Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: a thin imaging device in which a high image resolution is obtained and in which the resolution does not uniformly vary even when the shooting distance is changed; and a lens array used therein. The present invention relates to an imaging device comprising: a lens array 130 constructed by arranging in parallel a plurality of lens elements having optical power in at least one surface; and an image sensor 110 in which an optical image formed by an optical system having each of the lens elements is received by each of mutually different imaging regions each having a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections so that the optical image is converted into an electric image signal, wherein each lens element and the imaging region corresponding to the lens element constitute an imaging unit, while the imaging units have diverse imaging region areas. The present invention relates also to a lens array used therein.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fourth lens, a prism, and a sixth lens. The fourth lens receives a light flux incident along a first optical axis. The prism includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light flux passing through the fourth lens to a direction along a second optical axis intersecting with the first optical axis. The sixth lens receives the light flux reflected by the prism. A second group frame includes an opening portion, a prism retaining frame that is arranged in a more inner position than the opening portion and in which the prism is contained, and a plurality of adhesive pockets arranged on an area around the prism retaining frame and being open to the side of the opening portion. Adhesive agent is filled in the adhesive pockets.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an image blur correcting device having a dimension reduced in any one direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the incident light, and a camera equipped with this device. The image blur correcting device 300 includes a pitching movement frame 205, a pitching guide mechanism 304, a yawing guide mechanism 306, a pitching direction electromagnetic actuator 312, and a yawing direction electromagnetic actuator 314. The pitching movement frame 205 supports a third lens group G3 for performing image blur correction. The pitching guide mechanism 304 guides the pitching movement frame 205 in the pitching direction. The yawing guide mechanism 306 guides the pitching movement frame 205 in the yawing direction. The electromagnetic actuator 312 drives the pitching movement frame 205 in the pitching direction. The electromagnetic actuator 314 drives the pitching movement frame 205 in the yawing direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatic amplifier gain profile control, including a method for automatically configuring a variable gain profile amplifier according to received input and a variable gain profile amplification system. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for increased gain profile accuracy, including methods and systems to reduce the effects of temperature and/or process variations on the gain profile of an amplifier.

Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.

Abstract: A brazing method which provides a braze joint having excellent corrosion resistance and a brazed structure including such a braze joint includes assembling a first member and a second member to be joined into a temporary assembly, the first member including a base plate made of a ferrous material and a diffusion suppressing layer laminated on the base plate and composed of a N—Cr alloy essentially including not less than about 15% and not greater than about 40% of Cr, the second member being disposed on the diffusion suppressing layer of the first member with intervention of a brazing material of a Cu—Ni alloy essentially including not less than about 10% and not greater than about 20% of Ni, and maintaining the temporary assembly at a temperature of not less than about 1,200° C.

Abstract: A system and method for over-voltage protection of a power amplifier is provided. A power amplifier is typically employed in a transmitter to amplify signals prior to transmission via a load; the load may include an antenna or a cable. As a result of an impedance mismatch between the power amplifier and its load, excess power from the power amplifier output fails to reach the load and must be dissipated by one or more transistors in the power amplifier. In severe impedance mismatch conditions, this dissipated power may damage or destroy the transistor(s). An automatic gain control (AGC) is provided for detecting a gain difference between the power amplifier and a replica power amplifier. A gain difference may signal an over-voltage situation. The AGC may be configured to adjust the gain of the power amplifier if a gain difference exists to prevent device damage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatic amplifier gain profile control, including a method for automatically configuring a variable gain profile amplifier according to received input and a variable gain profile amplification system. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for increased gain profile accuracy, including methods and systems to reduce the effects of temperature and/or process variations on the gain profile of an amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an imaging device and a camera realizing simultaneously a high magnification zoom lens system and the miniaturization of the device. The imaging device (2) includes a first lens group (G1), a second group frame unit (42), a first group frame unit (41), a motor unit (32), a third lens group (G3), and a CCD unit (33). The first lens group (G1) takes in a light flux incident along a first optical axis (A1). The second group frame unit (42) bends the light flux incident along the first optical axis (A1) to a direction along a second optical axis (A2). The first group frame unit (41) retains the first lens group (G1), and moves the first lens group (G1) in the direction along the first optical axis (A1). The motor unit (32) drives the first group frame unit (41).

Abstract: A digital camera includes a first lens group, a second group frame unit, a third lens group, a CCD unit, a lens barrel, and a chassis. The first lens group receives a light flux along a first optical axis. The second group frame unit receives and bends the light flux along a second optical axis after passing through the first lens group. The third lens group receives the bent light flux from the second group frame unit. The CCD unit receives the light flux passing through the third lens group. The lens barrel includes the first lens group, the second group frame unit, the third lens group, and the CCD unit. The chassis supports the lens barrel. The second optical axis is substantially parallel to the transverse direction of an object to be captured by the CCD unit when the bottom of the chassis is substantially parallel to the transverse direction of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to couple a transmission amplifier and a reception amplifier to a shared medium. An output of the transmission amplifier is directly coupled to an input of the reception amplifier to form a common connection. The transmission amplifier and the reception amplifier may receive a first amplifier bias via the common connection. In response to the first amplifier bias, the transmission amplifier provides a first communication signal to the shared medium and the reception amplifier does not provide a second communication signal from the shared medium. Alternatively, the transmission amplifier and the reception may receive a second amplifier bias via the common connection. In response to the second amplifier bias, the reception amplifier provides the second communication signal from the shared medium and the transmission amplifier does not provide the first communication signal to the shared medium.

Abstract: A vibratory actuator is provided in which a movable body can be stably driven even when a groove is formed in an abutment body by the friction between the driver element and the abutment body. An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (4) which performs a longitudinal vibration and a bending vibration, and a driver element (8a, 8b) which is provided on one of side surfaces of the actuator body (4) which is a mounting surface (40a), and performs an orbital motion in accordance with the vibrations of the actuator body (4) to output a driving force. The driver element (8a, 8b) includes a first driver element (8a) and a second driver element (8b) which are provided on the mounting surface (40a) at different positions in a longitudinal direction of the actuator body (4). The first driver element (8a) and the second driver element (8b) are located at different positions in a thickness direction of the actuator body (4).

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust passage and an offset fin. The offset fin includes a plurality of side walls and a plurality of top walls. The offset fin is defined into a plurality of segments that are offset from each other in an offset direction. One of the plurality of top walls of the offset fin has a projection that inwardly projects therefrom. The projection is provided to one of the plurality of segments. The projection of the one of the plurality of segments is opposed to an upstream end portion of the other one of the plurality of side walls of the other one of the plurality of segments that is positioned adjacently downstream of the one of the plurality of segments in the circulation direction.

Abstract: The camera body includes an imaging element, a hot shoe, an internal light source, and a camera controller. The imaging element is configured to convert an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal, and is configured to produce image data for the subject. The hot shoe allows the flash device to be mounted. The internal light source is arranged to shine light on the subject. The camera controller is configured to calculate an evaluation value on the basis of the image data produced by the imaging element, and is configured to perform video autofocusing on the basis of the evaluation value.

Abstract: The present invention has an object in providing a camera with which further miniaturization is realized, in a camera having the bending optical system. A digital camera (301) has an imaging device (2), an outer case (302), a battery (22), a memory card (24), and a sub-substrate (21). The imaging device (2) includes a lens barrel (31) having a bending optical system bending a light flux incident along a first optical axis (A1) into a direction along a second optical axis (A2) intersecting the first optical axis (A1), and a CCD unit (32) receiving a light flux taken in by the bending optical system. The outer case (302) retains the imaging device (2). At least one of the battery (22), the memory card (24), and the sub-substrate (21) is disposed so that the section thereof parallel to a plane including the first optical axis (A1) and the second optical axis (A2) is approximately rectangular, and the longitudinal direction of the section is approximately parallel to a direction along the first optical axis (A1).

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a multi-stage automatic transmission includes solenoid valves such as the linear solenoid valves that are formed as normally closed valves. A first clutch apply relay valves that outputs a forward range pressure as a reverse input pressure during an all-solenoid-off mode, and a second clutch apply relay valve that switches between a left half position that inputs a reverse input pressure to a discharge port and a right half position that inputs the reverse pressure to the discharge port are provided. The second clutch apply relay valve is set to the right half position during normal engine startup and locked based on the lock pressure by feeding the line pressure as a lock pressure and is set at the left half position that interrupts the lock pressure after the engine is restarted during all-solenoids-off.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus comprises an orbicular zone forming lens group 14 for forming the section of the laser beam, which is irradiated to an optical disc DK having plural recording layers, into an annular shape, a condenser lens 35 that converges the reflected beam from the optical disc DK, and a pinhole plate 36 having formed thereto a pinhole 36a with a size corresponding to a flux diameter of the reflected beam converged by the condenser lens 35. The orbicular zone forming lens group 14 refracts the laser beam irradiated to the optical disc DK so as to form the section of the laser beam into an annular shape in order that the internal diameter of the annular converged flux formed on the pinhole plate 36a by the reflected beam from the recording layers other than the recording layer having an optical spot formed thereon becomes greater than the diameter of the pinhole 36a.

Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatic amplifier gain profile control, including a method for automatically configuring a variable gain profile amplifier according to received input and a variable gain profile amplification system. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for increased gain profile accuracy, including methods and systems to reduce the effects of temperature and/or process variations on the gain profile of an amplifier.

Abstract: Function distinguishing marks are efficiently displayed which correspond to a plurality of functions assigned to a single operation key, respectively. A mobile phone (1) changes in accordance with the number of functions assigned to a single operation key the number of the function distinguishing marks to be displayed which indicate functions.