Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module. The camera module includes a bobbin unit, a suspension unit and a drive unit. The bobbin unit includes a stationary part which is fixed in a base, and a movable part which is provided so as to be movable relative to the stationary part, with a lens installed in the movable part. The opposite ends of the suspension unit are respectively connected to the stationary part and the movable part. The suspension unit includes a link unit which rotates when the movable part moves relative to the stationary part. The drive unit moves the movable part relative to the stationary part.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a drive ring having a hollow cylindrical shape and a gear by which the drive ring is configured to rotate around an optical axis, and a lens holder configured to move in an optical axis direction relative to the drive ring and to hold a lens and located inside of the drive ring, the lens holder including an arm extending to outside of the drive ring. The drive ring has a notch that extends in a circumferential direction of the drive ring so that the notch cannot overlap the gear. The arm of the lens holder is configured to enter and retreat from the notch of the drive ring.

Abstract: A focus adjustment device for adjusting a focus state of a projection lens unit in an image projection apparatus is provided. The focus adjustment device includes a focus adjustment member rectilinearly movable in a first direction; a rotational shaft; a first movement-converting member for converting a rectilinear movement of the focus adjustment member into a rotary movement of the rotational shaft; and a second movement-converting member for converting the rotary movement of the rotational shaft into in a rectilinear movement of the projection lens unit along a focusing direction.

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 power transmission capable of regulating the disengagement of a nut part from a screw part, and the like are provided. The power transmission is constructed of a rotation shaft having a thread formed on a periphery thereof; a nut member capable of being opened and closed, the nut member having a thread engaged with the thread of the rotation shaft, and pinching the rotation shaft and moving as the rotation shaft is rotated; a regulating part enabling movement of the nut member by regulating opening of the nut member; and a regulation releasing part capable of releasing engagement between the nut member and the rotation shaft by opening the nut member.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes at least two cam tubes, and an operation based on the rotation of an operation ring actuates the two cam tubes to move a lens group. The lens barrel includes a first cam tube that drives part of the lens group in response to an operation based on the rotation of the operation ring, and a second cam tube that moves part of the lens group in the optical axis direction in response to the operation based on the rotation of the operation ring. The second cam tube rotates at a speed different from that of the first cam tube.

Abstract: The lens barrel of the present invention, in order to provide a lens barrel capable of reliably and easily preventing the breakage of the tooth of the revolving shaft of the driving motor and the tooth of the rack which teeth are engaged with each other, the lens barrel is provided with: the driving motor; the lens unit holder that has the rack receiving the transmission of the driving force by engaging with the revolving shaft which is a part of the driving motor, and holds the lens unit holder; and the spear portion that releases the engagement between the part of the revolving shaft and the rack.

Abstract: A linkage mechanism between a zoom strobe device and a zoom finder device, which contributes to reduced size of a camera, and can control the illumination range of the zoom strobe device and the magnification of a finder optical system of the zoom finder device. A cam plate is disposed linearly movably in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of a zoom lens barrel unit. The linear motion of the cam plate changes the magnification of the zoom finder optical system and the range of illumination with strobe light. A linkage member is disposed movable along the optical axis. The linkage member has an engaging portion for being engaged with a cam groove formed in the outer periphery of a drive ring, and moves along the optical axis as the engaging portion moves following the cam groove along with rotation of the drive ring, thereby causing the cam plate to move linearly along the optical axis.

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

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

Abstract: 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 camera includes a flange back adjusting mechanism in which the operation of the flange back adjusting mechanism is not obstructed, and the flange back adjustment is easily performed. A flange back adjusting mechanism which moves and adjusts a CCD in the direction of the optical axis can be operated by an operation section which protrudes to the outside of a case portion through an operation window. The operation window is opened in a side wall face of a camera chassis separating rearward from a lens mount portion along the direction of the optical axis and on a peripheral wall of a case portion of the camera chassis.

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: The present invention discloses a variable power lens barrel including a first lens unit that is positioned nearest to the subject side, and a cam barrel having the first cam, wherein the first cam alternately and continuously has a plurality of variable power cam portions that drive the first lens unit for varying power thereof in the optical axis direction and a plurality of focus cam portions that drive the first lens unit driven by the respective variable power cam portions for focusing in the optical axis, and an amount of lift of the focus cam portion of the first cam, which drives the first lens unit, in the optical axis direction at the telephoto end is smaller than an amount of lift of the focus cam portion of the first cam, which drives the first lens unit, in the optical axis direction at other variable power positions.

Abstract: The lens interlock mechanism includes the first driving unit, the second driving unit, and the third driving unit. The first driving unit moves the zoom lens along the optical axis direction of the zoom lens while giving a first driving force corresponding to the movement of the zoom lens to the third driving unit. The second driving unit gives a second driving force corresponding to a distance between the subject to the third drive unit. The third driving unit receives the first and second driving force given from the first and second drive units, and thereby, moves the focus lens in its the optical axis direction while keeping a predetermined relation to the zoom lens based on the distance to the subject.

Abstract: A step zoom lens camera includes a rotatable cam ring, a cam groove formed on the cam ring, including step areas, a linear movement member which is connected to the cam ring, and a cam-guided lens group which is guided by the linear movement member to move linearly in the optical axis direction in accordance with the cam groove so as to move to an in-focus position of an object within each step area of the cam groove. The cam ring is provided on the rear end surface thereof with step area indicating indexes representing the corresponding step areas. The linear movement member is provided with a reference index at a predetermined circumferential position thereof, so that the position of use of the cam groove can be visually confirmed by viewing the position of the step area indicating indexes relative to the reference index.

Abstract: A lens drive control apparatus includes a movable lens which is movable along the optical axis; a lens driver; a code plate having two limit positions respectively serving as mechanical movement limit positions of the movable lens, the code plate including first and second codes; a code detector which moves together with the movable lens; a pulse generator which generates pulses according to the movement of the movable lens; a pulse counter; and a position determining device which determines an absolute position of the first code detected by the code detector, based on the number of pulses counted by the pulse counter from the time when the code detector detects the first or second code until the time when the code detector detects the subsequent other of the second code or first code.

Abstract: A single mechanism of a camera which performs zooming and focusing operations. The mechanism has a first lens group which performs focusing operation, a second lens group which moves relative to the first lens group to perform zooming operation, and a zoom lens barrel which carries the first lens group and the second lens group, so that each of the first lens group and the second lens group moves along a zooming line including a plurality of focusing sections and a plurality of zooming sections alternately. A forwarding amount of the first lens group in one of the focusing sections is different from that in at least one of the other focusing sections.

Abstract: A lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens includes lens frames having projections which extend radially outwards, wherein a cam follower is formed on each projection; a linear guide barrel; linear guide slots formed on the linear guide barrel parallel to the optical axis, wherein the projections of each lens frame are respectively engaged in the linear guide slots to be slidable therealong; a cam barrel fitted outside the linear guide barrel to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis thereto; and bottomed cam grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel, in which the cam followers of a corresponding lens frame are respectively engaged. The lens frames are moved in the direction of the optical axis, without rotating about the optical axis, to change a focal length of said zoom lens via rotation of said cam barrel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a variable power lens barrel including a first lens unit that is positioned nearest to the subject side, and a cam barrel having the first cam, wherein the first cam alternately and continuously has a plurality of variable power cam portions that drive the first lens unit for varying power thereof in the optical axis direction and a plurality of focus cam portions that drive the first lens unit driven by the respective variable power cam portions for focusing in the optical axis, and an amount of lift of the focus cam portion of the first cam, which drives the first lens unit, in the optical axis direction at the telephoto end is smaller than an amount of lift of the focus cam portion of the first cam, which drives the first lens unit, in the optical axis direction at other variable power positions.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus includes an intermediate barrel movable along an optical axis of an optical system; a movable barrel, containing a front group lens, movable along the optical axis to retract or protrude with respect to the intermediate barrel as the intermediate barrel moves; and a link mechanism including two links intersecting each other at an axially supported intersecting part, a front end of the links being attached to the movable barrel, a rear end of the links being attached to the intermediate barrel, the link mechanism expanding and contracting as the intermediate barrel moves, to move the movable barrel along the optical axis. This lens driving apparatus can carry out power-changing and focusing operations using a single driving source and driving mechanism as the link mechanism extends and retracts the movable barrel, and the lens driving apparatus can be made smaller.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for moving a lens and adjusting a diaphragm by a driving force supplied by a single drive source, comprising: a transmission mechanism capable of taking a first transmitting condition by which the driving force is transmitted for both adjusting the diaphragm and moving the lens; and a second transmitting condition by which the driving force is transmitted for either adjusting the diaphragm or moving the lens. Both the lens and the diaphragm are driven while the drive source is supplying the driving force to the transmission mechanism taking the first transmitting condition, and either the lens or the diaphragm is driven while the drive source is supplying the driving force to the transmission mechanism taking the second transmitting condition.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam tube having a female helicoid and a cam formed in an inner wall thereof. A first tube which holds a lens and has a male helicoid formed on an outer wall thereof engages the female helicoid. The first tube is arranged to be moved in an optical axis direction by rotation of the cam tube. A lens holding member holds a lens and has a cam pin provided thereon for engaging the cam of the cam tube. The lens holding member is arranged to be moved in the optical axis direction by a cam action of rotation of the cam tube. The female helicoid and the cam of the cam tube respectively have loci which are continuous and uninterrupted without interfering with each other.

Abstract: A camera having a manually operated zoom lens system, in which the magnification of the lens system is adjusted by manual rotation of a part of the lens systems. The camera includes a lens system having at least first and second optical elements, the first optical element being movable relative to the second optical element, a mechanism for moving the first optical element relative to the second optical element, and a rotatable element for operating the mechanism to change the magnification of the lens system. The camera further includes a view finder with adjustable magnification for providing a view representative of the image captured by the lens systems. The view finder includes first and second optical elements, the first element being moveable relative to the second element to change the magnification of the view finder and a mechanism for moving the first optical element relative to the second element.

Abstract: A dual lens camera has a lens carrier with a shorter focal length lens and a longer focal length lens for alternatively positioning only one of the lenses at a picture-taking axis. A single aperture for each one of the lenses is movable forward and rearward along the picture taking axis. The lens carrier is movable forward and rearward along the picture-taking axis in unity with the aperture, and is movable relative to the aperture to position the shorter focal length lens at the picture-taking axis when the aperture is moved rearward along the picture-taking axis and to position the longer focal length lens at the picture-taking axis when the aperture is moved forward along the picture-taking axis.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes an operating barrel formed with a zooming cam operative to perform zooming and focusing while turning, an inner movable barrel fixedly holding a front lens group and formed with a focusing cam which is movable axially only, an intermediate barrel capable of turning relatively to the inner movable barrel within a specified extent of angular interval, and a clutch mechanism operative to couple the intermediate barrel, during zooming, to the inner movable barrel together to restrain the intermediate barrel from turning relatively to the inner movable barrel so as thereby to shift axially the inner movable barrel through the zooming cam following a turn of the operating barrel and, during focusing, to the operating barrel together to restrain the intermediate barrel from turning relatively to the operating barrel and allow the inner movable barrel to turn relatively to the intermediate barrel so as thereby to shift axially the inner movable barrel relatively to the intermediat

Abstract: In a zooming-focusing type camera, a driving force of a motor is selectively transmitted to a zooming mechanism for controlling a focal length of an optical lens system, a film winding mechanism for winding a film by a length corresponding to one frame and a film rewinding mechanism for rewinding the film into a film cartridge by a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism has a planet gear revolving among and selectively engages with one of a winding gear of the film winding mechanism, a rewinding gear of the film rewinding mechanism and an input gear of the zooming mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the motor.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes at least two lens groups, a linear movement guide tube for guiding a linear movement of the lens groups along the optical axis and a cam tube for reciprocating the lens groups along the optical axis. The guide tube has a guiding portion formed on a film side end portion of the guide tube and extends in parallel with a film surface.

Abstract: A lens drive device for a zoom optical system drives first and second lenses along an optical axis with a single drive source. A transmission mechanism connects the drive source and the first and second lenses. The transmission mechanism transmits drive to the first lens during a first motion range and to the first and second lenses during a second motion range. A focal length of the optical system changes in the first motion range and a focal point position of the optical system changes in the second motion range. The first and second lenses respectively moves in response to movement of a first and second feed screw. A first gear transmits drive from the drive source to the first feed screw while a second gear intermittently transmits drive from the drive source to the second feed screw. A lock lever interlocks with the second gear in response to rotation of a large diameter section of the first gear to thereby arrest movement of the second gear and second feed screw.

Abstract: The rotation of the motor 60 located outside the lens barrel is transmitted to the shutter blades 74 that move along the optical axis together with the lens barrel by means of the gear train 62, the drive shaft 64 that is engaged with the output gear 63 of the gear train 62, the gear tube 66 that is engaged with the drive shaft 64 and has the engaging hole 67 through which the drive shaft 64 can extend and retract, and the gear 72 that is engaged with the gear 68 of the gear tube 66.

Abstract: In a camera equipped with a zoom lens for forming an image of an object onto a film surface, the camera is equipped with a front lens group composed of a first lens group, adjustable aperture blades, a second lens group, and a second lens group-holding member; a back lens group provided; and an actuator to drive the adjustable aperture blade. The actuator is provided on the object-side from a space between the second lens group and the back lens group.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an engaging mechnism. The engaging mechanism comprises a cam element which moves upon modification of an engaging position, a cam follower abutted against a cam surface of the cam element, a detecting element for detecting a position of the cam follower, and a section to be detected provided on the cam follower, for giving at least three different kinds of output values to the detecting element.

Abstract: A calculation circuit compares a current focus evaluation value provided from a focus evaluation value generation circuit, with a focus evaluation value, of one preceding field stored in a memory, to determine whether a CCD is in-focus or not. The calculation circuit provides a driving signal VD to a linear motor so that the CCD moves toward the in-focus position. A position prediction circuit predicts the position where the CCD arrives after a predetermined time period according to the driving signal VD. A comparator circuit compares a predicted result from the position prediction circuit with the actual moved position of the CCD detected by a position detection circuit to provide a signal Dpr corresponding to an amount of load according to the comparison result. A correction value determination circuit and a bias determination circuit correct the level of driving signal VD in response to signal Dpr to supply a second corrected driving signal VD2 to a voice coil.

Abstract: The zooming device comprises first and second lens groups movably supported by a guide shaft which is disposed in parallel to a cam shaft, an outer surface of which has first and second cam grooves. First and second pins provided on the first and second lens groups are engaged with the first and second cam grooves, respectively. A cam surface of the first cam groove is inclined to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cam shaft. By varying the distance between the guide shaft and the cam shaft, the first pin and the first lens group are moved along the optical axis of the lens groups, so that a focusing adjustment is performed.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a lens assembly having a lens barrel for supporting a lens along an optical axis, an optical base having an opening aligned with the optical axis, and a plurality of ramps and a corresponding plurality of reference locators circumferentially arranged around the lens assembly and the opening in the optical base in order to slide against one another. A retaining element biases the lens assembly against the optical base with the ramps and the reference locators likewise biased therebetween against each other. Consequently, the ramps and reference locators provide an arrangement for focusing the lens assembly. The optical assembly also includes a factory focus tab attached to the lens assembly and accessible during the manufacturing operation for focusing the lens assembly by moving the ramps against the reference locators, and a focus adjuster assembly accessible during user focus for focusing the lens assembly by moving the ramps against the reference locators.

Abstract: A lens position adjusting apparatus for adjusting an axial position of a rearmost lens group of a plurality of lens groups provided in a focal length variable lens upon assembly of the focal length variable lens is provided. The lens position adjusting apparatus includes a lens frame, a lens frame holder and an engagement tooth array portion. The lens frame holds the rearmost lens group. The lens frame holder engages with the lens frame through a threaded engagement. The engagement tooth array portion is formed along a rear end of the lens frame. The engagement tooth array portion consists of a plurality of engaging teeth. Each of the engaging teeth extends in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis facing towards a rear of the focal length variable lens.

Abstract: A magnification change-over device is arranged to be highly suitable for a camera of the kind having a photo-taking lens and a viewfinder arranged independently of each other. The device includes the photo-taking lens having an image magnification which is variable; the viewfinder which is arranged to have an image magnification thereof also variable; an operating device for varying the image magnification of the viewfinder; a detecting device for detecting the magnifying state of the viewfinder; and a driving apparatus for driving the photo-taking lens according to a detection signal of the detecting device when a shutter release operation is performed. After a magnification setting operation is performed on the viewfinder, the change-over device changes the magnification of the photo-taking lens according to the magnification of the viewfinder when a photographing operation is actually performed.

Abstract: A pair of overlapping semi-cylindrical hood members are driven within a zoom lens barrel to slide in the direction of the optical axis, forming a substantially cylindrical lens hood, according to a zooming position of the zoom lens in a telephoto range, and to swing away from one another, forming a flared lens hood, according to a zooming position of the zoom lens in a wide angle range. The hood members are first slid to a maximum extension amount before swinging out in the case of a zooming position in the wide angle range. A detection switch detects when the hood members have been extended to the maximum extension amount. A control device detects the condition of the detection switch and the zooming position of the zoom lens, and controls the position and opening amount of the lens hood accordingly.

Abstract: A magnification and focus adjustment control device, includes a first lens unit; a second lens unit; and a first and second guiding device for guiding a movement of the second lens unit. While an operation of a magnification change is conducted, a position of the second guiding device relating to the first guiding device is selected to be a lens guiding position where the second lens unit is guided by the first and second guiding devices so that the second lens unit moves along a predetermined locus relating to a movement of the first lens unit. While an operation of a focus adjustment is conducted, the position of the second guiding device relating to the first guiding device is selected to be a guide releasing position where a guidance of the predetermined locus of the second guiding device relating to the first guiding device is released.

Abstract: A miniaturized collapsible zoom camera changes viewfinder magnification in accordance with a change in the photographic magnification. The camera is equipped with a collapsible cam tube to cause a first lens group, which rotates around the optical axis, to move from a collapsed position to a position just before a minimum magnification position. Likewise, a zoom cam tube causes the first lens group, which rotates around the optical axis, to move from the minimum magnification position to a maximum magnification position. Sector gears are formed on the outer circumference of the collapsible cam tube and the zoom cam tube. Furthermore, the camera is equipped with a cam tube drive gear which cooperates with the sector gears. A drive motor causes the drive gear to rotate. Another gear cooperates only with the sector gear of the zoom cam tube while a variable power and movement mechanism causes variable power operation in the viewfinder.

Abstract: A lens barrel for a zoom lens having front and rear lens groups has a rotary barrel which is rotatable about the optical axis and moves the front lens group in the direction of the optical axis in response to its rotation. A focusing cam groove formed on the inner surface of the rotary barrel guides the rear lens group to focus the zoom lens in response to rotation of the rotary barrel, and a zooming can groove formed on the inner surface of the rotary barrel in parallel to the focusing cam groove guides the rear lens group to zoom the zoom lens in response to rotation of the rotary barrel.

Abstract: A camera having an apparatus for adjusting a back focus by varying a distance between a rearmost point of lens groups of a photographing optical system and focal plane. The apparatus includes a stationary barrel that supports the lens groups and is fixed to the camera body, and a restricting mechanism that is provided between the camera body and the stationary barrel. The restricting mechanism restricts rotational movement of the stationary barrel with respect to the camera body, while allowing movement of the stationary barrel in an optical axis direction with respect to the camera body.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with a zoom lens having a front lens group which is moved back and forth in the direction of an optical axis held by a movable lens barrel and a rear lens group which is disposed behind the front lens group and is moved backed and forth in the direction of the optical axis maintaining a predetermined optical position relative to the front lens group in response to movement of the front lens group. A lens drive mechanism includes a cam lever which is supported on the camera body for rotation about a rotational axis perpendicular to the optical axis. A first cam pin is provided on the movable lens barrel and a first cam hole is provided in the cam lever. A second cam pin is formed integrally with the rear lens group and a second cam hole is provided in the cam lever. A predetermined play for permitting focusing of the zoom lens is formed between the first cam pin and the first cam hole in the direction of movement of the movable lens barrel.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus in a zoom lens in which a position of a zooming optical system in a zoom lens barrel is varied in an optical axis direction in accordance with an axial position of a rotatable cam ring. The apparatus includes a back focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial position of the cam ring, an axially movable member which is movable together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction in accordance with the axial movement of the cam ring upon back focus adjustment, and a detecting mechanism provided between the axially movable member and the cam ring for detecting an angular position of the cam ring.