Abstract: An image pickup device has an image sensor having rectangular light receiving portions arranged in a matrix, and microlenses disposed in correspondence with said light receiving portions, said light receiving portions and said microlenses being formed integrally with each other, an image input optical system for forming an image on said image sensor, said image input optical system including a diaphragm whose shape in a horizontal direction coincides with a shape of said light receiving portions of said image sensor.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has an optical lens system and a color image sensing device. The optical lens system forms an image on the color image sensing device by means of light from an illuminated subject. The color image sensing device is a charge coupled device which has a plurality of pixels. The apparatus fulfills the conditions: 1.5×p×FNo.<|LBg−LBe|<5.0×p×FNo. 1.5×p×FNo.<|LBc−LBe|<5.0×p×FNo. where p is a predetermined pitch of a photoelectrically converted pixel of said color image sensing device, LBe is a paraxial back Ad focal length of an e-line (546.07 nm in wavelength), LBg is a paraxial back focal length of a g-line (435.84 nm in wavelength), LBc is a paraxial back focal length of a C-line (656.28 nm in wavelength), and FNo. is an F-number of said optical lens.

Abstract: A communication device having an image transmission function such as a video phone or a camera-equipped cellular phone. The image transmission function is capable of capturing an object image using an optimal size.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element acts as a lens. The optical element has a diffraction grating. The diffractive grating is provided with a plurality of ridges. Each of the ridges has a transmissive surface. A sectional profile of the transmissive surface is composed of a plurality of successively connected strait lines of an identical length. The length varies from one ridge to another.

Abstract: A focusing screen for use in a camera has a diffusive surface having a plurality of random pattern cells of one or a plurality of types arranged two-dimensionally so as to form a macroscopically flat surface. The random pattern cells are each composed of a plurality of minute rectangular elements having one of two to eight types of heights, and the individual rectangular elements are arranged irregularly so as to constitute a plurality of types of diffraction gratings having different grating pitches.

Abstract: An electronic camera having a photoelectric sensor device is structured such that a rotational shaft of an imaging unit is horizontal to an object to be photographed. Further, the imaging unit contains a photography lens and a CCD (charge-coupled device) which are aligned horizontally to the object due to a structure that a reflection mirror deflects a light flux from the object, and then the light flux enters vertically into the photographing lens and the CCD. This composition allows a camera body to be downsized, and the photographing direction to be changed with fixing the camera body.

Abstract: A communication device having an image transmission function such as a video phone or a camera-equipped cellular phone. The image transmission function is capable of capturing an object image using an optimal size.

Abstract: Communication apparatuses (100) and (200) are provided with image-pickup cameras (110) and (210) respectively. When connected to the communication apparatus (200), the communication apparatus (100) detects whether or not the communication apparatus (200) has an image-pickup camera (210), and, upon detection of the image-pickup camera (210), requests the communication apparatus (200) to transmit control information for controlling the image-pickup camera (210). Based upon the resulting control information, it transmits a control signal for controlling the image-pickup camera (210) to the communication apparatus (200), and also displays an image transmitted and obtained from the communication apparatus (200). In other words, the communication apparatus (100) transmits the control signal for controlling the image-pickup camera (210) on the other side to the receiving end so that the image-pickup camera (210) on the other side is controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: A communication terminal is provided with a line establishing means which establishes lines to a plurality of different terminals on the other side in parallel with each other. Moreover, the communication terminal is provided with a microphone through which voice is inputted, and a communication control means for transmitting voice inputted through the microphone to a plurality of different terminals on the other side. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously transmit the voice to a plurality of partners. Furthermore, the communication control means can receive voices transmitted from a plurality of difference terminals on the other side, and since the voices received by the communication control means are outputted from a speaker, it is possible to carry out conversations among a plurality of users at the same time.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone (1), an image pickup unit (20) that is allowed to freely pivot centered on axes that are directed in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. The image pickup unit (20) is allowed to pivot in accordance with the operation of a joystick placed on the rear face of a main body (10). Thus, it is possible to easily obtain a desired image without the need of changing the orientation of the main body (10). Moreover, the image pickup unit (20) is rotated by 90° centered on an axis extended from the front to rear direction so that it is possible to provide an image obtained by replacing the length in the longitudinal direction with the length in the lateral direction of the original image.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has an optical lens system and a color image sensing device. The optical lens system forms an image on the color image sensing device by means of light from an illuminated subject. The color image sensing device is a charge coupled device which has a plurality of pixels.

Abstract: At minimum, a member near an image plane that is observed through an eyepiece is made of antistatic resin obtained by giving the resin itself ion conductivity so that its antistatic effect can be of long duration.

Abstract: A camera including a first and second luminance detector, a distance detector and a calculator. The first luminance detector, having a first spectral sensitivity and receiving light from a larger region of a photographing view, generates a first luminance information. The distance detector, having a second spectral sensitivity and receiving light from a smaller region of the photographing view, generates a distance information concerning a distance to an object. The second luminance detector generates a second luminance information based on the received light of the distance detector. The calculator calculates a control luminance value for exposure control based on the first luminance information and the second luminance information when the first luminance information is above a predetermined threshold value. In addition, the calculator calculates a control luminance value based on the first luminance information when the first luminance information is below the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A lens holding structure in a lens block forming all or part of an optical system, the lens holding structure capable of attaining a compact lens block of inexpensive and simple construction by using a holding barrel having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the largest lens element to be included in the lens block. The largest lens element is fixed to another lens element to be included in the lens block or the holding barrel by a face thereof having a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis of the lens block.

Abstract: A viewfinder optical system has a relay lens system. The relay lens system focuses a primary image to form a secondary image. The relay lens is provided at an optical conjugate point with respect to a pupil. A surface of the relay lens system has an optical power of diffraction. The surface is positioned between the primary image and the optical conjugate point. The surface also has optical power of refraction.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first optical element formed of a noncrystalline polyester resin having a copolymer ratio of 9,9-bis [4(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]fluorene in a range of 35 molar percent to 45 molar percent when the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 molar percent, and a second optical element formed of material incorporating an ultraviolet light absorption agent and disposed at least either anteriorly or posteriorly to the first optical element.

Abstract: A viewfinding system for use with an optical system that creates a first object image includes an objective block which is sealed as a unit. The objective block includes a focusing screen for forming the first object image and relay optics for transmitting the first object image. A zoom block includes a zoom optical system for providing a modification of the magnification of the first object image to provide a second object image. An eyepiece block receives the second object image and includes a reflecting member and an eyepiece through which the second object image is observed. The eyepiece block is sealed and the second object image is realized within the sealed eyepiece block.

Abstract: An optical system has a diffractive optical element. A diffractive optical surface of the optical element has a blaze-shaped diffraction grating. The grating heights are smaller in the peripheral region of the grating than in the central region of the grating around its optical axis. The optical element acts as a lenses a result of light rays being deflected by the light-diffracting action of the diffractive optical surface.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes two lens components, and zooming is performed by moving a first lens component. The zooming is performed along a zoom curve such that the first lens component is moved out so that in-focus condition is obtained at a subject distance predetermined with respect to each focal length. As the subject distance, an excess focal length or a subject distance where the far side of the depth of field is the maximum flash reachable distance or a subject distance where the near side of the depth of field is the shortest object distance or a subject distance where the object distance or the magnification is fixed is set according to the purpose.

Abstract: A viewfinder optical system has a relay lens system and an eyepiece optical system. The relay lens system refocuses a primary image as a secondary image. The relay lens system consists of a single lens element which has a surface having optical power of diffraction. The eyepiece optical system magnifies the secondary image and has a surface having optical power of diffraction.