US5274414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera having a varifocal lens
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-08-04
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Granted: 1993-12-28
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Expires: 2009-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A camera in which the ratio of an object to the photographing frame can be set comprises a varifocal lens in which the in-focus position is changed in accordance with the change in the focal lens and a focusing lens for correcting the focus by the varifocal lens. The size of the object is set to the desired size by using the varifocal lens, and thereafter the deviation of the in-focus point is controlled by the focusing lens. Since the zooming is carried out by using a varifocal lens, a camera can be provided in which the ratio of an object to the photographing frame can be set in a simple structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuyuki Taniguchi
- 👤 Masaaki Nakai
- 👤 Takanobu Omaki
- 👤 Tokuji Ishida
- 👤 Hisayuki Masumoto
- 👤 Hisashi Tokumaru
- 👤 Tsuneyo Metabi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:27
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/12; G03B17/14; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/282; G03B7/00; G03B7/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which an in-focus position of a focusing lens to an object is changed in correspondence with a change in a focal length, comprising: (a) distance measuring means for measuring an object distance; (b) focal length calculating means for calculating a focal length of said varifocal lens based on said object distance; and (c) correcting amount calculating means for calculating an amount of driving said focusing lens for correction based on said focal length calculated by said focal length calculating means so that focus detection of said focusing lens is enabled in a range from an infinite photographing position to the closest photographing position when zooming is carried out.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which an in-focus position of a focusing lens to an object is changed in correspondence with a change in a focal length, comprising: (a) distance measuring means for measuring an object distance; (b) focal length calculating means for calculating a focal length of said varifocal lens based on said object distance; and (c) correcting amount calculating means for calculating an amount of driving said focusing lens for correction based on said focal length calculated by said focal length calculating means so that focus detection of said focusing lens is enabled in a range from an infinite photographing position to the closest photographing position when zooming is carried out.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said distance measuring means comprises defocus amount detecting means for detecting a defocus amount of said focusing lens; said camera system further comprising: (d) varifocal lens driving means for driving said varifocal lens to realize the focal length calculated by said focal length calculating means; and (e) focusing lens driving means for driving said focusing lens to an in-focus position based on said defocus amount and said driving amount for correction, after said varifocal lens is driven.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera system according to claim 2, further comprising: second defocus amount detecting means for detecting, after said focusing lens is driven to said in-focus position, a second defocus amount at that state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which an infocus position of a focusing lens to an object is changed in correspondence with a change in a focal length, comprising: (a) focus detecting means for detecting a focusing condition of a taking lens; (b) zooming means for changing the focal length of said taking lens; (c) zooming data setting means for setting zooming data for changing the focal length by said zooming means; (d) zooming control means for moving said zooming means based on the zooming data set by said zooming data setting means after operation of said focus detecting means; (e) driving means for driving a focusing lens; and (f) calculating means for calculating an amount of driving of said driving means based on an output of said focus detecting means and said zooming data set by said zooming data setting means before zooming is performed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which an infocus position of a focusing lens to an object is changed in correspondence with a change in a focal length, comprising: (a) focus detecting means for detecting a focusing condition of a taking lens; (b) zooming means for changing the focal length of said taking lens; (c) zooming data setting means for setting zooming data for changing the focal length by said zooming means; (d) zooming control means for moving said zooming means based on the zooming data set by said zooming data setting means after operation of said focus detecting means; (e) driving means for driving a focusing lens; and (f) calculating means for calculating an amount of driving of said driving means based on an output of said focus detecting means and said zooming data set by said zooming data setting means before zooming is performed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera system according to claim 4, wherein said zooming data setting means comprises zooming amount calculating means for calculating an amount of zooming based on said output of the focus detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A camera system according to claim 4, said camera system further comprising: second zooming control means for driving said zooming means to a wide side by said set zooming data before an operation of said focus detecting means; and said zooming control means drive said zooming means to a teleside by said set amount of zooming.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which a focus detection enabling range of a position of a focusing lens changes depending on a focal length, comprising: (a) zooming means for changing said focal length; (b) focus detecting means for detecting a focusing condition of a taking lens; and (c) focus detection preparing means for driving said focusing lens into said focus detection enabling range based on said focal length changed by said zooming means before operation of said focus detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which a focus detection enabling range of a position of a focusing lens changes depending on a focal length, comprising: (a) zooming means for changing said focal length; (b) focus detecting means for detecting a focusing condition of a taking lens; and (c) focus detection preparing means for driving said focusing lens into said focus detection enabling range based on said focal length changed by said zooming means before operation of said focus detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A camera system according to claim 7, wherein an amount of driving of said focusing lens by said focus detection preparing means corresponds to the difference between a focal length at the time of previous focus detection and said focal length after changing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera system according to claim 7, wherein said focus detection preparing means is operated just before an operation of said focus detecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The camera system according to claim 2, wherein said focus detection enabling range is from an infinite photographing position to a closest photographing position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
113 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which focus detecting enabling range of a position of a focusing lens changes depending on focal length, comprising: (a) zooming means for changing said focal length; (b) focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of a taking lens; (c) focus detection preparing means for driving said focusing lens to said focus detection enabling range based on said focal length changed by said zooming means; (d) switching means manually operated to said said focus detection; and (e) focus detection starting means for starting operation of said focus detecting means after an operation of said focus detection preparing means when said switching means is manually operated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
A camera system having a varifocal lens in which focus detecting enabling range of a position of a focusing lens changes depending on focal length, comprising: (a) zooming means for changing said focal length; (b) focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition of a taking lens; (c) focus detection preparing means for driving said focusing lens to said focus detection enabling range based on said focal length changed by said zooming means; (d) switching means manually operated to said said focus detection; and (e) focus detection starting means for starting operation of said focus detecting means after an operation of said focus detection preparing means when said switching means is manually operated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The camera system according to claim 11, wherein said focus detection enabling range is from an infinite photographing position to a closest photographing position.
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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) | 1996-12-27 | 1997-06-28 | 1997-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-27 | 2001-06-28 | 2001-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-27 | 2005-06-28 | 2005-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |