US4682886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distance measuring device
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1986-08-20
•
Granted: 1987-07-28
•
Expires: 2006-08-20
Abstract
Abstract In the disclosed distance measuring device a focal point of an optical system is detected by measuring a distance to an object to be measured with light projecting and receiving means according to the principle of the trigonometric distance measuring method. The device is of the type having light projecting means, light receiving means and the optical axis of the optical system arranged on different planes. Projection of a light flux by the light projecting means is effected within a first plane which contains the optical axis of the optical system and the light projecting means and the reflection of the light from the light flux in projecting means is received within a second plane which contains the optical axis of the optical system and the light receiving means, so that the distance to the object can be always accurately measured on the optical axis of the optical system without any parallax.
Inventors
- 👤 Masamichi Toyama
- 👤 Naoya Kaneda
- 👤 Kazuo Fujibayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for projecting light toward said object within a first plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light projecting means; and light receiving means for receiving light reflected from said object within a second plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light receving means, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar: and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for projecting light toward said object within a first plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light projecting means; and light receiving means for receiving light reflected from said object within a second plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light receving means, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar: and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light projecting means includes a light projecting element the position of which is variable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light projecting means includes displacing means for shifting a point at which the light is projected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting element the position of which is shiftable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting optical system the position of which is variable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving means includes a scanning part which is capable of receiving light fluxes coming from different directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said scanning part includes a light sensitive element the position of which is variable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said scanning part includes a plurality of light sensitive elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said scanning part includes a light receiving optical system the position of which is variable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said light receiving means includes a light receiving part having a plurality of light receiving regions and is arranged to detect a distance to said object through comparison of the outputs of said light receiving regions; and the boundary between said regions of the light receiving part is arranged to be perpendicular to a base line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said light receiving means further includes a light receiving optical system for said light receiving part; said light receiving optical system includes a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof; and the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens is arranged to be perpendicular to the boundary of the regions of said light receiving part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein said light projecting means includes: a light projecting part arranged to generate a light flux; and a light projecting optical system for said light projecting part, said light projecting optical system including a lens of an approximately elliptical shaped formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof, the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens being arranged transverse to a base line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said light receiving part is divided into two regions; and a distance to the object which is to be measured is detected from a difference between the outputs of said two divided regions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light projecting means includes: a light projecting part for producing light flux; a light projecting optical system arranged in combination with said light projecting part; and light projecting distance varying means for varying a distance between said light projecting part and said light projecting optical system according to a distance to an object to be measured.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 1 or 14, wherein said light receiving means includes: a light receiving part arranged to receive a light flux; a light receiving optical system arranged in combination with said light receiving part; and light receiving distance varying means for varying a distance between said light receiving part and said light receiving optical system according to the distance to the object to be measured.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
A device according to claim 1 further including a view finder which is arranged to permit visual confirmation of the object the distance to which is to be measured, said view finder having the following two display means in the middle part thereof: (a) first display means which is arranged to be used when the focal length of said imaging optical system is long; and (b) second display means which is arranged to be used when the focal length of said imaging optical system is short.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said light projecting means includes means for projecting the light along a first path within the first plane, and said light receiving means includes means for receiving reflected light along a second path within the second plane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
109 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for scanningly projecting light toward said object within a first plane containing an optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light projecting means; light receiving means for receiving light reflected from said object, said light receiving means and the optical axis of said imaging optical system forming a second plane; and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
109 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for scanningly projecting light toward said object within a first plane containing an optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light projecting means; light receiving means for receiving light reflected from said object, said light receiving means and the optical axis of said imaging optical system forming a second plane; and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said light projecting means includes displacing means for shifting a point at which the light is projected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting element, the position of which is shiftable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting optical system, the position of which is variable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said light receiving means includes a scanning part which is capable of receiving light fluxes coming from different directions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein said scanning part includes a light sensitive element, the position of which is variable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein said scanning part includes a plurality of light sensitive elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein said scanning part includes a light receiving optical system, the position of which is variable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said light receiving means includes a light receiving part having a plurality of light receiving regions and is arranged to detect a distance to said object through comparison of the outputs of said light receiving regions; and the boundary between said regions of the light receiving part is arranged to be perpendicular to a base line.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said light receiving means further includes a light receiving optical system for said light receiving part; said light receiving optical system includes a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof; and the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens is arranged to be perpendicular to the boundary of the regions of said light receiving part.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 27, wherein said light projecting means includes: a light projecting part arranged to generate a light flux; and a light projecting optical system for said light projecting part, said light projecting optical system including a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof, the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens being arranged transverse to a base line.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said light receiving part is divided into two regions; and a distance to the object which is to be measured is detected from a difference between the outputs of said two divided regions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for projecting light toward said object, said light projecting means and optical axis of said imaging optical system forming a first plane; light receiving means for scanningly receiving light reflected from said object within a second plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light receiving means; and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
108 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for projecting light toward said object, said light projecting means and optical axis of said imaging optical system forming a first plane; light receiving means for scanningly receiving light reflected from said object within a second plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light receiving means; and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein said light projecting means includes displacing means for shifting a point at which the light is projected.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 31, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting element, the position of which is shiftable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 31, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting optical system, the position of which is variable.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein said light receiving means includes a scanning part which is capable of receiving light fluxes coming from different directions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said scanning part includes a light sensitive element, the position of which is variable.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said scanning part includes a plurality of light sensitive elements.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said scanning part includes a light receiving optical system, the position of which is variable.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein said light receiving means includes a light receiving part having a plurality of light receiving regions and is arranged to detect a distance to said object through comparison of the outputs of said light receiving regions; and the boundary between said regions of the light receiving part is arranged to be perpendicular to a base line.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 38, wherein said light receiving means further includes a light receiving optical system for said light receiving part; said light receiving optical system includes a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof; and the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens is arranged to be perpendicular to the boundary of the regions of said light receiving part.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 39, wherein said light projecting means includes: a light projecting part arranged to generate a light flux; and a light projecting optical system for said light projecting part, said light projecting optical system including a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof, the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens being arranged transverse to a base line.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein said light receiving part is divided into two regions; and a distance to the object which is to be measured is detected from a difference between the outputs of said two divided regions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
138 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for scanningly projecting light toward said object within a first plane containing an optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light projecting means; light receiving means for scanningly receiving light reflected from said object within a second plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light receiving means; association means for associating the scanning of the projection light by said light projecting means with the scanning in the receiving direction by said light receiving means; and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
138 words
A distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: an imaging optical system for forming an image of said object at a predetermined position; light projecting means for scanningly projecting light toward said object within a first plane containing an optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light projecting means; light receiving means for scanningly receiving light reflected from said object within a second plane containing the optical axis of said imaging optical system and said light receiving means; association means for associating the scanning of the projection light by said light projecting means with the scanning in the receiving direction by said light receiving means; and a computing circuit responsive to said light receiving means to produce a signal related to the distance, said first plane and said second plane being non-coplanar.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 42, wherein said light projecting means includes displacing means for shifting a point at which the light is projected.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 43, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting element, the position of which is shiftable.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 43, wherein said displacing means includes a light projecting optical system, the position of which is variable.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 42, wherein said light receiving means includes a scanning part which is capable of receiving light fluxes coming from different directions.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 46, wherein said scanning part includes a light sensitive element, the position of which is variable.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 46, wherein said scanning part includes a plurality of light sensitive elements.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 46, wherein said scanning part includes a light receiving optical system, the position of which is variable.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 42, wherein said light receiving means includes a light receiving part having a plurality of light receiving regions and is arranged to detect a distance to said object through comparison of the outputs of said light receiving regions; and the boundary between said regions of the light receiving part is arranged to be perpendicular to a base line.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 50, wherein said light receiving means further includes a light receiving optical system for said light receiving part; said light receiving optical system includes a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof; and the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens is arranged to be perpendicular to the boundary of the regions of said light receiving part.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
77 words
A device according to claim 51, wherein said light projecting means includes: a light projecting part arranged to generate a light flux; and a light projecting optical system for said light projecting part, said light projecting optical system including a lens of an approximately elliptical shape formed by cutting away two parts of a circular lens symmetrically relative to the central line thereof, the longitudinal direction of said elliptical lens being arranged transverse to a base line.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 52, wherein said light receiving part is divided into two regions; and a distance to the object which is to be measured is detected from a difference between the outputs of said two divided regions.
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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) | 1990-07-27 | 1991-01-26 | 1991-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-27 | 1995-01-26 | 1995-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-27 | 1999-01-26 | 1999-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |