Abstract: An image pickup apparatus on which an interchangeable lens is removably mounted, includes an image pickup element configured to perform a photoelectric conversion of an optical image formed via the interchangeable lens, and a controller configured to control a power supply to the interchangeable lens mounted on the image pickup apparatus. When the mounted interchangeable lens is a first type interchangeable lens and a power is turned off, the controller performs an aperture control so as to change a first aperture state set in the interchangeable lens to a second aperture state and then stops the power supply to the interchangeable lens. When the mounted interchangeable lens is a second type interchangeable lens and the power is turned off, the controller maintains the power supply differently from a case where the mounted interchangeable lens is the first type interchangeable lens.

Abstract: A system for aligning a camera view and the illumination of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The system includes a camera contained with a housing and a lighting fixture that is pivotedly attached to the housing. An angle adjuster attached to a proximate end of each of the housing and the lighting fixture converts a linear movement to the adjuster into an angular adjustment of the lighting fixture with regard to an optical axis of a camera contained with the housing. In another aspect of the invention, the system of aligning a camera view and light fixture may be attached to a magnification lenswear and a focal point of the magnification lenswear may be aligned with the aligned camera view and the illumination of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: A micro-iris unit may include: a support member disposed on a transparent substrate to form a fluid accommodating space in a central portion of the transparent substrate; a first fluid provided in the fluid accommodating space; and a second fluid provided in the fluid accommodating space and being movable by an electrical field or electromagnetic force. A side surface of the support member may include flexures or concave-convex portions to allow an area of contact with the first fluid or the second fluid to be significantly increased.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having a light amount adjustment device capable of realizing a high-speed operation and a high-resolution operation. The light amount adjustment device includes a second motor that has a rotor provided with magnetized poles whose number is two times the number of magnetized poles provided in a rotor of a first motor, so that the second motor has a resolution two times higher than that of the first motor. A control unit of the optical apparatus controls the drives of the first and second motors independently of each other. In a high-speed drive mode, the first and second motors are driven simultaneously or only the first motor is driven. In a low-speed drive mode, only the second motor is driven.

Abstract: An aperture control device includes: an aperture first driving member that controls an aperture of a diaphragm through which light flux passes; an aperture second driving member that drives the aperture first driving member; a motor that drives the aperture second driving member; a detection device that detects start of movement of the aperture first driving member caused by the aperture second driving member driven by the motor; and a motor control device that controls an aperture value of the diaphragm by controlling a rotational amount of the motor after the detection device detects the start of movement of the aperture first driving member.

Abstract: An aperture control device includes: an aperture first driving member that controls an aperture of a diaphragm through which light flux passes; an aperture second driving member that drives the aperture first driving member; a motor that drives the aperture second driving member; a detection device that detects start of movement of the aperture first driving member caused by the aperture second driving member driven by the motor; and a motor control device that controls an aperture value of the diaphragm by controlling a rotational amount of the motor after the detection device detects the start of movement of the aperture first driving member.

Abstract: A lens aperture-adjustment device of a closed circuit television camera for capable of switching between automatic and manual adjustments of lens aperture is provided. The device includes a geared motor for driving aperture blades of a lens aperture mechanism; a drive circuit for driving the geared motor in response to a first drive signal for automatic adjustment or a second drive signal for manual adjustment; a comparison circuit for making a comparison between a lightness information signal responsive to the imaging environment and a first reference signal and outputting the first drive signal; a differential amplifier to which a manual adjustment signal entered by an operator and a second reference signal for defining the limit value of the drive amount of the geared motor are input, the differential amplifier for outputting the second drive signal; and a selection circuit for connecting the first drive signal or the second drive.

Abstract: An imaging device for picking up an image of an object via an optical system and recording image information in a recording medium, a driving system for the optical system being controlled according to a position of an operating unit, includes a motor driving an object to be controlled by the driving system, a driver driving the motor, an absolute position detector detecting a relatively-low-resolution absolute position of the operating unit, a relative position detector detecting a relatively-high-resolution relative position of the operating unit, a position generator, and a controller. The position generator generates a position output corresponding to a position in a restricted range of movement of the operating unit using a combination of the detected absolute position and the detected relative position. The controller controls the motor via the driver to drive the object to be controlled according to the generated position output of the operating unit.

Abstract: A lens aperture-adjustment device of a closed circuit television camera for capable of switching between automatic and manual adjustments of lens aperture is provided. The device includes a geared motor for driving aperture blades of a lens aperture mechanism; a drive circuit for driving the geared motor in response to a first drive signal for automatic adjustment or a second drive signal for manual adjustment; a comparison circuit for making a comparison between a lightness information signal responsive to the imaging environment and a first reference signal and outputting the first drive signal; a differential amplifier to which a manual adjustment signal entered by an operator and a second reference signal for defining the limit value of the drive amount of the geared motor are input, the differential amplifier for outputting the second drive signal; and a selection circuit for connecting the first drive signal or the second drive.

Abstract: A highly versatile optical shutter for industrial and scientific applications is disclosed. The has a aperture which defines a light path through the shutter, and a shutter vane or blade that is moved into and out of the light path using a precision, microprocessor controlled motor, such as a stepping motor. Preferably, the motor is mounted on the shutter housing using a shock absorbing material. A control unit associated with the shutter comprises the microprocessor, a motor driver, preferably one which is capable of microstepping the motor, and a non-volatile memory device, such as EEPROM, which stores a plurality of shutter control programs defining different trajectories of the shutter vane. Different programs may be used, for example, to maximize shutter speed or frequency, or to minimize vibrations.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus suitable for fixing an optical unit thereto, and a method for controlling a device in the unit from the apparatus. The apparatus includes: a unit fixing portion for fixing the unit thereto; a driver which runs the device in the unit; a controller which controls the driver and includes a primary controller; and a detector which finds running properties of the driver. The primary controller makes the driver work before an aimed running so as to run the device in the unit up to a set amount in a set timing, and makes the detector find running properties of the driver at the same time. During the aimed running, the controller makes the driver work, referencing to running properties found by the detector.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for moving a lens and adjusting a diaphragm by a driving force supplied by a single drive source, comprising: a transmission mechanism capable of taking a first transmitting condition by which the driving force is transmitted for both adjusting the diaphragm and moving the lens; and a second transmitting condition by which the driving force is transmitted for either adjusting the diaphragm or moving the lens. Both the lens and the diaphragm are driven while the drive source is supplying the driving force to the transmission mechanism taking the first transmitting condition, and either the lens or the diaphragm is driven while the drive source is supplying the driving force to the transmission mechanism taking the second transmitting condition.

Abstract: A photo diode and a resistor are connected to each other in series. A gate of a FET is connected to the connection of the photo diode and the resistor. When a photometry switch is turned on, the photo diode generates a photo current according to a subject brightness. A potential difference is generated between the both terminal of the resistor. When the subject brightness is less than a threshold level, the FET is not turned on because of low potential difference of the resistor. When a subject brightness is equal to or more than the threshold level, the FET is turned on because of high potential difference of the resistor. A first transistor turned to be in a state opposite to the FET and a second transistor turned on and off according the state of the first transistor are provided. When the FET is turned off, the second transistor is turned on, and a solenoid is powered. The solenoid moves a stop plate out of an optical axis such that an exposure is taken through a large stop opening.

Abstract: A control system for an objective of the camera, in particular a film camera, includes one or several drive units for automatically positioning at least one lens ring, e.g., for adjusting the focus position, the opening of the iris diaphragm and/or the focal length. The drive units can be used to adjust the lens ring(s) to a predefined set position. A device coupled to each of the lens rings determines the actual position of the lens rings relative to the objective and converts this position into a measuring output signal.