Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for use in, for example, a camera, includes an image pickup device, an image pickup operation start switch, a recorder, a detector, an image pickup driver, and a controller. The image pickup device can be a CCD for converting an optical image to an electric signal. The image pickup operation start switch starts an image pickup operation in response to a manual operation. The recorder performs a predetermined signal processing of an electric signal provided by the image pickup device and records the processed electric signal on a recording medium driven with a predetermined speed. The detector detects whether a stable speed state of the recording medium is attained. The image pickup driver drives the image pickup device on the basis of a first reference signal for regular image pickup or a second reference signal corresponding to an operation state of the recorder.

Abstract: An image sensing apparats comprises a plurality of image sensing devices, a beam splitter for supplying an image of an object to the plurality of image sensing devices, and a plurality of shutters, each of which is disposed between the beam splitter and a respective one of the plurality of image sensing devices. The shutters are arranged to travel in the same direction relative to the image of an object formed on each of the plurality of image sensing devices and a detector is provided for detecting that all of the plurality of shutters means are in a full open state.

Abstract: A shutter device for a still video camera comprises first and second shutter blades, a latch member and an unlatch member. The latch member latches the first blade at its moved position where an image pickup element is exposed to an image light. The first blade is kept latched for a preparatory exposure to correct a set exposure value on the basis of the output of the pickup element or for picking up a motion picture. The unlatch member releases the latching of the first blade. In one embodiment, the unlatch member is provided on the second blade to unlatch the first blade when the second blade is moved to terminate the exposure. In other embodiments, the unlatch member includes an electromagnet to unlatch the first blade.A still video camera comprises a view finder mirror and a mirror operating mechanism. The mechanism includes a motor and is arranged to retract and return the mirror relative to an optical path by utilizing a normal and a reverse rotation of the motor, respectively.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus is arranged to have the image of one and the same object received by a plurality of image sensing devices through shutters discretely arranged in pairs with these image sensing devices respectively. The apparatus is provided with a synchronizing circuit for synchronizing exposure timings of these shutters.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes an image sensor; a photometric element which is arranged separate from the image sensor to measure light with a diaphragm aperture fully opened; a storing time control circuit arranged to variably control the storing time of the image sensor; a circuit arranged to form exposure control information from the output of the image sensor on the basis of the output of the photometric element at least under a condition in which the storing time is controlled by the storing time control circuit; and an exposure control circuit arranged to control the exposed condition of the image sensor on the basis of the exposure control information.

Abstract: A shutter device for a still video camera comprises first and second shutter blades, a latch member and an unlatch member. The latch member latches the first blade at its moved position where an image pickup element is exposed to an image light. The first blade is kept latched for a preparatory exposure to correct a set exposure value on the basis of the output of the pickup element or for picking up a motion picture. The unlatch member releases the latching of the first blade. In one embodiment, the unlatch member is provided on the second blade to unlatch the first blade when the second blade is moved to terminate the exposure. In other embodiments, the unlatch member includes an electromagnet to unlatch the first blade.A still video camera comprises a view finder mirror and a mirror operating mechanism. The mechanism includes a motor and is arranged to retract and return the mirror relative to an optical path by utilizing a normal and a reverse rotation of the motor, respectively.

Abstract: An image sensing device comprises image sensing apparatus for converting an optical image into an electrical signal; shutter apparatus for blocking light incident upon the image sensing apparatus; periodic signal generating apparatus for forming periodic signals which are produced for periodically reading the electrical signal of the image sensing apparatus; a switch for giving an instruction to operate the shutter apparatus; first timer apparatus to operate in response to a predetermined periodic signal produced after the switch is operated; and shutter driving apparatus which begins to operate for opening the shutter apparatus after the lapse of a predetermined time counted by the timer apparatus. The device is capable of cancelling a delay in the operation of the shutter apparatus, etc. by the first timer apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic still/motion picture photography system including an optical-electronic transducer for producing electrical signals responsive to an optical image, a light information control member, such as a diaphragm, for controlling the state of light information incident on the transducer, a discriminating circuit for discriminating the state of light information as it is controlled by the light information control member, a drive source responsive to the output of the discriminating circuit for driving the light information control member, a recorder for recording the output of the transducer, an indicating switch for indicating the amount of output representing the exposed image to be recorded by the recorder, and a operating circuit responsive to the output of the indicating switch for changing the driving characteristics of the drive source.

Abstract: A video recording camera having a movable head and actuating apparatus for controlling an exposing state of an image pick-up apparatus, wherein the internal structural arrangement of the camera is simplified for a head shifting apparatus and for a charging apparatus which accumulates an urging force for the actuating apparatus. This arrangement results in a reduction in size of the video recording camera. This arrangement enables a successive shot function in addition to a single shot function, and causes the head to shift to a position on a recording medium coinciding with a position indicated by an indicating member on the recording medium container while inhibiting power from being supplied to other operating systems of the camera until the coincidence is achieved.

Abstract: A diaphragm device having a plurality of blades defining an aperture opening whose size is varied by a stepwise drive. For the adjustment of the size to small values, the driving of the diaphragm blades is controlled in such a manner that they are first driven excessively by at least one step and then backward by the corresponding number of steps to that excess.

Abstract: An electronic still/motion picture photography system includes an optical-electronic transducer for producing electrical signals responsive to an optical image, a light information control member such as a diaphragm for controlling the state of the light information incident on the transducer, a discriminating circuit for determining the state of the light information as it is controlled by the light information control member, a drive source responsive to the output of the discriminating circuit for driving the light information control member, a recorder for recording the output of the transducer, an indicating switch for indicating the amount of output representing the exposed image to be recorded by the recorder, and a computer circuit responsive to the output of the indicating switch for changing the driving characteristics of the drive source.

Abstract: An exposure control apparatus including a diaphragm for controlling the exposure amount on a focal plane, a light metering element for measuring the light passing through an aperture opening of the diaphragm, a servo control circuit for servo controlling the size of the aperture opening by the output of the light metering element, and a signal forming circuit receptive of the output of the light metering element for producing an output signal for controlling the light amount of a flash device.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus having an image sensor which converts an optical image of an object into an electrical signal, a view finder for monitoring the optical image equivalent to the image incident on the image sensor, an optical member arranged in the path of light incident on the image sensor to selectively guide the light to the image sensor and also to the view finder, an exposure member which is at least partially disposed in between the object and the optical member and is arranged to control an exposure and a light receiving element which is arranged separately from the image sensor, a control circuit is arranged to cause the light receiving element to form a first photometric information when the optical member guides the optical image to the view finder; to control the exposure member on the basis of the first photometric information while the optical image is led to the image sensor by the optical member; to cause, after that, the image sensor to form a second photometric information; and aga

Abstract: The disclosed shutter time switching device for a rotary shutter is provided with a stepping motor for controlling the opening angle of the rotary shutter. The device includes a driving mechanism for driving the stepping motor in a two-phase driving mode when switching between relatively high shutter speeds and in a single-phase driving mode when switching between relatively low shutter speeds. Optimum responsivity of the switching operation is thus obtained. The stepping motor is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction which is reverse to the first direction. To solve the problem of hysteresis of the motor, the device is provided with a further drive mechanism for driving the stepping motor in the first direction at least one step before a desired step position, regardless of whether the motor has been driven in the first or second direction for switching the shutter speed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for use with a recording medium including a detecting device for detecting whether the recording medium is applicable for information recording and a preventing device responsive to the detecting device for preventing the recording medium from being loaded on a loading station when the recording medium is not applicable for information recording.

Abstract: An image sensing system having an image sensing part for sensing the image of an object to be photographed, two shutter blades which block image light, two motors arranged to drive the two shutter blades respectively and a control circuit arranged to keep a turning phase difference unvarying between the two motors.

Abstract: An exposure control apparatus including a diaphragm for controlling the exposure on a focal plane, a light metering element for measuring the light passing through an aperture of the diaphragm, a servo control circuit for controlling the size of the aperture in response to the output of the light metering element, and a signal forming circuit receptive of the output of the light metering element for producing an output signal to control the amount of light of a flash device.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a solid-state image sensor which converts the image of an object to be photographed into an electrical signal; a shutter which controls a length of time which the image sensor is allowed to irradiate with an image bearing light flux; a storage time control circuit which controls the electric charge storing time of the image sensor; and a setting circuit for setting an exposure time. The setting circuit controls the exposure time by selectively using either the storage control circuit or the shutter in accordance with the output thereof.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus adapted for taking both motion pictures and still pictures includes a diaphragm which controls the quantity of light coming from an object to be photographed to a light receiving part; a first control circuit which variably controls the aperture value of the diaphragm while keeping the diaphragm in an open state; and a second control circuit which performs a control function to open and close the diaphragm.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens barrel includes connection terminals on a part of the lens barrel for sending and receiving electrical signals to and from a photographic apparatus. The lens barrel part is provided with a mechanism for protecting the connection terminals by covering the terminals when the lens barrel is removed from the photographic apparatus. When the lens barrel is mounted on the photographic apparatus, the protecting mechanism is retracted from the terminals to allow for connection with corresponding terminals on the photographic apparatus.