Abstract: In a drive system for a vibration wave motor for generating a travelling vibration wave by friction-contacting a vibration member to a movable member and by electro-mechanical energy conversion means contained in one of the vibration member and the movable member to friction-drive the movable member, a standing vibration wave is generated by the electro-mechanical energy conversion means prior to the start.

Abstract: A pair of electro-strain element groups each having at least one polarized or non-polarized electro-strain element are arranged or polarized phase-differentially, and the electro-strain element groups are electrically insulated from each other and the electro-strain element groups and a vibrating member are also electrically insulated from each other. Pulse voltages of different phases derived from one DC power supply are applied to the respective electro-strain element groups, and a moving member press-contacted to the vibrating member is friction-driven by a travelling vibration wave generated in the vibrating member.

Abstract: At least one electro-optical light shielding member is disposed close to a reticle of a photographic camera arranged for forming an image of an object to be photographed. The light shielding member is electrically controlled to have the reticle partly light-shielded by the light shielding pattern of the light shielding member in such a manner as to permit selection between an averaging light measuring mode and a spot light measuring mode.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor comprises a movable member friction-contacted to a vibration member, a plurality of electrostrictive element groups oppositely arranged on the opposite surfaces of the vibration member, and voltage applying means for applying voltages to the electrostrictive element groups to generate travelling vibration waves in the vibration member. The electrostrictive elements are arranged such that the electrostrictive elements oppositely arranged on the opposite surfaces of the vibration member are strained in the opposite directions when the voltages are applied thereto.

Abstract: A camera with a voice transmitting device able to detect necessary informations for judging various states of the camera at the time of photography and to make a weighing of the informations according to degrees of importance of thus detected informations so that when there exists a certain information selected by the weighing an indication or an instruction corresponding to the information is transmitted by voices to a photographer.

Abstract: In a vibration wave motor, a plurality of electrostrictive elements are phase-differentially arranged or polarized on a ring-shaped vibration member having a thickness which increases as it radially goes from a center to an outer circumference, periodic voltages are applied to the electrostrictive elements to generate a travelling vibration wave in the vibration member, and a movable member press-contacted to the vibration member is friction-driven by the travelling vibration wave.

Abstract: The disclosed flash photography system operates in a first mode by controlling the flash on the basis of the distance information signals, and in a second mode by controlling the flash in response to the flash illumination of the object to be photographed. The system insures accurate flash photography by shifting from the first mode to the second mode when the camera uses a lens with a short focal length or with an attached filter.

Abstract: In a diaphragm device, a progressive oscillation wave is generated at a vibrating member by electrically energizing electrostriction members while a movable member which is arranged to actuate diaphragm blades is pressed into contact with the vibrating member by means of an urging member. The movable member is then frictionally driven by the oscillation wave to drive the diaphragm.

Abstract: The present invention produces at least two sound signals such as warning signals or actuating signals by one sounder having a resonant frequency, wherein one of the sound signals is indicated by the resonant frequency of the sounder to enable a higher intensity sound to be produced.

Abstract: In a vibration motor, electrostrictive elements arranged or polarized phase-differentially are bonded to a plurality of concentric ring-shaped vibration members arranged on at least one of a stator and a rotor, voltages are applied to the electrostrictive elements to generate travelling vibration waves in the vibration members and the rotor contacting to the vibration members is friction-driven by the travelling vibration wave.

Abstract: A flash photography system including a computer type electronic flash device and a camera controlling the exposure value by using the light coming from an object to be photographed and reflected from the shutter curtain and/or film surface is disclosed. The leading and trailing curtains in the slit shutter of the system run down simultaneously when test firing occurs, and the flash device controls the amount of flash light in accordance with an equivalent reflected light from the shutter curtain surfaces to that from the film surface. When the aforesaid amount of light reflected has reached a prescribed level, an annunciator is energized to inform the operator that a correct exposure can be obtained.

Abstract: A light measuring device for a camera which can change between light measuring ranges is achieved by dividing a transparent light condensing member into two or more portions of different optical characteristics and electrooptically actuating one or more light shading members for shading the object light passing through the light condensing member to a sensor.

Abstract: An indication system of a camera for audibly and distinguishably indicating at least two different kinds of information of the operating state of a self-timer, a warning against the photographing operation for insufficient brightness of the object or low range of a shutter speed, the voltage checking of a battery and the other necessary information for photographing operation. The indication system comprises an acoustic device having a sound which varies in volume, tone or time interval thereof in accordance with various kinds of output signals of a controlling circuit for digitally controlling the acoustic device by means of counting signals of a binary counter.

Abstract: In the camera disclosed, a display device adapted for displaying photographic information and a pattern, etc., with a liquid crystal within the camera view finder, a polarizing arrangement which creates a contrast between a portion of the display and another is combined with the liquid crystal. This produces a display with a high contrast portion and a low contrast portion.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens barrel includes connection terminals on a part of the lens barrel for sending and receiving electrical signals to and from a photographic apparatus. The lens barrel part is provided with a mechanism for protecting the connection terminals by covering the terminals when the lens barrel is removed from the photographic apparatus. When the lens barrel is mounted on the photographic apparatus, the protecting mechanism is retracted from the terminals to allow for connection with corresponding terminals on the photographic apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed safety device electrically senses the conductivity between the electrical contacts of a camera and an accessory attached thereto, and, upon detection of a failure in conductivity, produces a warning signal for the user.

Abstract: A camera constructed from at least three different units or parts arranged in combination, with the units being releasably attached to each other by respective individual coupling devices which are made with a basically similar construction and which are operated to lock the individual camera parts together and to unlock the connection therebetween upon release actuation of the coupling devices.

Abstract: A correct exposure annunciator has an element to indicate a correct exposure. The indicating element is energized in normal flash photography to indicate correct exposure. When abnormal flash photography is carried out, the element is de-energized by a signal, representing the AE mode, and the light is turned off.

Abstract: In a camera having a shutter-release button and a rapid-winding lever positioned adjacent each other, a finger abutment member is provided as extending from the casing of the shutter-release button to cover the axis portion of the rapid-winding lever.

Abstract: In the disclosed device, the character of sound formed by a sound generator is varied by placing the sound generator in a chamber and varying the chamber to produce at least two sound modes indicating at least two data. According to one embodiment, an aperture in the chamber is covered with a shield accessible from the outside of the camera housing. According to another embodiment, the resonant frequency of the sound is varied by varying the shape of the chamber. In a third embodiment, the chamber is covered and uncovered by varying the registry of two series arranged apertures to the chamber.