Abstract: A lens unit (LU) holding at least two lenses (4, 5) in a lens frame (1) adjacently in the optical axis direction and provided with positioning protrusions (2c, 2d) formed in correspondence with each of the two lenses (4, 5) in at least three separate locations in the peripheral direction of the lens frame (1), protruding from the inner surface of the lens frame (1) and contacting a peripheral surface of a corresponding lens to position the corresponding lens relative to the lens frame (1), an adhesive filling space (GSP1) formed between the peripheral surface of each of the two lenses (4, 5) and the inner surface of the lens frame (1) in overlap with the two lenses (4, 5), and an adhesive injection hole (1c) formed in the lens frame (1) in communication with the adhesive filling space (GSP1).

Abstract: A camera unit capable of taking good visibility images covering a wide field of view, and having a thinner profile includes an imaging optical unit having free-curved surface prisms for forming subject images, a single imaging device for photoelectrically-converting the subject images from a plurality of directions formed by the imaging optical unit, a signal processing unit, a communication unit, and a control unit for controlling operation of the imaging device and the signal processing unit.

Abstract: A lens assembly comprises a lens group M and a lens frame 1 for retaining the lens group M. In this lens assembly, the lens frame 1 has an entire circumference support 2b for supporting the rim on the subject side, of each lens M, across the entire circumference thereof, and an end face support 2a for supporting the lens M on the image side. Each lens M comprises a chamfer 3b formed at a rim of a lens surface on the subject side across the entire circumference thereof, and the entire circumference support 2b supports the chamfer 3b such that the entire circumference support 2b is continuous with the lens surface at substantially the same radius of curvature with the lens surface. According to the present invention, there is provided a lens assembly which can reduce size and cost and has stable lens retaining ability.

Abstract: A camera unit having an imaging optical unit having a plurality of free-curved surface prisms for forming subject images; a single imaging device for photoelectrically-converting the subject images from a plurality of directions formed by the imaging optical unit; a signal processing unit for processing the photoelectrically-converted signals from the imaging device and outputting image signals; a communication unit for performing communication with an external unit; and a control unit for controlling operation of the imaging device and the signal processing unit and transmitting the image signals output from the signal processing unit from the communication unit to the external unit, and a camera system using the camera unit.

Abstract: A lens assembly comprises a lens group M and a lens frame 1 for retaining the lens group M. In this lens assembly, the lens frame 1 has an entire circumference support 2b for supporting the rim on the subject side, of each lens M, across the entire circumference thereof, and an end face support 2a for supporting the lens M on the image side. Each lens M comprises a chamfer 3b formed at a rim of a lens surface on the subject side across the entire circumference thereof, and the entire circumference support 2b supports the chamfer 3b such that the entire circumference support 2b is continuous with the lens surface at substantially the same radius of curvature with the lens surface. According to the present invention, there is provided a lens assembly which can reduce size and cost and has stable lens retaining ability.