Abstract: The invention facilitates to meet both of the mode of use that finds precedence in frequent rewrite to the nonvolatile memory and data retention during the power supply being cut off, and the mode of use that finds precedence in the data retention characteristic. The controller enables an information storage operation to the nonvolatile memory cells, by means of erase and write processing through boosting of the voltage applied to the nonvolatile memory cells and clamping of the boosted voltage, and performs a selection control that selects the application interval of the boosted voltage applied during the information storage operation and so forth. This selection control enables utilizing the nonvolatile memory cells as temporary rewrite areas, and facilitates to meet both of the mode of use that finds precedence in data retention during the power supply being cut off, and the mode of use that finds precedence in the data retention characteristic.

Abstract: The invention facilitates to meet both of the mode of use that finds precedence in frequent rewrite to the nonvolatile memory and data retention during the power supply being cut off, and the mode of use that finds precedence in the data retention characteristic. The controller enables an information storage operation to the nonvolatile memory cells, by means of erase and write processing through boosting of the voltage applied to the nonvolatile memory cells and clamping of the boosted voltage, and performs a selection control that selects the application interval of the boosted voltage applied during the information storage operation and so forth. This selection control enables utilizing the nonvolatile memory cells as temporary rewrite areas, and facilitates to meet both of the mode of use that finds precedence in data retention during the power supply being cut off, and the mode of use that finds precedence in the data retention characteristic.

Abstract: The invention facilitates to meet both of the mode of use that finds precedence in frequent rewrite to the nonvolatile memory and data retention during the power supply being cut off, and the mode of use that finds precedence in the data retention characteristic. The controller enables an information storage operation to the nonvolatile memory cells, by means of erase and write processing through boosting of the voltage applied to the nonvolatile memory cells and clamping of the boosted voltage, and performs a selection control that selects the application interval of the boosted voltage applied during the information storage operation and so forth. This selection control enables utilizing the nonvolatile memory cells as temporary rewrite areas, and facilitates to meet both of the mode of use that finds precedence in data retention during the power supply being cut off, and the mode of use that finds precedence in the data retention characteristic.

Abstract: A positionable-axle bicycle ergometer comprises axles each to be supplied with a rotational force from a corresponding pedals and a corresponding arms, seats each supporting a corresponding axles, guide sections each supporting a corresponding seats such that seats can reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to axles, positioning mechanisms each for positioning a corresponding guide sections on the basis of an rotation angle of the axles and braking mechanisms each braking a corresponding axles.

Abstract: A positionable-axle bicycle ergometer comprises axles each to be supplied with a rotational force from a corresponding pedals and a corresponding arms, seats each supporting a corresponding axles, guide sections each supporting a corresponding seats such that seats can reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to axles, positioning mechanisms each for positioning a corresponding guide sections on the basis of an rotation angle of the axles and braking mechanisms each braking a corresponding axles.

Abstract: A camera is provided which has a vibration detection unit that detects vibration, a photographic focal length detection unit which detects the focal length of the photographic optical system, and a distance-measurement unit that measures the distance to the object being photographed. The vibration compensation device employs drive motors as a vibration compensation unit. The drive motors have a start up time which is at least as fast as the acceleration of a vibration having roughly a sine wave shape with a frequency of 10 Hz and a maximum velocity of 7.5 mm/sec. Such a motor is able to reach the maximum velocity of the vibration in under 25 ms.

Abstract: A vibration correction system for a camera using a correcting lens driven by a reduction gear train attached to a motor. Image deflection, originating from vibration and the like of the camera, is prevented by shifting the correcting lens. A movement detector, to detect the amount of movement of the correcting lens, is arranged near the drive shaft of the motor or near the first couple of gears of the reduction gear train. After the correcting lens has been driven, the connecting lens is reset to a predetermined standard position, based on the output of the movement detector. By placing the movement detector on or near the drive shaft, a high resolving power is obtained. Accordingly, the correcting lens can be shifted with fine precise movements, and accurate correction of image deflection becomes possible.

Abstract: A first magnetic core has a first portion that determines the track width, a second portion extending from the first portion substantially vertically, a third portion that extends from the second portion substantially vertically and is longer than the first track width, and a fourth portion extending from the third portion substantially vertically. The first to fourth portions form a substantially rectangular ring-like shape with its portion between the first and second portions being notched. A second magnetic core has a fifth portion longer than the first track width, a sixth portion extending from the fifth portion substantially vertically, and a seventh portion extending from the sixth portion substantially vertically. The fifth to seventh portions form substantially the shape of letter C.

Abstract: An image deflection preventing device for a camera, such as a still camera which is used to drive a deflection preventing optical system in accordance with readings from angular velocity sensors and other circuitry. Moreover, an exposure mode selection device is included to select strobe photography according to the focusing distance from a distance measuring unit maintained in the camera to a subject to be photographed. The selection device can select strobe photography when the focusing distance is closer than a predetermined distance or when photographic magnification from a focal length detection unit to a subject to be photographed is greater than a predetermined value. The selection of strobe photography is done using results from a photometric unit in conjunction with the determination of a brightness level. In particular, if a given brightness level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, strobe photography is selected, otherwise, exterior light photography is selected.

Abstract: An optical lens barrel having a lens group which serves as a vibration compensation lens group and a focusing lens group. The lens group is held by a holder movably secured to a plate. The lens group is movable within the plate on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens group via a pair of DC motors and associated gear trains. The DC motors and associated gear trains are mounted on the plate. The plate is slidably movable parallel to the optical axis of the lens group by a stepping motor via a series of concentric drive rings disposed around the plate. The drive rings also actuate an aperture mechanism which serves as a shutter. This reduces both the number of lenses and components needed to provide vibration compensation and autofocusing functions.

Abstract: A camera displacement mechanism control device can maintain the time required to effect removal of backlash within a set time. Zooming-down is started by the zoom-down switch being turned ON, and the lens barrel is driven as far as the wide-angle terminus if the zoom-down switch is not turned OFF during zooming-down. Alternatively, if the zoom down switch is turned OFF during zooming-down, the lens barrel is driven to the next halt position after the position where the zoom-down switch was turned OFF. In either case, the lens barrel is caused to overshoot the target halt position in the direction of scrolling-in for a time interval long enough to effect removal of backlash, and is subsequently driven in the direction of scrolling-out and halted at the described target halt position.

Abstract: A camera includes, but is not limited to, a focus adjustment optical system such as a zoom or a non-zoom type optical system, for example, an actuator generating a drive force which moves the focus adjustment optical system, a transmission mechanism transmitting the drive force from the actuator to the focus adjustment optical system, a drive amount detection mechanism detecting an amount of drive of the focus adjustment optical system caused by the actuator; and wherein the actuator, the transmission mechanism and the drive amount detection mechanism are disposed in the camera in a position which is on the outer circumference of the aforementioned focus adjustment optical system and which is on a long side of an aperture that forms light fluxes into a rectangular shape to become incident on a film surface.

Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.

Abstract: A lens camera having a viewfinder mechanism and an adjustable strobe light generating unit, wherein the zoom viewfinder mechanism has a disk cam to cause a lens group of a viewfinder optical system to move back and forth in an optical axis direction according to a difference of the distances in the radial direction from the rotation center of shafts of individual lenses of the lens group, the shafts fitting in grooves of the disk and driving the individual lenses of the lens group in order to perform variable power of a zoom viewfinder. Drive gears drive the disk cam and one of the drive gears is a helical gear which has a predetermined angle for a lead angle, the rotation center of the disk cam and the rotation axis direction of the one drive gear being positioned so as to intersect.

Abstract: A lens device having a base unit, a lens unit and an intermediate member. The base unit includes a drive ring which is rotatable around an optical axis of the lens device and has a coupling portion which protrudes into the housing space. The lens unit is inserted into a housing space of the base unit. Moreover, the lens unit is rotatable around the optical axis of the lens device and rotatably coupled to the base unit so that the rotation of the lens unit around the optical axis of the lens device causes the lens unit to move along the optical axis. The intermediate member is connected to the lens unit and has a groove. The coupling portion of the drive ring is engaged in the groove so that the rotation of the drive ring causes the coupling portion to interact with the groove to move the intermediate member. The movement of the intermediate member causes the lens unit to rotate around, and thereby move along, the optical axis in accordance with the rotation of the drive ring.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided with a lens group that can move against a camera main body, an electrical device that can move with the lens group, and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards arranged one on top of the other within a space inside the lens barrel, in order to electrically connect the electrical device to an electrical device that is provided outside the lens barrel.

Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.

Abstract: A miniaturized collapsible zoom camera changes viewfinder magnification in accordance with a change in the photographic magnification. The camera is equipped with a collapsible cam tube to cause a first lens group, which rotates around the optical axis, to move from a collapsed position to a position just before a minimum magnification position. Likewise, a zoom cam tube causes the first lens group, which rotates around the optical axis, to move from the minimum magnification position to a maximum magnification position. Sector gears are formed on the outer circumference of the collapsible cam tube and the zoom cam tube. Furthermore, the camera is equipped with a cam tube drive gear which cooperates with the sector gears. A drive motor causes the drive gear to rotate. Another gear cooperates only with the sector gear of the zoom cam tube while a variable power and movement mechanism causes variable power operation in the viewfinder.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect the amount and direction of rotary motion for use in a vibration compensation system in an optical camera. An indicator disk is provided around the output shaft of a motor which actuates a compensation lens to compensate for vibrations to the camera. The periphery of the indicator disk is provided with a series of holes. A pair of photodetectors, are arranged on the periphery of the disk so as to detect the holes passing thereunder. The two photodetectors are separated by a distance equal to 3/4 of the distance between two holes. By comparing the pattern of signals emitted by the photodetectors the direction of rotation of the indicator disk can be determined. Further, the pulses in the output of either photodetector can be counted to determine the amount of movement. The actual direction and amount of movement as calculated is provided to a vibration compensation circuit as feedback for use in controlling the compensation lens.

Abstract: A suspension control system of the present invention varies a damping force according to a velocity ratio of a mass-body velocity to a relative velocity, while ensuring both a comfortable drive and stable cruising. In the suspension control system, a CPU calculates a mass-body velocity Zd and a relative velocity Yd based on detection signals from sensors and determines a velocity ratio Zd/Yd (steps S110 and S120). A small skyhook damping coefficient is set for a small vehicle speed V to reduce a damping force according to the velocity ratio Zd/Yd (step S130). In the process of varying the damping force, a stepping motor used for the variation in damping force is driven at a low driving frequency for a small vehicle speed V (step S180).