Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
359696000 | Motor driven | 89 |
20080225407 | LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE TAKING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Data related to an object distance which is sent from a camera apparatus is captured. A focus lens position instructed value CL is calculated based on an object distance instructed value CD and a zoom position information value ZP. An object distance returned value PL to be transmitted to the camera apparatus is obtained based on a current lens position CF and the zoom position information value ZP. Whether the focus lens position instructed value CL is equal to the lens position CF or not is determined. When the focus lens position instructed value is not equal to the lens position, a focus lens is moved in accordance with the focus lens position instructed value CL is performed. When the focus lens position instructed value is equal to the lens position, lens driving processing is not performed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080231970 | LINEAR DRIVE SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF - A drive system and methods thereof include at least one actuator assembly that detachably engages a moveable system and at least one control system. The control system voltage biases the actuator assembly in at least one direction at a rate which causes the at least one actuator assembly to slip with respect to the detachably engaged moveable system. The control system also voltage biases the actuator assembly in at least one other direction at a rate which causes the at least one actuator assembly to stick and move with respect to the detachably engaged moveable system. | 09-25-2008 |
20080239508 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOVEMENTS OF AN OPTICAL ZOOM DEVICE - A method for controlling movements of an optical zoom device, the method includes the steps of: setting a timer to zero, and setting a time limit; checking whether the wide-angle button or the telephoto button is pressed; starting the timer and moving the optical zoom device to a point between the current position and the next position in a direction corresponding to the pressed wide-angle button or the pressed telephoto button if the wide-angle button or the telephoto button is pressed; checking the timer to determine whether the time on the timer is less than the time limit; checking whether the pressed button is released if the time on the timer is less than the time limit; confirming a position which is nearest to the optical zoom device along the direction of current movement if the pressed button is released; and moving the optical zoom device to the confirmed position. | 10-02-2008 |
20080247059 | Miniature Piezoelectric Motor and Method of Driving Elements Using Same - The present invention provides a piezoelectric ultrasonic motors and a method of driving a motor with a standing wave. The motors include a thin ring/cylinder-type stator having one or two piezoelectric (ceramic or single crystal) rings/cylinders, coated with a segmented top/outer electrode and a bottom/inner electrode and poled in a thickness/radial direction, a metal ring/cylinder which is laminated with piezoelectric ring(s)/cylinder(s) having several inner threaded protrusions. The motor also includes a power source for supplying an alternating voltage to one group of electrodes of the piezoelectric stator to excite a standing wave vibration along one diameter direction of the stator ring/cylinder. The motor further includes a short cylinder rotor, which may have a lens inside for certain optical applications, or it may include other elements. The rotor is attached to the stator at the threaded surface of the protrusions and is driven to produce a circular motion, which may also be translated into a linear motion by the threaded surface through standing wave deformation at protrusions. Reverse motion of the rotor can be realized by applying the alternating voltage to another group of electrodes of the stator. | 10-09-2008 |
20080259466 | Platform Transport Systems - A transport system for moving and positioning an object comprising: a tube ( | 10-23-2008 |
20080266674 | LENS DEVICE - A lens device includes a seat unit, a swingable lens module having a guide member, a rotatable cam unit, first and second biasing components, and a first lens module. The swingable lens module is movable relative to the seat unit along an optical axis while the guide member is biased by the first biasing component to abut against a spiral guide surface of the rotatable cam unit. The swingable lens module is pivotable relative to the seat unit about a pivot pin that extends parallel to the optical axis with the guide member being pushed by a pushing surface of the rotatable cam unit to a retreating position, and is biased by a second biasing component toward a retracting position. The first lens module is disposed at one side of the swingable lens module opposite to the seat unit along the optical axis. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273251 | Zoom Lens Control Mechanism - A zoom lens control mechanism for changing a focal distance in an optical axis of a first lens set includes a zoom lens base, a lens support, and a switch device. The zoom lens base has an image pickup opening disposed in the optical axis of the first lens set. The lens support is disposed on the zoom lens base, with one end rotatably disposed on the zoom lens base, and the other end with a second lens set. Herein, when the lens support rotates, the second lens set shifts between an active position and a leaving position along the surface of the zoom lens base. When the second lens set is at the active position, the focal distance may be changed according to a curvature of the second lens set. | 11-06-2008 |
20090122420 | LENS DRIVE DEVICE, SPRING MEMBER AND MANUFACTURING METHODS THEREFOR - A lens drive device may include a movable body movable in an optical axis direction, a support body supporting the movable body through a spring member which may include spring pieces electrically separated from each other, formed with a coil connecting part to which one of a winding start part and a winding end part of the coil is electrically connected. The movable body is provided with an accommodating part for accommodating the coil connecting part. The spring member may include a plate spring-shaped arm part connecting a support body side fixing part with a movable body side fixing part and the arm part is provided with a laser cut portion formed by a laser in a part of an edge part of the arm part. An edge part of the arm part except the laser cut portion may be a cut portion formed by press working or etching processing. | 05-14-2009 |
20090153981 | Device for transferring lens - A device for transferring a lens, including a lens installation member in which at least one lens is installed, a guide member guiding the lens installation member, a driver that transfers the lens installation member and comprises a lead screw, a clip member that comprises a thread part contacting the lead screw and an installation portion installed in the lens installation member, an installation pin that rotatably installs the clip member in the lens installation member, and an elastic member installed onto the installation pin. A first portion of the elastic member contacts the clip member and a second portion of the elastic member contacts the lens installation member. A portion of the lens installation member contacting the second portion of the elastic member has an inclined surface shape with respect to a longitudinal direction of the installation pin. | 06-18-2009 |
20090168199 | LENS CONTROL APPARATUS, LENS BARREL, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND OPTICAL APPARATUS - A lens control apparatus includes a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature near a zoom lens and a focus lens, a zoom lens drive unit configured to drive the zoom lens, and a controller configured, if it is determined that a current temperature near the zoom lens and the focus lens detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than a reference temperature, to acquire a telephoto end position to be set at the current temperature, to compare the telephoto end position with a current position of the zoom lens, and to cause the zoom lens drive unit to move the zoom lens to the telephoto end position if the current position of the zoom lens is located beyond the telephoto end position on a telephoto side. | 07-02-2009 |
20090231728 | MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING POSITION OF OPTICAL ELEMENT - An optical element position control mechanism includes an optical element holding member, a lead screw rotatable on a rotational axis parallel to movement direction of the optical element holding member, a linearly moving nut screw-engaged with the lead screw and engaged with the optical element holding member, and a rotation prevention device preventing the linearly moving nut from rotating about the lead screw. Rotations of the lead screw cause the linearly moving nut to move along the lead screw, a position of the optical element holding member being determined by the linearly moving nut. A biasing device is positioned between the linearly moving nut and the optical element holding member and is resiliently deformable in a plane substantially parallel to a plane which includes the rotational axis of the lead screw, and applies a biasing force against the linearly moving nut so as to be prevented from rotating. | 09-17-2009 |
20090262438 | VOICE COIL MOTOR ACTUATOR - A voice coil motor (VCM) actuator includes a fixed bracket, a lens barrel, two flat spring plates, a support plate, a plurality of positioning pins, a plurality of coils, and a plurality of magnets. The fixed bracket includes a first chamber and a plurality of magnet mounting holes. A lens barrel is positioned in the first chamber. The flat spring plates and the support plate include a plurality of first locating holes and second locating holes. Two resilient heads are formed on two ends of each positioning pin. Each positioning pin interconnects between respective first locating holes of the flat spring plates and respective second locating holes of the support plate. A plurality of coils are wrapped around an outer wall of the lens barrel. A plurality of magnets is received in the magnet mounting holes. | 10-22-2009 |
20090279186 | MOVABLE LENS MODULE AND OPTICAL LENS MODULE - A movable lens module includes a plate type piezoelectric driving unit, a movable stage, a lens base and a lens group. The movable stage is in contact with the plate type piezoelectric driving unit, and is driven by the plate type piezoelectric driving unit to move. The lens base is disposed on the movable stage. The lens group includes at least one lens installed in the lens base. An optical lens module can be assembled by components of the movable lens module. | 11-12-2009 |
20090290233 | LENS ACTUATOR - A lens actuator includes a lens barrel for accommodating the lens, a coil wrapped around the lens barrel, a plurality of magnets, a bracket for mounting the magnets thereon and accommodating the lens barrel therein, and a resilient plate connected between the bracket and the lens barrel to hold the lens barrel on the bracket. A cutout is defined in the edge of the through hole of the plate shaped body corresponding to the respective fixing portions. The lens barrel includes a plurality of fasteners. Each of the fastener includes a shaft extending through the cutouts and protruded out from the lens barrel and a head extending radially outwardly of the shaft at the distal end thereof. The resilient plate and the lens barrel are gripped together by engagement of the cutouts with the respective fasteners. | 11-26-2009 |
20100060994 | LENS DRIVE DEVICE - A lens drive device may include a fixed body, a movable body having a lens, a magnetic drive mechanism for magnetically driving the movable body in a lens optical axis direction, and a spring member which connects the movable body with the fixed body. The fixed body may include a base disposed on an imaging element side, a shield member which is formed in a cover shape and which is provided with a side plate part whose imaging element side end part is abutted with an object side face of the base, and a ground terminal which is a different member from the shield member and connected with the shield member. An imaging element side face of the ground terminal is supported by a ground terminal support part formed on the object side face of the base and a gap space is formed between the object side face of the ground terminal and an end part of the side plate part of the shield member. | 03-11-2010 |
20100134902 | Lens barrel and imaging apparatus - A lens barrel includes: a lens holding frame holding a lens; a barrel body housing the lens holding frame; motion conversion means for converting rotary motion of the lens holding frame into reciprocating motion along the optical axis of the lens; a manual ring provided on the outer side of the barrel body and rotating around the optical axis; a coreless stepper motor provided on the outer side of the barrel body and rotating around the optical axis; rollers provided between the manual ring and the stepper motor, and rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the manual ring and the stepper motor; motor rotation preventing means for preventing the stepper motor from rotating when the rollers transfer the rotation of the manual ring; an intermediate ring rotating around the optical axis; and a transfer unit transferring the rotary motion of the intermediate ring to the lens holding frame. | 06-03-2010 |
20100232035 | Combined Gear, Lens Adjustment Mechanism, and Electronic Device - The present invention includes a pair of first gear | 09-16-2010 |
20100277813 | LENS BARREL AND LENS SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A lens barrel is provided with which manufacturing costs can be reduced. The lens barrel ( | 11-04-2010 |
20110002050 | ROTATIONALLY EXTENDABLE STRUCTURE OF LENS BARREL - A rotationally extendable structure of a lens barrel includes a stationary ring; a rotational ring, supported by the stationary ring to move in an optical axis direction while rotating and includes a peripheral gear at the rear end thereof; and a rotational-ring drive gear. The rotational-ring drive gear includes a long gear portion, formed long enough to mesh with the peripheral gear over an entire moving range of the rotational ring, and a large-diameter gear portion at the rear end of the long gear portion. The rotational ring is provided in a rear end thereof with a large-diameter-gear accommodating recess. When the rotational ring is moved to a rearward movement extremity in the optical axis direction, the large-diameter gear portion enters into the large-diameter-gear accommodating recess so that the large-diameter gear portion coincides with the peripheral gear with respect to the optical axis direction. | 01-06-2011 |
20110026135 | LENS BARREL - Distance information is displayed at the time of manual focusing but is not displayed at the time of automatic focusing. By rotating a focus switching ring around an optical axis for automatic focusing, an intermediate ring coupled thereto by a cam and a distance display ring rotatably coupled to the intermediate ring are moved along the optical axis to an image side. At this time, the distance display ring and the manual focus ring are uncoupled from each other. With this switching, the distance information written on the distance display ring is also moved to the image side. Therefore, the distance information, which is visible through an information display window of the focus switching ring at the time of manual focusing, becomes invisible. | 02-03-2011 |
20110043929 | ZOOM LENS BARREL - A lens control apparatus having a zoom lens includes first and second operation members that give a zoom instruction for moving the zoom lens, and a controller that changes a zoom stop position to a first pattern according to the operation of the first operation member, and changes the zoom stop position to a second pattern, which has an interval wider than that in the first pattern, according to the operation of the second operation member. | 02-24-2011 |
20110149413 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TWO POSITION ZOOM-FOCUS - A system for providing a two-position zoom-focus capability in a video inspection device comprising, in one embodiment, a focus lens cell and primary aperture attached to a set of fixed rails and connected to a zoom lens cell. In one embodiment, the focus lens cell is moveable into a first position along the rails through activation of a proximally located lens movement mechanism, and moveable into a second position through relaxation of a tensioned focus spring. In one embodiment, movement of the focus lens cell between first and second focus positions causes movement of the zoom lens cell and a secondary aperture between corresponding first and second zoom and aperture positions to provide unmagnified and magnified images of a target object. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149414 | ZOOM LENS - A zoom lens includes a lens, a shutter-aperture, a moving barrel and a resisting ring. The lens includes a curved surface. The shutter-aperture includes a diaphragm for allowing light rays passing through and at least three blind holes. The moving barrel includes a bottom plate, a securing portion for securing the lens, at least three protrusions surrounding the securing portion and at least three elastic elements sleeved on the protrusions respectively. The securing portion and the at least three protrusions extend towards the object-side from the bottom plate. The resisting ring is disposed on an end of the moving barrel opposite to the bottom plate. The aperture-shutter is received in the moving barrel and the movement of the aperture-shutter is bounded by the resisting ring. When the zoom lens contracts, the protrusions are received in the blind holes correspondingly and the lens is received in the diaphragm. | 06-23-2011 |
20110242678 | MOTOR DRIVEN OPTICAL APPARATUS - The optical apparatus including a motor to move an optical element, a position detector configured to detect a position of the optical element, a controller configured to control drive of the motor by using a position detection signal from the position detector, and a memory configured to store a reference movement amount of the optical element corresponding to a moving speed and a moving time period of the optical element moved by the motor. The controller is configured to acquire a correction value for reducing a difference between (a) an actual movement amount of the optical element obtained by using the position detection signal when the optical element is moved by the motor and (b) the reference movement amount, and then to control the drive of the motor by using the correction value. | 10-06-2011 |
20110273781 | LENS BARREL, CAMERA AND MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL - A lens barrel including a telescopic cylinder configured to be accommodated within a fixed frame; a plurality of lens groups configured to be retained in the telescopic cylinder; a lens driving device configured to drive the plurality of lens groups along a longitudinal axis of the telescopic cylinder between a collapsed position in which at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups is stored in the fixed frame and an extended position in which the at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups is extended out of the fixed frame; and a retractable lens group configured to be retracted into the fixed frame through an opening in a wall of the fixed frame when the telescopic cylinder is in the extended position. | 11-10-2011 |
20110286111 | LENS BARREL, IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AND LENS BARREL MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lens barrel includes a fourth lens, a prism, and a sixth lens. The fourth lens receives a light flux incident along a first optical axis. The prism includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light flux passing through the fourth lens to a direction along a second optical axis intersecting with the first optical axis. The sixth lens receives the light flux reflected by the prism. A second group frame includes an opening portion, a prism retaining frame that is arranged in a more inner position than the opening portion and in which the prism is contained, and a plurality of adhesive pockets arranged on an area around the prism retaining frame and being open to the side of the opening portion. Adhesive agent is filled in the adhesive pockets. | 11-24-2011 |
20120033309 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT DRIVES PLURAL LENS UNITS USING MOTORS DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD OF LENS - An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation. | 02-09-2012 |
20120127592 | LENS MODULE AND PROJECTION DEVICE USING THE SAME - A lens module includes a lens, a cam and an actuator. The lens has two driven parts disposed at one side of the lens. The cam is disposed beside the lens and has a rotation shaft and two cam surfaces, and a portion of the cam is located between the two driven parts. The two cam surfaces have the same shape and are on opposite sides of the cam. The two cam surfaces are in contact with the two driven parts respectively. The actuator is coupled with the rotation shaft and adapted to rotate the cam. | 05-24-2012 |
20130033760 | LENS-FRAME MOVING MECHANISM - A lens-frame moving mechanism includes a lens frame guided to move between a ready-to-photograph position and a retracted position, the lens frame being biased forwardly by a biaser; an intermediate linearly movable member, wherein the lens frame contacts the intermediate linearly movable member; a leading screw formed on the drive shaft of a motor; a nut member screw-engaged onto the leading screw, wherein the nut member does not rotate relative to the lens frame and moves the intermediate linearly movable member in the optical axis direction; and a rearwardly-movable member which rearwardly moves the lens frame against the biasing force such that the lens frame moves away from the intermediate linearly movable member in the optical axis direction while the lens frame is moved from the ready-to-photograph position to the retracted position. | 02-07-2013 |
20130033761 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - The imaging device includes a lens barrel, which itself includes a first frame, a second frame rotatably supported by the first frame, a lens mount including a contact face that comes into contact with the main body of a camera body, and a linking portion for linking the lens mount and the first frame on the outside of the contact face, with at least part of the second frame being disposed between the linking portion and the contact face along the optical axis direction; and an imaging element for converting an optical image formed by the lens barrel into image data. | 02-07-2013 |
20130114149 | PIEZO-ELECTRIC BASED MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL LENS ACTUATION SYSTEM - Disclosed is a piezo-electrically actuated micro-mechanical deformable member comprising a corrugated longitudinal beam ( | 05-09-2013 |
20130120855 | Piezoelectric driving module for lens - A piezoelectric driving module for lens, which defines a photographic optical axis and includes a housing, a driven object (e.g., a lens module), a piezo member, and a rubbing element. The piezo member and the rubbing element are provided in the housing and located on two lateral sides of the driven object respectively. The piezo member drives the driven object by friction so that the driven object can be moved along the photographic optical axis until focused. Meanwhile, a predetermined frictional force is generated between the rubbing element and the driven object to reduce a gravity-induced speed difference between forward and backward movements of the driven object along the photographic optical axis. | 05-16-2013 |
20130176629 | IMAGE BLUR CORRECTION DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image blur correction device includes a lens unit having at least one lens and rotationally moving in a first direction which is a rotation direction of a first fulcrum axis and in a second direction which is a rotation direction of a second fulcrum axis relative to an outer casing, a first driving motor which causes the lens unit to pivot in the first direction, and a second driving motor which causes the lens unit to pivot in the second direction. An auxiliary axis is disposed opposite to the first driving motor with interposing of the lens unit, the lens unit pivots in the first direction and in the second direction by the rotation of output axes of the first and second driving motors, and each output axis is rotatably supported by a pair of first bearings and each auxiliary axis is rotatably supported by a second bearing. | 07-11-2013 |
20130222926 | OPTICAL APPARATUS - An optical apparatus includes a controller configured to control driving of a focus lens in manual focusing. A moving speed of the focus lens is expressed by a function of an operating speed of the operating unit, and the controller generates a control signal for the driver in accordance with the function. When the operating speed of the operating unit is equal to or lower than a threshold, the function is such a linear function that the moving speed of the focus lens linearly increases as the operating speed of the operating unit increases. When the operating speed of the operating unit is higher than the threshold, a differential value of the function increases as the operating speed of the operating unit increases. The function is continuous and smooth at the threshold. | 08-29-2013 |
20130235469 | DUAL-MOTOR LENS ACTUATING DEVICE AND DUAL-MOTOR LENS ACTUATING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses a dual-motor lens actuating device and method thereof. The device comprises a first backup plate, second backup plate, first driving motor, second driving motor, position sensor, step sensing unit and microcontroller. The first backup plate is installed to a zoom lens group; the second backup plate is installed to a focus lens group. The first driving motor and the second driving motor drive the movements of the zoom lens group and focus lens group respectively. The position sensor senses positions of the first and second backup plates to transmit a position signal. The step sensing unit senses movements corresponding to the lens groups to transmit a step signal. The microcontroller controls the first driving motor and the second driving motor to drive the movements of the zoom lens group and focus lens group according to the position signal and step signal. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235470 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit. | 09-12-2013 |
20130250437 | ZOOM LENS BARREL - A lens control apparatus having a zoom lens includes first and second operation members that give a zoom instruction for moving the zoom lens, and a controller that changes a zoom stop position to a first pattern according to the operation of the first operation member, and changes the zoom stop position to a second pattern, which has an interval wider than that in the first pattern, according to the operation of the second operation member. | 09-26-2013 |
20140111871 | LENS SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A lens system includes an operating unit for operating a lens apparatus, an operation-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the operating unit via a transmission line, and a lens-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the lens apparatus via a transmission line. The operation-side and lens-side communication units perform wireless communication to/from each other. The operation-side communication unit includes a command selecting unit selecting a command to be transmitted to the lens-side communication unit from commands input from the operating unit, and an answer interpolating unit generating an interpolated answer by interpolating answers with respect to commands that are not selected. The lens-side communication unit includes an answer selecting unit selecting an answer to be transmitted to the operation-side communication unit from answers input from the lens apparatus, and a command interpolating unit generating a command by interpolating commands received from the operation-side communication unit. | 04-24-2014 |
20140168792 | LENS BARREL - A lens barrel includes a barrel body, an optical system disposed inside the barrel body, a zoom motor, a focus motor, a zoom lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the zoom motor, and a focus lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the focus motor. The zoom lever switch and the focus lever switch are arranged in a region formed of first and fourth quadrants of the lens barrel. | 06-19-2014 |
20140240850 | Zoom Lens Barrel - A lens control apparatus having a zoom lens includes first and second operation members that give a zoom instruction for moving the zoom lens, and a controller that changes a zoom stop position to a first pattern according to the operation of the first operation member, and changes the zoom stop position to a second pattern, which has an interval wider than that in the first pattern, according to the operation of the second operation member. | 08-28-2014 |
20140285904 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH SAME - There is provided a lens barrel with a high degree of design latitude, with which an index display portion can be driven regardless of the amount of drive of the lens. This lens barrel comprises a first driver first driver that moves a lens frame in a rectilinear direction, a position sensor that senses the position of the lens frame, a computer that computes an optical characteristic on the basis of the position of the lens frame sensed by the position sensor, a display portion that displays the optical characteristic, and a second driver that drives the display portion on the basis of the computation result of the computer. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285905 | MINIATURIZED OPTICAL ZOOM LENS SYSTEM - The present application provides a micromechanical (MEMS) based zoom lens system, for use in miniature device applications, such as miniature electronic imaging devices. The MEMS-based zoom lens system comprises at least four optical elements, or two Alvarez or Lohmann lenses, that are configured for passage of optical signals therethrough along an optical signal path. Each optical element is MEMS-driven and displaceable in a direction substantially transverse to the optical signal path. In use, the transverse displacement of the optical elements vary an overall focal length of the MEMS zoom lens system such as to provide an optical zoom function. A method of manufacturing a MEMS zoom lens system is also provided in a further aspect. | 09-25-2014 |
20140293439 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT - An optical instrument of the present invention has a first lens group and a second lens group capable of moving in an optical axis direction in order to perform optical zooming, and comprises a storage section for storing first position information relating to positions of the first lens group and positions of the second lens group corresponding to identical focal lengths that fall within a focal length region range in which zoom operations of the optical instrument are carried out, and second position information relating to positions of the first lens group and positions of the second lens group corresponding to different focal lengths that fall within the focal length region, and establishes a second optical state of a higher shooting magnification than a first optical state, when establishing substantially the same focal length as a focal length of the first optical state based on the first position information. | 10-02-2014 |
20150070781 | MULTI-LENS IMAGING MODULE AND ACTUATOR WITH AUTO-FOCUS ADJUSTMENT - The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical module that includes a plurality of lenses and an electromagnetic actuator to adjust a zoom level or focus of the optical module. | 03-12-2015 |
20150109683 | LENS SYSTEM, LENS BARREL, AND DRIVE UNIT - An object is to provide a lens system that can change the magnitude of torque required to rotate an operation ring according to the attachment/detachment of a drive unit to/from a lens barrel, the lens barrel, and the drive unit. When the drive unit is not mounted on the lens barrel, a torque adjustment mechanism works and a friction member presses the operation ring by a biasing force of a biasing member. When the drive unit is mounted on the lens barrel, a release member provided on the drive unit releases a bias, which is performed by the biasing member, by acting on the torque adjustment mechanism through a passage formed in a fixed ring. | 04-23-2015 |
20150124330 | RELAY LENS SYSTEM FOR A HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE PROJECTOR - A relay lens system for a high dynamic range projector is provided. The relay lens system comprises: a light input; a light output; one or more lenses configured to relay light from the light input to the light output; and, an aperture stop configured to provide a given numerical aperture to the light being relayed through the one or more lenses, the combination of the given numerical aperture and the one or more lenses are configured to: introduce a spherical aberration in the light between the light input and the light output; and, suppress one or more of the following in a ray fan plot of the spherical aberration: local maxima and local minima; and, points where a derivative of the ray fan plot is zero. | 05-07-2015 |
20160011395 | ZOOM LENS BARREL | 01-14-2016 |
20160033739 | MINIATURE CAMERA ZOOM ACTUATOR - Some embodiments include a fixed chassis structure and a moveable carriage body carrying one or more lenses. The carriage body is movably mounted to the chassis structure so as to limit a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement of the moveable carriage body but to allow movement along an optical axis through the one or more lenses. An inertial actuator is mounted to the moveable carriage body such that the axis of motion of the actuator is parallel to at least one allowed degree of freedom. The moveable carriage body is held in place with respect to the at least one allowed degree of freedom by one or more friction forces received at one or more mechanical contacts with the chassis structure. The inertial actuator is actionable to overcome the friction forces, and an inertial mass is mounted to the inertial actuator on a side opposite the carriage body. | 02-04-2016 |
20160056367 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR, LINEAR DRIVING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A piezoelectric actuator, a linear driving device, and an electronic apparatus that are able to be miniaturized are provided. The piezoelectric actuator includes a vibration member in which a planar piezoelectric element and an electrode plate are affixed each other with their planar surfaces being stuck together and a driving shaft fixed to the vibration member. The vibration member has an outline having a plurality of vertexes and a plurality of sides connecting the neighboring vertexes, and the electrode plate has a connecting member for electric current which protrudes from at least one sides of the vibration member. | 02-25-2016 |
20160070088 | IMAGING APPARATUS HAVING BENDING OPTICAL ELEMENT - A bending imaging apparatus includes a movable lens group, a motor which drives the movable lens group and includes a lead screw extending parallel to the optical axis, a bending optical element at at least one end of the optical axis, a housing which supports the movable lens group and the bending optical element; a motor support bracket including a motor support portion, a screw support portion, and a planar portion between the motor support portion and the screw support portion and extends alongside the housing; a cover member including a planar portion facing the planar portion of the motor support bracket, and a fixer which fixes the cover member to the housing with a repulsive force generated between the planar portions of the motor support bracket and the cover member with the motor support bracket pressed against the housing. | 03-10-2016 |
20160116720 | ASPHERIC VARIABLE FOCAL LENGTH LENS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Aspheric variable focal length lens systems and methods are described herein. One example of a system for aspheric variable focal length lens includes a first surface coupled to a second surface by a number of concentric rings that creates a void, wherein the first surface is a variable aspheric surface, an optical material within the void between the first surface and the second surface, a first actuator located at a first end of the first surface and a first end of the second surface, and a second actuator located at a second end of the first surface and a second end of the second surface. | 04-28-2016 |
20160178867 | Micro Lens-Driving Apparatus | 06-23-2016 |
20160377855 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An objective optical system of an observation unit of the endoscope has a zoom function, and the movable lens for changing a zoom magnification of the objective optical system is controlled to be capable of moving to only a plurality of step positions SP | 12-29-2016 |
359697000 | Condition responsive | 36 |
20090034095 | PHOTOGRAPHING LENS DRIVING CONTROL APPARATUS - A photographing lens driving control apparatus includes a plurality of lens groups constituting a zooming optical system including a lens group ( | 02-05-2009 |
20090161231 | Lens Drive Device - A lens drive device having a simple structure and small sized. The lens drive device ( | 06-25-2009 |
20090161232 | OPTICAL APPARATUS - An optical apparatus includes a magnification-varying lens, a controller configured to control an actuator, and to move the magnification-varying lens; and a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the optical apparatus, wherein the controller sets a telephoto end position of the magnification-varying lens to a first position when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is a first temperature, and the controller sets the telephoto end position of the magnification-varying lens to a second position closer to a wide-angle side than the first position when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is a second temperature higher than the first temperature. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161233 | LENS POSITION DETECTING DEVICE AND LENS POSITION DETECTING METHOD - A lens position detecting device includes a lens, a lens driver for moving the lens in the optical axis direction, a lens drive command unit for outputting a drive command to the lens driver; a position detector for detecting that the lens is located at a predetermined position, and a first reference position detector that moves the lens to a first position upon starting a detecting operation, receives an output signal from the position detector while moving the lens in one direction along the optical axis direction from the first position, and detects a reference position of the lens based on the output signal. | 06-25-2009 |
20090168200 | LENS POSITION CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD - It is provided an imaging apparatus including a plurality of motors configured to be driven to move lenses in synchronous with a drive pulse, a position detection unit configured to detect one of positions of the lenses moved by the driving of the plurality of motors, an operation unit configured to perform an output corresponding to an operation in response to the operation by a user, and a controller configured to receive the output from the position detection unit and control the plurality of motors. The controller supplies the number of drive pulses calculated based on a target position for moving the lens calculated based on the output from the operation unit and a lens position detected by the position detection unit. | 07-02-2009 |
20090284845 | LENS DRIVING-CONTROL DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE LENS DRIVING-CONTROL DEVICE - A lens driving-control device including a plurality of lens groups having variable magnification function, a plurality of lens driving devices each of which being configured to adjustably drive a driving speed of each of the plurality of lens groups, a control device configured to control each of the plurality of lens driving devices to adjust the driving speed of each of the plurality of lens groups, and a plurality of lens position-detecting devices each of which being configured to detect a position of each of the plurality of lens groups, when the plurality of lens driving devices drive the plurality of lens groups simultaneously, the control device being configured to control the lens driving devices to switch driving speeds of the plurality of lens groups to a driving speed of a lens group to be adjusted depending on a positional relationship among the plurality of lens groups, the positional relationship being detected by the lens position-detecting devices. | 11-19-2009 |
20100046088 | PROJECTOR AND CONTROL METHOD OF PROJECTOR - A projector includes: a projection lens which includes a zoom mechanism capable of controlling a projection view angle; a zoom drive unit which drives the zoom mechanism; a zoom amount storing unit which stores a zoom amount provided by the zoom drive unit; an operation signal receiving unit which receives a predetermined operation signal; and a zoom control unit which controls the zoom drive unit in such a manner as to set an initial zoom condition determined based on the zoom amount stored in the zoom amount storing unit when the operation signal receiving unit receives the predetermined operation signal. | 02-25-2010 |
20110063738 | LENS POSITION CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD - It is provided an imaging apparatus including a plurality of motors configured to be driven to move lenses in synchronous with a drive pulse, a position detection unit configured to detect one of positions of the lenses moved by the driving of the plurality of motors, an operation unit configured to perform an output corresponding to an operation in response to the operation by a user, and a controller configured to receive the output from the position detection unit and control the plurality of motors. The controller supplies the number of drive pulses calculated based on a target position for moving the lens calculated based on the output from the operation unit and a lens position detected by the position detection unit. | 03-17-2011 |
20110102909 | LENS BARREL AND DIGITAL CAMERA INCLUDING THE SAME - A lens barrel includes a barrel case comprising a fixed barrel mounted to a camera body and a first movement barrel that is moveable along an optical axis according to a cam groove formed on an inner surface of the fixed barrel; and a lens assembly accommodated in the barrel case, wherein a tele section is a front portion of the cam groove and is oblique with respect to a rotational direction of the first movement barrel by a predetermined angle, wherein a front side is a side in a direction toward a subject. | 05-05-2011 |
20110235188 | IMAGE PICKUP LENS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND LENS CONTROLLING METHOD - An image pickup lens includes a controller and a manipulator position detector configured to detect a position of a manipulator configured to accept a manipulation used to move the lens. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and a difference between the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid and the position of the manipulator when the manipulation of the manipulator is valid is equal or smaller than a threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens when the manipulation of the manipulator is invalid. When the manipulation of the manipulator becomes valid and the difference is larger than the threshold, the controller controls a movement of the lens from an initial position that is the position of the lens corresponding to the manipulator's position detected by the manipulator position detector. | 09-29-2011 |
20120127593 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A control unit starts a first operation when a first detection unit detects rotation of an operation member in a first direction by an angle not less than a first angle and changes a control value for the first operation when a second detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in the first direction by an angle not less than a third angle larger than the first angle. Furthermore, the control unit starts a second operation when the second detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in a second direction by an angle not less than a fourth angle and changes a control value for the second operation when the first detection unit detects rotation of the operation member in the second direction by an angle not less than a second angle larger than the fourth angle. | 05-24-2012 |
20120162781 | LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A lens apparatus includes a fixed lens barrel, a cam ring provided inside the barrel, lens units, and a holder for holding the lens units movable in optical-axis direction, the holder including a driver for driving at least one of the lens units in the optical-axis direction, the holder supported movably in the optical-axis direction inside the cam ring, in which the holder includes cam followers, and the cam followers slidably engage with a cam groove of the cam ring and a straight groove of the barrel to determine a position of the holder in the optical-axis direction by rotation of the cam ring about optical axis, the holder includes a slide connector for electrically connecting to a contact provided slidably on the barrel through an opening penetrating the cam ring radially, and the driver is fed with power from the barrel side through the slide connector. | 06-28-2012 |
20120170136 | PROJECTOR AND CONTROL METHOD OF PROJECTOR - A projector includes: a projection lens which includes a zoom mechanism capable of controlling a projection view angle; a zoom drive unit which drives the zoom mechanism; a zoom amount storing unit which stores a zoom amount provided by the zoom drive unit; an operation signal receiving unit which receives a predetermined operation signal; and a zoom control unit which controls the zoom drive unit in such a manner as to set an initial zoom condition determined based on the zoom amount stored in the zoom amount storing unit when the operation signal receiving unit receives the predetermined operation signal. | 07-05-2012 |
20130235471 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT DRIVES PLURAL LENS UNITS USING MOTORS DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD OF LENS - An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation. | 09-12-2013 |
20140327972 | ZOOM LENS DEVICE - A zoom lens device includes a focusing lens group arranged on an object side, and a variator lens group next thereto, and a temperature sensor. The focusing lens group includes a focusing lens, and a temperature-based correction lens for correcting changes in focal point caused by temperature changes around the focusing lens group. The temperature-based correction lens is moved by a temperature-based correction lens driving mechanism along an optical axis to a position determined by a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, independently of the positions of the focusing lens or variator lens group. Thereby, the zoom lens device is capable of favorably correcting defocus of the lens group caused by an ambient temperature change with a simple correcting mechanism. | 11-06-2014 |
359698000 | Auto focusing | 21 |
20090046376 | Auto-focus and zoom module with vibrational actuator and position sensing method - Systems for positioning a functional element, such as an optical lens, include a housing, a primary guide pin coupled to the housing, a functional group that includes the functional element, and a vibrational actuator assembly. The functional group is movably coupled with the primary guide pin and includes a first friction surface and a second friction surface. The first and second friction surfaces are oriented relative to one another at one of an obtuse angle and a straight angle. The vibrational actuator assembly is substantially registered relative to the housing and includes a first drive element and a second drive element. The first drive element is configured to interact with the first friction surface and the second drive element is configured to interact with the second friction surface. The vibrational actuator assembly operates to translate the functional group. Some embodiments include position sensing elements configured to detect position(s) of the functional element(s), and control system(s) configured to operate the actuators based on feedback from the position sensing system(s). | 02-19-2009 |
20090086336 | VARIABLE FOCAL LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A variable focal lens which does not require a reduction of a zoom factor and eliminates an origin sensor is provided. A microcomputer | 04-02-2009 |
20090128926 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOVING A LENS USING SHAPE MEMORY MATERIALS - An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup and a lens. A shape memory actuator is coupled to the lens and configured to move the lens relative to the image pickup. | 05-21-2009 |
20090231729 | LENS APPARATUS - A lens apparatus including an optical element includes a motor configured to drive the optical element; a position detector configured to detect a relative position of the optical element; and a controller configured to detect an origin of the optical element by returning the optical element to the origin by controlling the motor. The controller controls the motor so that a speed of the optical element moving to the origin is higher than a speed of the optical element moved by an operation of an operator. | 09-17-2009 |
20090268309 | CAMERA MODULE - A camera module includes a zoom lens group, a focus lens group, a barrel, an actuator group comprising a first actuator and a second actuator. The first and second actuators are received in the barrel, and respectively receive the zoom lens group and the focus lens group therein. The first lens group is driven by the first actuator to move along the axis thereof. The second lens group is driven by the second actuator to move along the axis thereof. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268310 | LENS DRIVING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND LENS BARREL AND CAMERA MAIN BODY USED FOR THIS - A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again. | 10-29-2009 |
20090279187 | Optical zoom system with voice coil motors - An optical zoom system uses voice coil motors to drive zoom lens sets moving along an optical axis for the control of forming image and focusing. Voice coil motors of the system move respectively two zoom lens sets to the first position and the second position on the optical axis to control the image formation and to adjust the imaging distance. The first position and the second position are predetermined and recorded in a zoom database. | 11-12-2009 |
20100053768 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - An interchangeable lens unit includes a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, a focus motor, and a photosensor. The zoom ring unit is arranged to mechanically transmit operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor is configured to electrically drive the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. The photosensor is configured to detect whether or not the focus lens unit is disposed at a starting point position with respect to the second lens group unit. The starting point position is disposed within the total movement range E of the focus lens unit. | 03-04-2010 |
20100067121 | FOCUS LENS APPARATUS - Provided is a zoom lens including: a focus lens unit which moves during focusing; and a magnification-varying lens unit which moves during zooming, in which when the magnification-varying lens unit is moved in a direction in which a depth of focus deepens, a focus operation using the focus lens unit is stopped. | 03-18-2010 |
20100085649 | Optical objective module - The invention relates to an objective module comprising an optical zoom lens group ( | 04-08-2010 |
20110013289 | DRIVER - A driver includes: a first member that holds a lens; a second member to which the first member is fixed; and drive means for driving the second member, wherein a portion in which at least part of the drive means is accommodated is provided in the side surface of the second member. | 01-20-2011 |
20110267706 | LENS APPARATUS - Provided is a lens apparatus including: an image pickup optical system including a focus lens and a zoom lens; a focus detector for detecting a focus state of the image pickup optical system; a defocus amount calculation unit for calculating a defocus amount based on a result of a detection performed by the focus detector; a driving amount calculation unit for calculating a driving amount necessary to drive the focus lens to a focus position based on the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit; and a controller for controlling a driving of the focus lens, in which the controller controls a driving speed of the focus lens depending on the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit and the driving amount calculated by the driving amount calculation unit. | 11-03-2011 |
20120026605 | LENS APPARATUS - A lens apparatus that is switchable between a first and a second modes, including: a control master determination unit for determining the lens apparatus as one of a master and a slave for each target to be controlled of the lens apparatus when the lens apparatus is operated in the second mode; and a command value transmit-receive unit for transmitting/receiving a command value of the target of the lens apparatus to/from the another lens apparatus when the lens apparatus is operated in the second mode, in which the lens apparatus drives the target according to a command value from a controller for the lens apparatus for the target for which the lens apparatus is set as the master, and drives the target according to a command value received through the command value transmit-receive unit for the target for which the lens apparatus is set as the slave. | 02-02-2012 |
20120154927 | LENS SYSTEM - A lens system includes: a lens unit; a drive unit driving the lens unit in an optical axis direction; a detector detecting a position of the lens unit; a lens operation unit that operates driving of the lens unit; and a computing unit that computes a positional command value for controlling driving of the lens unit based on a signal input from the lens operation unit and controls driving of the lens unit; a time setting unit; and a threshold setting unit setting a positional difference threshold for switching the first and second current values set in the drive unit. When the difference between the positional command value and the lens position is larger than the positional difference threshold and duration after the second current value is set has not exceeded the high-current maximum time, the second current value is set. In other cases, the first current value is set. | 06-21-2012 |
20130010373 | LENS CONTROL APPARATUS AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS INCLUDING LENS CONTROL APPARATUS - A lens control apparatus, and an interchangeable lens including the lens control apparatus, are provided which can obtain, in zoom tracking operation, excellent optical images at subject distances in a wider range. A lens control apparatus controls drive of an optical system including a first and a second focus lens for adjusting a focus state and a zoom lens for adjusting an angle of view. The lens control apparatus includes: a first driver that drives the first focus lens; a second driver that drives the second focus lens; a controller that controls the first and second drivers; and a storage unit that stores first and second tracking data, the first and second tracking data each being information that associates a position of the first and second focus lenses respectively with a position of the zoom lens for focusing on a subject. | 01-10-2013 |
20130050845 | CAMERA MODULE - The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for auto focusing camera module, the apparatus including a DFoV value measurer measuring a DVoF value of a lens; storage stored with a designed DFoV value of a lens, a controller comparing the DVoF value of a lens measured by the DVoV value measurer with the designed DFoV value of a lens stored in the storage to recognize an initial position of a lens, and a lens mover focusing the lens by winding the lens or by unwinding the lens in response to the initial position of the lens recognized by the controller. | 02-28-2013 |
20130163095 | AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA MODULE AND AUTO-FOCUSING METHOD USING SAME - An auto-focus camera module includes an lens module, an image sensor, a color separation unit, a main processor unit and an image processing unit. The lens module captures an image of object. The image sensor receives the image captured by the lens module. The color separation unit separates the image into red, green and blue colors. | 06-27-2013 |
20130293969 | MINIATURE LENS AUTO-FOCUSING STRUCTURE - A miniature lens auto-focusing structure includes a housing having a top plate; a base plate connectable to the housing to define an inner space between them; a lens module wound around by a coil; and at least one spring member holding and suspending the lens module in the inner space without causing the lens module to contact with the top plate and the base plate. With these arrangements, the spring member is not in a pre-tensioning state when the miniature lens auto-focusing structure is in a non-actuated state. Therefore, the miniature lens auto-focusing structure requires less actuating current and has smaller lens tilt angle than the conventional VCM auto-focusing structure, and can be manufactured at further reduced component cost. | 11-07-2013 |
20140211323 | LENS DRIVING APPARATUS AND LENS DRIVING METHOD - A lens driving apparatus and a lens driving method are capable of quickly and precisely setting the position of a lens to a predetermined position, if the resolving power of the amount of lens moving according to drive pulses is not even in the lens driving apparatus. A count pulse signal detection unit detects a count pulse signal CP in accordance with a rotation of a manual focus (MF) ring. A lens driving control unit outputs a drive pulse MP for moving a focus lens in correspondence with the detected count pulse signal CP to a lens driving unit. The lens driving control unit performs a control so that: the number of the drive pulses MP for a count period T differs between a time period within an initial count detection time period for the detected count pulse signal CP and a time period after the initial count signal detection time period; and the number of pulses for the former period is minimum and the number of pulses for the latter period is larger than the minimum number. | 07-31-2014 |
20140293440 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT AND IMAGING DEVICE - An optical instrument of the present invention comprises a first ZM group drive section for moving a first lens group, a second ZM group drive section for moving a second lens group, a storage section for storing positional information on position of the first and second lens groups corresponding to focal length, and storing information relating to the movement speed of the first and second lens groups, and a control section for controlling position of the first and second lens groups based on positional information of the first and second lens groups, and controlling the first and second drive sections so as to move the first and second lens groups by synchronizing the movement speed of the first and second lens groups based on information relating to movement speed of the first and second lens groups. | 10-02-2014 |
20160011393 | ACTUATOR UNIT AND LENS MODULE | 01-14-2016 |