Abstract: An arrangement for determining an amount of light reaching an image sensor of a video camera, the video camera comprising an imaging lens system guiding a beam path towards an image sensor, wherein the arrangement comprises a transparent probing element through which the beam path passes on its way to the image sensor, and a light sensor arranged in an end of the transparent probing element. The light sensor is arranged to collect light being scattered or reflected in the transparent probing element.

Abstract: An optical lens has a light sensing die integrated into the optical lens. The optical lens is extended compared to a spherical optical lens such that the optical lens is elongated in order to allow for placement of the ambient light sensing die without causing any blocking or distortion of the optical lens. The shape of the optical lens and the placement of the ambient light sensing die is compensated for the change in shape compared to a spherical optical lens thus allowing for correct focal length parametrics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier that is adapted to rest upon a table. The magnifier includes an articulated camera arm that permits an associated camera to be pointed in a number of different directions. This permits the camera to focus upon, and enlarge, both distant and nearby objects. The magnifier also includes pivotal support legs. The legs have a first locked position to support the magnifier upon a table and a second position wherein the legs are locked in position adjacent the housing of the magnifier. This permits the magnifier to be readily transportable and stowable to accommodate the needs of the user.

Abstract: Adapter (3, 5) for processing electrical signals in an installation comprising a video camera equipment (1) and a remote equipment (7). A first aim of the present invention is to provide an adapter system which allows automatically providing an output video signal that is co-timed to the master timing reference of the remote equipment. A second aim of the invention is to provide an adapter system which improves the security of the installation when power for the camera is transmitted by the remote equipment.

Abstract: A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a body to which a lens barrel is attached, a grip portion fixed onto the body, the grip portion including a handle to be gripped in holding the body, an extension that extends from the handle to a object side, and a projection that upwardly projects from the extension, and a tally lamp unit formed on a top surface of the projection and a rear surface of the projection which is a surface opposite to an object.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a diffuser defining a camera lens hole in a top portion of said diffuser, said diffuser adapted to receive at least one set of low angle lights; and a plurality of lights mounted on said diffuser in proximity to said camera lens hole.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform and a controller. The movable platform has an imager that captures an optical image through a taking lens, and is movable and rotatable on an xy plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. The controller calculates an inclination angle of the photographic apparatus, which is formed by rotation of the photographic apparatus around the optical axis, as measured with respect to a level plane perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, and performs a controlled movement of the movable platform for an inclination correction based on the inclination angle. The controller calculates the inclination angle but stops the controlled movement when the photographic apparatus is set to a sleep mode.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an illuminating apparatus, configured to uniformly illuminate a surface of an object, and includes a light-guiding member configured to guide light emitted from a source to a surface to be illuminated, and a reflecting member disposed between the light-guiding member and the surface to be illuminated. The reflecting member includes a pair of reflection surfaces disposed so as to face each other in a long side direction of the surface to be illuminated, and reflects light emitted from the light-guiding member in directions having directional components parallel to a short side direction of the surface to be illuminated toward the surface to be illuminated.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising covering a camera lens with a light pipe adapted to: substantially encircle at least a portion of a camera lens that is adapted to focus an image representing an object of photographic interest; extend from a proximal region of said light pipe located substantially adjacent a plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest, the plurality of lighting elements located, relative to the object of photographic interest, substantially adjacent a base of the camera lens and substantially behind a face of the camera lens; and convey light from the plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus applies uniform light beams having a fixed angle distribution as illumination light to obtain illumination having a uniform light distribution. The illumination apparatus includes a light source and an optical member having an incidence surface on which light is made incident and an emission surface through which the light made incident on the incidence surface is emitted as illumination light. The optical member further has a light direction conversion surface disposed so as to face the emission surface for, while regulating a traveling direction of light made incident on the incidence surface within the optical member, and guiding the light to the emission surface. The optical member also has a plurality of prism-like portions each having a total reflection surface and a reincidence surface continuously formed in the light direction conversion surface.

Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed which enables efficient use of luminous flux and achieves a desired light emission characteristic. The light-emitting device has an optical member which has an emergence surface and a plurality of optical portions, each of the optical portions including a first surface which directs light incident thereon to the emergence surface. The plurality of first surfaces are inclined on the same side with respect to the emergence surface. The light-emitting device also has a light guiding member which directs light from a light source to the plurality of optical portions from one side of a direction in which the plurality of optical portions are arranged.

Abstract: A light tunnel with a gradient filter layer includes a light tunnel body and a gradient filter layer. In this case, the gradient filter layer is disposed at a light emerging side. The transmission rate at the central area of the gradient filter layer is smaller than the transmission rate at the edge area of the gradient filter layer.

Abstract: A ring illuminator (20) has a light channeling section (22) with an input face (24) optically coupling the light channeling section (22) to a flash unit (16) of a camera (12) for obtaining flash illumination therefrom. A ring section (26) is optically coupled to the light channeling section and extends around an aperture for fitting the ring illuminator around a lens (14). The ring section has a rear surface (30) for positioning toward the body of the camera. The rear surface has a plurality of light redirecting features (28) for redirecting at least a portion of the flash illumination from within the ring section outward from the camera, around the lens of the camera.

Abstract: A thin imaging apparatus with an extremely low profile captures high quality images with outstanding resolution. The imaging apparatus has a light guide, incidence mirror, imaging device, and aperture unit. The incidence mirror reflects and guides light from a subject into the light guide, and the imaging device receives the light from the subject reflected by the incidence mirror and passing through the light guide.

Abstract: A camera includes a camera body having a photographing lens, a lens cover plate which is supported on the camera body so that said lens cover plate moves between a closed position at which the lens cover plate covers the front of the photographing lens and an open position at which the lens cover plate uncovers the front of the photographing lens, and a light emitting device, wherein at least one element of the light emitting device is positioned on the lens cover plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and adjusting a light pipe includes a bracket that is formed by folding a metallic plate. When the metallic plate is folded to form the bracket, a first end and a second end of the metallic plate perpendicularly press against each other to form a close space for accommodating the light pipe. The apparatus for positioning and adjusting a light pipe further includes a clip device for positioning the bracket. A first adjustment screw has a front end pressing against the side surface of the bracket. A second adjustment screw has a front end pressing against the bottom surface of the bracket. The horizontal position of the light pipe is modified by adjusting the first adjustment screw. The vertical position of the light pipe is modified by adjusting the second adjustment screw.

Abstract: A camera is capable of being assembled with an alternately positioned mode indicator. The camera includes the following in order to achieve this objective. A support adapted to hold a mode indicator at any one of at least two different locations in order to enable the mode indicator to be alternatively positioned at the respective locations. A part having separate openings aligned with the respective locations at which the mode indicator can be alternatively positioned. And a cover covering each of the openings in the part except the opening aligned with the location at which the mode indicator is positioned, to allow the mode indicator to be sensed via that opening.

Abstract: For controlling emission of light from an outer flash lamp having a light receiving part and externally attached to a camera, which may be a digital camera and may be enclosed inside a watertight housing for underwater photography, having an inner lamp which is provided internally and includes a light emitting part, a filter which passes infrared and near infrared light but prevents visible light from passing through may be attached to the light emitting part of the inner lamp or on the housing of the camera. Light emitted from the inner lamp has sufficiently strong infrared intensity and the portion passing through the filter is sufficiently strong to activate the outer lamp. The filter may be substituted with a light intensity-reducing filter for reducing the intensity of incident light thereon with an amplifier added to the light receiving part of the outer lamp such that the light with reduced intensity through such a filter can activate the outer lamp.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting and/or photographing unregulated light flash events such as lighting strikes and muzzle flashes during both daylight and night time conditions is disclosed. The present device utilizes a photodiode sensor in conjunction with a photoresistor to control feedback gain of a transimpedance amplifier thereby providing non-linear amplification and therein constant sensitivity to detect an unregulated, omni-directional flash of light and produce an output signal that is input to an analog comparator circuit whereat a predetermined threshold level is set to prevent false triggering of the isolation relays and/or camera shutter. The output from the comparator circuit is input to a timer circuit to produce a signal of sufficient duration to trigger the isolation relay(s) and/or camera shutter.

Abstract: A flash lamp for underwater photography for use in combination with a camera has a target light, which may be a laser diode or a focussed LED and is set so as to emit a beam of light coaxially with its flash light source such that the user can visually ascertain where the lamp will illuminate. The lamp is controlled such that the target light is automatically switched off or made darker approximately simultaneously as the shutter of the camera is opened. If the flash lamp is of a kind which undergoes preliminary flash light emission prior to main flash light emission, the target light is controlled so as to be switched off or made darker by using the preliminary light emission as the trigger. If the camera is of a kind that outputs a ready signal when its shutter is pressed to a half-way position to indicate that it is ready to be clicked completely, the ready signal may be used as the trigger for switching off or darkening the target light.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a main body preloaded with photo film. A front cover covers a front of the main body. An exposure unit is secured between the main body and the front cover, for providing the photo film with an exposure. A plate-shaped information imprinting module is secured between the main body and the front cover with the exposure unit. Positioning pins are formed in the front of the main body. Positioning holes are formed in a rear of the information imprinting module, and are fitted on the positioning pins. The information imprinting module is subsequently kept positioned between the front cover and the main body by fitting the front cover on the main body.

Abstract: A first light guide and a second light guide are attached to a flash charge switch. Each light guide is arranged in a direction where the flash charge switch is slid. If the flash charge switch is in an OFF position, the first light guide transmits light from a photometric window to a photo sensor. If the flash charge switch is in an ON position, the second light guide transmits the light through the photometric window to the photo sensor. As the first light guide has a short distance from an incident end to the photometric window, the incident end has a large incident angle and brighter light is transmitted to the photosensor. As the second light guide has a long distance from the incident end to the photometric window, weak light is transmitted to the photo sensor. When an output signal of the photo sensor is above a predetermined value, a solenoid is activated to set a stop plate on a photographic light path. The stop plate is formed with a small stop aperture.

Abstract: In a flash circuit of a flash device, a Zener diode (37) is connected to a tap point (23f) located at an intermediate position of a secondary coil of an oscillation transformer (23). The oscillation transformer (23) and an oscillation transistor (22) constitutes an oscillation circuit. A potential at the tap point (23f) changes proportionally to a voltage charged in a main capacitor (41). When the main capacitor (41) is charged up to a set voltage, the Zener diode (37) conducts a Zener current, which activates a stopping transistor (38) and thus deactivates the oscillation circuit. When a flash charge switch (51) is turned on, an end of a light guide portion of a charge condition indicator (60) protrudes out of a lens-fitted film unit. When the main capacitor (41) is charged up to the set voltage, a light emission element starts lighting, and the light from the light emission element is projected from the end of the light guide portion.

Abstract: An electronic flash device equipped with LED indicator for providing an indication of completion of charging a main capacitor and a circuit for lowering power consumption has a controlling transistor operative to control a base current of the oscillating transistor which increases or decreases a primary current flowing through a primary winding and to be turned conductive by a current supplied from a battery through a current limiting resistor to start supply of the base current of the oscillating transistor. A secondary current generated in a secondary winding increases the base current of the controlling transistor, which increases the base current of the oscillating transistor which is lowered by the current limiting resistor having a large resistance and is increased or decreased by the controlling transistor.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is provided with a data recording device, wherein a plastic light guide member has a flash light entering portion that is opposed to a front portion of a flash projector of a built-in flash device, and a light projection terminal facing an LCD panel of a data display module. The light guide member also has an external light entering surface that is exposed to a front portion of the film unit, to collect external light and conduct it to the light projection terminal. The light projected from the light projection terminal toward the LCD panel is used for recording data displayed on the LCD panel onto a filmstrip contained in the film unit. When the film unit is used in a dark place, the flash device is activated to project a flash light from the flash projector. So the flash light partly enters through the flash light entering portion, and is added to the external light entering through the external light entering surface.

Abstract: The invention includes a digital camera back accessory for use with a film-formatted camera of the type that includes a camera body and a film image plane. A solid state digital focal plane collects optical radiation and converts the radiation to digital signals representative of a digital image. A fiber optic taper has a first fiber array surface arranged at the camera film plane, and a second fiber array surface arranged at the digital focal plane, and provides magnification and/or demagnification between the film plane and the digital focal plane. A coupler couples the taper to the camera body such that an image at the film image plane is transferred and collected as a digital image at the digital focal plane. The focal plane can also be coupled to a computer so that camera images are collectable at the computer. Preferably, a solid state memory is included to store frames of digital image data.

Abstract: An optical system includes an photographic lens, a fiber optical plate, and an image pickup member. The photographic lens forms the first image in the vicinity of the entrance end surface of the fiber optical plate, and after the first image is transmitted through the fiber optical plate, the second image is formed in the vicinity of the exit end surface of the fiber optical plate. The image pickup member is disposed to coincide in size with the second image. The first image is demagnified to a desired image size determined by the image pickup member and thereby the photographic lens is downsized.

Abstract: An optical transmission element according to the present invention, includes a light transmitting portion that has a plurality of optical elements that are arranged so as to be separated by air gaps, and the air gaps. And, light that is incident upon the light transmitting portion along a predetermined direction is transmitted through the light transmitting portion while reflecting on reflecting surfaces constituted by boundary surfaces that are defined between the optical elements and the air gaps.

Abstract: A camera for underwater photography may be used together with one or more flash lamps each capable of serving both as a main lamp and as a slave. The camera is connected through its housing to a main lamp by way of an optical cable and when it is clicked, a control signal is emitted as a light signal and transmitted to the main lamp through the optical cable. The flash lamp has a photosensing unit for receiving a light signal and converting it into an electrical signal. A signal conversion circuit further converts this signal into a flash control signal by which the lamp flashes light. The photosensing unit is connected to the optical cable through a connector and receives light only through the cable when the connector is attached to it. When the lamp is used as a slave, the connector for the optical cable is detached from the photosensing unit and external light received through a transparent window is converted into an electrical signal for the emission of flash light.

Abstract: An illumination device for photography includes a guide part arranged to guide, through the inside of a dense member, a light emitted from a flash light emitting part disposed in a camera body and to cause the light to exit from a position located away from the camera body. The member is shaped in such a way as to enhance the illuminating efficiency of the illumination device by converging the light in the process of guiding the light. The illumination device is thus arranged to be capable of preventing a red-eye phenomenon without lowering the illuminating efficiency and without incurring a complex structural arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a remote light source in synchronization with an indication provided from a camera. A transducer is coupled to the external electrical connector of a conventional camera in order to convert the electrical signals that are output from the camera into an alternative form (e.g., optical signals). A different transducer is coupled to the external electrical connector of a remote light source, such as a photographic strobe. The light source transducer receives the signal from the camera transducer and converts the signal back into one or more conventional electrical signals to activate the remote light source. A light source activation signal and a light source modulation signal are multiplexed onto a single communication channel. A first indication is provided on the communication channel to activate the remote light source (i.e., cause the light source to emit light).

Abstract: A camera comprises an exposure counter for indicating the number of frames of a film load that have been exposed or remain to be exposed, and a flash illumination light source for illuminating a subject being photographed. The exposure counter has a phosphorescent substance that becomes luminescent due to the absorption of radiation and continues with an afterglow some time after the radiation has stopped, to permit one to read the exposure counter in dimly lit or dark ambience. A light pipe directs illumination from the light source to the phosphorescent substance. Thus, the exposure counter can be read in dimly lit or dark ambience after the light source has been used.

Abstract: A camera includes an imaging device having an image receiving plane, the imaging device receiving an optical image formed on the image receiving plane and outputting signal corresponding to the received image, and a pressure plate arranged between a photographing lens and the imaging device, the pressure plate being formed of a transparent plate member having a predetermined gradient distribution of refractive index, the pressure plate shifting an image formed in front of the pressure plate to the imaging device.

Abstract: An optical data recording device is mounted in a lens-fitted photographic film unit with a built-in flash device. The optical data recording device is provided for optically recording a number of dots on the photographic film, as print format data for designating a print format of photo-prints to be made from a picture frame of a constant size. A light source of the optical data recording device is mounted to a printed circuit board of the flash device so as to be supplied with a battery of the flash device and to be driven in synchronism with a shutter release operation. Light from the light source is transmitted through a light guide toward a plurality of openings which face the photographic film. The number of dots recorded per picture frame is changed by operating a format selection knob.

Abstract: Camera system for viewing an object located in a region of contamination (e.g., oil, water, particulate matter, or the like). The system is capable of being internally pressurized above ambient pressure, so that the contamination is prevented from entering the camera system to foul the camera. The system includes a housing having an interior and a view port. An electronic sensor is disposed in the housing opposite the port for sensing the object and for generating an electrical output signal that travels along a conductor connected to the sensor. A processor is connected to the conductor for amplifying the output signal. The amplified signal is received by a display monitor which displays an image of the object. The system further includes a quick-disconnect connector which interconnects the housing to a source of pressurized fluid used to pressurize the housing above ambient pressure.

Abstract: A compact viewfinder device suitable for use in a camera. The viewfinder device includes an image-forming optical system to form a subject image on an image-forming plane, and a fiber optical plate having a plane of incidence and an exit plane and which transmits the optical image which has entered the plane of incidence to the exit plane. The plane of incidence of the fiber optical plate is positioned on the image-forming plane of the image-forming optical system, and the fiber optical plate transmits the optical image which has entered the plane of incidence so that it is rotated around an exit axis of the exit plane. The fiber optical plate may also enlarge the optical image entering the plane of incidence so that an enlarged image is transmitted to the exit plane. Further, the exit plane of the fiber optical plate may be tilted with respect to the plane of incidence and perpendicular to the exit axis to allow ease of viewing the viewfinder image.

Abstract: A release switch apparatus having a release button which is supported in a camera body so as to move between an initial position and a specific operational position in which the release button is pushed down. The apparatus includes a light emitter provided in the release button or in the vicinity thereof and an emission controller for causing the light emitter to emit light when the release button is moved from the initial position. A light receiver is provided in the camera body or in the release button to receive light emitted from the light emitter, and a controller is provided which operates in response to the output to the light receiver.