Abstract: A step motor is composed of a rotor, first and second stators, and a magnetic member. The rotor is rotatably supported and comprised of a magnet having magnetic poles magnetized in four angular sections. The first stator has a pair of counter poles disposed in opposed relation to the magnet and a coil wound around the first stator. The second stator has another pair of counter poles disposed in opposed relation to the magnet and another coil wound around the second stator. The second stator is opposite to the first stator with respect to the rotor such that the counter poles of the first and second stators surround the rotor to stepwise rotate the rotor in response to electric pulses applied to the coils of the first and second stators. The magnetic member has a pair of interpoles positioned in a middle of the first and second stators in opposed relation to the rotor such as to stabilize a rest position of the rotor, which is held when the electric pulse is not applied to the coils.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for driving the shutter of a camera includes a rotor (10) magnetized with the N and S poles, and first magnetic pole parts (21, 31) and second magnetic pole parts (22, 32) that are disposed to face the outer circumferential surface of the rotor (10) and generate mutually different magnetic poles when an electric current is applied to the coil (40), in which an output pin (11) of the rotor (10) is magnetized with one of the N and the S poles and forms a projection that projects outward in the radial direction, and, in the vicinity of the first magnetic pole part (31), an auxiliary magnetic pole piece (33) is provided that is disposed near the output pin (11) serving as a projection when the rotor (10) is located at an initial position and that generates the same magnetic pole as the first magnetic pole part (31) in a current-running state. Therefore, a maintaining force can be raised especially in a current-stopped state, and a driving force can be raised.

Abstract: A camera shutter has a base plate provided with a shutter opening. Sectors are mounted on the base plate to undergo movement to open and close the shutter opening. A driving lever has a driving pin that extends through through-holes in the sectors for operating the sectors. One of the through-holes is configured so that a gap is formed between an edge of the through-hole and the driving pin in the direction of movement of the driving pin. As the driving pin moves to drive the sectors to close the shutter opening, the movement of the driving pin is abruptly stopped when the sectors fully close the shutter opening thereby causing the driving pin to rebound. The rebounding motion is not transmitted to the sector in which the gap is formed, and inertia permits further movement of the sector in the closing direction over a distance equal to the gap. This maintains the sectors in overlapping relation and prevents reexposure when the shutter is in a fully closed state.

Abstract: A lens shutter system has an inner drive ring which is rotated by a drive motor and an outer drive ring which is rotated by the drive motor. A plurality of shutter blades of the lens shutter system are driven through drive pins of the inner drive ring and drive pins of the outer drive ring so as to be opened and closed or are rotatably supported by the respective pins of the rings. Upon shutter opening, only the inner drive ring is driven clockwise to open the shutter blades. Upon shutter closing, only the outer drive ring is similarly driven clockwise to close the shutter blades. As mentioned above, upon switching between shutter opening mode and shutter closing mode, the direction of rotation of the inner and outer drive rings is not changed. Thus, the shutter operation can be performed at high speed.

Abstract: A camera blade driving device for use in a camera has a base plate having an exposure aperture; a blade supported pivotably on a supporting shaft on the base plate and capable of blocking part or all of light passing through the aperture while facing the aperture; and an electromagnetic actuator for driving the blade. The electromagnetic actuator has a frame member joined to the base plate; a rotor one end of which is supported by the frame member and an opposite end of which is supported by the base plate, the rotor having a driving pin by which a driving force is exerted onto the blade and rotating within a predetermined angular range; a magnetizing coil wound onto the frame member and the base plate; and a yoke provided outside the coil substantially coaxially with the rotor.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus is basically composed of a driving circuit for driving a plurality of loads contained in a plurality of motors, and a control circuit for controlling the driving circuit to sequentially drive the plurality of the motors. The driving circuit has at least two channels which are controlled by the control circuit concurrently with each other. Each channel is controlled by the control circuit such as to selectively drive the loads. The channel is provided with at least (n+1) number (n: integer of 2 or greater) of output terminals to connect at most n number of the loads. The control circuit controls the driving circuit to perform an intra-channel driving mode in which one pair of the output terminals are selected from one channel and allocated to drive one load, and an inter-channel driving mode in which another pair of the output terminals are selected from two channels and allocated to drive another load.

Abstract: A camera fame assembly has a frame and a pair of tie bars extending outward from the frame. The tie bars each have opposed first and second ends. The first ends are spaced apart. The first ends are each pivotally joined to the frame. A parallel bar is pivotally joined to the second ends of the tie bars. The parallel bar is spaced outward from the frame. The parallel bar is movable, relative to the frame, from a charged position to a discharged position. A striker is movable with the parallel bar between the charged and discharged positions. An impact shutter is movable from a closed position to an open position by the striker.

Abstract: The present invention includes a servo-shutter mechanism comprising a servo-motor and a first gear rotatably attached to the servo-motor. The gear has teeth. The invention also includes a second gear having a first end and a second end. The first end has teeth in meshing contact with the teeth of the first gear and the second end is adapted to be joined to a cam ring. The cam ring has an aperture and a plurality of pivot pins where one of the pivot pins is joined to the second end of the second gear. Additionally, the invention includes at least one shutter blade having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be pivotably joined to the cam ring and the second end is adapted to block the aperture.

Abstract: A feature of the present invention resides in that when a value of a ratio of a central angle of an outer magnetic pole portion to a central angle of each magnetized pole of a magnet portion is referred to as Y, and a value of a ratio of a thickness of the magnet portion in a diameter direction to a circumferential length of each magnetized pole of the magnet portion is referred to as X, the following condition is satisfied:

Abstract: For providing a motor having a reduced length in the axial direction, the motor of the present invention comprises a rotor having a cylindrical magnet having an outer surface divided into portions in a circumferential direction which are alternately magnetized to different poles, a first outer magnetic pole which is excited by a first coil and faces the outer surface of the magnet within a first predetermined angular range, a first inner magnetic pole which is excited by the first coil and faces an inner surface of the magnet, a second outer magnetic pole which is excited by a second coil and faces the outer surface of the magnet within a second predetermined angular range, and a second inner magnetic pole which is excited by the second coil and faces the inner surface of the magnet, wherein the first and second outer magnetic poles are positioned on the same circumference centered on the magnet.

Abstract: A planar space required for installing a camera drive device is reduced. Provided are a rotor magnetized in a radial direction, a pair of stator magnetic pole plates radially opposed to the rotor, yokes formed by extension portions extending radially of the rotor and rise-bent portion vertically raised and bent from extension portions and reaching the stator magnetic pole plates, and a coil provided on the yokes. Each member is arranged in a spatial fashion instead of a planar fashion.

Abstract: A light quantity control unit includes a base plate having an aperture forming an optical axis; a blade member for regulating a condition of the aperture; a coil and a magnet rotor polarized with two magnetic poles, formed on the base plate; and a pair of magnetic force inducing members. Each member has a base end part, and a leading end part extending from the base end part perpendicular to the optical axis and having an equal thickness throughout an entire length thereof. The leading end parts surround the magnet rotor at a middle area thereof and have magnetic poles for rotating the magnet rotor. A regulating device is formed at the base plate for regulating a rotation of the magnet rotor to swing at a predetermined angle between the magnetic poles formed in the magnetic force inducing members.

Abstract: A light amount control apparatus includes at least one blade member facing an optical axis aperture on a base plate and freely opening and closing the aperture, a rotating magnet rotor interconnected with the blade member to open and close the blade members, a coil and/or soft magnetic member to apply rotational torque to the magnet rotor, and a regulating device to regulate the movement of the magnet rotor within a prescribed angle. The regulating device is located to provide the magnetic rotor with an opening region and a closing region different from each other with respect to a neutral point so that a rotational torque acting on the magnet rotor differs by the regulating device to regulate the rotational movement of the at least one blade member in the opening and closing regions.

Abstract: The camera shutter unit of the present invention comprises a diaphragm blade arranged to be capable of moving between a stopping-down position wherein an aperture is stopped down, and an evacuating position wherein the aperture is opened. A shutter blade is arranged to be capable of moving between an opening position, wherein the aperture is opened, and a closing position, wherein the aperture is closed. A dive-control mechanism is provided for drive-controlling the shutter blade and the diaphragm blade. The drive-control mechanism has a single electromagnetic drive source, a spring for restricting movement of the shutter blade toward the closing position when the diaphragm blade is positioned in the stopping-down position, and for releasing its restriction by a predetermined or more drive force generated by the electromagnetic drive source, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic drive source.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator applied to a camera shutter device includes a rotatable disk-shaped rotor (10) magnetized with different polarities and having an output portion (10b), a first plate-like yoke (40) with a first magnetic pole part (41) opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (10) and a second plate-like yoke (50) with a second magnetic pole part (51) opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (10), and a first coil (20) and a second coil (30) wound around the joint areas of the yokes so that the first and second coils become flat in the same direction as the first yoke (40) and the second yoke (50). By virtue of this configuration, the electromagnetic actuator can be thinned. Furthermore, the camera shutter device using this electromagnetic actuator and thus the camera can be thinned and miniaturized.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter capable of carrying out electric automatic exposure control and mechanical manual exposure control comprises a selecting member for selecting an automatic exposure position and a plurality of exposure time period positions, a switching member operated by the selecting member for switching a mechanical exposure time period control mechanism in correspondence with respective exposure time period positions, an electromagnetic device for electrically driving the switching member, and an electronic circuit for controlling the electromagnetic device. In operation, when the selecting member is disposed at the automatic exposure position, the switching member is controlled to be driven by the electromagnetic device, and when the selecting member is disposed at an exposure time period position, the switching member is driven by the selecting member.

Abstract: A shutter device for a camera includes a shutter blade for providing an exposure by opening/shutting a photographic light path, and a shutter drive lever for driving the shutter blade. The shutter device includes a shutter release button. A photometric switch is turned on in response to depression of the shutter release button. A photometric circuit is operated by turning on of the photometric switch, for measuring object brightness. An aperture stop changeover mechanism changes over an aperture stop of the photographic light path according to the photographic light path. A delay structure such as a delay lever detects completion of actuation of the aperture stop changeover mechanism and responsively moves the shutter drive lever.

Abstract: The space required in the vicinity of a shutter aperture can be reduced to achieve an overall reduction in size of a device by providing a diaphragm mechanism for covering the shutter aperture formed of a plurality of members cooperating with each other to cover the shutter aperture. By cooperation of a small-diaphragm plate having a diaphragm aperture formed therethrough smaller in diameter than the shutter aperture and an auxiliary plate, for example, a space reduction is facilitated. The small-diaphragm plate is pivotably mounted adjacent one side of the shutter aperture. The auxiliary plate has a shape that cooperates with the convex-arcuate portion to cover the shutter aperture. When the small-diaphragm plate and the auxiliary plate are driven by the diaphragm actuating member and moved to a first position covering the shutter aperture, the two plate cooperate to fully cover the shutter aperture.

Abstract: There is provided a small-sized and slim driving device which is easy to manufacture and capable of producing high output. A magnet has a cylindrical shape, and at least the outer peripheral surface of the magnet is circumferentially divided into n sections magnetized so as to have alternately different poles. The magnet can rotate about a rotational axis of the cylindrical shape. A coil is arranged axially of the magnet and parallel thereto. An outer magnetic pole portion is disposed to be magnetized by the coil, and has a plurality of hair comb tooth-shaped portions opposed to the magnet and arranged around the magnet such that an angle corresponding to the circumferential width of each of the hair comb tooth-shaped portions opposed to the magnet about the rotational axis of the hollow cylindrical shape of the magnet is equal to a predetermined angle A.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic actuator, a rotor composed of a permanent magnet is mounted rotatably in two directions between a first end position and a second end position via an intermediate position. A coil is wound around the rotor to rotate the rotor in an energizing state where an electric current is applied to the coil. An auto-retaining device is provided for retaining the rotor at one of the intermediate position, the first end position and the second end position under a non-energizing state where the electric current is not applied to the coil. The auto-retaining device has an elastic member that regulates the rotor at the intermediate position by a mechanical elastic force, a first magnetic member that is opposed to the permanent magnet and that retains the rotor at the first end position by a magnetic attractive force, and a second magnetic member that is opposed to the permanent magnet and that retains the rotor at the second end position by a magnetic attractive force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital camera with an adjusting device coupled with the lens and holes of the digital camera. The digital camera comprises a housing with a front opening installed at its front end for receiving incident light, a sensor installed at a rear end of the housing for recording the incident light, an iris strip moveably installed in the housing having a plurality of irises of different sizes for adjusting the amount of the incident light emitted to the sensor, a lens moveably installed in the housing for concentrating the incident light onto the sensor, and an adjusting device rotatably installed in the housing for adjusting positions of the lens and the iris strip. The adjusting device is rotated to move the lens to a plurality of lens positions to change the distance between the lens and the sensor.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive system controls an actuator to force movable members such as shutter blades of a power-driven shutter system to cause predetermined movement so as thereby to run in the movable members when the the power-driven apparatus is loaded with a battery as a power source, when the power-driven apparatus is powered on or when a predetermined time has passed since the last operation of the movable members.

Abstract: The camera shutter unit of the present invention comprises a diaphragm blade arranged to be capable of moving between a stopping-down position wherein an aperture is stopped down, and an evacuating position wherein the aperture is opened. A shutter blade is arranged to be capable of moving between an opening position, wherein the aperture is opened, and a closing position, wherein the aperture is closed. A drive-control mechanism is provided for drive-controlling the shutter blade and the diaphragm blade. The drive-control mechanism has a single electromagnetic (drive source, a spring for restricting movement of the shutter blade toward the closing position when the diaphragm blade is positioned in the stopping-down position, and for releasing its restriction by a predetermined or more drive force generated by the electromagnetic drive source, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic drive source.

Abstract: In a camera shutter apparatus, a shutter blade is arranged movably In an open direction and a close direction relative to a lens aperture for opening and closing the lens aperture from a home position to perform an exposure operation. A setting member is provided to operate when setting the lens aperture at a predetermined diameter for holding the shutter blade to a stop position corresponding to the predetermined diameter with a biasing force. A drive source is provided for generating a driving force necessary for moving the shutter blade. A controller is provided to operate when moving the shutter blade from the home position to the stop position so as to set the lens aperture and then moving the shutter blade in the close direction for an exposure operation.

Abstract: A light-quantity controlling device includes a driving source, a first light-quantity controlling member driven by the driving source and having a first elongated opening extending in a direction of movement of the first light-quantity controlling member, and a second light-quantity controlling member driven by the driving source in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first light-quantity controlling member and having a second elongated opening extending in the direction of movement of the second light-quantity controlling member. The light-quantity controlling device also includes a supporting member configured to support the first and second light-quantity controlling members and having an opening therein. The first and second elongated openings intersect each other at the opening provided in the supporting member when the first and second light-quantity controlling members are driven by the driving source.

Abstract: In a motor or an electromagnetic driving device having a first stator yoke excitable by energizing a first coil, a second stator yoke excitable by energizing a second coil and a rotor opposed to the first and second stator yokes to be driven and rotated by energizing the first and second coils, the first and second coils are collectively arranged together in one direction on the outer side of the periphery of the rotor, and the first stator yoke is arranged in a state of being superposed on the second stator yoke to form an electromagnetic driving motor. The electromagnetic driving motor is thus arranged in a novel shape to be capable of preventing a noise of driving transmission while maintaining its adequate performance as an electromagnetic driving motor and to be compactly mountable on a camera or the like for its diaphragm device without any protruding part.

Abstract: A camera, lens positioning mechanism and method use a lens holding member to hold a lens therein for receiving optical information that may be captured on film or digitally. The lens holding member interfaces with a ring-shaped barrel member, geared ring or the like, that when turned in one direction by a motor forces the lens holding member out, or back, depending on a slope of a cam placed on the barrel member, slot in the barrel member or the like. When driven in the single direction, the cam member on the ring barrel member, forces the lens holding member in a predetermined direction. A biasing member connected to the ring provides an opposing force that when used during a focusing operation pulls the lens holding member and cam member back to a home position without the need of a driving force from the motor. A clutch mechanism engages and disengages the driving force of the motor on the geared ring depending on whether a focusing operation, lens storage operation, or zooming operation is performed.

Abstract: The space required in the vicinity of a shutter aperture can be reduced to achieve an overall reduction in size of a device by providing a diaphragm mechanism for covering the shutter aperture formed of a plurality of members cooperating with each other to cover the shutter aperture. By cooperation of a small-diaphragm plate having a diaphragm aperture formed therethrough smaller in diameter than the shutter aperture and an auxiliary plate, for example, a space reduction is facilitated. The small-diaphragm plate is pivotably mounted adjacent one side of the shutter aperture. The auxiliary plate has a shape that cooperates with the convex-arcuate portion to cover the shutter aperture. When the small-diaphragm plate and the auxiliary plate are driven by the diaphragm actuating member and moved to a first position covering the shutter aperture, the two plate cooperate to fully cover the shutter aperture.

Abstract: A shutter device includes first and second light blocking members arranged to be movable to vary the amounts of opening, first and second motors arranged to drive respectively the first and second light blocking members, and a control circuit arranged to individually control the driving actions of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A shutter for a camera has a film advance mechanism for advancing film past a shutter opening and a stroboscope for emitting light. The shutter has a base plate having the shutter opening, opening sectors for undergoing opening movement in an operational state to open the shutter opening during a shutter release operation, and closing sectors for undergoing closing movement in an operational state to close the shutter opening during the shutter release operation. A first detecting device detects the operational state of the opening sectors and outputs a signal to the stroboscope to emit light. A second detecting device detects the operational state of the closing sectors and outputs a signal for winding up the film. A non-opened state of the shutter opening is detected after the shutter release operation when the second detecting device detects the operational state of the closing sectors before the first detecting device detects the operational state of the opening sectors.

Abstract: An electromagnetic drive for a focal-plane shutter of a camera having two light-excluding shutter curtains, each of the two shutter curtains being having its own electric drive motor, which is a linear motor constructed from permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils. The linear motor has at least two mutually aligned permanent magnets. The opposite pole faces of the magnets have the same polarity. A soft-magnetic disk is disposed between the permanent magnets. A soft-iron casing encloses the magnets and the soft-magnetic disk with an annular gap therebetween. A coil former is displaceably mounted in the annular gap such that it can exert an operating stroke between two stops. The coil former has a drive element for transferring the axial displacement of the coil former to the assigned shutter curtain.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an aperture/shutter system comprises a stator, a homogeneous rotor and at least one shutter blade. The rotor is located adjacent to the stator and has at least one positioning feature; and the shutter blade has a complimentary feature coupled directly to the positioning feature so as to be directly rotatable by the rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for cyclic displacement of a camera shutter mechanism or the like between first and second end positions comprising an electromagnet displacing the shutter mechanism, the electromagnet comprising a pivotable armature pivotable between first and second positions, a plurality of blades, a rocker arm connected to the armature, a linkage connecting the rocker arm to the blades whereby pivoting of the armature can be translated into rotary movement of the blades, a biasing spring for biasing the armature towards a neutral position between the first and second end positions, a driver for ensuring that the armature reaches the first and second end positions, the driver comprising a permanent magnet for holding the armature in either of the first and second end positions and counteracting the biasing spring, and at least one coil for exerting a force on the armature upon activation of the coil, the force being sufficient to overcome the permanent magnet and the biasing spring.

Abstract: A magnetically biased electromagnetic shuttering device for controlling the shutter blades of a camera. The device includes a yoke having a core and a coil, the coil being capable of receiving current which produces a first magnetic field existing inside and outside the core. A movable magnet is coupled to the shutter blades, has a second magnetic field and is positioned adjacent to the core so that the second magnetic field interacts with the first magnetic field. A magnet, separate from the yoke, produces a third magnetic field and is positioned adjacent to the movable magnet in order to influence the motion of the movable magnet and to provide controllable detents for the movable magnet.

Abstract: A shutter device includes shutter blades, a motor which drives the shutter blades, diaphragm blades which are driven by the motor to perform opening and closing operations, and a transmission mechanism which transmits a driving force of the motor to the shutter blades and the diaphragm blades. In the shutter device, the transmission mechanism transmits the driving force of the motor to the shutter blades and the diaphragm blades in such a manner that driving of the shutter blades by the motor and driving of the diaphragm blades by the motor are made sequential.

Abstract: An aperture/shutter system defining an optical path comprises a shutter mechanism operable at a first state to selectively block light along the optical path and a second state to allow light along the optical path; and a motor including a stator and an annular rotor. The rotor is rotably supported within the stator by a support that is (i) stationary with respect to the stator and (ii) engages an inner surface of the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shutter mechanism to move the shutter mechanism between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes an annular motor with a central opening and a plurality of lens elements positioned inside the central opening. The motor includes a stator and a homogeneous cylindrical rotor. This rotor is positioned inside the stator and is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm thick and 2.5 mm to 5 mm long. According to one embodiment of the present invention the rotor is characterized by an outer cylindrical surface defined by its circumference. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles, and the ratio of the circumference of the outer cylindrical surface to the number of magnetic poles is between 1 and 2.

Abstract: A stepping motor is equipped with a rotor, a supporting member that rotatably support the rotor, and stators that have multiple stator teeth and that face each other across the diameter of the rotor, wherein said multiple stator teeth are positioned such that they are apart from each other. Using the construction described above, it is possible to make the rotor diameter smaller than the conventional model, thereby reducing the overall size of the stepping motor. Therefore, it is possible to make the outer diameter of lens barrel smaller than the conventional model without changing the lens diameter, which in turn makes the overall size of the camera more compact.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a core made of a soft magnetic material, a permanent magnet located between a pair of ends of the core, the permanent magnet being supported for movement, and an electrically conductive coil wrapped about a portion of the core. The reluctance of the core is adjustable to alter movement of the permanent magnet as a function of time upon application of electrical current to the coil of the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: A rotation driving device comprises a first fixed member having an aperture, a second fixed member having an aperture, the second fixed member being fixed with respect to the first fixed member, a ring-like rotary member, the rotary member being fitted in the first fixed member at an outer diameter portion of the rotary member and being fitted in the second fixed member at a diameter portion of the rotary member having a diameter smaller than that of the outer diameter portion, and a moving member arranged to advance and retreat in a radial direction of the rotary member in accordance with a rotation of the rotary member, wherein, where an amount of fitting play between the second fixed member and the rotary member is denoted by X and an amount of fitting play between the first fixed member and the rotary member is denoted by Y, the rotation driving device satisfies the following condition:X<Y.

Abstract: A shutter for use in an electro-optical scanning device having an aperture and a CCD imager is provided. The shutter comprises a light barrier movable between a first position blocking light from passing through the aperture and a second position enabling light to pass through the aperture. The light barrier has a magnetic portion. An inductive coil is disposed relative to the magnetic portion of the light barrier to cause movement of the light barrier between the first and second positions by application of an electric current to the inductive coil. The inductive coil is disposed concentrically around the aperture, and the light barrier comprises a magnet that is coupled to a torsional wire disposed within the inductive coil. The torsional wire has a bias that returns the light barrier from the second position to the first position. Alternatively, the light barrier is moveable either pivotally, rotationally, or axially relative to the aperture, and further comprises a corresponding iris.

Abstract: A shutter is disclosed having a shutter blade frame comprised of two spaced apart rails, each rail incorporating at least one magnet section. Individual pairs of electromagnets are positioned for movement along the rails. At least one shutter blade, having an opening defined thereby, is connected to a pair of electromagnets for movement along the rails from a rest position to an open position. Application of current to the electromagnets causes the at least one shutter blade to travel along the rails causing an alignment of the defined opening with a selected light path to cause an exposure generally of an image sensor such as film. Springs are positioned on the shutter frame for urging the at least one shutter blade to the rest position.

Abstract: A shutter of a camera is provided with a shutter trip detecting device includes LEDs and PTRs. Measured are tripping timings of leading and trailing curtains for admitting and intercepting object light to an aperture. An exposure time on a film and a tripping time (curtain velocity) of each curtain are thus detected. The detected result is compared with a fiducial value, and an alarm is given according to the need. There are detected mechanical fluctuation elements relative to the shutter, e.g., a scatter of the exposure time on the film, a partial uneveness of the exposure time and an influence on the exposure time due to a fault in a driving mechanism. The alarm can be thus given to the user, and an automatic adjustment can be made. The shutter trip detecting device includes the shutter leading/trailing curtains, the LEDs and PTRs which detect tripping thereof.

Abstract: A shutter arrangement for a camera which includes a lens shutter, a lens group movable along an optical axis relative to the lens shutter, a first motor for opening or closing the lens shutter, a second motor for moving the lens group along the optical axis, and a first encoder for detecting a size of a diaphragm formed by the lens shutter. The first encoder comprises a first photosensor and a first rotating disk associated with the first photosensor. Also included is a second encoder for detecting an axial position of the lens group which comprises a second photosensor and a second rotating disk associated with the second photosensor. The first and second encoders are positioned to overlap as viewed in a direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism comprises a cam element which moves upon modification of an engaging position, a cam follower abutted against a cam surface of the cam element, a detecting element for detecting a position of the cam follower, and a section to be detected provided on the cam follower, for giving at least three different kinds of output values to the detecting element.

Abstract: A lens driving device for controlling the position of a lens setting member according to a distance to an object to be photographed has a lens barrel mounted to undergo movement in the direction of an optical axis, a lens setting member mounted to undergo rotation about the lens barrel and to move the lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis, a biasing spring for applying a biasing force for biasing the lens setting member in one direction, a ratchet engaging with the lens setting member to undergo rotation therewith, a retaining member having a pair of engaging pawls disposed to alternately engage with the ratchet to prevent rotation of the ratchet due to the biasing force of the biasing spring, an electromagnetic actuator for applying a first driving voltage for maintaining the retaining member in an engaged state and a second driving voltage for rocking the retaining member to alternately engage the pawls with the ratchet to cause the biasing spring to rotate the ratchet in a stepwise manner during

Abstract: A microceramic electromagnetic light shutter is disclosed including a unitary ceramic body having an internal cavity. A conductive coil is formed in the internal cavity. The unitary ceramic body defines a first and second bearing structure on it's surface. The unitary ceramic body has a light aperture and first and second recesses. The microceramic electromagnetic light shutter further includes a shutter drive mechanism including a shutter blade and a ferromagnetic element inserted into the first recess and operative to the shutter drive mechanism for applying a torque to the shutter drive mechanism which causes the shutter drive mechanism to move so that the shutter blade is in it's light blocking position. The shutter drive mechanism is mounted in the second recess an in an operative relationship to the coil and ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: A camera shutter and focus encoder assembly comprises an encoder mask fixed in a camera housing and having an arcuate window having alternating opaque and transmissive portions, and an encoder sheet mounted in the housing in abutting relationship with the encoder mask, the encoder sheet being movable with exposure blades and the focus lens of the camera and having an arcuate window having alternating opaque and transmissive portions therein. Means are provided for pressing the encoder mask and the encoder sheet together with the mask and sheet windows in registration with each other. A sensor passes pulses of light through the mask and sheet windows when the transmissive portions thereof are in registration and detects the pulses of light, converts the light pulses to electrical signals, and transmits the electrical signals.

Abstract: A camera shutter includes a driving member rotated in forward and reverse directions by a motor and having first and second control portions. A switching circuit switches an operating starting position of the driving member between first and second positions. An opening member is controlled by the first control portion of the driving member and a first biasing member biases the opening member in the direction of opening the shutter. A first restraint member restrains an operation of the opening member and resists the bias of the first biasing member. A closing member is controlled by the second control portion of the driving member and a second biasing member biases the closing member in the direction of closing the shutter. A second restraint member restrains an operation of the closing member and resists the bias of the second biasing member.

Abstract: An hard stop for use with an aperture mechanism includes at least one blade moveable along a path between a closed position and at least one open position. At least one hard stop piston is moveable between a first position, out of the blade path, and a second position, in the blade path, to position the blade in the open position when an edge of the blade contacts the hard stop piston. The hard stop includes a magnetic piston, an electromagnet coil proximate to the magnetic piston, and a ferromagnetic ring arranged such that when current is applied in one direction through the coil it causes the magnetic piston to move to the first position in a first direction and held in such position by the attraction of the magnetic piston to the ferromagnetic ring and causes the magnetic piston to move to the second position when current is applied in an opposite direction to the coil and the magnetic piston is held in such position by the attraction of the magnetic piston to the ferromagnetic ring.