US3720148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus having an automatic range finder mechanism
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1970-05-18
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A photographic camera or the like, using triangulation for range distance measurement, and having an automatic range finder mechanism. The apparatus is arranged to sweep a modulated light beam across a plane which includes a subject of interest, and the reflected light returning to the apparatus is imaged on spaced photoelectric transducers differentially connected to produce a varying electrical signal. The range finder mechanism includes a cam having a predetermined cam surface indicating defined range distances and adapted to move as a function of the sweeping light beam. When the reflected light falls equally on the photoelectric transducers, an output signal is developed and applied to an electromechanical transducer which arrests further rotational displacement of the cam. The range distance is thus established by the cam position, and any utilization means, such as a camera objective lens or the like, may be employed to utilize the range distance intelligence defined by the cam position.
Inventors
- 👤 D Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30; G02B7/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In automatic focusing apparatus having means for forming a beam of light, means for projecting and moving the beam of light through a range of positions to illuminate at least a portion of an object to be photographed, an objective lens adapted to form an image of the object in a primary image plane, focusing means coupled to the objective lens and adapted to move the objective lens along a predetermined path, the combination comprising: a. photosensitive means adapted to receive light reflected from the object and having at least one electrical parameter which varies as a function of the brightness of incident illumination; b. means coupled to said photosensitive means and adapted to produce a signal in response to a magnitude of the parameter which is a function of the distance between the object and the predetermined location; c. cam means defining a cam surface movable through a range of positions representative of distances between an object and the reference plane; d. means responsive to the signal for retaining said cam means in a selected one of said positions representative of the distance between the object and the reference plane; and e. follower means coupled to the focusing means and movable to engage said cam means at said one selected position for positioning the objective lens along the path to focus the image of the object in the reference plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In automatic focusing apparatus having means for forming a beam of light, means for projecting and moving the beam of light through a range of positions to illuminate at least a portion of an object to be photographed, an objective lens adapted to form an image of the object in a primary image plane, focusing means coupled to the objective lens and adapted to move the objective lens along a predetermined path, the combination comprising: a. photosensitive means adapted to receive light reflected from the object and having at least one electrical parameter which varies as a function of the brightness of incident illumination; b. means coupled to said photosensitive means and adapted to produce a signal in response to a magnitude of the parameter which is a function of the distance between the object and the predetermined location; c. cam means defining a cam surface movable through a range of positions representative of distances between an object and the reference plane; d. means responsive to the signal for retaining said cam means in a selected one of said positions representative of the distance between the object and the reference plane; and e. follower means coupled to the focusing means and movable to engage said cam means at said one selected position for positioning the objective lens along the path to focus the image of the object in the reference plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
231 words
In automatic focusing apparatus having means for forming a beam of light, means for projecting and moving the beam of light through a range of positions to illuminate at least a portion of an object to be photographed, an objective lens adapted to form an image of the object in a primary image plane, focusing means coupled to the objective lens and adapted to move the objective lens along a predetermined path, the combination comprising: a. photosensitive means adapted to receive light reflected from the object and having at least one electrical parameter which varies as a function of the brightness of incident illumination; b. means coupled to said photosensitive means and adapted to produce a signal in response to a magnitude of the parameter which is a function of the distance between the object and the predetermined location; c. cam means defining a cam surface movable through a range of positions representative of distances between an object and the reference plane; d. means responsive to the signal for retaining said cam means in a selected one of said positions representative of the distance between the object and the reference plane; and e. follower means coupled to the focusing means and movable to engage said cam means at said one selected position for positioning the objective lens along the path to focus the image of the object in the reference plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
231 words
In automatic focusing apparatus having means for forming a beam of light, means for projecting and moving the beam of light through a range of positions to illuminate at least a portion of an object to be photographed, an objective lens adapted to form an image of the object in a primary image plane, focusing means coupled to the objective lens and adapted to move the objective lens along a predetermined path, the combination comprising: a. photosensitive means adapted to receive light reflected from the object and having at least one electrical parameter which varies as a function of the brightness of incident illumination; b. means coupled to said photosensitive means and adapted to produce a signal in response to a magnitude of the parameter which is a function of the distance between the object and the predetermined location; c. cam means defining a cam surface movable through a range of positions representative of distances between an object and the reference plane; d. means responsive to the signal for retaining said cam means in a selected one of said positions representative of the distance between the object and the reference plane; and e. follower means coupled to the focusing means and movable to engage said cam means at said one selected position for positioning the objective lens along the path to focus the image of the object in the reference plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive means includes first and second photosensitive devices disposed in a predetermined spaced relation with respect to each other and each adapted to receive light reflected from the object and having parameters which respectively vary as a function of the brightness of incident illumination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2495355A
Cited
US3325647A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |