US4740064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zoom lens apparatus
Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Ltd
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Filing: 1986-04-21
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2006-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A zoom lens apparatus comprises sensors for detecting relative positions of a variable power lens group and a compensating lens group, a memory for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus, a control circuit and driving parts for moving the variable power lens group and the compensating lens group. The control circuit compares position data set by a variable power setting operation and position data obtained from the sensors and outputs signals for controlling the relative positions of the variable power lens group and the compensating lens group based on the compensating data read out from the memory. The driving parts vary the relative positions of the variable power lens group and the compensating lens group responsive to the output signals of the control circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Keizo Kono
- 👤 Tameaki Ebihara
- 👤 Syohei Kawai
- 👤 Yasukazu Tanabe
- 👤 Hiroshi Yoshinari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:38
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/102; G02B7/28; G02B7/282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
420 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; first memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and first control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said first memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said first memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said first memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said compensating data being obtained by a compensating data obtaining apparatus which comprises second memory means for pre-storing predetermined positional data independent of the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications, optimum focal point detecting means for detecting whether said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group assume respective positions where an optimum focal point is obtained, and second control means coupled to said second memory means and said optimum focal point detecting means, said second control means controlling said first and second driving means so as to move said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group to predetermined positions respectively dependent on said predetermined positional data for each of the various magnifications and thereafter displace at least one of said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group until said optimum focal point detecting means detects that said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group assume the respective positions where the optimum focal point is obtained, and obtaining, as said compensating data, positional data related to the respective positions of said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group when the optimum focal point is obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
420 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; first memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and first control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said first memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said first memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said first memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said compensating data being obtained by a compensating data obtaining apparatus which comprises second memory means for pre-storing predetermined positional data independent of the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications, optimum focal point detecting means for detecting whether said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group assume respective positions where an optimum focal point is obtained, and second control means coupled to said second memory means and said optimum focal point detecting means, said second control means controlling said first and second driving means so as to move said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group to predetermined positions respectively dependent on said predetermined positional data for each of the various magnifications and thereafter displace at least one of said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group until said optimum focal point detecting means detects that said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group assume the respective positions where the optimum focal point is obtained, and obtaining, as said compensating data, positional data related to the respective positions of said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group when the optimum focal point is obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A zoom lens apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said optimum focal point detecting means detects that said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group assume the respective position where the optimum focal point is obtained when an image of a predetermined pattern is actually picked up by the zoom lens apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A zoom lens apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said first and second driving means respectively comprise a stepping motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
260 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said guide means comprising a guide rail provided with indexes indicative of positions, said positions detecting means comprising sensors for detecting the positions of said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group by reading the indexes of the guide rail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
260 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said guide means comprising a guide rail provided with indexes indicative of positions, said positions detecting means comprising sensors for detecting the positions of said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group by reading the indexes of the guide rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A zoom lens apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said guide rail is provided with a plurality of magnets having such an arrangement that magnets of opposite magnetic poles are alternately arranged, each of said sensors outputting a pulse every time the sensor passes a magnet of one kind of magnetic pole, said position detecting means further comprising counter means for counting output pulses of each sensor and position data generating means for generating position data depending on a count in said counter means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
267 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said guide means comprising a guide rail which is provided with a plurality of magnets having such an arrangement that magnets of opposite magnetic poles are alternately arranged, said first and second driving means respectively comprising a moving coil which constitutes a linear motor together with said guide rail.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
267 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said guide means comprising a guide rail which is provided with a plurality of magnets having such an arrangement that magnets of opposite magnetic poles are alternately arranged, said first and second driving means respectively comprising a moving coil which constitutes a linear motor together with said guide rail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
250 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said guide means comprising a guide rail provided with a plurality of coils, said first and second driving means respectively comprising magnets which constitute a linear motor together with said guide rail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
250 words
A zoom lens apparatus comprising: a variable power lens group; first driving means for moving said variable power lens group; a compensation lens group provided on an optical axis identical to that of said variable power lens group; second driving means for moving said compensating lens group; guide means for guiding said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group so that said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group move on said optical axis; variable power setting means for setting a desired magnification out of various magnifications; memory means for pre-storing compensating data peculiar to the zoom lens apparatus for each of the various magnifications; position detecting means for detecting positions of said variable power lens group and said compensation lens group and for outputting position data thereof; and control means coupled to said variable power setting means, said memory means and said position detecting means for reading out compensating data from said memory means based on the desired magnification set by said variable power setting means, and for respectively supplying to said first and second driving means control signals for moving said variable power lens group and said compensating lens group so that compensating data read out from said memory means respectively coincide with the output position data of said position detecting means, said guide means comprising a guide rail provided with a plurality of coils, said first and second driving means respectively comprising magnets which constitute a linear motor together with said guide rail.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4054372A
Cited
US4161756A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |