Abstract: A focus position control apparatus includes a lens for forming an image from light from a subject, an imaging element and an imaging controller for performing photoelectric conversion on the subject image, lights having at least two different wavelengths or wavelength bands, on an imaging plane to generate at least a visible-region image signal and an infrared-region image signal, a focus-position movement mechanism for moving the lens in a direction along an optical axis relative to the imaging plane, a focusing state evaluator for evaluating a focusing state in each wavelength or wavelength band based on the generated visible-region image signal and infrared-region image signal, and a movement controller for driving the focus-position movement mechanism based on the evaluation result from the focusing state evaluator.

Abstract: A focus position control apparatus includes a lens for forming an image from light from a subject, an imaging element and an imaging controller for performing photoelectric conversion on the subject image, lights having at least two different wavelengths or wavelength bands, on an imaging plane to generate at least a visible-region image signal and an infrared-region image signal, a focus-position movement mechanism for moving the lens in a direction along an optical axis relative to the imaging plane, a focusing state evaluator for evaluating a focusing state in each wavelength or wavelength band based on the generated visible-region image signal and infrared-region image signal, and a movement controller for driving the focus-position movement mechanism based on the evaluation result from the focusing state evaluator.

Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to operate the power supply of the image taking device body without operating a power switch, and operation of the power supply of the image taking device body is made easy. The image taking device with removable optical element is provided with an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for turning a power supply of the image taking device body on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to turn off the power supply of the image taking device body in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.

Abstract: An interchangeable-lens camera including a camera body on which a lens unit is capable to mount. The camera body includes a lens mounting unit which is provided to the camera body and on which the lens unit is capable to mount at least one dummy mounting unit which is provided to the camera body and on which a device is capable to mount under the same lens mounting system as the lens mounting unit, and a processing unit for reading information about the lens unit mounted to the lens mounting unit; and the processing unit for reading information about the device mounted to the dummy mounting unit.

Abstract: After OPC is executed on a DVD+RW, a value of an OPC counter assigned to a DCB of the DVD+RW is read and then temporarily saved in a memory, and then the temporarily saved value is incremented by +1. If an optical disc eject request is received, the value of the OPC counter assigned to the DCB is updated so as to be equal to the incremented value. If a write-operation-number display instruction is received, the value of the OPC counter assigned to the DCB is read and then displayed by display means as the number of write operations to the disc.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus comprises plural optical systems having different focal length from that of an imaging element, a transmittance variable element and a reflective optical element, It is constituted so that the focal length is changed by controlling transmittance of the transmittance variable element. Thus, a compact structured and small sized multi-focus imaging apparatus can be provided.

Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to switch the operating mode of an image taking device body to playback mode without operating an image playback button or the like, and operation of the image taking device body is made easy. There are provided an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an removal detection unit for detecting removal of the lens unit from the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for controlling operation of the image taking device body. The image taking device body is provided with an image playback function. The system controller is configured to switch the operating mode of the image taking device body to playback mode upon detection of removal of the lens unit from the image taking device body by the removal detection unit.

Abstract: Even when the state of an auxiliary device mounted to a dummy mounting unit cannot be visually identified, the state thereof can be immediately identified. The invention provides an interchangeable-lens camera including a camera body and a lens unit configured to be removably mounted to the camera body. The camera body includes a lens mounting unit for mounting the lens unit, at least one dummy mounting unit compatible with the same lens mounting system as the lens mounting unit, and information reading means for reading information about devices mounted to the lens mounting unit and the dummy mounting unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to perform switching of the operating mode of the image taking device body without operating mode change switch, and an operating mode switching operation of the image taking device body is made easy. There are provided an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for switching an operating mode of the image taking device body to photographing mode on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to switch the operating mode of the image taking device body to playback mode in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to operate the power supply of the image taking device body without operating a power switch, and operation of the power supply of the image taking device body is made easy. The image taking device with removable optical element is provided with an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for turning a power supply of the image taking device body on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to turn off the power supply of the image taking device body in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.

Abstract: After OPC is executed on a DVD+RW, a value of an OPC counter assigned to a DCB of the DVD+RW is read and then temporarily saved in a memory, and then the temporarily saved value is incremented by +1. If an optical disc eject request is received, the value of the OPC counter assigned to the DCB is updated so as to be equal to the incremented value. If a write-operation-number display instruction is received, the value of the OPC counter assigned to the DCB is read and then displayed by display means as the number of write operations to the disc.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical apparatus enabling diopter adjustment, etc. to be achieved using, for instance, a reflection type variable-optical property optical element or a variable-optical property mirror but without recourse to any mechanical moving part. The variable-optical property mirror 9 comprises an aluminum-coated thin film 9a and a plurality of electrodes 9b. Via variable resistors 11 and a power source switch 13 a power source 12 is connected between the thin film 9a and the electrodes 9b, so that the resistance values of the variable resistors 11 can be controlled by an operating unit 14. The shape of the thin film 9a as a reflecting surface is controlled by changing the resistance value of each variable resistor 11 in response to a signal from the operating unit 14 in such a manner that the imaging capability of the variable mirror is optimized.

Abstract: An image capturing unit comprises a variable optical element, an optical unit, and a light-flux limiting section. The variable optical element includes a first liquid member, a second liquid member, and a container which contains the first liquid member and the second liquid member. An interfacial shape between the first liquid member and the second liquid member varies according to a voltage which is applied to the liquid members. The light-influx limiting section satisfies following condition 0.1<(??2×h)<20.0 where ? (mm) indicates a maximum diameter for an axial light-flux in the variable optical element and h (mm) indicates a highest position of the axial light-flux on the light-incident end of the variable optical element. By doing this, it is possible to restrict a flare light and a ghost light and prevent impurities in the liquid members from being observed in the captured image.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to make a viewing unit of the image display compact so that it can be mounted on portable telephones or information terminals. The portable image display of the invention comprises a speaker portion, a microphone portion, an image display device 9 and a viewing optical system for forming an exit pupil to view an image displayed on the image display device and having a generally positive refracting power. The viewing optical system is constructed of at least one prism member 10 comprising an entrance surface through which a light beam emanating from the image display device 9 is entered into the prism, at least one reflecting surface at which the light beam is reflected within the prism and an exit surface through which the light beam leaves the prism. The at least one reflecting surface has a curved surface shape for imparting power to a light beam.

Abstract: An image display element 1 and an observation optical system 2 which forms an exit pupil 4 for observation of an image displayed on the image display element are included, wherein the observation optical system 2 has at least one surface 21 that has a lens function, and the following condition (1) is satisfied: 0.1<P·PD·ZD<5??(1) where P is a pixel pitch (in ?m) of the image display element, PD is a diameter (in mm) of the exit pupil, and ZD is a distance (in mm) from the display surface of the image display element to the first surface having a lens function. Whereby, weight reduction is achieved while good image quality is maintained regarding an image display apparatus that is used for magnifying observation of an image on a display element.

Abstract: An objective lens system consisting of a first lens unit having a negative refractive power and a second lens unit having a positive refractive power wherein the first lens unit or the second lens unit comprises at least one radial type gradient index lens element which has a refractive index distribution in a radial direction from an optical axis. This objective lens system favorably corrects chromatic aberration and other aberrations by adequately selecting a value expressing an Abbe's number and a refractive power of medium for the radial type gradient index lens element.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical apparatus enabling diopter adjustment, etc. to be achieved using, for instance, a reflection type variable-optical property optical element or a variable-optical property mirror but without recourse to any mechanical moving part. The variable-optical property mirror 9 comprises an aluminum-coated thin film 9a and a plurality of electrodes 9b. Via variable resistors 11 and a power source switch 13 a power source 12 is connected between the thin film 9a and the electrodes 9b, so that the resistance values of the variable resistors 11 can be controlled by an operating unit 14. The shape of the thin film 9a as a reflecting surface is controlled by changing the resistance value of each variable resistor 11 in response to a signal from the operating unit 14 in such a manner that the imaging capability of the variable mirror is optimized.

Abstract: A variable optical element is formed by a first liquid member, a second liquid member which is unsoluble in the first liquid member, a container which contains the first liquid member and the second liquid member, an index for positioning the variable optical element according to a predetermined reference. In the variable optical element, an interfacial shape between the first liquid and the second liquid surface varies according to a voltage which is applied to the liquid members, and the index is disposed such that a wave front aberration in the variable optical element should be minimum or fewer than a predetermined value under condition that the variable optical element is positioned according to the predetermined reference. By doing this, it is possible to restrict the wave front aberration which is caused by a gravity in the variable optical element, the optical unit, and the image capturing device.

Abstract: A head-up display mounted in vehicles comprises a display information source, a projecting optical system for projecting a picture image displayed on the display information source toward a windshield of a vehicle, wherein a reflected light from the windshield is led to an eyeball of an observer. The projecting optical system has an optical component for correcting distortion or inclination of the image generated by reflecting the windshield between the windshield and the display information source, and the arrangement of the optical component for correcting distortion can be selected. The holding frame has a holding portion as a positioning structure which enables to select arrangement of the optical component for correction.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to make a viewing unit of the image display compact so that it can be mounted on portable telephones or information terminals. The portable image display of the invention comprises a speaker portion, a microphone portion, an image display device 9 and a viewing optical system for forming an exit pupil to view an image displayed on the image display device and having a generally positive refracting power. The viewing optical system is constructed of at least one prism member 10 comprising an entrance surface through which a light beam emanating from the image display device 9 is entered into the prism, at least one reflecting surface at which the light beam is reflected within the prism and an exit surface through which the light beam leaves the prism. The at least one reflecting surface has a curved surface shape for imparting power to a light beam.