An imaging lens module includes an imaging lens unit, an optical folding component and a sensing magnet group. The imaging lens unit has an optical axis. The optical folding component is configured to fold an incident optical path into the imaging lens unit to coincide with the optical axis. The sensing magnet group includes two sensing magnets that are sequentially disposed on the imaging lens unit along a direction in parallel with the optical axis. The sensing magnets are located at the same side with respect to a reference plane that passes through the optical axis and has a normal direction perpendicular to the optical axis. When the sensing magnets are observed from the direction in parallel with the optical axis, images of the sensing magnets are at least partially overlapped. Two adjacent magnetic poles of the sensing magnets are like poles between which there is a repulsive force.

A lens control device includes a processor that performs a control of generating image data for each of first wavelength range light and second wavelength range light by an image sensor, in which the processor estimates a first focus position of a focus lens for the first wavelength range light based on a first focus evaluation value determined in accordance with the image data of the first wavelength range light, estimates a second focus position of the focus lens for the first wavelength range light based on a second focus evaluation value determined in accordance with the image data of the second wavelength range light, and performs a control of moving the focus lens along an optical axis based on the first focus position in a case in which a comparison result obtained by comparing the first focus position with the second focus position satisfies a predetermined condition.

A variable focal length lens apparatus is provided with a variable focal length lens in which a focusing position periodically changes in response to a drive signal that is input; a light source that emits detection light at an object via the variable focal length lens; an photodetector that receives the detection light that is reflected by the object, and outputs a light detection signal; a signal processor that, based on the light detection signal that is input, outputs a light emission signal that is synchronized to a focusing time point where the detection light is focused on a surface of the object; an illuminator that provides pulse illumination to the object with illuminating light, based on the light emission signal that is input; and an image capturer that captures an image of the object through the variable focal length lens.

A variable focal length lens apparatus is provided with a variable focal length lens in which a focusing position periodically changes in response to a drive signal that is input; a light source that emits detection light at an object via the variable focal length lens; an photodetector that receives the detection light that is reflected by the object, and outputs a light detection signal; a signal processor that, based on the light detection signal that is input, outputs a light emission signal that is synchronized to a focusing time point where the detection light is focused on a surface of the object; an illuminator that provides pulse illumination to the object with illuminating light, based on the light emission signal that is input; and an image capturer that captures an image of the object through the variable focal length lens.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a first holder, a second holder, a plate, a biasing assembly, and an electromagnetic driving assembly. The first holder holds a first optical element with a first optical axis. The second holder holds a second optical element with a second optical axis. The plate is disposed below the first holder and the second holder. The biasing assembly forces the first holder to move relative to the plate on a plane substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis, and includes a biasing element, wherein when a driving signal is applied to the biasing element, a length of the biasing element is changed. The electromagnetic driving assembly forces the second holder to move relative to the plate and comprising a first magnetic element and a coil.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a first holder, a second holder, a plate, a biasing assembly, and an electromagnetic driving assembly. The first holder holds a first optical element with a first optical axis. The second holder holds a second optical element with a second optical axis. The plate is disposed below the first holder and the second holder. The biasing assembly forces the first holder to move relative to the plate on a plane substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis, and includes a biasing element, wherein when a driving signal is applied to the biasing element, a length of the biasing element is changed. The electromagnetic driving assembly forces the second holder to move relative to the plate and comprising a first magnetic element and a coil.

A vibration wave motor includes an element configured to be displaced by application of voltage, and an annular elastic body having a bottom surface coming into contact with the element and a drive surface having a groove, configured to drive a moving element by a vibration wave produced on the drive surface by displacement of the element. The element has a density of 4.2 to 6.0×10.sup.3 kg/m.sup.3. A value of [(T/B)÷W] is in a range of 0.84 to 1.94, where T represents a depth of the groove, B represents a distance from a bottom part of the groove to the bottom surface, and W represents a radial width of the elastic body.

A digital counting and display system and methods for use with a laser rangefinder that counts backscattered laser beams and displays a distance between a laser and a target. The laser rangefinder includes a laser configured to emit a pulsed laser beam, an afocal Gallilean telescope configured to receive backscattered laser pulses and generate a series of focused backscattered laser pulses, a silicon avalanche photodetector connected to the afocal Gallilean telescope, configured to generate a series of currents signal proportional to the series of focused backscattered laser pulses, a low noise, multistage amplifier connected to the silicon avalanche photodetector, configured to generate a series of linearly changing amplified voltage signals from the series of current signals, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the series of linearly changing amplified voltage signals to a series of digital voltage signals, and a digital counting and display circuit connected to the analog-digital converter.

A digital counting and display system and methods for use with a laser rangefinder that counts backscattered laser beams and displays a distance between a laser and a target. The laser rangefinder includes a laser configured to emit a pulsed laser beam, an afocal Gallilean telescope configured to receive backscattered laser pulses and generate a series of focused backscattered laser pulses, a silicon avalanche photodetector connected to the afocal Gallilean telescope, configured to generate a series of currents signal proportional to the series of focused backscattered laser pulses, a low noise, multistage amplifier connected to the silicon avalanche photodetector, configured to generate a series of linearly changing amplified voltage signals from the series of current signals, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the series of linearly changing amplified voltage signals to a series of digital voltage signals, and a digital counting and display circuit connected to the analog-digital converter.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a lens group; a lens support unit for accommodating the lens group; a magnet arranged on the outer surface of the lens support unit; a yoke portion spaced apart from the magnet and arranged to face the magnet; and a coil arranged on the yoke portion so as to be spaced apart from and to face the magnet between the magnet and the yoke portion, wherein the lens group, the lens support unit, and the magnet move together along an optical axis according to a current applied to the coil, the yoke portion includes a first yoke and a second yoke arranged on the first yoke, the second yoke is arranged between the first yoke and the coil, and magnetism of the first yoke is stronger than that of the second yoke.