Abstract: The present invention discloses an adjustment device and method thereof which are applied for adjusting a photosensitive element. The adjustment device comprises a first platform, a second platform, a third platform and a cover. The first platform comprises a curved surface body and a positioning elastic element. The second platform, having a recess corresponding to each curved surface body and having a loading support portion, is arranged on a side of the first platform. The third platform is arranged on the other side of the first platform, and when the third platform, moves in an axial direction, the first and second platform moves together with the third platform. The cover compresses the photosensitive element against the second platform. When the inclination of photosensitive element is adjusted by the adjustment device, each curve surface body and each recess keep in contact due to the expansion of each positioning elastic element.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is improved in space efficiency for an optical system element, thereby reducing the apparatus size when a lens barrel is retracted. An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens barrel that moves between a retracted position and a shooting position in an optical axis direction to thereby change a photographing magnification. A prism bends an optical beam incident from a lens group of the lens barrel. A diaphragm-shutter element is capable of moving along the direction of the second optical axis together with a stepping motor for actuating the diaphragm-shutter element. The stepping motor is disposed, at least when the lens group is in the retracted position, at a position where the stepping motor overlaps the prism in parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel that is capable of decreasing a barrel length under a retracted condition by simplifying a configuration. The lens barrel changes a focal length by moving first and second lens groups in an optical axis direction. A light-amount adjusting member is located between the first and second lens groups. First, second, third holding frames hold the first lens group, the second lens group, and the light-amount adjusting member, respectively. A cam mechanism moves the first, second, and third holding frames in the optical axis direction so that a part of the second lens group is inserted into the aperture of the light-amount adjusting member and concave and convex surfaces of the first and second lens groups are overlapped in the optical axis direction under a retracted condition. The aperture diameter of the light-amount adjusting member is enlarged when shifting to the retracted condition from a shooting condition.

Abstract: A webcam with an optical lens that can manually be moved into a position in front of the camera lens. The lens may slide or be rotated to a position in front of the camera lens. The optical lens may be a zoom lens, such that, in combination with the lens of the camera, a fixed zoom or magnification function is provided. Alternately, at least a second lens may also be provided, such as to provide two fixed zoom positions. The two lenses could be moved together with a single mechanical structure, or separately with two different manual controls.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element suspended on a support structure by a plurality of flexures which are non-uniformly configured to apply forces having differing components perpendicular to the movement axis generating a net moment around the center of mass of the movable element in an opposite sense from the moment generated by the actuation force. A shape memory alloy wire is coupled between the support structure and an intermediate body engaging the movable element through a pivotal contact to avoid lateral force transfer. Also coupled between the support structure and the intermediate body is a resilient biassing flexure plastically deformed in a partial region thereof. The shape memory alloy wire is crimped by a crimping member fixed to the support structure holding the shape memory alloy wire against a curved surface from which the shape alloy memory wire extends to the movable element.

Abstract: An optical system includes an aperture diaphragm having such a curved surface shape that an aperture part moves in an optical axis direction as an aperture diameter changes. The aperture diaphragm has a convex shape on an object side when an optical system on the object side of the aperture diaphragm has a negative refractive power, and the aperture diaphragm has a convex shape on an image side when the optical system on the object side of the aperture diaphragm has a positive refractive power.

Abstract: An optical network unit (ONU) comprising a first optical fiber, a first optical circulator coupled to the first optical fiber, a first seed light injected laser coupled to the first optical circulator, wherein the first optical circulator is positioned between the first seed light injected laser and the first optical fiber, and a second seed light injected laser coupled to the first optical circulator and the first seed light injected laser, wherein the first optical circulator is positioned between the second seed light injected laser and the first optical fiber. Also disclosed is a method comprising receiving a seed light signal, amplifying the seed light signal using seed light injection locking, thereby producing an amplified seed light signal, and producing an optical signal using the amplified seed light signal and seed light injection locking, wherein the optical signal has about the same wavelength as the seed light signal.

Abstract: A focusing method and apparatus for providing focus evaluation value information regarding a focus region of an image of a subject, which is obtained by performing auto focusing, without having to enlarge the focus region, and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon the focusing method. Accordingly, a user may precisely and finely perform manual focusing on the focus region.

Abstract: A lens barrel that reinforces a connecting part between a movable lens barrel and a fixed barrel, without requiring a new drive source, is disclosed. The lens barrel includes: a rotary barrel fitted in a fixed barrel; a cam mechanism for connecting the rotary barrel and the fixed barrel; and a ring member. The fixed barrel includes an engagement section and a rotary drive mechanism for revolving the ring member. The rotary drive mechanism locates the ring member to an engagement-enabling position when a connection by the cam mechanism reaches a predetermined position, directing the connection from a first end to a second end of an idle revolving area, the first end continuing to an advancement/retreat movement area; and to a release position, when the connection by the cam mechanism is located at the first end of the idle revolving area.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a focusing function and a focal length varying function of a main lens. The digital camera includes a main imaging unit configured to generate a main image by performing a photoelectric conversion from a subject obtained via the main lens, a sub-imaging unit configured to generate a sub-image by performing a photoelectric conversion from the subject obtained via a sub-lens, a focal length acquiring unit configured to acquire the focal length of the main lens, a magnification setting unit configured to set a level of magnification on the basis of the focal length, a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by combining the main image and the sub-image, after at least one of the main image and the sub-image is magnified at the level of magnification, and an image display unit configured to display the composite image.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel including a subject-side lens guided by guide bars, comprising a first guide shaft that is disposed within a cylindrical fixed cylinder and oriented along an axial direction of the fixed cylinder; a second guide shaft that is disposed outside the fixed cylinder and oriented along the axial direction, and arranged such that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the first guide shaft in a longitudinal direction of the first guide shaft; a first holding member that holds a first lens, includes a first engaging member that engages with the first guide shaft, and moves along the first guide shaft; and a second holding member that holds a second lens positioned on a subject side of the first lens, includes a second engaging member that engages with the second guide shaft, and moves along the second guide shaft, wherein at least a portion of movement range of the first engaging member on the first guide shaft overlaps in the axial direction with at least a portion of movement range of th

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image taking optical system, an optical filter into which the light from the image taking optical system enters, an image pickup element electrically converting the optical image formed by the light that has passed through the optical filter, an image pickup element holding member holding the image pickup element together with the optical filter, and a lens holding member holding an image surface side lens unit disposed closest to the optical filter. The lens and image pickup element holding members are moved relatively to each other in an optical axis direction, and include dust-proof walls that surround a space between the image surface side lens unit and the optical filter and mutually overlap in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction in an entire range where the lens and image pickup element holding members are relatively moved.

Abstract: A pop up prism camera (10) having a pop up prism lens assembly (11). A first lens assembly (14), a second lens assembly (18), and a prism assembly (21) are moved in relationship to a camera housing (12) controlled by a cam tube (20). The prism assembly (21) projects outside the camera housing (12) when the pop up prism camera (10) is in an operational configuration. A prism (100) of the prism assembly (21) redirects an optical path (48). A non-angled portion (44) of a first cam groove (30) causes the prism assembly (21) to remain fixed relative to the camera housing (12) while continued rotation of the cam tube (20) allows the first lens assembly (14) and the second lens assembly (18) to continue to move to accomplish a lens zoom function.

Abstract: The image pickup system is constituted by a lens apparatus including a focus lens and an image pickup apparatus performing image pickup through the lens apparatus. The system includes an operating part being operated to instruct a movement of the focus lens, a controller performing focus position control to move the focus lens to a position corresponding to an operation amount of the operating part, a ranging part detecting an object distance in each of plural ranging areas included in an image pickup region, and a determining part determining a distance range where the object distances detected in the plural ranging areas are distributed. The system further includes a changing part changing a relationship between the operation amount of the operating part and the position of the focus lens in the focus position control according to a determination result by the determining part.

Abstract: There are provided a camera system and an interchangeable lens that are compatible with a contrast detection method. A camera system (1) has an interchangeable lens unit (2) and a camera body (3). A lens microcomputer (40) changes the movable range of a second lens group (L2) via a focus lens drive controller (41) depending on whether a second holder (61) is driven by the focus lens drive controller (41) and a focus motor (80) on the basis of angle information inputted to a zoom ring (64) of the interchangeable lens unit (2), or the second holder (61) is driven by the focus lens drive controller (41) on the basis of contrast information.

Abstract: A lens barrel which can be extended over a larger amount without increasing the length of the lens barrel in a collapsed state. A movable barrel having a cam formed on an inner periphery thereof is movable in an optical axis direction. The movable barrel is extended toward an object in a shooting state, and is housed in a collapsed state. A lens holding frame holds a first lens group disposed closest to an object side of lens groups arranged in the optical axis direction. The lens holding frame including a fitting portion for slidably fitting to the cam is capable of moving in the optical axis direction, following a profile line of the cam. Barrier blades are disposed on the object side of the first lens group. A barrier drive ring is connected to the lens holding frame is rotatable to open and close the barrier blades.

Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of reducing, when the lens barrel is in a stored position, the thickness of an image pickup apparatus in its optical axis direction and also the diameter of the lens barrel. The lens barrel has a first lens, a second lens, a lens holding unit adapted to hold the second lens, and an iris diaphragm. The lens barrel moves between a photographing position and a stored position in the optical axis direction. The second lens includes a convex spherical portion protruding toward the first lens. The second lens is arranged close to the first lens and an inner circumferential portion of the diaphragm blades is arranged inwardly in the radial direction with respect to the lens holding unit and oppositely to the convex spherical portion in the radial direction, when the lens barrel is in the stored position.

Abstract: When a hand shake reducing mode has been set for shooting a subject, an exposure is controlled in accordance with a program diagram (solid line) B for the shake reducing mode, which is different from a program diagram (broken line) A for a normal mode. In a state where a shutter speed is set to less than “ 1/80”, two-pixel addition and/or four-pixel addition is executed on an imaging signal to amplify subject luminance, raising ISO sensitivity. A shutter speed set to fall in a high speed range reduces deterioration in image quality due to hand shake and/or subject movement during a shooting operation.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first supporting frame, an optical element, a second supporting frame, and a guide shaft. The first supporting frame has a first base portion and a first seat portion that projects in a first direction from the first base portion. The second supporting frame supports the optical element and has a first bearing portion. The guide shaft is coupled to the first seat portion and inserted into the first bearing portion. The first seat portion is disposed within the circumference of the guide shaft when viewed in the first direction.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided with a lens barrel that includes a flexible substrate that is electrically connected to a magnetically driven apparatus and drive ring that drives the lens barrel by rotating. The drive rings include through grooves that pass through the drive ring and a flexible substrate passes therethrough from the inside to the outside of the lens barrel and a strobe cam that is provided on the outer circumferential side of the drive ring. In addition, the through groove and the strobe cam are disposed so as to coincide in the rotation direction of the drive ring.

Abstract: An optical device for a lens assembly of a camera module is disclosed. The optical device includes a liquid lens having at least one fixed lens and a transparent window, facing each other and delimiting, at least in part, an internal volume containing two immiscible liquids having different optical indices, and a first and a second electrode. The liquids form an interface moveable by application of a voltage between said electrodes. The optical device also includes a liquid lens holder, wherein the liquid lens holder has at least one electrical contact for contacting one electrode of the liquid lens, and at least one Z reference datum for aligning the fixed lens of the liquid lens with other optical elements of the lens assembly.

Abstract: A lens barrel that is capable of decreasing a barrel length under a retracted condition by simplifying a configuration. The lens barrel changes a focal length by moving first and second lens groups in an optical axis direction. A light-amount adjusting member is located between the first and second lens groups. First, second, third holding frames hold the first lens group, the second lens group, and the light-amount adjusting member, respectively. A cam mechanism moves the first, second, and third holding frames in the optical axis direction so that a part of the second lens group is inserted into the aperture of the light-amount adjusting member and concave and convex surfaces of the first and second lens groups are overlapped in the optical axis direction under a retracted condition. The aperture diameter of the light-amount adjusting member is enlarged when shifting to the retracted condition from a shooting condition.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first, third and fourth lens group of positive refracting power, a second lens group of negative refracting power, wherein, during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, at least the first lens group moves, wherein the third lens group includes, a first lens sub-group of positive refracting power and a second lens sub-group of negative refracting power, wherein the second lens sub-group includes a single negative lens, wherein the first lens sub-group of the third lens group is moved in a direction having a perpendicular component relative to an optical axis to correct image blur to be produced when the zoom lens vibrates, and wherein, when a focal length of the first lens group is denoted by f1 and the focal length of the whole system at the wide-angle end is denoted by fw, a conditional expression 11.962?f1/fw<20.0 is satisfied.

Abstract: A dual lens optical system includes a first optical system and a second optical system selectively redirecting at least one of two lights of representing images of object from two incident lenses into a first optical axis of light toward an image sensor by at least one reflection member, wherein, at least one optical element is disposed between an image sensor and the reflection member.

Abstract: An optical device with a deformable membrane (2) including an anchor area (2.3) on a support (1) entrapping a liquid or gas fluid, a central area (2.1) reversibly deformable from a rest position, actuating means for moving the fluid (4) biasing the membrane (2) into an intermediate area between the anchor area (2.3) and the central area (2.1), the actuating means include a piezoelectric continuous crown accommodating several actuators (5.1), this crown surrounding the central area (2.1), the actuating means (5) being anchored to the membrane (2) in at least the intermediate area (2.2), the actuating means (5) and the membrane (2) to which they are anchored, forming at least one piezoelectric bimorph (B), the actuating means (5) radially contracting or extending upon actuation so as to generate a movement of said fluid (4) from the intermediate area (2.2) to the central area (2.1) of the membrane (2) or vice versa, aiming at deforming the central area (2.1) with respect to its rest position.

Abstract: A method for driving a lens and a lens driving apparatus, the lens driving apparatus including a base in which a guide member is disposed; a lens support member comprising an installation unit disposed on one side thereof to slidingly move along the guide member, wherein at least one lens is mounted in the lens support member; a driving structure configured to move the lens support member and comprising a lead screw; a working member having one portion contacting the driving structure and another portion contacting one side of the installation unit; an elastic member for providing the installation unit with an elastic force; and wherein a predetermined space is disposed between the installation unit and the base, and wherein the installation unit is configured to be moved to the base by a means other than the driving structure.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens including a fitting unit that can be fitted to and removed from a camera body; an imaging optical system that has an aperture, and whose focal length is variable over a range from a first focal length to a second focal length; and an MTF characteristic transmission unit that transmits MTF characteristic data specifying MTF characteristics of the imaging optical system to the camera body.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: a zoom lens; and an image pickup device converting an optical image formed by the zoom lens into an electric signal. The zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group with a negative focal length, a second lens group with a positive focal length, a third lens group with a negative focal length, and a fourth lens group with a positive focal length. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens group moves along a locus having a convex shape toward an image side while decreasing an air space between the first and second lens groups, and the second and third lens groups move toward the object side while increasing an air space therebetween.

Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus has a zoom optical system in which the most object-side lens unit A includes one biconcave-shaped negative lens component, each of air-contact-surfaces of which is configured as an aspherical surface, and when the magnification of the zoom optical system is changed in the range from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position, the lens unit A is moved back and forth along the optical axis in such a way that the lens unit A is initially moved toward the image side, and an electronic imaging unit that has an electronic image sensor so that image data picked up by the electronic image sensor are electrically processed and can be output as image data whose format is changed. In this case, in nearly infinite object point focusing, the zoom optical system satisfies the following condition: 0.7<y07/(fw·tan ?07w)<0.94 where y07 is expressed by y07=0.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a smart phone with a lens comprising a main body, a circuit board, a lens module, a speaker module and a flash module. The main body includes a rear casing having a circuit board mount formed at a lower portion of an inner surface of the rear casing, a lens mount formed at a position adjacent to an upper side of the circuit board mount and attached onto a lateral edge of the rear casing, and a speaker mount formed at an upper edge of the inner surface of the rear casing corresponding to another lateral edge of the rear casing. The circuit board is mounted in the circuit board mount. The lens module is mounted in the lens mount. The speaker module is mounted in the speaker mount. The flash module is mounted between the lens module and the upper edge of the rear casing.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes an incident-side reflecting surface provided in a casing and reflects object-emanating light, entering the casing in a thickness direction thereof, along a lengthwise direction of the casing; a movable lens group movable along the lengthwise direction of the casing; an exit-side reflecting surface reflecting the light in the thickness direction of the casing; an image sensor provided in the casing and receiving the light from the exit-side reflecting surface; a light shield frame between the movable lens group and the exit-side reflecting surface; and a light-shield-frame position adjustment mechanism provided in the casing, which maintains a constant distance between the movable lens group an the light shield frame when the movable lens group moves in a first moving range, and varies the distance between the movable lens group and the light shield frame when the movable lens group moves in a second moving range.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: a lens unit capable of changing a focal length; an imaging unit that outputs an image signal according to light incident through the lens unit; a filter capable of moving in a direction of insertion to an optical path of the imaging unit and in a direction of retraction from the optical path; and a control unit that controls a position of the filter using information related to the focal length of the lens unit.

Abstract: A gear support mechanism for supporting two gears and an intermediate gear which meshes with the two gears to transfer rotation of one of the two gears to the other, includes a gear-shaft support member(s) which supports a gear shaft of the intermediate gear; and a spring member installed between the gear-shaft support member and the intermediate gear. The spring member includes a gear contacting portion which is in contact with the intermediate gear, and resilient support legs extend radially from the gear contacting portion and are in contact with the gear-shaft support member, the spring member biasing the intermediate gear in a direction of an axis of the gear shaft. Each of the two gears is positioned in an inter-leg space between adjacent resilient support legs as viewed in a direction along the axis of the gear shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a lens module and its temperature-compensating method. The lens module primarily includes several lenses and a compensating lens. The several lenses comprise two plastic lenses and the ratio of the focal length of one plastic lens to the other is predetermined. The temperature-compensating method employs the compensating lens to shift alone an optical axis for compensation of the focal length departure. In one embodiment, the ratio of the two focal lengths is more than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 2.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is improved in space efficiency for an optical system element, thereby reducing the apparatus size when a lens barrel is retracted. An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens barrel that moves between a retracted position and a shooting position in an optical axis direction to thereby change a photographing magnification. A prism bends an optical beam incident from a lens group of the lens barrel. A diaphragm-shutter element is capable of moving along the direction of the second optical axis together with a stepping motor for actuating the diaphragm-shutter element. The stepping motor is disposed, at least when the lens group is in the retracted position, at a position where the stepping motor overlaps the prism in parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.

Abstract: A camera (1), in particular in a space vehicle, having a housing (2) which contains at least one optically sensitive exposure surface (7), and a base lens (9), having a first fixed focal length, connected thereto in each case, and which projects on the at least one exposure surface (7) and which is situated on a first optical axis (10) for the exposure surface (7). To provide the camera with various fields of view, in particular for the approach of two satellites toward one another over large distances, at least two afocal supplementary lenses (11, 12) which are each parallel with respect to their optical axes (15, 16) and spaced at a distance from the first optical axis (10) are situated in the housing (2), whose optical paths are alternately coupleable with the aid of a pivotable prism (17), to form further fixed focal lengths in an optical path of the base lens (9).

Abstract: A camera unit (1) of a camera device includes: a lens unit (2) having a size according to zoom magnification; a tilt chassis (3) that rotatably supports the lens unit (2) in a tilt direction; and a pan chassis (4) that rotatably supports the lens unit (2) in a pan direction through the tilt chassis (3). The tilt chassis (3) has a plurality of attaching positions to the pan chassis (4). Additionally, the tilt chassis (3) is attached to the pan chassis (4) at an attaching position of the plurality of attaching positions according to the size of the lens unit (2). As a result of this, cost, time, and labor required for development of the chassis can be reduced, and development efficiency of the chassis is improved.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens holding frame configured to hold a lens and being provided with a cam follower, a guide tube engaging with the lens holding frame and being configured to rectilinearly guide the lens holding frame in an optical axis direction, and a cam tube engaging with the cam follower and being provided with a cam slot which engages with the cam follower, the cam tube being configured to rotate about the optical axis thereby to move the lens holding member in the optical axis direction, wherein the cam slot has a locus including a flat portion orthogonal to the optical axis and a lift portion not orthogonal to the optical axis, wherein the flat portion has a surface perpendicular to the optical axis, and wherein the cam follower has a surface parallel to the perpendicular surface.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus which has an optical system, the focal length of which is variable, and an image sensing element that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal, and can sense and record a moving image and still image, includes a focal length detection circuit for detecting the focal length of the optical system, and a control unit for inhibiting recording of the still image in accordance with the focal length detected by the focal length detection circuit.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for transporting information from a central information distribution center (CIDC) to locations where such information is intended. Upon receiving a request for narrowcast information to be delivered to a node associated with a head end, the CIDC selects the requested information, generates an optical signal encoded with the requested information using information channels dedicated to narrowcast information transport for the node, and sends the optical signal to the head end via an optical fiber. When the head end receives the optical signal, the narrowcast information transport channels dedicated to the node are translated into subcarriers acceptable to the node before the requested narrowcast information is forwarded to the node.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a compact focusing lens unit and has a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The system includes an aperture diaphragm, a first lens unit having negative optical power and being closest to the object side, a third lens unit arranged on the object side relative to the aperture diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm, and a fourth lens unit arranged on the image side relative to the aperture diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm. At the time of zooming, interval between the aperture diaphragm and the third lens unit arranged on the object side relative to the diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm varies, and interval between the aperture diaphragm and the fourth lens unit arranged on the image side relative to the diaphragm and being adjacent to the diaphragm varies.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a movable aperture-control lens group, and a variable aperture-stop mechanism provided in front or behind the aperture-control lens group. The variable aperture-stop mechanism includes an aperture blade opening/closing mechanism including at least one movable aperture blade and varies the size of an adjustable aperture. The variable aperture-stop mechanism includes a fixed circular aperture which is smaller than a large-sized adjustable aperture and greater than a small-sized adjustable aperture. The movable aperture blade and the fixed circular aperture are positioned in that order from the aperture-control lens group side. When the zoom lens retracts to the accommodated position thereof, the adjustable aperture enlarges in size while the variable aperture-stop mechanism moves to a close position to the aperture-control lens group, so that at least part of the aperture-control lens group enters the large-size adjustable aperture.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided with a lens barrel that includes a flexible substrate that is electrically connected to a magnetically driven apparatus and drive ring that drives the lens barrel by rotating. The drive rings include through grooves that pass through the drive ring and a flexible substrate passes therethrough from the inside to the outside of the lens barrel and a strobe cam that is provided on the outer circumferential side of the drive ring. In addition, the through groove and the strobe cam are disposed so as to coincide in the rotation direction of the drive ring.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first, third and fourth lens group of positive refracting power, a second lens group of negative refracting power, wherein, during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, at least the first lens group moves, wherein the third lens group includes, a first lens sub-group of positive refracting power and a second lens sub-group of negative refracting power, wherein the second lens sub-group includes a single negative lens, wherein the first lens sub-group of the third lens group is moved to keep a perpendicular component relative to an optical axis to correct image blur to be produced when the zoom lens vibrates, and wherein, when a focal length of the first lens group is denoted by f1 and the focal length of the whole system at the wide-angle end is denoted by fw, a conditional expression 10.0<f1/fw<20.0 is satisfied.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a reflection member configured to bend an optical path, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. In the zoom lens, two or more lens units of the first through the third lens unit move during zooming. In addition, in the zoom lens, the third lens unit includes a first lens sub-unit, and a second lens sub-unit configured to move in a direction having a component perpendicular to the optical axis to displace an image forming position.

Abstract: Systems and methods to achieve an auto-focus camera with a movable lens barrel having a mechanic shock detection capability combined with a re-initialization of the camera module have been disclosed. This re-initialization may comprise moving the lens barrel displaced by the shock to a home position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a motor with integrated position detection has been used. In a normal operation the position detection feature senses the actual position of the lens, e.g. during auto-focusing of the lens barrel, and provides this position information to a control unit which is controlling the movement of the lens barrel to a target position. In case of a mechanic shock, e.g. if the camera module drops to ground, the control unit detects an extreme rapid displacement of the lens barrel and initiates a re-initialization of the camera module.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a holder, a lens frame, and an elastic member. The holder includes a first guide axis and a second guide axis. The lens frame includes a first guide section which is movably fitted around the first guide axis and a second guide section which is movably fitted around the second guide axis, and retains at least one lens. The elastic member exerts an energizing force on the second guide section and is disposed between the holder and the second guide section. The lens frame moves along the optical axis direction of the lens as the first guide section is guided by the first guide axis. The elastic member energizes the lens frame along the optical axis direction of the lens by exerting an energizing force on the second guide section. The distance from the holder to the second guide section is different from that from the holder to the first guide section.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an optical zoom function, with which the image imaged on the imaging device (CCD) is enlarged and reduced by moving an optical system, and an electronic zoom function, with which the image data generated by the imaging device is electronically enlarged and reduced. In an imaging mode (pixel-number conversion mode) in which the image generated by the imaging device is recorded with the number of pixels lower than that of the imaging device, the imaging apparatus performs control so that only the electronic zoom is actuated when a total zoom magnification is not more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring, and a linearly movable frame movable supporting an optical element. The cam grooves are located at different positions in the optical axis direction and which trace a same reference cam diagram. All cam grooves are partial cam grooves each having at least one end opening at at least one of opposite ends of the cam ring, so as not to include an entire portion of the reference cam diagram. Cam followers are located at different positions at least in the optical axis direction and are respectively engageable in the cam grooves. At least one of the cam followers remains engaged in a corresponding cam groove while at least one of the other of the cam followers comes out of the end opening and is disengaged therefrom when the linearly movable frame moves to movement limit in the optical-axis direction.