Abstract: A device for detecting coincident focusing points for use in the controlling of the focusing of an automatically focusable lens comprises a single array of light receiving transducers for converting the distribution of light intensity of an image applied thereon to a set of corresponding electrical signals. The image applied to the array is from a first optical path from an object through the lens and from a second optical path from the object. At least one shutter is provided for cutting off one of the optical paths to alternatively effect the application of light from the one optical path on to the array to produce a first set of signals and thereafter the light from either the other optical path or the sum of the two optical paths on to the array to produce a second set of signals.

Abstract: A step second timepiece comprises a quartz crystal oscillator and a frequency divider containing a reset circuit. The reset circuit includes a reset switch operable such that the time interval from when the reset switch is released up to when the next pulse is fed from the frequency divider is shorter than the pulse interval of the successive pulses fed from the said frequency divider thereby compensating for time lag associated with the release of the reset switch.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing device for a camera lens, a safety device is provided for insuring that the camera lens will be focused when a coincident auto-focusing point signal is not produced. A movable focus adjustment member for focusing the lens has a first cam thereon defining a plurality of focusing positions and a latch mechanism is coactive with the first cam to select a focusing position in response to the receipt of the signal indicating a coincident auto-focusing point. The safety device includes a second cam on the focus adjustment member defining a focusing position corresponding to a predetermined pan focusing distance between zero and infinity and wherein the latching mechanism is coactive with the second cam when the coincident auto-focusing point signal is not produced.

Abstract: A camera equipped with an electronic shutter having an automatic focus detecting device capable of automatic focusing of the photographing lens through detection of the distance between the object being photographed and the camera comprises an electronic module for the automatic focus detection system, an electronic module for the automatic exposure control system, an electromagnet connected to both of the electronic modules, and an obstructing means capable of constraining the electromagnet at a first position during the course of displacement of the electromagnet from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shutter release device is provided with an electromagnet including an armature. A control circuit including two delay circuits are connected to the electromagnet for energizing same for a first period upon the initiation of the shutter release operation and thereafter energizing same for a second period upon the initiation of the exposure operation. The armature is mounted for movement to a first position during the first period, movement into a second position between the first and second periods and maintaining of same in the second position in the second period and into a third position after the second period. The movement of the armature from the first to the second position initiates the exposure operation and the movement of the armature from the second to the third position initiates the aperture closing operation which in turn begins the energization of the electromagnet during the second period whereupon the armature is maintained in position.

Abstract: A focal point adjusting and change-over mechanism for an automatic focusing camera, including a mechanism for restricting a position of the camera photographic lens in response to a distance sensing signal, and a change-over mechanism manually operable to at least two positions including an automatic position and a manual position. The restricting mechanism is operative to provide automatic focusing of the lens when the change-over mechanism is set at a position for automatic operation, and the change-over mechanism renders the distance sensing signal or the restricting mechanism inoperative when set at the position for manual operation, and thereby manual focusing is carried out in accordance with the manually set position of the change-over mechanism in the manual position.

Abstract: A focal point detecting device comprises a light-receiving device having a plurality of light-receiving elements which receive incident light coming from two different light paths. In the first step, the light-receiving device receives the incident light coming from the second light path while the first light path is blocked and the values of the photoelectric outputs A.sub.1, . . . A.sub.n of each of the light-receiving elements are compared one with another and the compared values stored in a memory circuit. In the second step, the light-receiving device receives either the incident light coming from the first light path while the second light path is blocked or the incident light coming from both the first and second light path and the values of the photoelectric outputs B.sub.1, . . . B.sub.

Abstract: A luminance detecting module and an focus detecting module are actuated in the first step of shutter release operation and an exposure control module is actuated in the second step. All of these modules are connected to a single electromagnet. When a photographing impractible signal is given in the first step of the shutter release operation, the electromagnet actuates a release locking member so that the shutter release motion is interrupted.

Abstract: A second hand correction device comprising a second hand correction member which may be moved manually in inward and outward directions and in forward rotation and reverse rotation directions and a cam wheel, having a plurality of cams, which is fixed to the second hand axis. The second hand correction member is moved in such a direction as biased under an engagement with the cam wheel when the same is lowered, and engages with the cam at the rear half of its stroke. Subsequent lowering operation of the second hand correction member will cause the rotation of the cam wheel and thereby the second hand will be rotated by a specified angle to enable a repetitive continuous correction for the second hand.

Abstract: The shutter release button operation is interrupted and a warning is given when the shutter release button is depressed in an excessively quick action which may cause camera shake, to prevent faulty photographing. In addition, with provision of a voltage reference function, irregular shutter operation can be prevented by locking the shutter in case the voltage of the power source has dropped under a prescribed level. Simply composed, the system is applicable to the shutter without difficulty.

Abstract: An electric timer includes a rotatably mounted operating member which is movable from a datum position to any one of a plurality of angular positions which correspond to periods of time for which it is desired to set the time period. The operating member is urged to rotate in the direction towards the datum position when it is set to a desired angular position. A rotatably mounted toothed member is driven by the operating member when the operating member is urged back towards the datum position. A pivotable escapement member engages with the teeth of the toothed member, and an electro-magnet controls the pivoting of the escapement member and thereby the rotation of the toothed member and operating member. The electro-magnet comprises a permanent magnet for exerting a magnetic force to normally attract the escapement member, and a winding receptive of reference pulses to reduce the magnetic force exerted by the permanent magnet so as to permit the pivoting of the escapement member.

Abstract: The system is provided with an optical means capable of forming images obtained through a first light passage and a second light passage. A light detecting system is formed of a plurality of light responsive elements which receive the image. A focus detection signal is obtained by detecting the differential between the maximum and the minimum intensity of the light pattern or the maximum ratio of the maximum intensity to the minimum intensity using the electric output of the light responsive elements corresponding the light pattern of a composite image.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter for a camera of the type wherein an image is viewed through the photographing lens by use of a viewfinder arranged on top of the camera body. The shutter blade mechanism comprises a group of opening blades and a group of closing blades, each group of blades consisting of a plurality of separate blades which are actuated to run in the vertical direction of the camera for exposing the film. The lower group of blades has a larger vertical dimension when in the retracted condition than the upper group of blades and such is achieved by using a different number or different size of blades in the two blade groups. In both groups, the slit-forming blades are mounted by means of a link mechanism to effect parallel running movement of the blades. The pivot shafts for mounting the slit-forming blades are disposed at a position outside of the region lying vertically below the viewfinder.

Abstract: An automatic lens focusing mechanism including a displaceable operating member, a focusing mechanism cooperative with the operating member for changing the focus of a lens as the operating member is displaced, and a mechanism comprising a control member displaced by the operating member as the operating member is displaced. An electromagnet is effective to hold an armature when it is energized. When the electromagnet is not energized the armature is mounted for sliding across a face of the electromagnet adjacent and parallel to the electromagnet face. A focus detecting mechanism energizes the electromagnet when the control member is at a position corresponding to a focused condition of the lens for holding the armature and the control member at a position corresponding to the focused condition to thereby hold the lens at the focused condition.

Abstract: A stationary detecting means corresponding to a second time wheel rotating at a higher speed than the hour wheel generates signals at successive intervals of a fixed number of minutes to actuate a time signaling device. A first detecting means is also provided corresponding to the hour wheel. The phase of the first detecting means is set to determine or define an alarm or signaling time. When the phases of the hour wheel and the first detecting means are synchronized, a second signal is generated. The time signaling device is actuated when the time signals of the stationary detecting means and the second detecting means are generated simultaneously.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus for a camera is provided with a movable focusing member which adjusts the focus of the photographic lens of a camera and which has a cam section comprising a set of cam-shaped portions which are disposed thereon to effect the positioning of the focusing member in positions corresponding to predetermined object distances. A first arresting mechanism is mounted for movement between a first range of positions in which it is engageable with any one of the cam-shaped portions and a second range of positions in which it cannot engage the cam-shaped portions. A second arresting mechanism moves in response to the movement of the first arresting mechanism into the second range of positions, from a rest position where it does not engage any cam-shaped portions to an operative position where it engages a predetermined one of the cap-shaped portions corresponding to a cam focus.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus for use in a camera has an operating member which moves from a rest position to a depressed position. An actuating member is rotatably mounted on the operating member and a detecting member is mounted for movement from a first position to a second position and is biased normally into the first position. The actuating member enables the detecting member to move from the first to the second position in response to the movement of the operating member from the rest position to the depressed position and disengages from the detecting member when the operating member is in the depressed position to enable the detecting member to move from the second position to the first position under the action of its bias. A device produces an electric signal corresponding to the position of the detecting member and a focus scanning member is movable over its entire focus scanning range in response to the movement of the detecting member between its first and second positions.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for an automatic focusing camera of the double image coincidence focusing type. A coupling mechanism causes an focus detecting movable mirror perform scanning motion according as the stroke of shutter releasing operation. Interlocking with the push-down of the shutter release button, focus detecting motion is performed while the distance from the focal plane to the photographing objective is indicated and/or memorized.During the first half of shutter releasing operation, focus detection and indication and/or memorization of the distance from the focal plane to the photographing objective are performed by the scanning motion of the movable mirror, and during the latter half of the shutter releasing operation, the indication and/or the lense focusing mechanism are controlled by a signal motion corresponding to the memorized value.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing camera, a shutter blade control device comprises a first movable actuating member for controlling a focusing member, a second movable actuating member for controlling a shutter blade control member and a delay device mounted on one of the two actuating members and engaged with the other actuating member to regulate the movement of the two actuating members with respect to each other. In operation, one actuating member is held stationary and the movement of the other is under the action of the delay device. Thereafter, the other actuating member is stationary and the one actuating member moves under the action of the delay device.

Abstract: A camera shutter having a sector operating member for use in opening and closing a sector which is also used as an aperture vane and has a normally closed condition, a driving member which is moved by itself after a release operation, a sector opening member movable on said driving member and a control member the position of which may be changed in response to a brightness of the object to be photographed.In the programmed shutter said control member controls the degree of engagement between said sector opening member and said sector operating member during a displacement of said driving member and the opening of the sector is controlled in response to a brightness of the object to be photographed.