Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a miniature camera has a first stage and a first optical element formed to the first stage. A motion control assembly is configured to provide movement of the first stage in one degree of freedom while inhibiting movement of the stage in five degrees of freedom, so as to facilitate at least one of focusing and zooming the camera.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor for performing photoelectric conversion of incident light and a focus control portion for adjusting a focal point based on an image signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion performed by the imaging sensor. The focus control portion includes a change detecting portion for detecting a change in size of a specific subject in a moving image based on the image signal, and adjusts the focal point so that the specific subject becomes in focus with the change taken into account.

Abstract: A camera comprising a first imaging part for capturing IR image data of a first field of view, said first imaging part comprising IR optics, a second imaging part for capturing visible light data of a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, said second imaging part comprising visible light optics, and means for adjusting the first and second field of view relative to each other in dependence of the focusing distance of the first or second imaging part. One of the imaging parts comprises a motor for focusing of the optics, respectively, said camera further comprising sensing means arranged to sense the position of the motor and processing means arranged to determine the displacement needed to align the images based on the position of the focus motor.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for auto-focusing including: a sensing unit sensing a current position of a lens moving within a predetermined range along a moving shaft; an A/D converter converting a lens position value from the sensing unit into a digital signal; a lens position control unit generating a signal for moving the lens to a target lens position determined by an auto-focusing algorithm; a driving signal generating unit generating a square wave signal according to the signal from the lens position control unit; and an operation unit connected to the A/D converter and controlling a time at which the A/D converter performs conversion according to the square wave signal from the driving signal generating unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a pair of drive units (100, 200) arranged back-to-back. Each one of the drive units includes a lens unit (11), a permanent magnet (12) mounted around the lens unit, upper and lower coil seats (15a, 15b) arranged at upper and lower sides of the permanent magnet, and upper and lower coils (14a, 14b) wound around the upper and lower coil seats, respectively. The upper and lower coils are used for inducing the upper and lower yokes (10c, 10d) to generate magnetic fields when electric currents are applied to the first and second coils. The magnetic fields generated by the upper and lower yokes interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement between its focal points. The permanent magnet is fixed to and telescopes inwardly or outwardly with the lens unit.

Abstract: A camera system incorporating a seamless lens-drive switching mechanism includes a lens drive ring, a manual operation ring, a motor, a first one-way rotational transfer mechanism preventing the manual operation ring and the lens drive ring from being connected with each other in a first neutral state, and maintains the first neutral state even if the lens drive ring is rotated by the motor; a second one-way rotational transfer mechanism which prevents the motor and the lens drive ring connecting with each other in a second neutral state, connects the motor with the lens drive ring when the motor rotates from the second neutral state, and maintains the second neutral state even if the lens drive ring is rotated by the manual operation ring; and a controller which stops and reverses the motor to bring the second one-way rotational transfer mechanism into the second neutral state.

Abstract: A lens actuating device is applicable in a lens module. The lens module has at least a housing and a lens support in the space formed by the housing. The lens actuating device has at least a base disposed in the housing, a piezoelectric element disposed on the base for generating kinetic energy, a clamping component disposed on the piezoelectric element and a linkage element coupled to the lens support and clamped in the clamping component. The clamping component makes a corresponding motion upon receiving a kinetic energy created by the piezoelectric element, which allows a stick-slip friction to be generated in the clamping component to actuate the lens, thereby achieving optical zooming or focusing and avoiding the shortcomings of the prior art using for example a voice coil motor or a stepping motor.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a camera includes a movable member located behind a photographing lens and linearly moved along an optical axis thereof, the movable member supporting an image pickup device; an AF coil secured to the movable member or an immovable member of the camera; a magnetic force generating device which is secured to the other of the movable member and the immovable member, so as to linearly move the movable member in the optical axis direction relative to the immovable member by applying a magnetic field upon the AF coil; and a controller which controls the direction of electric current flowing in the AF coil so that image light transmitted through the photographing lens is converged onto an image pickup surface of the image pickup device. The AF coil is a planar coil which is wound on a plane parallel with the optical axis.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly includes an optical system forming an optical axis and having at least one lens group, a base member (1), a macro ring member (2) rotatably engaged with the base member for accomplishing both zooming and focusing operations, a lens holder (3) received in the macro ring member and having the at least one lens group received therein, a resilient member (4) compressively engaged with the lens holder, and an interengaging means (13, 21; 16, 25) provided between the macro ring member and the base member. The macro ring member has a driving member (22, 27) disposed thereon for manual manipulating. When the driving member is manipulated, the macro ring member is rotated and moved along the optical axis relative to the base member by the action of the interengaging means, and thus the focal length of the optical system is varied for effecting both normal photography and macro photography.

Abstract: A lens driving mechanism is disclosed which can achieve miniaturization of the mechanism by simplification and enhancement of the reliability in position control of a movable block. The lens driving mechanism includes a piezoelectric element deformed when energized for functioning as a driving section for applying driving force to the movable block, a restriction section for restricting the movement of the movable block in the predetermined direction, and a detection section for detecting a predetermined amount regarding the piezoelectric element. The initial position of the movable block is set as a position at an extremity of the movement of the movable block within a movable range based on an inflection point of the predetermined amount detected by the detection section when the movable block moved by the deformation of the piezoelectric element is restricted by the restriction section.

Abstract: A camera according to the present invention includes a picture-taking lens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bending optical system which optically bends incident light and an optical finder unit including a finder optical system having a bending optical system which optically bends incident light. A pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending optical system of the optical finder unit are arranged adjacent to a pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending optical system of the picture-taking lens unit, respectively. The body of the camera is therefore decreased in size.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel, a lens holding frame made movable in an optical axis direction inside the lens barrel, a movable lens held in the lens holding frame, a yoke inserted into the lens barrel and attached to the lens barrel, a magnet attached to the yoke, and a driving coil that is attached to the lens holding frame and located to be opposed to the magnet and gives propulsion to the lens holding frame. A pair of first fitting sections is provided in the lens barrel. A pair of second fitting sections is provided in the lens barrel. An interval between the first fitting sections is set larger than an interval between the second fitting sections. A distance from the optical axis to the respective first fitting sections is set larger than a distance from the optical axis to the respective second fitting sections.

Abstract: A camera having an electronic image pickup element and a distance-measuring circuit that uses light signals obtained from light images of a plurality of distance-measuring areas set in a photographing screen to select a main subject and measure the distance to the subject. The camera has a focusing component, operating when the position of the main subject cannot be identified by the distance-measuring circuit, to divide the photographing screen into a plurality of areas to identify an area in which the main subject is present on the basis of a luminance distribution obtained from the areas other than those overlapping the distance-measuring areas. The focusing component focuses a photographing lens on the position of the highest contrast signal while scanning the lens position of the photographing lens.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body having an in-body motor; an interchangeable lens having an in-lens motor, the interchangeable lens being detachable from the camera body; a focusing mechanism for moving a focusing lens group provided in the interchangeable lens in an optical axis direction thereof; a rotational force transmission device which transmits a rotational force of the in-body motor to the focusing mechanism to perform an AF operation in a state where the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body; an auto-focusing mechanism for driving the focusing mechanism to perform an AF operation by the in-lens motor, independently from the in-body motor; and a one-way clutch which allows transmission of a rotational force of the in-body motor to the in-lens motor while preventing a rotational force of the in-lens motor from being transmitted to the in-body motor.

Abstract: An auto focusing camera includes a square-shaped circuit board (11), a motor (100) arranged on the circuit board, and a lens unit (20) received in the motor. The circuit board forms contacts (114) on corners thereof. The motor includes a cuboid-shaped housing (18), a stator (12) mounted in the housing, and a rotor (14) being rotatably disposed in the stator. The stator includes a square-shaped base (123) forming connecting pins (139) in corners thereof, and a stator core (121) with coils (122) wound thereon. The coils have ends being electrically connected with the connecting pins of the base. The connecting pins are electrically connected with the contacts in the housing to electrically connect the ends of the coils to the circuit board.

Abstract: Usability of device is improved for an imaging device that images a target object mounted on a table. In order to hold a camera head 120 and an illumination unit 130 with respect to a table 110 on which a target object is mounted, an imaging device 100 coaxially and rotatably supports a camera head holding arm 140 and an illumination unit holding arm 150 at an elevated portion 118, which is located at an inner-left corner of the table 110, such that degrees of inclinations of the arms may be variable with respect to the table 110. The arms are rotatably and axially supported at the elevated portion 118 such that the camera holding arm 140 can rotate with an accompanying rotation of the illumination unit holding arm 150 and the illumination unit holding arm 150 can rotate independently with no accompanying rotation of the camera holding arm 140.

Abstract: An auto focus method of a digital camera for moving a lens of the digital camera to the maximum focus value position is provided. According to certain criteria, the lens movement states are categorized into four states, i.e. an initial state, a coarse state, a mid state and a fine state. The numbers of search steps for the lens in different states are different.

Abstract: A camera described herein captures a plurality of images at different focus settings to improve the probability that the camera captures a clear representation of a desired object in a potentially ambiguous scene. According to one exemplary embodiment, the camera selects a plurality of focus settings corresponding to different focal points in a range of focal points. Subsequently, the camera automatically captures successive images of the scene at the selected focus settings in response to a single activation of a shutter control. The user may select one or more of the captured images for storage, transmission to a remote device, and/or further processing.

Abstract: An exemplary auto-focus imaging system includes a holder, an image sensor, a barrel unit, a stepper motor, and a belt. The image sensor is disposed in the holder. The barrel unit is coupled to the holder, in a threaded manner. The belt is looped around the barrel unit and the stepper motor. The stepper motor is disposed on the holder and configured for driving the barrel unit to move relative to the image sensor using belt drive.

Abstract: A two-step auto-focusing camera includes a lens unit (12); a permanent magnet (124) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit; first and second coil seats (14, 15) with first and second coils (145, 155) wound thereon being mounted around the lens unit at two opposite sides of the magnet. When electric currents are supplied to the first and second coils, one of the coil seats generates an attraction force to the lens unit, and the other coil seat generates a repulsion force to the lens unit. A flange (143, 153) extends outwardly from an outer periphery of each coil seat at an end near the magnet to limit the magnet to move between the flanges of the first and second coil seats during movement of the lens unit.

Abstract: An auto focusing camera includes a lens unit (2) including a barrel (20) and a lens (22) received in the barrel, a permanent magnet (3) being fixedly mounted around the barrel of the lens unit and moving with the lens unit when the lens unit undergoes telescopic movement during operation, and a coil seat (6a, 6b) with a coil (5a, 5b) wound thereon arranged at a side of the permanent magnet. An interlocking device (642, 202) is formed on the barrel and the coil seat for guiding the telescopic movement of the lens unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a lens mount (10), a lens unit (50) received in the lens mount, and a motor for driving the lens unit. The lens mount has a pair of connecting pins (22, 21) extending therethrough for electrically connecting to a printed circuit board arranged under the lens mount. The motor includes at least one coil seat (30, 40) with coil (35, 45) wound thereon, and a permanent magnet (55) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit. The at least one coil seat includes a pair of mounting pins (32, 43, 33, 41) for guiding two ends of the coils to be connected to the two connecting pins of the lens mount.

Abstract: A motor structure with a built-in lens includes a motor (30), and a lens unit (50) received in the motor and driven by the motor to telescopically move along an axial thereof. An internal thread (344) is formed on an inner surface of the motor. The lens unit includes an upper portion (51) and a lower portion (54). An external thread (544) is formed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the lens unit to threadedly engage with the internal thread of the motor. A dust cover (70) is arranged on the upper portion of the lens unit and defines an opening (71) for the upper portion of the lens unit to move therethrough. The lower portion of the lens unit is limited in the cover so that the external thread is prevented from being exposed to the environment during movement of the lens unit.

Abstract: An auto-focus optical lens module is proposed, including a base body having a receiving space formed therein, a lens sleeve rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a lens screwed with the lens sleeve, and a piezoelectric element fixed in the base body for contacting and driving the lens sleeve to rotate, wherein the base body and the lens are respectively provided with a first and second guiding portions for slidably positioning, thereby driving the lens sleeve to rotate so as to enable the lens to focus. The auto-focus optical lens module has simplified elements and enhanced driving force.

Abstract: An auto-focusing zoom lens mechanism includes a base unit forming a space; an auto-focusing (AF) lens unit located in the base unit and having a trajectory bar engaged therewith; a zoom lens unit located in the base unit and mounted on the AF lens unit and having a trajectory bar engaged therewith; a cam plate unit engaged with the AF lens unit and the zoom lens unit and provided with an AF trajectory groove and a zoom trajectory groove to receive the trajectory bars of the AF lens unit and the zoom lens unit; and a step motor unit engaged with the cam plate unit to drive the cam plate unit, the AF lens unit and the zoom lens unit moving.

Abstract: An exemplary auto-focus imaging system includes a barrel holder, a barrel, at least one lens received in the barrel, an image sensor, and a number of driving arms. The barrel and the image sensor are all received in the holder. The lens has an optical axis. The driving arms are interconnected between the holder and the barrel, and are made of volume changing conductive polymer.

Abstract: A horological motor of the Lavet motor concept is used to form an actuator to control movement of a lens system to reduce power consumption in digital camera units used in various electronic equipment, e.g. PDA's, mobile phones, digital still cameras and camcorders, and as a result increase battery life. The coils of the horological motor are driven with CMOS I/O signals eliminating the need for high current motor drivers and allowing the integration of all picture capture functions, including the light sensitive pixel array, into a single chip to form a system on chip implementation. A plurality of actuators is used to control a lens system comprising auto focus, zoom and shutter and iris functions. A gear transmission system is used to allow the motor of the actuator to move in micro step, which allows calibration of the motor against mechanical barriers.

Abstract: The retaining seat has a receiving space for receiving the driven seat; and the receiving space being installed with a coil set; the coil set having at least one coil and at least one magnetic block. The driven seat is installed with magnetic units corresponding to the coil set; the driven seat can move along a predetermined track in the receiving space of the retaining seat. The driven seat has two magnetic units which are installed at a left side and a right side of the driven seat or at an upper and a lower side of the driven seat. The magnetic units of the driven seat are installed at an upper and a lower side of the driven seat. The lens driving device provides a larger receiving space for receiving a great or more coils. Thus when no power is applied, the driven seat can still be positioned.

Abstract: An auto-focusing lens of a camera includes a lens unit (11), a permanent magnet (12) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit, a first coil seat (15a) arranged on a first side of the magnet with a first winding (14a) wound thereon, and a second coil seat (15b) arranged on a second side opposite to the first side of the magnet with a second winding (14b) wound thereon. The first and second windings and the first and second coil seats are provided for establishing magnetic fields when electric currents are applied to the first and second windings. The magnetic fields interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement between its front focus point (A) and its rear focus point (B).

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a zoom base to which an image pickup device can be coupled, a driving source for generating rotational force in accordance with a control signal of a control unit disposed in the electronic facility, plural power transmission gears disposed on the zoom base to reduce the rotational force of the driving source, a first lens cam disposed on the zoom base and rotated by the rotational force of the power transmission gears, plural first lens shafts coupled on the zoom base in a direction of an optical axis and located in the first lens cam, a first lens barrel having a first lens, the first lens barrel being disposed in the first lens cam and slidably coupled to the first lens shaft in the direction of the optical axis so as to move in the direction of the optical axis in accordance with rotation of the first lens cam, a power transmission member coupled to the first lens cam in the direction of the optical axis, an outer second lens cam disposed on an outer circumference of the first

Abstract: A camera has an axially moveable cylinder retaining a lens and a piezo ceramic motor for axially moving the cylinder. The motor has a piezo ceramic drive member that incrementally advances the cylinder in response to the application of an electric potential and a piezo ceramic brake that locks the cylinder against movement. The drive member and the brake are alternately energized to advance the cylinder in a series of incremental steps.

Abstract: A method and system are described for providing background blurring when capturing an image using an image capture device. According to one aspect, input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image of a subject at an image capture device. A focus value corresponding to a focus distance that is less than a distance between the subject and the image capture device and that keeps the subject within a depth of field corresponding to the focus distance is automatically determined. The image is captured using the determined focus value.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided which performs optimum zooming and focusing even after long use. The imaging apparatus includes: a lens which is movable along the optical axis; a driving module to drive the lens; a driving amount calculation module to determine a drive count indicating the number of times the driving module has been operated or a drive time for which the driving module has been operated; a storage module to store compensation amounts which are used to compensate for the mechanical play of the driving module according to the drive count or the drive time; and a control module to control the driving module wherein a compensation amount appropriate for the drive count or time determined by the driving amount calculation module is selected from the compensation amounts stored in the storage module and the selected compensation amount is used to compensate for the mechanical play of the driving module.

Abstract: A camera lens module comprises an image sensor, a lens assembly arranged on an optical axis of the image sensor, a rotator rotatably mounted to surround one part of the lens assembly, a piezoelectric motor mounted to surround the other part of the lens assembly, for providing a driving force for rotating the rotator and a threaded section formed on the lens assembly and the rotator, wherein the threaded section converts rotation of the rotator into linear movement of the lens assembly along the optical axis of the image sensor to adjust a focal distance of the lens assembly. Since the piezoelectric motor is employed as a driving source for auto-focusing, miniaturization can be advantageously attained, whereby the camera lens module having an auto-focusing device can be easily mounted to a digital camera as well as a mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: A focus detection method includes moving a focusing lens group from the near extremity toward the far extremity in a search operation, and stopping the focusing lens group upon first detecting an in-focus state to determine an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when detecting a focus state in each of a plurality of focus detection areas while performing the search operation, and moving the focusing lens group firstly to one of the near extremity and the far extremity which is closer to a current position of the focusing lens group and subsequently toward the other thereof, and stopping the focusing lens group upon first detecting an in-focus state to determine an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when detecting a focus state in the single focus detection area while performing the search operation.

Abstract: A lens module including a guide set, a lens set, a magnet and an electromagnetic winding set is provided. The lens set is movably disposed on the guide set, and the magnet is disposed on the lens set. The electromagnetic winding set is disposed at the side of the lens set and adjacent to the magnet. The electromagnetic winding set and the magnet are suitable for generating an electromagnetic force for controlling the movement of the magnet. By the movement of the magnet, the lens set is driven to move along the guide set.

Abstract: A digital camera is constructed with multiple lenses mounted in a pair of tubular elements which are nested together for relative axial movement. Movement is provided by piezoelectric actuators mounted externally to a support tube on flexible printed circuit board elements. Each lens tube is provided with a drive rail which extends at least partially over the length of the lens tube and projects radially outward from the periphery of each of the tubes. The rails are accessible to the engagement pads of the piezoelectric actuators to allow the transmission of drive forces to each of the tubes.

Abstract: A lens module using electromagnetic force to drive the focus-adjusting lens is disclosed. The lens module includes a base, two steel plates, four springs, a bottom plate, a lens holder, a coil, a lens, a top plate, two magnets, a magnet housing and a top cover. The lens holder, the coil and the top plate are disposed outside the circumference of the lens to form a linked body and the coil is clipped between the lens holder and the top plate so as to reduce diameter and volume of the coil. By the two arc magnets disposed on right and left sides of the coil instead of general circular magnets, volume of the magnets is reduced. By the four springs vertically hooked between four corners of two steel plates respectively and four corresponding brackets of the lens holder, the lens is provided with axial traction for focus adjustment. Therefore, the lens with smaller volume moves steadily to adjust the focus.

Abstract: Electrode substrates, a movable element which can freely move reciprocally by being guided by the electrode substrates, and in which electrodes are formed on a pair of surfaces thereof facing one another, and which has a lens, an image pickup element imaging an image which was image-formed by the lens, a control unit controlling a position of the movable element, and a stopper regulating movement of the movable element within the movable range thereof. The control unit positions the movable element at a predetermined position by making the movable element abut the stopper.

Abstract: A lens apparatus which can remove a backlash positively is provided. In the lens apparatus, a drive source is controlled so as to performing: moving a focus lens from a reference position toward one end of an optical lens stroke, and moving the focus lens toward the other end of the optical lens stroke. When the focus lens reaches the other end of the optical lens stroke, the drive source is controlled so as to perform moving the focus toward the reference position, and further, when a focus point position is determined to be between the reference position and the other end of the optical lens stroke as well as when it is detected that the focus lens reaches the reference position, the drive source is controlled so as to perform moving the focus lens from the reference position toward one end of the optical lens stroke by an amount to removal of a backlash, and moving the focus lens up to the focus point position.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a driving unit that drives a focus lens, a control unit, and a storing unit. The control unit controls the driving unit to move the focus lens through a predetermined range, determines a state of focus based on a signal from an image pickup unit, the signal being acquired in association with movement of the focus lens through the predetermined range, and controls the driving unit so that an object's image is in focus. The storing unit stores a position of the focus lens in focus acquired by the control unit. The control unit calculates a datum point of the range of movement of the focus lens, on the basis of the position of the focus lens in the storing unit, and shifts the range of movement of the focus lens in response to the calculated datum point in a direction in which the object moves.

Abstract: An image entering from the left side of the figure passes through a correcting lens unit, and forms an image on an image pickup device on the right side of the figure. The correcting lens unit includes a cylindrical outer frame and a lens arranged therein, and at coupling points, coupled to one end of each of electrostrictive coils and suspended thereby. Electrostrictive coils strain in response to voltages applied from a voltage applying unit, causing displacement of electrostrictive coils. The displacement is transmitted to correcting lens unit through the coupling points, and therefore, in accordance with the displacement from electrostrictive coils, position and/or direction of correcting lens unit changes.

Abstract: A camera module and an electric device using the same are provided. The camera module includes a lens, a voice coil motor and a magnetic element. The voice coil motor includes a movable wire-ring part and a magnetic fixed part. The movable wire-ring part clamps the lens and has an elastic element. The magnetic fixed part is disposed around the movable wire-ring part. As an electric current is inputted into the movable wire-ring part, the voice coil motor generates a pushing force for pushing the movable wire-ring part to shift along a first direction, meanwhile, the elastic element imposes an elastic restoring force onto the movable wire-ring part along the reverse direction of the first direction, and the magnetic element imposes a magnetic force onto the movable wire-ring part along the first direction.

Abstract: An axially actuating device having an elastic joining portion is provided, which is used for carrying an object and actuating the object to move axially, and comprises a fixed portion, a moving portion, and a joining member. The joining member is used to combine the fixed portion with the moving portion, such that the fixed portion and the moving portion are axially coupled with each other. Moreover, the fixed portion and the moving portion are respectively a fixed magnet and a coil, such that when a current is applied to the moving portion, the moving portion generates a relative displacement with respect to the fixed portion according to the current, so as to provide an axial displacement. Meanwhile, the moving energy is generated due to the repulsive interaction of the magnetic field, and thus a shock proofing efficacy is also provided.

Abstract: A camera comprising the following components is disclosed: a vibrating motor which drives a focus lens of an image-taking optical system, and a control circuit which controls the vibrating type motor to repeatedly drive and stop the focus lens, extracting higher frequency components from an image signal obtained from an image pickup device in each stopped state of the focus lens, and performing focus adjusting operation in accordance with a focus adjustment state of the image-taking optical system determined on the basis of the higher frequency components. The control circuit causes traveling wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member of the vibrating type motor when the focus lens is driven and causes standing wave vibration to be generated on the vibrating member while the focus lens is stopped during the focus adjusting operation.

Abstract: In a lens device, when a lens is subjected to speed control and when initialization in which an absolute position of the lens is initialized after a power supply is turned on is completed, the lens is returned to a position before the lens is initialized.

Abstract: A digital camera is constructed with multiple lenses mounted in a pair of tubular elements which are nested together for relative axial movement. Movement is provided by piezoelectric actuators mounted externally to a support tube on flexible printed circuit board elements. Each lens tube is provided with a drive rail which extends at least partially over the length of the lens tube and projects radially outward from the periphery of each of the tubes. The rails are accessible to the engagement pads of the piezoelectric actuators to allow the transmission of drive forces to each of the tubes.

Abstract: In a lens control apparatus for detecting a magnification lens position and a focus compensation lens and controlling a focus compensation position in zooming such that a focused position of the focus compensation lens with respect to a discrete magnification lens position is controlled with reference to a stored table in accordance with an object distance, when the magnification lens position and the focus compensation lens position are not stored in the table, the focus compensation lens position is estimated from the table data and the current lens positions.

Abstract: An optical apparatus according to the present invention enables a reduced drive distance in focusing operation of a focus lens to allow focus detection and focusing operation in a short time period. The optical apparatus has a detection unit which detects the attitude of the optical apparatus; and a controller which performs focus control for driving a focus lens included in an image-taking optical system based on a focus state of the image-taking optical system. The controller changes a drive start position of the focus lens in accordance with the attitude of the optical apparatus before the focus state of the image-taking optical system starts to be taken.

Abstract: A magnet of a driving apparatus for moving a member to be moved from one abut end position to the other abut end position is caused to generate a magnetic force acting in the direction of an optical axis as well as a torque acting in a rotational direction.