Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first tray, a second tray disposed above the first tray, a feeding portion configured to feed a sheet in a feed direction, and a first wall portion disposed at one end of the second tray in a width direction and fixed relative to the first tray. The first tray has a first end on a side far from the feeding portion. The second tray has, on the side far from the feeding portion, a second end, which is closer to the feeding portion than the first end of the first tray. The first end of the first tray is located above the second end of the second tray. An upper end of the first wall portion is higher than the second tray, and extends from a side closer to the second end of the second tray toward the first end of the first tray.

Abstract: An image reading device starts executing a reading process before a sheet reaches a reading position, and executes the reading process subsequently and repeatedly. A partial image is acquired each time the reading process is executed. Each time one partial image is acquired, the image reading device determines a number of pixels awarded to the one partial image; and determines an intensity awarded to the one partial image. The image reading device decides that at least one of the two successively-acquired partial images corresponds to an end of the sheet when the two partial images satisfy the conditions (A) and (B). Condition (A): the determined number of pixels is changed between the two successively-acquired partial images. Condition (B): the determined intensity is changed between the two successively-acquired partial images.

Abstract: In a reading apparatus, a control device is configured to: acquire a conveyance path switching information indicating whether a conveyance path switching unit has switched a conveyance path to a first conveyance path or a second conveyance path; judge, based on detection results by a width detecting unit, whether a type of an original sheet that is currently placed on an original sheet placing unit and that is not yet conveyed by a conveyance unit from the original sheet placing unit is a first type or a second type; and determine, based on both of the conveyance path switching information and the type of the not-yet-conveyed original sheet, whether the conveyance unit should stop conveyance of a preceding original sheet that the conveyance unit is currently conveying.

Abstract: In an image reading device, an interlock portion is configured to supply or cut off power supply voltage to a driving portion in association with opening/closing of a cover. An open/close detecting portion is configured to detect opening/closing of the cover. A control portion is configured to execute (a) a scan process of causing a reading portion to read a document image during movement of the reading portion from a first position to a second position, (b) a return process of returning the reading portion to the first position in the opposite direction, (c) a reading interruption process of stopping a scan process when an opened state of the cover is detected during the scan process, and executing a return process when a closed state of the cover is detected next time, and (d) the scan process again after the reading interruption process.

Abstract: An image reading device, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an image pickup device, a transparent member, a traveling body, and a housing. The traveling body includes a light source to emit light and guides the light reflected from a surface of the document to the image pickup device while moving in a sub scanning direction along the document surface on the transparent member. The housing accommodates the image pickup device and the traveling body, and includes a base member including a rectangular bottom surface and a side surface, and a rail member including a rail surface and a first vertical surface. The rail member further includes a fixing part that is a surface to be fixed to the bottom surface of the base member and to extend from one end of the rail member in the sub scanning direction to the other end.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a base section; a reading unit; a movable body; a drive unit; and a cable. The movable body supports the reading unit and reciprocates between first and second end positions in a first direction. The drive unit is disposed on a first side where the first end position is located. The cable has one end portion fixed to a base wall of the base section and another end portion connected to the reading unit. The cable includes: a first elongated portion extending from the one end portion; a curved portion extending from the first elongated portion toward a second side where the second end position is located and then curving toward the first side; and a second elongated portion connected to the another end portion. The curved portion has a part overlapping with the drive unit in the first direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a conveyance unit, a carriage, a motor, a motor gear, a conveyance gear, a carriage gear, a switching gear, and a control device. The conveyance unit is configured to convey a document from a document tray. The switching gear is configured to be placed in either one of a first position where the motor gear is communicated with the conveyance gear and a second position where the motor gear is communicated with the carriage gear. The control device is configured to: control the motor to rotate the motor gear in a first direction to have the switching gear free from the conveyance gear in response to a determination that the document jam has occurred; and control the motor to rotate the motor gear in a second direction to have the switching gear communicate with the conveyance gear.

Abstract: An image scanning device has a sheet conveying roller conveying a sheet when a conveyed sheet scanning function is activated, a guide member defining a sheet feed path, a first gear transmitting a driving force to the sheet conveying roller, a first supporting shaft extending in a direction parallel with a width direction of the sheet feed path and supporting the first gear, a second gear engaging with the first gear, a second supporting shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the first supporting shaft and supporting the second gear, a holder unit holding the second supporting shaft, the holder unit arranged at one end of the sheet feed path in the width direction, a reinforce member made of metal and extending in the width direction, first and second fixing units fixing longitudinal ends of the reinforce member to the holder unit and the guide member, respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing; an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a stacking tray configured such that the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit is stacked; a discharge unit configured to discharge, to the stacking tray, the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit; and a reading device comprising a reading unit configured to read out an image formed on a document and a reversing unit configured to reverse a conveying direction of the document, and wherein the reading device is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction with respect to the stacking tray and on a downstream side in a discharging direction of the recording medium discharged from the discharge unit with respect to the discharge unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to read images of both surfaces of a document is provided. The image reading apparatus may include a first image reading device configured to read an image of a first surface of a document, a second image reading device configured to read an image of a second surface of the document, and a document conveying mechanism configured to convey the document from the second image reading device to the first image reading device. The first image reading device has a first reading range, and the second image reading device has a second reading range, which is smaller than the first reading range.

Abstract: A method to enable modification of color characteristics of an image. In the method, an image, defined in a first color space, is transformed to a second color space; and display of the transformed image is controlled. A color characteristic of the transformed image is modified using a rule defined in the second color space in response to a user input, and display of the modified transformed image is controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for generating a digital hologram for reproducing a 3D stereoscopic image, and more particularly, an apparatus and a method for generating a digital hologram, which generate the digital hologram by receiving a depth information pre-processing process of generating first depth map information constituted by a first depth level and second depth map information constituted a second depth level by receiving color image information from an imaging unit.

Abstract: There is herein described apparatus and methods for displaying holograms. At least one aspect of the invention is to provide a compact and self-contained lighting system for a display hologram, which can produce high quality images and which is substantially insensitive to stray light.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a polygonal mirror; a mirror for reflecting the beam from the polygonal mirror; an optical box having a cap and containing the mirror;a first mirror regulating portion in a direction of a normal line of the mirror, the first regulating portion being provided opposed to such a surface of the reflecting surface and a back surface as is closer to the cap; and a second mirror regulating portion in a beam sub-scanning direction, the second regulating portion being provided opposed to such a surface of the mirror as is closer to the cap; wherein the mirror has a plurality of apex lines, and the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion are disposed at positions which are remoter from the cap than the apex line that is closest to the cap, with respect to a direction perpendicular to a main scan direction.

Abstract: A head-mounted image display apparatus includes: a light source that emits laser light; a splitter that splits the laser light into first laser light and second laser light having a different optical intensity than the first laser light; an image drawing section that causes the first laser light to be reflected off a mirror and causes the mirror to make pivotal motion to perform image drawing; a controller that controls the pivotal motion of the mirror; and a notification section that notifies other persons by diffusing the second laser light that the image drawing section is performing image drawing.

Abstract: An eyepiece includes a viewing region to emit display light out of the eyepiece along an eye-ward direction, an input end peripherally located from the viewing region and configured to receive the display light into the eyepiece, one or more optical elements positioned to direct the display light received into the eyepiece out of the viewing region along the eye-ward direction, a first side through which ambient scene light is received into the eyepiece, a second side out of which the ambient scene light and the display light are passed along the eye-ward direction, and a photo-chromic coating disposed on the first side and the second side, the photo-chromic coating to darken in the presence of UV light.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a greyscale picture element layer having at least one first picture element having a first fluid configurable to provide a greyscale display state, and a colour picture element layer having at least one second picture element having a second fluid configurable to provide a colour display state.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrowetting element includes: providing a layer of a first liquid on a first area of a first support plate; providing a layer of a second liquid on the layer of first liquid; and providing a second support plate on the layer of the second liquid by moving the second support plate along a surface of the layer of the second liquid.

Abstract: Electrowetting apparatus including a compound comprising a plurality of colorant moieties and a linker. The plurality of colorant moieties includes a first colorant moiety having a first net dipole and a second colorant moiety having a second net dipole, wherein the plurality of colorant moieties are linked by and disposed around the linker so that the first net dipole and the second net dipole at least partially cancel each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrowetting display device includes forming a protection layer on a pixel electrode, forming a water-repellent layer on the protection layer, and removing the water-repellent layer from regions surrounding a display area of the pixel electrode. The water-repellent layer is formed by coating the protection layer with a hydrophilic material using a method such as slit coating. The water-repellent layer is removed using a method such as an edge bead removal method. The resulting water-repellent layer has a uniform thickness.

Abstract: A lighting device according to another embodiment of the invention for directing source light within a source wavelength range in a blue wavelength range in a desired output direction may comprise a MEMS device that may include a DMD that includes an array of MEMS cells, each MEMS cell including an operative surface to receive and redirect the source light towards the desired output direction. The array of MEMS cells may include first and second pluralities of MEMS cells including first and second conversion coatings applied to the operative surfaces thereof configured to convert source light into first and second wavelength ranges. Furthermore, the repositionable surface of each MEMS cell may be positionable between multiple angles to reflect the converted light. The lighting device may comprise a third plurality of MEMS cells where the operative surfaces thereof is devoid of a conversion coating, or, alternatively, comprises a third conversion coating.

Abstract: In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles, the polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Desirably, the fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer comprises from 1 to 5 mole percent of the polymer.

Abstract: Electronic paper whose coloring rate in a pixel is improved by preventing color mixing between pixels and a method for manufacturing the electronic paper are provided. Electronic paper in which an electrophoretic material layer 4, an optically transparent electrode layer 5, an ink fixing layer 7, and a color filter layer 8 created by printing pixel ink by an inkjet method are stacked on an electrode substrate in this order, wherein a repellent component, for example, a monomer containing fluorine or a polymer containing fluorine, or more specifically aliphatic polycarbonate containing fluorine is added to the pixel ink.

Abstract: A tunable metamaterial has a two dimensional array of resonant annular ring elements; and a plurality of voltage controllable electrical tuning elements disposed in or adjacent openings in each of said ring elements, each of said voltage controllable electrical tuning element ohmically contacting portions of only one of said ring elements. The voltage controllable electrical tuning elements may comprise highly doped semiconductor tunnel diodes, or the charge accumulation layer at the semiconductor/insulator interface of a metal-insulator-semiconductor structure, or nanoelectromechanical (NEMs) capacitors. The tunable metamaterial may be used, for example, in an optical beam steering device using the aforementioned tunable optical metamaterial in which a free-space optical beam is coupled into a receiving portion of a plane of the optical metamaterial and is steered out of a transmitter portion of the plane of the optical metamaterial in controllable azimuthal and elevational directions.

Abstract: A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens and system are provided that permit, in one aspect, dynamic selection of the lens output, including dynamic focusing and imaging. The system may include a TAG lens and at least one of a source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be provided in electrical communication with the lens and at least one of the source and detector and may be configured to provide a driving signal to control the index of refraction and to provide a synchronizing signal to time at least one of the source and the detector relative to the driving signal. Thus, the controller is able to specify that the source irradiates the lens (or detector detects the lens output) when a desired refractive index distribution is present within the lens, e.g. when a desired lens output is present.

Abstract: An optical amplification component 1 includes a heat dissipation plate 10 and an amplification optical fiber 20 arranged on the heat dissipation plate 10. The amplification optical fiber 20 includes a first section SC1 extending from a reference position RP between a first end E1 and a second end E2 of the amplification optical fiber 20 up to a position at which a fiber portion 20A extending from the reference position RP toward the end E1 and a fiber portion 20B extending from the reference position RP toward the end E2 are aligned in one direction, and a second section SC2 where the fiber portions 20A and 20B aligned in one direction are wound in a spiral outside the first section SC1. The circumferences of one and the other end parts of the amplification optical fiber 20 are separated from side surfaces of the fiber portions wound in a spiral.

Abstract: An optical amplifier for use as a final amplification stage for a fiber-MOPA has a gain-element including a thin wafer or chip of ytterbium-doped YAG. An elongated gain-region is formed in gain-element by multiple incidences of radiation from a diode-laser bar.

Abstract: An optical element having an antireflection effect includes an incident plane and an emission plane and a conical microstructure formed on at least one plane of the incident plane and the emission plane. The conical microstructure includes a first structure formed of a plurality of conical microprojections with an average height H1 and a second structure formed of a plurality of conical microrecesses with an average height H2. The average height H1 satisfies an inequality H1?1/3*?/n and the average height H2 satisfies an inequality H2?1/3*?/n. An average pitch P between the first structure and the second structure satisfies following conditions: H1/2?P?1/3*?/n, and H2/2?P?1/3*?/n, in which the use wavelength is defined as X and the refractive index relative to the use wavelength is n.

Abstract: An omnidirectional multilayer thin film is provided. The multilayer thin film includes a multilayer stack having a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer stack reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nanometers (nm) and a color/hue shift of less than 30 degrees when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In some instances, the multilayer stack has a total thickness of less than 2 microns (?m). Preferably, the multilayer thin film has a total thickness of less than 1.5 ?m and more preferably less than 1.0 ?m.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system includes a camera 20. The camera 20 includes CCDs 21 and a focusing mechanism (41, 42, 43). If an image displayed on an electronic image display unit 5 is unclear due to a focusing error, the focusing mechanism is operated to focus the image and make the image clearly visible. Without regard to a focusing operation conducted by a doctor D1 on a surgical microscope 4, an assistant D2 on the electronic image display unit is able to manipulate the focusing mechanism and observe clear images on the electronic image display unit.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope (LSM) consisting of at least one light source from which an illumination beam path extends in the direction of a sample, at least one detection beam path for transmitting sample light to a detector array, a first pinhole for confocal filtering in front of the detector array, a scanner for causing a relative motion between the illumination light and the sample in at least one direction, and a microscope lens. For illuminating a sample, at least two illumination beams, which the microscope lens focuses as illumination points in a sample plane, are generated in the illumination beam path. The laser scanning microscope is characterized in that in addition to the preferably adjustable, slit-shaped first pinhole, a second, preferably adjustable, slit-shaped pinhole is arranged downstream of the first pinhole so as to create optically conjugate beams arranged between the first and the second pinhole.

Abstract: A set of filters for fluorescence observation comprises an illumination light filter and an observation light filter, wherein the following is holds: ? S ? T L ? ( r -> ) · T O ? ( r -> ) · r -> · ? r ? S ? T L ? ( r -> ) · T O ? ( r -> ) · ? r = R -> ? ? and ( 3 ) ? W -> - R -> ? ? 0.2 ; ( 4 ) wherein: ? designates the wavelength, TL(?) is the transmission characteristic of the illumination light filter, TO(?) is the transmission characteristic of the observation light filter, and A1, A2 are numbers between 0 and 1, {right arrow over (r)} is a coordinate in the CIE xy chromaticity diagram of the CIE 1931 XYZ color space, S is a line called the spectral locus in the CIE xy chromaticity diagram of the CIE 1931 XYZ color space, and {right arrow over (W)} is the white point in the CIE xy chromaticity diagram of the CIE 1931 XYZ color space.

Abstract: Fluorescence is generated from an irradiated point on an inspection surface of a sample and the fluorescence is collected by an objective lens. Here, because of the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens, the fluorescence going out from the objective lens travels along a path shifted from the irradiation light and changed substantially into a non-scan light by a galvano-scanner. The fluorescence passes through a dichroic mirror into a plane-parallel plate after light of unnecessary wavelength is removed by a filter. The plane-parallel plate is driven in synchronization with the galvano-scanner by a computer and corrects the shift and inclination of the optical axis generated by the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Then, the fluorescence forms an image of the irradiation point of the inspection surface of the sample on a pin hole of a pin hole plate by using a collective lens.

Abstract: A glasses-free reflective 3D color display includes a reflective color display configured to display a reflective color image by using light entering from the outside and configured to form a left eye image and a right eye image, and a lens array configured so that each lens corresponds to a pair of pixels of the reflective color display and configured to separate the left eye image and the right eye image formed in the reflective color display.

Abstract: A display includes an effective display area and a frame area; an image overlap display area is disposed at a position in the effective display area, close to the frame area, and includes first display positions related to an image to be displayed in the effective display area and second display positions related to an image to be displayed in the frame area; the first and second display positions are distributed in an alternate form; a polarization splitting prism is disposed on a light-emitting surface of the display and at a position at least corresponding to the frame area and the image overlap display area; and a convergent prism configured to converge light from the second display positions in the image overlap display area to the frame area is disposed on a light-emitting surface of the polarization splitting prism. Also a tiled display is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving visibility of an image display device which is capable of providing an image display device excellent in anti-reflection properties and bright-field contrast even using an optical layered body including a light-transmitting substrate having in-plane birefringence, such as a polyester film. The method of the present invention is a method for improving visibility of an image display device that has an optical layered body including a light-transmitting substrate having in-plane birefringence and an optical functional layer disposed on one surface of the substrate. The method includes the step of disposing the optical layered body such that the slow axis showing a greater refractive index of the light-transmitting substrate is in parallel with the vertical direction of a display screen of the image display device.

Abstract: A multilayer optical retardation compensation film having at least one positive C-plate and at least one negative C-plate is used in an LCD device. The multilayer film may have a substantially flat wavelength dispersion curve, or the multilayer film combined with other layers in the LCD device may have a substantially flat wavelength dispersion curve. Polymer films for the positive C-plate may be identified according to their absorbance maxima at certain wavelength ranges.

Abstract: A lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The lens system employs liquid optics to provide stabilization of an image. A liquid lens cell provides stabilization of the image. A second liquid lens cell may provide stabilization in another direction. A third liquid lens cell may liquid lens cells may provide compensation for changes in the focus position.

Abstract: A lens having an extended range of focus is made of a transparent material and has two optical surfaces. The lens defines an optical axis and a focal power distribution (Ftot) which, in relation to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, changes as a function of the radial height (r) and of the azimuth angle (phi) of the aperture between a calculated basic value of the focal power (Flens) not equal to zero and a maximum value Fspiral max (r, phi).

Abstract: Several techniques are provided to reduce the spurious reflection generated at the exit surface of a transmission grating. In one embodiment the exit surface of the grating is not parallel with the entrance surface. In another embodiment, the first and second surfaces of the grating are parallel and a second substrate is attached to the second surface of the grating. The second substrate has an entrance surface and an exit surface having at least a wedge angle relative to the entrance surface. In another embodiment, a second substrate is fixedly connected to the second surface of a parallel plate grating, where the second substrate has an entrance surface and an exit surface. The exit surface is curved such that it will be about normal to a beam transmitted over a range of angels of incidence onto the grating region.

Abstract: An optical module includes a stationary substrate, a movable substrate, a stationary reflecting film provided to the stationary substrate, a movable reflecting film provided to the movable substrate and opposed to the stationary reflecting film, a first control electrode disposed outside the stationary reflecting film in a filter plan view, a second control electrode disposed outside the movable reflecting film in the filter plan view, and opposed to the first control electrode, and a tilt control section adapted to make a first control current flow through the first control electrode, and make a second control current, which has an opposite direction to the first control current in the filter plan view, flow through the second control electrode.

Abstract: An anti-glare sheet that exhibits excellent glossy black textures, blackness in dark locations, and anti-glare properties for dynamic images, and that is suited to the implementation of high quality images. The anti-glare sheet has, on at least one surface of a transparent substrate, an anti-glare layer comprising binder resin, diffusion particles, and binder particulates.

Abstract: A rearview mirror incorporates the use of electrochromic mirror glass capable of dimming via electronic controls. The electrochromic mirror glass dims when glare from vehicle driving aft of the motor vehicle impinge on the rearview mirror. The rearview mirror includes a control circuit with a single sensor. The sensor receives glare from aft and ambient light forward the motor vehicle. A light conductor guides light from the two directions. A sensor receives the light from the two directions and is able to discern between the glare light and the ambient light, by filtering the light received from each direction based on color. One color is received from one location and not from the other. The sensor is sensitive to wavelengths and can identify the magnitude of flux received in each color. This allows the interior rearview mirror to identify situations that are appropriate for dimming the electrochromic mirror glass.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a rectilinear unit, a lens unit, and a light shielding member. The lens unit is arranged inside the rectilinear unit and is movable relative to the rectilinear unit in an optical axis direction. The light shielding member functions for light shielding between the rectilinear unit and the lens unit. The light shielding unit has a light shielding layer and a support layer. The shielding layer is fitted on a decoration frame of the lens unit and closes a gap defined between the rectilinear unit and the lens unit and extending in the optical axis direction. The support layer has a body bonded to the light shielding area. The body has at least one low rigidity portion. The low rigidity portion has rigidity lower than that of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a head-up display apparatus for a vehicle. The head-up display includes an information analysis unit, a first information determination unit, a second information determination unit, and an information display unit. The information analysis unit collects vehicle state information, driver state information, driving environment state information, driver gaze information, individual characteristic information and common characteristic information from a plurality of information collection units, and analyzes the collected information. The first information determination unit prioritizes the vehicle state information, the driver state information, and the driving environment state information. The second information determination unit determines a driver's field of view based on driver field of view information and driver individual and common characteristic information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a visual line detection device comprises a lens, a frame holding the lens, a beam splitter transmitting light from a visual field in a direction of user's eyes while reflecting a part of the light from the visual field in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the lens, and transmitting the light from the user's eyes in a direction of the visual field while reflecting the part of the light from the user's eyes in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the lens, a first light taking module taking the light from the user's eyes reflected by the beam splitter, and a second light taking module taking the light from the visual field reflected by the beam splitter.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a light source, a display device, an at least one illumination prism, and an at least one eyepiece optic. The light source emits illumination light. The display device modulates the illumination light and emits the modulated light as image light. The illumination light emitted from the light source is incident on the illumination prism. The at least one eyepiece optic transmits the image light emitted from the display device.

Abstract: Technology is described for a projection optical system which optically couples image light from an image source to a near-eye display (NED) of a wearable near-eye display device. The projection optical system and the image source make up a projection light engine. Light from the image source is directed to a birdbath reflective optical element which is immersed in high index glass. The image light is reflected and collimated by the birdbath element and travels outside a housing of the projection light engine forming an external exit pupil, meaning the exit pupil is external to the projection light engine. A waveguide optically couples the image light of the external exit pupil. An example of a waveguide which can be used is a surface relief grating waveguide.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus and a lens driving method are capable of quickly and precisely setting the position of a lens to a predetermined position, if the resolving power of the amount of lens moving according to drive pulses is not even in the lens driving apparatus. A count pulse signal detection unit detects a count pulse signal CP in accordance with a rotation of a manual focus (MF) ring. A lens driving control unit outputs a drive pulse MP for moving a focus lens in correspondence with the detected count pulse signal CP to a lens driving unit. The lens driving control unit performs a control so that: the number of the drive pulses MP for a count period T differs between a time period within an initial count detection time period for the detected count pulse signal CP and a time period after the initial count signal detection time period; and the number of pulses for the former period is minimum and the number of pulses for the latter period is larger than the minimum number.

Abstract: A low-cost imaging lens which corrects aberrations properly with a small F-value, ensures high performance with a larger number of constituent lenses and has a more low-profile design than before. The constituent lenses are arranged in the following order from an object side to an image side: a positive (refractive power) first lens having a convex object-side surface near an optical axis; a positive second lens having convex object-side and image-side surfaces near the optical axis; a negative third lens having a concave image-side surface near the optical axis; a fourth lens having at least one aspheric surface; a meniscus fifth lens having a concave object-side surface near the optical axis; a sixth lens as a double-sided aspheric lens; and a negative seventh lens as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface near the optical axis. These constituent lenses are not joined to each other.