Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, devices, and systems for the acquisition of high-resolution, low-latency imagery over a large area of interest. Specifically, at least one embodiment of the invention includes a wide field optical sensor having a turret, base, and camera. The camera further includes a focal plane array (FPA) with pixels arranged in rows and columns. Additionally, the turret may include a motion controller and a fold mirror with its own motion controller that enables the fold mirror to oscillate (i.e., rotate back and forth) about an axis. The wide field optical sensor may also have at least three modes of operation: (1) a “search mode,” which continuously acquires high-resolution images over some field of regard, (2) a “stare mode,” which acquires images of the same, fixed region, and (3) an “agile mode,” which alternates between the aforementioned two modes.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device comprising: a laser emitting chip configured to emit laser, a laser detecting chip configured to detect laser, an emitting optic module configured to guide laser generated from the laser emitting chip to the outside of the LiDAR device, a detecting optic module configured to guide laser received from the outside of the LiDAR device to the laser detecting chip, an emitting optic holder located between the laser emitting chip and the emitting optic module, and an at least one emitting optic fixer located between the emitting optic holder and the emitting optic module, wherein the at least one emitting optic fixer is configured to fix a relative position between the laser emitting chip and the emitting optic module.

Abstract: A lens drive device includes a lens holder capable of holding at least one lens and a frame arranged around the holder and holding the holder relatively movable along a light axis of the lens. At least three stopper convex portions protruding toward the frame are formed on an outer circumference of the holder. Stopper concave portions housing each of the stopper convex portions are formed on the frame correspondingly to the stopper convex portions. A convex intersection corner between the first convex end surface and the convex side surface has a chamfering portion or an R curved surface portion to avoid touching a concave intersection corner between the concave bottom surface and the concave side surface.

Abstract: A lens barrel assembly includes: a lens barrel that is rotatable about an optical axis and is movable in a direction along the optical axis; a moving plate that is combined with the lens barrel so that the moving plate is rotated together with the lens barrel and is movable with respect to the lens barrel in the direction along the optical axis; a power transmission unit that is installed on the moving plate and transmits an outside rotation force to the lens barrel via the moving plate; and a stopper that is disposed on a path on which the moving plate moves in the direction along the optical axis and that limits a movement of the moving plate in the direction along the optical axis in a partial section of the path on which the lens barrel is moved.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lens stopper mechanism comprising a case and a lens holder. The lens holder holds a lens and has at least one stopper portion; the stopper portion presses against the case after the lens holder moves toward the case for a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel including: a guide shaft in an axial form supported by a reference member; a holding member holding an optical system, and movable in an axial direction of the guide shaft with respect to the reference member; and an interlocking member including an engaging section engaging with the holding member, the interlocking member moving in the axial direction while rotating around an optical axis of the optical system, and moving along the guide shaft without rotating the holding member. The lens barrel may include a driving cylinder including a cam groove engaging with the interlocking member, where when rotated around the optical axis, the driving cylinder drives the interlocking member by means of the cam groove, to cause the interlocking member to move linearly in the direction of the guide shaft.

Abstract: A lens-frame moving mechanism includes a lens frame guided to move between a ready-to-photograph position and a retracted position, the lens frame being biased forwardly by a biaser; an intermediate linearly movable member, wherein the lens frame contacts the intermediate linearly movable member; a leading screw formed on the drive shaft of a motor; a nut member screw-engaged onto the leading screw, wherein the nut member does not rotate relative to the lens frame and moves the intermediate linearly movable member in the optical axis direction; and a rearwardly-movable member which rearwardly moves the lens frame against the biasing force such that the lens frame moves away from the intermediate linearly movable member in the optical axis direction while the lens frame is moved from the ready-to-photograph position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a fixed barrel in which a first mark is indicated, and a zoom operation ring in which a second mark is indicated, the zoom operation ring being supported on the fixed barrel. The zoom lens barrel has a focal length region where at least angles of view of a circular fisheye and a full-frame fisheye can be formed, and one of the angles of view of the circular fisheye and the full-frame fisheye is formed for a predetermined image-pickup element size in a focal length where the first mark and the second mark are matched to each other.

Abstract: An optical device includes a lens module, a case structure and an optical adjusting mechanism. The optical adjusting mechanism includes a first adjusting member, a second adjusting member and an elastic element. The first adjusting member includes a first interference transmission structure. The second adjusting member is movably connected with the case structure, and includes a second interference transmission structure. In response to the movement of the lens module, the elastic element elastically urges against the second adjusting member so that the second adjusting member is movable within a predetermined distance range, and the second interference transmission structure presses against and engages with the first interference transmission structure. Once the second adjusting member is moved, the first adjusting member is synchronously moved so that optical parameters of the lens module are adjusted through the first adjusting member.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly including: a first zoom ring comprising a first protrusion; a guide ring disposed around the first zoom ring comprising a first guide slot through which the first protrusion passes, and a second guide slot; a second zoom ring comprising a second protrusion, and movable in an axial direction; a first cylinder comprising a guide groove into which the second protrusion inserts, and a third protrusion passing through the second guide slot, and disposed between the first and second zoom rings; a second cylinder disposed around the guide ring comprising a fourth protrusion, a first groove portion into which the first protrusion inserts, and a second groove portion into which the third protrusion inserts, and supporting the first zoom ring and the first cylinder; and an external cylinder disposed around the second cylinder and comprising a third groove portion into which the fourth protrusion inserts.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving optical properties of optical instruments with variable magnification, such as zoom binoculars, reducing the weight thereof, and enabling the user to change magnifications quickly. The invention provides an optical instrument with a focal length-varying lens 4 disposed on the optical axis between an objective lens 7 and an eyepiece 3, further having an adjusting lens 5 for adjusting optical properties when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification. The adjusting lens is supported so that it is capable of moving between a location on the optical axis and a location off the path of light beams. Interlocked with a magnification-varying mechanism that controls the position of the focal length-varying lens, the adjusting lens is moved to the on-the-axis location when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification, and to the off-the-axis location when low magnification.

Abstract: A linear guide mechanism of a lens barrel, the lens barrel including a rotatable ring, and a linearly movable member which holds an optical element and moves linearly in an optical axis direction by rotation of the rotatable ring, the linear guide mechanism includes a plurality of partial linear guide members which linearly guide the linearly movable member in the optical axis direction. A movement range of the linearly movable member in the optical axis direction is shared by a plurality of different movement ranges, via which the linearly movable member is linearly guided in the optical axis direction by the plurality of partial linear guide members, respectively.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel comprising: an optical system including an optical component that moves relative to a fixed cylinder; a holding frame that holds the optical component; a guide axle that is connected to the holding frame and that extends in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the optical system; a scaling drive unit that can move relative to the fixed cylinder and that moves the holding frame in the direction of the optical axis when the optical system scales; and a focusing drive unit that has at least a portion thereof fixed to the fixed cylinder and that moves the guide axle in the direction of the optical axis while facing at least a portion of the guide axle.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first light-pervious plate, second light-pervious plate opposite to the first light-pervious plate, a first electrode layer on the first light-pervious plate, a second electrode layer on the second light-pervious layer, a liquid crystal layer and a driving voltage unit. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of concentric, annular electrodes and is comprised of carbon nanotubes. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first and second light-pervious plates. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of annular regions spatially corresponding to the respective annular electrodes. A density of liquid crystal in the annular regions of the liquid crystal layer is different from each other. The driving voltage unit is configured for providing voltages between each of the annular electrodes and the second electrode layer for creating a gradient distribution of refractive index of the liquid crystal layer in radial directions.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly and zoom lens module are provided, including a first lens, a second lens, a plurality of guiding blocks, a sheathing tube, a plurality of linking members and an adjusting tube. The first lens includes a plurality of curved surfaces disposed on a second lens surface toward a first lens surface. The second lens includes a plurality of driving rods disposed on a third lens surface and abutting the curved surfaces. The guiding blocks are respectively fixed on the first lens. The sheathing tube sheathes the first lens and the second lens and comprises a plurality of guiding notches to receive the guiding blocks, and a plurality of slits. The linking members pass through the slits and are fixed on the second lens. The adjusting tube sheathes the sheathing tube and comprises a plurality of driving notches to receive the linking members.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first tube and second tube, the first tube movable relative to the second tube by rotation of the second tube, an engaging unit disposed on the second tube, and a barrier driving unit disposed on an object side of the first tube that opens and close a barrier. The first tube is relatively moved in an optical axis direction by engaging with the engaging unit. The barrier is opened and closed when a first interlocking unit which is arranged on the barrier driving unit and a second interlocking unit which is arranged on the cam tube are shifted from a non-interlocking state to an interlocking state. When the first interlocking unit and second interlocking unit are in the interlocking state, at least a portion of the first interlocking unit and the engaging unit overlap with each other in a radial direction of the second tube.

Abstract: A locking positioning mechanism includes a first element and a second element, the first element and second element rotatable relative to one another about a common rotational axis between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation and axially translatable relative to one another. The mechanism further includes one or more first locking surfaces of the first element and one or more second locking surfaces of the second element. The second locking surfaces are configured to clear the first locking surfaces in the unlocked orientation. The second locking surface is configured for an interference fit with a first locking surface in the locked orientation.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens frame movable in optical axis directions of a lens, a cam barrel rotated around outside the lens frame to move the lens frame in the optical axis directions, a base supporting the cam barrel to be rotatable and to be immovable in axial directions, and a hollow motor including a rotor and a stator and rotating the cam barrel. The stator supported by the base surrounds the rotor provided outside the cam barrel to be movable in the axial directions and rotate integrally with the cam barrel. As the rotor moves in one of the axial directions, a second locking portion of the base engages with a first locking portion of the rotor to prevent rotation of the rotor. A movement mechanism moves the rotor in the axial directions between a locking position and an unlocking position of the first and second locking portions.

Abstract: A shock lockup apparatus is mounted on the chassis of an image scanning device includes a stopping block and a lockup module, with part of the transmission belt driving the chassis of the image scanning device being placed in between. In such a manner, when the image scanning device is being moved and the chassis receives shock or momentum, then the locking unit of the lockup module will move toward the stopping block to clip the transmission belt and fix the chassis synchronously.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical option attachment ring comprising: a ring body into which a lens barrel is inserted; a clamping ring rotatably fastened on the periphery of the ring body; an elastic member arranged between the ring body and the clamping ring; and an abutting portion which is provided on the clamping ring and abuts on the elastic member according to the rotational position of the clamping ring to elastically deform the elastic member to cause at least a part of the elastic member to project further inwards than the inner peripheral surface of the ring body and to be positioned in a groove formed in the lens barrel.

Abstract: A lens system having at least one front movable lens group and a rear movable lens group which are movable in an optical axis direction. The lens system includes a position detector for determining whether the rear movable lens group is positioned in a predetermined normal moving range thereof; and a lens control device which stops the front movable lens group and moves the rear movable lens group rearward into the predetermined normal moving range if the rear movable lens group is in an abnormal moving range thereof in front of the normal moving range during a forward movement of the front movable lens group from a predetermined initial position thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible lens barrel is provided, including a mechanism capable of reliably inhibiting rotation of a rotational barrel even if any impact is applied thereto, for example, due to a fall with the barrel being extended. When the rotational barrel is pressed upon a fixed member due to impact in defiance of the biasing force of a wave spring, a first engagement portion provided at a camera body-side end of the rotational barrel engages with second engagement portions provided on a subject-side surface of the fixed member, which locks rotation of the rotational barrel, thereby making it possible to prevent gears from being damaged, for example.

Abstract: A lens holder includes an inner barrel for holding at least one lens, an outer barrel that is positioned outside the inner barrel and supports the inner barrel so that the inner barrel linearly slides along a central axis thereof across an inner surface of the outer barrel, and a cam barrel that rotates in a state where the cam barrel is coaxially disposed between the inner barrel and the outer barrel. The cam barrel includes at least two subunits of the same shape produced by dividing the cam barrel on a plane that includes the central axis, an operating part that passes through an operating slit provided on the outer barrel and moves at least one of the subunits to rotate the cam barrel, a helical cam mechanism that slides, via a driven part provided on the inner barrel, the inner barrel forward and backward along the central axis when the cam barrel rotates, and a locking mechanism for pulling at least one of the subunits onto the outer barrel to stop rotation of the cam barrel.

Abstract: An exemplary zoom ratio adjusting switch includes a panel, a rotary member and a spring. The panel defines first and second grooves whose innermost extremities are on a circumference of a circle. Each groove includes a wide part and a narrow part. The rotary member includes a body positioned to a top side of the panel and first and second locking legs extending from the body. The first and second locking legs extend though the wide parts and slide in the narrow parts respectively. Feet extend from the locking legs respectively at the bottom side of the panel and are restrained at the bottom side of the panel. The spring is positioned to the bottom side of the panel and restrains travel of the first locking leg from the narrow part to the wide part of the first groove.

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.

Abstract: A lens apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of keeping the engagement of a protruding portion of a first member and a cam groove portion of a second member even if an external force acts on the apparatus. The lens apparatus comprises: a first member including first and second protruding portions; and a second member including a first groove portion with which the first protruding portion engages, and a second groove portion into which the second protruding portion is inserted. The second protruding portion and the second groove portion are away from each other in a case where the first and second members are located in a specified positional relationship, and come into contact with each other in a case where the first and second members are located in another positional relationship.

Abstract: A movable lens control device for controlling movements of movable lens groups including a first movable lens group and a second movable lens group, the movable lens control device including a lens driving device for moving the first and second movable lens groups in the optical axis direction; a position detector for detecting a position of the second movable lens group and determining whether the second movable lens group is in a predetermined normal moving range thereof; and a controller which controls operations of the lens driving device to stop the first movable lens group and to move the second movable lens group to a position within the normal moving range upon the position detector determining that the second movable lens group is positioned outside of the normal moving range during a movement of the first movable lens group from a predetermined initial position thereof.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a projector can include an illumination device that outputs illumination light, a color separation system that divides the illumination light output from the illumination device into blue light, red light, and green light and guides the blue light, red light, and green light to first to third optical paths, respectively, and first to third light modulation devices disposed in the first to third optical paths to be illuminated by the blue light, red light, and green light. In the projector, a distance from the illumination device to the third optical modulation device can be longer than a distance from the illumination device to the first optical modulation device and a distance from the illumination device to the second optical modulation device, a relay system having a first lens disposed at the light incident side, a second lens disposed at the light exit side, and a third lens disposed between the first and second lenses can be provided in the third optical path.

Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens barrel including a plurality of lens groups, each having at least one lens arranged in an optical axis direction, an actuating mechanism capable of moving the lens groups in an optical axis direction, and a shutter unit including an opening portion for exposure, a blade capable of adjusting the degree of opening of the opening portion, and an electronic actuating apparatus capable of actuating the blade to adjust the degree of opening of the opening portion according to the distance between the shutter unit and one of the lens groups adjacent to the shutter unit when the distance is shorter than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A lens barrel has its collapsed length that can be further decreased by removing unnecessary space and bringing lens groups close to each other and a photographic apparatus incorporates the lens barrel. When the lens barrel is collapsed, at least a fourth lens group is retracted from a photographic optical axis by an advance/retract mechanism. In that case, a first lens group and third lens group are aligned along the optical axis and stuffed into the lens barrel, the fourth lens group is placed on the top, bottom, right, or left side of these lenses, and a second lens group is placed on the top, bottom, right, or left side of the first and third lens groups. This reduces the length of the lens barrel. During extension, the second and fourth lens groups are advanced onto the photographic optical axis by the advance/retract mechanism to extend the lens barrel greatly.

Abstract: A lens barrel with a lock arranged to avoid loosening the lock and defocusing the lens barrel when vibrated during focusing and zooming. The lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder, an adjustment ring, lock screws and a lock ring, lock screws and a lock ring. The adjustment ring is slidably attached to the fixed cylinder so as to rectify locations of optical components along the optical axis. The lock screws in screw holes extend at one end of the fixed cylinder in parallel with the optical axis, and each lock screw has a part that serves as a turning force transmitting segment and moves along the optical axis at the end of the fixed cylinder. The lock ring is slidably attached to the end of the fixed cylinder and has an inner surface that is mated with the force transmitting segment to let the lock screws rotate to secure the adjustment ring to the fixed barrel.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a movable barrel mounting a lens holder barrel having a focusing lens element for rotational and axial movement therein and a cam barrel mounting the movable barrel for rectilinear axial movement therein. The movable barrel is axially moved for zooming through slide engagement between zooming cam slots of the cam barrel and rectilinear axial guide slots of a stationary barrel when the cam barrel rotates and allows the lens holder barrel to axially moves through helicoids coupling. The movable barrel is provided with a moving range restrictive structure having a plurality of screw holes and a single screw pin selectively screwed in one of the screw holes for focus adjustment. The screw pin is exposed to the outside of the zoom lens all at once when the cam barrel is in a telephoto or wide-angle position or one by one during rotation of the can barrel.

Abstract: To the female helicoidal screw of the lens barrel (outer barrel body), there is always imparted a biasing force from a plurality of looseness eliminating springs formed on the outside peripheral portion of the lens barrel (inner barrel body) which are integrally supported on the lens barrel (inner barrel body), by means of the male helicoidal screw, and the male helicoidal screw is slid while being thrusted against the female helicoidal screw.

Abstract: A lock pin is inserted into a hole of a lens holding frame in order to lock a blur correction lens when blur correction is not executed. An optical axis of the blur correction lens and an optical axis of a photographic optical system match when the blur correction lens and the lens holding frame have fallen in the gravitational direction by their own weight and the lock pin and the hole have come into contact with each other.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel structure includes a first lens frame including an outer ring portion, an inner ring portion, a flange wall, and a first cam follower; a cam ring positioned between the outer and inner ring portions; a second lens frame having a second cam follower, positioned inside the inner ring portion; a first cam groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring, the first cam follower being engaged in the first cam groove; a second cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam ring so that the second cam follower engages in the second cam groove; a linear guide ring, positioned around the first lens frame; and a linear guide mechanism, provided between the inner ring portion of the first lens frame and the second lens frame, for guiding the second lens frame linearly along the optical axis.

Abstract: A rear-focus zoom lens device includes a wide-angle direction rotation restricting unit and a telephoto direction rotation restricting unit for separately restricting rotations of a zoom ring in a wide-angle direction and a telephoto direction and for separately canceling the restricting operations at any rotational positions of the zoom ring in the wide-angle direction and the telephoto direction, respectively, when rotating the zoom ring in the wide-angle direction and the telephoto direction, respectively.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism of a zoom lens barrel includes a first through third lens group moving rings; a first linear guide projection formed on the first lens group moving ring to be engaged in a linear guide slot from outside the second lens group moving ring, the first linear guide projection including a hanging groove formed therealong, a rear end of the hanging groove being closed; a second linear guide projection formed on the third lens group moving ring to be engaged in the linear guide slot from inside the second lens group moving ring; and a linear moving key projecting from a front end of the second linear guide projection to be engaged in the hanging groove. A rear moving limit of the third lens group moving ring is determined by contact of the linear moving key with the closed end of the hanging groove.

Abstract: A lock pin is inserted into a hole of a lens holding frame in order to lock a blur correction lens when blur correction is not executed. An optical axis of the blur correction lens and an optical axis of a photographic optical system match when the blur correction lens and the lens holding frame have fallen in the gravitational direction by their own weight and the lock pin and the hole have come into contact with each other.

Abstract: An arrangement for rotatable adjustment of a cap on an eyepiece housing with a stationary pin pointing radially outward from the eyepiece housing and a groove which is assigned to the pin, arranged on the inner side of the cap and rises in the axial direction, is characterized in that, in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the eyepiece housing, three pins are arranged on the latter, the heads of which pins have at least approximately the same spacing from the longitudinal axis, and in that the sliding bottom of the groove assigned to each pin has a smaller spacing in relation thereto, so that the cap bears against the pins under prestress.

Abstract: In a lens mounting mechanism, by rotating a ring member through touching lugs of the ring member and aligning grooves of a base member and recesses of the ring member in the circumferential direction, and then inserting a lens barrel into a hole portion, the lens barrel is moved to the hole portion without being interfered by projections of a barrel mounting member, so that the lens barrel can be inserted into the hole portion until a flange portion abuts against an opening end surface. Then, by touching the lugs of the ring member and rotating the ring member to displace the recesses from the grooves of the base member in the circumference direction, the projection of the barrel mounting member is locked by the ring member and the barrel mounting member is fixed to the base member, so that the lens barrel can be mounted to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A lock pin is inserted into a hole of a lens holding frame in order to lock a blur correction lens when blur correction is not executed. An optical axis of the blur correction lens and an optical axis of a photographic optical system match when the blur correction lens and the lens holding frame have fallen in the gravitational direction by their own weight and the lock pin and the hole have come into contact with each other.

Abstract: A stopper structure for use in a lens barrel assembly, the lens barrel assembly having a helicoid ring which includes a male helicoid, on the outer periphery of the helicoid ring, for engaging with a female helicoid on an inner periphery of a fixed barrel secured to a camera body; and gear teeth formed along the male helicoids to extend between the male helicoids and arranged in a circumferential direction about an optical axis, the helicoid ring moving along the optical axis while been driven by a pinion which is engaged with the gear teeth; wherein the stopper structure includes a stopper member which engages with at least one tooth of the gear teeth in order to prevent rotation of the helicoid ring.

Abstract: A lens moving device comprises a cam follower which is provided to a lens holding frame supporting a lens, and a cam gear with which the cam follower is engaged. The cam gear is rotated by a stepping motor, so that the lens holding frame and the lens move along the optical axis thereof. The cam gear is molded from synthetic resin and is provided with a stopper at the both ends of a non-operative area, in which the cam follower does not come in contact during a normal operation. The non-operative area has a gate mark, which is formed during the resin molding process. The stopper prevents the cam follower from interfering with the gate mark.

Abstract: A light reflecting and light diffusing sheet material useful, inter alia, as a back-reflector for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), comprises a sheet of light diffusing material having a light reflecting coating or backing. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective backing comprises a light-reflecting sheet formed separately from the light-diffusing sheet and juxtaposed with a rear surface of the sheet.

Abstract: In a collapsing mechanism of the projecting lens apparatus, when a focus ring is moved to the back over a moving range for adjusting the focus, the focus ring is connected to a zoom ring. Then, the zoom ring rotates by following the focus ring which moves to the back, and a first and a second zoom lenses are moved to the back over a moving range for adjusting the zoom. Therefore, the focus ring completely collapses into a body of a projector.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises an optical system provided within a main body of the barrel, an operation ring used for a photographer to operate the optical system, driving means, used for an electric drive, for generating a driving force transferred to the operation ring via a driving force transfer member, and a rotation restricting stopper for restricting a range of rotation of the operation ring. The rotation restricting stopper is movable between a position for restricting the range of the rotation of the operation ring and a position where the range of the rotation is not restricted, and substantially simultaneously restricts a range of rotation of the driving force transfer member in the position for restricting the range of the rotation of the operation ring.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a variable power lens unit, an aperture-variable light-amount adjusting unit having an adjusting member that adjusts the fully open state of the aperture, and a variable power lens control mechanism that shifts the variable power lens unit from a first variable power position to a second variable power position. The variable power lens control mechanism moves the variable power lens unit beyond the second variable power position, then returns it toward the second variable power position, and stops it at the second variable power position. The lens barrel further comprises a cam member having a cam portion with which the adjusting member is engaged, and moves relative to the light-amount adjusting unit in operative association with the control action of the variable power lens control mechanism.

Abstract: The lens driving apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a focus motor 2 (driving source) having a lead screw 11; a lens holding frame 3 in mesh with the lead screw 11 so as to be movable alone an optical axis O as the lead screw 11 rotates; a nut plate 4 in mesh with the lead screw 11 so as to be movable along the optical axis O as the lead screw 11 rotates; and urging means 5 for urging the lens holding frame 3 and nut plate 4 in a direction by which they approach each other or separate from each other. Since a constant urging action is imparted by the urging means 5, no rattling occurs as the lead screw 11 rotates, and the load applied to the driving source 2 becomes constant, whereby no problem occurs in terms of control.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, first through third lens support rings, and a lens drive ring including a first guide engaged with a guide formed on the stationary barrel; an engaging portion engaged with a guide formed on the first lens support ring, the lens drive ring and the first lens support ring being relatively rotatable and integrally movable in the optical axis direction; a second guide, engaged with a guide formed on the second lens support ring, to move the second lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring; and a third guide engaged with a guide formed on the third lens support ring to move the third lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring.

Abstract: Lens barrel has a changeover member for changing the lens focusing operation between automatic focusing and manual focusing. The lens barrel includes an automatic focusing unit for automatically adjusting a focusing operation of the lens, a changeover unit for selectively choosing either the manual focusing unit or the automatic focusing unit, and a locking mechanism for prohibiting the changeover operation of the changeover unit.