Abstract: A camera arrangement as well as a method, a device and a computer-readable storage medium with instructions for controlling an assistance system using the camera arrangement. The camera arrangement comprises a camera and an operating element for activating the camera and for deactivating the camera. The camera arrangement is suitable for reporting the activation of the camera and the deactivation of the camera via an interface to an external control unit.

Abstract: An optical system is provided, including a movable part, a fixed module, a driving assembly, a position sensor, and an electronic element. The movable part holds an optical element that defines an optical axis, and the fixed module is movably connected to the movable part and has a base. The driving assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the fixed module. The position sensor is disposed on the base for detecting the position of the movable part relative to the fixed module. The electronic element is disposed on the base, wherein the position sensor overlaps the electronic element when viewed along the optical axis.

Abstract: Provided is a lens assembly including a first lens having positive optical power with respect to incident light incident from an object side and having a convex surface facing the object side, and a second lens including a meta-lens having negative chromatic aberration with respect to the incident light passing through the first lens.

Abstract: A camera system lens or image sensor is moved to change the distance between the image sensor the lens in order for the image sensor to capture an-focus of an object. The camera system includes one or more calibration values indicating distances between the lens and the image sensor for different distances to objects, such as a macro calibration value and an infinity calibration value. These one or more calibration values are used by the camera system when manually focusing the camera system (e.g., a user manually sets the camera system to a macro setting or an infinity setting) or when automatically focusing the camera system on an object. These one or more calibration values are dynamically updated during use of the camera system, allowing the camera system to adapt to various factors such as changes in environment, pressure applied to the camera system, and so forth.

Abstract: An optical system is provided, including a holder, a fixed module, a driving assembly, and a first resilient member. The holder is used for holding an optical element that defines an optical axis. The fixed module is movably connected to the holder and has a housing and a base connected to the housing. The base has a bottom surface parallel to the optical axis and a first pillar forming a first surface not parallel to the optical axis. The driving assembly drives the holder to move relative to the fixed module. The first resilient member is disposed on the first surface and movably connecting the holder with the fixed module.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a first image capturing module, a second image capturing module and a focusing and image processing module. The first image capturing module includes a plurality of first phase focusing detectors, and the field of view of the second image capturing module is smaller than the field of view of the first image capturing module. The plurality of the first phase focusing detectors are used for generating a plurality of first sets of optical sensing signals. When one of the plurality of the first sets of optical sensing signals are selected by the focusing and image processing module to provide a first focal signal according to the selected first set of optical sensing signal, the first image capturing module and the second image capturing module adjust respective focal distances according to the first focal signal.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens attachable to a camera body includes an image pickup optical system configured to form an optical image of an object, and a controller configured to start initializing an optical element included in the image pickup optical system so as to move the optical element to a predetermined position when the controller receives a first signal that commands a start of an initialization from the camera body, and configured to start initializing the optical element after the controller receives identification information from the camera body and a period elapses for which the camera body consumes more than a predetermined amount of power when the controller does not receive the first signal from the camera body.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element supported on a support structure by a suspension system comprising a plurality of resilient flexures. A shape memory alloy actuator drives movement of the movable element on contraction. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element in the opposite direction. Rather than using the resilient flexures of the suspension system as the sole biassing means, an additional Massing element biasses the movable element against the SMA actuator. When the moveable element is held against the end-stop, the force applied by the biassing element is greater than the force applied by the flexures of the suspension system. This reduces the design constraints, for example allowing a greater range of movement.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens attachable to a camera body includes an image pickup optical system configured to form an optical image of an object, and a controller configured to start initializing an optical element included in the image pickup optical system so as to move the optical element to a predetermined position when the controller receives a first signal that commands a start of an initialization from the camera body, and configured to start initializing the optical element after the controller receives identification information from the camera body and a period elapses for which the camera body consumes more than a predetermined amount of power when the controller does not receive the first signal from the camera body.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus for use in an imaging apparatus includes an exchangeable lens and a camera body. The exchangeable lens includes an optical system including a focus lens. The camera body is able to hold the exchangeable lens and includes an imaging element. The apparatus further includes a pan•tilt detection unit, a decision unit, and a control unit. The pan•tilt detection unit detects a pan and tilt of the camera body. The decision unit determines whether the exchangeable lens is able to achieve wobbling. The control unit controls an automatic focusing process of the focus lens in accordance with an image data generated by the imaging element. The control unit executes a different automatic focusing process in accordance with a decision made by the decision unit, when the pan or tilt of the camera body is detected to have started.

Abstract: Methods for automatic focus in a stereographic imaging device that includes two imaging sensor systems are provided. Focus searches are executed on both imaging sensor systems to determine optimal focused lens positions for each. The focus searches may be executed currently or sequentially, and may be at differing lens position granularities. Focal scores and spatial locations, i.e., the locations of focus regions, may be shared between the imaging sensor systems to coordinate the focus searches. Touchscreen coordinates may also be used to coordinate the focus searches.

Abstract: A camera lens actuation apparatus for driving motion of a camera lens supported on a support structure by a suspension system. The apparatus incorporates a subassembly comprising SMA wire connected to at least one mounting member which is mounted to the support structure. At least one pair of lengths of SMA wire are held in tension between the camera lens element and the support structure at respective acute angles to the optical axis applying a tensional force having a component along the optical axis. The lengths of SMA wire in the pair are held at angle as viewed along the optical axis. There may be plural pairs with a balanced arrangement in which the forces generated have no net component perpendicular to the optical axis and generate no net torque around any axis perpendicular to the optical axis. A control circuit controls heating of the SMA wire in response to a measure of its resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for auto-focus control of a digital camera, the method including moving a focus lens of the digital camera to a position for a longest-distance photographing, and then extracting an edge value according to a corresponding position while moving the focus lens by a preset interval in a direction toward an image sensor; estimating a form of a preset function based on the extracted edge values, and calculating a maximum value of the estimated function; calculating a difference between a maximum value of the preset function calculated at a first current position of the focus lens and a maximum value of the preset function calculated at a previous position of the focus lens; and moving the focus lens to a position corresponding to a currently-calculated maximum value of the preset function when the difference between the maximum value of the preset function calculated at the first current position of the focus lens and the maximum value of the preset function calculated at the previous positio

Abstract: An automatic focusing device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image sensor being subjected to exposure performed in a rolling shutter system, a focusing system including a focus lens for focusing on the image sensor, an AF evaluation value calculating unit calculating an AF evaluation value based on an imaging signal obtained from the image sensor, and an AF control unit controlling an operation of the focusing system based on an AF evaluation value of a focusing area set in a part of the imaging picture by the image sensor, and the AF control unit makes the AF evaluation value of a focusing area of each imaging picture and a focus lens position at the time of exposure for the focusing area correspond to each other, and drives the focusing system during the period which overlaps with an exposure period while searching the focus lens position where the AF evaluation value becomes maximum.

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

Abstract: A lens movement control method and a lens movement control apparatus of a camera module for preventing allophone of a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) are provided. The lens movement control method of a camera module includes switching the camera module from a camera operation mode to a camera stop mode, generating a control signal for removing the occurrence of VCA allophone in the camera stop mode, moving a lens to a VCA allophone removal location based on the generated control signal, and powering-off the camera module to move the lens moved to the VCA allophone removal location to a bottom surface of the lens.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining an optimal focal position using auto-focus statistics. In one embodiment, such techniques may include generating coarse and fine auto-focus scores for determining an optimal focal length at which to position a lens associated with the image sensor. For instance, the statistics logic may determine a coarse position that indicates an optimal focus area which, in one embodiment, may be determined by searching for the first coarse position in which a coarse auto-focus score decreases with respect to a coarse auto-focus score at a previous position. Using this position as a starting point for fine score searching, the optimal focal position may be determined by searching for a peak in fine auto-focus scores. In another embodiment, auto-focus statistics may also be determined based on each color of the Bayer RGB, such that, even in the presence of chromatic aberrations, relative auto-focus scores for each color may be used to determine the direction of focus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to track and to photograph a mobile object over a wide range, by a cooperative operation of multiple cameras. In addition, a mobile tracking system is provided for tracking the mobile object by the cooperation of multiple cameras, in which each camera includes a photographing device which photographs and recognizes the mobile object, a changing device which changes a view angle of the photographing device, a position deriving device which derives a position of the camera, a distance deriving device which derives the distance between the camera and the mobile object, and a communication device which transmits an identifier of the camera, a position of the camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and the distance between the camera and the mobile object to another camera and receives an identifier of the other camera, a position of the other camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and a distance between the other camera and the mobile object from the other camera.

Abstract: Provided is a method for focusing a camera lens assembly, the focusing method including assembling a lens and a camera device; measuring an actual distance between the lens and the camera device in an assembled position; inputting a difference of the actual distance from a focal length of the lens; and when power is applied to the camera lens assembly, adjusting a distance between the lens and the camera device according to the offset value, such that the distance between the lens and the camera device becomes equal to the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: An image is focused onto an image sensor array by efficient movement of an adjustable focus lens by a lens focus motor. A minimum of three focus positions is required to determine an estimated best focus position of the lens focus motor. After which a sweep of the focus positions surrounding the estimated best focus position is performed to verify and determine the best actual focus position of the lens focus motor. A sharpness value of the image being focused comprising a Sobel edge detection or other detections means provide sharpness data to evaluate image sharpness at various lens focus motor positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for auto-focus control of a digital camera, the method including moving a focus lens of the digital camera to a position for a longest-distance photographing, and then extracting an edge value according to a corresponding position while moving the focus lens by a preset interval in a direction toward an image sensor; estimating a form of a preset function based on the extracted edge values, and calculating a maximum value of the estimated function; calculating a difference between a maximum value of the preset function calculated at a first current position of the focus lens and a maximum value of the preset function calculated at a previous position of the focus lens; and moving the focus lens to a position corresponding to a currently-calculated maximum value of the preset function when the difference between the maximum value of the preset function calculated at the first current position of the focus lens and the maximum value of the preset function calculated at the previous positio

Abstract: A method of performing fast autofocus (AF) in a digital image processing apparatus having a plurality of lenses mounted therein. By dynamically setting AF search start positions and AF search directions by using current AF position information, fast AF may be performed.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first optical element that is allowed to move along an optical axis, a first driven member connected to the first optical element, a second optical element disposed in the optical axis of the first optical element, which is allowed to move along the optical axis, a second driven member connected to the second optical element, a first drive shaft disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis to drive the first driven member along the optical axis, a second drive shaft disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis to drive the second driven member along the optical axis, a first drive unit connected to an end of the first drive shaft to drive the first drive shaft, and a second drive unit connected to an end of the second drive shaft to drive the second drive shaft and disposed at a position that partially overlaps a position of the first drive unit when viewed from the direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: An electronic device can perform photographing by an AF (Auto-Focusing) function and a PF (Pan-Focus) function, and can give improvement of quickness of the taking of an image by automatically selecting an image, which is taken into the device, from a relation between the AF function and a shutter operation. The electronic device has an imaging part which catches an image obtained through an optical system, and also has a focusing mechanism which moves the optical system to an auto-focusing position or a fixed focus position. The electronic device further comprises a switch and a control part. The switch functions as a focusing switch ordering the focusing mechanism a focusing action, and also functions as a shutter switch ordering taking of an image caught by the imaging part. By this, the switch orders the focusing action or the taking of the caught image.

Abstract: Provided is a method for focusing a camera lens assembly, the focusing method including assembling a lens and a camera device; measuring an actual distance between the lens and the camera device in an assembled position; inputting a difference of the actual distance from a focal length of the lens; and when power is applied to the camera lens assembly, adjusting a distance between the lens and the camera device according to the offset value, such that the distance between the lens and the camera device becomes equal to the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: A defect inspection apparatus which includes a pattern image obtaining unit obtaining a pattern image of a predetermined part by causing focusing control to be performed in order to achieve focus on the predetermined part within an observation object according to set focusing control parameters, a pattern image storing unit storing the pattern image, and a detecting unit detecting the presence/absence of an abnormal condition of a part to be inspected by making a comparison between the pattern image of a reference part within the observation object, and the pattern image of the part to be inspected within the observation object. The focusing control parameters, set when the pattern image of the part to be inspected is obtained, are determined based on sample information obtained when the pattern image of the reference part is obtained.

Abstract: A method for calibration in the field of imaging systems and imaging systems using the method for calibration. In particular, the method involves calibration in the field of open loop variable focus imaging systems and methods for calibration in the field of imaging system having a variable optical parameter.

Abstract: Described are an electronic device, a camera, and a method for determining an orientation of a camera in an electronic device. The method includes measuring a position of the lens at rest within the lens cavity (680), determining a pointing direction of the camera based on the position of the lens (684), and moving the lens to a new or adjusted starting position for an auto-focus function based on the pointing direction (688). The lens is biased to a predetermined position within the lens cavity when the camera is oriented in a predetermined pointing direction. A lens position sensor can measure a position of the lens to record a measured position. By evaluating the measured lens position, the camera orientation can be determined. The auto-focus of the camera can be started at a starting position based on the camera orientation.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a relative phase detecting unit operable to detect an amount of change in a relative phase associated with movement of a movable portion; an origin point position detecting unit operable to detect that the position of a reference part passes through an origin point; a relative position deriving unit operable to derive information on a relative position of the movable portion; a relative detection position retaining unit operable to retain a relative detection position of the movable portion based on the information on the relative position obtained at the time of the detection by the origin point position detecting unit; a calculating unit operable to calculate an absolute detection phase based on the relative detection position of the movable portion and to generate a drive signal based on the absolute detection phase; and a driving unit operable to move the movable portion to the reset position based on the drive signal.

Abstract: The portable terminal with camera comprises: a first housing and a second housing which are movably connected to each other; an image pickup device which is arranged in one of the first housing and the second housing; and a conversion lens which is arranged in the other of the first housing and the second housing. In a first state where the first housing and the second housing are laid on each other, the image pickup device and the conversion lens have an identical optical axis so that a focal length of the image pickup device is converted from a focal length in a second state where the first housing and the second housing are arranged to each other differently than the first state. Thus, the focal length can be converted using a simple arrangement, so as to easily switch between image-capturing of a distant object as with ordinary cameras and image-capturing of an operator's face or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus improves an auto focus system by altering, such as by positioning, at least one lens of a digital camera to a plurality of predetermined nonuniform lens positions corresponding to predetermined nonuniform lens position data. The method and apparatus selects a final lens position for the lens based on the predetermined nonuniform lens position data. In one example, a fixed number of predetermined nonuniform lens positions define a set of lens positions used to capture images during an auto focus operation. A final image is captured using a final lens position. The final lens position is determined by comparing focus metric information from each of the frames obtained at the various predetermined nonuniform focus lens positions and selecting the frame with, for example, the best focus metric as the lens position to be used for the final picture or image capture.

Abstract: Autofocus device has a lens-driving unit that drives a lens and a focal-point-position-detecting unit that detects a position of a focal point of the lens. The device also has a distance-measuring sensor that measures a distance to a subject and a control unit that performs a focusing operation to control the lens-driving unit to drive the lens, thereby meeting the position of the focal point of the lens detected by the focal-point-position-detecting unit to an in-focus position thereof. The control unit allows to be set a driving direction of the lens and a driving speed of the lens based on the position of the focal point of the lens detected by the focal-point-position-detecting unit and a distance measurement result measured by the distance-measuring sensor. The focusing operation then starts.

Abstract: An autofocus device comprising a lens-driving unit, a focal-point-position-detecting unit that detects a position of a focal point of the lens, and a distance measurement sensor. The sensor measures a distance to a subject based on a reference field of view for distance measurement and a field of view for distance measurement being offset outwardly from the reference field of view and/or a field of view for distance measurement having a field of view that is different from the reference field of view. The device has a control unit that controls the lens-driving unit to drive the lens to meet the position of the focal point of the lens to an in-focus position thereof. The focusing operation starts by setting the lens drive based on a representative value selected from measured distance results obtained by the distance measurement sensor and the position of the focal point of the lens.

Abstract: An autofocus device comprising a lens-driving unit, a focal-point-position-detecting unit that detects a position of a focal point of the lens, a distance measurement sensor that measures a distance to a subject, and a focus-evaluation-value-calculating unit that calculates a focus evaluation value using a frequency component of an image signal in a particular region in an imaging frame. The device also has a user interface and a control unit that controls the lens-driving unit to drive the lens based on the focus evaluation value or the focus evaluation value, the position of a focal point of the lens, and a measured distance result measured by the distance measurement sensor, thereby meeting the position of the focal point to an in-focus position. The control unit controls the lens-driving unit, the distance measurement sensor and the focus-evaluation-value-calculating unit based on the autofocus contents set by the user interface.

Abstract: A camera system including an imaging optical system including a focus lens, a driving device which drives the focus lens, a moving speed command value input device which inputs a moving speed command value of the focus lens, a wobble amount calculating device which calculates a wobble amount for wobbling the focus lens, a moving amount command value calculating device which calculates a command value of an amount of movement of the focus lens per unit time based on the inputted moving speed command value, a moving amount maximum value calculating device which calculates a maximum value of the amount of movement of the focus lens per unit time in consideration of the wobble amount, a moving amount determining device which sets, when the command value is larger than or equal to the maximum value, the maximum value as the amount of movement of the focus lens per unit time.

Abstract: An automatic focusing module (100) includes a lens barrel (10), a first lens (11), a piezoelectric element (14), and a deformably adjustable lens (13). The first lens is disposed in the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element is installed in the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element is connected to a piezoelectric circuit. The deformably adjustable lens is disposed in the piezoelectric element.

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: An imaging apparatus measures shake of the apparatus using a gyro sensor, performs “a center stop control” until receiving an instruction to start recording the still picture, and performs “a lens correction control” after the start of exposure in the imaging apparatus. The center stop control controls the correction lens position to stop a correction lens at an optical axis center position (position of the correction lens at which an optical axis of the imaging lenses coincides with an optical axis of a correction lens). The lens correction control controls the correction lens position to correct blurring of the image formed on an imaging element based on the measuring result. The imaging apparatus returns the correction lens to the optical axis center position before receiving a next instruction to start a next recording, and then performs the center stop control on the correction lens.

Abstract: A lens position adjusting device of a lens barrel includes a stationary ring, and a manual rotating ring which is screw-engaged with the stationary ring to be manually rotatable about an optical axis to move a movable lens group in the optical axis direction, wherein the manual rotating ring includes an operating ring member; and a sub-ring member which is screwed into the stationary ring, wherein the operating ring member and the sub-ring member are coupled to each other so that a relative rotation position therebetween about the optical axis is adjustable.

Abstract: A camera comprises a beam splitter configured to divide an incident light from a subject through a photographing lens, an eyepiece lens configured to observe the incident light divided by the beam splitter with a viewfinder, a relay lens provided between the beam splitter and the eyepiece lens, and a shutter provided in a vicinity of the relay lens and configured to cut a reverse-incident light from the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises a camera body and an image sensing unit. The image sensing unit is provided with a taking lens and an image sensing device for taking images and with an optical viewfinder. The camera body is provided with a controller for controlling the camera, signal processing circuits for processing signals from the image sensing device, a display device for displaying images taken and an interface for recording images taken onto a memory card. The display device serves as a viewfinder. In taking a image, the controller performs an AF control of the taking lens. When power supply to the camera is started, and when the display device is activated, the controller sets the taking lens at a predetermined focus position where in-focus condition is obtained for distant to close-range views, so that blurred images are not displayed on the display device.

Abstract: An optical apparatus according to the present invention enables a reduced drive distance in focusing operation of a focus lens to allow focus detection and focusing operation in a short time period. The optical apparatus has a detection unit which detects the attitude of the optical apparatus; and a controller which performs focus control for driving a focus lens included in an image-taking optical system based on a focus state of the image-taking optical system. The controller changes a drive start position of the focus lens in accordance with the attitude of the optical apparatus before the focus state of the image-taking optical system starts to be taken.

Abstract: An electronic shutter for a camera includes a first driving force generating mechanism for generating driving force for moving a lens barrel in a direction of an optical axis, a lens barrel moving mechanism for moving the lens barrel by use of driving force from the first driving force generating mechanism, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a focus adjusting to an initial position when electric power is applied or a shutter release operation is applied, a second driving force generating mechanism for generating driving force for driving three sectors, a sector opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the sectors by use of driving force from the second driving force generating mechanism, and an exposure position detecting mechanism for detecting an exposure position by cooperating with the sector opening/closing mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image pickup apparatus having a lens barrel which is sinkable into the apparatus body, and is controlled, if necessary, not to sink into the body even when the power is switched off The image pickup apparatus has a power key which switches on/off the power in accordance with a key operation, an instruction key which instructs a power source off state in which the lens barrel does not sink into the body, a storage unit which stores positions of lenses constituting a lens optical system when an instruction is given by the instruction key, and a control unit which switches off the power without sinking the lens barrel into the body in accordance with an instruction by the instruction key, and checks or adjusts positions of the lenses based on the positions stored in the storage unit when the power is switched on.

Abstract: An electronic shutter for a camera includes a first driving force generating mechanism for generating driving force for moving a lens barrel in a direction of an optical axis, a lens barrel moving mechanism for moving the lens barrel by use of driving force from the first driving force generating mechanism, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a focus adjusting to an initial position when electric power is applied or a shutter release operation is applied, a second driving force generating mechanism for generating driving force for driving three sectors, a sector opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the sectors by use of driving force from the second driving force generating mechanism, and an exposure position detecting mechanism for detecting an exposure position by cooperating with the sector opening/closing mechanism.

Abstract: A camera has a movable lens barrel that is stowed in a camera body while the camera is inactive, and is protruded from the camera body to a near range focusing position or a far range focusing position by rotating a drive ring in one direction. The movable barrel returns to the stowed position by rotating the drive ring further in the same direction, because of a cam mechanism interconnecting the drive ring with the movable barrel. To rotate the drive ring, a rotational power of a motor in a first direction is transmitted to the drive ring through a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is switched over according to the rotational direction of the motor and transmits a rotational power of the motor in a second direction to another mechanism. A controller controls driving the motor in response to signals entered through manually operated members, including a power switch, a shutter button and a zone selector, with reference to detection signals from a barrel position detector.

Abstract: A shake-proof camera comprises a shake-correcting lens portion for correcting a shake by changing an optical axis of a photographic optical system and a moving lens portion disposed in the vicinity of the shake-correcting lens portion and arranged as movable in a direction of the optical axis, and further is provided with a shake-correcting lens lock apparatus for locking the shake-correcting lens portion by bringing the moving lens portion into contact with the shake-correcting lens portion.

Abstract: A focal point detection apparatus having a plurality of detection areas comprises a view field mask disposed in the vicinity of a prearranged imaging plane of a photographing lens and provided with a plurality of view field apertures, a condenser lens provided with a plurality of lens units for respectively condensing light fluxes transmitting the plurality of view field apertures, and a re-imaging optical system provided with a plurality of re-imaging lens units for dividing a light flux transmitting each view field aperture into a pair of light fluxes transmitting different areas of the exit pupil of the photographing lens and for forming images of the respective view field apertures on light receiving means.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus drives a lens with a sine wave by means of a pulse motor and detects the position of the lens by counting the number of pulses during the driving of the pulse motor, and stores a stop phase which is reached by a rotor when the pulse motor is brought to a driving-stopped state. When the lens control apparatus is to move the lens to an initial position and initialize a counter for detecting the position of the lens, the lens control apparatus corrects the count value of the counter by using information indicative of the stored stop phase of the rotor.

Abstract: A method for driving a shutter of a camera includes the steps of determining whether a first shutter release is performed, measuring light and distance to the subject if the first shutter release is performed, determining both a focus position of the focus control lens to the subject and a light exposure according to the measured light and distance, reading focus compensating data stored in a memory, calculating a compensated focus position on the basis of the focus compensating data, determining whether a second shutter release is performed, moving the focus control lens to the compensated focus position, and driving the shutter.