Abstract: A light beam scanning device for scanning an object to read image information therefrom or record image information thereon includes a reflecting-mirror light deflector for reflecting and deflecting a light beam in a plane, and a scanning lens for passing the light beam deflected by the light deflector toward the object. An optical element such as a glass plate has an entrance surface for allowing the light beam to pass therethrough to the light deflector, and directs the light beam from the light deflector therethrough to the scanning lens. The entrance surface is inclined at a predetermined angle to a direction normal to an optical axis of the scanning lens.

Abstract: A sheet film package includes a tray for storing a stack of sheet films and a flexible cover member peelably attached to the tray in covering relation to a film access opening for shielding the sheet films in the tray from extraneous light. The cover member is folded back on itself at one end of the tray and has an end portion which extends over the other end of the tray and which will be exposed from a loading device when the sheet film package is loaded in the loading device. The sheet film package may have a cushioning member disposed in the tray and composed of hollow air bags of a flexible material for pressing the holding the sheet films in the package member. A film loading device for loading the sheet film package therein include a light-shielding member for preventing extraneous light from entering a loading slot. The loading slot is closed by a pivotally mounted cover with the end portion of the cover member being led out of the loading slot.

Abstract: A sheet film package comprises a tray for storing a stack of sheet films and a flexible cover member peelably attached to the tray in covering relation to a film access opening in the tray for shielding the sheet films in the tray from extraneous light. By inserting the cover member into a cover member peeling passage defined in an image recording apparatus, the cover member is peeled off the tray to open the film access opening.

Abstract: A sheet film package includes a tray for storing a stack of sheet films and a flexible cover member peelably attached to the tray in covering relation to a film access opening for shielding the sheet films in the tray from extraneous light. The cover member is folded back on itself at one end of the tray and has an end portion which extends over the other end of the tray and which will be exposed from a loading device when the sheet film package is loaded in the loading device. The sheet film package may have a cushioning member disposed in the tray and composed of hollow air bags of a flexible material for pressing and holding the sheet films in the package member. A film loading device for loading the sheet film package therein include a light-shielding member for preventing extraneous light from entering a loading slot. The loading slot is closed by a pivotally mounted cover with the end portion of the cover member being led out of the loading slot.

Abstract: A synchronizing signal is generated in relation to the scanning of a recording medium with a scanning light beam emitted from a scanning light source and deflected by a light deflector. A synchronizing-signal generating laser beam is emitted from a synchronizing-signal generating laser source, and deflected by the light detector in synchronous relation to the deflection of the scanning light beam. The synchronizing-signal generating laser beam deflected by the light detector is applied back to the synchronizing-signal generating laser source at least once when the synchronizing-signal generating laser beam is deflected through a prescribed angle during one scanning cycle. A change in the output power of the synchronizing-signal generating laser source which is caused upon application of the synchronizing-signal generating laser beam back to the synchronizing-signal generating laser source, is detected for thereby generating the synchronizing signal.

Abstract: An imaging lens holder device for use in an optical information recording apparatus is disclosed. The device comprises a focus adjusting member having a coefficient of thermal expansion with a value larger than that of the coefficient of thermal expansion of a supporting leg with a ledge and a leg member for supporting a holder for a member to be scanned. Respective leg materials are so selected that an increment caused by thermal expansion between the surface of the ledge opposite to the substrate and the surface of the member to be scanned and an increment of the focus adjusting member in the direction to the substrate caused by thermal expansion in case of using the ledge surface as a reference surface, are made equal to each other.

Abstract: An optical linear encoder for converting scanning light beams incident thereupon into a series of pulsatory light comprising light transmission parts for passing through the scanning light beams and light non-transmission parts for blocking transmission of the scanning light beams. The light non-transmission parts are alternately arranged with said light transmission parts in predetermined intervals that are determined by the amount of distortion inherently occurring in an optical system through which the scanning light beams travel.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus for a video camera, comprising a photographic lens, a solid state image pickup device mounted movably along the optical axis of the photographic lens, a device for moving the image pickup device along the optical axis, and a focusing operation circuit for generating a focusing signal for moving the image pickup device to the focusing point by processing the output of the image pickup device, and feeding the focusing signal to the moving means. The moving device consists of a moving coil secured to the image pickup device, and a drive circuit for driving the moving coil. The focusing operation circuit is connected to the drive circuit directly or via an automatic-manual selecting switch. The image pickup device may be split to a section for taking a picture and a section for measuring the distance from the object, and the photographic lens may be a zoom lens having no mechanism for focusing.

Abstract: In a computer output microfilmer (COM) system, in which video information output from a central processing unit to appear on a display and video information recorded on one of multiple form slides are projected to a recording medium to be recorded thereon in a superimposed manner, a multi-form slide selection apparatus selects specific one of the multiple form slides. The apparatus includes provision for causing the specific form slide to move as far as the vicinity of a projection position and positioned thereat to be held accurately at the projection position.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in an endoscope includes a vari-focal lens system provided in a viewing head to be inserted into a cavity or opening of a living body or machinery, a solid-state image sensor for imaging an image formed by the lens system to produce electrical signals representative of the image, a supporting unit for supporting the lens system and the image sensor thereon so as to change the spacing between the lens system and the image sensor on the optical axis of the lens system, and controller circuitry operable in response to magnification of the lens system for estimating the position of a focus of the lens system to control the supporting unit so as to position the image sensor substantially at the estimated position of the focus.

Abstract: In a light beam scanning system for recording or displaying information by use of a scanning light beam modulated by a video signal, a synchronizing signal is obtained by detecting the scanning light beam while the light beam scans lines. The scanning light beam is detected at a predetermined position optically separated from the lines. The light beam focused on a recording material or a cathode ray tube diverges after it passes through the plane of focus. A photodetector for receiving the light beam to obtain a synchronizing signal is located where the diameter of the cross section of the light beam is larger than that of the light beam focused on the recording material or the cathode ray tube. The large diameter is obtained where the light beam diverges or is focused again by use of a focusing lens which is located at a longer distance from the photodetector than from the recording material or the cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A method for producing a relief pattern comprising forming one of (i) a silver image, (ii) a silver halide image, or (iii) an image obtained by toning and/or intensifying the silver image or silver halide image, in the emulsion layer of a photographic light-sensitive material which comprises a support having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the support, by image-wise exposing to light and developing, heating the photographic material to decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, and then ion-etching the photographic material to form a relief pattern of the support corresponding to the above-described image.

Abstract: A method for producing a phase hologram by bleaching a silver image of an amplitude hologram formed on a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material, wherein the bleaching is conducted using a solution containing an N-halogeno compound to inhibit the binder of the layer having the silver image therein from swelling.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bleached phase hologram comprising bleaching a silver image of an amplitude hologram formed in a silver halide photographic material with a bleaching solution comprising a liquid medium capable of swelling the gelatin and/or modified gelatin hydrophilic colloid of the silver halide photographic material to an extent of from about 150 to 400% and containing iodine, so as to bleach the silver image by the reaction of the iodine with the silver and the silver image of the amplitude hologram is formed by exposing a silver halide photographic material so as to form a hologram and development and fixing processing the exposed silver halide photographic material.