Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a driving assembly. The fixed portion includes a limiting portion. The movable portion is movably disposed on the fixed portion and includes an optical element and a connecting assembly. The optical element has a main axis. The connecting assembly is connected to the optical element. The driving assembly is at least partially disposed on the fixed portion, wherein the limiting portion is used for limiting the range of motion of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: An electret-based haptic actuator is presented. The actuator having an electret layer, an electrically conductive layer, an electrically insulative layer, a plurality of spacers, and a signal generating circuit. The electret layer having a built-in voltage along a thickness dimension of the electret layer. The electrically insulative layer being disposed between the electret layer and the electrically conductive layer. The plurality of spacers being disposed between the electret layer and the electrically conductive layer. The signal generating circuit being electrically connected to the electrically conductive layer and not electrically connected to the electret layer. The signal generating circuit being configured to apply an oscillating drive signal to the electrically conductive layer to generate a vibrotactile haptic effect.

Abstract: Attenuator apparatus for controlling the intensity of radiation including an attenuator having through openings that vary in size to vary the intensity of a beam of radiation passing through the shutter, and means for moving the attenuator to selectively regulate the intensity of the beam of radiation passing through.

Abstract: An optical mechanism for a camera having a camera aperture includes an indexing stage movable between at least two distinct positions. At least a first fixed diameter apodized aperture is mounted on the stage and configured to be aligned with the camera aperture in one of the distinct positions of the indexing stage, and wherein the first fixed diameter apodized aperture is not aligned with the camera aperture in the other of the distinct positions of the indexing stage. The stage can include multiple fixed diameter apodized apertures of distinct effective diameters each of which can be selectively aligned with the camera aperture. The mechanism includes an actuator for moving the stage between each of said distinct positions. Methods for mass producing the fixed diameter apodized aperture are disclosed using dye diffusion into optical elements via various methods, and various casting and molding formation techniques.

Abstract: A blade room for a second blade group is formed between a shutter base plate and a middle plate and a blade room for a first blade group is formed between the middle plate and an auxiliary base plate, by separating a space between the shutter base plate and the auxiliary base plate by the middle plate. A push pin which is planted on the shutter base plate pushes a portion on the lower area of the middle plate toward the auxiliary base plate so that the middle plate bends in the shape of an arc. Also, the area of the middle plate below the exposure aperture has the narrowest width in the portion which is pushed by the push pin and the pushed portion of the middle plate has a shape by which the area of the middle plate below the exposure aperture is easy to bend.

Abstract: An aperture unit includes three or more diaphragm blades, a base plate that supports the diaphragm blades, a drive lever connected to the diaphragm blades, and an aperture motor that rotates the drive lever, wherein, in a range from a reference aperture value to a specific aperture value, a polygonal aperture is formed by aperture edges of two or more of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly move in a first direction and an aperture edge of at least one of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein, in a range from the specific aperture value to a closed aperture state, an aperture is formed by aperture edges of two diaphragm blades that move in opposite directions.

Abstract: A shuttering and sealing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an aperture through which light may pass to an optical sensor, a seal surrounding the aperture, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the shutter does not cover the aperture and a closed position in which the shutter covers the aperture and the seal seals the shutter around the aperture.

Abstract: An enclosure for an imaging device. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a housing with a transparent window. A shutter mechanism is disposed on the housing and transparent window, and includes an opening formed therein. A shutter covers and uncovers the opening. Further, a gas supplying unit supplies gas to a space between the housing and the shutter mechanism. In another embodiment, the enclosure includes an inner housing with a transparent window, and an outer housing overlapping the inner housing and with an opening formed therein. A driving unit moves the opening along a predetermined path over the transparent window. A gas supplying unit supplies gas to the outer. In yet another embodiment, the enclosure includes inner and outer housings each having an opening formed therein. A rotating unit rotates one of the inner and outer housings, and a gas supplying unit supplies gas to the inner housing.

Abstract: An aperture unit includes three or more diaphragm blades, a base plate that supports the diaphragm blades, a drive lever connected to the diaphragm blades, and an aperture motor that rotates the drive lever, wherein, in a range from a reference aperture value to a specific aperture value, a polygonal aperture is formed by aperture edges of two or more of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly move in a first direction and an aperture edge of at least one of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein, in a range from the specific aperture value to a closed aperture state, an aperture is formed by aperture edges of two diaphragm blades that move in opposite directions.

Abstract: A base plate is elongate and an opening for a photographing optical path is configured close to one end in its longitudinal direction. A shutter blade is rotatably mounted to the blade-mounting shank of the base plate so that when the opening is fully opened, a part covering the opening is stored in the region of the base plate in the longitudinal direction. Another shutter blade is slidably mounted to the blade-mounting shank of the base plate so that when the opening is fully opened, a part covering the opening is stored in the region of the base plate in its lateral direction. Each of the shutter blades is constructed so that the reciprocating operation is performed by the driving pin of an electromagnetic actuator to open and to close the opening.

Abstract: A support plate and a printed wiring board are spaced from a shutter base plate. An adjusting shaft member includes first and second shaft portions and an attachment portion that is press-fitted to an attachment hole in the support plate. Each of first and second contact members is attached to the printed wiring board at one end and has a contact portion and a positioning portion at the other end. The positioning portions of the first and second contact members are respectively brought into contact with a cam-shaped peripheral surface of the first shaft portion and a circular peripheral surface of the second shaft portion. When the adjusting shaft member is rotated, the distance between the contact portions varies. Thus, the time at which the two contact portions come into contact with each other when a pushing portion of the second contact member is pressed can be adjusted.

Abstract: A support plate and a printed wiring board are spaced from a shutter base plate. An adjusting shaft member includes first and second shaft portions and an attachment portion that is press-fitted to an attachment hole in the support plate. Each of first and second contact members is attached to the printed wiring board at one end and has a contact portion and a positioning portion at the other end. The positioning portions of the first and second contact members are respectively brought into contact with a cam-shaped peripheral surface of the first shaft portion and a circular peripheral surface of the second shaft portion. When the adjusting shaft member is rotated, the distance between the contact portions varies. Thus, the time at which the two contact portions come into contact with each other when a pushing portion of the second contact member is pressed can be adjusted.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus has an integrator for generating plural secondary-light-source images for generating illumination light with a uniform intensity; and a variable stop mechanism arranged at or near a position conjugate with the secondary-light-source images. The variable stop mechanism has a base plate having a fixed aperture; and a stop blade which moves across the aperture for changing a quantity of light. The change in the quantity of light passing through said variable stop caused by the movement of said stop blade is greater than a change in a size of an effective region of a stop aperture.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for an optical system includes a linear track having a first end and a second end, a first magnetic assembly located adjacent the first end of the track and a second magnetic assembly located adjacent the second end of the track, the two magnetic assemblies arranged in opposite polarities. A shutter plate is provided coupled to a coil mounted on and movable across the track. When a direct electric current is passed through the coil in one direction the shutter is forced to move to the first end of the track, whereas when a direct electric current is passed through the coil in an opposite direction the shutter is forced to move to the second end of the track.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a blade member and a detecting unit. The blade member includes a first blade, a second blade, a detection portion, and a limiting portion. The blade member controls a time of exposure, performed on a recording medium, on the basis of a magnitude of a width of a slit. The slit includes slit portions and is provided when the first and second blades travel. The slit portions are provided at the detection portion and limiting portion, respectively. The detecting unit detects a state of the slit width. A cut-away portion is provided at the blade member so that a width of the slit portion at the detection portion is greater than a width of the slit portion at the limiting portion. The detection portion is detected by the detecting unit. The limiting portion limits the exposure time.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for using one or more virtual pivots in a shutter system for a miniature camera. A virtual pivot system may comprise one or more flexures, so that a shutter apparatus may be rotated about a center of rotation without a physical rotation element at the center of rotation. The virtual pivot system may provide a number of benefits, including the reduction or elimination of stiction.

Abstract: Provided is a light amount control device eliminating a deviation in image forming position over the entire area of the variable range of an aperture due to an ND filter and assuring smooth stopping operation. The light amount control device of the present invention includes: a first shading member and a second shading member which are adapted to move within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis to vary an area of a light passage opening; a lever member which is connected with the first shading member and the second shading member and which is rotatable; an actuator for driving the lever member; and an ND filter mounted to the first shading member. The ND filter is configured to cover an entirety of the light passage opening in an open state, and the second shading member has a guard portion which, with the light passage opening being in a closed state, is arranged between the lever member and the ND filter, preventing the ND filter from coming into contact with the lever member.

Abstract: An aperture stop mechanism is composed of a small number of components, and accurately controls the position of a member that defines the rim of an aperture. The aperture stop mechanism (2) includes an aperture base plate (21), two aperture blades (22, 23), and a motor(24). The aperture blades (22, 23) are individually pivotable about pins (21a, 21b) provided on the aperture base plate (21). One aperture blade (22) has two gears (22a, 22b) formed along arcs about the pin (21a) with different pitch circle radii. The other aperture blade (23) has a gear along an arc about the pin (21b). The gear (22b) meshes with a motor gear (25), and the gear (22a) meshes with the gear (23a).

Abstract: A light shielding blade material for use in an optical apparatus is constructed by a substrate composed of a plastic film having a pair of surfaces opposed to each other. A shield coating capable of blocking an incident light is formed on each surface of the substrate. A reinforcement member is disposed on each shield coating. The reinforcement member is composed of a thermosetting resin prepreg sheet reinforced with fibers arranged in an alignment direction, and hardened to laminate with the substrate through the shield coating. A lubricant coating having a black appearance and a lubricity sufficient to suppress a surface friction is formed on each reinforcement member such that an upper layer of the lubricant coating and a lower layer of the shield coating are separated from each other by an intermediate layer of the reinforcement member.

Abstract: An exposure slit for an image recording apparatus comprises a plate having an opening for the passage of light. First and second inclined walls extend toward each other from the plate to form a slit over the opening. The inclined walls form a light trap which reduces the occurrence of fogging in the image recorder.

Abstract: A rotary plate has an eccentric shaft and a recessed portion which are spaced from a rotary shaft. A shutter is connected to the eccentric shaft by a swing arm which is rotatable about the eccentric shaft. A pin is provided on the swing arm. When the rotary plate starts rotating from a closed condition of the shutter, the swing arm moves linearly to release the shutter even when the shutter freezes to the casing. When the swing arm further rotates, the pin engages with the recessed portion of the rotary plate. The swing arm is integrated with the rotary plate. The shutter is quickly opened. When the shutter is fully opened, the pin disengages from the recessed portion. As the eccentric shaft is located adjacent to the rotary shaft, a large force is transmitted to the shutter. Thus, it becomes possible to use a low-power motor to release the shutter from the camera casing even when they freeze together.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for digital still cameras is constructed so that a first driving member for a first blade connected to the first blade is biased by a cocking spring to rotate clockwise and a second driving member for the first blade is biased by a driving spring to rotate counterclockwise. A driving member for a second blade connected to the second blade is biased by a driving spring to rotate counterclockwise. An exposure aperture is fully opened before photographing, and when a cocking member is rotated in a clockwise direction in photographing, the first driving member is released from the holding of the cocking member and is rotated, and the exposure aperture is covered by the first blade. After that, when releasing members are separated from the iron cores of respective electromagnets, locks of locking members are released, and the driving members are rotated counterclockwise in turn. Consequently, exposure is carried out through a slit formed by the first blade and the second blade.

Abstract: A light-shielding blade material is provided that contributes to increased focal plane shutter speeds. A focal plane shutter has a front blade group and a rear blade group, each being composed of a plurality of light-shielding blades. At least one of these light-shielding blades is made of a Be-Al alloy material containing 40% by weight or more of Be, and has a thickness of 40 to 150 microns. This light-shielding blade is light in weight and high in stiffness, thereby significantly contributing the increased focal plane shutter speeds.

Abstract: Described herein is a shutter mechanism (10) suitable for use in a single-use camera. The mechanism (10) comprises a mounting plate (12, 120) and a shutter member (14, 140) mounted thereon. Shutter member (14, 140) comprises a spring (141) connected to a shutter blade/trigger member (142) by means of arm portions (143, 144), the connection between the spring (141) and the shutter blade/trigger member (142) to the arm portions (143, 144) being effected by hinges (145, 146, 147, 148). The mounting plate (12, 120) comprises a circular disc (120) having recess portions (121, 126) in which spring (141) and shutter blade/trigger member (142) are respectively located. Depression of shutter blade/trigger member (142) moves it to a metastable position against the action of the spring (141), and once through that position, the action of the spring (141) accelerates the shutter blade/trigger member (142) over the lens (not shown) to provide an exposure for photographic material mounted within the camera.

Abstract: An exposure slit is provided for a shuttle style film gate in a film transport. The exposure slit is provided on a plate that is mounted to the film gate shuttle. After the shuttle advances a frame of the film, it carries the slit with it during its return to a home position. Exposure of the film frame is made through the slit during the return travel.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic camera shutter incorporating an electrically conductive shutter blade having a hole there through that is connected in series to a pair of electrically conductive springs to urge the shutter blade into a first or a second position from a compressed position between the first and the second positions.A permanent magnet having a hole there through is positioned in proximity to the shutter blade such that the shutter covers the hole in the permanent magnet when the shutter is in the first or the second position.

Abstract: An exposure slit is provided for a shuttle style film gate in a film transport. The exposure slit is provided on a plate that is mounted to the film gate shuttle. After the shuttle advances a frame of the film, it carries the slit with it during its return to a home position. Exposure of the film frame is made through the slit during the return travel.