Abstract: In a camera system including an electronic flash apparatus, a main capacitor of the flash apparatus is charged for a predetermined time interval, in response to a preparatory operation such as a first stroke of a release button. During this time interval, operation of an automatic distance measuring device, an automatic exposure controlling device and an object luminance discriminating circuit is prevented. A warning device warns a photographer that the main capacitor is insufficiently charged. Several voltage detectors detect different voltage levels of the main capacitor and produce detection signals for inhibiting the operation of the warning device and/or preventing further charging of the main capacitor.

Abstract: In a camera system including an electronic flash apparatus, a main capacitor of the flash apparatus is charged for a predetermined time interval, in response to a preparatory operation such as a first stroke of a release button. During this time interval, operation of an automatic distance measuring device, an automatic exposure controlling device and an object luminance discriminating circuit is prevented. A warning device warns a photographer that the main capacitor is insufficiently charged. Several voltage detectors detect different voltage levels of the main capacitor and produce detection signals for inhibiting the operation of the warning device and/or preventing further charging of the main capacitor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a zooming control device for a camera, enabling photographing with a constant magnification of an object, and still avoiding overflowing of an object from the photographed frame in zooming of the lens. The frame is divided into plural areas, and there is discriminated whether an object is present only in the central area, or also in the peripheral area or areas. In the former case the lens is zoomed to achieve a preset image magnification, but, in the latter case, the zooming is limited in order to avoid overflowing of an object from the frame.

Abstract: An active distance measuring apparatus is equipped with a light projector for projecting modulated light to an object, a photoreceptor for receiving the modulated light reflected from the object and generating an alternating signal corresponding to the distance to the object, and a signal processing circuit for generating distance data from the alternating signal. The signal processing circuit is constituted by high level detecting means for detecting the high level value of the alternating signal, low level detecting means for detecting the low level value of the alternating signal, and an operation means for calculating distance data from the difference of both level values.

Abstract: A device for flowing a driving current to a motor to drive the motor comprises a capacitor and means responsive to the charging current flowing into the capacitor to supply the driving current to the motor. The responsive includes charging means for supplying the charging current to the capacitor and means for discharging the charge charged in the capacitor during the supply of the driving current to the motor.

Abstract: In a camera provided with a flash unit, a device for limiting the preparatory operation for flashlight emission of said flash unit comprises metering means for detecting that the brightness of an object to be photographed is lower than predetermined brightness and producing a detection signal, means operable to start photographing, the operable means having a first operation stage for producing a first signal and a second operation stage for producing a second signal subsequently to the first operation stage, the photographing being started in response to the second signal, and means including timer means responsive to the first signal to count a predetermined time set shorter than the time required from after the first signal is produced until photographing is started in response to the second signal, said means causing the flash unit to effect the preparatory operation for flashlight emission in response to the detection signal of the metering means produced while the timer means is effecting the time count

Abstract: A mounting structure for use with an electronic timepiece comprises a quartz crystal unit disposed within an opening formed in a circuit board and arranged so that the major lengthwise axis of the crystal unit lies parallel with the major plane of the circuit board. A connector formed of heat-deformable material connects the crystal unit to the circuit board and has a cup-shaped portion at one end which is clamped over and supports an end portion of the crystal unit, and a mounting stud at the other end which is inserted through a hole in the circuit board and secured thereto by heat-deforming the end tip of the stud which projects beyond the circuit board to form an enlarged head.

Abstract: A ceramic trimmer capacitor comprising a cylindrical casing, a stator and a rotor comprising a rotor casing and a dielectric assembly consisting of a disk-shaped ceramic dielectric member, a semicircular dielectric layer formed upon the upper surface of the dielectric member and having a low dielectric constant less than 20 and a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially equal to the dielectric member and a rotor electrode formed on the whole surface of the dielectric member including the semicircular dielectric layer, the dielectric assembly being inserted into the rotor casing and electrically and mechanically connected thereto; the stator and the rotor being placed in the cylindrical casing and resiliently supported. Stray capacitance is almost negligible; the variable capacitance range may be considerably improved; and the mechanical strength may be increased. The ceramic trimmer capacitor is especially adapted to be used in an electronic watch.

Abstract: Visual time indicator suitable for incorporation in a watch or other time measuring devices comprising a dial made of a sheet of plate and concentrically divided into two zones: an inner zone and an outer zone, and hands to indicate hours, minutes and seconds. The hand for seconds has a long arm and a short arm which radially extend from a center of the dial to an opposite direction, respectively. The inner zone of the dial is provided with a graduation for the short arm of the second hand while the outer zone thereof is also provided with a progressive graduation for the long arm of the second hand, minute hand and hour hand. The graduation of the inner zone is started from a dial down position to a counterclockwise direction, whereby the graduation and the short arm of the second hand serves as a minute timer.