US4979045A — Image sensor for a movable zone detection array

Claim 1

Independent Claim 114 words

An image sensor system for sensing an image of an object, comprising: a multizone detection array for receiving images of a plurality of separate portions of an object and for providing corresponding distinct image signals; means for amplifying the respective distinct image signals; means for providing gain control signals for the amplifying means; means of producing a zone signal corresponding to an image signal, and multiplexer means, responsive to a zone signal, to effect a switching operation of applying a corresponding gain control signal to the amplifying means, whereby the gain control of each image signal from a zone of the detection array can be controlled by the average brightness of the corresponding zone.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 114 words

An image sensor system for sensing an image of an object, comprising: a multizone detection array for receiving images of a plurality of separate portions of an object and for providing corresponding distinct image signals; means for amplifying the respective distinct image signals; means for providing gain control signals for the amplifying means; means of producing a zone signal corresponding to an image signal, and multiplexer means, responsive to a zone signal, to effect a switching operation of applying a corresponding gain control signal to the amplifying means, whereby the gain control of each image signal from a zone of the detection array can be controlled by the average brightness of the corresponding zone.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 215 words

An autofocus camera having an image sensor system for sensing an image of an object, comprising: (a) a plurality of arrays of charge accumulation type sensor elements, each arranged to receive said object image and capable of accumulating an electric charge at a speed dependent upon the intensity of light impinging thereon; (b) a plurality of charge accumulation time control means, each provided corresponding to each of said arrays, respectively, for producing a charge accumulation time control signal for the corresponding array; (c) a plurality of buffer memory means, each provided corresponding to each of said arrays, respectively, for temporarily storing the accumulated charge signals shifted from said sensor elements of the corresponding array in response to said charge accumulation time control signal of the charge accumulation time control means corresponding to the corresponding array; (d) charge accumulation end detecting means for detecting the generation of all of the charge accumulation time control signals by all of the plurality of charge accumulation time control means for producing a shift signal thereupon; (e) serial outputting means for receiving said accumulated charges from said plurality of buffer memory means in response to said shift signal and for serially outputting signals representing said accumulated charges, and (f) means, responsive to said outputted signals, for generating a focus signal.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 215 words

An autofocus camera having an image sensor system for sensing an image of an object, comprising: (a) a plurality of arrays of charge accumulation type sensor elements, each arranged to receive said object image and capable of accumulating an electric charge at a speed dependent upon the intensity of light impinging thereon; (b) a plurality of charge accumulation time control means, each provided corresponding to each of said arrays, respectively, for producing a charge accumulation time control signal for the corresponding array; (c) a plurality of buffer memory means, each provided corresponding to each of said arrays, respectively, for temporarily storing the accumulated charge signals shifted from said sensor elements of the corresponding array in response to said charge accumulation time control signal of the charge accumulation time control means corresponding to the corresponding array; (d) charge accumulation end detecting means for detecting the generation of all of the charge accumulation time control signals by all of the plurality of charge accumulation time control means for producing a shift signal thereupon; (e) serial outputting means for receiving said accumulated charges from said plurality of buffer memory means in response to said shift signal and for serially outputting signals representing said accumulated charges, and (f) means, responsive to said outputted signals, for generating a focus signal.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 33 words

The autofocus camera of claim 2 wherein the means for generating a focus signal further includes means for controlling the serial outputting means outputting of signals when an object has a high brightness.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 130 words

An autofocus camera having an image sensor system for sensing an image of an object, comprising: a multizone detection array for receiving images of a plurality of separate portions of an object and for providing corresponding distinct image signals; means for amplifying the respective distinct image signals; means for providing gain control signals for the amplifying means; means for producing a zone signal corresponding to an image signal; multiplexer means, responsive to a zone signal, to effect a switching operation of applying a corresponding gain control signal to the amplifying means, whereby the gain control of each image signal from a zone of the detection array can be controlled by the average brightness of the corresponding zone, and means, responsive to the distinct image signals, for generating a focus signal.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 130 words

An autofocus camera having an image sensor system for sensing an image of an object, comprising: a multizone detection array for receiving images of a plurality of separate portions of an object and for providing corresponding distinct image signals; means for amplifying the respective distinct image signals; means for providing gain control signals for the amplifying means; means for producing a zone signal corresponding to an image signal; multiplexer means, responsive to a zone signal, to effect a switching operation of applying a corresponding gain control signal to the amplifying means, whereby the gain control of each image signal from a zone of the detection array can be controlled by the average brightness of the corresponding zone, and means, responsive to the distinct image signals, for generating a focus signal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 72 words

A focus condition detecting device comprising: a plurality of arrays of charge accumulation type sensors for providing corresponding image signals of separate portions of an object, respectively; a control means for controlling production of said image signals based on the brightness of the corresponding separate portions of the object, and means for detecting focus conditions of said separate portions of the object based on the image signals controlled by said control means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 72 words

A focus condition detecting device comprising: a plurality of arrays of charge accumulation type sensors for providing corresponding image signals of separate portions of an object, respectively; a control means for controlling production of said image signals based on the brightness of the corresponding separate portions of the object, and means for detecting focus conditions of said separate portions of the object based on the image signals controlled by said control means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 41 words

A focus condition detecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means controls a charge accumulation time of said arrays of charge accumulation type sensors on the basis of the brightness of the corresponding separate portions of the object.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

A focus condition detecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means controls any amplification factors of the image signals from said arrays on the basis of the brightness at the corresponding separate portions.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 58 words

A focus condition detecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control means comprises: monitoring means for monitoring an amount of light impinging in said separate portions of the object, said monitoring means being provided adjacent each light receiving portion of the arrays, and means for controlling the charge accumulation time based on said monitored light amount.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 51 words

A focus condition detection device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control means comprises: monitoring means for monitoring an amount of light impinging on said separate portions of the object, and means for controlling amplification factors of the image signals from said arrays in response to the monitored light amount.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-12-17	1994-06-18	1994-12-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-12-17	1998-06-18	1998-12-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-12-17	2002-06-18	2002-12-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Image sensor for a movable zone detection array

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