Focus detecting and/or focus adjustment method

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step for adjusting said optical system into an in-focus position based on the detection result of the focusing condition of said optical system.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising focus adjusting means for adjusting said optical system to an in-focus position corresponding to an output of said means for detecting the focusing condition.

Claim 7

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions relative to said object, said associated image portions shifting symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said shift and the amount of the shift indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also shift with each other according to the shifting of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the shifting position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of shifting of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data symmetrically with each other yet concurrently, using as the reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions that secure an optimum correlation therebetween can be obtained when the mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position; (D) correlation detecting means being controlled by said control means for seeking a correlation between the data portions in each one of the pair of the data portions formed by said sampling means; and (E) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means for detecting the shifting state of said associated data portions by shifting states from the sampling ranges constituting the reference of the sampling ranges which can secure the pair of data portions having the optimum correlation from the correlations obtained by said correlation detecting means, then detecting the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens based on the same.

Claim 8

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions relative to said object, said associated image portions shifting symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said shift and the amount of the shift indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also shift with each other according to the shifting of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the shifting position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of shifting of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data symmetrically with each other yet concurrently, using as the reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions that secure an optimum correlation therebetween can be obtained when the mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position; (D) correlation detecting means being controlled by said control means for seeking a correlation between the data portions in each one of the pair of the data portions formed by said sampling means; and (E) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means for detecting the shifting state of said associated data portions by shifting states from the sampling ranges constituting the reference of the sampling ranges which can secure the pair of data portions having the optimum correlation from the correlations obtained by said correlation detecting means, then detecting the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens based on the same.

Claim 17

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions relative to said object, said associated image portions shifting symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said shift and the amount of the shift indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also shift with each other according to the shifting of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the shifting position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of shifting of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data symmetrically with each other yet concurrently, using as the reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions that secure an optimum correlation therebetween can be obtained when the mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position; (D) correlation detecting means being controlled by said control means for seeking a correlation between the data portions in each one of the pair of the data portions formed by said sampling means; and (E) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means for detecting the variation of the sampling ranges which can secure the pair of data portions having the optimum correlation from the correlations obtained by said correlation detecting means from the sampling ranges constituting the reference, then detecting the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens based on the same.

Claim 18

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions relative to said object, said associated image portions shifting symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said shift and the amount of the shift indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also shift with each other according to the shifting of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the shifting position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of shifting of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data symmetrically with each other yet concurrently, using as the reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions that secure an optimum correlation therebetween can be obtained when the mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position; (D) correlation detecting means being controlled by said control means for seeking a correlation between the data portions in each one of the pair of the data portions formed by said sampling means; and (E) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means for detecting the variation of the sampling ranges which can secure the pair of data portions having the optimum correlation from the correlations obtained by said correlation detecting means from the sampling ranges constituting the reference, then detecting the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens based on the same.

Claim 27

An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said sampling means varies said sampling ranges symmetrically about a standard position at which an optimum correlation is obtained when the optical system is in an in-focus position.

Claim 28

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions relative to said object, said associated image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said variation and the amount of the variation indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also vary with each other according to the varying of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the varying position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of varying of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; (D) correlation detecting means being controlled by said control means for seeking a correlation between the data portions in each one of the pair of the data portions formed by said sampling means; and (E) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means for detecting the variation of the sampling ranges which can secure the pair of data portions having the optimum correlation from the correlations obtained by said correlation detecting means from the sampling ranges constituting the reference, then detecting the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens based on the same.

Claim 29

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions relative to said object, said associated image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said variation and the amount of the variation indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also vary with each other according to the varying of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the varying position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of varying of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; (D) correlation detecting means being controlled by said control means for seeking a correlation between the data portions in each one of the pair of the data portions formed by said sampling means; and (E) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means for detecting the variation of the sampling ranges which can secure the pair of data portions having the optimum correlation from the correlations obtained by said correlation detecting means from the sampling ranges constituting the reference, then detecting the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens based on the same.

Claim 30

An apparatus as in claim 16, wherein said sampling means varies said sampling ranges symmetrically about a standard position at which an optimum correlation is obtained when the optical system is in an in-focus position.

Claim 33

An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said sampling means varies said sampling ranges symmetrically about a standard position at which an optimum correlation is obtained when the optical systemis in an in-focus position.

Claim 36

A method as in claim 20, wherein the varying of the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data occurs symmetrically using as a reference and sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions can be obtained that secure an optimum correlation therebetween when the optical system is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 37

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said variation and the amount of the variation indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also vary with each other according to the variation of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the varying position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of varying of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; and (D) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means by detecting the variation of the sampling ranges.

Claim 38

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning respective first and second detection images of an object, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having associated image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens, using as the reference the position of said associated image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, wherein the direction of said variation and the amount of the variation indicates the direction of deviation and amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the first data and the second data have associated data portions relating to said associated image portions, while said associated data portions also vary with each other according to the variation of the associated image portions using as the reference the position of said associated data portions when the mounted taking lens is in the in-focus condition, and the varying position of said associated data portions forms a position at which data portions that secure the optimum correlation between the first data and the second data is located; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling data portions from each one of the first data and the second data being produced by the light receiving means and at the same time varying sampling ranges from sampling said pair of data portions for each one of the first data and the second data then forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying the sampling ranges in a manner corresponding to the manner of varying of the associated data portions, that is, varying the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; and (D) means for detecting the focusing condition being controlled by said control means by detecting the variation of the sampling ranges.

Claim 39

An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said sampling means varies said sampling ranges symmetrically about a standard position at which an optimum correlation is obtained when the optical system is in an in-focus position.

Claim 40

A focus detecting apparatus for an optical system, comprising: sensing means responsive to the optical system for optically forming a plurality of first partial images and second partial images of an object, and for producing first signals representing respective first partial images and producing second signals representing respective second partial images; sampling means for successively sampling and correlating pluralities of the first signals and pluralities of the second signals; and control means for causing the sampling means to change which of the first signals are sampled, to change which of the second signals are sampled, and to make the change of which of said second signals are sampled occur simultaneously with the change in the sampling of the first signals; said sensing means being arranged relative to the optical system to cause each of the first signals to have the same predetermined relationship to a respective one of the second signals for every in-focus condition of the optical system; and said control means being arranged to change the sampling of said sampling means when said optical means does not focus on the object until the sampled ones of the first signals have the predetermined relation with the sampled ones of the second signals, and to indicate the amount of change as a measure of the departure of the optical system from an in-focus position on the object.

Claim 41

A focus detecting apparatus for an optical system, comprising: sensing means responsive to the optical system for optically forming a plurality of first partial images and second partial images of an object, and for producing first signals representing respective first partial images and producing second signals representing respective second partial images; sampling means for successively sampling and correlating pluralities of the first signals and pluralities of the second signals; and control means for causing the sampling means to change which of the first signals are sampled, to change which of the second signals are sampled, and to make the change of which of said second signals are sampled occur simultaneously with the change in the sampling of the first signals; said sensing means being arranged relative to the optical system to cause each of the first signals to have the same predetermined relationship to a respective one of the second signals for every in-focus condition of the optical system; and said control means being arranged to change the sampling of said sampling means when said optical means does not focus on the object until the sampled ones of the first signals have the predetermined relation with the sampled ones of the second signals, and to indicate the amount of change as a measure of the departure of the optical system from an in-focus position on the object.

Claim 42

An apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said control means is arranged to cause the sampling means to change which of the signals is sampled until the changes produce a predetermined result with the sampled signals.

Claim 43

An apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said control means includes detecting means for determining the number of changes in the signals sampled so as to measure the focus condition.

Claim 44

An apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said control means includes detecting means for determining the number of changes in the signals sampled so as to measure the focus condition.

Claim 45

An apparatus as in claim 24, wherein: said control means causes the sampling means to change which of the first signals are sampled and which of the second signals are sampled so that the sampled first and second signals represent first and second portions substantially symmetrical relative to the images.

Claim 46

An apparatus as in claim 27, wherein: said control means causes the sampling means to change which of the first signals are sampled and which of the second signals are sampled so that the sampled first and second signals represent first and second portions substantially symmetrical about relative to the images.

Claim 47

An apparatus as in claim 27, wherein: said control means causes the sampling means to change which of the first signals are sampled and which of the second signals are sampled so that the sampled first and second signals represent first and second portions substantially symmetrical relative to the images.

Claim 48

An apparatus as in claim 24, wherein: said detecting means is arranged to form the images in spatial sequence so that the first portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other and the second portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other; and said sampling means are arranged for sampling each plurality of signals so that the signals in one plurality represent first portions in spatial sequence and in the other represent second portions in spatial sequence.

Claim 49

An apparatus as in claim 25, wherein: said detecting means is arranged to form the images in spatial sequence so that the first portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other and the second portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other; and said sampling means are arranged for sampling each plurality of signals so that the signals in one plurality represent first portions in spatial sequence and in the other represent second portions in spatial sequence.

Claim 50

An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein: said detecting means is arranged to form the images in spatial sequence so that the first portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other and the second portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other; and said sampling means are arranged for sampling each plurality of signals so that the signals in one plurality represent first portions in spatial sequence and in the other represent second portions in spatial sequence.

Claim 51

An apparatus as in claim 27, wherein: said detecting means is arranged to form the images in spatial sequence so that the first portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other and the second portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other; and said sampling means are arranged for sampling each plurality of signals so that the signals in one plurality represent first portions in spatial sequence and in the other represent second portions in spatial sequence.

Claim 52

An apparatus as in claim 28, wherein: said detecting means is arranged to form the images in spatial sequence so that the first portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other and the second portions are in spatial sequence with respect to each other; and said sampling means are arranged for sampling each plurality of signals so that the signals in one plurality represent first portions in spatial sequence and in the other represent second portions in spatial sequence.

Claim 53

An apparatus as in claim 24, wherein the predetermined relationship is an extreme correlation.

Claim 54

An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the predetermined relationship is a maximum correlation.

Claim 55

An apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said sensing means is arranged relative to the optical system so that each of the first partial images is substantially the same as the respective one of the second partial images.

Claim 58

A method as in claim 39, wherein the varying of the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data occurs symmetrically using as a reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions can be obtained that secure an optimum correlation therebetween when the optical system is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 61

A method as in claim 41, wherein the varying of the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data occurs symmetrically using as a reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions can be obtained that secure an optimum correlation therebetween when the optical system is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 62

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning first and second detecting images of an object respectively, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having substantially the same image portions relative to the object, said substantially same image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens from the position of said substantially same image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object with the direction of the variation and amount of the variation indicating the direction of deviation and the amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the varying position of said substantially same image portions is a position at which an optimum correlation is obtained; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling respective data portions from the first data and the second data being produced by said light receiving means and varying sampling ranges with regard to each one of the first data and the second data, thereby forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying said sampling ranges concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; (D) operation means controlled by said control means for operating amounts varying depending on the degree of similarity of each pair of data portions mentioned above as being formed by the sampling means; and (E) detection means for detecting a position at which said optimum correlation is obtained on the basis of the outputs of the operation means, said detection means determining the direction of the variation and the amount of the variation of said substantially same image portion from the standard position to detect the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens.

Claim 63

An automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning first and second detecting images of an object respectively, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having substantially the same image portions relative to the object, said substantially same image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens from the position of said substantially same image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object with the direction of the variation and amount of the variation indicating the direction of deviation and the amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position, and the varying position of said substantially same image portions is a position at which an optimum correlation is obtained; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling respective data portions from the first data and the second data being produced by said light receiving means and varying sampling ranges with regard to each one of the first data and the second data, thereby forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying said sampling ranges concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; (D) operation means controlled by said control means for operating amounts varying depending on the degree of similarity of each pair of data portions mentioned above as being formed by the sampling means; and (E) detection means for detecting a position at which said optimum correlation is obtained on the basis of the outputs of the operation means, said detection means determining the direction of the variation and the amount of the variation of said substantially same image portion from the standard position to detect the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens.

Claim 64

An apparatus as in claim 43, wherein said sampling means varies said sampling ranges symmetrically about a standard position at which an optimum correlation is obtained when the optical system is in an in-focus position.

Claim 67

A method as in claim 45, wherein the varying of the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data occurs symmetrically using as a reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions can be obtained that secure an optimum correlation therebetween when the optical system is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 68

A automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning first and second detecting images of an object respectively, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having substantially the same image portions relative to the object, said substantially same image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens from a standard reference position, which is the position of said substantilly same image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, with the direction of the variation and amount of the variation indicating the direction of deviation and the amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling respective data portions from the first data and the second data being produced by said light receiving means and varying sampling ranges with regard to each of one of the first data and the second data, thereby forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying said sampling ranges concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; (D) operation means controlled by said control means for operating amounts varying depending on the degree of similarity of each pair of data portions mentioned above being formed by the sampling means; and (E) detection means for determining the direction of the variation and the amount of the variation of said substantially same image portion from the standard position to detect the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens.

Claim 69

A automatic focus detection device for a single lens reflex camera which can have various taking lenses with adjustable focus points mounted thereon, comprising: (A) control means; (B) light receiving means controlled by said control means for forming first and second data concerning first and second detecting images of an object respectively, said first and second detection images being obtained through a pair of portions of a mounted taking lens almost symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and having substantially the same image portions relative to the object, said substantially same image portions varying symmetrically with each other according to the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens from a standard reference position, which is the position of said substantilly same image portions at a time when said mounted taking lens is in an in-focus position relative to the object, with the direction of the variation and amount of the variation indicating the direction of deviation and the amount of deviation of said mounted taking lens from the in-focus position; (C) sampling means controlled by said control means for forming a pair of data portions by sampling respective data portions from the first data and the second data being produced by said light receiving means and varying sampling ranges with regard to each of one of the first data and the second data, thereby forming said pair of data portions from the first data and the second data for every variation of said sampling ranges, said sampling means varying said sampling ranges concurrently with regard to each one of said first data and second data; (D) operation means controlled by said control means for operating amounts varying depending on the degree of similarity of each pair of data portions mentioned above being formed by the sampling means; and (E) detection means for determining the direction of the variation and the amount of the variation of said substantially same image portion from the standard position to detect the focusing condition of the mounted taking lens.

Claim 71

An apparatus as in claim 48, wherein said sampling means varies said sampling ranges symmetrically about a standard position at which an optimum correlation is obtained when the optical system is in an in-focus position.

Claim 74

A method as in claim 21, 39, 41, 45, or 50, wherein the varying of the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data occurs symmetrically using as a reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions can be obtained that secure an optimum correlation therebetween then the optical system is in an in-focus condition.

Claim 75

A method as in claim 51, wherein the varying of the sampling ranges of the first data and the second data occurs summetrically using as a reference the sampling ranges at which a pair of data portions can be obtained that secure an optimum correlation therebetween when the optical system is in an in-focus condition.