Abstract: A blur detecting device comprises a plurality of photo-electric converter elements which are arranged in different positions to receive light from an object and to convert quantities of light received into quantities of electricity. Electric charge storing elements are included which store the quantities of electricity obtained from the photo-electric converter elements. A computing circuit in the blur detecting device obtains the ratio of the quantities of electricity stored at the electric charge storing elements. An indicating circuit compares signals produced from the computing circuit at different lengths of light receiving time and indicates a blurred state of the light received from the object.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus determines optically whether an object is located within a first range of distances from the apparatus or a second range of distances from the apparatus. A radiation projecting arrangement projects a beam towards the object and a receiving arrangement disposed a predetermined distance transverse to the object direction receives the radiation reflected from the object. A pair of radiation sensors in the receiving arrangement each produce an electrical output corresponding to the received radiation. A circuit responds to the outputs of the sensors to determine whether the object is located within a first range or a second range. The circuit arrangement connects the radiation sensors so as to subtract their outputs, and one of the sensors is provided with a more extensive radiation receiving area than the other. This extends one of the range of distances.

Abstract: In the camera disclosed, a control circuit responds to a focus detecting circuit to energize first display portions to produce a first mark representing the detected distance, and responds to a setting arrangement to energize other display portions to produce a second different mark representing a set distance. According to an embodiment, the control circuit displays a third mark when the first and second marks coincide.

Abstract: In the disclosed camera exposure control, data recording and film winding are performed sequentially and the system is protected from battery voltage drop arising from the effective increase in consumption of electrical energy necessary to make each exposure as compared with the ordinary camera, by detecting the battery level upon occurrence of a prescribed phase of the operating cycle. In one embodiment, the battery is also checked at a subsequent step of the cycle (for example, film winding operation is permitted only when the battery level is above the predetermined level). According to an embodiment of the invention, a sequence control circuit controls the photographic operation sequentially.

Abstract: In a camera having automatic focus detecting means for automatically detecting an in-focus position to effect focusing of the photo-taking lens, and exposure control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the shutter blades in accordance with object brightness, there are provided a control member arranged to control the sequence of the aforesaid focusing operation of the photo-taking lens and the aforesaid opening and closing operation of the shutter blades depending upon its position as it moves, and a driving means for moving this control member stepwise by the output of the aforesaid automatic focus detecting means or the exposure control means. Thus, the focusing operation of the photo-taking lens is automatically shifted to the exposure operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zonal range finding apparatus for determining whether an object is located within a first range of distances from the apparatus or a second range of distances from the apparatus. The apparatus includes a radiation projecting device for projecting a beam of radiation toward an object, and a radiation receiving device for receiving radiation by the object. The receiving device is disposed at a distance of a predetermined base line length from the projecting device and having a radiation sensor which produces an electrical output corresponding to the received radiation. Further, a circuit determines, on a basis of the sensor output, whether the object is located within the first or second range.

Abstract: In the distance measuring system disclosed, light reflected from an object is converted into an electrical signal and processed to detect the distance to the object. Before the distance detecting operation, a signal level detecting operation is carried out in the distance measuring range and the gain of the signal processing or the amount of light for illuminating the object is automatically set for the distance detecting operation.

Abstract: The active automatic focusing apparatus disclosed scans the object to be photographed with light from a light projector and includes a sensor sensing reflected light, a peak detector for detecting the peak value of the signal sensed by the sensor, a control producing a stop signal suitable for stopping focusing movement of the objective lens in accordance with the output of the peak detector, and a stop device for stopping the movement of the objective lens on the basis of the output of the control. A comparator compares the level of the detected signal with that of a preset noise signal so as to produce a first control signal when the level of the detected signal is higher than that of the noise signal. A given distance detector produces a second control signal when the objective lens is moved to a predetermined position corresponding to a distance at which a peak of the detected signal can be detected by the peak detector.

Abstract: In the disclosed automatic focus detection device, two image forming lenses have optical axes fixedly spaced a predetermined distance. Distance measuring elements are arranged near the focal points behind each image forming lens. A holding member holding one of the distance measuring elements is rotated around a shaft outside of the space between the optical axes of the two lenses so as to alter the distance between the distance measuring element and the image forming lens. According to an embodiment, one of the measuring elements is a light source which scans the object through one of the lenses when the holding member is rotated. Rotation of the holding member refocuses the light source throughout its scan.

Abstract: In a mark finder for an auto-focus camera provided with a photographic field mark indicating a picture frame within the field of view of the finder, and a distance measuring area mark indicating the light metering field of a photo-electric in-focus detecting device, the above-described phototgraphic field mark and the above-described distance measuring area mark are formed to be adjustable independently of each other.

Abstract: The disclosed camera is provided with an automatic focus adjusting device for automatically adjusting the focus of an objective lens. A timer circuit, adapted to be actuated in synchronism with the automatic focusing device initiating focus adjustment of the objective lens, sets a predetermined time and inhibits the actuation of a shutter release device for the predetermined time. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter release actuation is controlled in accordance with the logic condition of a focus adjustment completion signal obtained from the automatic focus adjusting device and a time count completion signal produced when the predetermined time has elapsed. In another embodiment of the present invention, a battery voltage detecting circuit prevents shutter release when the voltage of the battery energizing the camera is below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A distance measuring device having a light projector and a light receptor, at least one of which is caused to move so that when the intersection of their optical paths is disposed at an object, its coincidence is detected by the signal generated in the light receptor for measuring the distance from the device to the object based on the triangulation. In order to obtain a clear peak signal, according to the invention, for the light source, use is made of a light energy distribution characteristic which is higher at the marginal zone than at the central zone.

Abstract: A camera having a focus detecting device for automatically detecting a condition of sharpest focus. According to an improvement of the invention, when the brightness level of an object of principal photographic interest becomes so low as not to permit satisfactory operation of the focus detecting device, or when the actual voltage of a battery falls below a satisfactory operating level for the device, a supplementary device can be rendered operative to control setting of a photo-taking lens independently of the focus detecting device, thereby the camera can be focused at an appropriate distance depending upon the size of diaphragm aperture, namely, in a pan-focus position.According to a further improvement of the invention, an exposure control apparatus in the camera is made associated with the aforesaid two devices in a manner to be rendered operative in response to an accomplishment of setting the taking lens.

Abstract: An optical sensor device for use in optical instruments is disclosed. The optical sensor device is provided with an optical sensing region having at least one sensor element responsive to incident light for producing a charge, first and second charge storing regions each having the same number of charge storage elements as that of said sensor elements for accumulating the charges produced from said sensor elements, a first gate region for controlling the transfer of charge from said optical sensing region to said first charge storing region, and a second gate region for controlling the transfer of charges from the optical sensing region to the second charge storing region. Upon alternate application of a voltage to said first and second gate regions, the charges produced from said optical sensing region are alternately accumulated on said first and second charge storing regions.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a focus adjusting device for a camera, particularly a focus adjusting device capable of fine adjustment of the position of the focal plane with ease.One of the characteristic features of the present invention is that the lens barrel is provided with an adjusting member such as a screw in screw-threaded relation thereto, so that all that is necessary to effect a fine adjustment of the initial position of the lens barrel relative to the camera body is to rotate the screw to adjust the length of that portion of the screw which projects outwardly of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A distance detecting device comprising radiation projecting means for projecting a radiation beam; radiation sensing means which is disposed away from the radiation projecting means with a given length and is arranged to receive a reflected radiation beam coming from an object whose distance is to be detected as the radiation beam is projected from the projecting means; and movable means for relatively varying the incident condition of the projected radiation beam onto the sensing means. The distance to the object is found either by the position of the movable means or by the amount of displacement thereof which occurs at a time point at which the sensing means optimally receive the reflected radiation beam coming from the object in the process of relatively varying the incident condition of the projected radiation beam onto the sensing means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an operation detecting device of a camera for detecting the operation of an operation member such as the shutter member. The operation detecting device functions by detecting the electrical signal produced at the time at which a closed magnetic circuit is opened when a magnet operates so as to actuate or release the operation member.