US5210565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oscillating pupil autofocus method and apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1991-06-21
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Granted: 1993-05-11
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Expires: 2011-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and shutter blades, for focusing the lens in preparation for exposing a frame of photographic film, comprises a means for oscillating the shutter blades, separately, between open and closed positions to expose said sensor array with image light passing through corresponding pupils of the lens. A control means, responsive to said oscillating means, controls the sensor array to sample image light received through the corresponding pupils. A comparing means compares the sensed image light of the pupils with each other and produces a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error. Lastly, a focusing means, responsive to said focus adjustment signal, focuses said lens according to the focus error.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Albrecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and first and second shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, the camera further comprising: (a) first oscillating means for opening and closing said first shutter blade to define a first pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (b) second oscillating means for opening and closing said second shutter blade to define a second pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (c) control means, responsive to said first and second oscillating means, for controlling said sensor array to sample the image light received through the first and second pupils, respectively; (d) signal means for comparing the sensed light from the first and second pupils with each other and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (e) focus means, responsive to said focus adjustment signal, for focusing said lens according to the focus error.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and first and second shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, the camera further comprising: (a) first oscillating means for opening and closing said first shutter blade to define a first pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (b) second oscillating means for opening and closing said second shutter blade to define a second pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (c) control means, responsive to said first and second oscillating means, for controlling said sensor array to sample the image light received through the first and second pupils, respectively; (d) signal means for comparing the sensed light from the first and second pupils with each other and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (e) focus means, responsive to said focus adjustment signal, for focusing said lens according to the focus error.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment signal is representative of a magnitude and a direction of focus error.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera according to claim 1 wherein the first and second pupils comprise substantially equal and symmetrically opposite pupils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and a plurality of shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, the camera further comprising: (a) means for oscillating at least two shutter blades, separately, between open and closed positions to define corresponding pupils and to expose said sensor array with image light passing through the corresponding pupils; (b) sensing means, responsive to said oscillating means, for controlling said sensor array to sample image light received through the corresponding pupils; (c) signal means for comparing the sensed image light of at least two pupils with each other and poducing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (d) focus means, responsive to said focus adjustment signal, for focusing said lens according tot he focus error.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and a plurality of shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, the camera further comprising: (a) means for oscillating at least two shutter blades, separately, between open and closed positions to define corresponding pupils and to expose said sensor array with image light passing through the corresponding pupils; (b) sensing means, responsive to said oscillating means, for controlling said sensor array to sample image light received through the corresponding pupils; (c) signal means for comparing the sensed image light of at least two pupils with each other and poducing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (d) focus means, responsive to said focus adjustment signal, for focusing said lens according tot he focus error.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera according to claim 4 wherein said adjustment signal is representative of a magnitude and a direction of focus error.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera according to claim 4 wherein the pupils comprise substantially equal and symmetrically opposite pupils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
161 words
A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and a plurality of shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, the camera further comprising: (a) first oscillating means for opening and closing said plurality of shutter blades, to define a first pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor away; (b) second oscillating means for opening and closing said plurality of shutter blades, to define a second pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (c) control means, responsive to said first and second oscillating means, for controlling said sensor array to sample the image light received through the first and second pupils, respectively; (d) signal means for comparing the sensed light from the first and second pupils with each other and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (e) focus means, reponssive to said focus adjustment signal, for focusing said lens according to the focus error.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
A camera having a sensor array, a lens, and a plurality of shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, the camera further comprising: (a) first oscillating means for opening and closing said plurality of shutter blades, to define a first pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor away; (b) second oscillating means for opening and closing said plurality of shutter blades, to define a second pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (c) control means, responsive to said first and second oscillating means, for controlling said sensor array to sample the image light received through the first and second pupils, respectively; (d) signal means for comparing the sensed light from the first and second pupils with each other and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (e) focus means, reponssive to said focus adjustment signal, for focusing said lens according to the focus error.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera according to claim 7, wherein said adjustment signal is representative of a magnitude and a direction of focus error.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera according to claim 7, wherein said first and second pupils comprise substantially equal and symmetrically opposite pupils.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of operating a camera having a sensor array, a lens, and at least two shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, in order to properly focus the lens in preparation for exposing a frame of the photographic film, comprising the steps of: (a) oscillating at least two of the shutter blades, separately, between open and closed positions to define corresponding pupils that permit image light to pass through and expose said sensor array; sensing the locations of corresponding pupil images on said sensor array; comparing the sensed locations of the pupil images with each other and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and moving the lens in response to said focus adjustment signal for focusing the lens according to the focus error.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of operating a camera having a sensor array, a lens, and at least two shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, in order to properly focus the lens in preparation for exposing a frame of the photographic film, comprising the steps of: (a) oscillating at least two of the shutter blades, separately, between open and closed positions to define corresponding pupils that permit image light to pass through and expose said sensor array; sensing the locations of corresponding pupil images on said sensor array; comparing the sensed locations of the pupil images with each other and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and moving the lens in response to said focus adjustment signal for focusing the lens according to the focus error.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said focus adjustment signal is representative of a magnitude and direction of focus error.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of (e) repeating steps (a) thru (d) until the focus error is nulled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the entire array is used to sense the locations of the images.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein only a part of said array is used to sense the locations of the images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the pupils comprise substantially equal and symmetrically opposite pupils.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of operating a camera having a sensor array, a lens, and a plurality of shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, in order to properly focus the lens, comprising the steps of: (a) opening said plurality of shutter blades to define a first pupil that permits image light to pass through and expose said sensor array; (b) sensing the location of a first image on said sensor array; (c) closing said first pupil; (d) opening said plurality of shutter blades to define a second pupil that permits image light to pass through and expose said sensor array; sensing the location of a second image on said sensor array; (f) closing said second pupil; (g) comparing the sensed locations of the first and second images and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (h) moving the lens in response to said adjustment signal for focusing the lens according to the focus error.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of operating a camera having a sensor array, a lens, and a plurality of shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, in order to properly focus the lens, comprising the steps of: (a) opening said plurality of shutter blades to define a first pupil that permits image light to pass through and expose said sensor array; (b) sensing the location of a first image on said sensor array; (c) closing said first pupil; (d) opening said plurality of shutter blades to define a second pupil that permits image light to pass through and expose said sensor array; sensing the location of a second image on said sensor array; (f) closing said second pupil; (g) comparing the sensed locations of the first and second images and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (h) moving the lens in response to said adjustment signal for focusing the lens according to the focus error.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said focus adjustment signal is representative of a magnitude and a direction of focus error.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of (i) repeating steps (a) thru (h) until the focus error is nulled.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the entire array is used to sense the locations of the first and second images.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein only a part of said array is used to sense the locations of the first and second images.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second pupils comprise substantially equal and symmetrically opposite pupils.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of operating a camera having a sensor array, a lens, and first and second shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, in order to properly focus the lens, comprising the steps of: (a) opening said first shutter blade to define a first pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (b) sensing the location of a first image on said sensor array; (c) closing said first pupil; (d) opening said second shutter blade to define a second pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (e) sensing the location of a second image on said sensor array; (f) closing said second pupil; (g) comparing the sensed locations of the first and second images and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (h) moving the lens in response to said focus adjustment signal for focusing the lens according to the focus error.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of operating a camera having a sensor array, a lens, and first and second shutter blades that can be opened to expose photographic film in the camera, in order to properly focus the lens, comprising the steps of: (a) opening said first shutter blade to define a first pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (b) sensing the location of a first image on said sensor array; (c) closing said first pupil; (d) opening said second shutter blade to define a second pupil that permits image light to strike the sensor array; (e) sensing the location of a second image on said sensor array; (f) closing said second pupil; (g) comparing the sensed locations of the first and second images and producing a focus adjustment signal representative of a direction of focus error; and (h) moving the lens in response to said focus adjustment signal for focusing the lens according to the focus error.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 22 wherein said adjustment signal is representative of a magnitude and a direction of focus error.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 22 further comprising the step of (i) repeating steps (a) thru (h) until the focus error is nulled.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 22 wherein the entire array is used to sense the locations of the first and second images.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 22, wherein only a part of said array is used to sense the locations of the first and second images.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 22, wherein the first and second pupils comprise substantially equal and symmetrically opposite pupils.
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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) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-11-09 | 1997-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-10 | 2000-11-09 | 2001-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-10 | 2004-11-09 | 2005-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |