US3720151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for oscillating image plane on the side of photoelectric element in automatic focusing device
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-17
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An automatic focusing apparatus in a camera includes a photoelectric element adapted to receive the light rays passing through the objective and partly reflected by a semi-transparent mirror. The image plane of the reflected light rays is oscillated by two lenses disposed between the mirror and the photoelectric element which are engaged with a cam to move in opposite directions from each other. The electric signal from the photoelectric element actuates a servo motor to move the objective for automatic focusing.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Katsuyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/36; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In an automatic focusing device for a camera including an objective, means for focusing upon a photosensitive element in conjugate relation with an image aperture plane, a motor for moving the objective in response to pulses generated by the photosensitive element, and light reflecting means in the image forming optical path to reflect part of the light to the photosensitive element, the improvement comprising means to fix the position of the photosensitive element, a first lens and a second lens in addition to the objective and disposed in spaced relation on the optical axis between the photosensitive element and said light reflecting means, and means to move the first and second lenses toward and away from each to shift the image position at which the subject to be photographed is focused by the objective.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an automatic focusing device for a camera including an objective, means for focusing upon a photosensitive element in conjugate relation with an image aperture plane, a motor for moving the objective in response to pulses generated by the photosensitive element, and light reflecting means in the image forming optical path to reflect part of the light to the photosensitive element, the improvement comprising means to fix the position of the photosensitive element, a first lens and a second lens in addition to the objective and disposed in spaced relation on the optical axis between the photosensitive element and said light reflecting means, and means to move the first and second lenses toward and away from each to shift the image position at which the subject to be photographed is focused by the objective.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an automatic focusing device for a camera including an objective, means for focusing upon a photosensitive element in conjugate relation with an image aperture plane, a motor for moving the objective in response to pulses generated by the photosensitive element, and light reflecting means in the image forming optical path to reflect part of the light to the photosensitive element, the improvement comprising means to fix the position of the photosensitive element, a first lens and a second lens in addition to the objective and disposed in spaced relation on the optical axis between the photosensitive element and said light reflecting means, and means to move the first and second lenses toward and away from each to shift the image position at which the subject to be photographed is focused by the objective.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an automatic focusing device for a camera including an objective, means for focusing upon a photosensitive element in conjugate relation with an image aperture plane, a motor for moving the objective in response to pulses generated by the photosensitive element, and light reflecting means in the image forming optical path to reflect part of the light to the photosensitive element, the improvement comprising means to fix the position of the photosensitive element, a first lens and a second lens in addition to the objective and disposed in spaced relation on the optical axis between the photosensitive element and said light reflecting means, and means to move the first and second lenses toward and away from each to shift the image position at which the subject to be photographed is focused by the objective.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 1 wherein the means to move the first and the second lenses comprise a first cam surface; a second cam surface; a holder for the first lens operatively engaged with the first cam surface to move the first lens; and a holder for the second lens operatively engaged with the second cam surface to move the second lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 2 wherein the means to mOve the first and the second lenses further comprise a rotatably mounted cam cylinder having the first and the second cam surfaces thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 3 wherein the first cam surface and the second cam surface are disposed in relative symmetric relation so that the first lens and the second lens will move in relative symmetric relation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass of the first lens and first lens holder is the same as the inertial mass of the second lens and second lens holder, so that the resultant force of the first lens and first lens holder on the first cam surface will be equal and opposite to the resultant force of the second lens and second lens holder on the second cam surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 5 further comprising first pin means extending from the first lens holder to engage the first cam surface and second pin means extending from the second lens holder to engage the second cam surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 6 further comprising resilient means connected to the first lens holder and the second lens holder to urge the first pin means and the second pin means into engagement with the first cam surface and the second cam surface respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 6 including means to support the first lens holder and the second lens holder comprising a housing having a first slit and a second slit; the first pin means extending from the first lens holder through the first slit; and the second pin means extending from the second lens holder through the second slit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
In an automatic focusing device according to claim 6 wherein the first cam surface comprises a first cam groove in the rotatable cam cylinder and the second cam surface comprises a second cam groove in the rotatable cam cylinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |