US4694149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focus adjusting device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-05
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Granted: 1987-09-15
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Expires: 2005-12-05
Abstract
Abstract In a focus adjusting device having a light projecting source for projecting distance measuring light onto an object, a light sensing element divided into a plurality of light sensing areas for sensing the light reflected by the object, and a control member for controlling a lens to be at an in-focus position based on a signal from the light sensing element, a boundary line between the divided light sensing areas of the light sensing element is formed with a number of straight lines or curves, so that the boundary is comb-tooth formed or saw-tooth formed in such a manner that a part of one divided area is positioned in the other divided area.
Inventors
- 👤 Masamichi Toyama
- 👤 Susumu Kozuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/10; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4816; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30; G02B7/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A distance measuring device comprising: (a) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by the object and becoming reflected light; (b) sensing means for receiving said reflected light and producing signals relating to a distance to said object, said sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones, wherein a boundary line, forming boundaries between one sensing zone and another sensing zone, forms projections and indentations; and (c) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A distance measuring device comprising: (a) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by the object and becoming reflected light; (b) sensing means for receiving said reflected light and producing signals relating to a distance to said object, said sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones, wherein a boundary line, forming boundaries between one sensing zone and another sensing zone, forms projections and indentations; and (c) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the number of the sensing zones is two.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein said boundary line has a comb-tooth shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein said boundary line is of a zigzag shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A photographic system comprising: (a) a distance measuring device comprising; (i) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by the object and becoming reflected light; (ii) sensing means for receiving said reflected light and producing signals relating to a distance to said object, said sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones, wherein boundary line, forming boundaries between one sensing zone and another sensing zone, forms projections and indentations; (iii) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals; and (b) a photo-taking optical system which is movable based on the results of a computation by said computing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A photographic system comprising: (a) a distance measuring device comprising; (i) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by the object and becoming reflected light; (ii) sensing means for receiving said reflected light and producing signals relating to a distance to said object, said sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones, wherein boundary line, forming boundaries between one sensing zone and another sensing zone, forms projections and indentations; (iii) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals; and (b) a photo-taking optical system which is movable based on the results of a computation by said computing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A distance measuring device comprising: (a) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by said object and becoming reflected light; (b) sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones and at the same time having said reflected light impinge thereon for producing signals relating to a distance to said object; (c) optical means provided at an object side of said sensing means for having a portion of light bundles of the reflected light which are directed toward one sensing zone, impinge into another sensing zone; and (d) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals by said sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
A distance measuring device comprising: (a) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by said object and becoming reflected light; (b) sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones and at the same time having said reflected light impinge thereon for producing signals relating to a distance to said object; (c) optical means provided at an object side of said sensing means for having a portion of light bundles of the reflected light which are directed toward one sensing zone, impinge into another sensing zone; and (d) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals by said sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 6, wherein said optical means is means for refracting said light bundles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 7, wherein said refracting means includes a plurality of inclined planes which are inclined against the impinging direction of the light bundles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A photographic system comprising; (a) a distance measuring device comprising; (i) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by said object and becoming reflected light; (ii) sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones and at the same time having said reflected light impinge thereon for producing signals relating to a distance to said object; (iii) optical means provided at an object side of said sensing means for having a portion of light bundles of the reflected light which are directed toward one sensing zone, impinge into another sensing zone; (iv) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals by said sensing means; and (b) a photo-taking optical system which is movable based on the result of a computation by said computing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
A photographic system comprising; (a) a distance measuring device comprising; (i) light projecting means for projecting distance measuring light toward an object, said distance measuring light being reflected by said object and becoming reflected light; (ii) sensing means having a plurality of sensing zones and at the same time having said reflected light impinge thereon for producing signals relating to a distance to said object; (iii) optical means provided at an object side of said sensing means for having a portion of light bundles of the reflected light which are directed toward one sensing zone, impinge into another sensing zone; (iv) computing means for computing a distance to said object based on said signals by said sensing means; and (b) a photo-taking optical system which is movable based on the result of a computation by said computing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU397754A1
Cited
US4591919A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |