US4762985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Auto-focus apparatus applied to image reading apparatus and the like
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-22
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Granted: 1988-08-09
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Expires: 2006-04-22
Abstract
Abstract In an auto-focus apparatus of the invention, an image sensor (e.g., a CCD) produces an image signal corresponding to an image on a microfilm. The image signal from the image sensor is encoded to a binary image signal by a binary encoding circuit. Alternation points (i.e., leading or trailing edges) of the binary image signal are counted by a counter. A system controller fetches count values from the counter, and detects an image position corresponding to a maximum count value. The system controller causes a lens driving circuit to move an imaging lens to the detected image position.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryoichi Imai
- 👤 Seiichiro Satomura
- 👤 Toshio Iwaya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/34; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30; G02B7/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: exposure means for exposing an image recorded on a film; scanning means for scanning the image on a line by line basis and producing binary image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting image light from the film exposed with said exposure means onto said scanning means; setting means for setting a scanning position of said scanning means so as to scan a predetermined line in the image; counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals produced from said scanning means when it scans the predetermined line; and focusing means for focusing said optical means so that a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: exposure means for exposing an image recorded on a film; scanning means for scanning the image on a line by line basis and producing binary image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting image light from the film exposed with said exposure means onto said scanning means; setting means for setting a scanning position of said scanning means so as to scan a predetermined line in the image; counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals produced from said scanning means when it scans the predetermined line; and focusing means for focusing said optical means so that a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the count value of said count means is at a maximum value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning an image on a line by line basis and producing binary image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting the image onto said scanning means: counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals produced from said scanning means; detection means for detecting an image line of the image with which a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the image signals obtained upon scanning by said scanning means of the image line detected by said detection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning an image on a line by line basis and producing binary image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting the image onto said scanning means: counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals produced from said scanning means; detection means for detecting an image line of the image with which a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the image signals obtained upon scanning by said scanning means of the image line detected by said detection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said detection means detects the image line corresponding to a maximum count value of said counting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said detection means detects the image line corresponding to a count value of said counting means which is larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the count value of said count means is at a maximum value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said optical means projects the image recorded on a film onto said scanning means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
An auto-focusing comprising: scanning means for scanning an image on a line by line basis and producing binary image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting the image onto said scanning means; moving means for moving a scanning position of said scanning means; detection means for detecting a position of scanning by said scanning means with which the image signals from said scanning means satisfy a predetermined condition; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the image signals obtained upon scanning by said scanning means of an image line of the scanning position detected by said detection means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
An auto-focusing comprising: scanning means for scanning an image on a line by line basis and producing binary image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting the image onto said scanning means; moving means for moving a scanning position of said scanning means; detection means for detecting a position of scanning by said scanning means with which the image signals from said scanning means satisfy a predetermined condition; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the image signals obtained upon scanning by said scanning means of an image line of the scanning position detected by said detection means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals produced from said scanning scanning means, and wherein said detection means detects a scanning position with which a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals produced from said scanning means, and wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said optical means projects the image recorded on a film onto said scanning means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning an image and producing image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting the image onto said scanning means; focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the image signals from said scanning means; and inhibiting means for inhibiting focusing by said focusing means when the image signal from said scanning means is not in a predetermined state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning an image and producing image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting the image onto said scanning means; focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the image signals from said scanning means; and inhibiting means for inhibiting focusing by said focusing means when the image signal from said scanning means is not in a predetermined state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means for displaying a message indicating that the focusing is inhibited by said inhibiting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said optical means allows manual focusing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said focusing means comprises counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the image signals produced from said scanning means, and wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said inhibiting means inhibits the focusing when the count value of said counting means is below a predetermined value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said optical means projects the image recorded on a film onto said scanning means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
98 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning an image and producing image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting an image onto said scanning means; setting means for setting a reference value so that the image signals from said scanning means satisfy a predetermined condition; comparison means for comparing the image signals from said scanning means with the reference value set by said setting means to convert the image signals into binary image signals; and focusing means for focusing said optical means so that the binary image signals from said comparison means satisfy a predetermined condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
98 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning an image and producing image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting an image onto said scanning means; setting means for setting a reference value so that the image signals from said scanning means satisfy a predetermined condition; comparison means for comparing the image signals from said scanning means with the reference value set by said setting means to convert the image signals into binary image signals; and focusing means for focusing said optical means so that the binary image signals from said comparison means satisfy a predetermined condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said setting means comprises counting means for counting the number of times there is a transition of the image signals from said scanning means, and sets the reference value so that a count value of said counting means satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said setting means selects any one of a plurality of predetermined reference values.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals satisfies a predetermined condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said optical means projects the image recorded on a film onto said scanning means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: sensor means for producing an output in accordance with incident light; optical means for projecting an image onto said sensor means; determining means for determining a focus position of said optical means based on the output of said sensor means; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on at least two focus positions determined by said determining means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
An auto-focus apparatus comprising: sensor means for producing an output in accordance with incident light; optical means for projecting an image onto said sensor means; determining means for determining a focus position of said optical means based on the output of said sensor means; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on at least two focus positions determined by said determining means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the at least two focus positions are determined by said determining means with respect to different image positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means based an average value of at least two focus positions determined by said determining means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said optical means projects the image recorded on a film onto said sensor means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising scanning means for scanning the image projected by said optical means and producing image signals representing the image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the at least two focus positions are obtained by means of performing a plural number of times the operation for determination of the focus position by said determining means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means searches the predetermined line with which the image signals from said scanning means satisfy the predetermined condition.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a focusing operation of said focusing means is inhibited when a count value of said counting means is below a predetermined value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a focusing scanning means has a line sensor comprising a plurality of photo-electric conversion elements arranged in a line configuration.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a focusing operation of said focusing means is inhibited if said detection means does not detect an image line with which a count value of said counting means satisfies the predetermined condition.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said scanning means has a line sensor comprising a plurality of photo-electric conversion elements arranged in a line configuration.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the count value of said count means is at a maximum value.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said scanning means has a line sensor comprising a plurality of photo-electric conversion elements arranged in a line configuration, and said moving means moves said line sensor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the count value of said counting means is at a maximum value.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said counting means counts the number of times there is a transition of the image signals obtained upon scanning different lines of the image with said scanning means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said setting means sets the reference value so that a count value of said counting means is at a maximum value.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said setting means sets the reference value so that a difference between a count value of said counting means in a case of in-focus and that in a case of defocus is a maximum value.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said focusing means focuses said optical means so that the number of times there is a transition of the binary image signals is a maximum value.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said scanning means has a line sensor comprising a plurality of photo-electric conversion elements arranged in a line configuration.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
82 words
An auto-focus apparatus for image reader comprising: exposure means for exposing an image recorded on a film; scanning means for scanning an image and producing image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting image light from the film exposed by said exposure means; determining means for determining a focus position of said optical means based on the image signals from said scanning means; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the focus position determined by said determining means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
82 words
An auto-focus apparatus for image reader comprising: exposure means for exposing an image recorded on a film; scanning means for scanning an image and producing image signals representing the image; optical means for projecting image light from the film exposed by said exposure means; determining means for determining a focus position of said optical means based on the image signals from said scanning means; and focusing means for focusing said optical means based on the focus position determined by said determining means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said determining means determines the focus position based on the number of times there is a transition of the image signals.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said scanning means has a line sensor comprising a plurality of photo-electric conversion elements arranged in a line configuration.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising moving means for moving a scanning position by said scanning 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) | 1991-08-09 | 1992-02-08 | 1992-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-09 | 1996-02-08 | 1996-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-02-08 | 2000-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |