Abstract: A lens barrel has a manual focusing ring which is rotatable about the optical axis so as to attain a manual focusing operation, a focusing rotary cylinder which defines the position, in the optical axis direction, of a focusing optical system, and is rotatable about the optical axis, an auto-focusing power transmission member for directly transmitting the moving force from an auto-focusing power source to the focusing rotary cylinder, a free rotation cylinder which is arranged on the focusing rotary cylinder, and is rotatable about the optical axis, a manual focusing power transmission member for transmitting the moving force from the manual focusing ring, a power relaying member which constitutes a differential mechanism together with the manual focusing power transmission member and the free rotation cylinder, and applies the rotation driving force to the focusing rotary cylinder by receiving the moving force transmitted from the manual focusing power transmission member, and a locking member for locking th

Abstract: An objective lens for application to an image apparatus of which the size of the image pickup surface is changeable over between a first mode of a first aspect ratio and a second mode of a second aspect ratio has first optical member for extending the focal length of the objective lens, second optical member for shrinking the focal length of the objective lens, an operating member, and a transmitting mechanism for transmitting the operating force of the operating member to the first optical member under the first mode, and transmitting the operating force to the first and second optical member under the second mode, and by the operation of the operating member, under the first mode, the first optical member is removably insertable into the optical path of the objective lens, and under the second mode, the first and second optical member are removably insertable into the optical path of the objective lens.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus has an electric motor connected to a focusing lens to drive the focusing lens, an automatic focus adjustment device which supplies electrical power to the motor to operate the motor electrically to drive the focusing lens in an automatic focus adjustment mode, and a manual operation device which operates the motor mechanically to drive the focusing lens in a manual focus adjustment mode. A control device stops supplying of electrical power to the motor when the manual operation device is operated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device that comprises a cylindrical member, a viscous member which is applied to the cylindrical face of the cylindrical member to provide a viscous layer, a contact member, which contacts the cylindrical face, and a contact area varying member which varies the contact area, wherein the contact area is variable to change braking force for revolutions.

Abstract: A linear feeding system comprises a DC motor with brush, a lead screw integrally arranged as the rotational shaft of the DC motor, and a nut member screwed on the lead screw. This linear feeding system further comprises a magnet installed on the rotational shaft of the DC motor, which is provided with a plurality of N-pole and S-pole magnets being magnetized alternately in the circumferential direction, and a magnetoresistive effect sensor fixedly arranged to face this magnet. With this structure, it is possible to provide a simply structured, small linear feeding system capable of performing a high precision high-speed feeding operation at low costs.

Abstract: A lens control system is disclosed, which comprises a focusing lens drive for driving a focusing lens for focus control, a zooming lens drive for driving a zooming lens for zooming, a focusing lens position detector for detecting the Position of the focusing lens, a zooming lens position detector for detecting the position of the zooming lens, and a control circuit for controlling, when the zooming lens position detector detects that the zooming lens is in a macro region, the focusing lens drive to stop the focusing lens at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board supporting structure for mounting a flexible printed circuit board in a restricted space without using an exclusive member to support the flexible printed circuit board. A lens barrel includes a fixed lens barrel integrally secured to a camera body and a movable lens barrel positioned in the fixed lens barrel and movable in the direction of the optical axis. An electrically driven device such as a shutter is mounted to the movable lens barrel and a controller for the electrically driven device is mounted to the camera body. A flexible printed circuit board electrically connects the controller to the electrically driven device. The flexible printed circuit board is connected to the electrically driven device and is extracted toward the rear of a camera in the movable lens barrel.

Abstract: A vibration preventing device comprises a vibration preventing optical system movable for the prevention of vibration, a vibration preventing mechanism portion, a holding member for fixedly holding the vibration preventing optical system, and a frame member for mounting the holding member on the vibration preventing mechanism portion. The frame member and the holding member are separably coupled together.

Abstract: A lens drive controlling apparatus includes a zooming lens, a focusing lens driven in follow-up relation to a movement of the zooming lens on the basis of a predetermined characteristic, a speed sensor for detecting a driving speed of the zooming lens, and a control circuit for determining a driving speed of the focusing lens on the basis of a detection result provided by the speed sensor.

Abstract: A lens barrel has a fixed barrel portion including therein a focusing optical system movable in the direction of the optical axis thereof to perform the focusing operation, and having a groove portion for electric wiring on the outer peripheral portion thereof. A moving member is rotatable about the fixed barrel portion with the optical axis as the center and moves the focusing optical system in the direction of the optical axis by rotation. An operating mechanism is rotatively operable about the optical axis and rotatable about the fixed barrel portion by the drive operation for the moving member. A fitted auxiliary member is secured on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed barrel portion and is rotatably fitted to one or both of the moving member and the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a fixed barrel; a photographing lens which requires a first torque for driving the lens along the fixed barrel; and a surface wave motor including a fixed body and a moving body which is rotated relative to the fixed body by excitation for driving the lens. When the motor is not excited, a second torque is exerted between the moving body and the fixed body to prevent the relative rotation. The moving body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the second torque. A friction generating device provided between the fixed barrel and the fixed body exerts a third torque to prevent relative rotation between the fixed barrel and the fixed body. The fixed body can rotate with respect to the fixed barrel only when the fixed body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the third torque. A manual operation member drives the photographing lens by a manual operation; and a friction clutch provided between the manual operation member and the fixed body exerts a fourth torque.

Abstract: A backlash removing device for a lens barrel, including a plurality of lens groups movable in an optical axis direction and cylindrical members movable in the optical axis direction by a motor for moving the plurality of lens groups. A motion converting mechanism having a rotation member for converting rotation of the motor to movement of the plurality of lens groups through the cylindrical members so as to move the plurality of lens groups between an extended position and a stowed position is provided. A lens position detecting mechanism directly detects positions of the rotation member for indirectly detecting positions of the plurality of lens groups and a control mechanism drives the motor to move the lens groups between the extended position and the stowed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for the adjustment of the zoom, focus or iris ring of a camera lens. According to the invention, the drive unit comprises a drive shaft arranged parallel to the axis of the camera lens, a pin and groove arrangement for allowing axial displacement of the drive shaft, a pinion connected to the drive shaft and coupled to the external teeth of a lens ring of the camera lens, and two circular flanges connected to the drive shaft and for embracing a sector of the lens ring to pull along the drive shaft and the pinion as the lens ring moves axially. The invention creates a drive unit which allows adjustment of a lens ring even if the lens ring is displaced axially.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the lens position of a zoom lens. The zoom lens comprises a plurality of lens units movable along the optical axis for zooming, a focal length setting unit for setting the focal length of the zoom lens, an object distance setting unit for setting an object distance, a store containing a plurality of inherent coefficients and an arithmetic logic unit which specifies focal length information and object distance information as variables, and uses the coefficients in calculating a position to which a lens unit should move.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an initial position of a movable lens in a lens barrel in which a lens holder retaining the lens is reciprocally movable parallel to an optical axis of the lens. The apparatus includes a magnet arrangement which has north and south polarities and is secured to either the outer periphery of the lens holder or the inner periphery of the lens barrel. A magnet flux detecting device is secured to whichever of the outer periphery of the lens holder or the inner periphery of the lens barrel to which the magnet arrangement is not secured, and is arranged such that it faces a boundary between the polarities of the magnet arrangement. The detecting device detects magnetic flux density of the magnet arrangement and outputs a voltage based on the detected magnetic flux density. The initial position of the lens is determined when the output voltage indicates zero or approximately zero.

Abstract: A lens barrel which can be easily switched between a manual focusing mode and an auto-focusing mode employs a motor as a drive power source for driving a switching apparatus for switching between an auto-focusing apparatus and a manual focusing apparatus. When a photographer supplies an external electrical signal, a switching operation from the auto-focusing apparatus to the manual focusing apparatus and vice versa can be performed in accordance with the forward/reverse rotational direction of the motor.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a fixed barrel; a photographing lens which requires a first torque for driving the lens along the fixed barrel; and a surface wave motor including a fixed body and a moving body which is rotated relative to the fixed body by excitation for driving the lens. When the motor is not excited, a second torque is exerted between the moving body and the fixed body to prevent the relative rotation. The moving body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the second torque. A friction generating device provided between the fixed barrel and the fixed body exerts a third torque to prevent relative rotation between the fixed barrel and the fixed body. The fixed body can rotate with respect to the fixed barrel only when the fixed body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the third torque. A manual operation member drives the photographing lens by a manual operation; and a friction clutch provided between the manual operation member and the fixed body exerts a fourth torque.

Abstract: A magnetic element is provided on the outer periphery of a ring member which is operatively connected with diaphragm blades. This magnetic element is either shaped or constructed so that it exhibits a magnetic gradient (viz., produces non-uniform magnetic leakage flux properties). A Hall sensor is mounted stationarily with respect to the ring member so as to respond to the change in magnetic leakage flux and indicate the amount of rotation of the ring.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, provided is an optical device which is capable of changing the magnifying power thereof. The optical device includes a zoom lens system having a power varying lens group and a correction lens group both of which are movable in the direction of the optical axis of the zoom lens system with respect to the zoom lens system. The zoom lens system is moved in the direction of the optical axis of the zoom lens system, and the power varying lens is driven synchronously with the movement of the zoom lens system. Further, the zoom lens system and the correction lens are moved in accordance with a magnifying power and data representing the amount of the displacement of the zoom lens system respective to the optical axis and the displacement of the correction lens with respect to the optical system.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, a magnified image of an object is formed on a predetermined plane through a plurality of lens groups. A plurality of filters are selectively inserted into the light path between the object and the predetermined plane. An optical device is provided in the imaging apparatus, in which the plurality of lens groups are driven as a unit along the optical axis while the positional relation among the respective lens groups are correspondingly changed, wherein at least one of the plurality of lens groups is independently driven along the optical axis. The plurality of lens groups are driven to move in accordance with a desired image magnification, and at-least-one of the plurality of lens groups is independently driven, depending upon the selected filter, so as to place the object image on the predetermined plane.

Abstract: A lens drive controlling apparatus includes a zooming lens, a focusing lens driven in follow-up relation to a movement of the zooming lens on the basis of a predetermined characteristic, a speed sensor for detecting a driving speed of the zooming lens, and a control circuit for determining a driving speed of the focusing lens on the basis of a detection result provided by the speed sensor.

Abstract: In a zoom lens device of a two-lens group structure, positive and negative lens groups are sequentially arranged from a photographing field side. The zoom lens device has a controller for controlling a rear focusing operation for moving the negative lens group on a high magnification side. The controller also controls one of an entire drawing-out focusing operation for moving the positive and negative lens groups, and a front focusing operation for moving the positive lens group on a low magnification side. The high and low magnification sides are respectively set to telescopic and wide angle sides. A focal length of the zoom lens device is increased on the high magnification side and is decreased on the low magnification side. Thus, a zoom ratio is increased and a lens drawing-out amount is reduced on the telescopic side so that the zoom lens device can be made compact.

Abstract: A zoom control system for providing variable speed zoom control of a zoom lens system in a camera, or the like, comprises a single actuating means, timing control electronics, and speed control electronics. The zoom control system effects variable speed zooming in response to time dependent actuation of the zooming operation.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a fixed barrel; a photographing lens which requires a first torque for driving the lens along the fixed barrel; and a surface wave motor including a fixed body and a moving body which is rotated relative to the fixed body by excitation for driving the lens. When the motor is not excited, a second torque is exerted between the moving body and the fixed body to prevent the relative rotation. The moving body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the second torque. A friction generating device provided between the fixed barrel and the fixed body exerts a third torque to prevent relative rotation between the fixed barrel and the fixed body. The fixed body can rotate with respect to the fixed barrel only when the fixed body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the third torque. A manual operation member drives the photographing lens by a manual operation; and a friction clutch provided between the manual operation member and the fixed body exerts a fourth torque.

Abstract: A movable lens barrel contains a front lens group and a rear lens group and moves along the optical axis during zooming. The front lens group moves together with the movable lens barrel during zooming, and moves relative to the movable lens barrel along the optical axis during focussing. The rear lens group moves within and relative to the movable lens barrel during zooming. A deviation of the focussing position takes place due to backlash of the drive mechanism of the movable lens barrel. This focussing position deviation is eliminated by changing the position of the front lens group as set for focussing, or by changing the position of the rear lens group as set for zooming, respectively in accordance with the zooming direction. In order to determine the set position of the front lens group, two tables are provided corresponding respectively to the zooming direction.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having a zoom mechanism for zooming comprised of a plurality of groups of lens groups driven independently of one another by a plurality of motors comprises driving apparatus for driving the plurality of motors at substantially constant speed during zooming, and control apparatus for compensatively moving one of the lens units on the basis of the positional information of another of the lens units upon stopping thereof during the stoppage of the zooming.

Abstract: A structure for preventing an image being shaken when a vibration occurs in an optical system so as to stabilize the object. A compensating lens is incorporated in a third lens group of a lens barrel constituting the optical system. The compensating lens is allowed to move within the third lens group and only in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. A pulse motor mounted on a fixed barrel drives the compensating lens. The rotation of the pulse motor is converted into the rotation of an interlocking lever. The interlocking lever is a straight bar having an uncircular sectional configuration. A driving lever having approximately the same configuration as the sectional configuration of the interlocking lever is slidably inserted thereinto. The driving lever rotates together with the interlocking lever. One end of the driving lever penetrates through the frame of the third lens group, thus contacting the head portion of a pin which presses the compensating lens.

Abstract: A method of controlling the focusing of a zoom lens which has a plurality of lens groups including at least one focusing lens group, wherein an amount of deviation from focus caused by a zoom operation is corrected by movement of the focusing lens group. The method includes setting a reference object distance, at which no deviation from focus occurs during zooming of the zoom lens, at a finite object distance, such that the amount of movement of the focusing lens group necessary to effect focusing is determined based upon a reference position corresponding to a position of the focusing lens group at the reference object distance, in accordance with focal length data and object distance data. The zoom lens assembly includes a stationary lens barrel and a rotatable cam ring which is supported on the stationary lens barrel for movement in the direction of the optical axis while being rotated, and which includes at least two cam grooves.

Abstract: An electrically driven zoom lens barrel is provided with an indicating plate for indicating whether a zooming operation is being carried out in an electric mode or a manual mode. The indicating plate is provided separately from a zooming operation ring, which is moved forward to rearward to switch a zooming operation between the electric mode and the manual mode. The indicating plate displays the manual mode when the zooming operation is carried out in the manual mode, and displays the electric mode and a zooming direction when the zooming operation is carried out in the electric mode.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a first lens to be used for changing a magnifying power; a second lens to be used for focus adjustment and also for compensation required when the magnifying power is varied; a focus detecting circuit for detecting an in-focus state; a first control circuit for driving the second lens to an in-focus position on the basis of information obtained by the focus detecting circuit; a detecting circuit for detecting the position of the second lens; and a second control circuit for driving the second lens to a normal focus adjustable position after driving the second lens to a reset position for the purpose of enabling the detecting circuit to perform a detecting action. The second control circuit is arranged to drive the second lens from the reset position to the focus adjustable position at a higher speed than the driving speed set by the first control circuit.

Abstract: A zooming monocular or zooming binoculars having an objective optical system and an eyepiece optical system, which includes at least one variable power lens group driven in the optical axis in the eyepiece optical system, a movable field stop which is provided to define the field of view, so as to move in the optical axis direction independently of the variable power lens group, and driving means for moving the movable field stop in association with the movement of the movable variable power lens group in the optical axis direction, along a track different from a track of the movable power lens group.

Abstract: In an automatic zooming device, an amount of movement of a focusing lens and that of a zooming lens are respectively monitored. When the focusing lens moves, a driving circuit drives the zooming lens to move until the monitored amount of movement of the zooming lens is brought into a given correlation to that of the focusing lens, so that automatic zooming can be accomplished with a very simple structural arrangement.

Abstract: A magnifying power varying device comprises an operation member which is arranged to permit selection between a power varying operation in a telephoto direction and a power varying operation in a wide-angle direction, a transmission mechanism for driving the power varying mechanism, a driving mechanism which generates a driving force, and a change-over mechanism which is arranged to connect the driving mechanism to the transmission mechanism when the power varying operation is performed in the telephoto direction or in the wide-angle direction by means of the operation member and to forcibly disconnect the driving mechanism from the transmission mechanism when the operation of the operation member is canceled.