Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel in which all lens groups are attached to a leading cylindrical body. A movable lens group of the lens groups is moved by a driving source incorporated in the leading cylindrical body. The lens barrel is less likely to be influenced by external forces and can be made smaller. The lens barrel includes first, second, and third cylinders, and first, second, and third lens groups attached to the third cylinder, which is extended first among the first, second, and third cylinders. The first and third lens groups are fixed to the third cylinder, and the second lens group is disposed between the first and third lens groups and movable along the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens driving apparatus which can prevent a lens barrel from increasing its size and cost while making it possible to detect the position of a movable lens group. 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 movable along the optical axis. A second lens frame holding the second lens group is formed with a detection plate having a predetermined width in the direction of optical axis. A detector detects passages of both end portions of the detection plate, whereby the position of the second lens group can be detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel which can carry out barrier opening/closing operations and lens moving operations of an optical lens system by use of a single driving source, and can adjust the focus without any obstruction even in a state allowing the baffler to open/close. A state capable of transmitting a driving force to a barrier opening/closing mechanism is attained when collapsing a lens barrel to a predetermined extent or more, and a state incapable of transmitting the driving force to the barrier opening/closing mechanism is attained when the lens barrel is extended to a predetermined extent or more, whereby a single motor can carry out baffler opening/closing operations and lens moving operations of a lens is optical system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which can release creep of a moving member, preventing the moving member disposed within the camera from breaking due to creeping. The camera includes a barrier base rotating in response to the driving force of a motor so as to open/close a barrier upon rotation, and a stopper for restricting the moving area of the barrier base. When opening/closing the barrier, the barrier base is rotated until it abuts against the stopper, and then is rotated in reverse so as to be separated from the stopper. As a consequence, the barrier plate can be prevented from breaking upon creeping when pressed by the stopper for a long time.

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: The present invention provides a camera which can release creeps of a moving member, thereby making it possible to prevent the moving member disposed within the camera from breaking due to creeping. The camera comprises a barrier base adapted to rotate in response to the driving force of a motor so as to open/close a barrier upon rotation, and a stopper for restricting the moving area of the barrier base. When opening/closing the barrier, the barrier base is rotated until it abuts against the stopper, and then is rotated in reverse so as to be separated from the stopper. As a consequence, the barrier plate can be prevented from breaking upon creeping when pressed by the stopper for a long time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which can appropriately move and control a lens group even when the driving of a driving source is erroneously detected. A motor for moving a lens group of a taking optical system is disposed, whereas a detector which outputs a pulse signal as the motor rotates is provided. After the motor is driven in response to a control signal of a CPU so that the lens group starts moving, the operation of moving the lens group is terminated if a predetermined time has elapsed after the lens group starts moving even when the pulse signal is outputted from the detector. Therefore, even when the detector erroneously detects the driving of the motor, the lens group can be moved and controlled appropriately.

Abstract: A timing pulse (DSCEXP signal) that is synchronous with a vertical driving signal (VD) of a CCD is sent from an electronic imaging device (DSC) to a CPU of a silver halide recording device (APS). A CPU of the DSC synchronizes the image-capturing of the CCD and the shutter-operation of the APS when the nth pulse (for example, the second pulse) of the vertical driving signal is generated since a command for exposure timing generated by the full press of a shutter release button is received. When an outside luminance is higher than a reference value and an electronic flash is to be used, there is a time lag for one vertical driving signal between the image-capturing of the CCD and the shutter-operation of the APS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which can inhibit release operations upon abnormalities in operations of a movable lens group, thereby preventing the camera from failing severely. A lens optical system having a movable second lens group is provided within a lens barrel. An error is stored into a CPU if there is a malfunction in a moving operation of the second lens group. Release operations are inhibited if the lens barrel error is stored. Consequently, severe failures can be prevented from occurring due to release operations carried out when the second lens group fails to move appropriately.

Abstract: A camera system includes a taking lens and a lens cover type of operation card. The operation card incorporates a function of operating the camera system and covers the taking lens when attached to a front of the camera. The operation card may also be attached to another surface of the camera, and may be entirely detached from the camera and used as a remote control device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel which can carry out barrier opening/closing operations and lens moving operations of a lens optical system by use of a single driving source, and can adjust the focus without any obstruction even in a state allowing the barrier to open/close. A state capable of transmitting a driving force to a barrier opening/closing mechanism is attained when collapsing a lens barrel 1 to a predetermined extent or more, and a state incapable of transmitting the driving force to the barrier opening/closing mechanism is attained when the lens barrel 1 is expanded to a predetermined extent or more, whereby a single motor can carry out barrier opening/closing operations and lens moving operations of a lens optical system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel in which all of a plurality of lens groups are attached to a leading cylindrical body, whereas a movable lens group in the plurality of lens groups is moved by a driving source incorporated in the leading cylindrical body, whereby the lens barrel is less likely to be influenced by external forces and can be made smaller. The lens barrel comprises first, second, and third cylinders, and first, second, and third lens groups attached to the third cylinder, which is expanded earliest among the first second, and third cylinders. The first and third lens groups are fixed to the third cylinder, whereas the second lens group is disposed between the first and third lens groups so as to be movable along the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens driving apparatus which can prevent a lens barrel from increasing its size and cost while making it possible to detect the position of a movable lens group. 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 movable along the optical axis. A second lens frame holding the second lens group is formed with a detection plate having a predetermined width in the direction of optical axis. A detector detects passages of both end portions of the detection plate, whereby the position of the second lens group can be detected.

Abstract: A camera for use with a filmstrip having a magnetic track along a longitudinal side of a frame thereof which is equipped with a magnetic recording head positioned at a distance from one side of the magnetic track for a frame positioned in an exposure aperture and determines, based on the distance, a length of advancement by which the filmstrip is advanced before starting data recording with the magnetic recording head and provides a data recording command to actuate the magnetic recording head to start recording the data on the magnetic track for the exposed frame when a advanced length monitoring device detects an advanced length of the filmstrip equal to the length of advancement.

Abstract: A camera is used with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type. The photo film cassette includes a spool about which photo film is wound. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner. A data disk with a bar code is disposed on the spool in a manner readable externally outside the cassette shell for signaling photo film information. In the camera, a cassette containing chamber contains the cassette. A bottom lid closes the cassette containing chamber in an openable manner. A spool drive shaft rotates the spool of the cassette in the cassette containing chamber, the spool drive shaft being connected to the spool set at a first rotational angle when the spool drive shaft has the first rotational angle. A bar code reader reads the photo film information from the data disk rotated in the cassette containing chamber.

Abstract: A camera is used with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type. The photo film cassette includes a spool about which photo film is wound. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner. A data disk with a bar code is disposed on the spool in a manner readable externally outside the cassette shell for signaling photo film information. In the camera, a cassette containing chamber contains the cassette. A bottom lid closes the cassette containing chamber in an openable manner. A spool drive shaft rotates the spool of the cassette in the cassette containing chamber, the spool drive shaft being connected to the spool set at a first rotational angle when the spool drive shaft has the first rotational angle. An bar code reader reads the photo film information from the data disk rotated in the cassette containing camber.

Abstract: A camera is used with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type. The photo film cassette includes a spool about which photo film is wound. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner. A data disk with a bar code is disposed on the spool in a manner readable externally outside the cassette shell for signaling photo film information. In the camera, a cassette containing chamber contains the cassette. A bottom lid closes the cassette containing chamber in an openable manner. A spool drive shaft rotates the spool of the cassette in the cassette containing chamber, the spool drive shaft being connected to the spool set at a first rotational angle when the spool drive shaft has the first rotational angle. An bar code reader reads the photo film information from the data disk rotated in the cassette containing camber.

Abstract: A data imprinting device of a camera, when a free mode is set, is responsive to operation by each camera user, and prepares character strings as desired by the camera user and stores the prepared character strings to an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory E.sup.2 PROM. When the free mode is set, character strings stored in the E.sup.2 PROM are read out from the E.sup.2 PROM according to operation by the camera user, and displayed on an imprint display unit and used for imprinting. As character strings prepared by the camera user are stored in the E.sup.2 PROM, the character strings are preserved without being destroyed even when a power source is shut down because a battery is unloaded or used up.

Abstract: A camera includes a lens barrel which can be retracted into a camera body, and a lens barrel storage control apparatus. The lens barrel has a front lens group mounted in a front end portion thereof and a rear lens group movably disposed therein. The lens barrel storage control apparatus controls a DC motor for retracting the lens barrel, if the rear lens group is in a safe area where it will come into no contact with a film in retracting the lens barrel into the camera body, and then controls a stepping motor for locating the rear lens group to a final standby position after completion of storage. On the other hand, if the rear lens group is out of the safe area, the control apparatus controls the stepping motor for locating the rear lens group to the rearmost position in the safe area, and controls the DC motor for retracting the lens barrel.

Abstract: A camera has a two lens group zoom system composed of a front lens group and a rear lens group, and a home position check apparatus of the rear lens group driven by a stepping motor. The home position check apparatus is so arranged that a detection as to if the rear lens group is located at the home position is started only when the rear lens group reaches the predetermined position before the home position. Before the rear lens group reaches the predetermined position, only the movement of rear lens group to the home position is carried out but the home position check of rear lens group is not.