Abstract: Solid-state imaging devices and cameras using such devices are provided. The devices detect changes in light quantity, directly incident to a light-receiving portion, in real-time and then read light information at an optimum exposure level whenever estimates of the quantity of incident light are difficult to obtain and whenever the quantity of incident light suddenly changes from an estimated value. To such end, the devices include a charge-transfer portion that generates and stores signal charges in response to incident light and then transfers the signal charges, an output portion that outputs the signal charge as an electrical signal, a semiconductor region that generates an optical current in proportion to the quantity of incident light, a shading membrane having an aperture portion formed on the semiconductor region, and a read portion that reads out the optical current, generated by light incident to the semiconductor region through the aperture portion, to the exterior of the semiconductor region.

Abstract: Solid-state image-pickup devices and associated drive methods are disclosed that simultaneously provide an image signal and a motion-detection signal. A representative device comprises an array of multiple pixels that produce pixel outputs according to amounts of light received by individual pixels. A vertical-readout line is provided for each column of pixels. A vertical-scanning circuit sequentially outputs signals from the pixels to the vertical-readout lines in horizontal-line units. Differential-processing circuits subtract out dark signals from image signals. Body-motion-detection circuits output a signal based on the difference between the pixel outputs during a current frame and the pixel outputs during a previous frame. A horizontal-scanning circuit sequentially delivers the outputs of the differential-processing circuits and the body-motion-detection circuits onto respective horizontal-readout lines to simultaneously form an image signal and motion-detection signal.

Abstract: A belt connecting device having a female member and male member engagable with each other; an engaged/disengaged portion of the female member having a substantially U-shaped pinching resilient portion open at a side of a belt connecting portion, having a narrow portion in the middle thereof, and extending substantially on one plane from the other end; an engaging/disengaging portion of the male member having a protruded portion projecting substantially from a rear middle portion of said plate shaped body and at least a belt connecting portion side end face portion thereof having a configuration to be circumscribed by a pinching surface of the pinching resilient portion of the female member; and a substantially C-shaped attachment flange, having a gradually increasing projection, whose rear face engages with a surface attachment face of the pinching resilient portion at an upper end of the protruded portion.

Abstract: A belt connecting device facilitating the engagement and disengagement operation of a male member and a female member and not only facilitating the disengagement even when the belt is stretched, but also not disengaging easily even when the belt is slack is provided. The belt connecting device is composed of a female member and a male member which can engage with and disengage from each other. An engaged/disengaged portion of the female member comprises a substantially U-shaped pinching resilient portion open at a side of a belt connecting portion, having a narrow portion in the middle thereof, and extending substantially on one plane from the other end.

Abstract: A buckle, which comprises a female body and a male body, which may be inserted each other and prevents rocking in right and left directions and clattering of the female body and the male body at the time, is provided. A buckle comprising a female body formed with a flat housing and a male body having a pair of right and left flexible insertion legs, wherein when the female body and the male body are inserted to engage, the butting surfaces between the female body and the male body on a plane, that is, butting portions are formed with horizontal straight portions on both sides of the butting portions as well as a concave portion at the center in female body and a convex portion in the male body, or a convex portion in the female body and a concave portion in the male body continuously formed, so as to join the female body to the male body in the condition closely in contact.

Abstract: A buckle comprises a male member and a female member. The male member is provided with an insertion portion adapted to be inserted into the female member and an insertion hole formed inside of the insertion portion. The female member is provided with a recess in which the insertion portion is to be fitted, and an accommodating portion adapted to communicate with the insertion hole. The accommodating portion is provided therein with an engaging piece swingable in an inserting direction to the insertion hole. The engaging piece is provided with an engaging portion which is to be inserted through the insertion hole. The insertion hole of the male member is formed with a locking surface against which the engaging portion is adapted to abut.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device suitable for use as an element of a photodetector array includes a photodiode for generating a first signal charge in response to incident light, an output unit including a JFET, and at least one transistor having an electrode that generates a second signal charge in response to incident light. The first and second signal charges may be output separately or combined. The second signal charge, or the first and second signal charges combined, may be monitored during an exposure time to determine the desired end of the exposure. An image sensor array may have one or more pixels with such light monitoring capability. The output signal for monitoring the light may be output over a reset drain interconnection, directly from the monitoring pixel or through other pixels via inter-pixel MOSFETS. Exposure time may be controlled, by timing a shutter or a strobe or the like, based on the monitored accumulation of signal charge during exposure.

Abstract: A cord end stopper comprising a male member having an engaging member and a female member having an engaging portion for interlocking engagement with the engaging member, the male member and the female member, when joined, defining therebetween a groove for accommodating a cord, the male members and the female member each having a plurality of cord locking means provided in its inner surfaces within the groove across the cord and disposed in staggered relation to the other's locking means, so as to provide, within the groove a zigzag or sinuous path for accommodating the cord therein.

Abstract: A buckle comprises a male member and a female member adapted to couple with each other. The male member includes a fitting projection provided on a base thereof and the female member has a fitting cavity formed at its one end for fitting engagement with the fitting projection of the male member. A tongue-shaped presser plate and the actuating levers of the female member are substantially coplanar with the front wall and the corresponding side walls respectively, of the female member, when the male and the female member are coupled with each other.

Abstract: An amplification-type solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of picture elements each thereof including a phototransistor. The phototransistor includes a plurality of split gate electrodes to which is applied a voltage for inducing carriers of the same conductivity type as a source region and a drain region in a surface of a semiconductor layer forming a channel. During a resetting period a control voltage is applied simultaneously to all of the split gate electrodes and during a photogenerated charge storage period a control voltage is applied alternately to the split gate electrodes. The occurrence of a dark current due to a boundary surface level present at a boundary surface between an insulator layer and the semiconductor layer is restrained.