Abstract: An image formation apparatus is provided that carries out printing efficiently to improve the printout speed. In the ink jet printer, a straight line formed of dots output from a nozzle of a large diameter and a straight line formed of dots output from a nozzle of a small diameter can have a similar configuration. By the continuous output of two dots from the nozzle of a small diameter, a combination of these dots are substantially equal to dots output from the nozzle of the large diameter in appearance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus automatically determines the photographing mode and displays on a display a kind of the photographing mode with the image of the subject.

Abstract: An actuator applied with shape memory alloy which can be operated in a wide operating temperature range and has a long life time. At a normal ambient temperature, when the first wire of the acting member made of shape memory alloy in which predetermined shape is memorized in advance, is heated, it is transformed to the memorized shape to enable the acting member to be moved. A relative low stress is generated at the first wire and its life-time is not shortened. In the case that the ambient temperature is increased to exceed a transformation starting temperature of the shape memory alloy, the second wire of shape memory alloy is transformed to the memorized shape to generate a high stress at the first wire and to increase the transformation starting temperature of the first wire. With such an arrangement as above, it is possible to operate the actuator applied with the shape memory alloy in a wide operating temperature range.

Abstract: An electronic camera is provided with an image pickup device for photoelectrically picking up a light image of an object to generate image data, an oblique angle information provider for providing information on an oblique angle between a sensing surface of the image pickup device and a surface of the object, a distance detector for detecting a distance to the object, and a corrector for correcting, based on the provided oblique angle information and the detected distance, the generated image data so as to produce a pseudo object image whose surface resides on a plane parallel with the sensing surface of the image pickup device.

Abstract: A driving mechanism is disclosed that utilizes a shape-memory alloy. In particular, mechanical components are movably positioned by a member composed of shape-memory alloy, which changes shape when heated. The present invention reduces the number of mechanical components in a driving mechanism, thereby reducing size and improving performance. One of many applications of the present invention is a camera application.

Abstract: A portable apparatus having setting means for setting mutually contradictory functions, wherein the setting means comprises a pair of operation buttons, and the operation buttons are disposed on opposing surfaces of the body of the portable apparatus, respectively.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an electronic view finder (EVF) for electronically displaying an image of a subject and a movable monitor. The movable monitor is slidable along guide grooves and movable between a first position in which the EVF is covered with the movable monitor and a second position in which the EVF is not covered. By a sensor for position detection, when it is detected that the movable monitor is in the first position, no image is displayed on the EVF but an image is displayed on the movable monitor. When it is detected that the movable monitor is in the second position, no image is displayed on the movable monitor but an image is displayed on the EVF. Consequently, power can be saved, and when the movable monitor is in the first position, adhesion of dusts and dirt onto the display face of the EVF can be decreased.

Abstract: An information communication apparatus for conducting information communication such as a telephone conversation, sending and reception of E-mails and the like and for capturing an image of a subject comprises an image capturing unit for capturing an image through the zoom optical system, and a body unit for displaying an image and accepting a user's input. A rotating mechanism is provided between the image capturing unit and the body unit. When a user conducts information communication or carries the information communication apparatus, the image capturing unit is positioned so that the optical axis of the zoom optical system is substantially parallel to a display screen of a display. This prevents impairment of the portability of the information communication apparatus. When the user captures an image, the image capturing unit is positioned so that the optical axis of the zoom optical system is substantially perpendicular to the display screen of the display.

Abstract: A magnetic recording information reading device for reading information magnetically recorded on a film capable of being used in reading the magnetic recording information on the film in a camera. A magnetic head is attached on a movable support member in a direction reverse to a direction of transferring the film and the magnetic head is arranged at a position opposed to a magnetic recording portion on the film. In reading information recorded on the film, the magnetic head is moved in the direction reverse to the direction of transferring the film. Thereby, the magnetic head is moved at a speed faster than a speed of transferring the film and therefore, the recorded information can firmly be read even when the speed of transferring the film is lowered by lowering power source voltage or the like.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a driving mechanism which is capable of selectively driving a plurality of driven members by a single drive source, thus being advantageous for minimization of devices. A transmission changeover unit 32 is provided for selectively transmitting a drive force from a motor 31 to a specific one of driven members 33, 34. Transmission changeover is achieved by utilizing a shape change of a shape-memory alloy 64 by heating.

Abstract: A built-in kitchen which has a projector that projects an image and a screen onto which the image from the projector is projected. The projector projects a cooking assisting image such as recipe on the screen so that a cook can get cooking information through the projected image while staying in a working position.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus having a print head and a control system to control the discharge of variable size ink drops from the print head. The control system controls a print operation to divide the printing of an image into steps, wherein at least a first step includes the printing of dots having diameters within a specified range and at least a second step includes the printing of dots having diameters within another specified range.

Abstract: A digital camera has an image capturing mode MD1 and a reproduction mode MD2. When an event regarding reproduction, specifically, attachment of a lens cap, operation of a four-way switch or the like to reproduce an image or sound, or insertion of a memory card for reproduction is detected in the image capturing mode M1, the digital camera is automatically switched to the reproduction mode MD2. On the other hand, when an event regarding image capturing, specifically, operation of a pop-up flash, detection of contact of the eye to an eye cup, various settings regarding image capturing, insertion of a memory card for image capturing, or operation of image capturing with a self-timer, focusing, zoom, aperture, shutter button, recording, or display switching is detected in the reproduction mode MD2, the digital camera is automatically switched to the image capturing mode MD1.

Abstract: An image shake correction device for correcting image shake on the focal plane of an optical apparatus due to vibration of the optical apparatus such as a camera. A correction optical element is provided in the optical path of the principal optical system, the correction optical element is driven correspondingly to the detected image shake magnitude, and the image shake on the focal plane of an optical apparatus is corrected. A driving mechanism which utilizes shape memory alloy is used for driving a correction lens for correcting image shake.

Abstract: An image shake correction device for correcting image shake on the focal plane of an optical apparatus due to vibration of the optical apparatus such as a camera. A correction optical element is provided in the optical path of the principal optical system, the correction optical element is driven correspondingly to the detected image shake magnitude, and the image shake on the focal plane of an optical apparatus is corrected. A driving mechanism which utilizes shape memory alloy is used for driving a correction lens for correcting image shake.

Abstract: A portable apparatus having setting means for setting mutually contradictory functions, wherein the setting means comprises a pair of operation buttons, and the operation buttons are disposed on opposing surfaces of the body of the portable apparatus, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is a projector having a photosensing means for detecting light entering the optical system from outside the optical system, wherein the photosensing means is capable of detecting only the light reflected from within a predetermined area on the screen. According to one aspect, the projector of the present invention includes a linear CCD as a photosensing means resulting in a long, thin area on a screen being detectable by the photosensing means.

Abstract: Openings (OPa, OPb) corresponding to respective card slots (18a, 18b) are formed in a side face of a digital camera, and a slot cover (121) having a size covering both of the openings (OPa, OPb) is placed in a manner so as to shift thereon, thereby allowing either of the openings of the card slots to be selectively exposed. A CPU, installed therein, is allowed to access a card-type medium attached to the card slot that is not exposed, and is not allowed to access a card-type medium attached to the card slot that is exposed. A card-type medium can be detachably attached to the card slot that is exposed, and with respect to the card slot that is not exposed, the attaching and removing operations of a card-type medium are restricted.

Abstract: The digital camera having a taking lens, a finder for viewing light transmitted through the taking lens, an image sensing element for optoelectrically converting light which passes through the taking lens, a light splitting means capable of changing transmittance and dividing the light transmitted through the taking lens to the image sensing element and the finder, a light splitting means driving means for driving the light splitting means to a position to split the light between the image sensing element and the viewfinder when viewing and driving the light splitting means to retract a position for directing the light only to the image sensing element during photography, and a control means for controlling the light splitting means to a semitransparent state to direct light to the image sensing element and the viewfinder when viewing and controlling the light splitting means to a blocking state during photography.

Abstract: A drive mechanism using shape memory alloy which, even if used repeatedly, is free from the weakening or loss of the shape memorized by the driving member of the shape memory alloy and capable of driving driven members accurately for a long period of time, and an apparatus using this drive mechanism. The ambient temperature is measured by a temperature sensor and an electric current to be supplied to the driving member of the shape memory alloy is controlled according to the measured temperature. The driving member, when heated, is restored to its memorized shape, and moves the driven member to a determined position. When cooled, the driving member returns to its initial shape, and moves the driven member to its initial position.