Abstract: A camera shutter device having a shutter blade which moves abruptly between a first position, in which it covers a transmission zone present between the carriers, and a second position, in which it opens up the transmission zone. On the shutter blade, there is provided a slide body which includes a displaceable permanent magnet and which is guided on a linear guide, the ends of which are assigned a respective rotatable permanent magnet. By oppositely changing the polarization direction of the rotatable permanent magnets through 180°, the displaceable permanent magnet is pulled into the first or second position.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a movable shading module and a movement control module configured to control movement of the movable shading module. The movable shading module includes a shading unit, a driving unit and a signal measuring unit. The shading unit includes two blades, and the movement control module is configured to generate a control signal. The driving unit is configured to receive the control signal and drive the two blades. The signal measuring unit is configured to measure an operating status of the blades feed it back to the movement control module in real time. The movement control module is configured to update the control signal based on the fed back operating status. This shutter device can overcome the problems of low exposure dose accuracy and light leaks arising from the use of existing shutters and provide various accurately-controlled exposure doses suitable for different applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical element driving mechanism, including a base, a holder, a frame and a light intensity adjusting assembly. The holder is movably connected to the base and carries the optical element, wherein the optical element has an opening and an optical axis so that light passes through the opening to the optical element. The frame is connected to the holder and the base. The light intensity adjusting assembly is disposed on the frame. The light intensity adjusting assembly includes a first shutter, a second shutter and a shutter driving member. The second shutter is disposed between the first shutter and the frame. The shutter driving member is disposed between the second shutter and the frame to drive the first shutter and the second shutter.

Abstract: An effect that drive of one of a first magnetic driving unit and a second magnetic driving unit prevents a movement of the other magnetic driving unit is not generated to appropriately control movements of first opening and closing blades and second opening and closing blades. A blade opening and closing device includes a base body which includes an opening for transmitting light, a first magnetic driving unit which includes a first magnet and a first coil, a second magnetic driving unit which includes a second magnet and a second coil, first opening and closing blades which are moved by the first magnetic driving unit relative to the base body and to open and close the opening, and second opening and closing blades which are moved by the second magnetic driving unit relative to the base body and to open and close the opening. A magnetic flux direction of the first magnetic driving unit is opposite to a magnetic flux direction of the second magnetic driving unit.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a leading blade and a trailing blade opening and closing the opening; a trailing blade actuator driving the trailing blade; a drive member driving the trailing blade by receiving driving force of the trailing blade actuator; and a buffering member abutting with the drive member in a state where the trailing blade recedes away from the opening, wherein the trailing blade actuator causes the drive member to move away from the buffering member from an abutting state therewith and to abut therewith again in a charging operation, and then starts an exposure operation.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; and first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; and first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; and first and second actuators arranged adjacent to each other and respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and the first and second rotors is arranged to sandwich at least one of the first and second coils.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a blade opening or closing the opening; an electromagnet including an iron core and a coil for energizing the iron core; and a drive lever holding an iron piece capable of being adsorbed to the iron core, capable of moving such that iron piece is moved into and away from the iron core, and driving the blade, wherein a plating process is performed on the iron core and the iron piece, a Vickers hardness of a plating of the iron piece is greater than that of a plating of the iron core, and a difference in the Vickers hardness between the plating of the iron piece and the plating of the iron core is 100 HV or more.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a leading shutter and a trailing shutter opening and closing the opening; first and second biasing members respectively biasing the leading shutter and the trailing shutter to move away from the opening; a first actuator causing the leading shutter to move from a position to close the opening to a position to recede from the opening while the leading shutter is assisted by a biasing force of the first biasing member in an exposure operation; and a second actuator causing the trailing shutter to move from a position to recede from the opening to a position to close the opening against a biasing force of the second biasing member in the exposure operation, wherein drive torque of the first actuator is smaller than that of the second actuator.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board including an opening; a blade movable between a position receding from the opening and a position covering at least a portion of the opening; a first actuator including a first rotor rotatable about a first axis and a first stator, and being capable of driving the blade; a second actuator including a second rotor rotatable about a second axis and a second stator, and being capable of driving the blade; first and second positioning portions respectively positioning the first and second actuators; and a first biasing member respectively biasing the first and second actuators toward the first and second positioning portions.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a leading blade and a trailing blade opening and closing the opening; first and second drive members respectively driving the leading blade and the trailing blade; first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second drive members; a first biasing member biasing the first drive member to move the leading blade away from the opening; and a second biasing member biasing the second drive member to move the trailing blade away from the opening.

Abstract: When a hold member rotates on a shaft counterclockwise in the set operation, pressing parts of a pressing member which is fitted on top end of the hold member press pressed parts of iron piece members to rotate a lock-releasing member for a first blade and a lock-releasing member for a rear blade so that the iron piece members are made to come into contact with iron-core members of electromagnets, while an engagement pin presses an arm of a connection spring to rotate a restraining member clockwise so that a restraining part of the restraining member moves into the trajectory of the movement of a restrained part of the lock-releasing member for the rear blade.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board including an opening; a blade movable between a position receding from the opening and a position covering at least a portion of the opening; a first actuator including a first rotor rotatable about a first axis and a first stator, and being capable of driving the blade; a second actuator including a second rotor rotatable about a second axis and a second stator, and being capable of driving the blade; first and second positioning portions respectively positioning the first and second actuators; and a first biasing member respectively biasing the first and second actuators toward the first and second positioning portions.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a leading blade and a trailing blade opening and closing the opening; first and second drive members respectively driving the leading blade and the trailing blade; first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second drive members; a first biasing member biasing the first drive member to move the leading blade away from the opening; and a second biasing member biasing the second drive member to move the trailing blade away from the opening.

Abstract: A camera shutter device and an optical apparatus having the same are disclosed. The camera shutter device includes a pair of cores, each wrapped by a coil and having a distal end facing the other, wherein each coil is formed at the distal end with an electromagnetic force line generating unit. A magnet comprising a first magnet and a second magnet is interposed between the pair of cores. The magnet linearly and reciprocally moves in a direction perpendicular to the electromagnetic force line generating unit, and a slider opens and shuts a shutter blade as the magnet linearly and reciprocally moves, whereby miniaturization and thinning of the shutter device can be realized, and an opening/shutting operation can be stably performed.

Abstract: When a hold member rotates on a shaft counterclockwise in the set operation, pressing parts of a pressing member which is fitted on top end of the hold member press pressed parts of iron piece members to rotate a lock-releasing member for a first blade and a lock-releasing member for a rear blade so that the iron piece members are made to come into contact with iron-core members of electromagnets, while an engagement pin presses an arm of a connection spring to rotate a restraining member clockwise so that a restraining part of the restraining member moves into the trajectory of the movement of a restrained part of the lock-releasing member for the rear blade.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an image pickup unit including an image pickup element and a control substrate mounted with the image pickup element; and a shutter unit including a blade for adjusting an amount of light reaching the image pickup element and a drive source for driving the blade. The shutter unit includes a terminal portion electrically connected to a coil of the drive source. The terminal portion extends outward from the shutter unit and is electrically connected to the control substrate. The terminal portion and the image pickup unit include alignment means for aligning these each other. The shutter unit is aligned with the image pickup unit via the terminal portion.

Abstract: A shutter device mounted in a compact device such as a camera or mobile phone is provided. The shutter device includes, a base which forms a light permeation hole through which a film or a charge coupled device (CCD) is exposed to a light; a first and second electromagnets which are mounted to opposite sides of the base; a driving arm in which one end is rotatably assembled with a side of the base between the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet; a first and second shutters which open or close the light permeation hole while concurrently rotating about a part of the base in association with the rotation of the driving arm; and a magnetic which is mounted to an end of the driving arm, and rotates the driving arm in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction while moving by the magnetic force between the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet along a direction of an electric current applied to the first and second electromagnets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light amount adjustment apparatus, including: a shutter blade and a filter blade each configured to operate in a predetermined direction to adjust the amount of light transmitted through a lens group; a first magnet configured to drive the shutter blade; a first core and a first coil; a second magnet configured to drive the filter blade; and a second core and a second coil. The filter blade has a control portion for controlling and adjusts the amount of light transmitted through the lens group. The filter blade has at least one hole or one cutaway portion formed at a portion of the filter blade other than the control portion.

Abstract: A projector device, includes: a projector unit, including a light source and a projection lens whose focal position is variable, that projects an image upon a projection surface with a light flux outputted from the light source that passes through the projection lens; an image-capturing unit, including a photographic lens whose focal position is variable, that captures an image of a subject with a light flux from the exterior that passes through the photographic lens; and a single drive source that generates drive force for changing both the focal position of the projection lens and the focal position of the photographic lens.

Abstract: A driving device which makes it possible to reduce the moment of inertia of a rotor and increase torque. A magnet is formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape and has magnetized sections which are magnetized to have alternately different poles in a circumferential direction thereof. A coil is wound coaxially with the magnet and is disposed in axially side-by-side relation to the magnet. A stator yoke is formed of a soft magnetic material and fixes the magnet and the coil. A rotor yoke is formed of a soft magnetic material, and has magnetic pole portions formed in opposed relation to the magnetized sections, for being magnetized by the coil. The rotor yoke is supported in a manner rotatable with respect to the stator yoke. An rotation restricting part limits a range of rotation of the rotor yoke within a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a rotor rotatable within a predetermined angular range, a magnetizing coil, and a yoke having an arcuate surface facing the rotor, and first and second magnetic-pole parts that have mutually different magnetic poles upon energizing the coil. The rotor includes a magnetized rotor part defining the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and magnetized to have different magnetic poles, a non-magnetized driving pin rotatable with the magnetized rotor part, and a protrusion part protruding radially from the rotor and facing the first or second magnetic-pole part while being magnetized to have the same magnetic pole as the outer peripheral surface of the rotor. The surface of the rotor that faces the yoke and that exerts a magnetic action is increased due to the inclusion of the protrusion part, and hence a desired maintaining force and driving torque can be obtained.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable rotary shutter includes a damper for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The damper has a first portion composed of an ultrahigh density polyethylene and a second portion composed of a damped polyurethane that are arranged to strike one against the other during operation of the shutter. Moreover the first portion of the damper has a straight edge and the second portion has a surface that is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two portions throughout the duration of the impact between the two. The combination of materials and configuration of the surfaces of the two portions provides energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of the two portions upon impact.

Abstract: A shutter device comprises a base, two electromagnetic valves, two blades, and a cover plate. A first light hole is formed in the center of base. The electromagnetic valve comprises a magnetic core, a coil unit, and a magnetic part. The magnetic cores and coil units are on the base, being axially symmetrical at the periphery of first light hole of the base. The blades join with the corresponding magnetic parts of the electromagnetic valves, in which each of the blades may travel between first and second positions at a degree of freedom to open or shut the first light hole through which rays of light pass. The cover plate is assembled onto the base and provided with a second light hole corresponding to the first light hole. The two magnetic cores are axially symmetrical on the base and lie at the periphery of first light hole.

Abstract: An image input apparatus that includes a solid-state image sensing device having a plurality of pixels; a shutter having a front curtain and a rear curtain for opening and blocking an optical path to the solid-state image sensing device; a shutter-curtain sensor that senses passage of the front and rear curtains at a plurality of positions; and a reset unit that resets pixels of the solid-state image sensing device successively before the sensor senses passage of the rear curtain upon elapse of a prescribed period of time after the sensor senses passage of said front curtain.

Abstract: A light quantity adjusting device includes a ring-shaped base plate having an exposure aperture at a center thereof, a first light quantity adjusting blade arranged in the exposure aperture, a first drive device for opening/closing the first light quantity adjusting blade, a second light quantity adjusting blade arranged in the exposure aperture, and a second drive device for opening/closing the second light quantity adjusting blade. The first drive device includes a magnet rotor and an exciting coil formed in a ring shape, and a guiding member for inducing a magnetic field to a position facing a magnetic pole formed on a circumference side of the magnet rotor. The second drive device includes a magnet rotor, an exciting coil, and a guiding member for guiding a magnetic field to a position facing a magnetic pole formed on a circumference side of the magnet rotor.

Abstract: There is provided a light control apparatus that maintains the overall apparatus size small, increases the number of stop stages, and is suitable for both the shutter and stop actions. A light control apparatus includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first light shielding member driven by the first actuator, and a second light shielding member driven by the second actuator, wherein in a stop adjusting action, the first and second actuators drive the first and second light shielding members and adjust an aperture formed by the first and second light shielding members, and wherein in a shutter action, the second actuator drives the second light-shielding member for a light shielding action.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a stationary plate having a plurality of driving electrodes movable element opposes the stationary plate and including a sheet subjected to an electret-forming process. A drive control unit for moving the movable element using variation in electrostatic force, thereby shielding light. The electrostatic force is generated between constant charges held in the movable element as a result of the electret-forming process, and charges generated in each of the driving electrodes when a voltage is applied to each driving electrode. The generated electrostatic force is varied by varying the voltage applied to each driving electrode.

Abstract: A sector drive unit for a camera includes sectors capable of opening and closing an aperture provided on a base plate. A first actuator drives the sectors to open and close the aperture, and a drive force transmitting mechanism transmits a driving force of the first actuator to the sectors. A sector retaining unit retains the sectors at the aperture-opening position or at the aperture-closing position, and a second actuator drives the sector retaining unit to a position to retain the sectors and to a position not to retain the sectors. The sector retaining unit prevents the sectors from moving accidentally due to an impact or the like when the sectors are at either the opened position or the closed position. The use of the second actuator for driving the sector retaining unit reduces power consumption and prevents generation of noise during the time of an exposure.

Abstract: A first blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is rotated in the clockwise direction by a driving pin pressing a pressed portion thereof only when a first-blade driving member is rotated by the force from a driving spring, and the other arm is reciprocally rotated by an output pin fit to a slot when a motor is reciprocally rotated. A second blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is reciprocally rotated by a driving pin fit to a slot when a second-blade driving member is reciprocally rotated. One of two action methods can be selected by determining a driving sequence for the first-blade driving member and the motor as to the first blade. Thus, the present invention provides a focal-plane shutter for a digital still camera which can take a picture with both the normally-open method and the normally-closed method.

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: A shutter for a camera having a small size is driven by coil patterns formed in a spiral shape on at least one of a fixed printed board and a movable printed board. On faces of a shutter base plate and a sector ring opposed to each other, a cam mechanism for making the sector ring progress and regress in an optical axis direction is provided. The cam mechanism comprises end face cams arranged in a concentric shape and cam followers corresponding thereto to facilitate pivoting of the sector ring in closing the shutter by moving the cam followers along downwardly inclined faces of the cams.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exposing an imaging medium. The method uses a focal plane shutter system with two reversible motors controlled by a servo control processor. A belt connects the motors. One end of the belt is attached to a shaft of the first reversible motor. The other end of the belt is connected to a shaft of the second reversible motor. In the belt, there are a plurality of fixed width slits. The servo control processor selects one of the fixed width slits according to a desired exposure time setting. The two reversible motors move the belt during an imaging cycle. During the imaging cycle, the first motor winds the belt around its shaft. The second motor simultaneously unwinds the belt from around its shaft. The servo control processor controls the motors to accelerate the selected slit up to a constant imaging medium traversal speed. The constant traversal speed is also determined by the desired exposure time setting.

Abstract: A hybrid, micro-electromagnetic light shutter includes a silicon body having a top surface with an arcuate groove formed on the top surface. A recess and a light aperture are formed in the top surface of the silicon body proximate to the arcuate groove. A shutter assemblage generally comprising metallic elements is provided with a rotatable shutter blade fixedly attached to a means for rotating. The means for rotating has a micro-magnetic element that interacts magnetically with an electromagnet for producing rotational movement. The shutter assemblage is arranged in the recess of the silicon body so that the means for rotating can be supported during rotation by the arcuate groove and be activated for rotational movement by the electromagnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an electronically directly driven focal-plane shutter which has two lightproof curtains, each of which is associated with, and controlled by, an electric drive motor. The drive motors move the curtains across an image field. One curtain starts in a closed position, and the other curtain starts in an open position prior to taking the exposure. So as to achieve operating sequences of the two curtains which are as identical as possible, both drive motors initially are driven simultaneously in an "open" direction. The curtain which starts in the open position first is pressed against a defined open-position stop. Then, by reversing the associated drive motor, that curtain is moved in the "close" direction to complete the exposure.

Abstract: A shutter device having a first light blocking member which travels from a closed state to a fully open state for making exposure, and which is driven by a first motor. A second light blocking member travels from a predetermined position to a closed state for making exposure, and is driven by a second motor. A control circuit controls the driving actions of the first and second motors, and a varying mechanism varies, according to a set condition, the predetermined position at which the second light blocking member starts travelling for making exposure.

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

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 dual coil actuator comprising a pair of independently moveable electrically conductive coils, is characterized in that a single magnet core generates a single magnetic field, and the coils are positioned around the single magnet core, spaced from each other and from the core, and are supported to be independently moved in the single magnetic field about the single magnet core.

Abstract: A device for controlling an amount of light allowed to reach a photosensitive surface includes a movable light regulating member, an electrically conductive coil mounted to move with the member, a first permanent magnet having a north pole located adjacent a first side of the coil, and a second permanent magnet having a south pole located adjacent the first side of the coil. The invention is characterized by third and fourth permanent magnets located adjacent a second side of the coil. A north pole of the third magnet is located opposite the south pole of the second magnet and a south pole of the fourth magnet is located opposite the north pole of the first magnet. When electrical current is passed through the coil in one direction, the member is moved in a first direction, and when electrical current is passed through the coil in another direction, the member is moved in a second direction.