Abstract: Methods for start-up lens. The lens moves from a stowing position to a standby position along an axis, and a reset point, a first turning point, a second turning point, and a third turning point are defined in sequence during the movement. A drive unit rotates at a first angular velocity to drive the lens in a first route, rotates at a second angular velocity to drive the lens in a second route, and rotates at a third angular velocity to drive the lens in a third route.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a stator (20), a rotor (30) rotatably disposed in the stator, and a lens unit (40) received in the rotor. The stator includes a stator core (23) and coils (25) winding on the stator core. The rotor is a permanent magnet (32) securely mounted around the lens unit. The lens unit forms three ears (414) at a bottom thereof, and a wave-shaped surface (220) is formed on a top of an inner, bottom flange (22) of the stator. The ears abut the wave-shaped surface. The ears of the lens unit move along the wave-shaped surface during rotation of the rotor and the lens mount, and thus the lens unit moves telescopically along an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible lens barrel includes a first holding frame (2) for holding a first lens group (L1), a second holding frame (5) for holding a second lens group (L2) that is disposed on an image plane side with respect to the first lens group (L1), an actuator (6) for moving the second holding frame 5 in an optical axis direction, and a tubular cam frame (17) including a plurality of cam grooves that are formed at substantially equal intervals around a circumferential direction for moving the first holding frame (2) in the optical axis direction. The actuator (6) is attached to a portion in the cam frame (17) where the cam grooves are not formed. The first lens group (L1) is moved using the cam grooves, and the second lens group (L2) is moved using the actuator (6), so that a faster zooming speed and a lower zooming noise can be achieved.

Abstract: A blur correction camera system includes a blur correction lens driven based upon the vibration detection signal detected by an angular velocity sensor, that corrects an image blur, a point-image function computing unit that computes a point spread function, and an image restoration computing unit that corrects an image blur by executing image restoration through image processing on a captured image by using the point spread function. The image blur that cannot be completely corrected by the blur correction lens is further corrected through image restoration so as to obtain a high quality image.

Abstract: An image photographing apparatus for automatically focusing a photographed image to improve the image quality. The image photographing apparatus automatically focuses the image through a zoom actuator for changing a zoom ratio and a focus actuator for controlling the focus to thereby enhance the image quality. Also, the image photographing apparatus adds a zooming function to diversify the application fields of image photographing.

Abstract: A lens barrel including an image capturing optical system, to be extended for image capturing and to be retracted for carrying, including: a first lens unit for capturing an image of a subject; a light-amount control member to control an amount of light which comes from the subject and passes through the image capturing optical system; and second lens unit including at least two lens units which sandwich the light-amount control member on the optical axis; wherein when the lens barrel is extended for image capturing, the first lens unit and the second lens unit exist on the optical axis, while the light amount control member is sandwiched between the two lens units of the second lens unit on the optical axis, and when the lens barrel is retracted, the second lens unit is shifted to the position out of the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens module includes a base, a drive unit, a speed reduction unit, an outer barrel, and a lens unit. The speed reduction unit is coupled to and driven rotatably by the drive unit. The outer barrel is mounted to the base and has a barrel wall that surrounds an axis, that defines a receiving space, and that has an inner wall surface formed with an internally threaded portion. The lens unit includes a lens barrel that defines a chamber, and at least one lens disposed in the lens barrel. The lens barrel has an externally threaded portion that extends into the outer barrel to engage threadedly with the internally threaded portion of the barrel wall, and a driven portion driven rotatably by the speed reduction unit.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear micro motor having an forward and backward reciprocating motion. The linear micro motor includes at least two actuators which can be a scratch drive actuator (SDA), a bounce drive actuator (BDA) or a combination thereof. To achieve the reciprocating motion, the linear micro motor is arranged in a way that at least two SDAs are disposed in an opposite manner, at least two BDAs are disposed in an opposite manner, or at least a SDA and at least a BDA are disposed in an identical manner. The linear micro motor of the present invention in accordance with the arrangement of the actuators can be realized to be applicable to a digital camera or camera phone by the advancing and receding linear motion caused by the motion of the actuators to achieve a focus-adjustable liquid crystal lens.

Abstract: A slidable lens retracting device is provided for retracting a lens system that include lens group units all positioned on a common optical axis when the lens system is in an operational state. At least one lens group unit is retracted from the on-axis position on the optical axis to an off-axis space radially off the optical axis by the slidable lens retracting device when the lens system is moved to a retracted state. The slidable lens retracting device includes slides mounted to the lens group unit and fixed support members forming inclined surfaces with which the slides are engageable. The control tracks receive the slides therein and are movable along the optical axis to bring the lens system to the retracted position to cause the slides to engage and slide along the inclined surfaces and thus moving the lens group unit to the off-axis space.

Abstract: A guide shaft and a guide portion movably guide a lens holder for holding a collimator lens (i.e. correction lens) in an optical axis direction. A stepping motor rotates a screw shaft arranged in parallel to the optical axis direction. A nut member converts a rotating movement of the screw shaft into a rectilinear movement of the optical axis direction. An urging spring urges the lens holder against the guide shaft and the guide portion. The lens holder is driven in the optical axis direction along the guide shaft by the stepping motor, with a first contact portion and a second contact portion of the lens holder being contacted with the guide shaft, and a third contact portion of the lens holder being contacted with the guide portion by an urging force of the urging spring. The optical pickup device having the above arrangement allows for stable driving of a correction lens.

Abstract: A camera having a barrier according to the present invention includes a barrier unit in a space between a front main body and a front metal cover serving as an exterior member. Rotation of a barrier driving motor is transmitted to a rotary shaft member passing through the front main body, thereby allowing opening/closing actions of the lens barrier between a protection position for a photographing lens and a lens-barrier retracted position. The front main body is sealed waterproof by an O-ring provided to the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft member. With the lens barrel of the camera, rotation of a rotary moving frame is effectively transmitted to a cam frame through a cam follower fit to a linear-action groove, using a circumferential groove and the linear-action groove of a bayonet mechanism.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a pair of first parallel guide rods mounted to a stationary member extending in a first direction; a first moving stage supported by the first parallel guide rods to be movable in the first direction; a pair of second parallel guide rods mounted to the first moving stage extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a second moving stage which holds an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the second parallel guide rods to be movable in the second direction; first and second biasing devices which bias the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions; first and second driving devices which drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions. The pair of first and second parallel guide rods lie in a common plane orthogonal to an optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a linear guide member, a linearly advancing/retracting member guided by the linear guide member along an optical axis of an imaging optical system to be movable between operating and retracted positions, and a displaceable element supported by the linearly advancing/retracting member to be movable between an on-axis position in which the displaceable element is positioned on the optical axis and an off-axis displaced position in which the displaceable element is displaced from the optical axis. The linear guide member includes a linear guide projection which extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis to be engaged with the linearly advancing/retracting member. The linear guide projection includes an accommodation through-cutout formed through the linear guide projection in a radial direction, at least part of the displaceable element entering the accommodation through-cutout when the linearly advancing/retracting member is in the retracted position.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a first moving stage supported by a stationary member movable in a first direction in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis; a second moving stage holding an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the first moving member to be movable in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; and first and second driving devices which are supported by the stationary member and drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions, respectively. The second driving device includes a moving element which is moved in the second direction, and a linkage portion which associatively links the second moving stage and the moving element to each other in a manner to allow the second moving stage and the moving element to move relative to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging optical system including an image pickup device; a rotatable optical element which is positioned in the imaging optical system, and is rotated on a rotation axis extending in an optical axis direction to produce a specific photographic effect; and a controller which operates so that image data is obtained intermittently via the image pickup device at a plurality of angular steps of the rotatable optical element when the rotatable optical element is rotated on the rotation axis.

Abstract: A miniaturized auto focus control apparatus for camera module includes: a sensor assembly having an image sensor mounted to a printed circuit board and an infrared filter provided on an upper portion of the image sensor; a lens housing to which a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to an upper portion of the sensor assembly are mounted; a coil mounted into the lens housing; a lens barrel to which a plurality of focus control lenses are mounted in the direction of an optical axis; a lens guide portion integrally provided in the lens housing and engaged on the outer side of the lens barrel to guide the lens barrel so that the lens barrel is moved linearly upward and downward in the direction of the optical axis according to electric fields of the coil and the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A vibrator for cellular telephones and the like uses components of a camera. Thus, the need for a dedicated vibrator, and the cost associated therewith, are mitigated. A component of the camera can be moved so as to provide vibration. For example, a lens of the camera can be move back and forth rapidly by an actuator. The vibration can be used to indicate that the phone is ringing, for example.

Abstract: A retractable lens assembly with a variable-volume lens is provided. The retractable lens assembly includes an optical lens, a variable-volume lens, a fluid pump, a communication tube, and a storage tank. The variable-volume lens includes a lens film, an accommodation space wrapped by the lens film, and a transparent fluid within the accommodation space. Therefore, when the transparent fluid is pumped from the accommodation space to the storage tank by the fluid pump, the variable-volume lens is folded because of atmospheric pressure, such that the overall thickness and volume are reduced. When the variable-volume lens is folded, the thickness of the retractable lens assembly is as small as possible. When the variable-volume lens is stretched out because of being filled with the transparent fluid, the variable-volume lens and the optical lens are of a coaxial configuration, forming a photographic optical system.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a guide device which guides an image-stabilizing optical element in a guide direction orthogonal to an optical axis and an image shake counteracting driving device which moves the image-stabilizing optical element so as to counteract image shake, including a first moving element moved by a drive source; a second moving element movable relative to the first moving element, and applies a moving force to a holder holding the image-stabilizing optical element when the second moving element is moved by the first moving element; and a moving-element control mechanism which resiliently connects the first and second moving elements to each other to allow the first and second moving elements to selectively move integrally and relative to each other in accordance with a magnitude of a resistance to a movement between the drive source and the holder.

Abstract: A camera system (1) is provided which includes an interchangeable lens (40) including a group of lenses (L1, L2, L3, L4) for imaging an object, and a camera (10) to which the interchangeable lens (40) is to be installed. The camera (10) includes a correction angle information calculating means (20) for calculating correction angle information as to the posture of the camera (10), and a first sending means (29) for sending calculated correction angle information to the interchangeable lens (40). The interchangeable lens (40) includes the lens (L2) which optically corrects angular shift on the basis of the correction angle information sent by the first sending means (29).

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic actuator having a small power consumption and also provides a driving method thereof. The electrostatic actuator comprises first and second substrates having first and second stator electrodes formed thereon, respectively, and a movable section arranged between the first and second stator electrodes. The movable section has first and second surfaces that are positioned to face the first and second stator electrodes, respectively. In first and second moving modes, the movable section is slightly moved between the first and second substrates in response to the signal voltage from the driving circuit. Also, in the holding mode, the movable section is held by one of the first and second stator electrodes and, under this condition, at least one of the stator electrode holding the movable section and the movable section held by the stator electrode is left electrically floating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectrically driven optical lens module. The piezoelectrically driven optical lens module includes at least a lens body, a guiding rod for providing an axial movement track, a piezoelectric element for providing driving force, and an elastic element for providing the piezoelectric element with pre-load, so as to allow the piezoelectric element to be in contact with the guiding rod. The lens body includes at least an enclosed hollow structure, a lens barrel axially moveable and fixed to the enclosed hollow structure, and a lens element fixed to the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element is in contact with the guiding rod via the elastic elements, and the piezoelectric element is used for driving the lens barrel to move linearly along the guiding rod. The present invention provides a piezoelectrically driven optical lens module with a simple structure, to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a guide device which guides an image-stabilizing optical element in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis and an image shake counteracting driving device, the image shake counteracting driving device including a drive source; a first moving element; a second moving element capable of transferring a moving force of the first moving element to a holder which holds the image-stabilizing optical element; and a mutual guiding device which couples the first and second moving elements to allow the first and second moving elements to move relative to each other in the guide direction. The mutual guiding device includes two first slidable portions provided at two different positions in a direction orthogonal to the guide direction, respectively; and one second slidable portion provided at a position different from the positions of the two first slidable portions in the guide direction.

Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a portable telephone unit having both wireless communication capability and image capture capability, with a refocusing arrangement that is mechanically driven by operations of telephone components primarily included to enable telephone functions that are independent from camera functions. In one embodiment, the incoming call alerting device, such as the vibrator motor, is used to provide refocusing actuation. In another embodiment, the telephone unit is a “flip phone” and the hinging operations store actuation force for refocusing operations. A ratchet cam may be used in the refocusing arrangement of the image capture capability.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an image-capturing optical system having a movable lens and a drive mechanism with a screw member extending along the optical axis direction and being rotated by a motor, a female threaded member moving along the screw member as it revolves. The screw member includes a male screw, and a shaft having an outside diameter equal or less than an inside diameter of a female threaded member, the shaft extending from an end of the male screw, the end being at an opposite direction to a direction in which the engagement section is in abutment with the end of the female threaded member. The female threaded member is disposed such that the female threaded member can move along the male screw and can move from the male screw to a spot on the shaft in abutment with the male screw.

Abstract: An imaging device for picking up an image of an object via an optical system and recording image information in a recording medium, a driving system for the optical system being controlled according to a position of an operating unit, includes a motor driving an object to be controlled by the driving system, a driver driving the motor, an absolute position detector detecting a relatively-low-resolution absolute position of the operating unit, a relative position detector detecting a relatively-high-resolution relative position of the operating unit, a position generator, and a controller. The position generator generates a position output corresponding to a position in a restricted range of movement of the operating unit using a combination of the detected absolute position and the detected relative position. The controller controls the motor via the driver to drive the object to be controlled according to the generated position output of the operating unit.

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

Abstract: A lens frame holding a taking lens is movably connected to a driving shaft via a connector. A guide member is disposed at a lower portion of the lens frame so as to separate from the connector by about 180 degrees around an optical axis. The guide member is movably attached to a guide rod. A light emitter is disposed on a lateral side of the lens frame so as to separate from the connector by about 90 degrees around the optical axis. The light emitter applies the light to a light receiver of a line sensor confronting the light emitter. The line sensor sends a light-reception signal, which is outputted from the light receiver, to a lens-position controller. Positional information of the taking lens is obtained on the basis of the light-reception signal so that a position of the taking lens is accurately detected.

Abstract: An object of the preset invention is to provide a technique capable of preventing occurrence of an assembly error. A driving apparatus for driving an object includes: a driving part having a stationary part and a moving part; and a displacement transmitting part for transmitting a displacement to the object in accordance with a drive displacement of the moving part. The displacement transmitting part and the moving part coupled to the displacement transmitting part are integrally molded.

Abstract: A machine vision image acquisition system is provided with a housing or enclosure that protects the acquisition system components from an industrial environment. The machine vision image acquisition system has a focusing mechanism that can be actuated externally to the housing. The focusing mechanism uses a gear drive to transmit externally actuated focus adjustments to the optical components of the acquisition system.

Abstract: A camera unit includes a soft substrate on which electrode regions and an image pickup device region are disposed, a driving electrode group disposed on one of the electrode regions, an image pickup device disposed on the image pickup device region, stationary unit frame attaching portions disposed at positions surrounding the image pickup device region, a stationary unit frame attached to the stationary unit frame attaching portions, and movable units disposed in the stationary unit frame. The soft substrate is bent along bending positions between the electrode regions and the image pickup device region, the electrode regions are fixed on sides of the stationary unit frame inwardly thereof, and the image pickup device region is fixed on an end surface of the stationary unit frame toward the movable units.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a radially-retractable optical element constituting a part of photographing optical system, and is movable between a photographing position and a radially-retracted position; a biasing device for biasing the radially-retractable optical element toward the photographing position; and a swing member which is rotatable about a rotation axis extending parallel to the optical axis, the swing member being rotated so as to push the radially-retractable optical element against a biasing force of the biasing device to move the radially-retractable optical element to the radially-retracted position. The radially-retractable optical element and the swing member are mutually positioned so that a moving amount of the radially-retractable optical element per unit of rotation angle of the swing member gradually decreases as the radially-retractable optical element moves from the photographing position to the radially-retracted position.

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 collapsible lens barrel includes a first holding frame (2) for holding a first lens group (L1), a second holding frame (5) for holding a second lens group (L2) that is disposed on an image plane side with respect to the first lens group (L1), an actuator (6) for moving the second holding frame 5 in an optical axis direction, and a tubular cam frame (17) including a plurality of cam grooves that are formed at substantially equal intervals around a circumferential direction for moving the first holding frame (2) in the optical axis direction. The actuator (6) is attached to a portion in the cam frame (17) where the cam grooves are not formed. The first lens group (L1) is moved using the cam grooves, and the second lens group (L2) is moved using the actuator (6), so that a faster zooming speed and a lower zooming noise can be achieved.

Abstract: A lens moving mechanism which includes a moving lens for zooming or focusing; a lens holder holding the moving lens in a lens-barrel, and being supported freely movably into an optical axis direction of the moving lens; a guide shaft guiding the lens holder into the optical axis direction of the moving lens when the lens holder moves; a drive magnet attached to the lens holder; a drive coil fixed to the lens-barrel with at least part of the drive coil opposed to the drive magnet and giving an impelling force into the optical axis direction to the lens holder by being electrified; and a magnetic body fixed to the lens-barrel and located to oppose to the drive magnet on an opposite side of the drive magnet with at least a part of the drive coil put between the magnetic body and the drive magnet, and attracting the drive magnet.

Abstract: The lens unit includes an imaging lens including lenses, each of which includes a lens portion having an optical function and a flange portion on a periphery of the lens portion, and a ring-shaped lens holding member provided between the lenses and holds at least one of the lenses and a cylindrical-shaped lens-barrel including a lens holding portion that holds the imaging lens. The flange portion of each of the lenses is fittable to the flange portion of the other lens of the lenses, or the lens holding portion or an inner surface of the lens-barrel, and the lenses combined with each other through fitting to the flange portion of the other lens, the lens holding portion or the inner surface of the lens-barrel have respective shapes in which optical axes of the lenses coincide each other under a fitting state. The compact image pickup module includes the lens unit.

Abstract: A lens barrel has its collapsed length which can be further decreased and its extended length which can be further increased. A photographic apparatus incorporates the lens barrel into its body. A lens barrel is equipped with a first gear which is rotatably supported by a straight-ahead key ring and rotates being driven by rotation of a middle tube and a second gear which receives driving force from the first gear and retracts a second lens group to a predetermined retracted position off the optical axis of a zoom lens during collapse and advances the second lens group onto the optical axis during extension. The second gear lacks teeth in that part which faces the first gear when the second lens group is at the retracted position during collapse. Consequently, the first gear runs idle while facing that part thereby holding the second lens group at the retracted position.

Abstract: An optical unit is disclosed which is capable of being easily assembled, enabling its optical element to smoothly move, and preventing friction loss from being generated around its nut member. A lens driving apparatus is provided for moving an optical element holder, which supports an optical element having an optical axis and is movable along a guide member, in an extension direction of the optical axis, using a nut integrally provided at the holder, and a lead screw threadedly coupled to the nut to rotate forward and backward by a driving unit. In the lens driving apparatus, the forward or backward rotation of the motor is transmitted to the lead screw via a reduction gear train. The lead screw is installed to be inclinedly movable with respect to the extension direction of the optical axis about threaded coupling portions of a threaded section of the lead screw and the nut.

Abstract: The vibration wave linear motor of the present invention is structured comprising a driven component, a first vibrator having two or more driving contacting parts for driving the driven component in a certain predetermined direction, a second vibrator having one or more driving contacting parts for driving the driven component in the same direction as the drive by the first vibrator, a first supporting part for fixing and holding either one of the first or second vibrators, a second supporting part for holding the other of either the first or second vibrator such that swinging is possible, and a pressing component for pressing the first or second vibrator which is held by the second supporting part, such as to enable swinging, to the driven component.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a first vibrator comprising a piezoelectric unit and at least one driving contacting part which vibrates by applying a predetermined voltage thereto, a second vibrator which comprises a piezoelectric unit and a plurality of driving contacting parts which vibrate by applying a predetermined voltage thereto, a pressing component which relatively presses the opposing parts of both the first vibrator and the second vibrator, and a driven component which is sandwiched between the first and second vibrators, in contact with the driving contacting part of the first and second vibrators which are pressed by the pressing component, and supported to enable movement with respect to the first and second vibrators in the long-side direction perpendicular to the direction relative to the opposing part.

Abstract: A retractable lens barrel includes a rear holder which holds a first optical element, and is movable along the axis thereof between an operational retracted positions; an annular member movable relative to the rear holder without rotation; a retractable holder holding a second optical element, and movable between an aligned position where the second optical element is aligned with the axis and a displaced position where the second optical element is displaced relative to the axis; a position control device controlling the annular member and retractable holder to move between an operational position at the aligned position and a retracted position at the displaced position. The rear holder and the retractable holder having contact surfaces which contact each other only if movement of the annular member and retractable holder to the retracted position occurs and the rear holder has not fully moved to the retracted position.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism includes a linearly movable ring; a swingable holder supported inside the linearly movable ring; a position-controller holding the swingable holder; a pair of support plates attached to opposite ends of the linearly movable ring; a support plate fixing device fixing the support plates to the linearly movable ring; a rotatable shaft having a pair of eccentric pins at opposite ends thereof, and having a common axis eccentric to the rotatable shaft; and a pair of elongated holes on the pair of support plates, facing each other and elongated parallel to each other, the eccentric pins being engaged in the elongated holes and being movable therein. The pair of support plates are movable relative to the linearly movable ring in directions orthogonal to the optical axis via rotation of the rotatable shaft when the support plate fixing device is in a released state.

Abstract: A lens barrel extending and retracting mechanism. A photographic optical axis and a central axis of a lens barrel are eccentric such that a first lens group and a second lens group are housed in a side of a CCD separated from the optical axis. The lens barrel is rotatably extended around the central axis thereof, and a picture is taken when lens optical axes of the first lens group and the second lens group coincide with the optical axis. The lens barrel extending and retracting mechanism prevents displacement and tilt of the lens optical axes of the first lens group and the second lens group, maintaining optical performance and reducing the size of the lens barrel in the housed position.

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 retractable lens system includes a plurality of optical elements. All of the plurality of optical elements are positioned on a common optical axis when the retractable lens is in use. A removable element of the plurality of optical elements is moved to a removed position outside of the common optical axis, and the removable element and at least one element of the remaining elements of the plurality of optical elements are moved rearward, respectively, when the retractable lens system is in a retracted position.

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: An image taking apparatus of the present invention includes: a shooting lens which comprises a plurality of lens groups and which has a variable focal length and adjusts a focus; and a lens barrel which accommodates the shooting lens and which can advance and retract. The lens barrel comprises a lens advancing/retracting mechanism which retracts at least one of the lens groups from a shooting optical axis when the lens barrel is retracted, and which advances the lens group retracted when the lens barrel is retracted to the shooting optical axis when the lens barrel advances. The shooting lens forms a fixed focus shooting optical system by the remaining lens group among the plurality of lens groups excluding the lens group which is retracted from the shooting optical axis.

Abstract: A digital camera which includes: a photographic lens movable along an optical axis thereof between a retracted position and a photographing position in front of the retracted position; an image pick-up device on which an object image is formed through the photographic lens, the image pick-up device being guided to be movable between a first position where the image pick-up device is positioned in a photographic optical path of the photographic lens behind the photographic lens and a second position where the image pick-up device is positioned out of the photographic optical path; and a mechanism for moving the image pick-up device between the first position and the second position, wherein the moving mechanism moves the image pick-up device to the first position when the photographic lens is moved from the retracted position to the photographing position, and wherein the moving mechanism moves the image pick-up device to the second position when the photographic lens is moved from the photographing position t

Abstract: A digital camera which includes: a photographic lens movable along an optical axis thereof between a retracted position and a photographing position in front of the retracted position; an image pick-up device on which an object image is formed through the photographic lens, the image pick-up device being guided to be movable between a first position where the image pick-up device is positioned in a photographic optical path of the photographic lens behind the photographic lens and a second position where the image pick-up device is positioned out of the photographic optical path; and a mechanism for moving the image pick-up device between the first position and the second position, wherein the moving mechanism moves the image pick-up device to the first position when the photographic lens is moved from the retracted position to the photographing position, and wherein the moving mechanism moves the image pick-up device to the second position when the photographic lens is moved from the photographing position t