Automatic focusing device

Claim 2

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. a second lens; c. means for emitting radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens emitted radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for translating along parallel axes said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison with respect to the subject to vary the emitted radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and f. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the emitted radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 3

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. a second lens having a second focal length; c. means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and f. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 4

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. a second lens having a second focal length; c. means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and f. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 5

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. a second lens; c. means for emitting modulated radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for translating along parallel axes said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison with respect to the subject to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; f. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and g. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest said translation of said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means.

Claim 6

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. a second lens; c. means for emitting modulated radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for translating along parallel axes said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison with respect to the subject to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; f. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and g. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest said translation of said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. a second lens having a second focal length; c. means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; f. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and g. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest displacement of said energy emitting means and said light Sensitive means.

Claim 8

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. a second lens having a second focal length; c. means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; d. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; e. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; f. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and g. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest displacement of said energy emitting means and said light Sensitive means.

Claim 9

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. means for emitting modulated radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for dsiplacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and h. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 10

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. means for emitting modulated radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for dsiplacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and h. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 11

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens having a second focal length; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and h. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 12

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens having a second focal length; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; and h. means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum.

Claim 13

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. means for emitting modulated radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; h. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and i. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest displacement of said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means.

Claim 14

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. means for emitting modulated radiant energy of predetermined frequency through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means for receiving through said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; h. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and i. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest displacement of said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means.

Claim 15

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens having a second focal length; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. source means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through Said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; h. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and i. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest displacement of said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means.

Claim 16

Apparatus for determining the distance to a subject of interest comprising: a. a first lens having a first focal length; b. first means for masking said first lens to provide a transmission path; c. a second lens having a second focal length; d. second means for masking said second lens to provide a transmission path; e. source means comprising a radiation surface having an effective height h1 in frontal plane orthographic orientation for emitting modulated radiant energy through said first lens toward the subject; f. light sensitive means comprising a light sensitive surface having a height h2 in said frontal plane orthographic orientation, said heights h1 and h2 being in inverse proportion to said first and second focal lengths, said light sensitive means receiving through Said second lens modulated radiant energy reflected from the subject; g. means for displacing said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means in unison to vary the modulated radiant energy received by said light sensitive means; h. electronic detection means coupled to said light sensitive means for developing an output signal when the radiant energy received by said light sensitive means is at a maximum; and i. utilization means for utilizing said output signal to arrest displacement of said energy emitting means and said light sensitive means.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: c.'' said energy emitting means is an incandescent lamp comprising a straight line filament; and d.'' said light sensitive means is a photocell.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: c.'' said energy emitting means is an incandescent lamp comprising a straight line filament wound in the form of a helix having a diameter equal to said height h1; and d.'' said light sensitive means comprises a photocell having an exposed light sensitive surface having a height equal to said height h2.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: e.'' said energy emitting means is an incandescent lamp comprising a straight line filament; and f.'' said light sensitive means is a photocell.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: e.'' said energy emitting means is an incandescent lamp comprising a straight line filament wound in the form of a helix having a diameter equal to the height h1; and f.'' said light sensitive means comprises a photocell having an exposed light sensitive surface having a height equal to said height h2.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means coupled to said light sensitive means comprises band pass filter means, amplifier means, peak detector means, and output circuit means connected in cascade, said output circuit means delivering said output signal.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means coupled to said light sensitive means comprises band pass filter means, amplifier means, peak detector means, and output circuit means connected in cascade, said output circuit means delivering said output signal.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electronic detection means comprises band pass filter means, amplifier means, peak detector means, and output circuit means connected in cascade, said band pass filter means being coupled to said light sensitive means, said output circuit means producing said output signal.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means coupled to said light sensitive means comprises band pass filter means, amplifier means, peak detector means, and output circuit means connected in cascade, said band pass filter means being coupled to said light sensitive means, said output circuit means producing said output signal.