Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of lenses movable along an optical axis, a plurality of drivers configured to drive the plurality of lenses, respectively, and a synchronism loss detector configured to detect a loss of synchronism of one of the plurality of drivers. The one of the plurality of drivers is a driver that drives a lens which is heaviest in the plurality of lenses.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a housing, a camera module, a motion detector and a driving module. The housing defines a receiving cavity therein. The camera module is flexibly received in the receiving cavity. The motion detector is fixedly positioned on the camera module and is configured for detecting a rotational movement of the camera module. The driving module includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the camera module. The second magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The driving module is configured for driving the camera module to rotate through interaction of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to counteract the detected rotational movement of the camera module.

Abstract: An exemplary zinc oxide nano-wire based actuator includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposite to the first electrode, and a zinc oxide nano-wire layer sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The zinc oxide nano-wire layer includes two opposite surfaces in contact with the first and the second electrodes respectively, and a plurality of zinc oxide nano-wires substantially parallel to each other. The first electrode and the second electrode are configured for cooperatively creating therebetween an electric field with an electric field direction substantially parallel to the zinc oxide nano-wires so as to adjust a thickness of the zinc oxide nano-wire layer, thereby moving the second electrode relative to the first electrode.

Abstract: An exemplary image capturing unit includes a housing, a moveable support, and a driving assembly. The moveable support is moveably mounted in the housing. The moveable support includes a rotating axis and is configured for receiving a camera module. The driving assembly includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The second magnetic member is positioned on the moveable support and faces the first magnetic member. The driving assembly is configured for driving the moveable support to rotate about the rotating axis relative to the housing through magnetical interaction between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

Abstract: A positioning system for a miniature electronic device. The positioning system has a first portion including a damper and a second portion connected to the first portion. The second portion positions a payload of the miniature electronic device. The miniature electronic device may be a miniature camera, or other device.

Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. A body controller in the camera body performs control to transmit a timing signal and a drive information signal to the interchangeable lens. A lens controller in the interchangeable lens controls drive of a focus lens based on the drive information signal and the timing signal which are received from the camera body. The drive information signal includes information of a driving time which is a period from a start of driving the focus lens until an end of driving the focus lens.

Abstract: A small imaging apparatus (1) implementing an optical image stabilizing function has a vibratory driving device (3) which comprises a driving shaft (7), an electromechanical transducer (6) consisting of a plurality of elongatable portions capable of elongating and contracting in an axial direction of the driving shaft (7) respectively and integrated with each other, and a driving member (8) slidably engaging on the driving shaft (7); a axially movable optical member (10) of which position is restrained in the axial direction by the driving member (8); and a vertically movable optical member (9, 11) of which position is restrained in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction by the driving shaft (7), the elongatable portions uniformly elongating and contracting repeatedly to displace the driving member (8) slidingly on the driving shaft (7), and unequally elongating or contracting to incline the driving shaft (7) to displace the driving member (8).

Abstract: A lens barrel is a lens barrel that can be mounted to a camera body, including a lens element, a lens support frame, an actuator, an electrical contact, and an electrical substrate. The lens support frame supports the lens element. The actuator is arranged to drive the lens support frame in an optical direction of the lens element, and includes a drive shaft and a detector configured to detect rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical contact is disposed on the opposite side from the actuator with respect to the lens element when viewed in the optical axis direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens element, and is configured to be electrically connected with the camera body. The electrical substrate is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the lens element and cut out at a portion corresponding to the actuator when viewed in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel includes a vibration actuator that drives a focusing lens which brings a subject image into focus; an amplifying section that applies a pair of driving signals amplified to the vibration actuator; a phase shifting section that changes a phase difference between the pair of the driving signals; and a control section that, when a signal for giving an instruction to drive the vibration actuator is input, executes a first processing of causing the phase shifting section to perform an operation which periodically changes the phase difference of the pair of the driving signals.

Abstract: This invention provides a photographing module at least including an electrically controlled actuator, an elastic member, and a photo sensor. The electrically controlled actuator at least comprises a fixed element, a movable element, and an electrical unit and at least provides an axial displacement, wherein the movable element is connected to the lens unit and the electrical unit electrically communicates with the elastic member. The elastic member at least comprises a fixed portion, a movable portion, an elastic portion, and a pair of power supply terminals, wherein the fixed portion and the movable portion are respectively connected to the fixed element and the movable element. The photo sensor is positioned on an image side of the photographing module and connected to the fixed member.

Abstract: There are a camera module and a method for manufacturing the same. There is provided a camera module, including: a lens unit including at least one lens stacked along an optical axis; an autofocusing unit disposed on an object side of the lens unit and automatically controlling a focus of the lens unit; an image sensor unit receiving light incident through the lens unit; and at least one via formed in the lens unit to be penetrated in a thickness direction thereof for an electrical connection of the autofocusing unit.

Abstract: A camera system includes a replaceable lens and a body unit in which the replaceable lens is installed, and an image forming apparatus, in which a timer included in a lens controller is reset according to an instruction from a camera controller so that the replaceable lens is synchronized with the body unit, and focus is adjusted using location information detected by the replaceable lens and a focus estimation value calculated by the body unit.

Abstract: A method of performing fast autofocus (AF) in a digital image processing apparatus having a plurality of lenses mounted therein. By dynamically setting AF search start positions and AF search directions by using current AF position information, fast AF may be performed.

Abstract: A driving mechanism driving a first member and a second member relative to each other which includes a piezoelectric element that drives the first member, a base member that movably supports the first member with the piezoelectric element interposed therebetween, and an electrode portion that is supplied with a driving voltage of the piezoelectric element. The electrode portion includes an exposed portion exposed from the base member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of lenses movable along an optical axis, a plurality of drivers configured to drive the plurality of lenses, respectively, and a synchronism loss detector configured to detect a loss of synchronism of one of the plurality of drivers. The one of the plurality of drivers is a driver that drives a lens which is heaviest in the plurality of lenses.

Abstract: A lens driving device accurately and smoothly moves a holder in an optical axis direction even when the distance between lower shaft end supporting portions differ from the distance between upper shaft end supporting holes. The cross-section, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, of at least one upper shaft end supporting hole 42 among the plurality of upper shaft end supporting holes 41 and 42 arranged in the cover is larger than the cross-section, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, of a corresponding sub-shaft 52 among the plurality of shafts.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image sensor being subjected to exposure performed in a rolling shutter system, a focusing system including a focus lens for focusing on the image sensor, an AF evaluation value calculating unit calculating an AF evaluation value based on an imaging signal obtained from the image sensor, and an AF control unit controlling an operation of the focusing system based on an AF evaluation value of a focusing area set in a part of the imaging picture by the image sensor, and the AF control unit makes the AF evaluation value of a focusing area of each imaging picture and a focus lens position at the time of exposure for the focusing area correspond to each other, and drives the focusing system during the period which overlaps with an exposure period while searching the focus lens position where the AF evaluation value becomes maximum.

Abstract: A back focus adjustment apparatus of a camera includes a casing, an adjusting module and an image capturing device. The adjusting module includes a fixed support, a movable support and a drive module. The drive module includes an adjustment wheel and two drive wheels. The lens module is mounted on a bottom surface of the casing. The fixed support is fixed in the casing and opposite to the bottom surface thereof. The image capturing device is mounted on the movable support. The drive module is defined on the fixed support. The drive module is connected to the movable support through worm gears defined on drive wheels. The drive wheels and the adjustment wheel are gearingly engaged. The image capturing device moves back and forth according to the adjustment of the adjusting wheel of the adjusting module.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a shell and a driving module in the shell. The shell includes a top plate. The driving module includes many magnets attached on the shell and defining a first receiving cavity, a movable unit movably received in the first receiving cavity, a bottom base, and a guiding post. The movable unit includes a movable barrel for receiving a lens module and a coil on the movable barrel. A central axis of the movable barrel is coaxial with an optical axis of the lens module. The movable barrel includes a first receiving portion. A central axis of the first receiving portion is parallel with the optical axis. The bottom base includes a second receiving portion. One end of the guiding post is received in the first receiving portion, and the other end of the guiding post is received in the second receiving portion.

Abstract: An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base, a shaft mounted on a side surface of the moveable frame, a magnet, a flexible printed circuit, a piezoelectric motor, and a position sensor. The magnet is mounted on the side surface of the moveable frame and apart from the shaft. The flexible printed circuit is mounted on a sidewall of the stationary frame in an unfolded state. The piezoelectric motor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and matches with the shaft. The position sensor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and apart from the piezoelectric motor. The position sensor is configured for detecting the location of the magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a voice coil motor (VCM); a lens connected to the voice coil motor; and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driver connected to the voice coil motor to at least partially control movement of the lens by the voice coil motor.

Abstract: A focus control circuit is installed in an image pickup apparatus including a lens, a driver element for adjusting the position of the lens, and a position detecting element for detecting the position of the lens. A feedback equalizer included in the focus control circuit generates a drive signal used to adjust the position of the lens to a target position, based on a difference between the position of the lens identified by the output signal of the position detecting element and the target position of the lens set externally, and controls the driver element.

Abstract: An optical system including a photo sensor, a wafer level optical (WLO) lens module and a focusing motor is provided. The WLO lens module is located at the photo sensor. The WLO lens module includes at least one transparent substrate and at least one lens, wherein the lens is disposed on the transparent substrate. The focusing motor is located between the WLO lens module and the photo sensor. The focusing motor drives the WLO lens module to move toward or backward the photo sensor.

Abstract: A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.

Abstract: A method for aligning an actuator device relative to an adjacent component, such as a rear cover of an actuator module or a stationary lens, includes disposing a plurality of radially extending tabs around an outer periphery of the actuator device, disposing a corresponding plurality of pairs of raised mounting features on a front surface of the adjacent component, each pair defining a slot having sidewalls that are complementary in configuration to respective sidewalls of corresponding ones of the tabs, and inserting respective ones of the tabs into corresponding ones of the slots.

Abstract: A lens barrel for, e.g., a miniature camera or another device, includes an annular barrel, a plurality of first optical elements disposed coaxially within the barrel, an actuator device disposed coaxially within the barrel in front of the first optical elements, a front cover attached coaxially to a front surface of the actuator device, and a second optical element mounted coaxially in a central opening of a moving platform of the actuator device such that rotational movement of actuators in the actuator device causes the moving platform and second optical element to move conjointly with a purely translation movement along the optical axis of the second optical element and relative to the first optical elements.

Abstract: A lens controlling device disclosed herein includes: a servo calculation section which calculates a motor current setting value such that a lens position detection signal which is inputted from a photo reflector agrees with a predetermined target lens position setting signal; a motor driver which generates a motor current in accordance with the motor current setting value, and supplies the motor current to a lens drive motor; and a temperature correction calculation section which monitors the motor current setting value to generate the temperature correction signal, and corrects either one of the target lens position setting signal and the lens position detection signal.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a magnet rotor, a stator having a coil, a position detector configured to detect a position of the magnet rotor, a lead angle circuit configured to output a signal having a lead angle relative to an output of the position detector, a first driver configured to switch an electrification state of the coil in accordance with a preset time interval, a second driver configured to switch an electrification state of the coil in accordance with an output of the lead angle circuit, and a controller configured to adjust a lead angle amount of the signal output from the lead angle circuit within a range that does not cause step out in the driving by the first driver, prior to changing the driving by the second driver to the driving by the first driver.

Abstract: A driving mechanism includes plural driving members arranged in a circumferential shape around a reference shaft, a base member holding the plural driving members with each interposed in the circumferential direction, first piezoelectric elements vibrating in a thickness-shear vibration mode in a first direction, and second piezoelectric elements vibrating in the thickness-shear vibration mode in a second direction. Each driving member includes a first member and a second member. The base member supports one driving member of two driving members adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on a first support face and supports the other driving member on a second support face. The base member is formed so that the angle formed by the first support face and the second support face is equal to or greater than 60°.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of lenses movable along an optical axis, a plurality of drivers configured to drive the plurality of lenses, respectively, and a synchronizm loss detector configured to detect a loss of synchronizm of one of the plurality of drivers. The one of the plurality of drivers is a driver that drives a lens which is heaviest in the plurality of lenses.

Abstract: A lens drive device includes: a lens holder holding a lens; a drive source including a rotor rotatably supported; a gear rotated by a rotation of the rotor; and a driven gear rotated by the gear. The lens holder is moved in an optical axis direction by a rotation of the driven gear. The driven gear includes a teeth portion. The teeth portion includes: a meshed portion meshing the gear; and a non-meshed portion abutting the gear to stop the rotations of the gear and the driven gear.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to drive the focus lens, a controller configured to control a supply of power to the driver, and a setting unit configured to set a power supply mode for specifying a method of supplying power to the driver. When a predetermined power supply mode is set, the controller determines according to a magnitude of a depth of field of the optical system during whether holding power for holding the state of the focus lens is supplied to the driver when the focus lens is stopped, and controls the supply of the holding power to the driver according to the result of the determination.

Abstract: A metal pin is inserted into a hole cylindrically formed in a camera casing so as to be in contact with a shape-memory actuator. The metal pin and the shape-memory actuator are fixed by pressurization. The metal pin is further bonded to a printed circuit board via a solder to electrically and thermally contact the shape-memory actuator and the printed circuit board so as to form the camera module by reducing the wiring size and improving the cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.

Abstract: An image photographing module is provided that includes: a lens unit and has a guide hole guiding the movement of the lens unit; a module supporting unit disposed at the back of the lens unit along the optical axis, wherein a driving axis that is movably inserted into the guide hole is coupled to the module supporting unit; a shutter unit that controls the amount of light incident on the lens unit and is disposed in front of the lens unit such that the shutter unit is substantially included within the overall perimeter of the lens unit; and a lens driving unit that is disposed substantially within the combined perimeter of the shutter unit and the lens unit. A curved vibration piezoelectric motor is also included that moves the lens unit along the optical axis using friction with the driving axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for camera modules having a movable lens barrel, allowing a maximum lens diameter with minimal outside dimensions are disclosed. At least one single linear actuator is moving the lens barrel. Each actuator is deployed in an own corner of the camera module. The moving lens barrel is guided by rolling elements bearings. The actuator comprises a stator, comprising one or more coils wrapped around a rod of magnetic metal and an anchor comprising one or more permanent magnets, which are tightly attached to the lens barrel. An offset between the longitudinal center line of magnets of the anchor and the center of the stator generates a permanent force pushing the lens barrel in direction of the stator of the motor and consequently pushes protrusions on the lens barrel onto the rolling elements bearings, thus preventing the bearings to fall apart in case of a mechanical shock.

Abstract: Provided is a lens apparatus including: an optical member; and an operation member, which is connected to the optical member and is operated to drive the optical member, in which: the lens apparatus is capable of working in a checking mode for checking a specified set value of the lens apparatus; and in the checking mode, the operation member moves to a position corresponding to the specified set value so as to display the specified set value.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes: an optical member; a driving unit; a position detector; a rotary operation portion; a projection portion to be rotated interlockingly with the operation portion; an operation portion rotation detector; a driving controller for controlling the driving unit based on an amount of an operation of the operation portion; rotatable first (second) pins; first (second) side locking units; and a lock controller for controlling both the locking units based on a position of the optical member and a rotating direction of the operation portion. The projection portion is provided between the first regulation pin and the second regulation pin. The first regulation pin and the second regulation pin are elastically connected to each other. The lock controller locks the first (second) side locking unit when the focus unit reaches a first (second) end while the operation portion is operated toward the first (second) end.

Abstract: A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.

Abstract: This invention provides a photographing module that at least includes a lens unit, an electrically controlled focusing mechanism, an elastic unit, a supporting base and a photosensitive device. A movable member of the electrically controlled focusing mechanism is electrically driven to move the lens unit attached therewith along an optical axis so as to perform a focusing function. The elastic unit is disposed with the electrically controlled focusing mechanism and has a plurality of bridge regions. Each bridge region has a plurality of radial segments which are connected together, so that they can evenly absorb accumulated stress coming from a distortion, a plane shift along the optical axis and a certain amount of tilt of the lens unit while it is being rotated to be disposed in the photographing module or during its other movements. The elastic unit effectively utilizes available space to lengthen the bridge regions so its spring constant can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens that is detachably fitted to a camera body includes: a photographic optical system including a plurality of driven members whose driven state changes; a driven position information transmission unit that transmits driven position information to the camera body via a first transmission unit according to a clock signal input from the camera body, the driven position information being relates to a position of at least one driven member among the plurality of driven members; and a type information transmission unit that transmits type information to the camera body via a second transmission unit that is different from the first transmission unit, the type information specifying a type of driven position information that can be transmitted from the driven position information transmission unit.

Abstract: A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.

Abstract: A lens displacement mechanism using shaped memory alloy (SMA) applied to an auto-focusing lens module is disclosed. The lens displacement mechanism comprising at least one SMA wire. Two opposite ends of the SMA wire are fixed and a longitudinal mid-point of an intermediate movable portion between the two opposite ends is tightened and is fixed on a corresponding hook disposed on an outer edge of the lens so that the intermediate movable portion is tightened between the two opposite ends. When the SMA wire is heated, the intermediate movable portion contracts to pull the hook of the lens for driving the lens to move and slide along with an optical axis so as to achieve auto-focus control. The present lens displacement mechanism is simple in structure and reflow process. Therefore, the present displacement mechanism is suitable to be used in portable camera or mobile phone or PDA, which needs to be small and have easily mass production by SMT.

Abstract: A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus provides an auto-macro function in which a camera lens element has two focus positions. In one type of apparatus, a shape memory alloy actuator arranged to drive movement of the camera lens element relative to a support structure against an end-stop arranged to limit the movement. The shape memory alloy actuator is connected to one of the movable element and the support structure by a compliant connector. This limits the stresses on the shape memory alloy actuator and therefore increases its lifetime. In another type of apparatus, the suspension system supporting the movable element on the support structure provides the movable element with two stable positions along the movement direction.

Abstract: In a shape memory alloy actuator driving device, a predetermined constant current is applied to a shape memory alloy member as a retrieval signal to detect a terminal voltage of the shape memory alloy member, and a detection result of the terminal voltage is compared with a target voltage value to be calculated based on a target resistance value of the shape memory alloy member and a value of the constant current to cause a driving circuit to output, to the shape memory alloy member, a drive current that makes the detection result substantially equal to the target voltage value.

Abstract: A vibrational wave motor which can realize a suitable drive performance and can be driven quietly. A vibrational wave motor having: an electromechanical-conversion element excited by a driving signal; a vibrating element joined with the electromechanical-conversion element, and having a drive surface where a progressive vibrational wave is generated by the excitation; a relative motion member having a sliding surface pressure-contacting the drive surface of the vibrating element, and which is driven by the wave; and a driving device for providing the driving signal to the electromechanical-conversion element, wherein: the driving device provides the driving signal to the electromechanical-conversion element, the driving signal generating the wave satisfying a-value/??0.00025 in the drive surface, where a vibration amplitude generated in the drive surface of the vibrating element is a-value, and a wavelength generated in the drive surface of the vibrating element is ?.

Abstract: An auto focus (AF) apparatus and method for a camera that improves the AF action by reducing the number of time and steps required of a conventional apparatus and method. An encoder initial value is detected by measuring an initial position of a lens unit by means of an encoder; matching the measured encoder initial value to an initial position value to which the lens unit is to move while performing the auto focus; performing the auto focus starting from the matched initial position value, and dividing a distance that the lens unit is to cover into sections corresponding to a preset number of steps; detecting an edge value which shows a brightness change for a contour of a subject for as many as the number of the preset steps. The AF is completed by moving the lens unit to a position corresponding to a maximum edge value selected from among the detected edge values.

Abstract: A method for controlling an auto macro function of a lens module is provided. Firstly, a control switching module is provided. The both terminals of the coil of the lens module are connected to a power source and the control switching module, respectively. In response to a first signal state of a control signal, a constant current is transmitted from the power source to the coil. The magnets attached on the magnet yoke provide a permanent magnetic field, and the constant current passing through the coil causes a magnetic force to be generated on the coil while moving the lens holder toward the magnet yoke by a constant distance. In response to a second signal state of the control signal, the power source stops transmitting the constant current to the coil, wherein a restoring force generated by the deformed spring causes the lens holder to return to its original position.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical yoke 3; a base 5 to which the yoke 3 is attached; a carrier 7 having a lens; a coil 10; and a magnet 13, wherein the carrier 7 is moved in a direction of an optical axis of a lens by electromagnetic force generated by passing current through the coil 10, the base 5 is substantially square-shaped as viewed from a plane, the yoke 3 is placed at an inner position of the base 5, the yoke 3 has an outer peripheral wall 3a and an annular inner peripheral wall 3b to be spaced to each other, each magnet is placed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and at a position corresponding to a base corner portion of the base 5, and a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at a base side portion 3e is made narrower than a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at the base corner portion.