Abstract: An optical attachment configured to be operably attached to the image side of an objective lens to reduce the focal length and focal ratio of the objective lens. The focal-reducing attachment includes four lens elements and has a magnification of between 0.5 and 1. The focal-reducing lens can work with objective lenses having relatively large working distances for a large format size as well as with cameras having a smaller format size and relatively small permissible working distance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improvement of a marking light device for the emission of a standard light plane in, for example, a horizontal or a vertical direction. The aim of the marking light device is essentially to be able to produce a continuous standard light plane that has a higher accuracy than conventionally produced standard light planes. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a method for producing a planar standard light plane by means of a marking light device.

Abstract: An optical attachment configured to be operably attached to the image side of an objective lens to reduce the focal length and focal ratio of the objective lens. The focal-reducing attachment includes four lens elements and has a magnification of between 0.5 and 1. The focal-reducing lens can work with objective lenses having relatively large working distances for a large format size as well as with cameras having a smaller format size and relatively small permissible working distance.

Abstract: A frame supports heat exchangers one in front of another in the direction of flow of cooling air, and includes two vertical walls interconnected by transverse walls, cross braces between the walls, and fastening points on the walls adapted to fasten the heat exchangers to the frame. Outwardly extending bulging sections in the vertical walls include an outer portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle support members to support the frame thereon, and an inner portion defining a space between vertical wall sections above and below the bulging section for receive projecting components of at least one heat exchanger. Connectors connect each of the fastening openings to the aligned flange openings, with the connectors including a head and a stem with an expandable end opposite the head retaining the connectors in the aligned openings. Hooks support the heat exchangers in the direction of air flow, with the connector stems supporting against at least some forces transverse to the direction of air flow.

Abstract: A frame supports heat exchangers one in front of another in the direction of flow of cooling air, and includes two vertical walls interconnected by transverse walls, cross braces between the walls, and fastening points on the walls adapted to fasten the heat exchangers to the frame. Outwardly extending bulging sections in the vertical walls include an outer portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle support members to support the frame thereon, and an inner portion defining a space between vertical wall sections above and below the bulging section for receive projecting components of at least one heat exchanger. Connectors connect each of the fastening openings to the aligned flange openings, with the connectors including a head and a stem with an expandable end opposite the head retaining the connectors in the aligned openings. Hooks support the heat exchangers in the direction of air flow, with the connector stems supporting against at least some forces transverse to the direction of air flow.

Abstract: An image capture device including an economical, simplified and compact zoom lens barrel including a guide rib is provided. The zoom lens barrel includes at least first and second lens groups, therein. The position of the second lens group along the optical axis is determined by a feature of the internal surface of the zoom lens barrel.

Abstract: A parallax compensation system and method is provided for a camera including an independent viewfinder. For close focus pictures, the camera's taking lens is shifted towards the viewfinder. In one embodiment, for far focus pictures the camera's taking lens is moved away from the viewfinder and is not centered on the image recording medium axis. The lens shifting is accomplished by mounting the taking lens eccentrically in a lens barrel. Rotation of the lens barrel shifts the taking lens towards the independent viewfinder for close focus shots. In one embodiment, the viewfinder axis is tilted towards the taking lens to help eliminate parallax in close focus pictures.

Abstract: An image capture device is provided which performs a combination of digital and optical zoom techniques to achieve high levels of zoom without sacrificing image quality. In a first embodiment, an opto-digital lens system is provided including a wide angle lens and a normal lens, the transition between which is smoothed using moderate digital zooming. Starting from the wide angle fixed optical length, the processor may be used to digitally zoom the captured image. At a predetermined point during the digital zoom operation, the normal lens is placed into the optical path and the processor again digitally zooms the beginning.

Abstract: A parallax compensation system and method is provided for a camera including an independent viewfinder. For close focus pictures, the camera's taking lens is shifted towards the viewfinder. In one embodiment, for far focus pictures the camera's taking lens is moved away from the viewfinder and is not centered on the image recording medium axis. The lens shifting is accomplished by mounting the taking lens eccentrically in a lens barrel. Rotation of the lens barrel shifts the taking lens towards the independent viewfinder for close focus shots. In one embodiment, the viewfinder axis is tilted towards the taking lens to help eliminate parallax in close focus pictures.

Abstract: A camera viewfinder reflector for directing light from an indicator outside the line-of-sight of the viewfinder into the viewfinder is provided. The reflector may be combined with an existing element of the camera assembly, such as a leaf spring, or may comprise a separate, distinct reflector component. Light from an indicator on the pc-board of the camera is reflected from a portion of the reflector that is located in the viewfinder at the periphery of the viewfinder lens assembly in fixed optical alignment with the ocular lens of the viewfinder.

Abstract: A dual-purpose camera viewfinder is provided. The viewfinder is operable in a framing mode and in a review mode. In the framing mode, the camera provides a direct line-of-sight through the viewfinder for live viewing. In the review mode, an angled flipping mirror is raised into the viewfinder line-of-sight and permits the user to view stored images reflected from an internal display through the viewfinder ocular lens. A loupe lens magnifies the image from the display and directs the image to the angled flipping mirror. Additionally, entering the review mode closes an electrical circuit that signals the processor to selectively power the display and to control the display of the stored images.

Abstract: An overdrive protection system and method for a mechanical assembly is provided. A cam gear is provided for driving a part. The cam gear includes a cylindrical outer surface is bounded on one end by a gear drive portion and on the other end by a cam face including a cam wedge. Additionally a cam groove is defined on the cylindrical outer surface of the cam gear, the cam groove engaging a cam follower on the driven part. Rotational movement of the cam gear is translated into a resultant linear movement of the part. At a predetermined position during the rotation of the cam gear, the cam wedge closes a switch, stopping the rotation of the cam gear preventing over rotation of the cam gear. A bias mechanism, such as a leaf spring, may be provided to prevent over rotation of the part driven by the cam gear.

Abstract: A camera viewfinder reflector for directing light from an indicator outside the line-of-sight of the viewfinder into the viewfinder is provided. The reflector may be combined with an existing element of the camera assembly, such as a leaf spring, or may comprise a separate, distinct reflector component. Light from an indicator on the pc-board of the camera is reflected from a portion of the reflector that is located in the viewfinder at the periphery of the viewfinder lens assembly in fixed optical alignment with the ocular lens of the viewfinder.

Abstract: The camera of this invention includes an improved shutter system that has the same shutter waveform when a flash is employed and when a flash is not employed. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter system includes a shutter that is rotatably mounted to the camera and a shutter opening over which the shutter blade is disposed. A slidable plate in which a first aperture and a second aperture are disposed is coupled to the camera, so that the first aperture is disposed between the first shutter opening and the lens of the camera prior to taking a picture with the camera. The first aperture is preferably smaller than the second aperture. When a picture is taken, the shutter blade moves to uncover the shutter opening, and when the shutter opening is uncovered the shutter blade causes the slidable plate to slide with respect to the shutter opening so that the second larger aperture is disposed between the shutter opening and the camera lens.

Abstract: The camera of this invention preferably includes a combined film advance/rewind mechanism for advancing film from a film cassette to a film path and to a film spool and for rewinding film into the cassette after the film has been exposed within the film path. The combined film advance mechanism preferably thrusts film from the film cassette in order to begin the loading process and then pulls the film to wind it around the film spool after the film has been thrusted to the film spool. Preferably, the combined film advance/rewind mechanism is manually operated and can be operated either to advance film or rewind film. Further the combined film advance/rewind mechanism preferably has an interlock that prevents thrusting of the film when the combined film advance/rewind mechanism is in a rewind position and rewinding film the combined film advance/rewind mechanism is in an advance position.

Abstract: A compact through-the-lens digital camera comprising an objective lens unit, an image sensing device, an internal display device, an eye lens unit, an optical system, control and processing circuitry, function select controls, and an external interface. The optical system is switchable between an image framing mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the objective lens unit to the eye lens unit, an image capture mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the objective lens unit to the image sensing device, and an image review mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the display device to the eye lens unit.

Abstract: The camera of this invention may include a first viewfinder lens disposed in the front of the camera and a second viewfinder lens disposed in the back of the camera. Preferably, these viewfinder lenses are affixed to the camera and are non-moveable. A camera of this invention may further include a flash that is moveable between a stored position and an operable position. The stored position is preferably defined by a viewfinder air space and is defined at least in part by a space between the first and second viewfinder lenses. In its operable position, the flash moves relative to the viewfinder air space so that a camera user can focus on an object whose picture is being taken through the viewfinder lenses. The camera may further include a lens and a lens cover. The lens cover is preferably moveable between a covered position, in which it covers the lens and an uncovered position, in which it does not obstruct the path of light through the lens.

Abstract: The camera of this invention includes a parking mechanism that ensures a visual exposure indicator of an APS film cassette is in the parked position prior to removing the film cassette from the camera. The camera may include a rotatable wheel that rotates in order to move the film between a film cassette compartment, a film exposing area and a film spool. In a preferred embodiment, the parking mechanism includes a pin that engages the rotatable wheel after the film has been rewound into the film cassette and the wheel has been rotated sufficient distance to ensure that the visual exposure indicator moves to the parked position. When the pin engages the rotatable wheel, the pin prevents further rotation of the rotatable wheel. This indicates to the camera user that the visual exposure indicator is in the park position. The wheel may include a cam slot into which the pin travels as the film is being rewound into the film cassette.

Abstract: The camera of this invention preferably includes a rewind interlock that prevents the double exposure of film. Preferably, the camera of this invention is an Advanced Photo System (APS) camera that employs APS film. Such APS film may be contained in a film cassette that has a light lock door. The rewind interlock prevents thrusting or pulling a frame of film from the film cassette after that frame of film has been exposed and rewound into the film cassette. This prevents the accidental double exposure of a frame of film. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the rewind interlock prevents thrusting or pulling film from a film cassette after all of the film has been rewound into the film cassette. Preferably, the rewind interlock prevents the thrusting or removing of exposed film from a film cassette.

Abstract: A camera has a barrier assembly that comprises an integrated lens cover/light hood, and a rotatable door. The assembly is movable between an open and a closed position. The assembly functions as a protective barrier for the camera's picture-taking lens when disposed in the closed position. The door is located within an aperture defined by the lens cover/light hood when the assembly is closed. The door rotates away from the aperture as the assembly translates to the open position. The aperture is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the picture-taking lens as the assembly reaches its open position, thereby allowing ambient light to reach the picture-taking lens. The lens cover/light hood isolates the lens from ambient light outside the field of view of the lens when the assembly is in its open position.