US5923910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distance measuring apparatus
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1997-06-17
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Granted: 1999-07-13
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Expires: 2017-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A distance measuring apparatus in a lens-shutter type camera is provided with a photographic lens having variable focal length. The device includes a pair of image forming lenses each forming a subject image, a pair of line sensors on which the subject images are respectively formed through the pair of image forming lenses, the pair of line sensors each having a plurality of light receiving elements. The unit also includes a plurality of light receiving areas formed correspondingly on each of the pair of line sensors, the plurality of light receiving areas each including a predetermined number of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of light receiving areas respectively receive different areas of a corresponding one of the subject images formed by the pair of image forming lenses, and each adjacent pair of light receiving areas of the plurality of light receiving areas overlap each other. A device for detecting a current focal length of the photographic lens, and a device for shifting at least one of the plurality of light receiving areas on each of the pair of line sensors in accordance with the current focal length detected by the detecting device areas provided. Each light receiving element converts received light into an electrical signal which is integrated to output image data.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoto Nakahara
- 👤 Takuma Sato
- 👤 Kosei Kosako
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/34; G02B7/30; G02B7/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A distance measuring apparatus in a lens-shutter type camera provided with a photographic lens, a focal length of said photographic lens being variable, said distance measuring device comprising: a pair of image forming lenses, each lens of said pair of image forming lenses forming a subject image; a pair of line sensors on which said subject images are respectively formed through said pair of image forming lenses, said pair of line sensors each having a plurality of light receiving elements; a plurality of corresponding light receiving areas formed on each of said pair of line sensors, said plurality of light receiving areas each including a predetermined number of said plurality of light receiving elements, wherein said plurality of light receiving areas respectively receive different areas of a corresponding one of said subject images formed through said pair of image forming lenses, and wherein each adjacent pair of light receiving areas of said plurality of light receiving areas overlap each other, so that an overlapping portion of said each adjacent pair is commonly used by said each adjacent pair; means for detecting a current focal length of said photographic lens; and means for shifting at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas on each of said pair of line sensors in accordance with said current focal length detected by said detecting device such that an amount of said overlap between said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas and an adjacent one of said plurality of said light receiving areas changes in accordance with a variation in said current focal length, wherein each of said plurality of said light receiving elements included in said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas shifted by said shifting device is used to convert received light into an electrical signal which is integrated to output image data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
A distance measuring apparatus in a lens-shutter type camera provided with a photographic lens, a focal length of said photographic lens being variable, said distance measuring device comprising: a pair of image forming lenses, each lens of said pair of image forming lenses forming a subject image; a pair of line sensors on which said subject images are respectively formed through said pair of image forming lenses, said pair of line sensors each having a plurality of light receiving elements; a plurality of corresponding light receiving areas formed on each of said pair of line sensors, said plurality of light receiving areas each including a predetermined number of said plurality of light receiving elements, wherein said plurality of light receiving areas respectively receive different areas of a corresponding one of said subject images formed through said pair of image forming lenses, and wherein each adjacent pair of light receiving areas of said plurality of light receiving areas overlap each other, so that an overlapping portion of said each adjacent pair is commonly used by said each adjacent pair; means for detecting a current focal length of said photographic lens; and means for shifting at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas on each of said pair of line sensors in accordance with said current focal length detected by said detecting device such that an amount of said overlap between said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas and an adjacent one of said plurality of said light receiving areas changes in accordance with a variation in said current focal length, wherein each of said plurality of said light receiving elements included in said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas shifted by said shifting device is used to convert received light into an electrical signal which is integrated to output image data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of line sensors each has a size covering a maximum angle of view of said photographing lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for storing information of said current focal length detected by said detecting device, said shifting device shifting said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas in accordance with said information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 3, wherein said storing means stores said information in one of a plurality of sections in accordance with the length of said current focal length detected by said detecting device, said plurality of sections corresponding to a focal length variable range of said photographing lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shifting device shifts said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas in a manner such that said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas approaches a corresponding center of each of said pair of line sensors as said current focal length detected by said detecting device increases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 5, wherein said plurality of light receiving areas include a center light receiving area and at least two light receiving areas, said center light receiving area being located between said two light receiving areas, wherein said shifting device shifts said at least two light receiving areas in a manner such that said at least two light receiving areas approach a center of said center light receiving area as said current focal length detected by said detecting device increases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 6, wherein said center light receiving area is fixed on each of said pair of line sensors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shifting device comprises means for storing a plurality of predetermined positional data, each of said plurality of predetermined positional data representing a specific pattern of arrangement of said plurality of light receiving areas on each of said pair of line sensors, wherein said shifting device selects one of said plurality of predetermined positional data in accordance with said current focal length detected by said detecting device and shifts said at least one of said plurality of light receiving areas on each of said pair of line sensors according to said selected one of said plurality of predetermined positional data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said photographic lens is a zoom lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distance measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of light receiving elements comprises a photodiode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
A distance measuring apparatus for a lens-shutter zoom camera having a zoom lens with a plurality of zooming positions, comprising: a zooming position sensor outputting a detected zooming position; two line sensors, each outputting image signals representative of a subject image formed on said two line sensors; two image forming lenses, each positioned to form said subject image, using light received from a photographing subject, on a corresponding one of said two line sensors; and a central processing unit that receives said signals and said detected zooming position, said central processing unit selecting an interval between positions of adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors in accordance with said detected zooming position, and said central processing unit calculating a distance to said photographing subject according to only those of said signals corresponding to said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas at said positions having said selected interval therebetween along said two line sensors, an amount of overlap of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas changing with said selected interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
171 words
A distance measuring apparatus for a lens-shutter zoom camera having a zoom lens with a plurality of zooming positions, comprising: a zooming position sensor outputting a detected zooming position; two line sensors, each outputting image signals representative of a subject image formed on said two line sensors; two image forming lenses, each positioned to form said subject image, using light received from a photographing subject, on a corresponding one of said two line sensors; and a central processing unit that receives said signals and said detected zooming position, said central processing unit selecting an interval between positions of adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors in accordance with said detected zooming position, and said central processing unit calculating a distance to said photographing subject according to only those of said signals corresponding to said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas at said positions having said selected interval therebetween along said two line sensors, an amount of overlap of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas changing with said selected interval.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a RAM connected to said central processing unit that stores detected zooming position data, wherein said central processing unit selects said interval between positions of adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors in accordance with said stored detected zooming position data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a ROM connected to said central processing unit that stores interval data representing predetermined intervals between said positions of adjacent overlapping light receiving areas, wherein said central processing unit selects said interval data according to said stored detected zooming position data, and calculates a distance to said photographing subject according to only those of said signals corresponding to said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas at said positions having said selected interval data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The distance measuring device according to claim 11, wherein said interval between said positions of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors decreases as a focal length corresponding to said detected zooming position increases.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
The distance measuring device according to claim 14, wherein said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors include center light receiving areas along said two line sensors, and wherein said interval between said positions of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors determines said positions of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors with respect to said center light receiving areas along said two line sensors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The distance measuring device according to claim 15, wherein said center light receiving areas along said two line sensors are in predetermined positions along said two line sensors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
The distance measuring device according to claim 11, further comprising: a RAM connected to said central processing unit that stores detected zooming position data a ROM connected to said central processing unit that stores sets of predetermined interval data representing predetermined positions of adjacent overlapping light receiving areas, each of said sets representing a specific pattern of arrangement of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors, and wherein said central processing unit selects one of said sets of said predetermined interval data according to said stored detected zooming position data, and calculates a distance to said photographing subject according to only those of said signals corresponding to said specific pattern of arrangement of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors represented by said selected set of said predetermined interval data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
The distance measuring device according to claim 11, wherein each of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas has a predetermined width along said two line sensors, wherein said interval between positions of said adjacent overlapping light receiving areas along said two line sensors is selected from a plurality of intervals less than said predetermined width, and wherein said central processing unit groups said signals according to said overlapping light receiving areas at said positions having said selected interval therebetween along said two line sensors, so that said light receiving areas are shiftable along said two line sensors according to said selected interval of said plurality of intervals.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |