Patent ID: 6324343
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:an optical unit a moving direction of which changes from one of a moving-out direction and a moving-in direction to the other of the moving-out direction and the moving-in direction in process of varying a focal length from one of a shortest focal length end side and a longest length end side to the other of the shortest focal length end side and the longest length end side, said optical unit having possibility of receiving an external force in the moving-in direction;a driving device which drives said optical unit; anda control device which determines whether said optical unit moves in the moving-in direction to reach a stop position on the basis of a postion of said optical unit and a direction of varying the focal length, and causes said driving device to move said optical unit in the moving-out direction after moving the optical unit in the moving-in direction beyond the stop position and, then, to stop said optical unit at the stop position when said control device determines that optical unit moves in the moving-in direction to reach the stop position.