Abstract: A cam mechanism for a lens barrel includes a cam ring including at a cam groove which is open at one end; a support ring supporting an imaging component, the support ring having a cam follower engageable with the cam groove and movable therein towards and away from the open end, wherein the support ring is movable along an axis relative to the cam ring without rotation; and a movement limiter configured to stop or limit disengagement of the cam follower from the open end of the cam groove.

Abstract: A lens barrel is retractable in electronic equipment having an image-generating device, such as a CCD. During photographing, the lens barrel relocates a first lens group and a second lens group to a predetermined position in an optical axis to zoom the image of an object. During collapsing, the first lens group and the second lens group adjacent to the object side are transferred to a side of a CCD which is away from the optical axis and a focus driving mechanism drives the third lens group along the optical axis. The focus driving mechanism is disposed inside the lens barrel.

Abstract: A zoom lens mechanism foldable and retractable to be used in a digital still camera to control zooming of the zoom lens uses programmed data written in a micro controller unit (hereinafter referred to as MCU) instead of the conventional cylindrical grooved cams that are usually used to mechanically control zooming of a zoom lens of a digital still camera, and the assembly of the second lens group is rotatable inside the lens barrel, and the first lens group can be folded and retracted into the space provided by the rotation of the second lens assembly.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting an axial position of one lens component relative to other lens components of an optical lens system comprises a lens holding frame mounting the lens component that has a peripheral locating seat and a cylinder holding and allowing the lens holding frame to rotate about and move along the optical axis that has an axial position selective collar with a flight of stairs. The lens holding frame is rotated to bring the locating seat into abutment selectively against the stairs, so as thereby to position the lens component mounted in the lens holding frame at a desired axial n with respect to the remaining lens components.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring; and a linearly movable frame movable by the cam ring along an optical axis of an optical system without rotating, by engagement of a plurality of cam grooves located on the cam ring with a plurality of complementing cam followers located on the linearly movable frame when the cam ring is rotated, the linearly movable frame supporting at least one optical element of the optical system. The plurality of cam grooves are located at different positions in both the optical axis direction and a circumferential direction of the cam ring, and respectively trace substantially a same reference cam diagram. The plurality of complementing cam followers are located at different positions in both the optical axis direction and a circumferential direction of the linearly movable frame, and are engageable in the plurality of cam grooves, respectively.

Abstract: A cam mechanism for a lens barrel includes a cam ring including a cam groove which is open at one end, and a support ring supporting an imaging component, the support ring having a cam follower engageable with the at least one cam groove and movable therein towards and away from the open end wherein the support ring is movable along an axis relative to the cam ring without rotation. The cam ring and the support ring each have respective guide surfaces engageable with each other when the cam follower is moved in the region of the open end and shaped to guide the cam follower at the open end of the cam groove during engagement.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a holder holding an image pick-up device; a stationary barrel having a female helicoid; a gear/helicoid ring including an annular rib, a male helicoid formed on the annular rib and engaged with the female helicoid, and a spur gear formed on the male helicoid; a pinion engaged with the spur gear; a linear guide ring provided around the gear/helicoid ring; a outer circumferential groove formed on the gear/helicoid ring; and bayonet lugs projecting rearwards from the linear guide ring and engaging in the circumferential groove. Rotation of the gear/helicoid ring causes a lens group to move along the optical axis. At least a portion of a rear end of the male helicoid extends rearwards. At least a portion of the rear extension portion overlaps the holder in the optical axis direction when the gear/helicoid ring stops retracting at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A camera frame assembly has a frame and a driver mounted to the frame. The driver is rapidly movable relative to the frame from a charged position to a discharged position. A first striker member is joined in fixed relation to the driver. A second striker member telescopes onto or into the first striker member, between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A zoom lens system with a new structure is disclosed which realizes high optical performance by appropriately setting the structure of each lens unit and using a material with anomalous dispersion in an appropriate lens unit. Specifically, according to several aspect herein disclosed, the zoom lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, lens units having a positive, a negative, and a positive optical powers in which the structure of each lens unit is specified or a third lens unit employs a lens element made of a material with anomalous dispersion.

Abstract: A compact and light-weighted projection lens system that is capable of projecting an image at an angle as wide as 75 degrees with sufficient field angle and brightness as represented by F number of approximately 2.4, that is capable of effectively correcting chroic aberration of magnification and aberration of distortion and exhibiting optical stability against environmental variations, and that is suitable for obtaining an extraordinarily fine image by the magnification and projection.

Abstract: A zoom lens system having an exit pupil far away from the image plane, zoom ratio of about three, and in particular having compactness and high optical performance includes, in order from an object, a first lens group having negative refractive power, an aperture stop, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. When zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, the first and second lens groups are moved and the third lens group is fixed such that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group varies, and a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group increases. The second lens group is composed of four lenses or less and includes a diffractive optical surface formed on a lens surface except the most object side lens surface.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism of a zoom lens barrel includes first, second and third lens groups, wherein the first and third lens groups are integrally moved along an optical axis during variation of a focal length, and wherein at least one of the first and third lens groups is moved relative to the other to reduce a distance therebetween when the zoom lens barrel is fully retracted. The retracting mechanism includes first, second and third lens group moving rings; a cam mechanism for independently moving the first and second lens group moving rings; a second lens group support frame; an intermediate member fixed to the second lens group support frame; and a biasing device for biasing the third lens group moving ring away from the first lens group moving ring. The biasing device functions between the intermediate member and the third lens group moving ring.

Abstract: A lens drive control apparatus for a camera having a zoom lens provided with variable lens groups, at least one of the variable lens groups including a switching lens group having two sub lens groups, wherein one of the two sub lens groups serves as a movable sub lens group. The lens drive control apparatus includes a main drive device for moving the plurality of variable lens groups; and a sub lens group drive device for moving the movable sub lens group within the switching lens group to be positioned at a movement extremity on the object side or the image side, with respect to the other sub lens group, in accordance with a zooming zone from the short focal length extremity to an intermediate focal length position, or a zooming zone from the intermediate focal length to the long focal length extremity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zoom lens with an easily bendable optical path, which comprises a reduced number of lens element while having high optical specification. The zoom lens comprises a moving lens group B (G2) that has positive refracting power and moves only toward an object side of the zoom lens upon zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end of the zoom lens, a lens group A (G1) that is located on the object side with respect to the moving lens group B, has negative refracting power and remains fixed during the zooming, and a third lens group C (G3) that is located on an image side of the zoom lens with respect to the moving lens group B and moves in a locus different from that of the moving lens group B during the zooming. The lens group A that remains fixed during zooming comprises, in order from an object side thereof, a negative lens element, a reflective optical element and a positive lens element having an absolute value of refracting power smaller than that of the negative lens element.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to enhance the performance of an image pickup system comprising a zoom lens by developing an unheard-of design of the configuration of lens surfaces used in the zoom lens, thereby achieving wide-angle arrangements and reductions in the number of lens components used in such a way as to be compatible with various zoom lenses. A zoom lens used on the image pickup system comprises a plurality of lens groups G1 to G4 including a first lens group G1 having negative power and a second lens group G2 having positive power. For zooming, the spaces between the respective lens groups are designed to be variable. The zoom lens further comprises an aperture stop S, and at least one lens group having negative power comprises a negative lens component that is concave on its side facing the aperture stop. The aspheric surface is configured to have refracting power that decreases with an increasing distance from the axial axis of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A sliding lens cap apparatus with close-up and start-up functions is disclosed. The apparatus is equipped in a camera and the camera includes a lens and a lens cap. The lens includes a lens pull rod for adjusting the focal length. The apparatus comprises an orientation rod, a fixed rod and a sliding rod. The orientation rod and fixed rod are coupled fixedly to the camera and form a track for the lens to move along. The orientation rod comprises a close orientation indent, an open orientation indent, and a close-up orientation indent. The sliding rod is movably coupled to the fixed rod and comprises a lens frame coupled to the lens pull rod. When the lens cap moves between the open orientation indent and the close-up orientation indent, the lens cap promotes the sliding rod to shift. By means of the movement of the lens cap, the camera can switch among the close mode, open mode, or close-up mode.

Abstract: A hand-held device has a body and a deployable component mounted to the body. The deployable component is movable, with a deployment method, between undeployed and deployed positions. A drive unit is disposed within the body and engages the deployable component. The drive unit is reversibly pivotable about a drive axis from a first end orientation, through first and second ranges of intermediate orientations, to a second end orientation. An actuator that is mounted to the body is manually switchable, in forward and rearward strokes, between primary and secondary positions. The actuator at the forward stroke pivots the drive unit from the first end orientation to a second range intermediate orientation and at the rearward stroke pivots the drive unit from the second end orientation to a first range intermediate orientation.

Abstract: A camera includes a lens driving device and an image obtaining device. The lens driving device is formed from a lens holder that holds a lens and a driving device that moves the lens holder in an optical axis of the lens, wherein the lens holder is intermittently stoppable at least at two positions in the optical axis direction of the lens. The image obtaining device captures optical images of different magnifications at least at the two positions, and obtains zoom images at least between one of the optical images and the other of the optical images based on at least one of the optical images and electronic images generated based on the at least one of the optical images.

Abstract: An imaging device has a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens units and forming an optical image of an object so as to continuously optically zoom by varying distances between the lens unit; and an image sensor converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system to an electric signal. The zoom lens system comprises, from an object side. A first lens unit being overall negative and including a reflecting surface that bends a luminous flux substantially 90 degrees; and a second lens unit disposed with a variable air distance from the first lens unit, and having a negative optical power.

Abstract: A method of providing pitch torque compensation for planar motors in which pitch torque is not inherently provided includes calculating and summing a given set of forces ideally required to be applied by each forcer in the planar motor. Correction forces for each forcer are determined such that the net effect of the corrections is equal and opposite to the pitch torques previously determined.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes a first lens group including first and second sub-lens groups; a second lens group; a sub-lens group switching mechanism for moving the first or second sub-lens group away from the other in a short focal length photographing range, and toward the other in a long focal length photographing range; and a zoom cam mechanism having front and rear lens group cam grooves. The rear lens group cam groove includes first and second portions corresponding to the short and long focal length photographing ranges, respectively, the first and the second portions connected to each other via a discontinuous portion. The front lens group cam groove includes a non-linear portion which corresponds to the short focal length photographing range and provides a non-linear path, and a linear portion which corresponds to the long focal length photographing range and provides a linear path.

Abstract: A zoom lens system with a new structure is disclosed which realizes high optical performance by appropriately setting the structure of each lens unit and using a material with anomalous dispersion in an appropriate lens unit. Specifically, according to several aspect herein disclosed, the zoom lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, lens units having a positive, a negative, and a positive optical powers in which the structure of each lens unit is specified or a third lens unit employs a lens element made of a material with anomalous dispersion.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam ring which is rotated about an optical axis to move a lens group in the optical axis direction via a cam groove formed on the cam ring, and a rotational ring which transfers a rotational motion to the cam ring. The rotational ring includes a rotation-transmission arm extending in the optical axis direction. The cam ring includes an engaging recess formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring, and in which the rotation-transmission arm is slidably inserted to be movable in the optical axis direction, and an outer flange formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring to form a slot penetrating therethrough in the optical axis direction between the outer flange and a bottom radial surface of the engaging recess so that the rotation-transmission arm is slidably fitted in the engaging recess through the slot.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a linear guide ring; a moving frame having a male helicoid; a rotatable ring coupled to the linear guide ring; a female helicoid formed on the rotatable ring, and engaged with the male helicoid; a switching ring coupled to the rotatable ring; a switching member; and a switching-member moving groove including a first inclined section, a switching section, a second inclined section and an assembling section. The lead angle of the first inclined section is the same but has an opposite inclination to that of the female helicoid. The follower projection is inserted in the first inclined section. The switching section extends parallel to the optical axis. The second inclined section extends parallel to the first inclined section. The assembling section extends rearwards from a front end of the second inclined section to be parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A retractable barrel includes a rear holder which holds a rear optical element on an axis, the rear holder having a recess; an annular member movable towards and away from the rear holder without rotation; a retractable holder, accommodated within the annular member, which holds a retractable optical element, and being movable between a position where the retractable optical element is aligned with the axis, and a position where the retractable optical element is displaced from the axis; a position controller which controls the annular member and retractable holder to move between an operational position to a retracted position wherein the retractable holder is at the displaced position. A movement path of the retractable holder includes an oblique path extending obliquely to the axis. The recess prevents the rear holder from interfering with the retractable holder.

Abstract: A rotation transfer mechanism of a lens barrel includes a pair of rotatable rings, adjacent ends of which are opposed to each other; an axial-direction projection extending in the rotational axis direction; an axial-direction recess in which the axial-direction projection is positioned; a rotation transfer groove located on an inner peripheral surface of the one of the rotatable rings that has the axial-direction projection, wherein a circumferential position of the rotation transfer groove corresponds to a circumferential position of the axial-direction projection; a driven rotational member having a rotation transfer protrusion engaged in the rotation transfer groove, the rotation transfer protrusion slidably movable in the rotation transfer groove in the rotational axis direction and configured to transmit rotation of the rotatable ring to the driven rotational member; and at least one optical element configured to be driven by the driven rotational member.

Abstract: A multifocal lens to be used for digital still cameras comprises a fixed first lens or a first group of lenses; a movable second lens or a second group of lenses; and a fixed third lens or a third group of lenses, wherein the second lens or second group of lenses moves back and forth (up and down) between the first and third lenses or lens groups, and changes its own focal length of the whole lens from wide angle to telephoto and vice versa.

Abstract: A zoom lens system having an exit pupil far away from the image plane, zoom ratio of about three, and in particular having compactness and high optical performance includes, in order from an object, a first lens group having negative refractive power, an aperture stop, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. When zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, the first and second lens groups are moved and the third lens group is fixed such that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group varies, and a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group increases. The second lens group is composed of four lenses or less and includes a diffractive optical surface formed on a lens surface except the most object side lens surface.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first ring member having a ring frame portion and at least one leg portion which extends from the ring frame portion in an optical axis direction; and a second ring member, which is relatively movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the first ring member, the second ring member having at least one slot which extends in the optical axis direction, the leg portion being inserted into the slot so that the leg portion can move in the optical axis direction along the slot. The second ring member is coupled to the first ring member so that the second ring member is positioned substantially within a radial thickness of the leg portion.

Abstract: An imaging device has a zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units and forming an optical image of an object so as to be continuously and optically zoomable by varying a distance between the lens units; and an image sensing element converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into an electric signal, wherein the zoom lens system comprises from the object side: a first lens unit having positive optical power as a whole and including a reflecting surface that bends a luminous flux substantially 90 degrees; a second lens unit having negative optical power and disposed with a variable air space from the first lens unit; a third lens unit having positive optical power and disposed with a variable air space from the second lens unit; a fourth lens unit having positive optical power and disposed with a variable air space from the third lens unit; and a fifth lens unit disposed with a variable air space from the fourth lens unit, and wherein zooming is optically performed by varying the air

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, first through third lens support rings, and a lens drive ring including a first guide engaged with a guide formed on the stationary barrel; an engaging portion engaged with a guide formed on the first lens support ring, the lens drive ring and the first lens support ring being relatively rotatable and integrally movable in the optical axis direction; a second guide, engaged with a guide formed on the second lens support ring, to move the second lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring; and a third guide engaged with a guide formed on the third lens support ring to move the third lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes an exposure control unit having an exposure control member; a lens drive unit including a lens drive mechanism which moves a photographing lens group in an optical axis direction; center apertures which are formed in the exposure control unit and the lens drive unit, respectively, at the center portions thereof, which define a lens movement opening when the exposure control unit and the lens drive unit are connected to each other; and a lens support frame which supports the photographing lens group, the lens support frame being provided in the lens movement openings so as to move in the optical axis direction and driven via the lens drive mechanism.

Abstract: A cowl assembly has a base and a twist ring mounted to the base. The twist ring defines an axis. The twist ring is rotatable relative to the base about the axis, between a primary orientation and a secondary orientation. A cover is removably attached to the base. A cowl is coupled to the cover. The cowl engages the twist ring. The cowl is pivotable with the twist ring between the primary and secondary orientations. The twist ring blocks the cowl from pivoting beyond the primary and secondary orientations to an overtravel orientation, in which the cowl is freely removable from the cover.

Abstract: An optical-element holding mechanism includes a first holding member arranged to hold a first optical element, a second holding member arranged to hold a second optical element, a coupling member arranged to couple the first and second holding members with each other and to permit relative positions of the first and second holding members to be varied in process of being coupled, and an urging member disposed between the coupling member and the second holding member and arranged to urge and press the second holding member against the first holding member at least when the coupling member is in process of coupling the first and second holding members.

Abstract: An optical element retracting mechanism includes a linearly movable ring; a swingable holder mounted supported inside the linearly movable ring; a position-controller holding the swingable holder; a support plate including first and second elongated holes; a support plate fixing device fixing the support plate to the linearly movable ring; first and second rotatable shafts extending substantially parallel to the optical axis having first and second eccentric pins engaged in the first and second elongated holes, wherein when the first or second rotatable shaft is rotated, a movement force is applied on the support plate in a direction generally orthogonal to the elongation direction of the elongated hole thereof; and a movement direction setting device which sets the movement direction of the support plate when the movement force is applied on the support plate by the rotation of the first or second rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An imaging device has a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens units and forming an optical image of an object so as to continuously optically zoom by varying distances between the lens unit; and an image sensor converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system to an electric signal. The zoom lens system has from an object side, a first lens unit being overall negative and including a reflecting surface that bends a luminous flux substantially 90 degrees; and a second lens unit disposed with a variable air distance from the first lens unit, and having an optical power, and wherein at least one lens element made of resin is included in the entire lens system.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprising, disposed in order from an object side to an image plane side, a first lens group with a negative power, an aperture stop, a second lens group with a positive power, and a third lens group with a positive power, characterized in that, when zooming from a wide-angle end to a telescope end, an air gap between the first lens group and the second lens group is reduced and an air gap between the second lens group and the third lens group is increased, the third lens group can be moved in the direction of the optical axis for focus adjustment, and a zoom ratio is ×2.5 to ×3.2 if a shooting distance is ∞.

Abstract: A retractable lens includes first, second and third optical elements which are positioned in a ready state; and a support frame which supports the second optical element, and has a generally ring-shaped portion and a radial arm portion, wherein the ring-shaped portion substantially surrounds the optical axis, and wherein the radial arm portion projects radially outwards from a rear end of the ring-shaped portion, the second optical element supported in a front end portion of the ring-shaped portion. When the retractable lens moves from the ready state to a retracted state, the third optical element is positioned in the ring-shaped portion while the first optical element is retracted from an on-axis position on the optical axis into an off-axis space radially outside the ring-shaped portion such that the first lens group is positioned radially outside the second optical element and the third optical element.

Abstract: The invention aims at thoroughly slimming down video cameras or digital cameras using a zoom system that is composed of a reduced number of lens elements, diminished in size and simplified in construction, and has high image-formation capability. A zoom lens for use on an electronic imaging system comprises a negative first lens group G1, an aperture stop S, a positive second lens group G2 and a positive third lens group G3. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the zoom lens, the second lens group moves only toward the object side of the zoom lens and the third lens group moves in a locus different from that of the second lens group. The first lens group is composed of a negative lens element having an aspheric surface and a positive lens element. The second lens group comprises an object side-lens component and an image side-lens component.

Abstract: A zoom lens having five lens groups arranged in succession. The zoom lens is configured such that when zooming from a short focal length end toward a long focal length end, the second lens group lens moves toward the third lens group and the fourth lens group moves toward a side of the third lens group, and the fifth lens group corrects the zooming and a shift in a position of an imaging plane of the zoom lens caused by movement of the third lens group and the fourth lens group.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a rotatable ring, a non-rotatable outer annular member having a circumferential groove located on the inner peripheral surface thereof, an advancing/retracting mechanism configured to move the rotatable ring along the optical axis between movement limits of the rotatable ring, a rotational projection located on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable ring such that the projection is engaged in the circumferential groove when the rotatable ring is moved to one of the movement limits, and a stopper which is insertable into and removable from the circumferential groove at an intermediate point between opposite ends of the groove.

Abstract: An imaging device has a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens units and forming an optical image of an object so as to continuously optically zoom by varying distances between the lens unit; and an image sensor converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system to an electric signal. The zoom lens system comprises, from an object side a first lens unit being overall negative and including a reflecting surface that bends a luminous flux substantially 90 degrees; and a second lens unit disposed with a variable air distance from the first lens unit, and having a negative optical power.

Abstract: A linear guide mechanism for guiding rings supporting components of a lens barrel along an optical axis includes an outer ring supporting a first imaging component; an inner ring positioned radially inwardly of the outer ring for supporting a second imaging component; a first guide ring configured to linearly guide the outer ring without rotation of the outer ring; a second guide ring configured to linearly guide the inner ring without rotation of the inner ring; and a linear guide ring having at least one guide portion located on an inner peripheral surface of the linear guide ring, the at least one guide portion engageable with the first and second guide rings, the outer ring and the inner ring being independently guidable via the respective first and second guide rings and are movable linearly along the optical axis without rotating.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an outer cylinder having a guide section and an inner cylinder for holding a lens and having a guided section, which is engaged with the guide section and moved in an optical axis direction in response to a rotation of the outer cylinder. The guide section has a guiding portion for introducing the inner cylinder into an operating and storing positions, and the guiding portion has a first guiding part, a second guiding part formed continuously to the first guiding part, having a lead angle different from that of the first guiding part, and a third guiding part formed continuously to the second guiding part, having a lead angle smaller than that of the second guiding part. The inner cylinder is positioned, at the storing position, within an area in which the guided section is engaged with the third guiding part.

Abstract: A sub-control section (118), once a power source is turned on, determines whether or not drawing-out of a lens barrel (200) by the movement of a zoom lens (202) is executed based upon respective signal levels of a focusing position sensor (218) and a zoom position sensor (219). When the drawing-out is executed, the zoom lens (202) is moved by a predetermined distance. The other main control section (112) executes the drawing-out singly if the sub-control section (118) does not draw out the lens barrel (200), while it further draws out the lens barrel (200) and interrupts it at a photographing standby position unless the sub-control section (118) draws out the lens barrel (200). The further drawing-out is executed after the level of an output signal of an encoder (200) is left unchanged.

Abstract: A camera assembly has a support that defines an optical axis. A traveler is movable along the optical axis between first and second positions relative to the support. A turret is disposed in and movable with the traveler. The turret has a primary aperture. The turret is pivotable relative to the traveler, between a first position in which the primary aperture is spaced from the optical axis, and a second position in which the primary aperture is aligned with the optical axis. The turret can have a secondary aperture that is aligned with the optical axis when the primary aperture is in the first position. An over-center mechanism is switchable between a first state, in which the over-center mechanism biases the traveler and turret into respective first positions, and a second state, in which the over-center mechanism biases the traveler and turret into respective second positions.

Abstract: An image sensor module with a zooming function is disclosed. The sensor module consists of first and second barrels for respectively holding condensing lenses used for image capture, and a housing having a guide channel at a sidewall thereof and movably and stably receiving the first extensions of the first and second barrels in the guide channel such that the first and second barrels are moved along a focusing axis of the condensing lenses. The sensor module also has a motor for generating a rotating force, a motor gear formed on the output shaft of the motor, and a means for controlling the interval between the first and second barrels by converting a rotating action of the motor gear into a linear movement of the first and second barrels in a horizontal direction. In the sensor module used in a variety of electronic apparatuses, the condensing lenses are movable to change their positions, thus accomplishing a zooming effect while precisely condensing light beams to produce clear images.

Abstract: A compact lens housing which is of a multistage type in which it is projected and retracted through three stages. The lens housing includes three pairs, each of which is composed of a straight-moving member which is movable in an axial direction of the lens housing but not rotatable and is composed of a rotation member which can rotate relative to the straight-moving member, in which the rotation member moves integrally together with the straight-moving member in the axial direction. The straight-moving members of the three pairs have straight-moving interlocking parts, respectively, and the straight-moving interlocking parts slidably engage with each other so as to be able to move in the axial direction. The straight-moving interlocking parts are arranged generally in the same circumference when the lens housing is viewed in the axial direction.

Abstract: A three-lens-unit zoom optical system includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit with positive refracting power, a second lens unit with positive refracting power, and a third lens unit with negative refracting power. These individual lens units are moved toward the object side so that when the magnification of the zoom optical system is changed, extending from the wide-angle position to the telephoto position, a space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is widened and a space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is narrowed. In this case, the second lens unit has at least one negative lens and at least two positive lenses, and the third lens unit has, in order from the object side, a lens with at least one aspherical surface and a negative lens, satisfying the following conditions: 0.5<|f3|/h<0.8 −0.2<f3/f1<0.

Abstract: There is disclosed a camera system capable of reducing a time after a lens drive command is output until a lens is driven. A camera system according to the present invention comprises a lens apparatus having a booster circuit for boosting a supply voltage and an actuator for receiving a voltage supply from the booster circuit so as to drive a lens unit, and a camera. A camera controller transmits a booster drive command and a lens drive command to the lens controller. The lens controller drives the booster circuit in response to a reception of the booster drive command, and drives the actuator in response to a reception of the lens drive command.