Abstract: A lens holding member (30) is molded by filling a molten synthetic resin from a gate of a mold into a product cavity, and a portion corresponding to the gate of the mold for molding remains thereon as a gate portion (72). By mounting a coil (52) on a rear cylindrical face (60), an adhesive filling recess (70) that opens in a direction parallel to an optical axis of an image pickup optical system (28) is defined by a center face (66), side faces (68) standing from both sides of the center face (66), an outer face (58), and an inner peripheral surface of the coil (52). The gate portion (72) is provided on the center face (66) of the adhesive filling recess (70). By filling the adhesive filling recess (74) with adhesive B, an outer peripheral portion of the lens holding member (30) and an inner peripheral portion of the coil (52) are bonded together, and the gate portion (72) is buried in the adhesive B.

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: The present invention provides a transparent electroconductive oxide layer having a high transmittance and a high electroconductivity and further a thin-film photoelectric converter having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency by applying the transparent electroconductive oxide layer to a transparent electrode layer of a photoelectric converter. The transparent electroconductive oxide layer in the present invention is deposited on a transparent substrate with a first and a second impurities contained in the transparent electroconductive oxide layer, especially in the vicinity of a surface of the layer in a higher concentration, and carbon atoms contained in the vicinity of the surface of the layer, thereby achieving a high transmittance and a high electroconductivity simultaneously and thus solving the problem.

Abstract: A camera module includes a rear lens barrel, a front lens barrel assembled to the rear lens barrel, the front lens barrel and the rear lens barrel together forming a housing space, a lens holder that holds an imaging optical system and is housed in the housing space, a guiding mechanism that movably supports the lens holder along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and a driving unit that moves the lens holder along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, the driving unit including a magnet provided in the lens holder and a coil that faces the magnet. The rear lens barrel has a bottom wall that faces the housing space. The coil includes first and second coils disposed in the rear lens barrel on opposite sides of the optical axis in the housing space.

Abstract: A transparent electroconductive film includes a transparent substrate, at least one transparent electroconductive oxide layer deposited on the transparent substrate, and a plurality of hydrogen-containing carbon layers deposited on the transparent electroconductive oxide layer. At least one of the transparent electroconductive oxide layers contains zinc oxide. The hydrogen-containing carbon layers may be more than one, in which at least one of the hydrogen-containing carbon layers has a refractive index of 1.25 to 1.85. More preferably, the transparent electroconductive film satisfies a relationship of T1/T0?1.02 for light having a wavelength of 550 nm where T0 represents a light transmittance of the transparent substrate on which the at least one transparent electroconductive oxide layer is deposited and T1 represents a light transmittance of the transparent substrate on which the at least one transparent electroconductive oxide layer and the plurality of hydrogen-containing carbon layers are deposited.

Abstract: This invention intends to develop a technique for forming an interlayer with excellent optical characteristics and to provide a photoelectric conversion device having high conversion efficiency. To realize this purpose, a series connection through an intermediate layer is formed in the thin-film photoelectric conversion device of the invention, and the interlayer is a transparent oxide layer in its front surface and n pairs of layers stacked therebehind (n is an integer of 1 or more), wherein each of the pair of layers is a carbon layer and a transparent oxide layer stacked in this order. Film thicknesses of each layer are optimized to improve wavelength selectivity and stress resistance while keeping the series resistance.

Abstract: A camera module advantageous in simplifying an assembly process is provided. A camera module 22 includes a barrel unit 66 having a housing space S; a lens holding unit 68 which holds an imaging optical system 34, which is housed in the housing space S, and which is supported such that the lens holding unit 68 is movable along an optical axis of the imaging optical system 34; an image pickup element 29 which is disposed in the barrel unit 66 and which picks up an object image guided by the imaging optical system 34; and a driving unit 72 which moves the lens holding unit 68 along the optical axis of the imaging optical system 34. The barrel unit 66 includes an inner barrel 80 in which the housing space S is formed and an outer barrel 78 disposed outside the inner barrel 80. A retaining plate 86 includes a front plate portion 86A and two side plate portions 86B.

Abstract: A lens holding member (30) is molded by filling a molten synthetic resin from a gate of a mold into a product cavity, and a portion corresponding to the gate of the mold for molding remains thereon as a gate portion (72). By mounting a coil (52) on a rear cylindrical face (60), an adhesive filling recess (70) that opens in a direction parallel to an optical axis of an image pickup optical system (28) is defined by a center face (66), side faces (68) standing from both sides of the center face (66), an outer face (58), and an inner peripheral surface of the coil (52). The gate portion (72) is provided on the center face (66) of the adhesive filling recess (70). By filling the adhesive filling recess (74) with adhesive B, an outer peripheral portion of the lens holding member (30) and an inner peripheral portion of the coil (52) are bonded together, and the gate portion (72) is buried in the adhesive B.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus comprises: a stacking mechanism to stack sheets of one or more printable media as a sheaf; a sheet conveyance mechanism to transport the sheaf to a respective position; a stapling mechanism to perform a stapling operation with respect to the sheaf; and a plurality of sheet regulating mechanisms disposed at positions spaced from each other along a sheet conveyance path, each sheet regulating mechanism being operable to align ends of the sheets in the sheaf according to a sheet conveyance direction. An image forming apparatus comprises such a sheet handling apparatus and an image forming device to form respective images upon the sheets and to provide the sheets to the sheet handling apparatus.

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 camera module includes a rear lens barrel, a front lens barrel assembled to the rear lens barrel, the front lens barrel and the rear lens barrel together forming a housing space, a lens holder that holds an imaging optical system and is housed in the housing space, a guiding mechanism that movably supports the lens holder along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and a driving unit that moves the lens holder along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, the driving unit including a magnet provided in the lens holder and a coil that faces the magnet. The rear lens barrel has a bottom wall that faces the housing space. The coil includes first and second coils disposed in the rear lens barrel on opposite sides of the optical axis in the housing space.

Abstract: In a stacked-layer type photoelectric conversion device, a plurality of photoelectric conversion units are stacked on a substrate, each of which includes a one conductivity-type layer, a photoelectric conversion layer of substantially intrinsic semiconductor and an opposite conductivity-type layer in this order from a light-incident side. At least one of the opposite conductivity-type layer in a front photoelectric conversion unit arranged relatively closer to the light-incident side and the one conductivity-type layer in a back photoelectric conversion unit arranged adjacent to the front photoelectric conversion unit includes a silicon composite layer at least in a part thereof. The silicon composite layer has a thickness of more than 20 nm and less than 130 nm and an oxygen concentration of more than 25 atomic % and less than 60 atomic %, and includes silicon-rich phase parts in an amorphous alloy phase of silicon and oxygen.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel, an imaging system arranged therein; a movable part having a movable lens, moved in an optical axis with respect to the lens barrel; a linear actuator for moving the movable part in the optical axis direction; and a biasing plate spring having a holding section that holds the movable part, spring sections that can be resiliently deformed and bias the movable part in the optical axis direction, and attached sections that are attached to the lens barrel, the thickness direction of the plate spring coinciding with the optical axis, wherein the holding section of the biasing plate spring is formed into a circular arc; and at least a portion of the spring sections of the plate spring are formed into a shape extending in a direction substantially along the holding section on the outer peripheral side of the holding section.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel having an imaging optical system arranged therein and a movable unit having a movable lens, the movable unit being movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the lens barrel. The lens barrel includes a first member and a second member adapted to be coupled together in a coupling direction. Fixing pieces are provided on the first member and the second member, respectively, and fixing means is filled between the fixing pieces when the first member and the second member are coupled together. The respective fixing pieces are provided in positions at which a force is applied in a direction in which the fixing means is compressed by the respective fixing pieces when a force is applied to the first member and the second member in a direction in which the first member is released from the second member.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus comprises: a stacking mechanism to stack sheets of one or more printable media as a sheaf; a sheet conveyance mechanism to transport the sheaf to a respective position; a stapling mechanism to perform a stapling operation with respect to the sheaf; and a plurality of sheet regulating mechanisms disposed at positions spaced from each other along a sheet conveyance path, each sheet regulating mechanism being operable to align ends of the sheets in the sheaf according to a sheet conveyance direction. An image forming apparatus comprises such a sheet handling apparatus and an image forming device to form respective images upon the sheets and to provide the sheets to the sheet handling apparatus.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel having an imaging optical system arranged therein and a movable unit having a movable lens, the movable unit being movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the lens barrel. The lens barrel includes a first member and a second member adapted to be coupled together in a coupling direction. Fixing pieces are provided on the first member and the second member, respectively, and fixing means is filled between the fixing pieces when the first member and the second member are coupled together. The respective fixing pieces are provided in positions at which a force is applied in a direction in which the fixing means is compressed by the respective fixing pieces when a force is applied to the first member and the second member in a direction in which the first member is released from the second member.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel, an imaging system arranged therein; a movable part having a movable lens, moved in an optical axis with respect to the lens barrel; a linear actuator for moving the movable part in the optical axis direction; and a biasing plate spring having a holding section that holds the movable part, spring sections that can be resiliently deformed and bias the movable part in the optical axis direction, and attached sections that are attached to the lens barrel, the thickness direction of the plate spring coinciding with the optical axis, wherein the holding section of the biasing plate spring is formed into a circular arc; and at least a portion of the spring sections of the plate spring are formed into a shape extending in a direction substantially along the holding section on the outer peripheral side of the holding section.

Abstract: In a stacked-layer type photoelectric conversion device, a plurality of photoelectric conversion units are stacked on a substrate, each of which includes a one conductivity-type layer, a photoelectric conversion layer of substantially intrinsic semiconductor and an opposite conductivity-type layer in this order from a light-incident side. At least one of the opposite conductivity-type layer in a front photoelectric conversion unit arranged relatively closer to the light-incident side and the one conductivity-type layer in a back photoelectric conversion unit arranged adjacent to the front photoelectric conversion unit includes a silicon composite layer at least in a part thereof. The silicon composite layer has a thickness of more than 20 nm and less than 130 nm and an oxygen concentration of more than 25 atomic % and less than 60 atomic %, and includes silicon-rich phase parts in an amorphous alloy phase of silicon and oxygen.

Abstract: A portable electronic device such as a portable personal computer has a first part such as a main unit incorporating a heat-generating component, e.g., a CPU, a second part such as a display unit, and a connector for pivotally connecting the first and second parts. The connector includes hinges that provide mechanical connection between the first and the second parts, while conducting heat from the heat-generating component in the first part to the second part, so that the heat is dissipated from the second part. The electronic device this has enhanced heat dissipation without being required to have a greater size.

Abstract: A binocular includes first and second swingable bodies respectively accommodating telescope systems. The binocular further includes two drive rings respectively provided to the swingable bodies and an operation knob. A transmission unit is provided to transmit the rotation of the operation knob to the drive rings. The transmission unit includes two pairs of a first gear and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear engage with the other so that a contact point of pitch circles thereof is located on each of the swing axis.