Abstract: A lens position adjusting method for a zoom lens includes at least two movable lens groups, one lens group being primarily utilized for focusing and the other lens group being primarily utilized for magnification, wherein an object at a predetermined distance is in-focus when each movable lens group is positioned at each of respective initialized positions thereof with the zoom lens being set at a first focal length, and wherein each movable lens group is moved to vary magnification in accordance with a moving amount from the initialized positions of the movable lens groups.

Abstract: An auto-focusing device of a camera includes a photographic lens having a focusing lens group guided along an optical axis, a stepping motor for moving the focusing lens group along the optical axis to bring an object into focus; and a controller for controlling the stepping motor to rotate stepwise when the depth of focus is smaller than a predetermined value and for controlling the stepping motor to rotate the rotor by even-numbered steps when the depth of focus of the photographic lens is greater than the predetermined value.

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: A time-sharing drive apparatus for a camera having a plurality of motors includes a motor drive control system which alternately drives the motors in a time-sharing control. When the camera includes a zoom lens provided with a first stationary lens group, a second movable lens group and a third movable lens group, the motors are composed of a first motor which opens and closes a diaphragm of the zoom lens, a second motor which moves the second lens group, and a third motor which drives the third lens group. The motor drive control system which drives the first, second and third motors is controlled via a time-sharing system.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus of a camera includes a photographing lens having a focusing lens group and a focus control mechanism which moves the focusing lens group to a hyper-focal distance position when no effective object distance is obtained.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zoom lens barrel having at least two movable zooming lens groups which are moved upon zooming, comprising: two lens frames which support the movable zooming lens groups, two cam pins integral with the lens frames and extending in the same direction, two parallel rotatable drive plates which are provided with cam grooves in which the cam pins are fitted, and two drive units which drive the respective drive plates upon zooming. The cam profile of the cam grooves of the drive plates is such that the movable zooming lens groups are moved in predetermined directions by the rotation of the drive plates during zooming.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zoom lens barrel having a plurality of movable lens groups, comprising: a lens barrel body which supports lens frames of the movable lens groups to move linearly in the optical axis direction, a lens drive unit which is assembled independently of the lens barrel body, driven pins provided on the lens frames and projecting outward from the barrel body in the same direction, and a plurality of drive members having engaging portions engageable with the driven pins. The drive motor which independently drives the drive members and drive gears connects the drive members to the drive motor, is provided in said lens drive unit. The lens drive unit is secured to the lens barrel body in a state that the driven pins projecting from the lens barrel body are engaged by the engaging portions of the corresponding drive members of the lens drive unit.

Abstract: A motor-driven diaphragm apparatus for a lens barrel having a plurality of lens groups and a diaphragm mechanism, in which a diaphragm block provided with a plurality of diaphragm blades and a diaphragm-opening-and-closing ring which opens and closes an aperture defined by the diaphragm blades, is integrally provided with a diaphragm-opening-and-closing arm that projects from the diaphragm block and that is provided with a radial association groove for the diaphragm-opening-and-closing ring. Also provided are front and rear lens barrel blocks which support the lens groups, wherein said diaphragm block is held between the front and rear lens barrel blocks so that the diaphragm-opening-and-closing arm and the association groove project outwardly.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zoom lens barrel, in which at least two movable zooming lens groups are moved upon zooming, includes lens frames which respectively hold the two movable zooming lens groups, two parallel drive plates which are provided with cam grooves and which are pivoted to a common shaft to move the two movable zooming lens groups, a pair of drive gears which are in mesh with corresponding sector gears of the drive plates, and two drive mechanisms which individually drive the drive gears upon zooming.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zoom lens barrel having at least two movable lens groups, one of which is used also as a focusing lens group, comprising a pair of lens frames which respectively hold the two movable lens groups, a pair of driven pins which are integrally provided on the lens frames, a drive cam plate which is provided with a pair of cam surfaces which engage with the corresponding driven pins and which is rotatable about an axis, a drive mechanism which includes a motor for driving the drive cam plate, and a detection mechanism which detects the angular position of the drive cam plate. One of the cam surfaces that corresponds to the movable lens group, other than the focusing lens group, is defined by a stepped cam surface having discrete sections which are adapted to set the focal length discretely, so that no movement of the movable lens group takes place in the range of the angular position of the drive cam plate corresponding to the discrete sections.

Abstract: A zoom electronic camera comprising a lens casing which contains therein a zoom lens having at least two movable zooming lens groups, a drive mechanism including a motor for driving the movable zooming lens groups, a solid state image pickup device which picks up an object image through the zoom lens, a lens CPU which controls the drive mechanism including the motor, and a body casing which contains therein a signal processing circuit which processes an image signal supplied from the solid state image pickup device and which is relatively rotatably connected to the lens casing through a cylindrical portion about which the relative rotation takes place. The zoom lens, the drive mechanism including the motor and the solid state image pickup device are located on the side of the cylindrical portion opposite to the lens CPU.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding a plurality of cut-type sheets, having been stacked in an accommodating member, one by one toward a predetermined position in response to a predetermined signal to be applied to the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device comprises: a first feeding member for feeding the stacked sheets to another predetermined position in response to the predetermined signal, a second feeding member for feeding the sheet, having been fed by the first feeding member, to the predetermined position after a feeding operation executed by the first feeding member and a controlling member for controlling the first feeding member so as not to be operated during a feeding operation executed by the second feeding member. Thus, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to avoid sheet jamming caused by sheets having been fed together in an overlapped state.

Abstract: A laser unit comprises a plurality of lasers for emitting laser beams. The laser beams are deflected by deflecting means arranged in the respective optical axes of the laser beams emitted by the respective lasers to be united along a single optical axis. The energy of the laser beams is reduced when deflected by the deflecting means. The reduction level is determined based upon the number of deflecting means and/or types of deflecting means disposed along the respective optical axis of the laser beam. Thus an aggregated energy of the laser beam outputted from the unit can be modulated by turning the individual laser beams ON or OFF.

Abstract: A variable magnification type copying machine has a zoom lens disposed between a platen and a photosensitive surface, the zoom lens being composed of a plurality of movable lenses. A chart located on the platen in a position not to interfere with the placement of an original on the platen projects an image of itself into a line sensor. The line sensor outputs video determination signals indicative of the focus and magnification of the zoom lens. The magnification determination signals operate a stepping motor which positions the zoom lens for the desired magnification. The focus determination signals operate a stepping motor to adjust the distance between movable lens to obtain optimum focus.

Abstract: A compact control circuit for a zoom lens assembly including a microcomputer and external devices including a pulse motor driver section, a detection section, and an operation section coupled through an interface circuit to the microcomputer. The external devices supply a start signal, a magnification specifying signal, an origin position signal and a clock signal to the microcomputer. In response to the signals from the external devices, the microcomputer advances through predetermined programming steps to apply an acceleration/deceleration signal, a forward/reverse rotation signal and a gating signal to the external devices to cause a pulse motor therein to move the zoom lens assembly to a selected magnification position.

Abstract: The scanning speed and distance of a full-speed mirror are continuously variable in accordance with the copying sheet size, magnification factor and original size.

Abstract: A varying magnification copying device of small size and low manufacturing cost in which a region of movement of a zoom lens system for an enlargement copying operation is shared with a region of movement of a half-speed mirror for the equal magnification and reduction copying operations. The zoom lens system is moved along the optical axis thereof by a feed screw rotated by a digitally-controlled stepping motor. The zoom lens system, which includes front and rear frames varying front and rear lens systems, is adjsuted in magnification factor by a cam and cam follower mounted on the rear and front frames, respectively. The cam is rotated by a pinion gear which is engaged with a rack which extends parallel to the feed screw. Movement of the zoom lens system perpendicular to the optical axis is accomplished through a lead cam and cam follower.

Abstract: A copying machine including a zoom lens is provided with a device for detecting the position of the zoom lens, so that the lens may be correctly positioned at a location corresponding to life or actual size copying. The detector includes a photo-interrupter or the like and a small computer which operates to return the lens to the correct position from any position, but such that the final approach to the correct position is always made from the same direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding a plurality of cut-type sheets, having been stacked in an accommodating member, one by one toward a predetermined position in response to a predetermined signal to be applied to the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device comprises: a first feeding member for feeding the stacked sheets to another predetermined position in response to the predetermined signal, a second feeding member for feeding the sheet, having been fed by the first feeding member, to the predetermined position after a feeding operation executed by the first feeding member and a controlling member for controlling the first feeding member so as not to be operated during a feeding operation executed by the second feeding member. Thus, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to avoid sheet jamming caused by sheets having been fed together in an overlapped state.