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 imaging device comprises a lens barrel having an optical system with an adjustable focal point, and has a first state can focus relative to an imaging face, and a second state can not focus relative to the imaging face, a changing unit for changing the lens barrel from the second state to the first state when the imaging unit is activated, a discriminating unit which discriminates whether the state of the barrel is the first state or the second state, and a control unit which, at a time of activating the imaging unit, changes the lens barrel to the first state by the changing unit if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the second state, and which maintains the first state if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the first state.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups including a retractable lens group, a plurality of lens retaining frames to retain the plurality of lens groups, a movable lens barrel to retain the plurality of lens retaining frames therein, and a fixed cylinder portion to retain the movable lens barrel therein. The plurality of lens retaining frames, the movable lens barrel and the fixed cylinder portion are configured to move the plurality of lens groups between a collapsed state with at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups collapsed and a photographing state. The plurality of lens retaining frames include a retractable lens retaining frame configured to movably retain the retractable lens group so as to position the plurality of lens groups in photographing positions on a single optical axis in the photographing state and to retract the retractable lens group to a retracted position outside an inside diameter position of the fixed cylinder portion in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a rotational cylinder capable of moving upon the optical axis, a cam part on a fixed member and a cam follower which is formed on the rotational cylinder fitting with the cam part and has a conical portion and a cylindrical portion. The cam part includes a tapered cam groove formed such that the cylinder extends in the optical axis upon a range whereupon the cylinder moves from the collapsed state to a photography state and a planar surface formed such that the cylinder does not move upon the optical axis upon the photography range. The conical portion fits with the cam groove of the cam part upon the range whereupon the cylinder moves upon the optical axis, and the cylindrical portion fits with the planar surface of the cam part upon the range whereupon the cylinder does not move upon the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups each having at least one lens; a plurality of lens retaining frames which retain a corresponding one of the plurality of lens groups; a telescopic cylinder containing therein the plurality of lens groups and the plurality of lens retaining frames; a lens retaining frame driving device configured to drive at least one of the lens retaining frames; a moving member which moves in a direction along the photographing optical axis; and a position detector configured to detect a change in a position of the moving member, wherein the plurality of lens retaining frames including a retractable lens retaining frame configured to retract the at least another one of the plurality of lens groups from the photographing optical axis to a retracted position out of the telescopic cylinder in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes lens groups, lens retaining frames retaining the lens groups, respectively, between a collapsed state and a photographic state are moved toward an object side, a movable cylinder retaining the plurality of lens retaining frames therewithin, and a driving mechanism to move the lens retaining frames.

Abstract: A lens barrel including a telescopic cylinder configured to be accommodated within a fixed frame; a plurality of lens groups configured to be retained in the telescopic cylinder; a lens driving device configured to drive the plurality of lens groups along a longitudinal axis of the telescopic cylinder between a collapsed position in which at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups is stored in the fixed frame and an extended position in which the at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups is extended out of the fixed frame; and a retractable lens group configured to be retracted into the fixed frame through an opening in a wall of the fixed frame when the telescopic cylinder is in the extended position.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises barrier blades that open and close in a directional orthogonal to an optical axis; an optical system retention frame that includes a first surface along a direction orthogonal to the axis, the optical system retention frame retaining the optical system and movable with respect to the barrier blades in a direction along the axis; and a coupling plate includes a second surface relatively movable with respect to the first surface, the coupling plate causing the barrier blades to open and close by the coupling plate rotating about the axis; wherein, when the barrier blades are opened, the first surface is can move in the axis direction without abutting against the second surface and, when the barrier blades are closed, the first surface abuts against the second surface and movement of the first surface in the axis direction is restricted.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens holding member configured to hold a lens, and an actuator configured to move the first lens holder in an optical axis direction. The lens apparatus transfers to a retracted state by moving the first lens holding member to a retracted position via the actuator from an image picking-up state. The lens apparatus further includes a stopper configured to move in a direction different from the optical axis direction between a first position at which the stopper restricts a movement of the first lens holding member and a second position off the first position, and a driving member configured to move the stopper from the second position to the first position relative to the first lens holding member that has moved to the retreated position.

Abstract: For a lens barrel that restricts the rectilinear of a lens group using a restricting portion such as a rectilinear key, the light-shielding property for external light, the degree of freedom of design relating to the arrangement of the interlocking section for a cam ring, as well as a change in the relative distance between a front group and a rear group are increased. A lens barrel has a first group (front group) 101 and a second group (rear group) 102 that are movable in the optical axis direction. The first group cam ring 124 is cam-engaged with and held by the holding member (the first group barrel 111) of the first group 101, and the second group cam ring 126 is cam-engaged with and held by the holding member (the second group barrel 112) of the second group 102. The moving cam ring 123 guides the first group cam ring 124 and the second group cam ring 126, and the fixed tube 122 is cam-engaged with the moving cam ring 123 to thereby rotatably support it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized lens barrel and optical instrument.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes front and rear holding members holding front and rear optical elements; an advancing/retracting member; a first guide portion guiding the front holding member relative to the advancing/retracting member; a first biasing member biasing the front holding member rearwards; a second guide portion guiding the rear holding member independently of the advancing/retracting member; a second biasing member biasing the rear holding member forwards; and first contact portions provided between the front and rear holding members, a rearward movement of the front holding member causing the first contact portions to contact and transmit a rearward moving force to the rear holding member when the lens barrel moves to the lens barrel accommodated state. The first and second guide portions, force-applied portions provided between the first/second biasing members and the front/rear holding members, and the first contact portions being all positioned within one of four equiangular ranges.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a holding frame; a cam ring rotatable relative to the holding frame around a rotational axis substantially parallel to an optical axis of an imaging optical lens system; and a cam follower and a cam groove that engage with each other so that the holding frame and the cam ring move relative to each other along the optical axis when the holding frame and the cam ring are rotated relative to each other.

Abstract: A collapsible lens barrel having a low-profile size and a camera applied with the collapsible lens barrel. The lens barrel includes a first retractable lens-retaining frame and a second retractable lens-retaining frame for retaining at least one of a plurality of lens groups and being retracted to a position outer than an inner radius of a movable lens cone in the collapsed state, respectively; and a first retractable lens-moving member and a second retractable lens-moving member. At least one of the first and second retractable lens-retaining frames is retained movable relative to the respective retractable lens-moving member along an optical axis direction in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A support structure for a light quantity control unit of a lens barrel includes a holding frame which holds a light quantity control member; front and rear support members positioned in front and behind the holding frame, respectively; a front guide pin and a front pin support hole formed on one and the other of the holding frame and the front support member, the front guide pin being slidably inserted into the front pin support hole; and a rear guide pin and a rear pin support hole formed on one and the other of the holding frame and the rear support member, the rear guide pin being slidably inserted into the rear pin support hole. The holding frame is supported by the front and rear guide pins and the front and rear pin support holes to be movable between the front and rear support members.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling construction of a small bending optical system with high magnification. A first lens group is movably disposed toward an object on a first optical axis. A second lens group is movably disposed radially inward of the first lens group. The second lens group comprises a drive frame drivingly controlled along the first optical axis and a lens holding frame for holding the second lens group. A prism is disposed on the first optical axis, for bending light incident on the prism to thereby guide the light along a second optical axis. The prism is retracted along the second optical axis in a non-shooting state. In the non-shooting state, the second lens group is retracted and accommodated in a space defined by the drive frame and the lens holding frame and a space occupied by the prism in a shooting state.

Abstract: At least one object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel, including: a fixed frame (21) having a fixed cylinder (21); a telescopic cylinder (22, 23, 24, etc.) configured to be accommodated within the fixed cylinder (21); a plurality of lens groups (11, 12) configured to be retained in the telescopic cylinder; a lens driving device (51, 52, etc.) configured to drive the plurality of lens groups along a optical axis of the telescopic cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position; and two retractable lens groups (13, 14) configured to be retracted into the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the extended position and configured to be retracted out of the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A lens drive control device for a lens barrel, which controls at least a part of a plurality of lens groups respectively including at least one lens, wherein a state of the lens barrel transits from a retracted state to a photographing extended state, the lens drive control device comprising: a detection device which detects that the at least one lens group reaches a reference position, and a determination device which determines an abnormal actuation based upon a detection by the detection device, upon actuation when the at least one lens group is moved from the retracted position to the position on the optical axis, wherein the determination device determines that the actuation is abnormal when the detection device detects that the at least one lens group reaches the reference position for a plurality of times.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups each having at least one lens; a plurality of lens retaining frames which retain a corresponding one of the plurality of lens groups; a telescopic cylinder containing therein the plurality of lens groups and the plurality of lens retaining frames; a lens retaining frame driving device configured to drive at least one of the lens retaining frames; a moving member which moves in a direction along the photographing optical axis; and a position detector configured to detect a change in a position of the moving member, wherein the plurality of lens retaining frames including a retractable lens retaining frame configured to retract the at least another one of the plurality of lens groups from the photographing optical axis to a retracted position out of the telescopic cylinder in the collapsed state.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel. The lens barrel includes a fixture cylinder fixed onto an image pickup apparatus body, and provided with a plurality of cam grooves, and a movement cylinder provided with a plurality of cam followers, and configured to move in an optical axis direction as the cam follower rotates around an optical axis. One cam groove includes a non-engagement area that is not engaged with the cam follower. When the cam follower is located in the non-engagement area, a supporting member of a fixture cylinder supports in a radial direction a supported member that is provided to a part of the movement cylinder on an image plane side, and a part of the movement cylinder closer to the object side than the supported member is supported by the fixture cylinder in the radius direction via an elastic member.

Abstract: A lens barrel unit includes a holder configured to hold a lens, a cam cylinder including a cam groove configured to engage with the holder and define a movement of the holder in an optical axis direction, and a projection that has a part of the cam groove and projects in the optical axis direction, and a straightforward movement cylinder configured to guide a straightforward movement of the holder, the straightforward movement cylinder including a flange forming a notch. In a process from a retraction state in which the projection is located in the notch to an image pickup state in which the projection is located outside of the notch, the straightforward movement cylinder moves relative to the cam cylinder in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A lens drive unit is configured to move a lens holding frame to a desired position by the engagement between a cam groove of a rotary cylinder and a cam follower of the lens holding frame. The lens drive unit includes a second linearly-moving guide cylinder arranged between the lens holding frame and a first linearly-moving guide cylinder. The second linearly-moving guide cylinder can be moved in the optical a direction with rotation of the rotary cylinder by the engagement of a cam follower of the second linearly-moving guide cylinder with a second cam groove of the rotary cylinder. The lens holding frame is guided in the optical axis direction by the second linearly-moving guide cylinder and moved in the optical axis direction with rotation of the rotary cylinder by the engagement of a cam follower of the lens holding frame with a first cam groove of the rotary cylinder.

Abstract: An optical device which makes it possible to reduce time for extending lens units while avoiding collision between lens units during a lens units-extending operation. A first-group barrel is driven by a DC motor. A second-group barrel provided rearward of the first-group barrel on the optical axis is driven by a stepping motor. Photointerrupters detect an intermediate position of the first-group barrel between its retracted position and its shooting position located forward of the retracted position. A control unit controls the DC motor and the stepping motor such that extension of the first-group barrel forward from the retracted position is started, and after the intermediate position is detected by the photointerrupters, extension of the second-group barrel is started.

Abstract: At least one object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel, including: a fixed frame (21) having a fixed cylinder (21); a telescopic cylinder (22, 23, 24, etc.) configured to be accommodated within the fixed cylinder (21); a plurality of lens groups (11, 12) configured to be retained in the telescopic cylinder; a lens driving device (51, 52, etc.) configured to drive the plurality of lens groups along a optical axis of the telescopic cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position; and two retractable lens groups (13, 14) configured to be retracted into the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the extended position and configured to be retracted out of the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A lens frame radially-displacing mechanism of a retractable photographic lens, includes a photographing optical system; a linearly advancing/retreating ring guided linearly in an optical axis direction; a radially-displaceable support frame pivoted parallel to the optical axis, supports a radially-displaceable optical element and rotates between an on-axis position and an off-axis displaced position when the retractable photographic lens moves between the ready-to-photograph state and the retracted state; a rear support frame supporting a rear optical element; and a distance controller which controls approaching positions of the displaceable support frame and the rear support frame.

Abstract: A zoom lens composed of plural groups and adapted for changing group spacing or spacings, and includes, in a first group GR1 fixed during zooming operation, a reflection member M for bending or folding the optical axis substantially by 90 degrees and a negative group at the object side relative to the reflection member M. At the image side of the first group GR1, there are at least included a second group GR2 movable during zooming operation and having negative refractive power, and a light quantity adjustment member ST1 fixed during zooming operation. Angle of the reflection member M is changed at the time of sinking lens barrel so that the negative group of the first group GR1 is accommodated into a space thus defined.

Abstract: A retractable lens camera includes: a lens barrel; three or more lens groups provided in the lens barrel; a retracting unit that retracts the lens barrel and the lens groups into a camera body; and a displacing unit that displaces at least two lens groups to an escaping space out of an optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a linear guide member, a linearly advancing/retracting member guided by the linear guide member along an optical axis of an imaging optical system to be movable between operating and retracted positions, and a displaceable element supported by the linearly advancing/retracting member to be movable between an on-axis position in which the displaceable element is positioned on the optical axis and an off-axis displaced position in which the displaceable element is displaced from the optical axis. The linear guide member includes a linear guide projection which extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis to be engaged with the linearly advancing/retracting member. The linear guide projection includes an accommodation through-cutout formed through the linear guide projection in a radial direction, at least part of the displaceable element entering the accommodation through-cutout when the linearly advancing/retracting member is in the retracted position.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel, which can be further reduced by providing such a first helicoid as can be easily manufactured even in the zone of a small lead. The lens barrel (1) comprises a first barrel member (6) having a first helicoid (18, 25 and 26) formed in a first face (6a), and a second barrel member (21) having a second helicoid (24) formed in a second face (21a) confronting the first face (6a). The lens barrel is characterized in that the first barrel member (6) has, in the first face (6a), a first zone (Z1), in which the first helicoid (18, 25 and 26) has a first lead, and a second zone (Z2 and Z3), in which the first helicoid (18 and 25) has a second lead smaller than the first lead, and in that the first helicoid (18 and 25) having the second lead has a smaller thread number than that of the first helicoid (18, 25 and 26) having the first lead.

Abstract: A retractable photographic lens including a photographing optical system includes a plurality of optical elements including at least two radially-retractable optical elements; wherein the plurality of optical elements are aligned with an optical axis in an operating state of the retractable photographic lens. When the retractable photographic lens moves from the operating state to a fully retracted state, the two radially-retractable optical elements of the plurality of optical elements are radially retracted to respective radially retracted positions thereof away from the optical axis in different radial directions and moved rearward in the optical axis direction to be positioned adjacent to each other in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel unit including a lens barrel which has a plurality of lens groups and is set to a photographing state by moving at least a part of the lens groups to an object side and to a collapsed state by moving the at least the part of the lens groups to an image plane side and storing the lens groups, the lens barrel unit includes: a first supporting frame which retains at least one lens group of the lens groups; a second supporting frame which retains the first supporting frame movably in an optical axis direction of the lens barrel; a first supporting frame moving section which moves the first supporting frame in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel; and a fixed cylinder in which a main shaft which is capable of moving the second supporting frame in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel is provided.

Abstract: The lens apparatus includes a first barrel member, a second barrel member, a first rolling bearing and a second rolling bearing. The second barrel member includes a cam for moving a lens unit in an optical axis direction, is disposed inside or outside the first barrel member and rotatable around an optical axis with respect to the first barrel member. The first rolling bearing prevents relative displacements of the first and second barrel members in the optical axis direction and in a radial direction. The first rolling bearing is rotatable between the first and second barrel members. The second rolling bearing prevents the relative displacement of the first and second barrel members in the radial direction. The second rolling bearing is rotatable between the first and second barrel members. The first and second rolling bearing are arranged at positions away from each other in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a lens, a lens frame configured to support the lens, a drive mechanism configured to cause the lens frame to move upon an optical axis, and a fixed member configured to support the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotational cylinder capable of moving upon the optical axis, a cam part on the fixed member and a cam follower which is formed on the rotational cylinder fitting with the cam part and has a conical portion and a cylindrical portion. The cam part includes a tapered cam groove formed such that the rotational cylinder extends in the optical axis upon a range whereupon the rotational cylinder moves from the collapsed state to a photography state and a planar surface formed such that the rotational cylinder does not move upon the optical axis upon the photography range, even if the rotational cylinder rotates.

Abstract: At least one objective of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel capable of detecting a position of a retractable lens retaining frame with high accuracy, a lens driving apparatus, a camera, and a mobile information terminal using the lens barrel. A third frame female screw member (35) for rotating a third frame (31) around a lead screw (34) and driving the third frame (31) in forward and backward directions along the lead screw (34) is formed with a T-shaped protruded member (350) as a detected portion located at a position opposite side of a rotation-preventing projection (35b).

Abstract: A lens drive unit is configured to move a lens holding frame to a desired position by the engagement between a cam groove of a rotary cylinder and a cam follower of the lens holding frame. The lens drive unit includes a second linearly-moving guide cylinder arranged between the lens holding frame and a first linearly-moving guide cylinder. The second linearly-moving guide cylinder can be moved in the optical a direction with rotation of the rotary cylinder by the engagement of a cam follower of the second linearly-moving guide cylinder with a second cam groove of the rotary cylinder. The lens holding frame is guided in the optical axis direction by the second linearly-moving guide cylinder and moved in the optical axis direction with rotation of the rotary cylinder by the engagement of a cam follower of the lens holding frame with a first cam groove of the rotary cylinder.

Abstract: A device is shown having at least two movable lens units, wherein each of the at least two movable lens units has at least one lens, wherein the at least two movable lens units are movable into a first state wherein the at least two movable lens units are arranged in parallel to each other, and wherein the at least two movable lens units are movable into a second state wherein the at least two movable lens units are arranged on top of each other for positioning the lenses of the at least two movable lens units in an optical axis.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens holding member configured to hold a lens, and an actuator configured to move the first lens holder in an optical axis direction. The lens apparatus transfers to a retracted state by moving the first lens holding member to a retracted position via the actuator from an image picking-up state. The lens apparatus further includes a stopper configured to move in a direction different from the optical axis direction between a first position at which the stopper restricts a movement of the first lens holding member and a second position off the first position, and a driving member configured to move the stopper from the second position to the first position relative to the first lens holding member that has moved to the retreated position.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups (1, 2), lens frames (1a, 2a) to hold the plurality of lens groups, respectively, a lens driving apparatus to drive the plurality of lens frames and a fixed member (5) to hold the lens driving apparatus. The lens driving group includes a rotational member (6) which is forwardly moved while rotating relative to the fixed member (5), a linearly moving guide member (7) which moves with the rotational member (6) in the optical axial direction while limiting rotation of the lens frames and is not capable of rotating, and a linearly moving-guide biasing member (8) which is capable of moving in the optical axial direction relative to the linearly moving guide member and is configured to limit rotation. The linearly moving-guide biasing member has a resilient structure configured to bias the linearly moving guide member in the optical axial direction.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling construction of a small bending optical system with high magnification. A first lens group is movably disposed toward an object on a first optical axis. A second lens group is movably disposed radially inward of the first lens group. The second lens group comprises a drive frame drivingly controlled along the first optical axis and a lens holding frame for holding the second lens group. A prism is disposed on the first optical axis, for bending light incident on the prism to thereby guide the light along a second optical axis. The prism is retracted along the second optical axis in a non-shooting state. In the non-shooting state, the second lens group is retracted and accommodated in a space defined by the drive frame and the lens holding frame and a space occupied by the prism in a shooting state.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes front and rear holding members holding front and rear optical elements; an advancing/retracting member; a first guide portion guiding the front holding member relative to the advancing/retracting member; a first biasing member biasing the front holding member rearwards; a second guide portion guiding the rear holding member independently of the advancing/retracting member; a second biasing member biasing the rear holding member forwards; and first contact portions provided between the front and rear holding members, a rearward movement of the front holding member causing the first contact portions to contact and transmit a rearward moving force to the rear holding member when the lens barrel moves to the lens barrel accommodated state. The first and second guide portions, force-applied portions provided between the first/second biasing members and the front/rear holding members, and the first contact portions being all positioned within one of four equiangular ranges.

Abstract: A lens barrel that can be reduced in size and improve drive accuracy. A first cylindrical member is fixed. A rotatable second cylindrical member cam-engages with the first cylindrical member so as to move in an axial direction of an axial center. A third cylindrical member engaging with the first cylindrical member so as not to rotate can move in the axial direction by the rotation of the second cylindrical member. A fourth cylindrical member cam-engaging with the third cylindrical member engages with the second cylindrical member so as to move in the axial direction by following the rotation of the second cylindrical member. A lens holding member engaging with the third cylindrical member so as not to rotate relative to the third cylindrical member can move in the axial direction by cam-engaging with the fourth cylindrical member.

Abstract: An optical mount for holding an optical element, such as a laser rod, in which two or more contact blocks are biased into contact with two faces of the optical element and with a base supporting the optical element. The optical mount maintains good thermal contact with the optical element to minimize thermal gradients.

Abstract: The present invention has an object in providing a camera with which further miniaturization is realized, in a camera having the bending optical system. A digital camera (301) has an imaging device (2), an outer case (302), a battery (22), a memory card (24), and a sub-substrate (21). The imaging device (2) includes a lens barrel (31) having a bending optical system bending a light flux incident along a first optical axis (A1) into a direction along a second optical axis (A2) intersecting the first optical axis (A1), and a CCD unit (32) receiving a light flux taken in by the bending optical system. The outer case (302) retains the imaging device (2). At least one of the battery (22), the memory card (24), and the sub-substrate (21) is disposed so that the section thereof parallel to a plane including the first optical axis (A1) and the second optical axis (A2) is approximately rectangular, and the longitudinal direction of the section is approximately parallel to a direction along the first optical axis (A1).

Abstract: A retractable lens (1) and a swingable lens retracting device (2) thereof are provided. The retractable lens has first, second and third lens groups (L1, L2, L3) constituting a photographing optical system. The swingable lens retracting device consists of a second lens group moving frame (21) and a second lens group holding frame (22) rotatably received in the second lens group moving frame via a pivot shaft (221). A pair of torsion springs (224) is mounted on respective opposite ends of the pivot shaft. When the retractable lens is retracted back to a retracted state, the second lens group is biased by the swingable lens retracting device to an off-axis space radially outside a common optical axis of the photographing optical system with its optical axis being orthogonal to the common optical axis. The transition between a retracted position and a photographing position of the second lens group is accomplished by the resilient restoring force of the torsion springs.

Abstract: A magnifying assembly for use in enlarging information disposed on a container. In a preferred embodiment, the magnifying assembly comprises a container holder assembly for holding the container; and a magnifying lens coupled to the container holder assembly, wherein the magnifying lens is movable towards and away from the container while the container remains held by the container holder assembly; whereby information disposed on the container appears enlarged when viewed through the magnifying lens.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an optical member that bends and changes the optical path of the incident light; a first lens group, that is driven to retract at least partially inside the image sensing apparatus when a picture is not to be taken and to be projected outside the image sensing apparatus and toward the subject when a picture is to be taken; and a second lens group, as well as a lens barrier for protecting the first lens group when said first lens group is retracted inside the image sensing apparatus. The optical member moves to a position where the optical path of the optical image of the subject, which is incident via the first lens group, is changed to the direction of the second lens group when a picture is to be taken, and moves to a position where it is withdrawn from this area when a picture is not to be taken.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units is changed so that an optical image is formed with a continuously variable magnification, the zoom lens system comprises a first lens unit having positive power, a second lens unit that includes a lens element having a reflecting surface and has negative power and subsequent lens units including at least one lens unit having positive power, and the condition: 0.50<(C?S)/H<1.00(C=?{square root over ( )}(2R·dR?dR2), S is a sag of the image side surface of the most object side lens element in the second lens unit at height H, H is one-half of an optical axial thickness of the lens element having a reflecting surface, R is a radius of curvature of the image side surface, and dR is an interval between the most object side lens element and the lens element having a reflecting surface) is satisfied.

Abstract: A collapsible lens barrel having a low-profile size and a camera applied with the collapsible lens barrel. The lens barrel includes a first retractable lens-retaining frame and a second retractable lens-retaining frame for retaining at least one of a plurality of lens groups and being retracted to a position outer than an inner radius of a movable lens cone in the collapsed state, respectively; and a first retractable lens-moving member and a second retractable lens-moving member. At least one of the first and second retractable lens-retaining frames is retained movable relative to the respective retractable lens-moving member along an optical axis direction in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A lens barrel capable of accurately detecting a position of a retractable lens retaining frame. A frame female member for rotating a frame around a lead screw and driving the frame in forward and backward directions along the lead screw is formed with a T-shared protruded member as a detected portion located at a position opposite a rotation-preventing projection. The T-shared member structures a position of the frame together with a transmissive photo-interrupter, to decide a reference position in a retracted state of the frame and for an optical axis entrance completed position of the frame at a time when a transition has changed from a retracted state to a photographable state, and detects a distance from the reference position of the frame or a position of the frame in the photographable state in which a focal distance during wide-angle photographing and telephoto photographing is changed.

Abstract: The inventive lens barrel comprises: a first group frame 12 retaining the first group lens 21 with a positive refractivity and being movable on the optical axis; a second group frame 11 retaining the second group lens 22 with a negative refractivity and being movable on the optical axis; a third group frame 10 retaining an aperture diaphragm 10b and the third group lens 23, and being movable on the optical axis and pivotable perpendicular to the optical axis in such a manner that the third group frame 10 can move the aperture diaphragm 10b and the third group lens 23 to the position on the optical axis O in a imaging standby state, in which the lens barrel 1 is extended, and move them to the position out of the optical axis O in the retracted state, in which the lens barrel 1 is shortened; and, a fourth group frame 13 retaining the fourth group frame 24 with a positive refractivity, and being movable on the optical axis, and being arranged such that it can retract the aperture diaphragm 10b and the third grou