US5457525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distance measuring device having light receiving areas of different sizes
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-19
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2014-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A distance measuring device is arranged to emit spot-shaped light toward a subject and receive light reflected from the subject by means of a light receiving sensor having a plurality of light receiving areas, thereby measuring the distance to the subject. In the distance measuring device, among the plurality of light receiving areas, a peripheral light receiving area is selected to be larger than a central light receiving area so that the accuracy of distance measurement is improved.
Inventors
- 👤 Masanori Ohtsuka
- 👤 Takanobu Tsunemiya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/02; G01C3/06; G01C3/08; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means including a plurality of light emitting portions; and light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving areas respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting portions, for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from a subject; wherein, among the plurality of light receiving areas, a plurality of peripheral light receiving areas has larger areas than a light receiving area substantially centrally positioned with respect to the plurality of peripheral light receiving areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means including a plurality of light emitting portions; and light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving areas respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting portions, for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from a subject; wherein, among the plurality of light receiving areas, a plurality of peripheral light receiving areas has larger areas than a light receiving area substantially centrally positioned with respect to the plurality of peripheral light receiving areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receiving areas respectively have dimensions measured with respect to a predetermined direction and the dimension of a peripheral light receiving area in the predetermined direction is larger than the dimension of a central light receiving area in the predetermined direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light receiving areas are respective position sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined direction substantially coincides with the length-wise direction of the plurality of light receiving areas and wherein the measured dimensions are lengths of respective light receiving areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined direction substantially coincides with the width-wise direction of the plurality of light receiving areas and wherein the measured dimensions are widths of respective light receiving areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means; and light receiving means for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from an object, said light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving areas arranged in a predetermined direction, wherein, among the plurality of light receiving areas, a plurality of peripheral light receiving areas has greater widths, as measured in a direction other than the predetermined direction, than a light receiving area substantially centrally positioned with respect to the plurality of peripheral light receiving areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means; and light receiving means for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from an object, said light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving areas arranged in a predetermined direction, wherein, among the plurality of light receiving areas, a plurality of peripheral light receiving areas has greater widths, as measured in a direction other than the predetermined direction, than a light receiving area substantially centrally positioned with respect to the plurality of peripheral light receiving areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A distance measuring device according to claim 6, wherein said light emitting means comprises a plurality of light emitting parts and said light receiving means comprises a plurality of light receiving sensors respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting parts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means comprising a plurality of light emitting parts; and light receiving means for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from an object, said light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving sensors arranged in a predetermined direction, said plurality of light receiving sensors respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting parts, wherein, among the plurality of light receiving sensors, a plurality of peripheral light receiving sensors has greater lengths, is measured in the predetermined direction, than a light receiving sensor substantially centrally positioned with respect to the plurality of peripheral light receiving sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means comprising a plurality of light emitting parts; and light receiving means for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from an object, said light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving sensors arranged in a predetermined direction, said plurality of light receiving sensors respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting parts, wherein, among the plurality of light receiving sensors, a plurality of peripheral light receiving sensors has greater lengths, is measured in the predetermined direction, than a light receiving sensor substantially centrally positioned with respect to the plurality of peripheral light receiving sensors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means having a plurality of light emitting parts; and light receiving means for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from an object, said light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving areas respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting parts, and said plurality of light receiving areas including a marginal light receiving area and a central light receiving area, said marginal light receiving area being larger than said central light receiving area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A distance measuring device comprising: light emitting means having a plurality of light emitting parts; and light receiving means for receiving light emitted by said light emitting means and reflected from an object, said light receiving means having a plurality of light receiving areas respectively corresponding to said plurality of light emitting parts, and said plurality of light receiving areas including a marginal light receiving area and a central light receiving area, said marginal light receiving area being larger than said central light receiving area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |