Abstract: A distance measurement device is provided which determines the measurement zone of an object and also determines the direction of movement of the object within the measurement zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding up film in a camera has a direct current brush motor and an arrangement for producing a pulse train of pulses in response to the production of brush noise by said motor as it rotates. A control circuit is responsive to the pulse train of pulses to control the advancing and rewinding of the film as well as to detect the winding ends and to detect the occurrence of film loading errors.

Abstract: An instant photocopying apparatus that allows scanning of an optical means to be carried out plural times continuously by one copying starting operation in the instant photocopying apparatus for sequentially imaging and copying fine areas of an object on an instant photosensitive material by scanning the optical means in parallel to the object is provided.A scanning number setting means 57 is provided and a control circuit 48 is programmed so that it scans continuously by the number of times set by the scanning number setting means 57. An user set any scanning number by the scanning number setting means 57. Then when a start switch SW3 is pressed, the control circuit 48 lights up an illuminating means 24 and issues a command to a motor driving circuit 54 to scan continuously by the preset number of times from one end to the other end of a copying area.

Abstract: A drive ring drivable by a stepping motor is normally urged by a spring to turn in one direction around a lens aperture. When not in use, the stepping motor is not subjected to the resilient force from the spring since the drive ring is locked against rotation by a ratchet wheel engaged by an engagement lever. The stepping motor is therefore not subjected to undue stresses and is prevented from malfunctioning. Consequently, focusing failures and exposure adjustment failures which could otherwise arise from malfunctioning of the stepping motor are prevented from occurring. In operation, a solenoid is energized to move the engagement lever out of engagement with the ratchet wheel, which is then freed to allow the drive ring to be turned by the stepping motor.

Abstract: A programmable shutter of the type wherein a shutter blade is opened and closed by means of a stepping motor. The motor is rotated in a forward direction by drive pulses of a predetermined fixed period to gradually open a sector while at the same time a light measuring circuit is started. Thus, at the time when an appropriate exposure quantity is reached, the direction of rotation of the motor is forcibly reversed to effect closing of the sector to attain simultaneous measurement of light and exposure.

Abstract: A camera shutter has an automatic focusing lens operative when actuated to effect an automatic focusing operation. An actuating ring is normally placed in a non-operating region and momentarily shifted to an operating region during the automatic focusing operation. The actuating ring is sequentially displaceable in forward and reverse direction through the operating region to actuate the automatic focusing lens, and displaceable in the forward and reverse directions in the non-operating region without effecting actuation of the automatic focusing lens. A ratchet mechanism is coupled to the actuating ring for selectively locking and unlocking the actuating ring in the non-operating region in response to the displacement thereof in the forward and reverse directions. A bi-directionally rotatable stepping motor is connected to drive the actuating ring to displace the same in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: In a program shutter using a stepping motor for opening and closing sectors, the stepping motor is composed of a 4-pole magnetized rotor and two sets of U-shaped stators and coils, the stators being each provided with a pair of leg portions which are formed with magnetic poles at end portions thereof in an opposed relation to the outer periphery of the rotor, the magnetic poles at the leg end portions of each stator being formed in a phase relation of 90.degree. with respect to the rotational center of the rotor, and one magnetic poles of the stators being disposed in proximity to each other so as to in a phase relation of 45.degree. with respect to the rotational center of the rotor.

Abstract: A strobo control circuit for a program shutter which opens or closes sectors by means of a stepping motor, wherein a data ROM (read-only memory) is accessed in accordance with a value obtained by computing a code representative of a distance to a subject, a film speed and so forth, and after the data stored in the ROM is set in a timer circuit, the timer is started synchronously with start of the stepping motor to produce a strobo trigger signal upon termination of the timer action.

Abstract: A time recorder includes a clock circuit for producing a clock signal, a detector for detecting when a time card is loaded in the time recorder to produce a detection signal, and a correcting circuit for producing a correcting signal effective to correct time information. A printing wheel assembly is rotationally driven to print the time information which is displayed in a display device. A positioning mechanism receives the loaded time card and moves relative to the printing wheel assembly for positioning the loaded time card in a print position relative to the printing wheel assembly. A hammer is opposed to the loaded time card and actuated to act thereon against the printing wheel assembly to thereby print the time information.

Abstract: A time recorder is normally powered by a main power source for supplying a commercial power and occasionally powered by a back-up power source during interruption of the commercial power supply. A clock means counts time to constantly produce a clock pulse, and a digital display constantly digitally indicates updated time data in response to the clock pulse. An analogue display is driven for analogically indicating time information and a recording mechanism is driven for recording time information on a recording medium. A driving device drives the analog display and recording mechanism in response to the clock pulse to update the time information indicated in the analog display and recorded by the recording mechanism. A detecting device is connected to the main power source for detecting the interruption of the commercial power supply.

Abstract: A device which includes means for detecting a film sensitivity code based upon International Standardization Organization and provided on a film cartridge when the film cartridge is loaded, whereby it is determined whether or not a film is one whose cartridge has a code provided thereon by adding 1 to the film sensitivity code detected the means to detect if a carry-over appears or not.

Abstract: A program shutter has a shutter mechanism comprised of at least one sector movable in opening and closing directions in response to forward and reverse rotation of a step motor to form a lens aperture.

Abstract: In a program shutter having a sector which is opened and closed by a step motor, there is provided a home position detection means for detecting whether or not the sector is positioned in a home position. Before and after an exposure operation, it is detected whether or not the sector is positioned in the home position, and if the sector is not positioned in the home position, the step motor is reversely rotated to complete the closing movement of the sector.

Abstract: A programmable shutter of the type wherein a shutter blade is opened and closed by means of a stepping motor. The motor is rotated in a forward direction by drive pulses of a predetermined fixed period to gradually open a sector while at the same time a light measuring circuit is started. Thus, at the time when an appropriate exposure quantity is reached, the direction of rotation of the motor is forcibly reversed to effect closing of the sector to attain simultaneous measurement of light and exposure.

Abstract: An hour detection wheel and a minute detection wheel for detecting an alarm signaling time are provided in combination with an hour time wheel and a minute time wheel respectively. An alarm signaling time indicating block having a minute indication drum connected to an alarm signaling time setting member and marked with minute-scale alarm signaling time graduations and an hour indication drum marked with hour-scale alarm signaling time graduations and adapted to be turned intermittently by the minute indication drum is disposed outside a clock movement having the hour and the minute detection wheels and the minute indication drum interlocked by gear trains with the hour and the minute detection wheels.

Abstract: In a program shutter including a forwardly/reversely rotatable step motor for opening and closing a shutter blade to effect automatic exposure, a drive pulse number and an interpolation quantity are set in first and second counters. A step drive pulse is generated by the first counter to start opening the sectors. After a final pulse is generated, the second counter is started, and at the timing when the time corresponding to the interpolation quantity is elapsed, the step motor is reversely rotated thereby to fractionate a gap between steps and obtain a proper exposure quantity.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated shutter for a camera wherein automatic focusing and exposing operation are controlled by means of a single reversible stepping motor.

Abstract: An electronic watch having a multiple of modes includes mode selection means operable from the outside and a plurality of external operating buttons for modifying the contents of indication of the watch or for issuing an operational command in each mode. Auxiliary indication means is provided directly with the mode selection means. Alternatively, the auxiliary indication means may be provided separately from the mode selection means but in an interlocked fashion with it. The indication surface of the auxiliary indication means carries at a position corresponding to each of the external operating buttons a symbol or characters which represent the function of said each of the external operating buttons in each selected mode.

Abstract: The alarm control button of the alarm clock with a snooze mechanism is operable in two modes; a lateral sliding mode and a vertical pushing mode. The alarm setting and the permanent stopping of the buzzer are controlled by the sliding mode, while the temporary stopping of the buzzer is controlled by the vertical pushing mode.

Abstract: The cam type time detecting mechanism of an alarm clock has a time gear wheel, an alarm gear wheel and a detecting plate, all mounted on a shaft. A hole is formed on either the alarm gear wheel or the detecting plate and a projection is formed on the other. The detecting plate is movable on the shaft in the axial direction of the shaft. The time gear wheel and the detecting plate have guiding parts respectively so that the time gear wheel, in its normal rotation, continuously pushes and turns the detecting plate. At least one of the time gear wheel, the alarm gear wheel and the detecting plate has a cam for lifting up the detecting plate if the time gear wheel and the alarm gear wheel turn either in normal and reverse directions.