Abstract: An image capturing unit includes an imaging element and a dual-shot injection-molded optical folding element that are adjacent to each other. The imaging element is configured for an imaging light to pass through. The dual-shot injection-molded optical folding element includes a first part and a second part. The first part is made of transparent material. The first part has a reflective surface configured to reflect the imaging light. The second part is made of opaque material, and the second part is fixed at periphery of the first part. The second part includes a supporting portion configured to support the dual-shot injection-molded optical folding element. The supporting portion maintains the dual-shot injection-molded optical folding element at a predetermined position corresponding to the imaging element through mechanism assembly.

Abstract: An example head-mounted display device includes a light projector, an optical assembly arranged to direct light from a light projector to a user, and an actuator module. The optical assembly includes a variable focus lens assembly including a rigid refractive component, a shaper ring defining an aperture, and a flexible lens membrane between the shaper ring and the rigid refractive component and covering the aperture. The refractive component, the shaper ring, and the lens membrane are arranged along an axis. The refractive component and the lens membrane define a chamber containing a volume of fluid. The actuator module is configured to adjust an optical power of the variable focus lens by moving the shaper ring relative to the refractive component along the axis, such that a curvature of the lens membrane in the aperture is modified.

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system capable of realizing a high-resolution observation image display system that can arbitrarily change an observation field of view without changing a working distance of an observation optical system while keeping the observation optical system small in size and an imaging apparatus including the variable magnification optical system.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprising: an optical system which includes a focus adjustment optical system 32; an aperture 34 which limits the light beam which pass through the optical system to predetermined range at the time of detection of the focus state of the optical system; a drive 36 which drives the focus adjustment optical system 32; a memory 37 which stores a first predetermined value which is a aperture value within the predetermined range; and a transmitter 37 which sends the first predetermined value to the camera body 2.

Abstract: A display protection system for use in a portable electronic device includes first and second lenses overlaying the device display. The first lens includes an aperture over a lens sensor mounted in the device, whereas the second lens includes an opaque region in that same area. In this way, the lens sensor may detect the presence or absence of the secondary lens and adjust touch sensor behavior accordingly.

Abstract: An object is to provide a lens device that can share a cable and can prevent the unnecessary exposure of the cable, and an imaging apparatus that includes the lens device. A lens device according to an embodiment of the invention, includes a lens barrel, a control unit that is provided on the lens barrel, a cable of which one end is connected to the control unit and the other end is connected to the imaging apparatus main body, and a housing portion in which the cable is wound and housed and which is provided with an opening through which the cable is led out. The cable is housed in a circumferential direction of the lens barrel, and a length of a portion of the cable led out through the opening is changed by the change of a length of a housed portion of the cable.

Abstract: A viewfinder 3 includes a finder optical system S2 including first and second lens groups L1, L2; a zoom frame 6 provided with first and second cam grooves 63, 64 configured to rotate about an optical axis A2 to move the first and second lens groups L1, L2 in the optical axis direction in accordance with the shapes of the first and second cam grooves 63, 64; and a diopter adjuster 9 configured to adjust the diopter of the finder optical system S2. The diopter adjuster 9 changes the position of the zoom frame 6 in the optical axis direction to adjust the diopter of the finder optical system S2, and adjusts, during rotation of the zoom frame 6, the position of the zoom frame 6 in the optical axis direction such that the diopter of the finder optical system S2 is maintained.

Abstract: In a variable magnification viewfinder device, information displayed on a liquid crystal panel and a viewfinder image are combined with each other through a prism. When a variable power lens is inserted in a viewfinder optical path, viewfinder magnification is changed. Based on the change in the viewfinder magnification, brightness of a backlight unit is changed and luminance of the information displayed on the liquid crystal panel is changed. In a viewfinder field of view, the information and the viewfinder image are displayed at substantially the same brightness.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: a photographing optical system; an image capturing element; and a viewfinder device, in which the viewfinder device includes at least one variable magnification lens that may be inserted on and removed from an optical path of the viewfinder device, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the variable magnification lens, in which the image capturing apparatus further includes: a variable magnification lens control unit configured to supply a drive signal to the drive mechanism so as to control the insertion and removal of the variable magnification lens on and from the optical path, and perform a high-speed control to move the variable magnification lens through a maximum moving distance for a first time, and a low-speed control to move the variable magnification lens through the maximum moving distance for a second time that is longer than the first time.

Abstract: An imaging method includes imaging light from an object passed through an imaging optical system to acquire a taken image, changing an imaging magnification of the imaging optical system, and switching a finder magnification of a finder optical system different from the imaging optical system from a first finder magnification to a second finder magnification when the imaging magnification increases and switching the finder magnification from the second finder magnification to the first finder magnification when the imaging magnification decreases.

Abstract: A photographing device to photograph an object includes a displaying unit to display an image acquired from the object, an image recording unit to record the image, an enlarged image generating unit to extract a portion or whole of the image displayed on the displaying unit to generate an enlarged image from the image, and a display control unit to display the enlarged image instead of the image on the displaying unit or in an overlapped manner with the image before capturing the image into the image recording unit.

Abstract: The magnification of the variable magnification finder is switchable, and the finder includes a positive lens group, a negative lens group, and an eyepiece lens group in this order from an object side in a high magnification state. The positive lens group is retracted from an optical path of the variable magnification finder to the outside of the optical path and the negative lens group moves toward the object side when magnification is changed from the high magnification state to a low magnification state. The following conditional formula is satisfied when the focal length of the negative lens group is fN: ?15 mm<fN<?5 mm.

Abstract: The view finder includes an observation optical system for enlarged observation of information displayed on a display section. The observation optical system includes an optical path bending member for bending the optical path. The view finder is configured such that an angle formed between a principal ray of a maximum angle of view and the display section is in the range of 90±5 degrees.

Abstract: A zoom viewfinder substantially consists of, in order from the object side: a variable-magnification objective lens system substantially consisting of a first lens group that includes a negative first-group first lens and a reflective member arranged in this order from the object side, a positive second lens group that is moved during magnification change, and a positive third lens group that is moved during magnification change; an erect optical system having a reflective surface for converting an inverted image into an erect image; and a positive eyepiece lens system, wherein conditional expressions (1), (2A) and (3) below are satisfied: 1.5<U2/U1<3.0??(1), 1.76?|f2/f|<2.0??(2A) and 1.0<f3/f2<5.0??(3).

Abstract: A zoom viewfinder substantially consists of, in order from the object side: a variable-magnification objective lens system substantially consisting of a first lens group that includes a negative first-group first lens and a reflective member arranged in this order from the object side, a positive second lens group that is moved during magnification change, and a positive third lens group that is moved during magnification change; an erect optical system having a reflective surface for converting an inverted image into an erect image; and a positive eyepiece lens system, wherein conditional expressions (1), (2A) and (3) below are satisfied: 1.5<U2/U1<3.0??(1), 1.76?|f2/f1|<2.0??(2A) and 1.0<f3/f2<5.0??(3).

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, once the mode setting device sets the person photographing mode, and the face zooming instruction device instructs zooming to the face of the person, the detection device detects the size of the face of the person captured by the image pickup device. The zooming device is then controlled so as to capture the face of the person in a certain size based on the detection result. Subsequently, the photographer instructs zooming in the telephoto direction or the wide direction using the zooming instruction device as necessary to thereby allow fine adjustment of the composition. This enables to easily and quickly photograph an image in a user's desired composition.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: receiving means for receiving selection input for an imaging mode; discriminating means for discriminating, when the selection input is received through the receiving means, a selected imaging mode on the basis of the received selection input; and scanning controlling means for causing, when it is discriminated by the discriminating means that a simple imaging mode for limiting operation input and allowing a user to appropriately take an image of a subject is selected, the imaging apparatus to execute scanning processing for specifying a position of the subject, which is performed to set focus on the subject, in a maximum range from a near scene to a distant scene.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, once the mode setting device sets the person photographing mode, and the face zooming instruction device instructs zooming to the face of the person, the detection device detects the size of the face of the person captured by the image pickup device. The zooming device is then controlled so as to capture the face of the person in a certain size based on the detection result. Subsequently, the photographer instructs zooming in the telephoto direction or the wide direction using the zooming instruction device as necessary to thereby allow fine adjustment of the composition. This enables to easily and quickly photograph an image in a user's desired composition.

Abstract: An image sensor assembly includes a fixed focal length optical lens; a mirror that reflects light from the scene to an optical lens and moves into a plurality of positions; and an image sensor that receives the light after it passes through the optical lens and captures a plurality of images that represents each image captured from each position of the mirror; wherein at least portions of the plurality of images are stitched together to form a composite image with a desired zoom factor.

Abstract: The image-pickup apparatus includes an image acquiring part respectively photoelectrically converting first and second object images respectively formed by first and second light fluxes into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and photoelectrically converting a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider, and a split image generating part which generates split image data to be displayed in the third image data. The split image generating part generates the split image data based on the first image data and the second image data, and adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eyepiece optical system that, albeit being of small size, works in favor of gaining an angle of field and optical performance, and an electronic view finder incorporating such an eyepiece optical system. Specifically, the invention is characterized by comprising, in order from an object side to an exit side thereof, a first lens group that is a single lens that has positive refracting power and is in a meniscus configuration concave on its object side, a second lens group that is a single lens that has negative refracting power and is in a meniscus configuration concave on its object side, and a third lens group that is a single lens that has positive refracting power, wherein an object-side concave lens surface in the first lens group is an aspheric surface, an object-side concave lens surface in the second lens group is an aspheric surface, and an exit-side lens surface in the third lens group is an aspheric surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eyepiece optical system that, albeit being of small size, works in favor of gaining an angle of field and optical performance, and an electronic view finder incorporating such an eyepiece optical system. Specifically, the invention is characterized by comprising, in order from an object side to an exit side thereof, a first lens group that is a single lens that has positive refracting power and is in a meniscus configuration concave on its object side, a second lens group that is a single lens that has negative refracting power and is in a meniscus configuration concave on its object side, and a third lens group that is a single lens that has positive refracting power, wherein an object-side concave lens surface in the first lens group is an aspheric surface, an object-side concave lens surface in the second lens group is an aspheric surface, and an exit-side lens surface in the third lens group is an aspheric surface.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera apparatus for shooting an object to output an image signal and a camera control apparatus for controlling the camera apparatus such that the camera apparatus shoots a plurality of images constructing a panorama image in a predetermined order while changing zoom magnifications based on previously-determined setting and making a panorama image by joining a plurality of images with different zoom magnifications shot by the camera apparatus together.

Abstract: A variable power optical system composed of a first optical part, a second optical part, and a third optical part, with the first optical part being movable with respect to the second and third optical parts to change the focal length of the entire system. The first optical part is movably held between the second optical part and the third optical part. The first optical part moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis over a distance between the position on the optical system of the entire system and the position of retraction from the optical axis of the entire system.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an imaging device and a camera realizing simultaneously a high magnification zoom lens system and the miniaturization of the device. The imaging device (2) includes a first lens group (G1), a second group frame unit (42), a first group frame unit (41), a motor unit (32), a third lens group (G3), and a CCD unit (33). The first lens group (G1) takes in a light flux incident along a first optical axis (A1). The second group frame unit (42) bends the light flux incident along the first optical axis (A1) to a direction along a second optical axis (A2). The first group frame unit (41) retains the first lens group (G1), and moves the first lens group (G1) in the direction along the first optical axis (A1). The motor unit (32) drives the first group frame unit (41).

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit which captures image data of an object, a zoom image data generating unit which generates items of zoom image data having different zoom magnifications, a display control unit which displays through images on a display unit based on the items of the generated zoom image data, a selection unit which selects one of the zoom magnifications by selecting one of the through images displayed on the display unit, and a recording control unit which records image data corresponding to the selected zoom magnification in a storing medium.

Abstract: A device may establish a distance of a device from a reference object. The device may also determine a difference or change in the distance, obtain a zoom value based on the difference or change, and zoom in or out on a view based on the zoom value.

Abstract: The image-pickup apparatus includes a controller that controls the energization of the actuator for driving the aperture stop. The controller receives from a lens apparatus information on a time period for controlling the energization of the actuator, the information being set corresponding to the type of the actuator. During an image-pickup period in a state in which the aperture stop has been driven to a target aperture position, the controller outputs to the lens apparatus an instruction for stopping the energization of the actuator or reducing the energization amount thereof in response to the elapse of the time period. This can reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A variable power optical system composed of a first optical part (G1) for refraction, a second optical part (G2) for reflection or transmission, and a third optical part (G3) for refraction, with the first optical part being movable with respect to the second and third optical parts to change the focal length of the entire system, wherein the second optical part or the third optical part has a guide 4 which is in contact partly with the first optical part in such a way as to restrict its moving direction and the first optical part is movably held between the second optical part and the third optical part. This structure eliminates the necessity of separately forming the guide to move G1. The guide 4 is formed from a synthetic resin integrally with the stationary optical part (G3).

Abstract: A zoom lens driving apparatus achieves the object of driving multiple lens groups by a single motor and low production cost. When a first lens group, which includes a first lens, moves along guide rods, a leading cam of a leading member drives a leading pin of a follower, so that the follower moves a guide pin, and moves a second lens group, which includes a second lens, along the guide rods. The relative distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is controlled by the leading cam.

Abstract: A lens drive mechanism, enabled to move lens holding member in a stable state, is disclosed. The lens drive mechanism comprises: first and second guide members, each extending in a predetermined direction; a first lens holding member holding a first lens and including a first cam follower portion and a first sleeve portion which engages with the first guide member and is guided in the predetermined direction; a second lens holding member holding a second lens and including a second cam follower portion and a second sleeve portion, which engages with the second guide member and is guided in the predetermined direction; and a cam member engaging with the first and second cam follower portions and driving the first and second lens holding members.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a camera capable of reducing the size by reducing the range of movement of a view finder driving member which operates interlocked with an image-taking lens barrel. The camera includes an image-taking lens barrel which performs a operation in a collapse region and performs a zooming operation in an image-taking region, a view finder optical system including a movable lens unit and a view finder driving member having a cam which drives the movable lens unit. The image-taking lens barrel operates interlocked with the view finder driving member in the image-taking region and the interlock between the image-taking lens barrel and the view finder driving member is released in the collapse region.

Abstract: A zoom lens apparatus is provided. In the zoom lens apparatus, rotation of a motor is transmitted to a cam drive gear by reducing a speed thereof by a plurality of reduction gears. The cam drive gear transmits rotation thereof to a zoom cam provided coaxially therewith. A first lens group and a second lens group are moved in an optical axis direction by rotation of the zoom cam to carry out zoom adjusting. An interval between the cam drive gear and the zoom cam is provided with a nontransmitting section in which rotation of the cam drive gear is not transmitted to the zoom cam when a rotational direction of the cam drive gear is switched, by rotation of the cam drive gear in the nontransmitting section, the zoom cam is slid in an axial direction. Thereby, also the first lens group and the second lens group connected and engaged with the zoom cam are moved in the optical axis direction along therewith to adjust a focus.

Abstract: A rotation transfer mechanism includes a rotatable ring and has a circumferential gear formed on a peripheral surface of the rotatable ring, and a rotation transfer gear, wherein rotation of the rotatable ring is transferred to the rotation transfer gear via engagement of the circumferential gear with the rotation transfer gear while the rotatable ring and the rotation transfer gear move relative to each other throughout the entire relative movement range of the rotatable ring and the rotation transfer gear shaft. The rotation transfer gear includes a gear portion engaged with the circumferential gear to transfer the rotation of the rotatable ring to the rotation transfer gear, and a rotation limit portion having a non-circular cross-section engageable with an outer edge of the circumferential gear to prohibit the rotation transfer gear from rotating.

Abstract: An image-taking lens apparatus has an image sensor for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and an image-taking lens system for forming the optical image on the image sensor. The image-taking lens system includes a prism for bending the optical path, and the refractive index of the prism fulfills a prescribed conditional formula.

Abstract: A zoom finder drive mechanism, driven only when taking a picture. When a lens barrel is in a collapsed position, the cam-follower pin of a rotary barrel does not abut at an end of a protrusion of a finder cam barrel such that a first and second movable finder lenses are idle. When taking a picture, the cam-follower of the rotary barrel is abutted at the end of the protrusion of the finder cam barrel such that the first and second movable finder lenses are driven.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera includes an optical-element drive mechanism for a photographing optical system, and a zooming-associating mechanism for associating a zooming-associated driven member with a zooming operation to be driven by the optical-element drive mechanism in a ready-to-photograph state, and for releasing the association of the zooming-associated driven member with the zooming operation between the ready-to-photograph state and the retracted state. The zooming-associating mechanism includes three rotational members, and includes a master rotational member and a slave rotational member at opposite ends thereof. Opposed surfaces of two adjacent rotational members include rotation transfer portions engaged with each other at predetermined relative angular positions so as to integrally rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus, a control method, and a control program which permit a first change operation of optically changing magnifications of a taken image and a second change operation of changing the magnifications by signal processing and in which a predetermined restriction that is not imposed on transition from the second change operation to the first change operation is imposed on transition from the first change operation to the second change operation.

Abstract: A rotation transfer mechanism includes a rotatable ring including an annular gear portion on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a rotation transfer gear including a gear portion engageable with the annular gear portion and a rotation limit portion engageable with an outer edge of the annular gear portion to prohibit the rotation transfer gear from rotating; and a driven member drivable by a rotation of the rotation transfer gear. The rotation transfer gear and the rotatable ring are positioned relative to each other such that the gear portion and the annular gear portion are engaged with each other when the rotatable ring performs a fixed-position rotating operation, and such that the rotation limit portion faces the annular gear portion and is configured to contact the outer edge of the annular gear portion when the rotatable ring performs an advancing/retracting operation.

Abstract: A camera can reduce the size of the camera. The camera comprises a lens barrel which allows the focal length of an image-taking optical system to be changed, a view finder unit for observing an object image, a cam member having a cam for driving the view finder unit, which moves around the lens barrel in a first area and a barrel driving mechanism which is arranged around the lens barrel in a second area and drives the lens barrel.

Abstract: A finder optical system includes an eyepiece optical system with a positive refracting power. The eyepiece optical system includes an optical unit with a positive refracting power and a lens unit with a positive refracting power, In the eyepiece optical system, a refracting surface that is located most distant from an eyepoint of the eyepiece optical system has a positive refracting power and is configured as an aspherical surface with a negative refracting power on a periphery thereof.

Abstract: A camera can reduce thickness of a driving member in the diameter direction is disclosed. The camera comprises an actuator, a driven unit and a driving member that rotates around the image-taking optical axis by the driving force from the actuator and transmits the driving force to the driven unit. Herein, two gears are formed integrally on the outer and inner circumferences of the driving member, and of these two gears, a first gear is interconnected to the actuator and a second gear is interconnected to the driven unit, and the two gears are formed at different positions in the direction of the image-taking optical axis in the driving member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a camera capable of reducing the size by reducing the range of movement of a view finder driving member which operates interlocked with an image-taking lens barrel. The camera includes an image-taking lens barrel which performs a operation in a collapse region and performs a zooming operation in an image-taking region, a view finder optical system including a movable lens unit and a view finder driving member having a cam which drives the movable lens unit. The image-taking lens barrel operates interlocked with the view finder driving member in the image-taking region and the interlock between the image-taking lens barrel and the view finder driving member is released in the collapse region.

Abstract: A camera which causes a lens unit to move accurately through a cam member is disclosed. The camera comprises a lens unit with movable lenses making up a view finder optical system, a cam member having a cam which engages with the lens unit for driving the lens unit in conjunction with the operation of the image-taking optical system, a first bias member which biases the cam member in one of moving directions of the cam member, and a second bias member which biases the lens unit so as to contact the cam surface.

Abstract: A real image mode finder optical system is constructed to be independent of a photographing optical system and includes, in order from the object side, an objective optical system with a positive refracting power, a field frame located in the proximity of the imaging position of the objective optical system, and an eyepiece optical system with a positive refracting power. The real image mode finder optical system has an image erecting means, and the focal length of the objective optical system can be made shorter than that of the eyepiece optical system. In this case, the real image mode finder optical system satisfies the following condition: 0.52<mh/fe<1 where mh is the maximum width of the field frame and fe is the focal length of the eyepiece optical system.

Abstract: A viewfinder assembly mounting system includes a mounting hole formed at least in one of a camera body and a base barrel in a direction of an optical axis, a viewfinder assembly provided with a guide hole corresponding to the mounting hole of the base barrel; and a guide member inserted and coupled to the mounting hole and the guide hole in the direction of the optical axis. The guide member is either a strobe guide member or a viewfinder lens guide member for respectively guiding a motion of the strobe and the viewfinder lens in a direction of an optical axis by synchronizing with the barrel.

Abstract: A compact finder with excellent optical performance, and a camera including the finder are disclosed. The finder of the present invention includes an objective optical system, and an eyepiece optical system. The objective optical system includes, from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive power, a second lens unit having negative power, a third lens unit having positive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive power. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens unit is moved toward the image side, the third lens unit is moved toward the object side, and the fourth lens unit is moved such that an air space between the fourth lens unit and the third lens unit is changed. The camera of the present invention includes a photo-taking optical system, and the finder of the present invention whose optical axis is different from an optical axis of the photo-taking optical system.

Abstract: A real-image variable-magnification viewfinder includes objective optical system having positive optical power, eyepiece optical system having positive optical power, and erecting optical system. The objective optical system has first lens unit having positive optical power, second lens unit having negative optical power, and third lens unit having positive optical power. As zooming is performed from wide-angle end to telephoto end, second and third lens units are moved so they come closer to each other. Following conditional formulae are fulfilled: −0.75<m2W<−0.3, −2<m2T<−1.05, −0.75<m3W<−0.3, −2<m3T<−1.05, l2>l3, where m2W and m2T represents lateral magnification of second lens unit at wide-angle end and at telephoto end, m3W and m3T represents lateral magnification of third lens unit at wide-angle end and at telephoto end, and L2 and L3 represent movement distance of second lens unit and of third lens unit over entire zoom range.