Patent US4688919A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4688919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic focusing camera
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-02-12
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Granted: 1987-08-25
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Expires: 2005-02-12
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an automatic focusing camera capable of measuring a wide range of distances by setting a plurality of focus targets in the photographic picture plane, so designed that when the photographic picture angle changes due to changes in the focal length of the photographic lens the distance is measured by focus targets whose numbers corresponds to the photographic picture angles, to avoid mismeasurement of the distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Ogawa
- 👤 Hideo Taka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/46; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An automatic focusing camera comprising: (A) distance measuring means capable of automatically measuring an object distance; and (B) change over means for changing over a distance measuring range of the distance measuring means to a range appropriate to a photographic picture angle according to the change in focal length of a photographic optical system; and wherein the distance measuring means includes signal projecting means for projecting a signal light and light sensing means for sensing the light reflected on the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An automatic focusing camera comprising: (A) distance measuring means capable of automatically measuring an object distance; and (B) change over means for changing over a distance measuring range of the distance measuring means to a range appropriate to a photographic picture angle according to the change in focal length of a photographic optical system; and wherein the distance measuring means includes signal projecting means for projecting a signal light and light sensing means for sensing the light reflected on the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting means includes a plurality of light emitting elements for emitting signal lights which are respectively projected in the different directions so as to enable the distance measurement for a plurality of objects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the light sensing means includes a position-sensitive-device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting means includes projecting means for projecting a plurality of signal lights in a plurality of different directions so as to obtain a plurality of distance information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the light sensing means includes detecting means for detecting a light sensing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein the change over means includes associating means for decreasing the number of the light emitting elements for emitting the signal light along as the focal length of the photographic optical system changes to the side of the long focal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A camera according to claim 4, wherein the change over means includes associating means for decreasing the number of the signal lights projected by the projecting means along as the focal length of the photographic optical system changes to the side of the long focal length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
An automatic focus detection device for a camera, comprising: (A) focal point adjustment information detection means for detecting focal point adjustment information relative to an object by receiving a light reflected from the object; and (B) change over means for changing a detectable angle of the focal adjustment information detection means in response to changes in a picture angle of a photo-taking optical system so as to render the detectable picture angle suited to the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system wherein said change over means includes electrical switch means for changing over the detectable picture angle of the focus adjustment information detection means in response to the change in the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
An automatic focus detection device for a camera, comprising: (A) focal point adjustment information detection means for detecting focal point adjustment information relative to an object by receiving a light reflected from the object; and (B) change over means for changing a detectable angle of the focal adjustment information detection means in response to changes in a picture angle of a photo-taking optical system so as to render the detectable picture angle suited to the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system wherein said change over means includes electrical switch means for changing over the detectable picture angle of the focus adjustment information detection means in response to the change in the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic focus detection device for a camera, comprising: (A) distance measuring means for automatically measuring the distance of an object; and (B) change over means for changing a distance measurable picture angle of said distance measuring means in response to changes in a picture angle of a photo-taking optical system so as to render the picture angle of the distance measuring means suitable to that of the photo-taking optical system, wherein said change over means includes electrical switch means for changing over the distance measurable picture angle of the distance measuring means in response to the changes in the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic focus detection device for a camera, comprising: (A) distance measuring means for automatically measuring the distance of an object; and (B) change over means for changing a distance measurable picture angle of said distance measuring means in response to changes in a picture angle of a photo-taking optical system so as to render the picture angle of the distance measuring means suitable to that of the photo-taking optical system, wherein said change over means includes electrical switch means for changing over the distance measurable picture angle of the distance measuring means in response to the changes in the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
An automaic focus detection device for a camera, comprising: (A) focal point adjustment information detection means for detecting information of a plurality of focal point adjustments corresponding to a plurality of targets in a photographic scene; and (B) change over means for changing targets in the photographic scene detectable by the focal point adjustment information detection means in response to changes in the picture angle of a photo-taking optical system so as to render the targets suitable to the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system, wherein said change over means includes electrical switch means for changing over the detectable picture angle of the focus adjustment information detection means in response to the changes in the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
An automaic focus detection device for a camera, comprising: (A) focal point adjustment information detection means for detecting information of a plurality of focal point adjustments corresponding to a plurality of targets in a photographic scene; and (B) change over means for changing targets in the photographic scene detectable by the focal point adjustment information detection means in response to changes in the picture angle of a photo-taking optical system so as to render the targets suitable to the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system, wherein said change over means includes electrical switch means for changing over the detectable picture angle of the focus adjustment information detection means in response to the changes in the picture angle of the photo-taking optical system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-24 | 1991-02-23 | 1991-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-24 | 1995-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-02-23 | 1999-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |