Abstract: A digital camera includes a memory card. The memory card is previously recorded with template image data that has been subjected to conversion of Y-data effective range and JPEG compressing. A CPU expands this template image data by a JPEG method, and then subjects only expanded data greater than a predetermined value to effective-range conversion that is reverse to the above. The CPU composites the template image data thus obtained with photographed image data, thereby creating composite image data.

Abstract: According to this invention, an electronic photographing device in which image information corresponding to one set of images photographed by panoramic photographing can be recorded on a recording medium includes: a rotation direction setting device for setting information corresponding to a rotation direction of the electronic photographing device in the panorama photographing; a rotation direction recording device for recording information corresponding to the rotation direction set by the rotation direction setting device on the recording medium; a control device for controlling an arrangement of the set of panoramic images on the basis of the information corresponding to the rotation direction recorded on the recording medium; and a display device for displaying the set of panoramic images arranged by the control device.

Abstract: An ink cassette includes a first part and a second part each of which has a first end provided with a substantially U-shaped bobbin holder and a second end provided with a similar bobbin holder. Each of the U-shaped bobbin holders has a pair of flexible arms defining a groove in which a pair of protrusions are provided. An ink ribbon set including an ink ribbon and two bobbins is stored in an ink ribbon supply container. The bobbins are supported at the same depth and spaced from each other a distance equal to a spacing between thee first and second parts. The ink cassette is overlaid on the ink ribbon set, with alignment marks aligned, and then the ink cassette is forced into the supply container. The bobbins are inserted past the protrusions into the grooves and are held around their axes by the arms.

Abstract: According to this invention, an electronic photographing device in which image information corresponding to one set of images photographed by panorama photographing can be recorded on a recording medium includes: a rotating direction setting device for setting information corresponding to a rotating direction of the electronic photographing device in the panorama photographing; a rotating direction recording device for recording information corresponding to the rotating direction set by the rotating direction setting device on the recording medium; a control device for controlling an arrangement of the one set of panorama images on the basis of the information corresponding to the rotating direction recorded on the recording medium; and a display device for displaying the one set of panorama images arranged by the control device.

Abstract: A pair of guide grooves are formed to extend parallel with each other on an outer surface of a housing of an electronic image pickup apparatus with a lens opening interposed therebetween. A lens barrier has both end portions engaged with the paired guide grooves and is movable between a close position for closing the lens opening and an open position for opening the lens opening while both end portions are guided by the guide grooves. One of the guide grooves opens in a cross direction crossing a front direction to which a front surface area, in which the lens opening is formed, on the outer surface of the housing, is directed, and the other of the guide grooves opens in the front direction on the outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera has a lens barrier, a mode switching instruction for switching a photography mode, in which an image signal representing an object image fetched by a photographic lens unit is output as a video signal by an image signal processing unit, and a reproduction mode, in which a reproduced signal processing unit is operated to supply the video signal to an LCD monitor, is issued on the basis of an output of a barrier switch to be turned on or off responsive to an opening or closing movement made by the lens barrier. Thus, a user-friendly electronic imaging apparatus enabling ready selection of the photography mode or reproduction mode can be provided.

Abstract: A photographic lens unit having a stepping motor to drive a cam ring that has a cam portion for driving a counter-cam portion of a lens frame for automatic focus of photographic lenses, and projections for driving a diaphragm. The cam ring is rotated for moving the counter-cam portion in an optical-axis direction with the counter-cam portion in contact with the cam portion. Automatic focus of the photographic lenses and photometry are carried out. Thereafter, the cam ring is further rotated so that the projection can bring the diaphragm to an aperture-narrowing state. The cam ring is then rotated reversely for moving the photographic lenses to an automatic focus position. Photographic operations are then carried out. After photography is completed, the diaphragm is reset by moving the counter-cam portion. The photographic lens unit is thus brought to a ready state for subsequent photography.

Abstract: An optical image of an object is incident on a light-receiving unit of a two-dimensional matrix through a photographing lens. An output from the light-receiving unit is input to a first arithmetic logic unit to calculate an actual object brightness value in consideration of an aperture value of an aperture. An output from the first arithmetic logic unit is input to a multiplexer and a neural network. The neural network determines a main part of the object from brightness value pattern as a set of brightness values of the photoelectric transducer elements and outputs a position signal representing the main part. A multiplexer selectively passes only brightness values of the photoelectric transducer elements corresponding to the main part of the object from the outputs from the first arithmetic logic unit.

Abstract: An optical image transmitted through a photographing lens is incident on a light-receiving unit of a two-dimensional matrix. An output from the light-receiving unit is input to a first arithmetic logic unit, and the first arithmetic logic unit calculates actual object brightness values in consideration of an aperture value of an aperture. An output from the first arithmetic logic unit is supplied to a multiplexer and a neural network. The neural network determines a main part of the object from a pattern of brightness values of the respective photoelectric transducer elements and outputs a position signal of the main part. The multiplexer selectively passes the brightness value of the photoelectric transducer element corresponding to the main part of the object from the outputs generated by the first arithmetic logic unit. An output from the multiplexer is supplied to a second arithmetic logic unit.

Abstract: A motor driven camera includes a plurality of motors for independently driving individual actuators of a camera such as film winder, shutter charger, a drive associated with a movable reflecting mirror and diaphragm driver. In addition, the camera includes a storage battery, a drive circuit for feeding the power from the battery to the plurality of motors, and a controller which controls the drive circuit. In accordance with the invention, a film winding rate or the rotational speed of a motor which performs a shutter charging operation or the speed of operation of the movable reflecting mirror or the voltage of the power supply is detected, and the plurality of motors are automatically switched between the concurrent drive and the sequential drive in accordance with the detected value. Subsequent to the switching, either drive to which the operation is switched is maintained.

Abstract: A diaphragm apparatus is disclosed including a piezoelectric actuator of bimorph type. A drive circuit associated with the actuator applies a voltage corresponding to a diaphragm aperture which is calculated in accordance with a photometric value to the actuator to produce a displacement thereof, which is transmitted through a diaphragm operating member to open or close diaphragm blades so as to control a diaphragm aperture. The drive circuit applies a reset voltage which resets the diaphragm blades to a predetermined reset condition, to the piezoelectric actuator, and after the resetting operation, it applies a voltage corresponding to a given diaphragm aperture to the piezoelectric actuator.