Abstract: A lens to be interchangeably attached to a camera body includes a first actuator which is appropriately used for a first camera body to which the lens is to be attached, and a second actuator which is appropriately used for a second camera body to which said lens is to be attached.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for performing focus detection of passive type using phase-difference detection includes a sensor composed of a plurality of pixels which are paired, and a judgment circuit for judging whether a target image for focus detection is a thin line close to a pixel pitch of the sensor, on the basis of a correlation varying amount of two images formed divisionally on the sensor and an output difference of adjacent pixels of each of the two images, so that it is possible to cope with the thin-line image.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a movable lens unit, a rotatable lead screw moving the movable lens unit, and a motor driving the rotatable lead screw. In the optical apparatus, the center of the motor and the center of the lead screw are disposed so as to be approximately aligned on the same circumference of a circle that is centered on an optical axis of a lens in the movable lens unit. In another aspect of the invention, a holding member positions both the lead screw and the motor, so as to dispose the lead screw and the motor in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the movable lens unit.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus not requiring the change of manual and automatic operations, preventing a lens from unexpectedly moving under manual operation, and making it possible to perform manual operation when a driving speed is low even under automatic operation. The apparatus has an automatic manual-and-automatic-operation change mode for automatically driving a lens by a zoom switch in a predetermined direction by connecting a zooming ring to a zoom motor through a clutch mechanism and connecting or disconnecting the clutch mechanism by a clutch-operating motor, and making it possible to automatically perform manual operation when the zoom switch is not operated. Moreover, the apparatus has a manual-operation mode for enabling only manual operation in addition to the change mode so that automatic operation is not performed even if an operator touches the zoom switch.

Abstract: A position control apparatus includes a stepping motor, a lead screw arranged to be rotated by the stepping motor being driven, a moving member arranged to move according to rotation of the lead screw, a first detecting device which detects that the moving member passes a particular position, a second detecting device which detects that the lead screw passes a particular rotating position, and a determination device which determines an amount of deviation of the moving member from a reference position on the basis of outputs from the first detecting device and the second detecting device.

Abstract: A rail groove is provided on an outer peripheral portion of a focus adjusting ring. A lens seat, supporting an image pickup lens, is attached to an escutcheon forming a main body. A plurality of engaging protrusions, provided on a front surface of the escutcheon around the lens seat, engage with the rail groove. Cam surfaces, formed on the focus adjusting ring, are brought into contact with protrusions of a bracket which mounts an imaging element. The rotational motion of the focus adjusting ring is converted into a linear or progressive motion of a bracket by the cam surfaces.

Abstract: A motor for a focus fine tuning lens is attached to the side of a lens barrel. The motor connects to a lens holding frame of the fine tuning lens via a belt, so that the backlash can be prevented. Because the motor and a belt transmission mechanism are accommodated by a drive unit, the existing drive unit can be used without changing its size and form.

Abstract: A lens driving controller has a driving mechanism for driving a lens along an optical axis, a calculator for obtaining a lens driving amount to an in-focus position, and a detector for detecting a position of the lens. The controller drives the lens in an in-focus direction in accordance with a lens driving amount obtained by the calculator, drives the lens in an opposite direction when the lens reaches a first lens position where a remaining driving amount to the in-focus position is a predetermined value, obtains information on a second lens position when the lens actually starts to move in the opposite direction, obtains a lens movement amount from the first lens position and the second lens position and performs remaining driving to the in-focus position and stop control based on an obtained lens movement amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens apparatus employed in a video camera. The present invention provides a lens apparatus, suited to manipulation of an operator, using a vibratory wave motor as a driving source for driving a photographing lens of the lens apparatus, wherein on the occasion of change of a driving direction, application of cyclic signals to a piezoelectric device of the motor is suspended and thereafter application of cyclic signals to the piezoelectric device is restarted.

Abstract: A focus adjusting device which includes an imaging unit, such as a lens group, a film, a charge coupled device, a CMOS sensor, etc., and at least one electrostriction unit deforming based on an applied voltage and configured to move the imaging unit from the deforming. Further, positioned between the imaging unit and the at least one electrostriction unit is a mechanism for increasing or accumulating the deforming of the at least one electrostriction unit. The electrostriction unit can take the form of a laminate piezoelectric device. In one specific embodiment, the mechanism provided between the imaging unit and the at least one electrostriction unit is a lever which increases the deforming of the at least one electrostriction unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing device of a camera includes a photographic lens having a focusing lens group guided along an optical axis, a stepping motor for moving the focusing lens group along the optical axis to bring an object into focus; and a controller for controlling the stepping motor to rotate stepwise when the depth of focus is smaller than a predetermined value and for controlling the stepping motor to rotate the rotor by even-numbered steps when the depth of focus of the photographic lens is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A camera, an optical apparatus or an optical unit controller having a device for driving an optical unit, a device for determining a state of movement of the optical unit, and a control unit for changing the direction of movement of the optical unit according to whether the amount of driving necessary for the driving device to move the optical unit to a position at which the determination device determines the state of movement of the optical unit is equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical unit having an optical axis, a manual operation member arranged to be manually operated to drive the optical unit, a driving motor for electrically driving the optical unit, and a driven member arranged to be driven by the driving motor, wherein the manual operation member and the driven member are kept in contact with each other through a predetermined frictional force on a ring-shaped face whose center lies at the optical axis, and wherein a driving force of the driving motor is transmitted via the driven member to the manual operation member, while a manual driving force onto the manual operation member is not transmitted to the driven member.

Abstract: A lens barrel including a surface wave motor to generate surface waves to drive a photographic optical system. The surface wave motor includes a fixed member to generate surface waves to drive the moving member which drives the photographic optical system. An externally operated manual operation unit drives the photographic optical system upon manual operation thereof. A roller is mounted in a freely rotatable state on the fixed member, and is in compressive contact with the manual operation unit via an intermediate ring. When a mode selection switch is set to a manual focus adjustment mode, the fixed member comes into compressive contact with a rotary element, and is rotatable integrally with a cam ring. By rotating a rotation ratio setting ring in a circumferential direction, a large diameter portion of the roller comes into contact with a changeover ring, and a small diameter portion of the roller to comes into contact with a changeover ring.

Abstract: An optical apparatus according to the present invention includes a cylindrical holding barrel, a lens moving mechanism including a cylindrical cam which is rotatably fitted on an outer surface of the holding barrel in such a manner that a plurality of moving lens frames held in the holding barrel are moved in an optical axis direction, a light quantity adjusting mechanism held in the holding barrel, for adjusting a quantity of light passing therethrough, lens moving mechanism driving sources for driving the lens moving mechanism, and light quantity adjusting mechanism driving sources for driving the light quantity adjusting mechanism. The lens moving mechanism driving sources and the light quantity adjusting mechanism driving sources are held in the holding barrel.

Abstract: Lens barrel with built-in ultrasonic motor, comprises photographing optical system having lens movable in the direction of the optical axis, fixed barrel supporting the optical system, manual operation member held on the fixed barrel and rotatable by external operation, ultrasonic motor including stationary member which is provided on fixed barrel and is rotatable about the optical axis and which can generate ultrasonic wave and rotor which is in frictional contact with stationary member and rotatable about the optical axis, and mode selection member by which is selectable automatic focus adjusting mode and manual focus adjustment mode.

Abstract: A skirt located on a worm is inserted in a C-shaped hole of a photo-interrupter blade wheel, and a motor shaft passes thought the center of each of said members. The rotation of the worm is transmitted to photo-interrupter blades with a predescribed angle of play due to the relative dimensions of a notch formed on the skirt and the C-shaped hole.

Abstract: A movement detection and control device has a lens frame holding a lens. The lens frame is movable in a direction of an optical axis of the lens. A revolving cam moves the lens frame in the direction of the optical axis. A driving source drives the cam. A pattern-rotating member having patterns for pulse generation, is rotated by the driving source. A detector detects the patterns, and generates pulse signals in response to driving by the driving source. A control circuit counts the pulse signals, and drives the driving source in a controlled manner to move the lens frame by a predetermined amount. The revolving cam is provided with a light-sealing member for intercepting the detector from generating pulse signals in an area where the cam starts or finishes its movement.

Abstract: A camera includes, but is not limited to, a focus adjustment optical system such as a zoom or a non-zoom type optical system, for example, an actuator generating a drive force which moves the focus adjustment optical system, a transmission mechanism transmitting the drive force from the actuator to the focus adjustment optical system, a drive amount detection mechanism detecting an amount of drive of the focus adjustment optical system caused by the actuator; and wherein the actuator, the transmission mechanism and the drive amount detection mechanism are disposed in the camera in a position which is on the outer circumference of the aforementioned focus adjustment optical system and which is on a long side of an aperture that forms light fluxes into a rectangular shape to become incident on a film surface.

Abstract: An apparatus has a member to be driven, an actuator for driving the member, a position detector and a controller. The actuator drives the member to move by an amount proportional to a given number of pulses. The position detector detects a position of the member in predetermined detection steps. The controller determines in steps smaller than the predetermined detection steps a target position up to which the member is to be moved. Then, it controls the actuator up to a detection-step position before the target position by closed-loop control in accordance with a detection result from the detector. Further, it controls the actuator from the detection step position to the target position by open-loop control.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronically controlled camera in which a lens system moves along its optical axis. When the lens stops moving, a brake is applied. In order to prevent unnecessary braking which is applied after the lens stopped, the brake is applied wile the lens is moving, and the brake is released immediately when the lens has stopped its movement.

Abstract: A motor drive unit is provided with a bridge circuit including series connected first and second MOS transistors, series connected third and fourth MOS transistors, a DC motor connected between a junction of the first and second MOS transistors and a junction of the third and fourth MOS transistors, a power supply line connected to the first and third MOS transistors and a ground line connected to the second and fourth MOS transistors. The state of the DC motor is controlled by on/off controlling the MOS transistors of the bridge circuit. The MOS transistors are controlled such that the motor is continuously short-circuited when a power is supplied to the motor drive unit and the motor is not driven.

Abstract: A lens barrel constructed of a cam slot, a lens cylinder, a memory means, a detecting means, a motor driving means and a control means. The cam slot has a discontinuous area formed in a portion corresponding to a parting line of a molding die used for molding. The lens cylinder ass a cam follower engaging with this cam slot. The memory means stores information indicating where the discontinuous area exists in the cam slot. The detecting means detects where the cam follower is positioned in the cam slot. The motor driving means makes the lens cylinder progress and retreat in the optical-axis direction by relatively driving the cam slot and the lens cylinder. The control means controls the motor driving means to drive the lens cylinder up to a position deviating from the discontinuous area when the cam follower is in the discontinuous area by comparing memory information of the memory mens with detection information of the detecting means.

Abstract: A shutter arrangement for a camera which includes a lens shutter, a lens group movable along an optical axis relative to the lens shutter, a first motor for opening or closing the lens shutter, a second motor for moving the lens group along the optical axis, and a first encoder for detecting a size of a diaphragm formed by the lens shutter. The first encoder comprises a first photosensor and a first rotating disk associated with the first photosensor. Also included is a second encoder for detecting an axial position of the lens group which comprises a second photosensor and a second rotating disk associated with the second photosensor. The first and second encoders are positioned to overlap as viewed in a direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical apparatus has an optical lens unit, a manual operation device for manually operating the optical lens unit, and a drive device for driving the optical unit by electrical power, in which the manual operation device and the drive device are coupled by magnetic force, in which when driven by the drive device, the optical lens is driven as the two devices are coupled, and in which when the manual operation device is operated manually, the optical lens is driven as the drive device is fixed.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus moves a focusing lens once over a full movement range from the nearest point or from the infinite point so as to cause a photoelectric detector to output an electrical signal at predetermined stepwise lens positions. A lens position range can be specified based on the output electrical signal. The lens position range contains a lens position allowing the maximum focus evaluation value. A lens position for the maximum evaluation value is searched within the lens position range. A reliable and fast focusing operation can be obtained for finding out the maximum focus evaluation value without the effect of a local extremum in the focus evaluation value.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a zoom lens for effecting magnification change, a focusing lens for effecting focus adjustment, a first motor for moving the focusing lens, a second motor for moving the zoom lens, and detecting mechanism for detecting the reference positions of the focusing lens and the zoom lens, the detecting mechanism being used in common to the two lenses.

Abstract: A lens barrel for a camera includes a photography optical system, an ultrasonic motor, an external manual operation member and a conversion device. The ultrasonic motor includes a vibrating member that generates ultrasonic vibrations and a relative moving member connected with the vibrating member that moves the photography optical system along an optical axis through the ultrasonic vibrations. The external manual operation member is moved manually to move the photography optical system along the optical axis via the relative moving member. The conversion device reduces an amount by which the relative moving member moves in response to an amount by which the external manual operation member is moved. As a result, the external manual operation member can be used to adjust the photography optical system by minute amounts.

Abstract: A camera shutter and focus encoder assembly comprises an encoder mask fixed in a camera housing and having an arcuate window having alternating opaque and transmissive portions, and an encoder sheet mounted in the housing in abutting relationship with the encoder mask, the encoder sheet being movable with exposure blades and the focus lens of the camera and having an arcuate window having alternating opaque and transmissive portions therein. Means are provided for pressing the encoder mask and the encoder sheet together with the mask and sheet windows in registration with each other. A sensor passes pulses of light through the mask and sheet windows when the transmissive portions thereof are in registration and detects the pulses of light, converts the light pulses to electrical signals, and transmits the electrical signals.

Abstract: A lens driving device comprises a lens driving member mounted for rotation between an initial position and a preselected focus position, an urging member for urging the lens driving member in a first direction of rotation to control a rotational position of the lens driving member in accordance with the preselected focus position, and a ratchet operably rotatable with the lens driving member. A retaining member is mounted for back and forth rocking movement and has retaining portions for alternate engagement with the ratchet during back and forth rocking movement of the retaining member. A control mechanism controls the rocking movement of the retaining member. A holding member holds the lens driving member from rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation when the lens driving member is in the initial position.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a camera, etc. incorporates at least first and second ultrasonic wave actuators driven at predetermined frequencies for driving the apparatus. The first and second ultrasonic wave actuators are drive-controlled at different frequencies by first and second actuator drive portions controlled by an apparatus control portion. The first and second ultrasonic wave actuators are constructed to satisfy a relationship such as .vertline.f1-f2.vertline.>4000, where f1 (Hz) is the drive frequency of the first ultrasonic wave actuator, and f2 (Hz) is the drive frequency of the second ultrasonic wave actuator. Prevented thus are drawbacks caused when simultaneously driving the plurality of ultrasonic wave actuators for driving the apparatus, i.e., a resonance in an apparatus structural body and a resultant "beat" phenomenon.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment device for use with a camera having a photographic lens.

Abstract: An automatic focus state detection device executes focus adjustment by taking environmental factors such as temperature and power source voltage into consideration. The temperature of the camera, the power source voltage of the battery in the camera, and the posture of the camera are detected. Then, lens driving times for six representative points of the driving lens distance are computed. A driving time table is produced, and the defocus amount is detected. Then, based on the updated driving time table, the lens driving time corresponding to the current defocus amount is computed. Finally, the timing for each sequential process from release to start of exposure is determined. In this manner, the driving time is computed by taking the temperature, the power source voltage, and the posture into consideration, and a more accurate estimation of the lens driving time is realized.

Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus that includes an optical system having a group of focusing lenses. An object distance measuring device measures a defocus amount for a specific object imaged by the optical system. A focus judging device determines a focus state in accordance with a measurement of the object distance measuring device. A lens driver then drives the focusing lens group to a focal position, in accordance with the amount of defocus, wherein the apparatus includes a controller for repeatedly operating the object distance measuring device and the lens driver. A moving object judging device determines that the specific object is a moving object when the focus judging device determines an out-of-focus state more than one time during the repeated operations.

Abstract: A camera apparatus has an interchangeable lens unit and a transmission line for exchange of information with the lens unit. The lens unit has at least one driving part which is arranged to change the optical condition of the lens unit. The camera system includes a control circuit which is arranged to take in, from the lens unit via the transmission line, information on at least on of the maximum and minimum possible driving speeds of the driving part; to set a driving speed of the driving part within the possible driving speed range of the driving part; and to transmit information on the set driving speed to the lens unit.

Abstract: A lens driving device for a camera or the like drives a lens through a correct distance by the distance through which the lens is driven being corrected according to errors in mechanical parts; as a result it is not necessary for the mechanical parts to be made of high precision, and maintenance of molds used in their manufacture can therefore be made easy.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment device and method is used after focussing a shooting lens so as to maintain both stability and focussing precision. Shooting lens defocus amounts are calculated based on focus state detection signals repeatedly output from an electric charge type photosensitive device that receives light rays from a subject. Focus adjustment is accomplished until the shooting lens is in the predetermined focussing state based on these defocus amounts. After the shooting lens has reached the predetermined focussing state, the calculated defocus amounts are statistically processed. The determination to resume focus adjustment of the shooting lens is made based on this processing.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device in which when a lens shifting range is arbitrarily limited and set with respect to the distance to a target object, the defocus amount and lens position are automatically detected, and the image plane shifting amount corresponding to the limited lens shifting range is calculated. Then, the corresponding image shifting amount and the detected defocus amount are compared. As a result of such comparison, if the defocus amount is found smaller, i.e., the target object is within the lens shift limiting range, the lens is shifted by the lens shifting amount thus calculated so as to perform focusing. If the defocus amount is found larger, i.e., the target object is outside the lens shift limiting range, the driving of the driving device is disabled so as not to shift the lens. If the defocus amount is found larger and the lens shifting is disabled, the defocus amount is again detected.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric camera which comprises a switch for switching a state of the camera between a state out of use and a state in use, a driving member for shifting the position of a member to be driven to change its state between a state out of use and a state in use in accordance with the state switched by the switch, detection unit for detecting whether the member to be driven is shifted during an operation of the driving member, counter unit for starting counting when the driving member is started to operate upon switching by the switch, change-over unit for changing over a driving speed of the driving member from a first speed to a second speed which is lower than the first speed, and control unit for stopping the drive of the driving member when the counter unit counts a predetermined time, so that the camera can be used continuously when the photographing lens or the barrier is stopped due to external forces, etc.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographic optical system including a focusing lens group located at the front of the photographic optical system and a lens frame for supporting the focusing lens group, which projects forwardly from an infinite focus position to a shortest focus position for a focusing operation. A lens opening is provided on the camera, which exposes the focusing lens group to outside the camera. The lens opening is formed so as to allow the lens frame to project forwardly through the lens opening when the lens frame moves to the shortest focus position.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment device and method for a high-speed continuous photography camera are disclosed. The device and method make possible lens driving based on the focus detection results of a previous exposure cycle, even if the current focus detection calculations between frames have not been completed.

Abstract: A camera comprises a photographing lens, a finder having its optical axis disposed substantially in parallel with the optical axis of the photographing lens and a lens drive for moving the photographing lens for focusing, the lens drive including a guide member for rectilinearly moving the photographing lens in a direction set at a predetermined angle to the optical axis of the photographing lens.

Abstract: A photographing lens is driven on the basis of an operation result representing a focus condition of the photographing lens, which has been calculated on the basis of the output signal from an image sensor, when such operation result has been judged reliable. A so-called scanning operation is made, in which the photographing lens is driven in a specified direction to find out a location offering a reliable operation result, when said operation result has been judged not reliable. First and second setup modes are provided. In the first setup mode, the accumulation time of the image sensor is set on the basis of the previously set accumulation time and the output signal of the image sensor obtained during said previously set accumulation time. In the second setup mode, the accumulation time of the image sensor is set according to the output of the monitor sensor arranged in the vicinity of a plurality of photoelectric elements and detecting the intensity of the light incidental to the image sensor.

Abstract: A photographing device includes a driving mechanism provided in a photographing optical system, a driving source located outside the photographing optical system, a rotational shaft located parallel with an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and in the photographing optical system, and connecting the driving source and the driving mechanism, an electro-magnetic clutch mechanism located around the optical axis of the photographing optical system, and arranged to connect/disconnect the driving mechanism and the driving source.

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: An automatic focus adjustment device that can effect focussing on a moving subject. The automatic focus adjustment device includes a lens driving device, a focus state detection device that detects the defocus amount, an image velocity computation device that computes the subject image movement velocity, and a moving subject prediction device that computes a predicted value for the defocus amount at exposure based on the defocus amounts and the subject image movement velocity. The device also includes a predicted position control device that scrolls the shooting lens by the predicted value, a position velocity control device that controls the scrolling amount in accordance with the defocus amount and the amount of change of the defocus amount with time, a determination device that determines whether or not the control action of the predicted position control device can be completed before exposure, and prior to a release a selection device selects control by the predicted position control device.

Abstract: A lens barrel constructed of a cam slot, a lens cylinder, a memory, a detector, a motor drive and a controller. The cam slot has a discontinuous area formed in a portion corresponding to a parting line of a molding die used for molding. The lens cylinder has a cam follower slidably engaging the cam slot. The memory stores information indicating where the discontinuous area exists in the cam slot. The detector detects where the cam follower is positioned in the cam slot. The motor drive makes the lens cylinder progress and retreat in the optical-axis direction by driving one of the cam slot and the lens cylinder relative to the other. The controller controls the motor drive to drive the lens cylinder up to a position deviating from the discontinuous area when the cam follower is in the discontinuous area by comparing memory information of the memory with detection information of the detector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a back-focal distance control system autofocus single-lens reflex camera wherein a single-lens reflex camera body is sectioned into two blocks, one block is a fixed block while the other block is a movable block, the movable block is moved in the optical-axis direction of a lens on the basis of the fixed block, and autofocus control is conducted by adjusting a flange-focal distance of the camera.Autofocusing is attainable even by installing a manual interchangeable lens and other AF interchangeable lenses. Further, a switching operability between MF/AF operations is enhanced, and super close-range photography can be also effected. Extended further is a possible-of-AF range (from super close-range to super infinity) in combination with AF of a lens drive system. At the same time, the AF operation is conducted at a high speed with a high accuracy. Further, even when installing a lens larger in size than a standard lens, a reliability on the operation of a diaphragm mechanism is enhanced.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for detecting the focus adjusted state of an imaging optical system with respect to an object body comprises first and second photoelectric element arrays each including a plurality of photoelectric elements arranged in one direction, a focus detecting optical system for forming first and second optical images of the body on or near the first and second arrays by first and second light beams passed through different first and second areas, respectively, of the exit pupil of the imaging optical system, the first array producing a series of first output signals having a distribution pattern associated with the illumination intensity distribution pattern of the first image, the second array producing a series of second output signals having a distribution pattern associated with the illumination intensity distribution pattern of the second image, focus detection means for producing a focus detection signal representative of the focus adjusted state of the imaging optical system, on the b

Abstract: An automatic focusing device, in which a focus lens is driven for tracking an object-in-motion to obtain an in-focus state, based upon a focus prediction that is executed from repeated distance measurements. Tracking is continued even if the position of the focus lens falls into the predetermined focus allowance, so as to make it possible to take a well-focused photograph at any time.