required from the start to the end of the

Abstract: An automatic focusing device, in which a focus lens is driven for tracking an object-in-motion to obtain an in-focus state, based upon a focus prediction that is executed from repeated distance measurements. The focus lens is additionally driven during a release-time-lag by an amount corresponding to the amount of movement of an image of the photographing object formed by the focus lens during a time from a reference time after completion of the lens drive to a time of occurrence of a release interruption, when a release interruption occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a focus-switching camera having an imaging optical system an optical condition (for example, a focal length) of which can be switched includes a detection circuit for detecting that the optical system is undergoing a focal length switching operation, and a successive control circuit for prohibiting a picture recording operation when the detection circuit detects that the optical system is undergoing a focal length switching operation. The camera may also include a successive photographing function, and the control circuit (1) stops successive photographing when the detection circuit has detected that the optical system is undergoing a focal length switching operation during successive photographing, and (2) resumes successive photographing when the optical system is no longer undergoing a focal length switching operation.

Abstract: Multi-area focus detection apparatus for detecting focus either automatically or intentionally includes focus detection structure for detecting focus information to a plurality of points within a photographing area formed by the objective lens. Automatic selection circuitry is provided for automatically selecting a distance measuring point from among the plural distance measuring points. Intentional selection circuitry is provided for selecting an arbitrary distance measuring point from among the plural distance measuring points in accordance with a photographer's intention. The number of distance measuring points which are subject to selection by the automatic selection circuitry is different from the number of distance measuring points which are subject to selection by the intentional selection circuitry. Preferably, the number of distance measuring points for intentional selection is less than (but a subset of) the number of distance measuring points for automatic selection.

Abstract: A converter mountable between a camera body and a lens barrel comprises a communication part arranged to communicate with the camera body, a signal output part arranged to output a signal for enabling the camera body to recognize that a lens barrel of a specific type is mounted, a first driving mechanism for driving a focusing-lens moving mechanism disposed within the lens barrel, and a second driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm device disposed within the lens barrel.