Abstract: An optical apparatus includes holders configured to hold on a base member a third holding member that holds a third optical element among a plurality of optical elements, and provided at three locations in a circumferential direction around an optical axis when viewed from an optical axis direction, or a holder configured to holding the base member on another member. Where first, second, and third axes pass through the optical axis and holders at the three locations, a first driver and a first guide member are disposed in a first area between the first axis and the second axis, and a second driver and a second guide member are disposed in a second area between the first axis and the third axis. The first driver and second driver are disposed in two areas that at least partially overlap each other in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Provided are a device and a method by which high-precision auto focus (AF) processing can be performed while a focus lens or a zoom lens is being operated. An interchangeable lens acquires position information regarding a focus lens and a zoom lens at a predetermined time interval during an exposure time period of detection information acquisition pixels for use in calculation of a defocus amount (DF), and outputs the position information to an imaging device. The imaging device calculates the defocus amount (DF) by using information regarding the detection information acquisition pixels, calculates a reference focus lens position (Ref_fc) by using points, on a cam curve, corresponding to the inputted lens position information, calculates a target focus lens position (Tgt_fc) in an in-focus position, from the reference focus lens position (Ref_fc) and the defocus amount (DF), and outputs the target focus lens position (Tgt_fc) to the interchangeable lens.

Abstract: A lens barrel according to the present disclosure includes a booster transformer that is arranged on an inner circumference side of a cam barrel and constitutes a power supply for an actuator. The booster transformer is arranged on a side surface of a barrel. The booster transformer is configured to move in an optical axis direction together with the barrel in accordance with rotation of the cam barrel.

Abstract: A driver assistance apparatus includes a camera provided in a vehicle and configured to acquire an image; and a processor configured to process the image. The camera includes an image sensor; and a variable lens that includes a liquid crystal layer and configured to alter light that is introduced into the image sensor based on an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is dependent on an applied voltage.

Abstract: Platform movement systems and methods of using the same. A system for moving a platform of the present disclosure can include a first actuator pivotally attached to a base, the first actuator having a first rod positioned therethrough and configured to move the first rod in a first direction and an opposing second direction along a first rod axis; a second actuator pivotally attached to the base, the second actuator having a second rod positioned therethrough and configured to move the second rod in a first direction and an opposing second direction along a second rod axis; an arm attached to the base using an arm connector; and a platform coupled to the first rod, the second rod, and the arm, the platform configured to move about the base upon operation of the first actuator and/or the second actuator.

Abstract: A controller calculates an absolute position of an object based on at least three position detection signal. In performing position control of an object using a position calculation result, the controller controls a position of the object using a calculation result based on a first position detection signal. Further, in a case where a predetermined relation is not established between the calculation result based on the first position detection signal and a calculation result based on the first and a second position detection signals, the controller calculates an absolute position, and corrects the calculation result based on the first position detection signal using the calculated absolute position.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a plasma chamber having an optical device for measuring emission intensity of plasma species. In one implementation, the plasma chamber includes a chamber body defining a substrate processing region therein, the chamber body having a sidewall, a viewing window disposed in the sidewall, and a plasma monitoring device coupled to the viewing window. The plasma monitoring device includes an objective lens and an aperture member having a pinhole, wherein the aperture member is movable relative to the objective lens by an actuator to adjust the focal point in the plasma using principles of optics, allowing only the light rays from the focal point in the plasma to reach the pinhole. The plasma monitoring device therefore enables an existing OES (coupled to the plasma monitoring device through an optical fiber) to monitor emission intensity of the species at any specific locations of the plasma.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly has a linear actuator including a motor shaft extending from a base with a piezoelectric component oscillate the shaft. The shaft has a faceted surface. A movable carriage has a notch with at least one flat surface that receives the shaft of the linear actuator. The carriage is in direct and continuous contact with the motor shaft at the notch such that the motor shaft's facet is in contact with the flat surface of the notch, when the carriage moves linearly along a travel axis. A spring is coupled to the carriage to urge the motor shaft into contact with the notch of the carriage so as to maintain contact between the motor shaft facet and the flat surface of the notch to inhibit rotation of the motor shaft.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus moves a lens in the optical axis direction with respect to the initialization position, and images a subject. The imaging apparatus includes a first lens, a second lens, a driving unit, a first position detection sensor, a second position detection sensor, a third position detection sensor, and a control unit. The driving unit moves the first lens and second lens in the optical axis direction. The first position detection sensor detects the position of the first lens. The second position detection sensor detects the position of the second lens. The third position detection sensor detects the position of the first lens and the position of the second lens. On the basis of the output from the third position detection sensor, the control unit executes the initializing processing of determining the initialization positions of the first lens and second lens.

Abstract: An optical instrument of the present invention has a first lens group and a second lens group capable of moving in an optical axis direction in order to perform optical zooming, and comprises a storage section for storing first position information relating to positions of the first lens group and positions of the second lens group corresponding to identical focal lengths that fall within a focal length region range in which zoom operations of the optical instrument are carried out, and second position information relating to positions of the first lens group and positions of the second lens group corresponding to different focal lengths that fall within the focal length region, and establishes a second optical state of a higher shooting magnification than a first optical state, when establishing substantially the same focal length as a focal length of the first optical state based on the first position information.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection system, a corrective optic in the form of one or more deformable plates is mounted within telecentric image or object space for making one-dimensional or two-dimensional adjustments to magnification. The deformable plate, which can be initially bent under the influence of a preload, contributes weak magnification power that influences the magnification of the projection system by changing the effective focal length in object or image space. An actuator adjusts the amount of curvature through which the deformable plate is bent for regulating the amount of magnification imparted by the deformable plate.

Abstract: A zoom lens device includes a focusing lens group arranged on an object side, and a variator lens group next thereto, and a temperature sensor. The focusing lens group includes a focusing lens, and a temperature-based correction lens for correcting changes in focal point caused by temperature changes around the focusing lens group. The temperature-based correction lens is moved by a temperature-based correction lens driving mechanism along an optical axis to a position determined by a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, independently of the positions of the focusing lens or variator lens group. Thereby, the zoom lens device is capable of favorably correcting defocus of the lens group caused by an ambient temperature change with a simple correcting mechanism.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is arranged to receive from a lens unit a predetermined signal for indicating whether or not a focus lens is movable by a mount of movement corresponding to first information within a predetermined time, if the received predetermined signal indicates that the focus lens is movable by the amount of movement corresponding to the first information within the predetermined time, make first information on the basis of a focus signal generated from an image signal corresponding to charges accumulated during a first period, and if the received predetermined signal indicates that the focus lens is not movable by the amount of movement corresponding to the first information within the predetermined time, make the first information on the basis of a focus signal generated from the image signal corresponding to the charges accumulated during a second period after the first period.

Abstract: A zoom lens device includes a focusing lens group arranged on an object side, and a variator lens group next thereto, and a temperature sensor. The focusing lens group includes a focusing lens, and a temperature-based correction lens for correcting changes in focal point caused by temperature changes around the focusing lens group. The temperature-based correction lens is moved by a temperature-based correction lens driving mechanism along an optical axis to a position determined by a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, independently of the positions of the focusing lens or variator lens group. Thereby, the zoom lens device is capable of favorably correcting defocus of the lens group caused by an ambient temperature change with a simple correcting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for auto focusing camera module includes a DFoV value measurer measuring a DFoV value of a lens; storage stored with a designed DFoV value of a lens, a controller comparing the DFoV value of a lens measured by the DFoV value measurer with the designed DFoV value of a lens stored in the storage to recognize an initial position of a lens, and a lens mover focusing the lens by winding the lens or by unwinding the lens in response to the initial position of the lens recognized by the controller.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a controller configured to control driving of a focus lens in manual focusing. A moving speed of the focus lens is expressed by a function of an operating speed of the operating unit, and the controller generates a control signal for the driver in accordance with the function. When the operating speed of the operating unit is equal to or lower than a threshold, the function is such a linear function that the moving speed of the focus lens linearly increases as the operating speed of the operating unit increases. When the operating speed of the operating unit is higher than the threshold, a differential value of the function increases as the operating speed of the operating unit increases. The function is continuous and smooth at the threshold.

Abstract: An image pickup lens includes a controller and a manipulator position detector configured to detect a position of a manipulator configured to accept a manipulation used to move the lens. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and a difference between the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid and the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is valid is equal or smaller than a threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and the difference is larger than the threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens corresponding to the manipulator's position detected by the manipulator position detector.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus having a zoom lens includes first and second operation members that give a zoom instruction for moving the zoom lens, and a controller that changes a zoom stop position to a first pattern according to the operation of the first operation member, and changes the zoom stop position to a second pattern, which has an interval wider than that in the first pattern, according to the operation of the second operation member.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a projector comprises an imaging unit that photographs a projection surface and acquires a first photographed image during a projection of a featured image at a first time point and acquires a second photographed image during the projection of the featured image at a second time point different from the first time point. An image processing unit generates a reference image based on the first photographed image and generates a comparative image based on the second photographed image. A movement detecting unit detects a change in a relative position of the projector with respect to the projection surface by using the reference image and the comparative image generated by the image processing unit.

Abstract: It is provided an imaging apparatus including a plurality of motors configured to be driven to move lenses in synchronous with a drive pulse, a position detection unit configured to detect one of positions of the lenses moved by the driving of the plurality of motors, an operation unit configured to perform an output corresponding to an operation in response to the operation by a user, and a controller configured to receive the output from the position detection unit and control the plurality of motors. The controller supplies the number of drive pulses calculated based on a target position for moving the lens calculated based on the output from the operation unit and a lens position detected by the position detection unit.

Abstract: A lens system includes: a lens unit; a drive unit driving the lens unit in an optical axis direction; a detector detecting a position of the lens unit; a lens operation unit that operates driving of the lens unit; and a computing unit that computes a positional command value for controlling driving of the lens unit based on a signal input from the lens operation unit and controls driving of the lens unit; a time setting unit; and a threshold setting unit setting a positional difference threshold for switching the first and second current values set in the drive unit. When the difference between the positional command value and the lens position is larger than the positional difference threshold and duration after the second current value is set has not exceeded the high-current maximum time, the second current value is set. In other cases, the first current value is set.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a fixed lens barrel, a cam ring provided inside the barrel, lens units, and a holder for holding the lens units movable in optical-axis direction, the holder including a driver for driving at least one of the lens units in the optical-axis direction, the holder supported movably in the optical-axis direction inside the cam ring, in which the holder includes cam followers, and the cam followers slidably engage with a cam groove of the cam ring and a straight groove of the barrel to determine a position of the holder in the optical-axis direction by rotation of the cam ring about optical axis, the holder includes a slide connector for electrically connecting to a contact provided slidably on the barrel through an opening penetrating the cam ring radially, and the driver is fed with power from the barrel side through the slide connector.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus arranged to detachably mount a lens unit including a focus lens, controls such that if the focus lens is movable by the amount of movement within a predetermined time, a next amount of movement of the focus lens is decided on the basis of a first focus signal extracted from an image signal corresponding to charges accumulated in a focus detection area at a first timing, and if the focus lens is not movable by the amount of movement amount within the predetermined time, a next amount of movement of the focus lens is decided after completion of the movement of the focus lens on the basis of a second focus signal extracted from the image signal corresponding to the charges accumulated in the focus detection area at a second timing at which the focus lens is stopped.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus, and an interchangeable lens including the lens control apparatus, are provided which can obtain, in zoom tracking operation, excellent optical images at subject distances in a wider range. A lens control apparatus controls drive of an optical system including a first and a second focus lens for adjusting a focus state and a zoom lens for adjusting an angle of view. The lens control apparatus includes: a first driver that drives the first focus lens; a second driver that drives the second focus lens; a controller that controls the first and second drivers; and a storage unit that stores first and second tracking data, the first and second tracking data each being information that associates a position of the first and second focus lenses respectively with a position of the zoom lens for focusing on a subject.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation.

Abstract: A control unit starts a first operation when a first detection unit detects rotation of an operation member in a first direction by an angle not less than a first angle and changes a control value for the first operation when a second detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in the first direction by an angle not less than a third angle larger than the first angle. Furthermore, the control unit starts a second operation when the second detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in a second direction by an angle not less than a fourth angle and changes a control value for the second operation when the first detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in the second direction by an angle not less than a second angle larger than the fourth angle.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a zoom optical system in which a focal distance is changeable; a first group frame moving together with the first lens group; and first and second cam mechanisms transmitting drive force to the first group frame. In a zoom region, each of a first group cam groove and a cam slot includes a first section, a second section which adjoins the first section and has an absolute value of a gradient smaller than that of the first section, and the third section which adjoins the second section and has the absolute value of the gradient larger than that of the second section, and in which a sign of the gradient is the same as that of the first section. A distance from an imaging surface to the first group frame in the optical axis direction has a local minimum in the second section.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus having a zoom lens includes first and second operation members that give a zoom instruction for moving the zoom lens, and a controller that changes a zoom stop position to a first pattern according to the operation of the first operation member, and changes the zoom stop position to a second pattern, which has an interval wider than that in the first pattern, according to the operation of the second operation member.

Abstract: An insertion unit has a channel through which a treatment tool can be inserted. A distal end of the insertion unit has a single-focus objective optical system or a focal-point-variable objective optical system to focus the optical image on a light receiving surface of an image capturing element. At a short object distance from the distal end, an image signal with a sufficient resolution is obtained from the image capturing element. In this state, a treatment tool projected by a reduced amount from a distal end opening of the channel is captured on a light receiving surface of the image capturing element. A required resolution is also provided for a far side.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a cam barrel configured to hold an optical member, which is movable back and forth along a first optical axis, on an inner periphery of the cam barrel, a bending member configured to bend a light flux from an object from the first optical axis towards a second optical axis, and a guiding member extending in a direction parallel with the second optical axis and configured to support and hold the bending member to be movable back and forth in the direction parallel with the second optical axis, wherein the guiding member is configured to enter into a notch, which is provided to the cam barrel, when the optical member is stored into a space along the first optical axis into which the bending member has retracted.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation.

Abstract: A lens apparatus is switchable between first and second modes. A control master determination unit a lens apparatus as one of a master and a slave when the lens apparatus is operated in the second mode. A command value transmit-receive unit transmits/receives a command value of a target of the lens apparatus to/from another lens apparatus in the second mode, wherein the lens apparatus drives the target according to a command value from a controller for the lens apparatus for the target for which the lens apparatus is the master, and drives the target according to a command value received through the command value transmit-receive unit for the target for which the lens apparatus is set as the slave.

Abstract: A zoom lens device includes a focusing lens group arranged on an object side, and a variator lens group next thereto, and a temperature sensor. The focusing lens group includes a focusing lens, and a temperature-based correction lens for correcting changes in focal point caused by temperature changes around the focusing lens group. The temperature-based correction lens is moved by a temperature-based correction lens driving mechanism along an optical axis to a position determined by a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, independently of the positions of the focusing lens or variator lens group. Thereby, the zoom lens device is capable of favorably correcting defocus of the lens group caused by an ambient temperature change with a simple correcting mechanism.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a display device includes a movably suspended diffuser screen, and a voice-coil mechanism coupled to the diffuser screen. A signal-processing device, such as a microprocessor, is coupled to a driver circuit to produce a drive signal at an output terminal for the voice coil in response to a voltage sensed across the voice coil. The driver circuit includes shutdown control to drive its output terminal to a high-impedance state to accommodate sensing voltage across the voice coil. Thus, the signal for the voice coil is produced by the signal-processing device in a closed-loop feedback arrangement without the need for separate position-sensing elements. In a preferred arrangement, a second voice coil is coupled to the diffuser screen and to the signal-processing circuitry to produce a second signal for the second voice coil to accommodate generating a circular motion for the diffuser screen without stationary points.

Abstract: A method of driving a lens barrel includes detecting a movement detection signal that indicates an operation of the lens barrel which operates using a stepping motor; determining a limit time during which movement of a lens barrel component is detected based on the movement detection signal; detecting the movement from the movement detection signal; and changing a driving level of the stepping motor from a first driving level to a second driving level when movement of the lens barrel component is not detected from the movement detection signal within the limit time, wherein torque of the second driving level is greater than torque of the first driving level.

Abstract: A drive control unit of the present invention includes: a first external force detecting section for detecting that an external force is applied to a first moving object body movable back and forth in a single direction; and a second initialization processing section which when it is detected that the external force is applied to the first moving object body by the first external force detecting section, moves at least one of second moving object bodies movable back and forth in the single direction to a predetermined second initial position and when it is not detected that the external force is applied to the first moving object body, does not move the second moving object body.

Abstract: A projector includes: a projection lens which includes a zoom mechanism capable of controlling a projection view angle; a zoom drive unit which drives the zoom mechanism; a zoom amount storing unit which stores a zoom amount provided by the zoom drive unit; an operation signal receiving unit which receives a predetermined operation signal; and a zoom control unit which controls the zoom drive unit in such a manner as to set an initial zoom condition determined based on the zoom amount stored in the zoom amount storing unit when the operation signal receiving unit receives the predetermined operation signal.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a fixed lens barrel, a cam ring provided inside the barrel, lens units, and a holder for holding the lens units movable in optical-axis direction, the holder including a driver for driving at least one of the lens units in the optical-axis direction, the holder supported movably in the optical-axis direction inside the cam ring, in which the holder includes cam followers, and the cam followers slidably engage with a cam groove of the cam ring and a straight groove of the barrel to determine a position of the holder in the optical-axis direction by rotation of the cam ring about optical axis, the holder includes a slide connector for electrically connecting to a contact provided slidably on the barrel through an opening penetrating the cam ring radially, and the driver is fed with power from the barrel side through the slide connector.

Abstract: A projector includes a lens driving unit that drives a lens unit including a projection lens; a reception unit that receives instruction information that is input; and a control unit that controls a lens shift by the lens driving unit based on lens shift instruction information with respect to the projection lens, which is received by the reception unit, in such a manner that zoom, which is performed by the lens driving unit based on zoom instruction information adjusting angle of view with respect to the projection lens, is performed in a predetermined state for a first image which is projecting in a state that a central position of the first image is different from a basis position of the zoom.

Abstract: A control unit starts a first operation when a first detection unit detects rotation of an operation member in a first direction by an angle not less than a first angle and changes a control value for the first operation when a second detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in the first direction by an angle not less than a third angle larger than the first angle. Furthermore, the control unit starts a second operation when the second detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in a second direction by an angle not less than a fourth angle and changes a control value for the second operation when the first detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in the second direction by an angle not less than a second angle larger than the fourth angle.

Abstract: A lens driving-control device including a plurality of lens groups having variable magnification function, a plurality of lens driving devices each of which being configured to adjustably drive a driving speed of each of the plurality of lens groups, a control device configured to control each of the plurality of lens driving devices to adjust the driving speed of each of the plurality of lens groups, and a plurality of lens position-detecting devices each of which being configured to detect a position of each of the plurality of lens groups, when the plurality of lens driving devices drive the plurality of lens groups simultaneously, the control device being configured to control the lens driving devices to switch driving speeds of the plurality of lens groups to a driving speed of a lens group to be adjusted depending on a positional relationship among the plurality of lens groups, the positional relationship being detected by the lens position-detecting devices.

Abstract: A camera body is mountable with an intermediate lens which is mountable to an interchangeable lens. The intermediate lens has a first lens and a first drive controller operable to control drive of the first lens. The interchangeable lens has a second lens and a second drive controller operable to control drive of the second lens. The camera body includes an operation unit operable to receive an operation performed by a user, and a body controller operable to control the first drive controller and the second drive controller. The body controller sends a signal for driving the first lens to the first drive controller and/or sends a signal for driving the second lens to the second drive controller, according to the user operation performed on the operation unit.

Abstract: A projector includes: a projection lens which includes a zoom mechanism capable of controlling a projection view angle; a zoom drive unit which drives the zoom mechanism; a zoom amount storing unit which stores a zoom amount provided by the zoom drive unit; an operation signal receiving unit which receives a predetermined operation signal; and a zoom control unit which controls the zoom drive unit in such a manner as to set an initial zoom condition determined based on the zoom amount stored in the zoom amount storing unit when the operation signal receiving unit receives the predetermined operation signal.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus comprises: a zoom lens driven in an optical axis direction; first and second correction lenses driven in the optical axis direction; a storage unit that stores, for each predetermined focal length, positional relationships between the zoom lens, and the first and second correction lenses used for correcting a shift of an image plane upon driving of the zoom lens; a position detection unit that detects a position of the second correction lens; and a control unit that calculates driving amounts of the first correction lens and the second correction lens, and controls driving of the first and second correction lenses. The control means corrects an image plane position difference caused by a difference between a position of the second correction lens corresponding to a position of the zoom lens, and the detected position of the second correction lens, by moving the first correction lens.

Abstract: A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.

Abstract: An image pickup lens includes a controller and a manipulator position detector configured to detect a position of a manipulator configured to accept a manipulation used to move the lens. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and a difference between the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid and the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is valid is equal or smaller than a threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and the difference is larger than the threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens corresponding to the manipulator's position detected by the manipulator position detector.

Abstract: Described is an image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to accurately secure the distance between the two lens groups, even if the interval distance between the two lens groups varies from the default design-distance value. The image capturing apparatus includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a first driving section to drive the first lens group, a second driving section to drive the second lens group, a first detecting section to detect a first reference position for moving the first lens group, and a second detecting section to detect a second reference position for moving the second lens group. A control section controls either the first driving section or the second driving section so as to move a corresponding one of the first lens group and the second lens group between the first detecting section and the second detecting section at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: A lens position detecting device includes a lens, a lens driver for moving the lens in the optical axis direction, a lens drive command unit for outputting a drive command to the lens driver, a position detector for detecting that the lens is located at a predetermined position, and a first reference position detector that moves the lens to a first position upon starting a detecting operation, receives an output signal from the position detector while moving the lens in one direction along the optical axis direction from the first position, and detects a reference position of the lens based on the output signal.