Adjusting Mechanism Patents (Class 359/694)
  • Patent number: 7701651
    Abstract: A lens module structure with a metal shell includes a metal shell and a lens module. The metal shell has a bottom casing and a top casing. The bottom casing has several lateral plates which have protrusions inwardly. At least two lateral plates have first locking portions. Second locking portions corresponding to the first locking portions are disposed on the side wall of the top casing. The lens module has metal portions and is assembled with the bottom casing. Each of the protrusions on the bottom casing abuts and holds the metal portions. Furthermore, the top casing is assembled with the bottom casing via locking the second locking portions with the first locking portions. The protrusions have a predetermined length. The protrusions can abut and hold the lens module with a predetermined size. Moreover, the effect of anti-electromagnetic interference is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Feng Chang
  • Patent number: 7697216
    Abstract: A lens drive device may include a movable lens body provided with a lens, a support body which movably supports the movable lens body through a plate spring in an optical axis direction, and a magnetic drive mechanism for driving the movable lens body in the optical axis direction. The plate spring may include an outer side connecting part connected with the support body, an inner side connecting part connected with the movable lens body, and an arm part which is connected with the inner side connecting part and the outer side connecting part through an inner connecting portion and an outer connecting portion. The arm part may include a meandering part which comprises a plurality of extending parts which is extended in a radial direction is serially connected through inner side turning portions and outer side turning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Akihito Wada, Tsuneo Sato
  • Patent number: 7697218
    Abstract: A lens control apparatus includes a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature near a zoom lens and a focus lens, a zoom lens drive unit configured to drive the zoom lens, and a controller configured, if it is determined that a current temperature near the zoom lens and the focus lens detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than a reference temperature, to acquire a telephoto end position to be set at the current temperature, to compare the telephoto end position with a current position of the zoom lens, and to cause the zoom lens drive unit to move the zoom lens to the telephoto end position if the current position of the zoom lens is located beyond the telephoto end position on a telephoto side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Ishikawa, Toshihiko Tomosada
  • Patent number: 7693409
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical apparatus which includes an acquisition unit adapted to acquire position information of a lens, and a control unit adapted to control a position of the lens by an amount of rotation of an operating member and the position of the lens. The control unit initializes a corresponding relationship between the amount of rotation of the operating member and the position of the lens when the position control of the lens is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yosuke Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7692885
    Abstract: A lens barrel capable of forming high-accuracy barrel body and simply adjusting a tilt and a position in an optical axis direction without using dedicated portions is provided. The lens barrel includes a front barrel and a rear barrel. An inner diameter of a portion, containing a focus lens of the front barrel, is 1.15 times or more as large as an inner diameter of a portion containing a zoom lens of the rear barrel. The rear barrel and the front barrel are coupled by a coupling screw. A convex portion has an adjustment face for adjusting a distance between the focus lens and the zoom lens and is formed on a coupling face of the front barrel. A convex portion includes a reference face serving as a reception portion and is formed on the rear barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7688528
    Abstract: A mount for an optical component is disclosed that provides the flexibility of independently adjusting the position and orientation of the optical component along and about one or more axes. In an exemplary embodiment, the mount includes a support element for supporting the optical component; one or more rotational adjustment elements for rotating said support element independently about one or more axes, respectively; and one or more linear adjustment elements for moving said support element independently along one or more axes. The adjustment elements may be manually adjustable and/or may be adjustable by an actuator. In the latter case, the actuator may be electronically controlled by a controller. The optical component may be a reflective, transmissive, or reflective/transmissive optical device, such as diffraction gratings, mirrors, beam splitters, and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Heuser Michael, Guerrero Christopher
  • Patent number: 7688521
    Abstract: A lens actuator includes a lens barrel for accommodating the lens, a coil wrapped around the lens barrel, at least one magnet, a bracket, and a resilient plate. The bracket is configured for mounting the magnets thereon and accommodating the lens barrel therein. The resilient plate is connected between the bracket and the lens barrel to hold the lens barrel on the bracket. The bracket includes an outer wall and an inner wall. At least one slit is defined between the outer wall and the inner wall. At least one opening is defined in the inner wall spatially corresponding to the at least one slit. The at least one magnet received in the at least one slit and exposed to an inside of the bracket through the at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 7684130
    Abstract: A lens device includes a seat unit, a swingable lens module having a guide member, a rotatable cam unit, first and second biasing components, and a first lens module. The swingable lens module is movable relative to the seat unit along an optical axis while the guide member is biased by the first biasing component to abut against a spiral guide surface of the rotatable cam unit. The swingable lens module is pivotable relative to the seat unit about a pivot pin that extends parallel to the optical axis with the guide member being pushed by a pushing surface of the rotatable cam unit to a retreating position, and is biased by a second biasing component toward a retracting position. The first lens module is disposed at one side of the swingable lens module opposite to the seat unit along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Hung Huang
  • Publication number: 20100067120
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel that has a first barrel member and a second barrel member, and arranges the first barrel member on an outer circumference of the second barrel member to enable the first barrel member to move in an optical axis direction. The lens barrel includes a plurality of engaging members configured to be held by the first barrel member and engaged with an engagement groove formed in the second barrel member, and to move in the optical axis direction along the engagement groove when the second barrel member rotates, and an annular urging member provided in an outer circumferential portion of the first barrel member and configured to urge the plurality of engaging members to the engagement groove formed in the second barrel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kaori Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7679847
    Abstract: A lens barrel and an image pickup apparatus include a flow path (70) that is provided at a position (A) where a first fixed lens frame (22) faces a movable lens frame (32) and a position (B) where the movable lens frame (32) faced the first fixed lens frame (22) as that air flow resistance can be generated when the air is released which is present between the first and second lens frames if these lens frames get close to each other. The flow path (70) is provided so that the air present between a fixed lens (20) and a movable lens (30) may also be passed through the flow paths when the first fixed lens frame (22) and the movable lens frame (32) get close to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Tamron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Koyama, Masaaki Kamoda
  • Patent number: 7679845
    Abstract: A highly precision, super stable, structure compact and fully lockable ball joint mechanism optical mounts are presented. Both stationary plate and movable plate have a partial-spherical hole or conical hole. Facing spacing aligns the bases of the partial-spherical holes or conical holes; a space adjustable cavity is formed. An external-spherical circumference shape optical element carrier plate fits and mates in the space adjustable combined cavity forms a ball joint mechanism, or an external-column circumference and edges chamfered optical element carrier plate fits and mates in the space adjustable combined internal-spherical shaped cavity forms an angle tilt-able and around axis swivel-able joint pair mechanism. A removable tooling for exporting a tilting and rotating movement to the optical element carrier plate are presented. Locking ring pushes the movable plate to adjust the combined cavity and locking the optical element carrier plate and to lock optical element that is carried thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventor: Xiwen Wang
  • Patent number: 7679839
    Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to adjust an optical parameter of the optical device or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Polyakov, Jonathan R. Heim
  • Publication number: 20100053422
    Abstract: A lens apparatus can be easily set even in cases where the lens body and demands are distant from each other upon shooting without a decrease in the reliability. A lens body 20 mounted on a camera body 10 is provided with command signal converting unit, time-series position signal converting unit, wireless communication unit, communication condition monitoring unit and communication process switch unit. A signal converting unit 90 to which a zoom demand 70 and a focus demand 80 are connected is provided with time-series command signal converting unit, position signal converting unit and wireless communication unit. The lens body 20 and the signal converting unit 90 are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other to eliminate the use of connection cables thereby improving operationality while enabling highly reliable wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7668449
    Abstract: A barrel for an electrically-controllable variable focal length lens in a button-battery type housing includes a hollow isolating cylindrical tube with an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the lens housing, with one or bumps extending radially towards the inside of the tube and forming bearing surfaces for the lens periphery in a same radial plane. First metallizations extend on at least one of the bearing surfaces and therefrom into first channels formed in the internal wall of the tube towards at least one end of the tube, and second metallizations, each of which forms a contact area on the internal surface of the tube to bear against the lateral surface of the lens and extends towards at least one end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Eric Saugier, Jean-Luc Diot, Fabrice Mee
  • Patent number: 7667906
    Abstract: An exemplary lens module includes a lens barrel (10), a lens (20) and a sleeve barrel (30). The lens barrel includes an adjusting magnet (15). The lens is mounted in the lens barrel. A part of the lens barrel is slidably mounted in the sleeve barrel, the sleeve barrel includes a positioning magnet group (33), and the positioning magnet group cooperates with the adjusting magnet to selectably position the lens barrel in at least two different positions in the sleeve barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chiang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7667905
    Abstract: A device is shown having at least two movable lens units, wherein each of the at least two movable lens units has at least one lens, wherein the at least two movable lens units are movable into a first state wherein the at least two movable lens units are arranged in parallel to each other, and wherein the at least two movable lens units are movable into a second state wherein the at least two movable lens units are arranged on top of each other for positioning the lenses of the at least two movable lens units in an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Marko Eromäki
  • Patent number: 7663811
    Abstract: A driving mechanism, a driving device, and a lens driving device includes a lever member. The lever member includes an arm portion for surrounding a part of a driven member in a side direction. The arm portion has a plurality of displacement output portions to be engaged with the driven member. The lever member is constructed in such a manner that a displacement amount of the displacement output portions in a predetermined first axis direction is set larger than a displacement amount of a displacement input portion to be generated by input of a moving force to be applied by a shape memory alloy actuator. The driving mechanism, the driving device, and the lens driving device enable to obtain a large displacement amount with a reduced size and a reduced weight, and stably move the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Noda, Takashi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7660055
    Abstract: An optical element including a first groove extending from first end of the outer peripheral face in an optical axis direction towards second end, and a second groove connected to the first groove and extending from second end of the outer peripheral face in the optical axis direction towards first end; and a position-adjusting concave part which is between the first and second grooves and adjusts positions by adjusting member in the optical axis direction, a revolving direction about the optical axis, a width direction of first and second grooves, which is orthogonal to the optical axis, and in a synthesized direction that is a combination of at least two of those directions, wherein the optical element is molded by using only a first molding die for molding a part on the first groove side and a second molding die for molding a part on the second groove side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Hisayoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7658499
    Abstract: A projector has a case, a zoom lens, a zoom ring, a control plate, a lodging element, a control rod, and a handle. The case has an opening, and the zoom ring is disposed within the case and nearby the opening, the zoom ring is moved back and forth to drive the zoom rod. The control plate is mounted on the case and laid over the opening movably, the lodging element is movably contacted with the control rod, wherein the handle accepts the force along the extending direction of the rectangular opening so as to let the control plate move the lodging element along the extending direction of the rectangular opening and further to move the control rod for continuously regulating the focal length of the zoom lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Yu Meng, Jung-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7652833
    Abstract: A camera module for small-sized electronic apparatuses such as digital cameras and cellular phones includes a lens unit; and a holder which houses the lens unit and is displaceable along an optical axis direction of the lens unit. A coil is provided on the holder of octagon shape in cross section having eight outside surface portions with a yoke having an outer cylindrical wall portion formed to have an octagon shape similar to the octagon shape of the coil and having eight magnet mounting inner surfaces. Eight flat plate-shaped magnets on the mounting surfaces for providing a magnetic field are arranged to face the outside surface portions of the coil through a predetermined constant spacing. Upper and lower leaf springs respectively support the holder so as to be displaceable along the optical axis direction of the lens unit; a base for supporting the yoke and the lower spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Honma
  • Patent number: 7652830
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided with: a first movable frame and a second movable frame of a plurality of movable frames that are coaxially disposed to be movable back and forth to a stationary main frame and are inserted telescopically into the stationary frame; and two U-shaped support and drive members each having a first engagement portion, wherein each of the support and drive members is constituted of two arm portions, a second engagement portion, and a coupling member which connects the two arm portions. The first movable frame is driven by one of the support and drive members, and the second movable frame and the first movable frame are engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Matsui, Yoshifumi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7652828
    Abstract: A zoom lens assembly comprises a first optical component, a second optical component, and an actuator. The actuator comprises a shape memory material that changes its shape in response to electrical or thermal fields to change the distance between the first and second optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel C. Perreault
  • Patent number: 7650067
    Abstract: An exemplary lens module (30) includes a lens barrel (31), a focusing mechanism (40), a resilient member (70), and a bottom seat (50). The lens barrel is mounted with at least one lens (36) therein and is fixed to one end of the focusing mechanism. One end of the resilient member resists the focusing mechanism and the other opposite end of the resilient member resists the bottom seat. The focusing mechanism is for controlling an amount of expansion permitted within the resilient member. The amount of expansion of the resilient member determines a degree of focus achieved by the lens module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Wei Chiang
  • Patent number: 7639438
    Abstract: A lens module includes a lens barrel, a first lens and a second lens. The first lens is received in the lens barrel. The first lens has a first central active portion and a first peripheral inactive portion. The first peripheral inactive portion includes a first base portion surrounding the first central active portion and a cylindrical portion extending upward from the first base portion. The second lens has a second central active portion and a second peripheral inactive portion. The second peripheral inactive portion includes a second base portion surrounding the second central active portion and a flange extending radially outward from the second base portion. The second base portion is engaged in the cylindrical portion and the flange is maintained above the cylindrical portion. A gap is maintained between the second peripheral inactive portion of the second lens and the first peripheral inactive portion of the first lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 7639440
    Abstract: A camera module includes upper and lower leaf springs having a stable load characteristic and a holder displaceably held by the leaf springs so that the holder can be stably displaced within a magnetic circuit. The upper spring has an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion provided inside the outer annular portion so as to be displaceable with respect to the outer annular portion and attached to the holder, and a plurality of bridge portions coupled between the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion. The camera module further includes a bridge portion supporting member for supporting a part of at least one of the plurality of bridge portions so that a load characteristic of the leaf spring can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ishizawa, Tomohiko Osaka
  • Patent number: 7636210
    Abstract: An ocular focus device. An ocular lens tube is movably disposed in an ocular housing and includes a positioning groove. An ocular lens set is disposed in the ocular lens tube. A positioning member is connected to the ocular housing and is disposed in the positioning groove. When the ocular lens tube moves with respect to the ocular housing, the ocular lens set performs a focus operation, and the positioning member moves in the positioning groove, limiting a moving range of the ocular lens tube with respect to the ocular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Shang-Yung Liang
  • Patent number: 7636122
    Abstract: The present inention proides a focus control apparatus for a television camera comprising a focus adjusting portion for manual focus adjustment of the television camera, an indicating member for use to specify an area desired to be brought into focus within a range of a camera image being picked up by the television camera, an area display deice which displays position of the area specified with the indicating member, on a camera screen and a switch which outputs a command signal to auto-focus on a subject in the area specified with the indicating member, wherein the indicating member and the switch are positioned such that the indicating member and the switch can be operated simultaneously with the focus adjusting portion by the same hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Matsui
  • Publication number: 20090310229
    Abstract: An optical system for a remote video inspection device including an elongated probe for inspection of target objects, comprising: an imager located distally within the probe, wherein the imager receives an image of the target object; a focus lens group located within the probe, the focus lens group comprising a variable aperture and at least one focus lens; a zoom lens group located within the probe, the zoom lens group comprising at least one zoom lens, wherein the movement of the zoom lens group in relation to the imager changes the magnification of the image; a tip lens located further from the imager than the focus lens group and the zoom lens group, wherein the distance between the tip lens and the imager is fixed; wherein a first movement of the focus lens group proportional to the movement of the zoom lens group provides an initial image focus, and a second movement of the focus lens group independent of the movement of the zoom lens provides a final image focus and proportional changes to the size of
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Dongmin Yang, Theodore A. Chilek, Thomas Karpen
  • Patent number: 7633693
    Abstract: A slidable lens retracting device is provided for retracting a lens system that include lens group units all positioned on a common optical axis when the lens system is in an operational state. At least one lens group unit is retracted from the on-axis position on the optical axis to an off-axis space radially off the optical axis by the slidable lens retracting device when the lens system is moved to a retracted state. The slidable lens retracting device includes slides mounted to the lens group unit and fixed support members forming inclined surfaces with which the slides are engageable. The control tracks receive the slides therein and are movable along the optical axis to bring the lens system to the retracted position to cause the slides to engage and slide along the inclined surfaces and thus moving the lens group unit to the off-axis space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tun-kuei Hung, Rueyder Wu
  • Patent number: 7633692
    Abstract: A moving apparatus includes a cylindrical cam barrel provided with a cam groove; a moving member configured to be rotated relative to the cam barrel and moved in a perpendicular direction that is an axis direction of the cam barrel; and a bearing for supporting a support shaft fixed on the moving member in the cam groove, wherein when viewed from the axis direction of the support shaft, a contact position F between the bearing and the cam groove is located closer to the side of the rotation center axis of the moving member than the axis line of the support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Ota
  • Publication number: 20090303613
    Abstract: A variable focal length lens having a simple structure and capable of being used for applications requiring small size is provided, as well as a focal length adjusting device and an imaging device using the same. A variable focal length lens 10 has a lens 11, a positive electrode 13, and a negative electrode 14. A second layer 11b and a first layer 11a constituting the lens 11 are formed from polyvinyl chloride with which a plasticizer has been mixed. The hardness of these layers is adjusted by adjusting the mixing quantity, plasticizer type, or etc. The second layer 11b is formed so as so cover at least a light transmission region of the first layer 11a. When a voltage is applied between the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14, the second layer 11 b and first layer 11 a are deformed to be pulled to the positive electrode 13, and thereby the curvature of the variable focal length lens 10 is varied to vary the focal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: SEIKO Precision, Inc., Shinshu University
    Inventors: Takeshi Kinoshita, Koji Yoneda, Toshihiro Hirai, Takahumi Ogiwara, Katsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 7630152
    Abstract: A guide shaft and a guide portion movably guide a lens holder for holding a collimator lens (i.e. correction lens) in an optical axis direction. A stepping motor rotates a screw shaft arranged in parallel to the optical axis direction. A nut member converts a rotating movement of the screw shaft into a rectilinear movement of the optical axis direction. An urging spring urges the lens holder against the guide shaft and the guide portion. The lens holder is driven in the optical axis direction along the guide shaft by the stepping motor, with a first contact portion and a second contact portion of the lens holder being contacted with the guide shaft, and a third contact portion of the lens holder being contacted with the guide portion by an urging force of the urging spring. The optical pickup device having the above arrangement allows for stable driving of a correction lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Inata, Kanji Wakabayashi, Hironori Tomita
  • Patent number: 7626766
    Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units is changed so that an optical image is formed with a continuously variable magnification, the zoom lens system comprises a first lens unit having positive power, a second lens unit that includes a lens element having a reflecting surface and has negative power and subsequent lens units including at least one lens unit having positive power, and the condition: 0.50<(C?S)/H<1.00(C=?{square root over ( )}(2R·dR?dR2), S is a sag of the image side surface of the most object side lens element in the second lens unit at height H, H is one-half of an optical axial thickness of the lens element having a reflecting surface, R is a radius of curvature of the image side surface, and dR is an interval between the most object side lens element and the lens element having a reflecting surface) is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keiki Yoshitsugu, Takakazu Bito
  • Publication number: 20090284844
    Abstract: Provided is a position sensing device including a sensing unit that is mounted on one side of a lens barrel, which is inserted into a lens housing portion of a base so as to be vertically driven, and includes a light receiving section and a light emitting section which are provided to face each other; a driven grid that has a plurality of slits formed therein and is mounted on the lens barrel; and a fixed grid that has a plurality of slits formed therein and is fixed and coupled to the inside of the sensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Burhanettin Koc, Jung Seok Lee, Yun Seok Woo, Hyun Phill Ko
  • Patent number: 7603030
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a zoom optical system including a focusing lens unit, a first cam member that rotates around the optical axis and moves along the optical axis in a magnification-changing operation, the first cam member including a focus cam portion for driving the focusing lens unit, and a speed-changing mechanism that changes the relative rotational speed between the focusing lens unit and the first cam member in accordance with the focal length of the zoom optical system in the magnification-changing operation. The speed-changing mechanism moves along the optical axis in the magnification-changing operation. In addition, the speed-changing mechanism includes a transmission member that is rotatable around the optical axis with respect to the first cam member and that includes a speed-changing cam portion for changing at least one of the rotational speed and the rotational direction of the focusing lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiichi Kashiwaba
  • Publication number: 20090251799
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a support ring movable in an optical axis direction; a displaceable optical element supported by the support ring movable between a photographing position and a radially-displaced position in which the displaceable optical element is eccentrically displaced from the optical axis; and an advancing/retracting optical element supported by the support ring. When the lens barrel is in a ready-to-photograph state, the displaceable optical element is held at the photographing position, and the displaceable optical element and the advancing/retracting optical element are aligned in the optical axis direction. When the lens barrel moves from the ready-to-photograph state to an accommodated state, the displaceable optical element is held at the radially-displaced position, and the displaceable optical element and the advancing/retracting optical element are relatively moved so as to at least partially coincide with each other in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takamitsu SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20090251798
    Abstract: A lens actuator for driving a lens received in a lens barrel includes a plate shaped body comprising a through hole defined in the center thereof, an inner portion surrounding the through hole, an outer portion for mounting the lens barrel thereon, and a plurality of resilient portions connected between the inner portion and the outer portion. A plurality of piezoelectric structures formed on the respective resilient portions. The piezoelectric structures are configured for mounting the lens thereon and driving the lens to move relative to the lens barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YU-CHIEN HUANG, HSIANG-CHIEH YU
  • Publication number: 20090244722
    Abstract: A turning mechanism is adapted to a projector including a base and a zoom lens set in a base for turning a zoom bar of the zoom lens. The turning mechanism includes a fixed element and a movable element. The fixed element is suitable to be fastened to the base and has a pair of slide tracks. The movable element has a pair of slide edges, a pair of slide hooks, and a turn portion. The slide hooks lock the slide tracks respectively, and the slide edges are supported by the slide tracks respectively. Therefore, the movable element substantially slides around a light axis of the zoom lens relative to the fixed element, so as to move the turn portion to turn the zoom bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Tien Chen, Hung-Lin Lee
  • Publication number: 20090244721
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit, a magnet mounted around the lens unit, a stator receiving the lens unit and the magnet therein and an elastic element. The stator includes a coil seat and a coil wound therearound. The coil establishes a magnetic field when an electric current is applied thereto. The magnetic field interacts with a magnetic field of the magnet to generate a magnetic force driving the lens unit into telescopic movement. The elastic element includes at least one rib which has a fixed end connected with the stator and an opposite movable end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to generate an elastic force during the telescopic movement of the lens unit. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHING-HSING HUANG, CHENG-FA WENG, JEN-TE WANG, HUAI-CHAO YOU, DA-YI WEN
  • Publication number: 20090231709
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an axial-direction moving member which moves between an operating position and a retracted position in an optical axis direction, an in-plane moving optical element movable in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, a controller which moves the in-plane moving optical element in the orthogonal plane to a reference position when the image device changes from the operating state to the retracted state, and a mechanical guide device, provided between the axial-direction moving member and the in-plane moving optical element. In a state where the in-plane moving optical element is deviated from the reference position, the mechanical guide device guides the in-plane moving optical element to the reference position by using a moving force of the axial-direction moving member when the axial-direction moving member moves from the operating position to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi NOMURA, Shinya SUZUKA, Takamitsu SASAKI, Ken ENDO, Toshiharu SUZUKI, Kazunori ISHIZUKA
  • Patent number: 7589911
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical system having a first element and a second element, and a support member which supports the optical system. The apparatus further includes a first control system which includes the first element and feedback-controls a position of the first element, and a second control system which includes the second element and feedback-controls a position of the second element. The first control system and the second control system are arranged such that a difference between a first transfer function between a displacement of the support member and a displacement of the first element and a second transfer function between the displacement of the support member and a displacement of the second element is not greater than 1/10 with respect to at least a limited frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Nawata, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 7589912
    Abstract: A compact zoomable camera device (10) for a portable digital electronic device is provided. The compact zoomable camera device includes: an optical system (100) for capturing images, an image sensor device (200) having an image sensor (220) positioned at a focal plane of the lens system for receiving the images and converting the images into electronic signals, and a microelectronic mechanism system (MEMS) micro-actuator (300). The optical system includes a lens system (110) for zooming and auto-focusing, wherein the focal plane of the lens system shifts according to the zooming or auto-focusing operation. The micro-actuator is adapted for driving the image sensor to move within a predetermined range to dynamically position the image sensor at the required focal plane of the camera device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Publication number: 20090225438
    Abstract: A first lens group in a reflex, magnifying optical system includes sequentially from the side of an object, a first lens that has a negative refractive power and is a meniscus lens having a concave aspect facing toward an image, an optical element (prism) that refracts an optical path, a second lens having a negative refractive power and a concave aspect facing toward the object, and a third lens having a positive refractive power. A portion of an image-side aspect of the first lens abuts a plane of incidence of the optical element. A portion of an object-side aspect of the second lens abuts a plane of transmission of the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Takashi KUBOTA
  • Publication number: 20090225284
    Abstract: A projection lens module including a projection lens, a first transmission gear, and an adjusting ring is provided. The projection lens has a lens barrel, a driving ring, and an optical lens module. The driving ring has a plurality of first external teeth and rotates about a first axis. The driving ring is circularly disposed at the lens barrel. The optical lens module is disposed in the lens barrel. When the driving ring rotates, part of the optical lens module moves along the first axis. The first transmission gear has a plurality of second external teeth and rotates about a second axis. The first transmission gear is geared to the driving ring. The adjusting ring has a plurality of first internal teeth and rotates about a third axis. The adjusting ring drives the driving ring through the first transmission gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzu-Tse Huang, I-Hsien Liu
  • Patent number: 7586692
    Abstract: The image-pickup apparatus includes a controller that controls the energization of the actuator for driving the aperture stop. The controller receives from a lens apparatus information on a time period for controlling the energization of the actuator, the information being set corresponding to the type of the actuator. During an image-pickup period in a state in which the aperture stop has been driven to a target aperture position, the controller outputs to the lens apparatus an instruction for stopping the energization of the actuator or reducing the energization amount thereof in response to the elapse of the time period. This can reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Sugita, Masanori Ishikawa, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20090219628
    Abstract: A variable power optical system composed of a first optical part, a second optical part, and a third optical part, with the first optical part being movable with respect to the second and third optical parts to change the focal length of the entire system. The first optical part is movably held between the second optical part and the third optical part. The first optical part moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis over a distance between the position on the optical system of the entire system and the position of retraction from the optical axis of the entire system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Noritoshi Eguchi, Tamotsu Nakano
  • Patent number: 7583452
    Abstract: A barrel is configured for receiving the plurality of lenses therein and for automatically aligning respective optical axes of the plurality of lenses. At least one protruding rib is formed on an internal surface of the barrel and extends along/from the internal surface of the barrel, in a direction parallel to an axis of the barrel. The protruding rib is configured for elastically supporting the plurality of lenses there against and for automatically aligning the respective optical axes of the plurality of lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Lung Ho
  • Patent number: 7580203
    Abstract: A lens assembly has an image pickup device incorporated therein, and includes a zoom lens for passage of light to the image pickup device. A cam mechanism moves the zoom lens along an optical axis. The cam mechanism includes a rotatable zoom ring for zooming operation by rotating about the optical axis. There are an intake vent for air flow from an outside to an inner space, and an exhaust vent for air flow from the inner space to the outside. Plural fan blades are formed to project from the zoom ring, for propelling the air in the inner space upon the rotation for zooming, to dissipate heat by air flow. The fan blades are inclined relative to a rotational direction of the zoom ring. Furthermore, an air filter is porous and air permeable, secured inside each of the intake vent and the exhaust vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Motoo Shigetoshi
  • Publication number: 20090207503
    Abstract: A lens tube includes a standard member, a lens, a guide, and a pushing member. The standard member has a standard surface via which the standard member is to be mounted to a camera main body. The lens retainer retains at least one lens and is connected to the standard member movably along an optical axis of the at least one lens. The guide is provided facing the lens retainer in a radial direction of the at least one lens to guide the lens retainer along the optical axis. The pushing member pushes the lens retainer and the guide in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuhide TAKEBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7573651
    Abstract: A lens adjusting mechanism includes a fixed board, a movable board, two first sliding blocks, a first driving device and two second sliding blocks. The movable board is provided on the fixed board. The first sliding blocks, each of which has two first driving members connected to the first sliding blocks, are provided on the movable board for movement along an X axis. The first driving members drive the first sliding blocks moving along a Y axis together with the movable board. The second sliding blocks, each of which has two second driving members pivoted on the fixed board and connected to the second sliding blocks, are provided on the movable board for movement along the Y axis. The second driving members drive the second sliding blocks moving along the X axis together with the movable board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Chi Lin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-Chan Wei, Tai-Chen Kuo