Abstract: A retracting mechanism of a zoom lens barrel includes a first through third lens group moving rings; a first linear guide projection formed on the first lens group moving ring to be engaged in a linear guide slot from outside the second lens group moving ring, the first linear guide projection including a hanging groove formed therealong, a rear end of the hanging groove being closed; a second linear guide projection formed on the third lens group moving ring to be engaged in the linear guide slot from inside the second lens group moving ring; and a linear moving key projecting from a front end of the second linear guide projection to be engaged in the hanging groove. A rear moving limit of the third lens group moving ring is determined by contact of the linear moving key with the closed end of the hanging groove.

Abstract: Data used for prediction is selected based on multivariate analysis, and thereby, prediction accuracy is improved. Operation data obtained every wafer processing and processing result data such as thickness of top electrode are stored (collected) in operation data storage sections 202 and a processing result data storage sections and 204, respectively. An analysis processing section 208 makes multivariate analysis with respect to the collected operation data, and thereafter, data used for prediction is selected based on the multivariate analysis. A correlation between the selected operation data and processing result data is found. Based on the correlation, a condition of the plasma processing apparatus or state of an object to be processed as the processing result using operation data when processing wafers other than wafers used for obtaining the correlation.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a cam ring which is driven to rotate; a first lens frame which is positioned around the cam ring, supports a frontmost lens group of a zoom lens system, and includes a first cam follower; a light-shield exterior ring positioned around the first lens frame, and includes a second cam follower; and first and second outer cam grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring so that the first and second cam followers are engaged in the first and second outer cam grooves, respectively. The second cam follower is engaged in the second outer cam groove through a linear guide slot formed on the first lens frame. Zooming ranges of the first and second outer cam grooves are shaped so as to move the first lens frame and the light-shield exterior ring in the same moving path.

Abstract: A lens drive system includes a lens frame having a lens element; a nut member secured to the lens frame, and which are both movable in an optical axis direction without rotating; a feed screw shaft having a male thread portion and a non-threaded portion, the male thread portion being engaged with a screw hole of the nut member; a motor for rotating the feed screw shaft; and a biasing member for biasing the nut member in a first direction toward the male thread portion. When the feed screw shaft is rotated to move the nut member and the lens frame in a second direction toward the non-thread portion, the female thread portion is disengaged from the male thread portion to move onto the non-threaded portion before the lens frame or the nut member abuts against an element of the lens drive system and stops thereby.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a guide barrel, an outer ring, an inner ring, a cam ring and a movable lens frame, arranged in that order from outermost side, wherein the axes thereof coincide with a common optical axis, the outer ring being guided linearly in the optical axis direction by the stationary barrel, the inner ring being linearly guided in the optical axis direction by the outer ring, and the cam ring being rotatable to move the movable lens frame in the optical axis direction; and a lens barrier mechanism having an aperture positioned in front of the movable lens frame, the lens barrier mechanism being provided on a front opening of the inner ring, for opening and closing the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bactericide composition comprising hypochlorous acid or a salt thereof. In particular, the present invention provides a liquid bactericide composition comprising an aqueous solution comprising hypochlorous acid and/or a salt thereof, a surfactant (B) and a pH adjusting agent (C), and having a ph valve in the range of 3 to 8 at 25° C.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for predicting process results of objects being processed in a processing chamber of a processing apparatus, operation data and process result data obtained at the time of processing each of the objects are collected and a multivariate analysis is performed on the basis of the collected operation data and process result data to obtain a first correlation therebetween. Process results are predicted on the basis of the first correlation. Weighting coefficients for the respective operation data are set on the basis of the predicted process results. A second correlation between the weighted operation data and the process result data is obtained by a multivariate analysis. Process results are predicted by using operation data, obtained when objects other than the objects used to obtain the second correlation are processed, on the basis of the second correlation.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, an outer ring, an inner ring, a cam ring and a movable lens frame, arranged in that order from outermost side, wherein the axes thereof coincide with a common optical axis, the outer ring being guided linearly in the optical axis direction by the stationary barrel, the inner ring being linearly guided in the optical axis direction by the outer ring, and the cam ring being rotatable to move the movable lens frame in the optical axis direction; and a lens barrier mechanism having an aperture positioned in front of the movable lens frame, the lens barrier mechanism being provided on a front opening of the inner ring, for opening and closing the aperture.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a cam ring which is driven to rotate; a first lens frame which is positioned around the cam ring, supports a frontmost lens group of a zoom lens system, and includes a first cam follower; a light-shield exterior ring positioned around the first lens frame, and includes a second cam follower; and first and second outer cam grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring so that the first and second cam followers are engaged in the first and second outer cam grooves, respectively. The second cam follower is engaged in the second outer cam groove through a linear guide slot formed on the first lens frame. Zooming ranges of the first and second outer cam grooves are shaped so as to move the first lens frame and the light-shield exterior ring in the same moving path.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism of a zoom lens barrel includes first, second and third lens groups, wherein the first and third lens groups are integrally moved along an optical axis during variation of a focal length, and wherein at least one of the first and third lens groups is moved relative to the other to reduce a distance therebetween when the zoom lens barrel is fully retracted. The retracting mechanism includes first, second and third lens group moving rings; a cam mechanism for independently moving the first and second lens group moving rings; a second lens group support frame; an intermediate member fixed to the second lens group support frame; and a biasing device for biasing the third lens group moving ring away from the first lens group moving ring. The biasing device functions between the intermediate member and the third lens group moving ring.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism of a zoom lens barrel includes a first through third lens group moving rings; a first linear guide projection formed on the first lens group moving ring to be engaged in a linear guide slot from outside the second lens group moving ring, the first linear guide projection including a hanging groove formed therealong, a rear end of the hanging groove being closed; a second linear guide projection formed on the third lens group moving ring to be engaged in the linear guide slot from inside the second lens group moving ring; and a linear moving key projecting from a front end of the second linear guide projection to be engaged in the hanging groove. A rear moving limit of the third lens group moving ring is determined by contact of the linear moving key with the closed end of the hanging groove.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a holder holding an image pick-up device; a stationary barrel having a female helicoid; a gear/helicoid ring including an annular rib, a male helicoid formed on the annular rib and engaged with the female helicoid, and a spur gear formed on the male helicoid; a pinion engaged with the spur gear; a linear guide ring provided around the gear/helicoid ring; a outer circumferential groove formed on the gear/helicoid ring; and bayonet lugs projecting rearwards from the linear guide ring and engaging in the circumferential groove. Rotation of the gear/helicoid ring causes a lens group to move along the optical axis. At least a portion of a rear end of the male helicoid extends rearwards. At least a portion of the rear extension portion overlaps the holder in the optical axis direction when the gear/helicoid ring stops retracting at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel structure includes a first lens frame including an outer ring portion, an inner ring portion, a flange wall, and a first cam follower; a cam ring positioned between the outer and inner ring portions; a second lens frame having a second cam follower, positioned inside the inner ring portion; a first cam groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring, the first cam follower being engaged in the first cam groove; a second cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam ring so that the second cam follower engages in the second cam groove; a linear guide ring, positioned around the first lens frame; and a linear guide mechanism, provided between the inner ring portion of the first lens frame and the second lens frame, for guiding the second lens frame linearly along the optical axis.

Abstract: A light shielding structure of a retractable lens barrel includes a lens system, a lens frame to which a lens group is fixed; at least one movable annular member into which the lens frame is screw-engaged, and which is moved along the optical axis in a predetermined moving manner; a light shield member which is supported by the movable annular member to be movable along the optical axis relative to the movable annular member, and having a rearward movement extremity relative to the movable annular member; and a biasing member which is positioned between the light shield member and the lens frame in a compressed fashion to bias the light shield member toward the rearward movement extremity thereof relative to the movable annular member.

Abstract: A cam mechanism of a lens barrel includes first and second ring members; cam grooves having similar cam diagrams formed on one of the first and second ring members, and cam followers formed on the other thereof. Two groove/follower groups positioned at different positions in a circumferential direction. The cam grooves of one of the two groove/follower groups intersect cam grooves of another of the two groove/follower groups, respectively. One of the following is satisfied: (a) a distance in the optical-axis direction between front and rear groove/follower sets of one of the two groove/follower groups is different from that between the front and rear groove/follower sets of another of the two groove/follower groups, and (b) a distance in the circumferential direction between two front groove/follower sets of the two groove/follower groups is different from that between two the rear groove/follower sets of the two groove/follower groups.

Abstract: A biodegradable plastic composition which can be stably adjusted in biodegradation rate, and has greatly improved resistance to hydrolysis and weather, in particular the former, and durability resulting from the improved resistances; a molded article thereof; and a method for controlling biodegradation rate using the same composition. The biodegradable plastic composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of biodegradable plastic, (B) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a carbodiimide compound and (C) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of benzotriazole-, triazine- and hydroxylamine-based compounds; the molded article thereof; and the method for controlling biodegradation rate using the same composition.

Abstract: An improved electronic speaking document viewer is provided in order that a user can readily use electronic texts in the same manner as reading text images printed on paper. The electronic speaking document viewer accommodates a semiconductor storage card in the form of a detachable card type storage medium and includes a speech synthesis unit for performing speech synthesis on the basis of the intermediate language data stored in the semiconductor storage card, and a synthesized speech outputting unit for outputting the synthesized speech as synthesized by means of said speech synthesis unit. In accordance with the present embodiment, a high quality of synthesized speech is accomplished by the use of the intermediate language data S. The electronic speaking document viewer further comprises a text data display unit for displaying the text data consisting of letters in synchronism with the synthesized speech.

Abstract: A lens drive system includes a lens frame having a lens element; a nut member secured to the lens frame; a feed screw shaft having a male thread portion and a non-threaded portion, the male thread portion engaged with a screw hole of the nut member; an engagement portion formed on the nut member and having a deformable screw-engaging portion engaged with the male thread portion; and a motor for rotating the feed screw shaft. The screw-engaging portion is disengaged from the male thread portion when a large force is applied to the engagement portion in an axial direction. When the linear movement of the lens frame and the nut member is restricted during rotation of the feed screw shaft, the engagement portion remains on the male thread portion of the feed screw shaft while the female thread portion is moved onto the non-thread portion.

Abstract: A focus lens and a zoom lens group having a first zoom lens and a second zoom lens are controlled separately from one another in an internal-focus camera. The positions of the focus lens and the second zoom lens in the zoom lens group are tracked, and are controlled to approach no closer to one another than a minimum safe distance to avert collisions between the focus lens and the second zoom lens.

Abstract: A focus lens and a zoom lens group having a first zoom lens and a second zoom lens are controlled separately from one another in an internal-focus camera. The positions of the focus lens and the second zoom lens in the zoom lens group are tracked, and are controlled to approach no closer to one another than a minimum safe distance to avert collisions between the focus lens and the second zoom lens.