Device for controlling automatic focusing lens device

A device for controlling an automatic focusing lens device which can be selectively operated in an automatic focusing mode or a manual focusing mode, said automatic focusing mode being carried out through a drive source and said manual focusing mode being carried out without said drive source, said control device comprising:

• means for moving a lens included in said automatic focusing lens device along the optical axis thereof;
• means for restricting a range in which said lens is moved along the optical axis;
• and
• means for switching a mode in which said lens is moved, said switching means being able to set said lens to be moved without said drive source, to set said lens to be moved through said drive source while activating said restricting means, or to set said lens to be moved through said drive source without activating said restricting means, said switching means being constructed as a single mechanism.

An automatic focusing lens device which can be operated through a drive source in an automatic focusing mode, or manually operated in a manual focusing mode, said device comprising:

• means for moving a lens included in said device, along the optical axis of said lens;
• means for restraining resistance against a movement of said lens, said resistance being directed in a direction opposite to that in which said lens is moved;
• and
• means for controlling said moving means, by connecting said moving means to said drive source in said automatic focusing mode, and connecting said moving means to said restraining means to impose said resistance in said manual focusing mode.

An automatic focusing lens device which can be operated through a drive source in an automatic focusing mode, or manually operated in a manual focusing mode, said device comprising:

• means for moving a lens included in said device along the optical axis of said lens;
• means for restricting a range in which said lens is moved along the optical axis;
• and
• means for switching a mode in which said lens is moved, said switching means being able to set said lens to be moved without said drive source, to set said lens to be moved through said drive source while activating said restricting means, or to set said lens to be moved through said drive source without activating said restricting means, said switching means being constructed as a single mechanism.

A device for controlling an automatic focusing lens between an automatic focusing mode and a manual focusing mode, said device comprising:

• a drive source;
• means for operating said lens through said drive source in said automatic focusing mode;
• means for operating said lens without said drive source in said manual focusing mode;
• means for imposing a resistance on said lens in said manual focusing mode, said resistance being directed in a direction opposite to that in which said lens is moved.

A device for controlling an automatic focusing lens between an automatic focusing mode and a manual focusing mode, said device comprising:

• a drive source;
• means for operating said lens through said drive source in said automatic focusing mode;
• means for operating said lens without said drive source in said manual focusing mode;
• means for restricting a range in which said lens is operated in said automatic focusing mode;
• and
• means for switching a mode of operation of said lens to set said manual focusing mode, to set said automatic focusing mode while activating said restricting means, or to set said automatic focusing mode without activating said restricting means, said switching means being constructed as a single body.