Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus. A storage unit includes a first storage region for setting a value that indicates whether communication with a lens is possible. A determination unit determines whether communication with the lens is possible. A setting unit sets a value indicating that communication with the lens is possible in the first storage region in a case where it is determined that communication with the lens is possible, and sets a value indicating that communication with the lens is not possible in the first storage region in a case where it is determined that communication with the lens is not possible. In response to a request, which designates an address of the first storage region, from a host, a transmission unit transmits a value set in the first storage region to the host.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of an object, a driving unit configured to change an image capturing direction of the image capturing unit, a control unit configured to control the driving unit, and, a reception unit configured to receive first tally information from another apparatus, wherein the control unit is configured to control, in a case where the reception unit does not receive the first tally information, the driving unit to set a maximum speed of the driving unit at a first driving speed, and control, in a case where the reception unit receives the first tally information, the driving unit to set the maximum speed at a second driving speed lower than the first driving speed.

Abstract: An adjusting method of a camera module, a lens position control device, a control device of a linear movement device, and a controlling method of the same are provided in a state of the cameral module in which an imaging element and an actuator are combined. The camera module includes a position sensor (53) that detects a position of a lens (50) to output a detection position signal, a storage unit (541) that stores and rewrites a position code value corresponding to the position of the lens, a target position signal generation unit (542) that outputs a target position signal based on the position code value and the target position code value, and a control unit (543) that generates a control signal based on the target position signal and the detection position signal.

Abstract: A focusing control device includes: a sensor as defined herein; a first correlation value generation unit as defined herein; a second correlation value generation unit as defined herein; a first phase difference amount measurement unit as defined herein; a second phase difference amount measurement unit as defined herein; a target position determination unit as defined herein; and a lens driving control unit as defined herein, the target position determination unit calculates a temporary target position of the focus lens as defined herein, determines whether or not the target position of the focus lens based on the first phase difference amount falls within a predetermined depth range as defined herein, performs the first process in a case defined herein and performs the second process in a case defined herein, and, in the second process, the target position of the focus lens is determined as defined herein.

Abstract: Device logic in a mobile device configures a processor to capture a series of images, such as a video, using a consumer-grade camera, and to analyze the images to determine the best-focused image, of the series of images, that captures a region of interest. The images may be of a textured surface, such as facial skin of a mobile device user. The processor sets a focal length of the camera to a fixed position for collecting the images. The processor may guide the user to position the mobile device for capturing the images, using audible cues. For each image, the processor crops the image to the region of interest, extracts luminance information, and determines one or more energy levels of the luminance via a Laplacian pyramid. The energy levels may be filtered, and then are compared to energy levels of the other images to determine the best-focused image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining at least one actuation characteristic of an imaging device. For example, one method includes determining a target distance to move a lens by an actuator to focus a scene on an image sensor, where moving the lens by the actuator causes an associated lens vibration having at least one actuation characteristic, determining a scan sequence having a plurality of successive measurements, each measurement having at least a first measurement parameter and subsequent measurement parameter, each measurement parameter including at least one step and at least one time delay, moving the lens the target distance for each successive measurement based on the measurement parameters of each successive measurement, measuring a performance indicator of each successive measurement, and determining at least one actuation characteristic based on the first measurement parameter of the measurement having the highest performance indicator.

Abstract: A lens apparatus, which is communicatable with an image capturing apparatus and includes a lens, comprises a communication unit configured to receive information concerning a driving amount of the lens which is used to move the lens to a focus position, and a controller having a first mode and a second mode of controlling the lens, wherein the controller selects one of the first mode and the second mode based on the received information, and wherein the controller decelerates the lens in the first mode slower than in the second mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for damping unwanted vibrations or ringing of a lens in an imaging device. For example, one method includes determining a target distance to move a lens, and dividing the target distance into multiple steps having at least a first step and a subsequent step, moving the lens, via an actuator, by the first step, thereby causing a first vibration, retrieving a damping parameter indicative of a time delay, the damping parameter being based on at least one characteristic of the actuator and the number of steps, and repeating said moving the lens at least one subsequent step after delaying the subsequent step by one of the damping parameters, each moving the lens a subsequent step causing a subsequent vibration, and the damping parameters affecting the vibration such that the first and subsequent vibrations at least in part modify each other to lower overall vibration.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus detachably mounting a lens unit including a plurality of optical members includes an image pickup unit that accumulates charge in synchronization with a vertical synchronizing signal to generate an image signal, and a control unit that generates control information for each of the plurality of optical members of the mounted lens unit and communicates the control information with the lens unit in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal. The control unit is configured to perform a first communication in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal, and to perform a second communication, for controlling an optical member different to the optical before a next first communication that is performed in synchronization with a next vertical synchronizing signal. The first communication and the second communication are predetermined packet communications in which optical members to be controlled among the plurality of optical members are different from each other.

Abstract: Noise produced during phase-difference changes is minimized without decreasing the responsiveness of a vibration-wave motor. A lens-side MCU (15) for a lens barrel (10) controls a drive apparatus (14) that applies a drive voltage to the vibration-wave motor (12) by outputting an A-phase drive signal and a B-phase drive signal thereto. The lens-side MCU (15) uses, for example, a drive-voltage setting unit (152) and a duty-cycle change unit (153) to change the drive voltage. Also, the lens-side MCU (15) is provided with a phase-difference change unit (154) that changes the phase difference between the A-phase drive signal and the B-phase drive signal. When driving the vibration-wave motor (12), the lens-side MCU (15) changes the drive voltage to Vreg, and when the phase-difference change unit (154) is changing the aforementioned phase difference, the drive voltage is changed to V1, V1 being greater than zero and less than Vreg.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for reducing vibration of a lens. One way to reduce vibration is through a programmable processor configured to divide a lens movement requirement into smaller lens movements and then insert a wait time after completing the smaller lens movements. The smaller lens movements can be repeated for subsequent smaller lens movements until all the remaining smaller lens movements have been completed. The system may include an actuator configured to move the lens; and wherein the lens movements are completed within a processing time of one image frame.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to move the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, an obtaining unit configured to periodically obtain an evaluation value of a subject image formed via the focus lens, a determining unit configured to determine a target position to which the focus lens is moved based on the evaluation value, and a controller configured to control an operation of the driver based on the determined target position. The controller controls the driver to move the focus lens at a first speed for a first period including a backlash period which is defined from start of the operation of the driver to start of an actual movement of the focus lens, and controls the driver to move the focus lens at a second speed faster than the first speed for a second period after the end of the first period.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a magnet rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles that are magnetized, a stator having a magnetic pole portion that opposes each pole of the magnet rotor, a coil configured to excite the magnetic pole portion, a position detector configured to detect a position of the magnet rotor, 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 position detector, and a controller configured to select the first driver when the output of the position detector is less than a first threshold, and to select the second driver when the output of the position detector is equal to or larger than the first threshold.

Abstract: In an image pickup device of the present invention, in the case where a mode switch 116 selects a finder mode, a focusing lens is driven at a first speed when a focusing operation is performed in a focus control unit 203. In the case where the mode switch 116 selects a live view mode, the driving speed of the focusing lens is switched in a range lower than the first speed in accordance with brightness of an object detected by a photometric unit 114 when the focusing operation is performed in the focus control unit 203. With such a configuration, a lens driving control method is changed by AF control of a phase difference detection system and AF control of a hill climbing system, and a driving system suitable for each AF system is performed, whereby the focusing operation can be performed normally at a high speed.

Abstract: Optical equipment capable of stopping a lens in a position producing no image blur and requiring low power consumption is provided. The optical equipment includes a lens driving unit for driving a focusing lens. The equipment further includes a drive-setting unit configured to set an optimal drive amount for positioning the focusing lens at an appropriate focal depth while minimizing the amount of power consumed in the process. The optical equipment includes a lens position-control unit that controls the lens driving unit based on the drive amount set by the drive-setting unit controlling the movement of the focusing lens. The lens position-control unit can stop the lens in a position producing no image blur and requiring low power consumption.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a first focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position based on a change in a radio-frequency component in an image signal obtained with movement of a focusing lens, a second focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position by using a different process from a process performed by the first focus-position determining unit, a mode setting unit configured to select at least a first mode which uses a result with the first focusing-position determining unit together with the second focusing-position determining unit or a second mode which uses a result with the first focus-position determining unit without the second focus-position determining unit, and a control unit configured to control driving of the focusing lens according to selection by the mode setting unit such that the focusing lens is driven in the first mode at a higher speed than in the second mode.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform control to change power consumed by a lens unit or operation state of an actuator of the lens unit during processing of an image signal obtained from an image pickup element according to a noise tolerance of a camera and a set state of the camera, such as an ISO speed rating.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for reducing vibration of a lens. One way to reduce vibration is through a programmable processor configured to divide a lens movement requirement into smaller lens movements and then insert a wait time after completing the smaller lens movements. The smaller lens movements can be repeated for subsequent smaller lens movements until all the remaining smaller lens movements have been completed. The system may include an actuator configured to move the lens; and wherein the lens movements are completed within a processing time of one image frame.

Abstract: In a method for reducing lens vibration in an image capture device, a lens movement requirement is broken up into N smaller lens move steps, and the lens is moved a first of the N smaller steps. A wait time is inserted after completing the first of the N smaller steps, and then the moving and inserting steps are repeated until the remaining N smaller move steps have been completed. The image capture device includes a voice coil motor for moving the lens under control of a controller in accordance with the lens movement requirement, which reflects a determined lens position. The voice coil motor includes springs which impart vibration to the lens during lens movement. The vibration imparted by the springs to the lens is thus actively dampened during the lens movement to the determined lens position.

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. An equalizer included in the focus control circuit generates a drive signal used to adjust the position of the lens to a position to be set, based on a difference between the position of the lens identified by the position detecting element and the set position. When an instruction to vary a target position of the lens is received externally, a position setting unit included in the focus control circuit sets sequentially a plurality of positions in a range covering a new target position and a previous target position, to the equalizer before the new target position is reached from the previous target position.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a first focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position based on a change in a radio-frequency component in an image signal obtained with movement of a focusing lens, a second focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position by using a different process from a process performed by the first focus-position determining unit, a mode setting unit configured to select at least a first mode which uses a result with the first focusing-position determining unit together with the second focusing-position determining unit or a second mode which uses a result with the first focus-position determining unit without the second focus-position determining unit, and a control unit configured to control driving of the focusing lens according to selection by the mode setting unit such that the focusing lens is driven in the first mode at a higher speed than in the second mode.

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: An auto-focusing apparatus and an image pickup apparatus reliably achieving a focal state in accordance with a recording format are provided. In each apparatus, auto-focus adjustment is implemented by modifying a process of generating an AF evaluation value indicating a sharpness of an image, in accordance with an image-taking mode (a recording type).

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to move the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, an obtaining unit configured to periodically obtain an evaluation value of a subject image formed via the focus lens, a determining unit configured to determine a target position to which the focus lens is moved based on the evaluation value, and a controller configured to control an operation of the driver based on the determined target position. The controller controls the driver to move the focus lens at a first speed for a first period including a backlash period which is defined from start of the operation of the driver to start of an actual movement of the focus lens, and controls the driver to move the focus lens at a second speed faster than the first speed for a second period after the end of the first period.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform control to change power consumed by a lens unit or operation state of an actuator of the lens unit during processing of an image signal obtained from an image pickup element according to a noise tolerance of a camera and a set state of the camera, such as an ISO speed rating.

Abstract: A focusing device capable of setting (S402) a focusing area according to a detection result of a target subject, wherein even if the target subject is no longer detected, when the target subject is assumed to be present, the velocity of the movement of the focusing lens (104) is made slower. Thus, even if the target subject can no longer be detected, it is possible to suppress the in-focus position from changing significantly.

Abstract: In relation to a lens control system where a control signal indicating a target zooming speed is delivered to a lens controller in accordance with operation of a zoom demand and where the lens controller subjects the control signal to non-linear processing to thus effect zoom control, thereby facilitating operation required when a zoom lens is moved at low speed, the lens control system includes a lens controller switching the linear processing between valid and invalid, whereby the lens control system does not excessively perform non-linear processing when the zoom demand outputs a non-linear control signal.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform an operation for moving a focusing lens at a first speed to detect a first position corresponding to an in-focus state and then moving the focusing lens at a second speed lower than the first speed in forward and backward directions across the first position to detect a second position corresponding to an in-focus state, and an output unit configured to output information indicating an in-focus state of the focusing lens recognizable by a user. The output unit outputs the information in response to the control unit detecting the first position.

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: Autofocus device has a lens-driving unit that drives a lens and a focal-point-position-detecting unit that detects a position of a focal point of the lens. The device also has a distance-measuring sensor that measures a distance to a subject and a control unit that performs a focusing operation to control the lens-driving unit to drive the lens, thereby meeting the position of the focal point of the lens detected by the focal-point-position-detecting unit to an in-focus position thereof. The control unit allows to be set a driving direction of the lens and a driving speed of the lens based on the position of the focal point of the lens detected by the focal-point-position-detecting unit and a distance measurement result measured by the distance-measuring sensor. The focusing operation then starts.

Abstract: In a method for reducing lens vibration in an image capture device, a lens movement requirement is broken up into N smaller lens move steps, and the lens is moved a first of the N smaller steps. A wait time is inserted after completing the first of the N smaller steps, and then the moving and inserting steps are repeated until the remaining N smaller move steps have been completed. The image capture device includes a voice coil motor for moving the lens under control of a controller in accordance with the lens movement requirement, which reflects a determined lens position. The voice coil motor includes springs which impart vibration to the lens during lens movement. The vibration imparted by the springs to the lens is thus actively dampened during the lens movement to the determined lens position.

Abstract: A focusing device capable of setting (S402) a focusing area according to a detection result of a target subject, wherein even if the target subject is no longer detected, when the target subject is assumed to be present, the velocity of the movement of the focusing lens (104) is made slower. Thus, even if the target subject can no longer be detected, it is possible to suppress the in-focus position from changing significantly.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can control a position of a driven member with precision using a simple control algorithm. The optical apparatus includes an actuator, a driven member, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the actuator to the driven member, a first detector for detecting driving of the actuator and for outputting a signal corresponding to a detection result, a second detector for detecting driving of the driven member and for outputting a signal corresponding to a detection result, and a controller for controlling the actuator, wherein the controller determines, after activating the actuator, one of the first and second detectors which the one outputs a signal corresponding to a predetermined driving amount earlier, and controls the actuator based on the signal from the one that has been determined.

Abstract: A camera which maintains accuracy of stop position in accordance with the state of an image-taking optical system and allows driving of a focus lens to a target position in a short time period, is disclosed. The camera comprises a motor which drives the focusing lens, and a controller which controls the motor such that the focusing lens is stopped at the target position by performing deceleration control in accordance with a predetermined deceleration control pattern. The controller changes the deceleration control pattern in accordance with the state of the image-taking optical system detected by the state detector.

Abstract: A camera system which is capable of performing highly accurate focusing in a short time by using two kinds of AF methods, is disclosed. The camera system calculates the target driving amount of the focusing lens based on the result of detection by a first focus detection unit, and performs a first driving control to drive the focusing lens toward a position corresponding to the target driving amount and a second driving control to drive the focusing lens based on the result of detection by the second focus detection unit. When the remaining driving amount to the target driving amount of the focusing lens by the first driving control becomes a predetermined amount, the camera system switches from the first driving control to the second driving control without stopping the focusing lens.

Abstract: A camera system which controls the driving of a focus lens through overlap control with a high degree of accuracy, is disclosed. The camera system comprises a lens apparatus with an image-taking optical system and a camera on which the lens apparatus is mountable. The camera system comprises a focus detection unit detecting a focusing state of the image-taking optical system, a driving unit driving the focus lens unit, and a controller controlling the driving speed of the focus lens unit and controls the focus detection unit to perform a focus detection operation at least once while the focus lens unit is moved. The controller sets the driving speed of the focus lens unit at the time of at least a final focus detection operation while it is moved toward an in-focus position, to a speed decelerated from the driving speed before the final focus detection operation.

Abstract: A camera which maintains accuracy of stop position in accordance with the state of an image-taking optical system and allows driving of a focus lens to a target position in a short time period, is disclosed. The camera comprises a motor which drives the focusing lens, and a controller which controls the motor such that the focusing lens is stopped at the target position by performing deceleration control in accordance with a predetermined deceleration control pattern. The controller changes the deceleration control pattern in accordance with the state of the image-taking optical system detected by the state detector.

Abstract: A camera system which controls the driving of a focus lens through overlap control with a high degree of accuracy, is disclosed. The camera system comprises a lens apparatus with an image-taking optical system and a camera on which the lens apparatus is mountable. The camera system comprises a focus detection unit detecting a focusing state of the image-taking optical system, a driving unit driving the focus lens unit, and a controller controlling the driving speed of the focus lens unit and controls the focus detection unit to perform a focus detection operation at least once while the focus lens unit is moved. The controller sets the driving speed of the focus lens unit at the time of at least a final focus detection operation while it is moved toward an in-focus position, to a speed decelerated from the driving speed before the final focus detection operation.

Abstract: An optical apparatus capable of reducing processing burden on the controller and achieving high-speed driving and improvement of the resolution of stop positions of an optical element. The optical apparatus includes a drive unit that drives the optical element, an operation member manually operated to instruct driving of the optical element and a signal output unit that outputs a signal that varies periodically according to the operation of the operation member. The controller determines the operation speed of the operation member based on the signal from the signal output unit, and chooses whether to control the drive unit according to the operation speed based on a count of periodic variations of the signal from the signal output unit, or to control the drive unit based on a value of the signal from the signal output unit.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus for controlling the position of a focusing lens includes a rotary operation member, a detector, having a rotary encoder coupled with the rotary operation member, which detects the amount of rotation per unit time of the rotary operation member by counting the number of pulses per unit time outputted from the rotary encoder, and a conversion circuit for converting a detection output of the detector into a signal indicative of the position of the focusing lens. Further, the lens control apparatus is provided with a control characteristic changing circuit for changing a control characteristic of the lens.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus capable of accelerating the motor speed to a target speed and stabilizing the motor speed in a short time is disclosed. The motor control apparatus includes a speed detection unit which outputs a signal according to the speed of the motor (or movable unit which uses the motor as a drive source). It also includes a control unit which applies, during the acceleration control of the motor to a target speed, an electric brake to the motor when the speed detected based on the signal from the speed detection unit exceeds the target speed.

Abstract: A camera system which controls the driving of a focus lens through overlap control with a high degree of accuracy, is disclosed. The camera system comprises a lens apparatus with an image-taking optical system and a camera on which the lens apparatus is mountable. The camera system comprises a focus detection unit detecting a focusing state of the image-taking optical system, a driving unit driving the focus lens unit, and a controller controlling the driving speed of the focus lens unit and controls the focus detection unit to perform a focus detection operation at least once while the focus lens unit is moved. The controller sets the driving speed of the focus lens unit at the time of at least a final focus detection operation while it is moved toward an in-focus position, to a speed decelerated from the driving speed before the final focus detection operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device including an optical member, a driving member for driving the optical member, a storage member for storing preset information about driving of the optical member, an information write device for writing the preset information in the storage member from the outside of the optical device, and a control member for performing driving control of the driving member. The control member performs preset driving control of the driving member on the basis of the preset information stored in the storage member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens driving apparatus which can accurately detect the position of a movable lens group while preventing the apparatus from increasing in size and cost by using a simple position detecting sensor. A first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group are disposed along an optical axis, among which the second lens group is a movable lens group and is movable along the optical axis. The second lens group is movable at two or more different speeds. When the second lens group passes a reference position, it is moved at a speed which is not the highest of the different speeds. As a consequence, the position of the second lens group can be detected accurately.

Abstract: A lens driving device for driving a focusing lens of a photographing lens for a camera is provided with a focusing ring that is rotated to move the focusing lens, an AF motor and an MF (manual focusing) ring. Each of the AF motor and the MF ring is connected to the focusing ring to rotate the same. The AF motor is driven to rotate. The MF ring is operable even when the AF motor is rotated. The device is further provided with a first detector that detects a driving amount of the focusing lens, a second detector that detects a driving speed of the AF motor, and a speed controller that controls a driving speed of the AF motor in accordance with detection outputs of the first and second detector.

Abstract: A driving control device includes a driving direction storing part for storing a driving direction of a driven body, a position detecting circuit for detecting a position of the driven body, and an amount-of-driving varying part for, when a direction of the present driving of the driven body differs from a direction of the last driving of the driven body stored in the driving direction storing part, varying an amount of driving of the driven body according to the position of the driven body detected by the position detecting circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens apparatus employed in a video camera. The present invention provides a lens apparatus, suited to manipulation of an operator, using a vibratory wave motor as a driving source for driving a photographing lens of the lens apparatus, wherein on the occasion of change of a driving direction, application of cyclic signals to a piezoelectric device of the motor is suspended and thereafter application of cyclic signals to the piezoelectric device is restarted.

Abstract: A stepping motor driving apparatus for a camera includes 1-2 phase excitation type stepping motors and a drive controller for driving and stopping the stepping motors so that the driven stepping motors are stopped always at a detent position.

Abstract: A stepping motor driving apparatus for a camera having a 1-2 phase excitation type stepping motor which is driven by a 1-2 phase excitation in response to a drive signal includes a drive control device for stopping the stepping motor at a 1-phase excitation position by de-energizing the stepping motor at the 1-phase excitation position and for stopping the stepping motor at a 2-phase excitation position while maintaining the excitation in a high precision drive control in which the stepping motor is driven at high precision. The drive control device stops the stepping motor by de-energizing the stepping motor always at the 1-phase excitation position in a normal drive control in which no precise drive control of the stepping motor is needed.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having the image blur correcting function has control means for effecting first drive control for moving optical means to correct image vibration and second drive control for moving the optical means for focus adjustment, and varying means for effecting 1) to make the manner of the first control differ between a case where the first control is effected in parallel with the second control and a case where the first control is effected without the second control being effected in parallel (to change (lengthen) the execution cycle of image blur correction control to thereby prevent an image blur correction control routine from being repetitively executed), or 2) to make the manner of the second control differ between a case where the second control is effected in parallel with the first control and a case where the second control is effected without the first control being effected in parallel (specifically, to change the control characteristics of driving velocity (the deceleration characte