Author: claimsbot

1. A contour extraction apparatus extracting at least one contour of a target object from images obtained by an image pickup of the target object by cameras, the contour extraction apparatus comprising:
a node locator locating a plurality of nodes on a periphery of a region, which includes the target object, within the image;
a contour deformation unit deforming the contour, which is formed by connecting nodes at a predetermined connection order, by shifting the position of each node to the position where a predefined energy function becomes minimum;
an internode distance calculator measuring internode distances about all combination of nodes constituting the contour excepting the internode distance between adjacent nodes; and
a connection creator creating a connection line to divide the contour when a combination of nodes whose internode distance is below a first threshold value exists, wherein
the connection line connects one of nodes in the combination with the node adjacent to the other node in the combination,
the node adjacent to the other node is the node being positioning upstream or downstream in the predetermined connection order with respect to the other node, and
the first threshold value is determined in accordance with the distance to the target object.
2. A contour extraction apparatus for extracting at least one contour of a target object from images obtained by an image pickup of the target object by cameras, the contour extraction apparatus comprising:
a node locator locating a plurality of nodes on a periphery of a region, which includes the target object, within the image:
a contour deformation unit deforming the contour, which is formed by connecting nodes at a predetermined connection order, by shifting the position of each node to the position where a predefined energy function becomes minimum;
an internode distance calculator measuring internode distances about all combination of nodes constituting the contour excepting the internode distance between adjacent nodes; and
a connection creator creating a connection line to divide the contour when a combination of nodes whose internode distance is below a first threshold value exists, wherein
the connection line connects one of nodes in the combination with the node adjacent to the other node in the combination,
the node adjacent to the other node is the node being positioning upstream or downstream in the predetermined connection order with respect to the other node, and
the first threshold value is determined in accordance with the distance to the target object and is set large as the distance to the target object becomes short.
3. A contour extraction apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
a target region determination unit determining the region, which includes pixels of the target object, as a target region based on distance information, motion information, and edge information, each information is generated for the target object from the image, wherein
the node locator locates a plurality of nodes on a periphery of the target region determined by the target region determination unit.
4. A contour extraction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the target region determination unit: detects as a target distance the distance wherein a total number of pixel in which motion has been detected exceeds a second threshold value; obtains edge information of pixels corresponding to the image within a region which has a predetermined depth in a fore-and-rear direction from the target distance; and determines the target region based on a centerline, the center line is a pixel array in which a total number of pixels corresponding to an edge is maximum, the pixel corresponding to the edge is searched based on edge information.
5. A contour extraction apparatus according to claim 4 wherein
the target region determination unit establishes as the target region the rectangular region which has 2 meter height and has 50 centimeter width in a left-and-right direction from the centerline.
6. A contour extraction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the target region determination unit terminates the establishment of new target region, when a predetermined number of contours have been established or when new target region cannot be detected.
7. A contour extraction apparatus according to 6, wherein
the target region determination unit determines new target region from the region other than the region from which the contour has been extracted and the region which has been judged as the region the target object is not in.
8. A contour extraction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the target region determination unit establishes the target region further using color information obtained from the camera.
9. A method for extracting at least one contour of a target object from images obtained by an image pickup of the target object by cameras, the method comprising the steps of:
a node locating step locating a plurality of nodes on a periphery of a region, which includes the target object, within the image;
a contour deforming step deforming the contour, which is formed by connecting nodes at a predetermined connection order, by shifting the position of each node to the position where a predefined energy function becomes minimum;
an internode distance calculating step measuring internode distances about all combination of nodes constituting the contour excepting the internode distance between adjacent nodes; and
a connection creating step creating a connection line to divide the contour when a combination of nodes whose internode distance is below a first threshold value exists, wherein
the connection line connects one of nodes in the combination with the node adjacent to the other node in the combination,
the node adjacent to the other node is the node being positioning upstream or downstream in the predetermined connection order with respect to the other node, and
the first threshold value is determined in accordance with the distance to the target object.
10. A computer program encoded on a computer-readable medium for extracting at least one contour of a target object from images obtained by an image pickup of the target object by cameras, the program controlling the functions comprising:
a node locator locating a plurality of nodes on a periphery of a region, which includes the target object, within the image;
a contour deformation unit deforming the contour, which is formed by connecting nodes at a predetermined connection order, by shifting the position of each node to the position where the predefined energy function becomes minimum;
an internode distance calculator measuring internode distances about all combination of nodes constituting the contour excepting the internode distance between adjacent nodes; and
a connection creator creating a connection line to divide the contour when a combination of nodes whose internode distance is below a first threshold value exists, wherein
the connection line connects one of nodes in the combination with the node adjacent to the other node in the combination,
the node adjacent to the other node is the node being positioning upstream or downstream in the predetermined connection order with respect to the other node, and
the first threshold value is determined in accordance with the distance to the target object.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus for clutch braking in a multi-speed transmission, comprising:
a prime mover;
a transmission system comprising,
a first stage and a second stage, said first stage comprising at least two range clutches and said second stage comprising at least two direction clutches, wherein one of said range clutches and one of said direction clutches are kinematically locked and at least one other range clutch is slipped and at least one other direction clutch is slipped to brake said transmission system;

an output shaft connected to said second stage; and
a torque converter connecting said prime mover and said transmission.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said direction clutches comprise at least one forward clutch and at least one reverse clutch.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said direction clutches comprise at least one forward clutch and said at least one reverse clutch and wherein said forward clutch is kinematically locked with one of said range clutches and said reverse clutch and at least one of said other range clutches are slipped to brake said transmission system.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said prime mover is an internal combustion engine that is de-throttled to provide braking to said transmission system through said torque converter.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said directional clutches have a higher heat absorbing capacity and a higher heat removing capacity than said range clutches.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one selectively operated pump in fluid communication with at least said directional clutches provides lubricating fluid to said clutches.
7. An apparatus for clutch braking in a multi-speed transmission, comprising:
a prime mover;
a transmission system comprising,
a first stage and a second stage, said first stage comprising at least two range clutches and said second stage comprising at least two direction clutches, wherein at least two of said range clutches are locked together and said directional clutches are slipped about said range clutches to brake said transmission system;

an output shaft connected to said second stage; and
a torque converter connecting said prime mover and said transmission.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least two of said range clutches are locked together so that relative motion between them is zero.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein any combination of said range clutches can be locked together.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said directional clutches comprise at least one forward clutch and at least one reverse clutch which are both slipped about said at least two locked range clutches to brake said transmission system.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said directional clutches have a higher heat absorbing capacity and a higher heat removing capacity than said range clutches.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one selectively operated pump in fluid communication with at least said directional clutches provides lubricating fluid to said clutches.
13. An apparatus for clutch braking in a multi-speed transmission, comprising:
a prime mover;
a transmission system comprising,
a first stage and a second stage, said first stage comprising at least two range clutches and said second stage comprising at least two direction clutches, wherein said range clutches are opened and one of said directional clutches is locked, and the remaining direction clutches are slipped to brake said transmission system;

an output shaft connected to said second stage; and
a torque converter connecting said prime mover and said transmission.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the smallest of the at least three direction clutches is locked.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a forward direction clutch is locked while at least a reverse direction clutch is slipped.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said torque converter remains open.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said prime mover is an internal combustion engine that operates independently of said transmission system.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein all of said direction clutches are slipped to brake said transmission system.
19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one selectively operated pump in fluid communication with at least said directional clutches provides lubricating fluid to said clutches.

1. A collapsible T-handle for use in cleaning the barrel of a firearm having a bore of a fixed internal diameter, said collapsible T-handle comprising:
a longitudinal body having first and second spaced-apart ears at a first end thereof, an attachment portion at a second and opposite end thereof, and a longitudinal well terminating at said spaced-apart ears; and
a handle disposed on a pivot pin between said first and second ears;
wherein said handle is rotatable on said pivot pin between a closed position wherein a portion of said handle occupies said longitudinal well and an open position wherein the longitudinal axis of said handle is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said body; and wherein the outer diameter of said T-handle when in said closed position is less than the bore diameter of the firearm to be cleaned.
2. The collapsible T-handle of claim 1 wherein the thickness of each of said first and second ears is greater than the thickness of a wall of said longitudinal well.
3. The collapsible T-handle of claim 1 wherein said tool can withstand without failure a pull force on said handle of at least about 100 pounds when opposed by a like drag force on said longitudinal body.
4. The collapsible T-handle of claim 1 wherein the maximum overall outside diameter is less than about 0.30 inch.
5. A method for cleaning the bore of a firearm, comprising the steps of:
providing a tool having a longitudinal body having first and second spaced-apart ears at a first end thereof, an attachment portion at a second and opposite end thereof, and a longitudinal well terminating at said spaced-apart ears, and a handle disposed on a pivot pin between said first and second ears, wherein said handle is rotatable on said pivot pin between a closed position wherein a portion of said handle occupies said longitudinal well and an open position wherein the longitudinal axis of said handle is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said body;
pivoting said handle in a first direction to place said tool in said closed position;
inserting said tool in said closed position into said firearm bore;
attaching a cleaning tool to said attachment portion;
passing said tool through said bore;
pivoting said handle in a second direction to place said tool in said open position; and
pulling on said handle to cause said cleaning tool to be passed through said bore.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (I-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
n11\u22671.9\u2003\u2003(I-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
2. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (I-3):
0.8<(n11\u22121)2<1.5\u2003\u2003(I-3)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
3. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (I-4):
0.75<(n11\u22121)\xb7fWr12<1.2\u2003\u2003(I-4)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
4. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (6):
0.0001<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d2\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21\xb7ft)<0.04\u2003\u2003(6)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
5. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (9):
2.4<|fG1|fW<4.0\u2003\u2003(9)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
6. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (10):
1.85<fG2fW<3.0\u2003\u2003(10)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG2 is a composite focal length of the second lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
7. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (11):
2.5<fG3fW<6.0\u2003\u2003(11)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG3 is a composite focal length of the third lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
8. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (12):
1.0<|fL1|fW<2.5\u2003\u2003(12)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
9. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (13):
2.0<fL2fW<5.0\u2003\u2003(13)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
10. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (14):
0.4<|fL1||fG1|<0.8\u2003\u2003(14)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
11. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (15):
0.85<fL2|fG1|<2.0\u2003\u2003(15)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
12. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, satisfying the following condition (16):
1.9<fL2|fL1|<3.0\u2003\u2003(16)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
13. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
14. An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:
a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object; and
an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
in the zoom lens system,
the system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (I-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
n11\u22671.9\u2003\u2003(I-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
15. A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising
an imaging device having a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
in the zoom lens system,
the system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (I-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
n11\u22671.9\u2003\u2003(I-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
16. A zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (II-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\u22670.84\u2003\u2003(II-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
17. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (6):
0.0001<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d2\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21\xb7ft)<0.04\u2003\u2003(6)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35) where,
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
18. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (9):
2.4<|fG1|fW<4.0\u2003\u2003(9)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35) where,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
19. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (10):
1.85<fG2fW<3.0\u2003\u2003(10)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG2 is a composite focal length of the second lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
20. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (11):
2.5<fG3fW<6.0\u2003\u2003(11)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG3 is a composite focal length of the third lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
21. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (12):
1.0<|fL1|fW<2.5\u2003\u2003(12)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
22. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (13):
2.0<fL2fW<5.0\u2003\u2003(13)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
23. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (14):
0.4<|fL1||fG1|<0.8\u2003\u2003(14)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
24. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (15):
0.85<fL2|fG1|<2.0\u2003\u2003(15)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
25. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, satisfying the following condition (16):
1.9<fL2|fL1|<3.0\u2003\u2003(16)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
26. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
27. An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:
a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object; and
an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
in the zoom lens system,
the system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (II-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\u22670.84\u2003\u2003(II-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
28. A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising
an imaging device having a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
in the zoom lens system,
the system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (II-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\u22670.84\u2003\u2003(II-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
29. A zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (III-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
n12\u22672.1\u2003\u2003(III-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
30. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (III-3):
0.8<(n12\u22121)2<1.5\u2003\u2003(III-3)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
31. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (III-4):
0.4<(n12\u22121)\xb7fWr21<0.7\u2003\u2003(III-4)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
32. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (6):
0.0001<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d2fW(r12\xb7r21\xb7ft)<0.04\u2003\u2003(6)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
33. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (9):
2.4<|fG1|fW<4.0\u2003\u2003(9)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
34. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (10):
1.85<fG2fW<3.0\u2003\u2003(10)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG2 is a composite focal length of the second lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
35. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (11):
2.5<fG3fW<6.0\u2003\u2003(11)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fG3 is a composite focal length of the third lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
36. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (12):
1.0<|fL1|fW<2.5\u2003\u2003(12)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
37. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (13):
2.0<fL2fW<5.0\u2003\u2003(13)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
38. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (14):
0.4<|fL1||fG1|<0.8\u2003\u2003(14)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
39. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (15):
0.85<fL2|fG1|<2.0\u2003\u2003(15)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
40. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, satisfying the following condition (16):
1.9<fL2|fL1|<3.0\u2003\u2003(16)

(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
fL1 is a focal length of the first lens element,
fL2 is a focal length of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
41. The zoom lens system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the second lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
42. An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:
a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object; and
an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
in the zoom lens system,
the system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (III-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
n12\u22672.1\u2003\u2003(III-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.
43. A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising
an imaging device having a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
in the zoom lens system,
the system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
the first lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, consists of a first lens element that has a concave surface at least on the image side and that has negative optical power and a second lens element that has a convex surface at least on the object side and that has positive optical power,
the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a third lens element being one single lens element, a cemented lens element fabricated by cementing a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element having optical power of mutually different signs, and a sixth lens element being one single lens element,
in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, all of the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and
the following conditions (1), (III-2) and (5) are satisfied:
5.0<\u03b1iW<20.0\u2003\u2003(1)
n12\u22672.1\u2003\u2003(III-2)
0.1<(n11\u22121)\xb7(n12\u22121)\xb7d\xb7fW(r12\xb7r21)<0.3\u2003\u2003(5)
(wherein, 3.2<fTfW and \u03c9W>35)
where,
\u03b1iW is an incident angle of a principal ray to an image sensor at a maximum image height at a wide-angle limit (defined as positive when the principal ray is incident on a light acceptance surface of the image sensor in a state of departing from the optical axis),
n11 is a refractive index of the first lens element to the d-line,
n12 is a refractive index of the second lens element to the d-line,
r12 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens element,
r21 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens element,
d is an optical axial distance between the image side surface of the first lens element and the object side surface of the second lens element,
\u03c9W is a half view angle (\xb0) at a wide-angle limit,
fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.