Abstract: A control method for a zoom lens camera which includes a focal length detection mechanism which detects the focal length divided into a finite number of steps; and a focus drive mechanism which drives the focusing lens group to move the same to the finite number of steps, the method includes measuring actual focal points of the zoom lens system at the wide angle extremity and the telephoto extremity, whereby any deviations of the focal points from a focal plane are obtained; converting the deviations to a displacement of said focusing lens group at each focal length of said finite number of steps, taking into account the focus sensitivity of said focusing lens group, wherein the data of said displacement is stored in a memory; and driving the focusing lens group, upon focusing, in accordance with the displacement of said focusing lens group determined based on object distance data and focal length data, in addition to the stored displacement data.

Abstract: A molding die assembly includes an outer molding die which forms an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold, and, an inner molding die which forms an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical mold, wherein the outer molding die is comprised of a plurality of split die elements which are split at an oblique separating surface inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the cylindrical mold.

Abstract: A multi-stage extension type zoom lens barrel includes a first rotational feed barrel rotatably connected to a stationary barrel; a first linear movement barrel disposed in, and rotatably connected to, the first rotational feed barrel without relatively moving in the optical axis direction; a second rotational feed barrel disposed in, and rotatably connected to, the first linear movement barrel so as to move in the optical axis direction relative to the first linear movement barrel upon rotating; a rotation transmission barrel which can be detachably inserted between the first rotational feed barrel and the first linear movement barrel from the front thereof; a rotation transmission groove and a projection which connects the rotation transmission barrel and the first rotational feed barrel so as to relatively move in the optical axis direction without relatively rotating; connection members provided at the front ends of the rotation transmission barrel and the second rotational feed barrel; and a connection h

Abstract: A lens barrel is disclosed that includes: a linear moving barrel which moves along an optical axis; a unit secured to the linear moving barrel; a linear guide member which moves along the optical axis relative to the unit without rotating about the optical axis, the linear guide member comprising at least one guide leg extending in a direction of the optical axis and engaging with the unit so as to guide the unit along the optical axis while preventing the unit from rotating about the optical axis; and a surface for supporting the at least one guide leg so as not to bend toward the optical axis, wherein the supporting surface is formed on the unit and extends in the direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an engaging structure of two cylindrical members. At least part of one of the two cylindrical members is coaxially fitted on the other cylindrical member. The engaging structure includes: a plurality of radial projections formed on the second cylindrical member; two annular flanges formed on the other cylindrical member to form a circumferential groove therebetween, the plurality of radial projections being fitted in the circumferential groove; and a plurality of cut-away portions, formed on one of the two annular flanges, through which the plurality of radial projections are respectively inserted into the circumferential groove. Each corresponding pair of the plurality of projections and the plurality of cut-away portions are formed to have a circumferential width different from those of the other corresponding pairs of the plurality of projections and the plurality of cut-away portions.

Abstract: A brush mounting structure for an encoder in a zoom lens barrel includes a code plate and a brush operatively arranged in a zoom lens barrel which constitute an encoder which detects the focal length in accordance with a relative sliding movement between the code plate and the brush; and a helicoid lens barrel member which is provided with a helicoid portion and which constitutes the zoom lens barrel. The brush is provided on the helicoid portion of the helicoid lens barrel. A focal length detection circuit in the zoom lens barrel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lens barrier opening/closing mechanism includes of at least two rotating barrier members, each which rotates about a pivot, a drive ring which is driven to rotate about an optical axis, and at least two rotation force transmitting links, each which is supported on the drive ring and is provided with an engaging part which engages with a respective one of the two rotating barrier members.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an outer barrel provided on an inner periphery with a first thread and at least one linear guide groove intersecting the first thread and extending in a direction of an optical axis of the lens barrel, a middle barrel provided on an outer periphery with a second thread meshing with the first thread, and an inner barrel positioned inside the middle barrel. The inner barrel is provided with at least one follower which engages with the at least one linear guide groove, so that the inner barrel is guided along the optical axis without rotating about the optical axis with respect to the outer barrel. The lens barrel is also provided with a recess formed at a front end of each of the at least one linear guide groove on the inner periphery of the outer barrel. The recess has a width dimension which enables rotational movement of the at least one follower into the at least one linear guide groove during initial meshing of the middle barrel with the outer barrel.

Abstract: A zoom camera has a lens barrier apparatus, a front lens group, a rear lens group, a rear lens group is lens barrel that houses said front lens group and said rear lens group, said rear lens group is supported such that a distance between the front lens group and the rear lens group is changeable, and the lens barrel is movable between a housed position, at which the lens barrel is retracted furtherest with respect to the camera body, and a photo-ready range, at which the lens barrel is extended from the housed position. A rear group moving device is mounted on the lens barrel, for moving the rear lens group relative to the front lens group. An entire movement device moves the lens barrel without changing a distance between the front lens group and the rear lens group, and a lens barrier apparatus, which is provided with barrier blades that are mounted on the front end of the lens barrel is provided.

Abstract: A mold for a cylindrical product with an inner gear formed by injection molding is disclosed. The mold includes a plurality of sets of first and second inner slide cores each having inner molds with under-cut forming portions. The first and second inner slide cores move in a direction perpendicular to a center line of the inner cores at different velocities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a linear guiding mechanism of a zoom lens barrel which includes: a first cylindrical member provided on an inner periphery thereof with at least one linear guide groove which extends parallel to an optical axis, a code sheet for detecting a focal length being fixed to an outer periphery of the first cylindrical member; and a second cylindrical member provided on an outer surface thereof with at least one guide projection which is fitted in the at least one linear guide groove, respectively, wherein at least part of the code sheet and at least part of the at least one linear guide groove are located at the same position in a circumferential direction of the code sheet, and wherein each of the at least one linear guide groove includes a raised portion which is radially raised from the base of the linear guide groove towards the optical axis.

Abstract: An exposure controlling device comprises, a controlling unit that controls, at the time of an exposure, the DC motor to rotate forward to open the shutter blades and then to rotate reversely to close the shutter blades, a calculating unit that calculates a time period for driving the DC motor in the forward direction between a predetermined starting point and a point where a required aperture area is obtained, a detecting unit that detects the starting point that is an intermediate point of the range of a shutter actuation, and a timer for counting the calculated time period.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera includes an image size varying frame to switch the image size between a standard image plane and a laterally elongated image plane, a linear movement barrel, an FPC board which connects a shutter unit and a controller, and a light-interception plate which is secured to a rear end of the linear movement barrel. The light-interception plate is provided with a rearwardly projecting planar portion which at least partly overlaps the image size varying frame as viewed in an optical axis direction, regardless of the position of the image size varying frame. Further the planar portion is provided with an FPC board receiving portion which supports the FPC board along the cylindrical surface of the linear movement barrel.

Abstract: A position detection system detects a position of a lens of a camera using a code plate provided with a plurality of electrodes arranged to form a plurality of patterns. The ends of the electrodes are respectively connected to a connecting point of a plurality of resistors connected in series, and a predetermined voltage is applied across the resistors. A conductive brush is provided such that, depending on the position of the lens, two of the electrodes are electrically connected by the brush, which short-circuits at least one of the plurality of resistors. Be detecting voltage at one of the connecting points of the resistors, which varies depending upon which resistor is short-circuited, the lens position is determined.

Abstract: A lens supporting mechanism for a lens shutter camera includes a front lens group, a lens supporting barrel, a movable barrel, a rear lens group, and a shutter mounting barrel which includes a shutter with an AE function. The front lens group is fixed to the lens supporting barrel. Both the lens supporting barrel and the shutter mounting barrel are fixed to the movable barrel. The rear lens group is attached to either the movable barrel or the shutter mounting barrel such that the rear lens group is movable along the optical axis relative to the moveable barrel. During operation of the zoom lens, the movable barrel advances and retreats along the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel which includes: a cam ring having a plurality of cam slots; a follower barrel on which the cam ring is slidably fitted; a plurality of follower projections formed on the follower barrel to be respectively fitted in the plurality of cam slots; a plurality of ring members respectively fixed to the plurality of follower projections to each project outwardly from an outer periphery of the cam ring in a radial direction; a plurality of washers respectively held between the plurality of follower projections and the plurality of ring members, each of the plurality of washers being formed to have a diameter larger than a width of a corresponding one of the plurality of cam slots so that at least a rim of the each of the plurality of washers contacts the outer periphery of the cam ring.

Abstract: A zoom compact camera arranged such that, during a zooming procedure, the relative amount and speed of movement along the optical axis of a first movable barrel with respect to a second movable barrel are set to be substantially equal to the relative amount and speed of movement along the optical axis of the second movable barrel with respect to a third movable barrel. A linear guide barrel integrally moves with the third movable barrel, and is provided with a lead-in groove that runs parallel to the optical axis and the lead-in groove has a through-hole at the rear thereof.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board housing structure for a lens barrel of a camera as applied to a camera that includes a control unit, a film chamber, a stationary barrel, a movable barrel, and a flexible printed circuit board. The movable barrel is supported on the stationary barrel in a manner enabling movement in the optical axis direction. The movable barrel houses a shutter unit and the flexible printed circuit board is connected between the shutter unit and the control unit. The flexible printed circuit board housing structure includes an FPC housing space, an FPC relief hole, and a spring. The FPC housing space is formed between the stationary barrel and a substantially cylindrical outer face of the film chamber and is provided with the spring. The FPC relief hole is formed in the stationary barrel and passes through the stationary barrel to the FPC housing space. The spring applies an urging force to urge the flexible printed circuit board into the FPC housing space through the FPC relief hole.

Abstract: An encoder for detecting a forward/reverse movement of a rotatable object includes a rotating shaft that is supported on a base and rotates in accordance with the movement of the subject, two rotating disks fixed to the rotating shaft, and two photocouplers mounted on the base which are associated with the disks. Each of said rotating disks is formed with a predetermined light modulating pattern to vary the intensity of light along a circumferential direction. Each of the photocouplers emits a light toward the rotating disk and detects the light modulated by the pattern on the rotating disk. The angular relationship between the rotating disks is selected such that the output signals from the photocouplers due to the rotation of the rotating shaft have a predetermined phase difference.

Abstract: A lens supporting structure for supporting a lens group in a lens barrel is disclosed.