Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for auto-focusing including: a sensing unit sensing a current position of a lens moving within a predetermined range along a moving shaft; an A/D converter converting a lens position value from the sensing unit into a digital signal; a lens position control unit generating a signal for moving the lens to a target lens position determined by an auto-focusing algorithm; a driving signal generating unit generating a square wave signal according to the signal from the lens position control unit; and an operation unit connected to the A/D converter and controlling a time at which the A/D converter performs conversion according to the square wave signal from the driving signal generating unit.

Abstract: A camera module includes a barrel for receiving at least a first lens, an actuator, and a holder. The actuator includes an annular stator and a carrying member. The stator is connected to the barrel and defines a plurality of spaced parallel inner branches in an inner side thereof. The carrying member is received in the stator and defines a through hole therein for receiving at least a second lens. The carry member defines a plurality of spaced parallel outer branches in the outer sidewall thereof. The outer branches are alternately interleaved between the inner branches and have a voltage thereacross for driving the carrying member to move forward and backward. The holder is connected to the barrel and configured for receiving the barrel and the actuator.

Abstract: An exemplary camera module includes a lens mount, a lens unit, a magnet unit, a printed circuit board (PCB)-based Rogowski coil and a blade spring. The PCB-based Rogowski coil is fixed around the lens unit. The PCB-based Rogowski coil establishes an induced magnetic field when an electric current is applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet unit to generate a magnetic force moving the lens unit telescopically. The blade spring includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a moveable end connected with the lens unit and an opposite fixed end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to distort and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.

Abstract: A camera module in which a lens holder that holds one or more lenses is made movable in an optical axis direction and in which an auto-focus function and a zoom function are assembled is reduced in size and weight. To achieve this, the lens holder is provided with a guide bearing section, a bearing section, and a piezo element holding section, a guide shaft is placed in parallel with the optical axis and is made to be in contact with the guide bearing section, a drive shaft is inserted into the bearing section so that the lens holder can be moved in the direction of the optical axis along the guide shaft, a piezo element is pressed by a securing member, having elastic force, against the piezoe element holding section and secured in place and the drive shaft receives driving force by the piezo element.

Abstract: An imaging pickup apparatus includes a lens module and a motor. The body includes a camera module configured for sensing an image. The motor is configured for driving the lens module to move in increments that are multiple steps of the motor. The multiplier used are “x” and “y” during an auto focus process. The image pickup apparatus includes a preset step number. Initially, the motor drives the lens module to move by increments of “x” steps. When the number of steps moved by the motor is greater than or equal to the preset step number, the motor drives the lens module to move by increment of “y” steps.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: A camera module includes a positioning plate, a positioning frame, a spring member, a lens holder, and a piezoelectric actuator. The positioning frame is fixed to the positioning plate and defines a positioning through hole. The spring member is disposed on the positioning plate and in a compressed state. The lens holder is received in the positioning through hole and movably engaged with the positioning frame. The piezoelectric actuator is sandwiched between the compressed spring member and the lens holder. The piezoelectric actuator is operable to drive the lens holder to rotate about a central axis of the positioning frame, thereby move along the central axis relative to the positioning frame.

Abstract: An augmented reality apparatus and method in which the direction of a camera is adjusted to be consistent with a direction toward which a user faces and an augmented reality image is realized for a subject image incident from the adjusted camera direction. The augmented reality apparatus includes a viewing angle determination module which determines a viewing angle of a user, an image input module which receives an image of one or more subjects within the viewing angle of the user, an image synthesization module which generates a synthesized image by synthesizing the subject image with a digital image, and a display module which displays the synthesized image.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating focusing of a miniature camera are disclosed. One or more lenses can be attached to a MEMS stage. The MEMS stage can be moved by a Lorentz actuator. The MEMS stage can be configured to limit movement of the lens(es) to a single degree of freedom to inhibit misalignment thereof with respect to an imaging sensor. The stage can be biased to a predefined position thereof, e.g., for focus at infinity. A metal cover can inhibit electromagnetic interference and can limit movement of the lens(es).

Abstract: An electroactive lens driver comprises a voltage generator generating a high alternating current voltage signal for application to an electroactive lens in response to a low direct current voltage signal. The voltage generator does not include an inductor or a transformer.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an autofocusing section, which moves at least a part of an imaging lens as a focusing lens, and focuses the imaging device on a subject, a photographing distance range setting section, which sets a predetermined distance range including a subject distance to the subject obtained by the autofocusing section as a photographing distance range for photographing, a continuous shooting section, which continuously photographs at a plurality of focused positions in the photographing distance range while moving and stopping the focusing lens according to input of a photographing instruction, and a display section, which displays an image of the subject focused by the autofocusing section and the photographing distance range set by the photographing distance range setting section.

Abstract: The invention concerns A housing for a variable focus liquid lens (204) containing first and second immiscible liquids defining a liquid-liquid interface moveable by electrowetting by application of a voltage between first and second electrodes (206, 208) of the liquid lens, the housing comprising: a first portion (202) comprising a contact surface for contact with a circuit board (203); a second portion (211) for receiving the liquid lens, the second portion arranged to be moveable with respect to said first portion in a first direction parallel to an optical axis (?) of the liquid lens when said liquid lens is positioned in said housing; and first and second contacts (213, 216) for electrically coupling the circuit board to the first and second electrodes respectively of the liquid lens when said liquid lens is positioned in said housing, wherein each of the first and second contacts comprises a first conductive surface (215a, 218a) arranged to make contact with a second conductive surface (215b, 218b), sai

Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator comprising an elastic body; an electromechanical transducer that causes the elastic body to vibrate; and a rotating body that rotates in response to a drive force received from contact with the elastic body at a vibrational antinode thereof, wherein the rotating body contacts the elastic body at a prescribed position along a direction in which an axis of the rotation extends. In the vibration actuator, the elastic body includes an elastic body contact member that is arranged in a region that includes the vibrational antinode of the elastic body, the rotating body includes a rotating body contact member that receives a drive force by contacting the elastic body contact member, and one of the elastic body contact member and the rotating body contact member has a contact surface that is oriented diagonally to the axis of rotation and contacts the other of the elastic body contact member and the rotating body contact member.

Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.

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 focus controller configured to control focus of an optical element includes a focus state detector configured to detect a focus state based on a contrast value of an image formed by the optical element, and a driving mechanism that moves the optical element including a motor, a position sensor configured to detect a position of a rotor in the motor, and a driving controller configured to select, in accordance with the contrast value, first driving configured to switch an electrization to a coil in accordance with an output of the position senor, or second driving configured to switch the electrization to the coil in the motor in accordance with a determined time interval.

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: An exemplary focusing method for enhancing resolution of an optical system is provided. The method includes: focusing on an object and obtaining an image of the object by a lens assembly of the optical system, using a designated point within a motion range of an auto focusing (AF) lens in the lens assembly to calculate; determine a first coordinate and a second coordinate of the AF lens according to resolution of the image; obtaining a direction and distance for positioning the AF lens according to the two coordinates, driving the AF lens to move along the direction of motion, and limiting the range of motion of the AF lens to obtain an optimum focusing location to focus on the object according to the motion distance. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuation device having a shape memory alloy component. The present invention utilizes a length contraction occurred to the shape memory alloy component during its phase transformation from martensite to austenite. The length contraction causes a slider, a carrier and a base to move relatively. Also, the present invention utilizes thermal conductivity of the base to speed up heat dissipation of the shape memory alloy component, so that response time for actuating the carrier can be reduced.

Abstract: There are provided a lens driving apparatus and method for transferring a lens on a plurality of focus positions previously set, in which a physical or mechanical vibration generated by a lens driving actuator when auto focusing is improved. The apparatus includes: a controller controlling the lens to be suspended one or more intermediate focus positions interposed between a present focus position and a target focus position while controlling the lens to be transferred to the present focus position where the lens is presently located to the target focus position that is a target of transferring the lens among the plurality of focus positions; and a driver transferring the lens according to a driving control signal from the controller.

Abstract: A lens barrel 11 is mounted in a collapsible imaging device 1 and includes a third lens frame 55. The third frame 55 is a lens frame to which correction lenses L5, L6, L7 are mounted and includes a shutter unit 57, a vibration compensation actuator 71, a lens frame main body 95, a focus lens frame 105, and a focus motor 115. The focus lens frame 105 is urged against the lens frame main body 95 toward the image plane side by means of a focus spring 110. A motor section 117 of the focus motor 115 is arranged in a region interposed between two multilayer printed circuit boards 77, 79 when viewed from the image plane side or the object side.

Abstract: A drive unit includes an ultrasonic actuator, which has an actuator body formed using a piezoelectric element and outputs a driving force by vibration of the actuator body, and a control section which induces vibration in the actuator body by supplying a plurality of AC voltages to the piezoelectric element. The control section provides, in combination, phase control, which controls the driving force by adjusting a phase difference between a first and a second AC voltages, and wave-number control, which controls the driving force by adjusting the wave number included in a predetermined burst period in each AC voltage.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that can be reduced in production cost in comparison with the conventional imaging device, and a portable terminal provided with the imaging device. The imaging device 10 comprises a lens 11 for focusing light from an object, a magnet 12 attached to the lens 11, lens moving means 13 for moving the lens 11 along an optical axis of the lens 11, a hall element 14 for detecting a magnetic flax generated by the magnet 12, a constant current circuit 15 for driving the hall element 14, an amplifier 16 for amplifying an output voltage of the hall element 14, a comparator 17 for comparing a reference voltage with the output voltage of the hall element 14, a PWM signal producing unit 18 for producing a pulse width modulation signal, a lens controller 19 for outputting a control signal to the lens moving means 13 to control the lens moving means 13, and a lens driver 20 for driving the lens moving means 13.

Abstract: Methods for start-up lens. The lens moves from a stowing position to a standby position along an axis, and a reset point, a first turning point, a second turning point, and a third turning point are defined in sequence during the movement. A drive unit rotates at a first angular velocity to drive the lens in a first route, rotates at a second angular velocity to drive the lens in a second route, and rotates at a third angular velocity to drive the lens in a third route.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit, a magnet, a stator and an elastic element. The stator includes an upper coil seat with an upper coil wound therearound and a lower coil seat with a lower coil wound therearound. The upper and the lower coils establish an induced magnetic field when electric currents are applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet to generate a magnetic force driving the lens unit into a telescopic movement. The elastic element includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a fixed end connected with the stator and an opposite movable end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to deform and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.

Abstract: A lens drive device capable of preventing a lens holder from inclining with respect to the optical axis direction of a lens is provided. A first gear (13), a second gear (14), a protrusion (20a), and a coil spring (6) are coaxially supported by a shaft (5), which is a fixed shaft. The rotational motion is transmitted to a two-stage gear (12) by rotating a rotor (11a) of a step motor (11) clockwise or counterclockwise. The rotational motion of the two-stage gear (12) is in turn transmitted to the first gear (13) and the second gear (14). When the first gear (13) and the second gear (14) rotate, the degree of engagement between an internally threaded portion (131a) of the first gear (13) and an externally threaded portion (141a) of the second gear (14) increases, and the second gear (14) moves upward. As the second gear (14) moves upward, a lens holder (20), urged upward by the elastic force of the coil spring (6), moves upward along the optical axis of a lens (21).

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a pair of drive units (100, 200) arranged back-to-back. Each one of the drive units includes a lens unit (11), a permanent magnet (12) mounted around the lens unit, upper and lower coil seats (15a, 15b) arranged at upper and lower sides of the permanent magnet, and upper and lower coils (14a, 14b) wound around the upper and lower coil seats, respectively. The upper and lower coils are used for inducing the upper and lower yokes (10c, 10d) to generate magnetic fields when electric currents are applied to the first and second coils. The magnetic fields generated by the upper and lower yokes interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement between its focal points. The permanent magnet is fixed to and telescopes inwardly or outwardly with the lens unit.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens type digital camera includes a camera main body and an interchangeable lens. The camera main body includes a control section which communicates with an interchangeable lens, and controls focus adjustment of the interchangeable lens by a hill-climbing AF system. A judgment section judges a characteristic of the interchangeable lens on the basis of communication between the interchangeable lens and the control section. The interchangeable lens includes a focus lens for performing focus adjustment. A focus lens drive section drives the focus lens. A lens control section communicates with the control section, and controls the focus lens drive section to perform focus adjustment. The control section changes a previously determined drive enabled range of the focus lens on the basis of a judgment result of the judgment section to perform focus adjustment of the interchangeable lens.

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 focus controller configured to control focus of an optical system that has a focus lens includes a switching circuit configured to select a first driver for the electrization to a coil of a motor in performing focus control using a first focus detector, and to select a second driver in an electrization to the coil of the motor in performing focus control using a second focus detector. The first driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil in the motor according to an output of the position sensor. The second driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil of the motor according to a determined time interval.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transmission device. A guide bar connects to a fixed base and includes magnetic-permeable material and a first central height plane. A coil connects to the fixed base. A support base movably fits on the guide bar. An annular magnetic member connects to the support base and is surrounded by the coil. A magnetization direction of the annular magnetic member is perpendicular to a moving direction of the support base and annular magnetic member. The annular magnetic member includes a second central height plane. The coil interacts with the annular magnetic member to generate a first force. When moving to separate the second central height plane from the first central height plane, the annular magnetic member interacts with the guide bar to generate a second force, driving the support base and annular magnetic member to move along a direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the annular magnetic member.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a stator (20), a rotor (30) rotatably disposed in the stator, and a lens unit (40) received in the rotor. The stator includes a stator core (23) and coils (25) winding on the stator core. The rotor is a permanent magnet (32) securely mounted around the lens unit. The lens unit forms three ears (414) at a bottom thereof, and a wave-shaped surface (220) is formed on a top of an inner, bottom flange (22) of the stator. The ears abut the wave-shaped surface. The ears of the lens unit move along the wave-shaped surface during rotation of the rotor and the lens mount, and thus the lens unit moves telescopically along an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A range in which a focus lens is to be moved is set; the focus lens is moved within the set range; an in-focus state is determined based on output signals from an image sensing unit which are obtained in association with the movement of the focus lens within the range; and the focus lens is driven so that an object image is brought into focus. When a difference between the positions of the focus lens, at which the plurality of images are brought into focus, is equal to or lower than a preset threshold, the range will be set to be wider than a range in the case where the difference exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a lens mount (10), a lens unit (31) and a motor. The lens unit includes a lens barrel (310) and a lens (312) received in the lens barrel. Tabs (34) and blocks (36) respectively extend outwardly from upper and lower end portions of the lens barrel. Each of the tabs forms an aslant guiding surface (342), which is declined outwardly along a top-to-bottom direction. The motor includes a magnet (32) which is forced to move over the guiding surfaces to be securely sandwiched between the tabs and the blocks. Upper and lower yokes (23a, 23b) are respectively arranged at the upper and lower sides of the magnet. Upper and lower coils (25a, 25b) respectively wind around the two yokes for establishing magnetic fields which interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement.

Abstract: A blur correction camera system includes a blur correction lens driven based upon the vibration detection signal detected by an angular velocity sensor, that corrects an image blur, a point-image function computing unit that computes a point spread function, and an image restoration computing unit that corrects an image blur by executing image restoration through image processing on a captured image by using the point spread function. The image blur that cannot be completely corrected by the blur correction lens is further corrected through image restoration so as to obtain a high quality image.

Abstract: An image photographing apparatus for automatically focusing a photographed image to improve the image quality. The image photographing apparatus automatically focuses the image through a zoom actuator for changing a zoom ratio and a focus actuator for controlling the focus to thereby enhance the image quality. Also, the image photographing apparatus adds a zooming function to diversify the application fields of image photographing.

Abstract: A camera has an infinity end stopper that stops a lens holder to a position which sets a best focal length at infinity, and a macro-side stopper that stops the lens holder to a position at which the best focal length becomes a predetermined length. In normal mode, the camera abuts the lens holder on the infinity end stopper and then moves the lens holder toward the macro-side stopper to perform auto focus. In macro mode, the camera abuts the lens holder on the macro-side stopper and then moves the lens holder toward the infinity end stopper to perform auto focus. This can suppress a variation in the position of the camera after lens movement.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for electro-magnetic damping in a stage system. An excitation waveform for one or more actuators includes one or more frequency components with associated amplitudes. Frequency components at a resonance frequency of the stage system have associated amplitudes that are substantially zero.

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: A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus employs an SMA actuator comprising SMA wire to move a camera lens element. To provide autofocus, the SMA actuator is heated across its range of contraction and the resistance at which the focus is at an acceptable level is stored. To combat hysteresis, there is performed a flyback in which the SMA actuator is cooled, before heating the SMA actuator to the stored resistance. The stored resistance is adjusted to combat creep caused by non-linear heating of the SMA actuator. The SMA wire has conductive material extending along on a portion of the SMA wire which extends from a member connected to the SMA wire and being in electrical connection with the SMA wire in order to short out that portion of the SMA wire to reduce creep. Additional material is applied over the SMA wire and the member to reduce fatigue.

Abstract: A lens module includes a lens barrel, a first lens, a second lens, a plurality of electrostrictive members and a controlling unit. The first lens has a first optical axis thereof, the second lens has a second optical axis thereof, the first and second lenses being received in the lens barrel. The electrostrictive members are arranged in the lens barrel and connected with the second lens. The controlling unit is configured for controlling the electrostrictive members so as to adjust the second optical axis of the second lens to be in alignment with the first optical axis of the first lens. A camera module using the lens module is also provided.

Abstract: An auto focusing camera includes a lens unit (2) including a barrel (20) and a lens (22) received in the barrel, a permanent magnet (3) being fixedly mounted around the barrel of the lens unit and moving with the lens unit when the lens unit undergoes telescopic movement during operation, and a coil seat (6a, 6b) with a coil (5a, 5b) wound thereon arranged at a side of the permanent magnet. An interlocking device (642, 202) is formed on the barrel and the coil seat for guiding the telescopic movement of the lens unit.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body having an in-body motor; an interchangeable lens having an in-lens motor, the interchangeable lens being detachable from the camera body; a focusing mechanism for moving a focusing lens group provided in the interchangeable lens in an optical axis direction thereof; a rotational force transmission device which transmits a rotational force of the in-body motor to the focusing mechanism to perform an AF operation in a state where the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body; an auto-focusing mechanism for driving the focusing mechanism to perform an AF operation by the in-lens motor, independently from the in-body motor; and a one-way clutch which allows transmission of a rotational force of the in-body motor to the in-lens motor while preventing a rotational force of the in-lens motor from being transmitted to the in-body motor.

Abstract: A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus comprises a support structure, a camera lens element supported on the support structure by a suspension system; and an SMA actuator connected between the support structure and the movable element to drive movement of the camera lens element. The control circuit may include a drive circuit and a sensor circuit which have separate electrical connections to the SMA actuator to reduce the impact of the resistance of the electrical connections on the sensing. The control circuit may vary the drive signal in response to a temperature signal indicative of the ambient temperature. An endstop limits movement to prevent extension of the SMA actuator in its unheated state beyond a maximum length which is at or below the length corresponding the local maximum resistance of the resistance-length curve. Control of position is effected using resistance of the SMA actuator as a measure of position.

Abstract: A digital camera module includes a lens assembly, a magnetic field generator, a shell and radially magnetized magnets. The magnetic field generator has a moving direction and surrounds the lens assembly. The shell covers the lens assembly. The radially magnetized magnets are disposed separately in the moving direction and at two sides of the magnetic field generator.

Abstract: A camera module (22) that is advantageous in increasing the endurance and impact resistance is provided. The camera module (22) includes a barrel unit (66), a lens holding unit (68), springs (70), an image pickup element (29), and a driving unit (72). The barrel unit (66) includes a front barrel (78) and a rear barrel (80). The driving unit (72) moves the lens holding unit (68) along an optical axis of an imaging optical system (34), and includes magnets (74) and coils (76). The two magnets (74) are disposed on the lens holding unit (68) at positions having the optical axis therebetween and extend parallel to a single imaginary plane which passes through the optical axis. The coils (76) are respectively disposed on the barrel unit (66) at two positions where the coils (76) face the magnets (74).

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: A driving mechanism, a driving device, and a lens driving device includes a lever member. The lever member includes an arm portion for surrounding a part of a driven member in a side direction. The arm portion has a plurality of displacement output portions to be engaged with the driven member. The lever member is constructed in such a manner that a displacement amount of the displacement output portions in a predetermined first axis direction is set larger than a displacement amount of a displacement input portion to be generated by input of a moving force to be applied by a shape memory alloy actuator. The driving mechanism, the driving device, and the lens driving device enable to obtain a large displacement amount with a reduced size and a reduced weight, and stably move the driven member.

Abstract: A method and system are described for providing background blurring when capturing an image using an image capture device. According to one aspect, input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image of a subject at an image capture device. A focus value corresponding to a focus distance that is less than a distance between the subject and the image capture device and that keeps the subject within a depth of field corresponding to the focus distance is automatically determined. The image is captured using the determined focus value.

Abstract: A digital camera has distance measurement zone setting means (12) for dividing distance to a subject into a plurality of distance measurement zones; distance measurement zone selection means (13) for selecting a distance measurement zone to be scanned; an autofocus evaluation calculation circuit (14) for acquiring an AF evaluation value by scanning the selected distance measurement zone; zone-update determination means (15) for determining, through use of the AF evaluation value, whether or not to update a distance measurement zone to be scanned; and in-focus position decision means (16) for appropriately updating the scanned distance measurement zone based upon the determination as to whether to update the distance measurement zone, and deciding an in-focus position based upon acquisition of AF evaluation value. A focusing lens (2) is driven to the in-focus position by a focusing-lens drive circuit (17).