Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing an image using a solid-state imaging device includes the following elements. One or more signal correction units correct an image signal obtained by capturing the image on a color component basis. A luminance detection unit detects luminance information from image signals obtained at locations prior to and subsequent to at least one of the signal correction units. An exposure control unit controls an exposure adjustment mechanism on the basis of the luminance information detected by the luminance detection unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing an image using a solid-state imaging device includes the following elements. One or more signal correction units correct an image signal obtained by capturing the image on a color component basis. A luminance detection unit detects luminance information from image signals obtained at locations prior to and subsequent to at least one of the signal correction units. An exposure control unit controls an exposure adjustment mechanism on the basis of the luminance information detected by the luminance detection unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a transversely aligned web has a spinning device provided with a plurality of nozzles for extruding molten polymer as filaments, and a conveyor on which the filaments spun by the spinning device are piled and traveling in a direction cross to the direction of array of the nozzles. The spinning device is provided with a high-speed fluid blowing unit for blowing a high-speed fluid in a direction parallel with a direction in which the filaments are extruded from the nozzles so as to attenuate the filaments. Further, the apparatus for manufacturing the transversely aligned web has at least one air stream vibrating mechanism for cyclically changing the flowing direction of the high-speed fluid blown from the high-speed fluid blowing unit in a direction cross to the machine direction of the conveyor. The filaments are vibrated in a direction cross to the machine direction of the conveyor, owing to the high-speed fluid by the air stream vibrating unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric has a spinning mechanism having a plurality of nozzles for extruding filaments, and a conveyor for collecting and delivering the extruded filaments. Between the spinning mechanism and the conveyor, there are disposed a high-speed air stream generating mechanism for generating a high-speed air stream to carry the filaments extruded from the nozzles to attenuate the filaments, and an air stream vibrating mechanism for periodically changing the direction of the high-speed air stream in the machine direction of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a transversely aligned web has a spinning device provided with a plurality of nozzles for extruding molten polymer as filaments, and a conveyor on which the filaments spun by the spinning device are piled and traveling in a direction cross to the direction of array of the nozzles. The spinning device is provided with a high-speed fluid blowing unit for blowing a high-speed fluid in a direction parallel with a direction in which the filaments are extruded from the nozzles so as to attenuate the filaments. Further, the apparatus for manufacturing the transversely aligned web has at least one air stream vibrating mechanism for cyclically changing the flowing direction of the high-speed fluid blown from the high-speed fluid blowing unit in a direction cross to the machine direction of the conveyor. The filaments are vibrated in a direction cross to the machine direction of the conveyor, owing to the high-speed fluid by the air stream vibrating unit.

Abstract: A longitudinally stretched nonwoven fabric and a method for producing the same, which nonwoven fabric is a web mainly composed of long fiber filaments of 3 .mu.m to 15 .mu.m in diameter and made by short distance stretching in one direction at a stretching ratio of at least 5, and which production method is characterized in the steps of: maintaining the spun filaments in a draftable state; cooling the filaments with a cooling fluid, then guiding the filaments onto a conveyer with inclining the flow of filaments toward the transferring direction, and sucking by a reduced pressure from the back side of said conveyer, and further subjecting the web of filaments to short distance stretching in the longitudinal direction.