Abstract: In order to provide a method for more efficiently, easily, and accurately detecting asbestos without changing the asbestos detection criterion of the phase-contrast microscope/electron microscope method as compared with the phase-contrast microscope/electron microscope method, a phase-contrast microscope and a fluorescence microscope are used in combination to detect asbestos contained in a test sample after the test sample is made contact with an asbestos-binding protein having a fluorescent label.

Abstract: In order to provide a method for more efficiently, easily, and accurately detecting asbestos without changing the asbestos detection criterion of the phase-contrast microscope/electron microscope method as compared with the phase-contrast microscope/electron microscope method, a phase-contrast microscope and a fluorescence microscope are used in combination to detect asbestos contained in a test sample after the test sample is made contact with an asbestos-binding protein having a fluorescent label.

Abstract: A camera includes: a photographic lens; an image sensor that captures a subject image; a motion detection unit that detects motion of the camera and outputs a detection signal corresponding to an extent of the motion; a position measurement unit that measures a position assumed by the camera by receiving a radio wave originating from an external source; a blur reducing unit that reduces an extent of blurring in a photographic image attributable to motion of the camera in correspondence to the output value indicated in the detection signal output from the motion detection unit; and a position measurement engagement control unit that disallows engagement of the position measurement unit in operation based upon the output value indicated in the detection signal output from the motion detection unit.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: When a customer purchase a custom-made product by selecting individual specifications thereof, a first menu containing appearance specification information about various kinds of appearance image information is displayed at a display section in a customer terminal upon receipt from a manufacturer server, and then a second menu containing all kinds of the interior specifications information corresponding to the selected candidate of the appearance specifications is displayed at the display section upon receipt from the manufacturer server. As a result, it is possible for the customer to select the appearance specification with ease, grasping the appearance of a prospective custom-made product. It is also possible to avoid a misconception between the appearances of the commodity actually purchased and the appearances of the prospective commodity imagined by the purchase applicant upon the selection. The custom-made product (e.g., a personal computer) is put on the market via the Internet.

Abstract: A camera includes: a camera main body; a slide cover that makes a sliding movement between a camera non-operating position, at which, at least, a viewfinder objective lens window, a viewfinder eyepiece window, a function selection unit operated to select camera functions at the camera main body are covered, and a camera operating position at which the viewfinder objective lens window, the viewfinder eyepiece window and the function selection unit are exposed; and a loading unit that allows loading and removal of an image recording medium, regardless of whether the slide cover is at the operating position or the non-operating position.

Abstract: Apparatus such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) for coupling two electronic components that are configured to move relative to each other such as within a multi-part slide-open type camera, multi-part micro-scope, a scanner device, etc., that includes a first end configured to be coupled to a first electronic component, a flexible connecting member emanating from the first end, and a second end at which the connecting member terminates and which is used to connect the flexible connecting member to a second electronic component. The connecting member includes a component surface used to communicate electrical signals between the fist electronic component and the second electronic component. The flexible connecting member has a shape that permits it to extend and retract in directions substantially perpendicular to the component surface. The shape also permits the flexible connecting member to be maintained in a single plane when in a fully retracted state.

Abstract: A camera includes: a camera main body having a lens barrel; and a slide cover that moves relative to the camera main body between a camera non-use position at which the lens barrel, at least, is covered and a camera use position at which the lens barrel is exposed. And a sealed space is formed at the slide cover and a camera component is provided in the sealed space.

Abstract: A camera with a device that opens and closes a light lock door of a film cartridge loaded in the camera includes a drive source that moves a photographing lens barrel, and an opening/closing mechanism that uses the drive source to open and close the light lock door. A moving mechanism moves the photographing lens barrel. A switching mechanism is coupled to the drive source, and transmits a driving force from the drive source to a selected one of the moving mechanism and the opening/closing mechanism. When an inhibiting device inhibits movement of the photographing lens barrel and the movement mechanism of the photographing lens barrel, the switching mechanism transmits the driving force to the opening/closing mechanism for the light lock door.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes at least two lens groups, a linear movement guide tube for guiding a linear movement of the lens groups along the optical axis and a cam tube for reciprocating the lens groups along the optical axis. The guide tube has a guiding portion formed on a film side end portion of the guide tube and extends in parallel with a film surface.

Abstract: A viewfinder device having an optical path for viewing a photographic image includes a plurality of visual field frames. Each of the plurality of visual field frames define a photographic range. In addition, each of the plurality of visual field frames is positioned on one of a plurality of visual field frame display units. The plurality of visual field frame display units have overlapping regions and are positioned on a viewfinder mask member. The viewfinder mask member is movable in the optical path. The overlapping portions of the visual field frame display units reduce an amount of movement necessary to move the viewfinder mask member to position the visual field frames within the optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus that can be loaded with a film cartridge provided with a light-blocking door for opening and closing a film intake/outlet slot, comprises an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the light-blocking door, a cartridge chamber where the film cartridge is housed, a cartridge chamber lid that opens and closes a cartridge insertion access of the cartridge chamber, an operating device that is capable of moving between a non-allowing position at which opening of the cartridge chamber lid is prevented and an allowing position at which opening of the cartridge chamber lid is allowed, and a locking mechanism that becomes displaced to a state in which the operating device is prevented from moving to the allowing position and to a state in which the operating device is free to move to the allowing position, with an operation of the opening/closing mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises a cartridge chamber into which a film cartridge is loaded in the direction of its longitudinal axis, an eject member that can move between a housing position, at which the film cartridge loaded in the film cartridge chamber is held inside the film cartridge chamber, and a take-out position, at which the film cartridge that is loaded is projected out through an insertion opening of the cartridge chamber, a connecting member than can move between a connecting position at which the eject member located at the housing position is prevented from moving to the take-out position and a connection release position at which the eject member is allowed to move to the take-out position, and an indicating mechanism that indicates whether or not the film cartridge is loaded inside the cartridge chamber with the movement of the connecting member.

Abstract: A zoom-type viewfinder device which has a multi-sectioned viewfinder cam which rotates in connection with the zooming of a photographic zoom lens. The viewfinder cam has a cam, with at least one cam bevel, which is divided into a first cam component and a second cam component. The first cam component and the second cam component are joined to connect the respective cam bevels to form a cam bevel which wraps more than once around of the cylinder of the viewfinder cam. As the viewfinder cam is manufactured in multiple segments, each segment can be removed from its forming die in the longitudinal direction of the viewfinder cam, thereby providing smooth zooming and a blur free viewfinder image. Also, the inclinations of cam bevels, which are formed on the viewfinder cam, can be made more gradual, which reduces the required driving force. Therefore, a more compact motor can be used, resulting in a more compact camera.

Abstract: A lens shutter camera has light emitting and receiving sections for obtaining distance information. An optical section for performing photometry in an object field is disposed in a space between the light emitting and receiving sections in an optical axis direction. An electric plate passes the space between the light emitting and receiving sections in the optical axis direction and electrically connects a shutter section provided in a lens barrel and a control section provided outside the lens barrel.

Abstract: A lock device of a camera using a film cartridge having a light-shielding door shiftable between a light-shielding condition for shielding light to a photographic film in the film cartridge and a non-light-shielding condition for enabling the photographic film to be withdrawn from the film cartridge, the lock device comprises a cartridge chamber having an opening portion through which the film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber, a cartridge chamber door being disposed in a shielding position for shielding the opening portion of the cartridge chamber when the light-shielding door of the film cartridge is at least in the non-light-shielding condition, a holding member shiftable between a prohibited position for prohibiting movement of the cartridge chamber door from the shielding position and an allowed position for allowing movement of the cartridge chamber door from the shielding position, and a limiting member for limiting movement of the holding member from the prohibited position to the allowed p