US4862442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focus detecting apparatus utilizing reflecting surface having variable reflectivity or transmissivity
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1988-04-15
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2008-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A light beam emitted from a source is focused on an object. The beam reflected by the object passes through an optical member and is detected by a photodetector. The optical member has a reflecting surface the reflectivity of which varies continuously with respect to the angle of incidence.
Inventors
- 👤 Michihiro Tadokoro
- 👤 Kazuo Okada
- 👤 Hitoshi Imai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:55
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/09; G11B7/0908; G11B7/0917; G11B2007/0919
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A focus detecting apparatus comprising a light source, an optical system for guiding the beam generated by the light source, an objective lens for focusing the beam guided by the optical system onto an object, an optical member for receiving at least part of the reflected beam that has been focused onto the object by the objective lens and reflected from the object, and having a reflecting surface comprising a dielectric multilayer coating the reflectivity or transmissibity of which varies continuously with respect to the angle of incidence, and a photodetector for detecting changes in the intensity distribution of the beam reflected by or transmitted through the reflecting surface in the optical member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A focus detecting apparatus comprising a light source, an optical system for guiding the beam generated by the light source, an objective lens for focusing the beam guided by the optical system onto an object, an optical member for receiving at least part of the reflected beam that has been focused onto the object by the objective lens and reflected from the object, and having a reflecting surface comprising a dielectric multilayer coating the reflectivity or transmissibity of which varies continuously with respect to the angle of incidence, and a photodetector for detecting changes in the intensity distribution of the beam reflected by or transmitted through the reflecting surface in the optical member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A focus detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the beam reflected from the object and entering the optical member is p-polarized or s-polarized with respect to the reflecting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A focus detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured so that when the objective lens is correctly focused with respect to the object, the reflected beam comprises a pencil of parallel rays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A focus detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured so that when the objective lens is correctly focused with respect to the object, the reflected beam comprises diverging or converging rays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A focus detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the photodetector substaintially comprises two sections extending in the direction parallel to information tracks on the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A focus detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a polarization beam splitter directing part of the reflected beam to the optical member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5483848A
Cited
JPS5483849A
Cited
US4363961A
Cited
JPS5497055A
Cited
JPS54103306A
Cited
JPS567246A
Cited
US4636627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-28 | 1993-02-27 | 1993-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-28 | 1997-02-27 | 1997-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-02-27 | 2001-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |