Abstract: An exposure controlling apparatus provided for an electronic still camera using an imaging device, such as a CCD, controls an exposure with high accuracy even if a low-accuracy external photometric device or a low-accuracy diaphragm mechanism is used. The apparatus includes a first photometric component for metering the brightness of a subject and outputting a first photometric value, and automatic setting component for automatically setting either an aperture value or a shutter speed, depending on the first photometric value, an imaging device having matrix light receiving elements for effecting photoelectric conversion, and an electronic shutter for controlling charge accumulation time, depending on the set shutter speed.

Abstract: A parallax correcting apparatus is provided which comprises an imaging device driving mechanism for supporting an imaging device so as to move away from and close to the optical axis of a finder optical system. The imaging device driving mechanism moves the imaging device in accordance with the object distance detected by an object distance measuring device. The invention is also directed to a parallax adjusting method and apparatus during assembly of a camera.

Abstract: An exposure controlling apparatus is provided for an electronic still camera using an imaging device such as a CCD, and controls exposure with high accuracy even if a low-accuracy external photometric device or a low-accuracy diaphragm mechanism is used. The apparatus comprises a first photometric component for metering the brightness of a subject and outputting a first photometric value, an automatic setting component for automatically setting either an aperture value or a shutter speed, depending on the first photometric value, an imaging device having matrix light receiving elements for effecting photoelectric conversion, and an electronic shutter for controlling charge accumulation time, depending on the set shutter speed.

Abstract: A magnetic head adjuster is disclosed for adjusting the positional relation between a magnetic disk and a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information on or from the disk. The magnetic head is secured to a plate spring having at least three support arms located around the magnetic head. The plate spring is supported on a carrier so that the distance between the carrier and each of the three support arms can be adjusted.

Abstract: An automatic focus detecting circuit in which dark current is completely compensated for. At least one element of an array of photoelectric elements is shielded from light to obtain a photoelectric output corresponding to a dark current component. The entire array is scanned, and the output corresponding to the dark current component derived from the shielded element is sampled and held. The sampled-and-held output is subtracted from the outputs of all of the other elements to obtain a final output compensated completely for dark current.

Abstract: A camera including an electronic focus detecting device and an optical display device for indicating whether the photographing lens of the camera is at a rear focus position, a front focus position or a correct focus position and for indicating whether the lens is being moved in the correct direction towards the position of correct focus. First and second photoelectric conversion element arrays are disposed in front of and behind a position which is optically equivalent to the position of the film surface in the camera. Signals are produced from the respective outputs of the arrays which are in proportion to the degree of focus than existing. A different signal is produced as well and the three signals are then processed to determine the indicated positions in a disclosed circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A self-scanning type photoelectric conversion element drive device, particularly, such a drive device applied to a focus detecting device of a camera, in which the effective dynamic range of the device is made very broad without a complex circuit arrangement. First and second photoelectric element arrays are scanned serially in the case that a sensed light intensity is below a predetermined value and scanned in parallel when the light intensity exceeds the predetermined value. For serial scanning, the outputs of the photoelectric elements are applied directly to an output terminal. In the case of parallel scanning, the output of one of the arrays is stored in a memory and then applied to the output terminal.

Abstract: An electronic camera of a type employing an optical low-pass filter to eliminate moire pattern effects wherein the overall size of the camera is reduced and an optimum shutter efficiency is obtained. The camera includes, in order, an objective lens, a retractable mirror, a focal plane shutter, and an image pickup device. The optical low-pass filter is positioned between the retractable mirror and the focal plane shutter. The arrangement avoids interference with the path of the retractable mirror and prevents an increase in the distance between the focal length shutter and the image pickup device.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting an interchangeable lens, such as a lens which is ordinarily intended for use with a single-lens reflex camera, for which the distance from the rear surface on the lens to a focal plane is relatively great, to a camera body, such as a video camera body, for which the distance from the front surface of the lens mount to a focal plane is relatively small. The adapter includes a diaphragm, which is used in place of the diaphragm of the interchangeable lens, and an electric motor for controlling the aperture value provided by the diaphragm. The aperture data supplied by the interchangeable lens is transmitted to the camera body as electrical data, which is preferably produced with a variable resistor or the like. Contacts are provided on the casing of the adapter for transmitting data to the camera body and receiving an operating signal for the motor from the camera body.

Abstract: An electronic camera having both bright viewfinder image and a minimal effect of dark current on the image output signal. A quick-return mirror, normally positioned in the path of the flux of light from the object image, guides the flux of light into the optical viewfinder system. The quick-return mirror is retractable to allow the flux of light to fall onto an image pickup device. A vertical synchronizing signal generator issues a signal for discharging electric charges stored in the image pickup device after the release switch has been turned on and before the quick-return mirror begins its movement out of the light flux path and issues a signal for reading out electric charges which have been stored in the image pickup device while the shutter is open after an exposure operation has been completed. The frequency of scanning for discharging the electric charges is higher than the frequency for scanning for reading out the electric charges subsequent to the photographing operation.

Abstract: A stop control apparatus for an electronic camera capable of performing both still picture photographing and motion picture (video) photographing operations. A video exposure control circuit and a still exposure control circuit produce first and second operating signals during motion picture and still picture photographing operations, respectively. A selected one of the signals is applied to operate an electromagnetic diaphragm control mechanism composed of an electronic drive device mechanically coupled to operate the aperture blades of the camera. An aperture opening regulator determines the aperture opening amount in accordance with a selected aperture value, with the regulating means operating by producing a force which acts against the force produced by the electromagnetic drive device.

Abstract: An electronic camera capable of both still picture photographing and motion picture photographing in which one operation can be switched over to the other with ease and in which a bright image of the object is provided in the viewfinder with little attenuation in the video signal level. Upon selection of the motion picture photographing mode, the image reflecting mirror is automatically retracted from the photographing optical path and the focal plane shutter is maintained open. The image reflecting mirror drive mechanism and the focal plane shutter drive mechanism are used for both still picture photographing and motion picture photographing operations. Also, the shutter release switch is used for both operations. In the motion picture photographing mode, the degree of opening of the aperture opening and closing mechanism is changed in accordance with the luminance of the image being photographed, while for still picture photographing, the exposure is controlled with the focal plane shutter.

Abstract: A photo-electric conversion device is provided with a light receiving array and circuits serving to scan the same. A light receiving device separate from the array and connected in parallel therewith is used as a part of a control device for controlling the accumulation time of the array. A saturation detection circuit may be arranged to receive the output of the array and to vary the accumulation time by a suitable factor when array saturation occurs. The conversion device may also be provided with means for compensating for leak currents in the conversion block, so as to facilitate higher linearity at low illumination intensities.

Abstract: A photo-electric conversion device is provided with a light receiving array and circuits serving to scan the same. A light receiving device separate from the array but adjacent thereto is used as a part of a control device for controlling the accumulation time of the array. A saturation detection circuit may be arranged to receive the output of the array and to vary the accumulation time by a suitable factor when array saturation occurs. The conversion device may also be provided with means for compensating for leakage currents in the conversion block, so as to facilitate higher linearity at low illumination intensities.

Abstract: An automatic focus detecting device for a camera comprises a lens system having an image plane for focusing light transmitted along a light path, at least one self-scanning type photoelectric converting device including a plurality of charged storage type microphotoelectric elements disposed in a microphotoelectric element row at a position corresponding to the image plane of the lens system, and a scanning circuit for the microphotoelectric element row for detecting the state of focus of the image of the object to generate a photoelectric output, and at least one light detector for monitoring the incident light and including a charge storage type photoelectric element provided near and in the same plane as the microphotoelectric element row for storing a quantity of charge in correspondence to the quantity of incident light, the self-scanning type photoelectric converting device having a charge storage time which is controlled according to the quantity of charge stored in the light detector in correspondence

Abstract: An automatic focus detecting device for a camera adapted to be miniaturized and provided in the form of an integrated circuit. Two arrays of light receiving elements or sensors are disposed in two planes parallel to the surface of the film in the camera on either side of the image plane. The output signals from the sensors are processed in a disclosed electronic circuit to detect desired focus conditions such as front focus, proper focus and rear focus for automatically moving the photographing lens to the position of proper focus.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for a camera in which at least first and second groups of light receiving elements are disposed in planes parallel to each other and to the plane of the film in the camera. The absolute values of the difference between the signals from adjacent elements in each group are summed from which is determined the amount of high frequency components in the frequency spectrum of the image being photographed. From this, a processing circuit produces a signal representative of correct focalization when the amounts of the high frequency components are higher than a predetermined level and are equal to each other.

Abstract: An automatic focus indicating device especially adapted for use with a single lens reflex camera in which a contrast signal is produced by scanning the image of an object being viewed through the photographing lens of the camera. This signal is converted into an indication signal which may be either an audio or a visual signal. As the lens is moved to positions near the focus point, the indicating device is activated to a first mode. As the lens is set precisely upon the point of focus, the indicating device operates in a second mode. In this manner, the camera is well adapted for both hand-held and fixed position usage.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for a camera utilizing a self-scanning type photoelectric element array composed of a plurality of minute photoelectric elements. The input signal from the photoelectric element array is held by first and second memory circuits at opposite phases from one another with the holding time for the memory circuit corresponding to twice the scanning time for a single minute photoelectric element within the array. Signals representing the difference and sum of the output of the memory circuits are formed and the absolute value of the difference signal is taken. The sum signal is connected as the divisor signal to a divider circuit while the absolute value of the difference is utilized as the dividend. The peak value of the signal thus formed is utilized as a contrast detection signal. This signal is substantially unaffected by vibration of the camera or movement of the object being photographed.

Abstract: An automatic focus detecting device for a camera in which a contrast signal is produced which is made independent of variations and brightness of the object being viewed and of vibrations of the camera by utilizing an out-of-focus image on an average illumination detecting photoelectric element. The average illumination detecting photoelectric element is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of an optical image of the camera. A pulse generator produces an output clock pulse signal having a frequency which is controlled by the output signal from the average illumination detecting photoelectric element. A self-scanning type photoelectric element array is scanned with this variable frequency clock pulse train wherein the frequency of the clock pulses is increased when the brightness of the object being viewed increases to thereby increase the dynamic range of the device.