US5880890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical system having a focal point detection device
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1997-09-17
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Granted: 1999-03-09
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Expires: 2017-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An optical system has a focal point detection device which is suitable for telephotography and is applicable to lenses having different image screen sizes. The optical system includes a photograph section which forms an image of an object, a driving device which moves either the entire photograph section or a part thereof in an optical axis direction, a plurality of re-imaging optical systems which forms re-images of the image of the object by light beams passing through different portions of a pupil of the photograph section, a plurality of imaging devices disposed in the vicinity of image planes of the re-imaging optical systems, and a controller which controls the driving device based on electric signals from the imaging devices so that the image of the object is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section. The optical system is configured so that the re-images of the image of the object are formed on the imaging devices when the image of the object is formed closer to the object than the mechanical image plane of the photograph section.
Inventors
- 👤 Akiko Furuta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device comprising: a photograph section for forming an image of an object; a driving device for moving at least a part of the photograph section in an optical axis direction; a plurality of re-imaging optical systems for forming re-images of the image of the object by light beams which pass through different portions of a pupil of the photograph section; a plurality of imaging devices disposed in the vicinity of image planes of the re-imaging optical systems, respectively; and a controller for controlling the driving device based on electric signals from the imaging devices so that the image of the object is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section; wherein the optical system is configured so that the re-images of the image of the object are formed on the imaging devices when the image of the object is formed closer to the object than the mechanical image plane of the photograph section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device comprising: a photograph section for forming an image of an object; a driving device for moving at least a part of the photograph section in an optical axis direction; a plurality of re-imaging optical systems for forming re-images of the image of the object by light beams which pass through different portions of a pupil of the photograph section; a plurality of imaging devices disposed in the vicinity of image planes of the re-imaging optical systems, respectively; and a controller for controlling the driving device based on electric signals from the imaging devices so that the image of the object is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section; wherein the optical system is configured so that the re-images of the image of the object are formed on the imaging devices when the image of the object is formed closer to the object than the mechanical image plane of the photograph section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 1, and further comprising a split imaging optical system for imaging light beams, wherein the photograph section includes an aperture stop and a beam splitter disposed closer to the object than the aperture stop, and wherein the light beams split by the beam splitter are re-imaged by the re-imaging optical systems after being imaged by said split imaging optical system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 2, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.5<|f.sub.10 /f.sub.1R |<3.0 when f 10 is a focal distance of the split imaging optical system and f 1R is a focal distance of a lens group of the photograph section which is disposed closer to an image plane than the beam splitter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device comprising: a photograph section for forming an image of an object; a driving device for moving at least a part of the photograph section in an optical axis direction; a plurality of re-imaging optical systems for forming re-images of the image of the object by light beams which pass through different portions of a pupil of the photograph section; a plurality of imaging devices disposed in the vicinity of image planes of the re-imaging optical systems, respectively; and a controller for controlling the driving device based on electric signals from the imaging devices so that the image of the object is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section; wherein at least a part of the re-imaging optical systems or the imaging devices is arranged to be movable in the optical axis direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device comprising: a photograph section for forming an image of an object; a driving device for moving at least a part of the photograph section in an optical axis direction; a plurality of re-imaging optical systems for forming re-images of the image of the object by light beams which pass through different portions of a pupil of the photograph section; a plurality of imaging devices disposed in the vicinity of image planes of the re-imaging optical systems, respectively; and a controller for controlling the driving device based on electric signals from the imaging devices so that the image of the object is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section; wherein at least a part of the re-imaging optical systems or the imaging devices is arranged to be movable in the optical axis direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 4, wherein the re-imaging optical systems and the imaging devices are arranged to be movable integrally with each other in the optical axis direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 4, wherein the re-imaging optical systems and the imaging devices are arranged to be movable interdependently in the optical axis direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 4, and further comprising a split imaging optical system for imaging light beams, wherein the photograph section includes an aperture stop and a beam splitter disposed closer to the object than the aperture stop, and wherein the light beams split by the beam splitter are re-imaged by the re-imaging optical systems after being imaged by said split imaging optical system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 7, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.5<|f.sub.10 /f.sub.1R |<3.0 when f 10 is a focal distance of the split imaging optical system and f 1R is a focal distance of a lens group of the photograph section which is disposed closer to an image plane than the beam splitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 5, and further comprising a split imaging optical system for imaging light beams, wherein the photograph section includes an aperture stop and a beam splitter disposed closer to the object than the aperture stop, and wherein the light beams split by the beam splitter are re-imaged by the re-imaging optical systems after being imaged by said split imaging optical system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 9, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.5<|f.sub.10 /f.sub.1R |<3.0 when f 10 is a focal distance of the split imaging optical system and f 1R is a focal distance of a lens group of the photograph section which is disposed closer to an image plane than the beam splitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 6, and further comprising a split imaging optical system for imaging light beams, wherein the photograph section includes an aperture stop and a beam splitter disposed closer to the object than the aperture stop, and wherein the light beams split by the beam splitter are re-imaged by the re-imaging optical systems after being imaged by said split imaging optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical system having a focal point detection device according to claim 11, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.5<|f.sub.10 /f.sub.1R |<3.0 when f 10 is a focal distance of the split imaging optical system and f 1R is a focal distance of a lens group of the photograph section which is disposed closer to an image plane than the beam splitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
An image production method in an optical system comprising the steps of: forming an image of an object; forming re-images of the image by light beams which pass through different portions of a pupil of a photograph section; moving at least a portion of a structure constituting re-imaging optical systems and imaging devices so as to make the image enter a total object-field focal point detectable region; and moving at least a part of the photograph section in an optical axis direction so that the image is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
An image production method in an optical system comprising the steps of: forming an image of an object; forming re-images of the image by light beams which pass through different portions of a pupil of a photograph section; moving at least a portion of a structure constituting re-imaging optical systems and imaging devices so as to make the image enter a total object-field focal point detectable region; and moving at least a part of the photograph section in an optical axis direction so that the image is formed on a mechanical image plane of the photograph section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13, and further comprising the step of controlling movement of the part of the photograph section based on an output from the imaging devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the re-imaging optical systems and the imaging devices are moved integrally with each other in the optical axis direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the re-imaging optical systems and the imaging devices are moved interdependently in the optical axis direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the re-imaging optical systems and the imaging devices are moved integrally with each other in the optical axis direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the re-imaging optical systems and the imaging devices are moved interdependently in the optical axis direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 13, and further comprising the steps of: splitting imaging light beams with a beam splitter before forming the re-images; imaging split light beams with a split imaging optical system; and satisfying the following condition: 0.5<|f.sub.10 /f.sub.1R |<3.0 when f 10 is a focal distance of the split imaging optical system and f 1R is a focal distance of a lens group of the photograph section which is disposed closer to an image plane than the beam splitter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 14, and further comprising the steps of: splitting imaging light beams with a beam splitter before forming the re-images; imaging split light beams with a split imaging optical system; and satisfying the following condition: 0.5<|f.sub.10 /f.sub.1R |<3.0 when f 10 is a focal distance of the split imaging optical system and f 1R is a focal distance of a lens group of the photograph section which is disposed closer to an image plane than the beam splitter.
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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) | 2002-03-08 | 2002-09-07 | 2003-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-08 | 2006-09-07 | 2007-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-08 | 2010-09-07 | 2011-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |