Abstract: A small wearable recall device is provided to capture images triggered by a combination of a detection of a capture condition (e.g., changes in motion, temperature or light level) followed by a relatively stable period, as detected by an accelerometer. By triggering on the combination of a detected capture condition followed by a detected stability condition, a clearer image of the environment of an interesting event is expected to be captured. The small size of the recall device makes it possible to integrate it into common portable consumer products, such as MP3 players, purses, clothing, hats, backpacks, necklaces, collars, and other human-wearable products.

Abstract: A system for controlling a motorized track light system constrained to travel along a track has a control unit coupled to a motor that causes the track light system to move along the track, a plurality of stop sensors strategically disposed along the track, a sensor activation device located on the track light system, the sensor activation device positioned to interface with the stop sensors, and a light sensor for detecting ambient light of a preset level. The system detects a preset level of ambient light, initiating power to the motor of the track light system, moving the lights along the track until the activation device interfaces with a first of the plurality of stop sensors, stopping movement of the track light system along the track for a preset period of time, and at the end of the preset time period, the electrical power is restored to the motor moving the track light assembly along the track to the next of the plurality of stop sensors.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a flash that flashes and a controller. The controller obtains information regarding state of charge of the flash when an operation for preparing a photographic operation is conducted before the photographic operation corresponding to fully depressing a release button, calculates a first time until the flash reaches a charged state where the flash can flash on the basis of the information, calculates a second time after fully depressing said release button, and determines whether the photographic apparatus performs the photographic operation using the flash after the second time has elapsed or the photographic apparatus aborts the photographic operation on the basis of a comparison between the second time and a threshold. The second time is a difference between the first time and an elapsed time from a time point when the first time is calculated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal having a camera function and a method of controlling a photographing process thereof. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile communication terminal comprises two buttons relating to the camera function positioned separately on a main body of the terminal. A first button is a photographing button that captures an image when on-state and a second button is a supporting button, provided the user chooses to activate this function. In this setup, the mobile communication terminal protrudes a camera lens or takes a photograph only when the first and the second buttons are in the on state. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility of dropping the terminal due to carelessness during photography, and to decrease the possibility of damaging the camera lens even when the terminal is dropped on the ground.

Abstract: An image taking device (1), which takes an image of an object by focusing reflected light from the object on an image sensor (212), is provided with a distance measuring sensor (27) for measuring a distance between the object and the image taking device (1), and means for controlling exposure time of the image sensor (212) upon taking an image in accordance with a measurement result.

Abstract: A shutter control apparatus and the method thereof are provided. The shutter control apparatus is suitable for controlling a shutter of a camera apparatus. The shutter control apparatus includes a resistor and a switch. The resistor is coupled between an output terminal and a ground voltage source. The switch is coupled between a voltage source and the output terminal. The switch has a first trigger and a second trigger. The shutter of the camera apparatus is turned on/off by the shutter control apparatus according to the timing between the first trigger and the second trigger of the switch. Thereby, the shutter control apparatus has less component and compactness.

Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.

Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.

Abstract: A camera executes a photographing operation with multiple flashes. The camera includes a photometering unit and a control unit. The control unit controls light emission at a first electronic flash unit which is either built into or externally mounted at the camera and transmits a light signal constituting a preliminary light emission command to a second electronic flash unit provided separately from the camera by engaging the first electronic flash unit in light emission. The photometering unit photometers a subject when the second electronic flash unit executes a preliminary light emission. The control unit allows a photographing operation to be executed if a photometered value detected at the photometering unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An electronic device with a camera function, an electronic device, a photographing control method, a photographing control program, and a processor is provided with a preventive function to block inappropriate photographing such as spy shots. A photographing reporting section (54, 54A, 54B) issues a reporting information for photographing. An information detecting section (58, 58A, 58B) detects this reporting information and a judging section (image output judging section 60) judges, by using the reporting information detected at the information detecting section, whether or not the photographing is permitted, whether or not an image is stored, and whether or not the image is altered.

Abstract: A camera takes two photographs for a single actuation of its shutter release. One of the photographs uses the camera settings specified by the user, and the other photograph uses camera settings automatically selected by the camera. The taking of the second photograph may optionally be disabled by the camera user. The taking of the second photograph may optionally occur only if the user-specified settings differ, or differ significantly from the automatically-determined settings. The camera may optionally be a digital camera.

Abstract: In a camera system according to the invention, a camera body and an interchangeable lens have respective identification data tables that are congruous with each other. As an appropriate data address is indicated to the interchangeable lens by the camera body, an identification data that is stored in the identification data storage section and corresponds to the indicated address is transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. The identification data judging section of the camera body compares the identification data transmitted back from the interchangeable lens and the identification data that is stored in the identification data storage section and corresponds to the address. As a result, it is determined if the dedicated accessory device is mounted on the camera body or not.

Abstract: In a camera system according to the invention, a camera body and an interchangeable lens have respective identification data tables that are congruous with each other. As an appropriate data address is indicated to the interchangeable lens by the camera body, an identification data that is stored in the identification data storage section and corresponds to the indicated address is transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. The identification data judging section of the camera body compares the identification data transmitted back from the interchangeable lens and the identification data that is stored in the identification data storage section and corresponds to the address. As a result, it is determined if the dedicated accessory device is mounted on the camera body or not.

Abstract: A camera is disclosed that includes: a plurality of operating members which is operated to set states of the camera and operating conditions, or to cause the camera to perform operations; a display unit which displays guidance information on the set state of the camera, the set operating condition, and the operating members; and a control circuit which allows setting the state of the camera and the operating condition in accordance with operation of the operating member and prohibiting any image-taking operation, with the guidance information displayed on the display unit. According to the camera of this invention, a photographer can operate various operating members while seeing the guidance information without waste of image-taking operation. The photographer can also perform various settings while seeing the guidance information since setting the state (mode or the like) of the camera or the operating condition is allowed even when the guidance information is displayed.

Abstract: After loading a film cassette into a cassette chamber, a lid of the cassette chamber is closed. Interlocking with the lid, a lid lock member is moved to a lock position to lock the lid. When the lid lock member is moved to the lock position, a shutter lock member allows to operate a shutter release button. When the shutter release button is operated, a shutter is driven and a photo film is advanced. When the lid lock member is moved to an unlock position, the lid is opened. When the cassette chamber is opened, the shutter lock member prevents the operation of the shutter release button to prohibit the advancing of the photo film.

Abstract: In a rotor structure of a spindle motor, an underside of a turntable and a top surface of a rotary yoke are integrated with each other by insert molding to eliminate an air gap therebetween in prior arts to thereby allow a stator assembly within the rotary yoke to increase its thickness and also enhance the rigidity of the integrated components while dimensions of the motor remaining unchanged, moreover, simultaneous integration with any components of a rotary shaft, a chucking magnet and a rotary magnet being advantageous in reduction of the assembling steps.

Abstract: A camera and a camera reset device comprises a liquid crystal display unit that displays the camera setting and/or control state, a mode dial operated to select at least one mode setting position at which a function (P, CSM, ISO or the like) related to or not related to a photographing operation can be selected and set, a command dial operated to select and set the function, a reset operation unit that resets the function to a specific initial state (by depressing an exposure compensation button and a bracketing button at the same time) and an arithmetic operation circuit that indicates a reset by temporarily turning off the display at the liquid crystal display unit or the like when the reset operation unit has been operated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which can inhibit release operations upon abnormalities in operations of a movable lens group, thereby preventing the camera from failing severely. A lens optical system having a movable second lens group is provided within a lens barrel. An error is stored into a CPU if there is a malfunction in a moving operation of the second lens group. Release operations are inhibited if the lens barrel error is stored. Consequently, severe failures can be prevented from occurring due to release operations carried out when the second lens group fails to move appropriately.

Abstract: In a film back exchangeable camera provided with a camera body, an exchangeable film back is removably attached to the camera body. A light shielding member is removably attached to the film back so that the light shielding member prevents a film in the film back from being exposed when the light shielding member is attached to the film back, and so that the film is permitted to be exposed when the light shielding member is removed from the film back.

Abstract: A camera includes an operation member operable for bringing a back lid or a cartridge chamber lid from a closed state into an open state, a lock member arranged to be displaceable between a first position in which the lock member permits an opening operation on the operation member and a second position in which the lock member inhibits the opening operation, and an interlocking member arranged to displace the lock member from the first position to the second position in association with a film beginning to move in a winding direction thereof. The interlocking of the interlocking member with the lock member is cut off in response to the lock member having been displaced to the second position.

Abstract: In a film back exchangeable camera provided with a camera body, an exchangeable film back is removably attached to the camera body. A light shielding member is removably attached to the film back so that the light shielding member prevents a film in the film back from being exposed when the light shielding member is attached to the film back, and so that the film is permitted to be exposed when the light shielding member is removed from the film back.

Abstract: A manual-wind camera having a wind lever in which a film having no sprocket holes is loaded, the film being wound on a take-up spool, frame by frame, by manually operating the wind lever, includes a pulse generator which generates pulses in accordance with movement of the film wound by the wind lever; a rear-cover state detector which detects whether a rear cover of the camera is open or closed; and a control device. The control device determines whether the film is loaded into the camera in accordance with pulses generated by the control device when the wind lever is fully turned from an initial operational position to a maximum operational position thereof.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a distance measurement device having a plurality of distance measurement regions and outputting distance measurement information of each distance measurement region, a light adjustment device having a plurality of light adjustment regions including regions substantially coinciding with the distance measurement regions, and an auxiliary light emitting device for emitting auxiliary light in distance measurement. The auxiliary light emitting device emits auxiliary light when low contrast is detected in at least one of the plurality of distance measurement regions. When auxiliary light is emitted, the flash light emission quantity is controlled based on the distance measurement information in auxiliary light emission and an output from the light adjustment device.

Abstract: A camera is enabled by film present and film door sensor switches to perform dry cycle operation for testing of camera operation only when film is not present and the film door sensor switch indicates that the film door is open. Provision is made to bypass a film rewind operation at the end of a dry cycle test operation.

Abstract: In a camera capable of setting a flash bracketing photo-taking mode in which an amount of light emission by a flash device is increased or decreased by a desired amount with respect to a predetermined value for every shot to be taken using the flash device, a photo-taking operation of the camera is inhibited if a charge voltage of the flash device is lower than a predetermined voltage when the camera is set in the flash bracketing photo-taking mode.

Abstract: A camera for use with a Brownie roll film having a bar code containing data about a roll film, such as a film speed and a roll film type. The bar code is printed on an adhesive tape which secures light-shielding paper to a leading end of a photo filmstrip of the roll film. As soon as the roll film is loaded with its leading end of the light-shielding paper secured to a take-up spool of the camera, the camera starts rotating the take-up spool and, simultaneously, a reflective photo sensor starts scanning. Based on output signal from the photo sensor and the transport amount of the filmstrip, a first frame exposure portion of the filmstrip is automatically positioned behind an exposure aperture. The number ofavailable exposures is derived from the roll film type data read from the bar code, and is displayed on an LCD panel. An automatic exposure control is effected while taking the film speed read from the bar code into consideration.

Abstract: A camera, such as a video camera or other electrically recordable camera, has scale imprintable capabilities and a method for imprinting a scale onto memory storage media. The camera and method imprints, optically or electrically, a standard scale on memory storage media for the purpose of estimating the size of a subject image. A photographic magnification calculation circuit calculates the photographic magnification based on a subject distance, and a reference scale setting circuit sets a reference scale for the purpose of estimating the size of the subject image on the memory storage media regardless of the magnification during picture taking or print size. An imprinting circuit imprints, optically or electrically, the reference scale onto the memory storage media in accordance with the reference scale setting circuit, and only when needed or wanted. The reference scale can be imprinted in a vertical or horizontal direction in accordance with a mode selection switch.

Abstract: The camera has an enlarged macro photographic range and the control method for the camera controls the diaphragm, enlarges the photographic range and takes the photograph of the object a the flash, so that a photograph having a suitable exposure can be obtained. The camera includes a switch block, a motor driving circuit, a micro controller, an automatic distance measuring circuit, a brightness measuring circuit and a strobo.

Abstract: A camera has a finger detecting device for indirectly detecting that a finger rests on an electronic flash and so forth due to unsuitable holding of the camera. The finger detecting device comprises a conductive member and an auxiliary electrode. The conductive member is disposed near the electronic flash and bared to outside of the camera. The auxiliary electrode is connected to the conductive member and disposed in the camera. A detecting electrode faces the auxiliary electrode via an insulating member. The finger is detected on the basis of change of capacity applied to the detecting electrode. Sensitivity of the finger detecting device is improved by changing the size of the auxiliary electrode without enlarging the conductive member. Accordingly, although the bared portion of the conductive member is small, the finger detecting device has a detecting performance which is similar to that of conventional one.

Abstract: An anti-shake camera measures a shaking movement of the camera around at least a first dimension and around a second dimension (e.g., X and Y dimensions). Based on these measured camera shake values, the anti-shake camera generates a forecasted camera shake value for each measured dimension of motion. When both of these forecasted camera shake values achieves a predetermined level, such as zero, within a predetermined time, the anti-shake camera begins an exposure operation.

Abstract: A password protected camera system, comprising a camera incorporating, means for receiving user entered passwords for controlling access to the camera's features and to the film cartridge is disclosed. The camera incorporates circuitry for writing and reading password data to and from the camera film to control access to the film when it is in the camera and when it is removed from the camera. Different levels of access are provided either by multiple passwords, one for each level, or by single passwords, where multilevel access is granted with one password while another password may limit access to just one level.

Abstract: A camera has a camera body being made of an electro-conductive material and a plurality of windows for light-projection or a light intake thereon. At least one of covering members for the windows includes an exposed part being exposed toward an outside of the camera and a hidden part being located in an inside of the camera. A first electrode is attached to the exposed part and a second electrode is attached to the hidden part. When a finger obstructs the window, a detecting means detects a finger obstruction by comparing the electrostatic capacity at the first electrode with that at the second electrode relatively. Then, warning is generated for indicating the finger obstruction by a warning generating means.

Abstract: A camera with a lens barrier is provided with a slide member, which moves together with the lens barrier over a certain range of motion. A locking portion for keeping a shutter button locked and a stopper for limiting the push-down movement amount of the shutter button are integrated in the slide member. When the lens barrier is positioned at a position other than an opening position, the locking portion prevents the shutter button from being pushed down. When the lens barrier is positioned at the opening position, the locking portion moves away from the shutter button so that the shutter button can be pushed down, and the stopper limits the push-down movement amount of the shutter button. Thus, the locking portion for keeping the shutter button locked and the stopper for limiting the push-down movement amount of the shutter button are integrated so that the number of parts can be decreased to simplify the structure and lower the production cost.