Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus uses SMA actuator wires to move a movable element supported on a support structure, for example to provide optical image stabilization. Eight SMA actuator wires are arranged inclined with respect to a notional primary axis with a pair of the SMA actuator wires on each of four sides around the primary axis. The SMA actuators are connected so that on contraction two groups of four SMA actuator wires provide a force with a component in opposite directions along the primary axis, so that the groups are capable of providing movement along the primary axis. The SMA actuator wires of each group have 2-fold rotational symmetry about the primary axis, so that there are SMA actuator wires opposing each other that are capable of providing lateral movement or tilting.

Abstract: A camera module (50) is provided with a suspension wire (16) and an AF spring. The spring constant of the suspension wire (16) and the AF spring is set so that the maximum value of stress specified according to the degree of deformation in the longitudinal direction of the suspension wire (16) does not exceed the buckling stress or the yield stress of the suspension wire (16) when a movable section moves within a moving range.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging apparatus and an imaging system, each one comprising an optical system having characteristics matching with image restoration processing, thereby achieving effective image restoration processing. To this end, the imaging apparatus or system comprises an imaging device 12, an optical system 11 for forming a subject image on the imaging device 12, and an image processing means 14 for implementing image processing for an image being viewed, the image produced out of the image device 12. The imaging apparatus or system is characterized in that the optical system 11 has a substantially constant MTF at a position where the imaging device 12 is located and in the predetermined distances before and after that position.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including: an image pickup unit photographing a subject; a movement detecting unit detecting changes in movement of a subject photographed by the image pickup unit; a data generating unit generating first timing data relating to change timing at which the movement detecting unit detected a change in the movement; a receiving unit receiving second timing data, which relates to change timing when movement of a subject photographed by another apparatus was detected, from the other apparatus during photographing by the image pickup unit; and a determining unit determining, based on the first timing data generated by the data generating unit and the second timing data received by the receiving unit, whether the subject photographed by the image pickup unit and the subject photographed by the other apparatus are the same or a similar subject.

Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus comprises: an image stabilization unit that reduces image blur due to a shake by moving a driven unit; a calculation unit that estimates the shake based on a position of the driven unit and a driving force applied to the driven unit and that calculates a translational shake correction amount based on the estimated shake; and a driving unit that drives the driven unit of the image stabilization unit based on the translational shake correction amount. When the driven unit is at a position away from a center of a range of movement of the driven unit, the calculation unit sets the translational shake correction amount to be smaller than that when the driven unit is at the center of the range of movement.

Abstract: A zoom lens including, in order from an object side; a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit; and a positive third lens unit, in which: an interval between the first and second lens units is increased, and an interval between the second and third lens units is decreased during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end; the second lens unit is an image stabilizing lens unit which moves with a component of motion in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis whereby an imaging position is moved in the direction of motion perpendicular to the optical axis; and a focal length of an entire system at the wide angle end, a focal length of the first lens unit, and a movement amount of the first lens unit during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end are each set appropriately.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes: an optical system which includes a movable lens group, the optical system including a first correction lens group which adjusts an optical performance of the optical system and a second correction lens group which adjusts a center position of an image which is formed by the optical system; and a control unit which controls driving of the first correction lens group so as to correct the change of the optical performance due to movement of the movable lens group based on position information of the movable lens group and controls driving of the second correction lens group so as to correct displacement of the center of an image due to the movement of the movable lens group and the first correction lens group based on position information of the first correction lens group.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus having a plurality of executable image blurring correction modes selects an image blurring correction mode to be executed from among the executable image blurring correction modes in accordance with an image capturing situation, and executes the selected image blurring correction mode. The image capturing apparatus has a plurality of display items respectively associated with the image blurring correction modes, and displays the display item corresponding to the image blurring correction mode under execution on a display screen.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; a third lens group including a first sub-lens group having a positive refractive power, an iris, and a second sub-lens group having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first to fourth lens groups are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, the distance between each of the first through fourth lens groups changes when zooming, the surface of the lens closest to the image side in the first sub-lens group is concave, the lens closest to the object side in the second sub-lens group is a meniscus lens concave towards the object side, and the lens located closest to the object side in the third lens group is an aspheric lens.

Abstract: There is provided an eyepiece optical system including a lens, a surface nearest to an observer side of the lens disposed nearest to the observer side being formed in a convex shape on the observer side, and the eyepiece optical system satisfying a conditional expression (1) |RL/DH|<1.7, where RL is a radius of curvature of the surface nearest to the observer side, and DH is a shortest distance in a radial direction from an optical axis to an edge surface of the lens nearest to the observer side.

Abstract: A lens barrel having an insertable/removable optical element includes an advancing/retracting member, an anti-shake frame supported by the advancing/retracting member, an insertable/removable frame holding the insertable/removable optical element and supported by the anti-shake frame, an anti-shake drive mechanism, and a removal drive mechanism which moves the insertable/removable frame between the insertion and the removed positions. The anti-shake drive mechanism includes first and second anti-shake drive actuators positioned on the opposite side of the insertion position from the removed position and are respectively positioned on opposite sides of a straight line connecting a center of the insertable/removable optical element at the insertion position and at the removed position. Directions of driving forces produced by the first and second anti-shake drive actuators are at right angles to each other.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an optical system including multiple lens units, the optical system including: a first lens unit which is disposed closest to an object side in the optical system and is rotatable about a point in a vicinity of an optical axis of the optical system; and at least one lens unit which is movable in a direction including a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The following conditional expression is satisfied: 1.0<ft/|f1|<2.2, where ft represents a focal length of the optical system at a telephoto end, and f1 represents a focal length of the first lens unit. At least one of rotation of the first lens unit or movement of the at least one lens unit in the direction including the component in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis changes an image formation position in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: This camera system comprises a novel or new combination of three elements or parts including a 1000 mm focal length Maksutov Cassegrain MTO or Rubinar mirror lens threaded to an M42 to Sony Alpha mount or M42 to Olympus 4/3 mount adapter, both with their own “dandelion chip”, programmed with the focal length of 1000 mm allowing for the only currently image stabilized lens of this length, also allowing the lens to communicate with the camera to allow proper metering and exposure as well as focus confirmation for faster, more certain sharp photos whether through “focus peaking” in the case of the Sony, or “catch in focus” and a confirmation beep with the Olympus, as well as 3 variable levels of zoom from 1500 mm to 3000 mm in the case of the Sony (incorporating both the crop factor of the sensor and the crop zoom push button feature) and 2× crop with Olympus.

Abstract: An image-blur correction device includes a drive-current output unit that outputs a first drive current for driving a first correction mechanism for correcting image blur in a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis and a second drive current for driving a second correction mechanism for correcting image blur in a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction; and a drive-current limiting unit that limits the first drive current to a first limit value, limits the second drive current to a second limit value, limits a total value of the first and second drive currents to a third limit value smaller than a total value of the first and second limit values, varies the first limit value by changing a power-supply time of the first drive current, and varies the second limit value by changing a power-supply time of the second drive current.

Abstract: Provided is a driving device having a rod-like terminal capable of stably fixing an SMA and connecting a conductive member without preventing the size of the driving device from being reduced and affecting the performance of the SMA. Also provided is an imaging device. The driving device is equipped with a string-shaped shape-memory alloy as a driving source and includes: a base member serving as the base of the driving device; and the rod-like terminal made of a metal penetrating the base member and secured to the base member. One end side of the rod-like terminal is caulked to interpose and hold the shape-memory alloy, and the other end side of the rod-like terminal has a crimp portion where the conductive member for supplying current to the shape-memory alloy is crimped and fixed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a suspension wire for compensating for hand vibration and an image photographing device having the same. The suspension wire for compensating for hand vibration, which is mounted between an optical unit and a housing so as to have a length thereof in an optical axis direction to float and support the optical unit within the housing, includes: a wire body having both ends thereof each fixed to the optical unit and the housing; and a deformation buffer formed in the wire body to allow the wire body to flexibly receive impact force when external impact is applied to the wire body, thereby preventing permanent deformation or fracture of the wire body.

Abstract: A image stabilization apparatus includes a support member, a holder where a lens is movable between a retraction position and a vibration-prevention-and-correction region, an urging member that urges the holder in a direction of the vibration-prevention-and-correction region, and a drive member that causes the lens in the vibration-prevention-and-correction region to move to the retraction position when the drive member is in a first positional relation relative to the holder, and allows movement of the lens located in the retraction position to the vibration-prevention-and-correction region direction when the drive member is in a second positional relation relative to the holder, wherein when the holder and the drive member are in the second positional relation, the urging member causes the lens to move to the vibration-prevention-and-correction region from the retraction position, and in the position, enables movement of the holder within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An image blur correcting mechanism is provided that includes an imaging element, a movable frame, a fixed frame, and first and second actuators. The imaging element has a light receiving face with first and second edges that intersects. The movable frame holds the imaging element. The fixed frame movably supports the movable frame along first and second directions that intersects. The first and second directions are parallel to the light receiving face. The first actuator is configured to move the movable frame in the first direction, and the second actuator is configured to move the movable frame in the second direction. The actuators are positioned on opposing sides of the imaging element, and disposed relative to a first perpendicular plane located perpendicular to the first edge and coincident with the second edge. The actuators are positioned on opposing sides of a second perpendicular plane located perpendicular to the second edge.

Abstract: A correction optical device includes a rotating member that is disposed between a fixed member and a movable member that supports a compensation lens. By controlling rotation of the rotating member using the movable member, the movable member is locked and unlocked.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical unit with camera-shake correction function capable of minimizing the load applied to a movable element from a flexible wiring substrate even when the movable element is oscillated, in order to correct camera shake. In an optical unit provided with a camera-shake correction function, a movable element can be oscillated about an oscillation support point by actuating a drive mechanism for camera-shake correction, and camera shake can therefore be corrected.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of calculating, with respect to a processing-target pixel in an input image signal, a concentric aberration correction amount for concentric aberration that is a component of magnification chromatic aberration, the concentric aberration causing a color shift to occur in a concentric manner from the center of an image, calculating, with respect to the processing-target pixel, a uniform aberration correction amount for uniform aberration that is a component of magnification chromatic aberration, the uniform aberration causing a color shift direction and a color shift amount to uniformly occur on a whole image, and correcting a pixel value of the processing-target pixel on the basis of the calculated concentric aberration correction amount and the calculated uniform aberration correction amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and compact lens driving device with a shake suppression function. In a VCM lens driving device 10, the driving coil 15 mounted on the outer circumference of the lens holder 11 includes a first through third coils 15a-15c, and the permanent magnet 16 mounted on the casing 13 and opposite to the driving coil 15 with spacing includes a first through fourth magnets 161-164. The first magnet 161 and the second magnet 162 are facing the first coil 15a at the middle of the lens holder 11; the third magnet 163 is facing the first coil 15a and the second coil 15b at the imaged-object side of the first coil 15a; the fourth magnet 164 is facing the first coil 15a and the third coil 15c at the opposite side to the imaged-object side of the first coil 15a.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a base member, a movable member that is disposed at the base member and moves in a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, a first driving portion that moves the movable member in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis in accordance with image shake, a lens frame that is mounted to the movable member and moves in a direction of the optical axis, a second driving portion that moves the lens frame in the direction of the optical axis and includes a first magnet that is secured to the movable member and a first coil that is secured to the lens frame, and a Hall element that is disposed so as to oppose the first magnet in the direction of the optical axis and detects a change in a magnetic field of the first magnet.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus includes an optical system, an optical image stabilization (OIS) unit adapted to move the optical system, and a digital signal processor in communication with the OIS unit. The digital signal processor sets an operating ratio of the OIS unit by reducing the operating ratio to a previously set value of 100% or below after a still image or a moving picture is captured, and the OIS unit moves the optical system while a live view mode is turned on.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a rear unit including a plurality of lens units. A distance between adjacent lens units changes during zooming. An aperture stop is arranged on an image side of the first lens unit. An image stabilizing unit Ls comprising at least part of the second lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis during blurring correction. The predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus has a lens portion 21, a first driving portion 36 and 37 to cause a movement of a movable unit 20 including said lens portion 21 relatively to a fixed portion 10 along a vertical direction of a light axis of said lens portion 21, a second driving portion 23 and 26 to cause a movement of said lens portion relatively to said fixed portion 10 along said light axis, an image sensor 11 held on said fixed portion 10 to detect a light which comes through said lens portion 21, an inner casing 28a held on said fixed portion 10 to cover said movable unit 20 and said image sensor 11, and a planar flexible printed circuit 50 to which a shake detection sensor 58 detecting a shake of said fixed portion 10 is connected. The planar flexible printed circuit 50 is attached to contact with a sidewall surface of said inner casing 28a parallel to the light axis of said lens.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes: a correction lens module that comprises a correction lens and a correction lens supporting plate to which the correction lens is coupled; a magnet that is fixed to the correction lens supporting plate; a driving unit that is disposed to face the magnet and reacts to the magnet so as to move the correction lens module in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a detecting unit that is disposed to face the magnet opposite the driving unit and detects movement of the correction lens module; and a magnetic body that is disposed to face the magnet to restore the correction lens module to an initial position thereof and is placed on a same plane as the detecting unit.

Abstract: A blur correction apparatus is provided that includes a blur correction mechanism, a locking member, a shift drive processor and an unlocking driver. The blur correction mechanism compensates for camera shake by driving a movable portion provided with one of a correction lens and an imaging device. The locking member restricts movement of the movable portion within a locked range of motion. The shift drive processor moves the movable portion a predetermined distance toward a center of the locked range of motion when locking by the locking member is released and the predetermined distance is shorter than the distance from the movable portion to the center. The unlocking driver moves the locking member to an unlocked position after moving the movable portion the predetermined distance away from the locking member.

Abstract: A blur correction apparatus is provided that includes a blur correction mechanism and a locking member. The blur correction mechanism compensates for camera shake by driving a movable portion provided with a correction lens or an imaging device. The locking member restricts movement of the movable portion within a locked range of motion. The movable portion is suspended in a current position by the blur correction mechanism when a release operation is performed in a state in which the movable portion is locked by the locking member.

Abstract: There is provided a processing apparatus including a focus control unit configured to perform a reliability determination for determining a reliability of phase difference information based on a camera shake correction amount of camera shake correction performed by changing a relative positional relationship in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis in an optical system between an image sensor that includes as some of pixels, phase difference pixels that are pixels for obtaining phase difference information to be used in focus control based on a phase difference method, and the optical system, which is for forming an image on the image sensor from light from an object.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided a processing apparatus or a program causing a computer to execute as a processing apparatus including a camera shake correction control unit configured to, based on a focus area in which pixel values of phase difference pixels is used in focus control among areas of an image output by an image sensor, control camera shake correction performed by changing a relative positional relationship in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis in an optical system between the image sensor that includes as some of pixels, phase difference pixels that are pixels for obtaining phase difference information to be used in focus control based on a phase difference method, and the optical system, which is for forming an image on the image sensor from light from an object.

Abstract: An image capture system including a camera body and lens unit, a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake, an image stabilization unit arranged in the lens unit to correct a blur of the object image, a correction amount detection unit configured to detect a correction amount of the image stabilization unit, a distortion correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a distortion correction amount of an image, a motion vector detection unit arranged in the camera body to detect a motion vector from the image captured by the image sensor, and a signal processing unit configured to correct the image based on the motion vector and an output from the distortion correction amount calculation unit.

Abstract: A direction instructing operation unit instructs a control unit to change a direction of a change in the photographic screen range. First motor drives a compensation optical system and second motor drives a compensation optical system in accordance with the control command given by the control unit. When the direction along which framing adjustment has been instructed by the direction instructing operation unit matches neither the drive direction of the first motor nor the drive direction of the second motor for driving the compensation optical system, the control unit matches a drive start time and a drive end time of both the first motor and the second motor, and then controls the ratio of the speed of the second drive unit to the speed of the first drive unit at a constant level to thereby control the moving direction of the photographic screen range.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical unit with a shake correction function such that even when a photo reflector is provided by using a gap between a side surface of a movable body and a side surface of a fixed body, an appropriate relationship between an output from the photo reflector and the rock angle of the movable body can be obtained. In an optical unit (100) with a shake correction function, a movable body (3) is rocked about a rock fulcrum (180) by a driving mechanism (500) for shake correction, and thereby shaking is corrected. At that point, the movement of the movable body (3) is monitored by providing a first photo reflector (580a) and a second photo reflector (580b) on side surfaces of a fixed body (200).

Abstract: A fixing mechanism 110 fixes a holder 166, which holds an imaging unit 116 movable by a VCM, to a neutral position. A press plate 188 fixed at one end to a frame 167 has first and second protrusions 183 and 184 protruding toward the holder. The holder has first and second depressions 185 and 186 which can engage with the protrusions. The first protrusion and the first depression serve to position the holder with reference to the frame and allow the holder to rotate, with the engagement position as a center. The second protrusion and the second depression prevent the holder from rotating and keep the holder at the neutral position.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image.

Abstract: A lens actuator module including an autofocus (AF) mechanism capable of moving a lens according to at least three degrees of freedom and an optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism capable of moving the lens according to at least two degrees of freedom. The AF mechanism may have a coil and a magnet assembly for driving movement of the lens according to the at least three degrees of freedom. The optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism may include a coil and a magnet assembly for driving movement of the lens according to the at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A wide angle, athermalized, achromatic, hybrid imaging lens assembly captures return light from a target over a field of view, and projects the captured return light onto an array of image sensors of a solid-state imager during electro-optical reading of the target. The assembly includes a plastic lens group for optical aberration compensation, a glass lens group spaced away from the plastic lens group along an optical axis, and an aperture stop between the lens groups and having an aperture through which the optical axis extends. The glass lens group has substantially all the optical power of the imaging lens assembly for thermal stability, and the plastic lens group has substantially no optical power. A holder holds the lenses and the aperture stop in front of the array.

Abstract: A position controller for an image-stabilizing optical element in a optical system includes an advancing/retracting member; an anti shake frame supported by the advancing/retracting member and movable along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis; an insertable/removable frame holding the optical element and supported by the anti-shake frame to be movable between insertion and removed positions; an anti shake drive mechanism which drives the anti shake frame to perform an image-stabilizing operation; and a removal drive mechanism which imposes no movement limitations on the anti shake frame and the insertable/removable frame in a ready-to-photograph state, and which imparts a component force that moves the insertable/removable frame to the removed position in association with the insertable/removable frame when the advancing/retracting member moves to an accommodated position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zoom lens that forms an optical image of an object on a light receiving surface of an imaging element converting the optical image to an electrical signal, having the diagonal length of 2Y max, is constituted by a positive first group, a negative second group, a negative third group, an aperture, and a rear group having positive power as a whole, in order from an object side, and satisfies a conditional expression 1.5<frw/Ymax<2.1 (frw denotes the combined focal length of the rear group on a wide end, and Ymax denotes the maximum image height).

Abstract: Provided is an image blur correction apparatus including a lens unit having an imaging optical system and an imaging unit configured to generate an image signal of a captured image, a blur detection unit configured to detect blurring occurring in the lens unit, a first correction unit configured to perform image blur correction by turning the lens unit in a first direction and in a second direction, a second correction unit configured to perform image blur correction on a captured image obtained by the imaging optical system, and an image blur correction control unit configured to drive the first correction unit and the second correction unit based on blurring detected by the blur detection unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image photographing device having a function for compensating hand vibration. The image photographing device having a function for compensating hand vibration includes: an optical unit; a magnet combined with an outer peripheral surface of the optical unit; a housing inserted with the optical unit and the magnet and having coils disposed at a position corresponding to the magnet; suspension wires arranged at four corners of the optical unit, having the upper end portions and the lower end portions each combined with the optical unit and the housing to support the optical unit in a state floated from the bottom surface of the housing, and having a predetermined bending part formed at any point; a flexible printed circuit board surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the housing and applying current to the coils; and a substrate having the image sensor mounted on the top surface thereof and combined with the lower portion of the housing.

Abstract: An image blur compensation unit and image blur compensation device that can be made smaller in size. Wedge prisms, which refract light that is guided to an imaging element after passing through a lens group, are disposed on the same plane perpendicular to a central axis, and are supported by rotatable prism support portions. In order for the wedge prisms to be spaced by a predetermined distance and face each other along the central axis in a space that is formed when being placed adjacent to each other, the prism support portion supports the wedge prism on one end side along the central axis, and the prism support portion supports the wedge prism on one end side along the central axis. In this manner, the prism support portions supporting the wedge prisms, which need to be disposed along the central axis so as to be spaced by a predetermined distance and face each other, are disposed on the same plane.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an aberration control optical system having an aberration control function to intentionally generate an aberration and an imaging device; and an image processing device which forms a first image into a highly accurate final image. An aberration control optical system makes the PSF to cover two or more pixels by using the aberration control optical system containing an aberration control element having an aberration control function to intentionally generate an aberration or an aberration control plane having the aberration control function. The aberration control optical system is formed as a depth extension optical system having two or more peaks of the MTF characteristic for defocus in a main image plane shift region not causing a false resolution in a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, an aperture stop, a positive third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit. The third lens unit includes, in that order, a positive first lens sub-unit, and a negative second lens sub-unit. The second lens sub-unit is movable in a direction having a component perpendicular to an optical axis to change an image forming position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. A distance on the optical axis between the aperture stop and the third lens unit at a wide-angle end, a composite focal length of the first lens unit and the second lens unit at the wide-angle end, a focal length of the first lens sub-unit, and a focal length of the second lens sub-unit are appropriately set.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electromagnetic force generation for an imaging device having a small form factor.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element supported on a support structure by a suspension system comprising a plurality of resilient flexures. A shape memory alloy actuator drives movement of the movable element on contraction. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element in the opposite direction. Rather than using the resilient flexures of the suspension system as the sole biassing means, an additional Massing element biasses the movable element against the SMA actuator. When the moveable element is held against the end-stop, the force applied by the biassing element is greater than the force applied by the flexures of the suspension system. This reduces the design constraints, for example allowing a greater range of movement.

Abstract: A face camera mount structure in a vehicle has a camera for imaging a driver's face being disposed on a reverse side of a dial at a portion that does not interfere with a speedometer design portion on the dial. A camera facing portion of the dial that faces a lens of the camera is covered with a print of a near-infrared light passing ink that selectively passes a near-infrared light. The high transparency factor of the near-infrared light through the ink makes it possible for the camera to image a sufficiently bright near-infrared light image without being recognized by a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vibration-wave driving device includes a vibrator having an electromechanical-energy converting element, and a moving mechanism configured to allow the vibrator to move relative to a movable body, in a plane parallel to a plane where the vibrator and the movable body are in contact, in a second direction intersecting with a first direction being a direction of a driving force produced by the vibrator. The moving mechanism includes a guide member that regulates a moving direction of the vibrator, and the guide member includes a member having a rollable curved portion.

Abstract: A camera apparatus capable of providing optical image stabilization comprises a support structure and a camera unit, that comprises an image sensor and a lens system for focussing an image thereon, supported on the support structure in a manner allowing it to tilt around two notional axes perpendicular to each other and to the optical axis. An SMA actuation system comprises two SMA actuator subsystems each comprising plural SMA actuators connected between the camera unit and the support structure. The SMA actuators of the respective SMA actuator subsystems are arranged, on contraction, to drive displacement of the camera unit in opposite directions along the optical axis. The SMA actuators of each SMA actuator subsystem are also arranged, on differential contraction, to drive rotation of the camera unit around a respective one of said notional axes.