Patent US4049960A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4049960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focusing arrangement
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1975-11-19
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Granted: 1977-09-20
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Expires: 1995-11-19
Abstract
Abstract In the arrangement disclosed, a photoconductive cell has electrical characteristics which depend upon its optical exposure. An optical system focuses an image upon the cell. An electrical system utilizes the output of the cell on the basis of the light upon the cell. The cell includes a multiplicity of photoconductive portions forming at least one row transverse to the direction of image intensity changes so that different portion sense different intensities. The electrical means are connected to a plurality of the portions. The portions may be formed into an elongated integral strip whose direction changes and whose edges are insulated from each other. Alternately the portions may be connected electrically to form a continuous electrical strip. The strip may have a spiral shape. In one embodiment the portions are connected together to form an AND or OR gate. Two identical cells may straddle a desired image plane and be subject to the same image. Suitable means respond to the differences between the cells to drive a motor which adjusts an image-forming objective.
Inventors
- 👤 Hansrichard Schulz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:10
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; E; E21; E21D; E21D23/00; G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/32; G01D; G01D3/00; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/28; G01R17/00; G01R17/02; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/40; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/36; G03; G03B; G03B3/00; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/085; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/30; H03F1/303
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A detecting circuit for detecting the sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of photosensitive members having semiconductor junctions of opposite conductivity, said members being disposed in a coplanar mosaic arrangement, said photosensitive members emitting respective electrical outputs in response to the intensity of illumination of the members by respective portions of the image formed by the image forming optical system; B. a plurality of resistors having respective constant resistance values, a plurality of coupling means each individually connecting one of said resistances in series with a respective one of said members to form respective series circuits exhibiting signal values at the coupling means, the signal values varying between a minimum extreme signal value and a maximum extreme signal value, i. each of said circuits being connected in parallel with one another; C. comparing means electrically coupled to said coupling means for producing an output in response only to the one of the extremes of the signal values, whereby the sharpness of the object image formed by means of the image forming optical system may be detected on the basis of the output from said comparing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A detecting circuit for detecting the sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of photosensitive members having semiconductor junctions of opposite conductivity, said members being disposed in a coplanar mosaic arrangement, said photosensitive members emitting respective electrical outputs in response to the intensity of illumination of the members by respective portions of the image formed by the image forming optical system; B. a plurality of resistors having respective constant resistance values, a plurality of coupling means each individually connecting one of said resistances in series with a respective one of said members to form respective series circuits exhibiting signal values at the coupling means, the signal values varying between a minimum extreme signal value and a maximum extreme signal value, i. each of said circuits being connected in parallel with one another; C. comparing means electrically coupled to said coupling means for producing an output in response only to the one of the extremes of the signal values, whereby the sharpness of the object image formed by means of the image forming optical system may be detected on the basis of the output from said comparing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A circuit according to claim 1, in which said comparing means includes a plurality of gate diodes each individually coupled to one of said coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detecting circuit according to claim 2, in which said series circuit each includes a potential equalizing diode interposed and connected between the member and the resistor of the series circut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A detecting circuit according to claim 3, further comprising a direct-current source connected across each series circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A detecting circuit according to claim 1, in which said photosensitive members are disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a matrix shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A detecting circuit according to claim 1, in which said members are formed of silicon photosensitive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A detecting circuit according to claim 6, in which said photosensitive members, said resistors and said comparing means are formed as part of an integrated circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit as in claim 1, wherein said comparing means produces an output in response only to the maximum one of the signal values.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said comparing means includes a plurality of gas diodes each individually coupled to one of said coupling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said series circuit each includes a potential equalizing diode interposed and connected between the member and the resistor at the series circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein a direct-current source is connected across each series circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, in which said photosensitive members are disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a matrix shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, in which said members are formed of silicon photosensitive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 8, in which said photosensitive members, said resistors and said comparing means are formed as part of an integrated circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said comparing means produces an output in response only to the minimum one of the signal values.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as in claim 15, in which said comparing means includes a plurality of gate diodes each individually coupled to one of said coupling means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 15, in which said series circuit each inludes a potential equalizing diode interposed and connected between the member and the resistor of the series circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 15, further comprising a direct-current source connected across each series circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 15, in which said photosensitive members are disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a matrix shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 15, in which said members are formed of silicon photosensitive material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 15, in which said photosensitive members, said resistors and said comparing means are formed as part of an integrated circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive members are micro-photo-diodes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as in claim 22, in which said comparing means includes a plurality of gate diodes each individually coupled to one of said coupling means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 23, wherein said series circuit each includes a potential equalizing diode interposed and connected between the member and the resistor of the series circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 22, further comprising a direct-current source connected across each series circuit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 22, in which said photosensitive members are disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a matrix shape.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said members are formed of silicon photosensitive material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 22, in which said photosensitive members, said resistors and said comparing means are formed as part of an integrated circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive members are micro-photo-transistors.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said comparing means includes a plurality of gate diodes each individually coupled to one of said coupling means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said series circuit each includes a potential equalizing diode interposed and connected between the member and the resistor of the series circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 29, further comprising a direct-current connected across each series circuit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 29, in which said photosensitive members are disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a matrix shape.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said members are formed of silicon photosensitive material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said photosensitive members, said resistors and said comparing means are formed as part of an integrated circuit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit as in claim 35, wherein said member responds only to the maximum signal value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 36, wherein said comparing means includes a plurality of gate diodes each individually coupled to one of said coupling means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 36, wherein said series circuit each includes a potential equalizing diode interposed and connected between the member and the resistor of the series circuit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 36, further comprising a direct-current source connected across each series circuit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 36, in which said photosensitive members are disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a matrix shape.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 36, wherein said members are formed of silicon photosensitive material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 36, wherein said photosensitive members, said resistors and said comparing means are formed as part of an integrated circuit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
177 words
A detecting circuit for detecting the sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro-photo-conductive elements disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming in a mosaic pattern, said photo-conductive elements respectively emitting an electrical output in response to the intensity of illumination thereof; B. a plurality of resistors each having a constant resistance value and individually connected in series with one of said photoconductive elements; i. each photo-conductive element and each resistor connected thereto forming a series circuit, said series circuits being connected in parallel with each other; C. comparing means for comparing the output of each of said photo-conductive elements, said comparing means being electrically coupled with each juncture between said photo-conductive element and said resistor for comparing the output value of each of said photo-conductive elements so as to give out only the maximum valued output of the photo-conductive element, whereby the sharpness of the object image formed by means of the image forming optical system is detected by virtue of the output emitted from said comparing means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
177 words
A detecting circuit for detecting the sharpness of an image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro-photo-conductive elements disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming in a mosaic pattern, said photo-conductive elements respectively emitting an electrical output in response to the intensity of illumination thereof; B. a plurality of resistors each having a constant resistance value and individually connected in series with one of said photoconductive elements; i. each photo-conductive element and each resistor connected thereto forming a series circuit, said series circuits being connected in parallel with each other; C. comparing means for comparing the output of each of said photo-conductive elements, said comparing means being electrically coupled with each juncture between said photo-conductive element and said resistor for comparing the output value of each of said photo-conductive elements so as to give out only the maximum valued output of the photo-conductive element, whereby the sharpness of the object image formed by means of the image forming optical system is detected by virtue of the output emitted from said comparing means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
178 words
A detecting circuit for detecting the sharpness of an object image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro photo-conductive elements disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a mosaic pattern, said photoconductive elements respectively emitting electrical output in response to the intensity of illumination thereof; B. a plurality of resistors each having a constant resistance value and individually connected in series with one of said photo-conductive elements; i. each photo-conductive element and each resistor connected thereto forming a series circuit, said series circuits being respectively connected in parallel with each other; C. comparing means for comparing the output of each of said photo-conductive elements; said comparing means being electrically coupled with each juncture between said photo-conductive element and said resistor for comparing the output value of each of said photo-conductive elements so as to give out only the minimum valued output of the photo-conductive element; whereby the sharpness of the object image formed by means of the image forming optical system is detected by virtue of the output issued from said comparing means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
178 words
A detecting circuit for detecting the sharpness of an object image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro photo-conductive elements disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a mosaic pattern, said photoconductive elements respectively emitting electrical output in response to the intensity of illumination thereof; B. a plurality of resistors each having a constant resistance value and individually connected in series with one of said photo-conductive elements; i. each photo-conductive element and each resistor connected thereto forming a series circuit, said series circuits being respectively connected in parallel with each other; C. comparing means for comparing the output of each of said photo-conductive elements; said comparing means being electrically coupled with each juncture between said photo-conductive element and said resistor for comparing the output value of each of said photo-conductive elements so as to give out only the minimum valued output of the photo-conductive element; whereby the sharpness of the object image formed by means of the image forming optical system is detected by virtue of the output issued from said comparing means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
142 words
A circuit for detecting the sharpness of an object image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro-sensitive elements having photo-conductive property disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a mosaic pattern, each of said photosensitive elements being respectively adapted to change an electrically conducting state thereof in response to variations in the intensity of illumination thereof; B. means for supplying an electric potential to said photo-sensitive elements, said means being electrically coupled with each of said photo-sensitive elements respectively, C. or-gate means having a plurality of input terminal and at least one input terminal, each of said input terminals being individually coupled with each of said photo-sensitive elements; D. output means electrically coupled with the output terminal of said gate means for generating an electrical output corresponding to the image sharpness on the basis of the output from said gate means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
142 words
A circuit for detecting the sharpness of an object image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro-sensitive elements having photo-conductive property disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a mosaic pattern, each of said photosensitive elements being respectively adapted to change an electrically conducting state thereof in response to variations in the intensity of illumination thereof; B. means for supplying an electric potential to said photo-sensitive elements, said means being electrically coupled with each of said photo-sensitive elements respectively, C. or-gate means having a plurality of input terminal and at least one input terminal, each of said input terminals being individually coupled with each of said photo-sensitive elements; D. output means electrically coupled with the output terminal of said gate means for generating an electrical output corresponding to the image sharpness on the basis of the output from said gate means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit for detecting the sharpness of an object image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro photo-sensitive elements having photo-conductive property disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a mosaic pattern, each of said photosensitive elements being respectively adapted to change an electrically conducting state thereof in response to variation in the intensity of illumination thereof; B. means for supplying an electric potential to said photo-sensitive elements; said means being electrically coupled with each of said photo-sensitive elements respectively; C. and gate means having a plurality of input terminals and at least one output terminals, said input terminals being coupled individually with each of said photo-sensitive elements; D. output means electrically coupled with said gate means at the output terminal, said output means being adapted to generate an electrical output corresponding to the image sharpness on the basis of the output from said gate means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit for detecting the sharpness of an object image formed by an image forming optical system, comprising: A. a plurality of micro photo-sensitive elements having photo-conductive property disposed in a coplanar arrangement forming a mosaic pattern, each of said photosensitive elements being respectively adapted to change an electrically conducting state thereof in response to variation in the intensity of illumination thereof; B. means for supplying an electric potential to said photo-sensitive elements; said means being electrically coupled with each of said photo-sensitive elements respectively; C. and gate means having a plurality of input terminals and at least one output terminals, said input terminals being coupled individually with each of said photo-sensitive elements; D. output means electrically coupled with said gate means at the output terminal, said output means being adapted to generate an electrical output corresponding to the image sharpness on the basis of the output from said gate means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-19 | 1981-03-21 | 1981-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-19 | 1985-03-21 | 1985-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-19 | 1989-03-21 | 1989-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |