US4329033A — Distance detecting device and a focus control sys…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 381 words

A distance detecting system for detecting the distance of an object comprising: image element data producing means (e.g. 30, 66) disposed to receive first and second detected images of said object in accordance with different paths and produce image element data regarding a plurality of continuous image elements in each of said first and second detected images; first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said first detected image, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said second detected image, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the image element data regarding M' continuous image elements succeeding said M continuous image elements in said second detected image; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to said second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; similarity detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting the similarity between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data; and location detecting means (e.g. 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2) for detecting the location, in said M+M' continuous image elements in said second detected image, of a set of M continuous image elements in said second detected image which are most similar to said M continuous image elements in said first detected image, on the basis of the data similarity detected by said similarity detecting means, said location representing the distance of said object.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 381 words

A distance detecting system for detecting the distance of an object comprising: image element data producing means (e.g. 30, 66) disposed to receive first and second detected images of said object in accordance with different paths and produce image element data regarding a plurality of continuous image elements in each of said first and second detected images; first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said first detected image, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said second detected image, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the image element data regarding M' continuous image elements succeeding said M continuous image elements in said second detected image; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to said second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; similarity detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting the similarity between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data; and location detecting means (e.g. 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2) for detecting the location, in said M+M' continuous image elements in said second detected image, of a set of M continuous image elements in said second detected image which are most similar to said M continuous image elements in said first detected image, on the basis of the data similarity detected by said similarity detecting means, said location representing the distance of said object.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 84 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said circulation delaying means is a first circulation delaying circuit adapted to delay the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by α greater than said n during each circulation, and said system further comprises: a second circulation delaying circuit (e.g. SR5) provided in the data circulation path of said second storage means to delay the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means by α -n during each circulation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 56 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 2, wherein said first circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-bit construction, said second circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-n-bit construction, and these two circulation delaying shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

A distance detecting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 60 words

A distance detecting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first and second storage means are shift registers of M-bit construction, said third storage means is a shift register of M'-bit construction, and these three data storing shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 150 words

A distance detecting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said image element data producing means includes: image scanning means (e.g. 30) for scanning said first and second detected images to produce analog image element data regarding the plurality of continuous image elements in each of said first and second detected images; and quantizing means (e.g. 66) for quantizing said analog image element data produced by said image scanning means to produce quantized image element data regarding the plurality of continuous image elements in each of said first and second detected images; said first storage means being disposed to store the quantized image element data regarding the M continuous image elements in said first detected image, and said second and third storage means being disposed to store the quantized image element data regarding the succeeding M and M' continuous image elements in said second detected image.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 55 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 6, wherein said first and second storage means are shift registers of M-bit construction, said third storage means is a shift register of M'-bit construction, and these three data storing shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 5, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 7, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 336 words

An image correlation system for correlating first and second image having associated image portions, comprising: image element data producing means (e.g. 30, 66) for producing image element data regarding a plurality of image elements in each of said first and second images; first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in a predetermined image portion of said first image, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said second image, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the image element data regarding M' continuous image elements succeeding said M continuous image elements in said second image; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to said second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; similarlity detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting the similarity between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data; and detecting means (e.g. 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2) for detecting an image portion related to said predetermined image portion of said first image, out of said second image, on the basis of the data similarity detected by said similarity detecting means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 336 words

An image correlation system for correlating first and second image having associated image portions, comprising: image element data producing means (e.g. 30, 66) for producing image element data regarding a plurality of image elements in each of said first and second images; first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in a predetermined image portion of said first image, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said second image, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the image element data regarding M' continuous image elements succeeding said M continuous image elements in said second image; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to said second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; similarlity detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting the similarity between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data; and detecting means (e.g. 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2) for detecting an image portion related to said predetermined image portion of said first image, out of said second image, on the basis of the data similarity detected by said similarity detecting means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 83 words

An image correlation system according to claim 10, wherein said circulation delaying means is a first circulation delaying circuit adapted to delay the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by α greater than said n during each circulation, and said system further comprises: a second circulation delaying circuit (e.g. SR5) provided in the data circulation path of said second storage means to delay the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means by α-n during each circulation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 56 words

An image correlation system according to claim 11, wherein said first circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-bit construction, said second circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-n-bit construction, and these two circulation delaying shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 18 words

An image correlation system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 60 words

An image correlation system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said first and second storage means are shift registers of M-bit construction, said third storage means is a shift register of M'-bit construction, and these three data storing shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 13 words

An image correlation system according to claim 14, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 145 words

An image correlation system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said image element data producing means includes: image scanning means (e.g. 30) for scanning said first and second images to produce analog image element data regarding the plurality of continuous image elements in each of said first and second images; and quantizing means (e.g. 66) for quantizing said analog image element data produced by said image scanning means to produce quantized image element data regarding the plurality of continuous image elements in each of said first and second images; said first storage means being disposed to store the quantized image element data regarding the M continuous image elements in said first image, and said second and third storage means being disposed to store the quantized image element data regarding the succeeding M and M' continuous image elements in said second image.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 55 words

An image correlation system according to claim 16, wherein said first and second storage means are shift registers of M-bit construction, said third storage means is a shift register of M'-bit construction, and these three data storing shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 13 words

An image correlation system according to claim 17, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 289 words

A data correlation system for correlating first quantized data of M bits and second quantized data of N bits greater than M, comprising: first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing said first quantized data, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the first M data of said second quantized data, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the remaining N-M data of said second quantized data; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to said second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; similarity detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting the similarity between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data; and detecting means (e.g. 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2) for detecting a set of M continuous data most similar to said first quantized data, out of said second quantized data, on the basis of the data similarity detected by said similarity means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 289 words

A data correlation system for correlating first quantized data of M bits and second quantized data of N bits greater than M, comprising: first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing said first quantized data, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the first M data of said second quantized data, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the remaining N-M data of said second quantized data; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to said second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; similarity detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting the similarity between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data; and detecting means (e.g. 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2) for detecting a set of M continuous data most similar to said first quantized data, out of said second quantized data, on the basis of the data similarity detected by said similarity means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 83 words

A data correlation system according to claim 19, wherein said circulation delaying means is a first circulation delaying circuit adapted to delay the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by α greater than said n during each circulation, and said system further comprises: a second circulation delaying circuit (e.g. SR5) provided in the data circulation path of said second storage means to delay the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means by α-n during each circulation.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 56 words

A data correlation system according to claim 20, wherein said first circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-bit construction, said second circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-n-bit construction, and these two circulation delaying shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

A data correlation system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 60 words

A data correlation system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said first and second storage means are shift registers of M-bit construction, said third storage means is a shift register of N-M-bit construction, and these three data storing shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

A data correlation system according to claim 23, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 272 words

A focus detecting system for detecting the focus adjusted condition of objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out object distance data in the form of digital data of m bits following a predetermined code; converter means (e.g. 98) for converting an electrical signal representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof into digital data of m bits following said predetermined code; counter means (e.g. CNT3) applied to count pulse signals obtained in association with the movement of said lens means along the optic axis thereof from a predetermined position, said counter means putting out its count output in the form of digital data of m bits following said predetermined code; means (e.g. G82-G85, DF7, DF8) for absorbing the chattering of said pulse signals, said counter means being electrically connected to said chattering absorbing means to count the pulse signals imparted through said chattering absorbing means to count the pulse signals imparted through said chattering absorbing means; selector means (e.g. 104) capable of selectively putting out the output data of said converter means and the output data of said counter means; means (e.g. terminal 17S or 28S) applied to designate the data to be selected by said selector means; and comparing means (e.g. 106) forcomparing the data selected by said selector means with the output data of said distance detecting means, said comparing means producing a characteristic output representing the properly focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object when said two data are coincident with each other.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 272 words

A focus detecting system for detecting the focus adjusted condition of objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out object distance data in the form of digital data of m bits following a predetermined code; converter means (e.g. 98) for converting an electrical signal representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof into digital data of m bits following said predetermined code; counter means (e.g. CNT3) applied to count pulse signals obtained in association with the movement of said lens means along the optic axis thereof from a predetermined position, said counter means putting out its count output in the form of digital data of m bits following said predetermined code; means (e.g. G82-G85, DF7, DF8) for absorbing the chattering of said pulse signals, said counter means being electrically connected to said chattering absorbing means to count the pulse signals imparted through said chattering absorbing means to count the pulse signals imparted through said chattering absorbing means; selector means (e.g. 104) capable of selectively putting out the output data of said converter means and the output data of said counter means; means (e.g. terminal 17S or 28S) applied to designate the data to be selected by said selector means; and comparing means (e.g. 106) forcomparing the data selected by said selector means with the output data of said distance detecting means, said comparing means producing a characteristic output representing the properly focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object when said two data are coincident with each other.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 15 words

A focus detecting system according to claim 25, wherein said code is a binary code.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 45 words

A focus detecting system according to claim 26, wherein said converter means is a gray-binary converting circuit for converting a gray code signal of m bits representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof into binary digital data of m bits.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 21 words

A focus detecting system according to claim 26 or 27, wherein said counter means is a binary counter of m-bit construction.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 154 words

A camera comprising: objective lens means (e.g. TL) capable of being focused with respect to an object; an automatic focusing device (e.g. DCS, MO) for automatically focusing said lens means with respect to said object, said automatic focusing device being selectively operable in a first operation mode in which it is repeatedly and continuously operated to cause the focusing of said lens means to follow a variation in the distance of said object and in a second operation mode in which it is only once operated to cause the focusing of said lens means not to follow the variation in the distance of said object after said lens means has once been focused with respect to said object; actuator means (e.g. SW T ) for operating said automatic focusing device; and selector means (e.g. SW SF ) for selecting the operation mode of said automatic focusing device between said first and second operation modes.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 154 words

A camera comprising: objective lens means (e.g. TL) capable of being focused with respect to an object; an automatic focusing device (e.g. DCS, MO) for automatically focusing said lens means with respect to said object, said automatic focusing device being selectively operable in a first operation mode in which it is repeatedly and continuously operated to cause the focusing of said lens means to follow a variation in the distance of said object and in a second operation mode in which it is only once operated to cause the focusing of said lens means not to follow the variation in the distance of said object after said lens means has once been focused with respect to said object; actuator means (e.g. SW T ) for operating said automatic focusing device; and selector means (e.g. SW SF ) for selecting the operation mode of said automatic focusing device between said first and second operation modes.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 47 words

A camera according to claim 29, further comprising; operating means (e.g. SW P ) commonly applied to stop the operation of said automatic focusing device when in said first operation mode and to operate said automatic focusing device only once again when in said second operation mode.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 20 words

A camera according to claim 29 or 30, wherein said actuator means is switch means operated by camera trigger means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 237 words

An automatic focusing system for automatically focusing objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the object distance at the end of each distance detecting operation and holding said distance data until the next distance detecting operation is terminated; position detecting means (e.g. GC, 98) for detecting the position of said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof; comparing means (e.g. 106) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and putting out an output representing the focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object; regulating means (e.g. MO) for regulating said lens means along the optic axis thereof to focus said lens means with respect to said object on the basis of the output of said comparing means; and means (e.g. the construction of PUC and G53 in FIG. 45) for imparting to said comparing means specific distance data representing a predetermined distance as the output data of said distance detecting means during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the first distance detecting operation thereof is terminated.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 237 words

An automatic focusing system for automatically focusing objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the object distance at the end of each distance detecting operation and holding said distance data until the next distance detecting operation is terminated; position detecting means (e.g. GC, 98) for detecting the position of said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof; comparing means (e.g. 106) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and putting out an output representing the focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object; regulating means (e.g. MO) for regulating said lens means along the optic axis thereof to focus said lens means with respect to said object on the basis of the output of said comparing means; and means (e.g. the construction of PUC and G53 in FIG. 45) for imparting to said comparing means specific distance data representing a predetermined distance as the output data of said distance detecting means during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the first distance detecting operation thereof is terminated.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 14 words

An automatic focusing system according to claim 32, wherein said predetermined distance is infinity.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 125 words

An automatic focusing system according to claim 32 or 33, further comprising: operation detecting means (e.g. JF7 in FIG. 27D) for detecting whether or not said distance detecting means has completed its first distance detecting operation after the operation thereof has been started, said operation detecting means producing a characteristic output during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the first distance detecting operation thereof is terminated; and alarm means (e.g. LD 1 in FIG. 30) capable of responding to the characteristic output of said operation detecting means to produce an alarm display during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the first distance detecting operation thereof is terminated.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 257 words

A focus detecting system for detecting the focused condition of objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: (A) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the object distance in the form of digital data of m bits; (B) position detecting means (e.g. GC, 98) for detecting the position of said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof in the form of digital data of m bits; (C) comparing means (e.g. 106) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and producing an output representing the focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object; (D) discrimination means (e.g. G45 in FIG. 27A) for discriminating, on the basis of the output of said comparing means, whether or not said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object, said discrimination means producing a characteristic output when it has detected that said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object; and (E) data nullifying means (e.g. G132 in FIG. 46) capable of responding to the characteristic output of said discrimination means to nullify the data of at least the least significant bit of said two data during the comparison by said comparing means between said distance data and said position data.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 257 words

A focus detecting system for detecting the focused condition of objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: (A) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the object distance in the form of digital data of m bits; (B) position detecting means (e.g. GC, 98) for detecting the position of said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof in the form of digital data of m bits; (C) comparing means (e.g. 106) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and producing an output representing the focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object; (D) discrimination means (e.g. G45 in FIG. 27A) for discriminating, on the basis of the output of said comparing means, whether or not said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object, said discrimination means producing a characteristic output when it has detected that said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object; and (E) data nullifying means (e.g. G132 in FIG. 46) capable of responding to the characteristic output of said discrimination means to nullify the data of at least the least significant bit of said two data during the comparison by said comparing means between said distance data and said position data.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 289 words

An automatic focusing system for automatically focusing objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: (A) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the object distance in the form of digital data of m bits; (B) position detecting means (e.g. GC, 98) for detecting the position of said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof in the form of digital data of m bits; (C) comparing means (e.g. 106) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and producing an output representing the focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object; (D) regulating means (e.g. MO) for regulating said lens means along the optic axis thereof to focus said lens means with respect to said object on the basis of the output of said comparing means; (E) discrimination means (e.g. G45 in FIG. 27A) for discriminating, on the basis of the output of said comparing means, whether or not said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object, said discrimination means producing a characteristic output when it has detected that said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object; and (F) data nullifying means (e.g. G132 in FIG. 46) capable of responding to the characteristic output of said discrimination means to nullify the data of at least the least significant bit of said two data during the comparision by said comparing means between said distance data and said position data.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 289 words

An automatic focusing system for automatically focusing objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: (A) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the object distance in the form of digital data of m bits; (B) position detecting means (e.g. GC, 98) for detecting the position of said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof in the form of digital data of m bits; (C) comparing means (e.g. 106) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and producing an output representing the focused condition of said lens means with respect to said object; (D) regulating means (e.g. MO) for regulating said lens means along the optic axis thereof to focus said lens means with respect to said object on the basis of the output of said comparing means; (E) discrimination means (e.g. G45 in FIG. 27A) for discriminating, on the basis of the output of said comparing means, whether or not said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object, said discrimination means producing a characteristic output when it has detected that said lens means has been properly focused with respect to said object; and (F) data nullifying means (e.g. G132 in FIG. 46) capable of responding to the characteristic output of said discrimination means to nullify the data of at least the least significant bit of said two data during the comparision by said comparing means between said distance data and said position data.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 282 words

An automatic focusing system for automatically focusing objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: (A) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the distance of said object simultaneously with the termination of the distance detecting operation; (B) drive means (e.g. SP 1 in FIG. 47) for moving said lens means (TL) along the optic axis thereof from a predetermined position; (C) starting means (e.g. RB in FIG. 47) for starting the movement of said lens means; (D) position detecting means (e.g. PG in FIG. 37 and CNT3 in FIG. 9) for detecting the moved position of said lens means on the optic axis thereof in association with the movement of said lens means from said predetermined position, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the moved position of said lens means on the optic axis thereof; (E) comparing means (e.g. 106 in FIG. 9) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and putting out a stop signal for stopping said lens means at the properly focused position with respect to said object; (F) stop means (e.g. MG, ST 2 in FIG. 37) capable of responding to the output of said comparing means to stop the movement of said lens means; and (G) data supply means (e.g. 100, 102, 70 in FIG. 9) for imparting, instead of the output data of said distance detecting means, specific distance data representing predetermined distance to said comparing means when said lens means starts to move before the distance detecting means produces the distance data.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 282 words

An automatic focusing system for automatically focusing objective lens means with respect to an object, comprising: (A) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the distance of said object simultaneously with the termination of the distance detecting operation; (B) drive means (e.g. SP 1 in FIG. 47) for moving said lens means (TL) along the optic axis thereof from a predetermined position; (C) starting means (e.g. RB in FIG. 47) for starting the movement of said lens means; (D) position detecting means (e.g. PG in FIG. 37 and CNT3 in FIG. 9) for detecting the moved position of said lens means on the optic axis thereof in association with the movement of said lens means from said predetermined position, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the moved position of said lens means on the optic axis thereof; (E) comparing means (e.g. 106 in FIG. 9) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and putting out a stop signal for stopping said lens means at the properly focused position with respect to said object; (F) stop means (e.g. MG, ST 2 in FIG. 37) capable of responding to the output of said comparing means to stop the movement of said lens means; and (G) data supply means (e.g. 100, 102, 70 in FIG. 9) for imparting, instead of the output data of said distance detecting means, specific distance data representing predetermined distance to said comparing means when said lens means starts to move before the distance detecting means produces the distance data.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 175 words

An automatic focusing system according to claim 37, wherein said data supply means includes: data producing means (e.g. 100) for producing said specific distance data; operation detecting means (e.g. JF7 in FIG. 27D) for detecting whether or not said distance detecting means has terminated its distance detecting operation after the operation thereof has been started, said operation detecting means producing a characteristic output during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the distance detecting operation thereof is terminated; and selector means (e.g. 106) for selecting the distance data to be imparted to said comparing means between output data of said distance detecting means and the output data of said data producing means, said selector means being capable of responding to the characteristic output of said operation detecting means and selecting the output data of said data producing means instead of the output data of said distance detecting means when said lens means starts to move before the distance detecting operation of said distance detecting means is terminated.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 57 words

An automatic focusing system according to claim 38, further comprising: alarm means (e.g. LD 1 in FIG. 37) capable of responding to the output of said operation detecting means to produce an alarm display during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the distance detecting operation thereof is terminated.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 309 words

A camera capable of using a flash unit, comprising: (A) objective lens means movable along the optic axis thereof to be focused with respect to an object; (B) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the distance of said object simultaneously with the termination of the distance operation; (C) drive means (e.g. SP 1 in FIG. 47) for moving said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof from a predetermined position; (D) starting means (e.g. RB in FIG. 47) for starting the movement of said lens means; (E) position detecting means (e.g. PG in FIG. 37 and CNT3 in FIG. 9) for detecting the moved position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof in association with the movement of said lens means from said predetermined position, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the moved position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof; (F) comparing means (e.g. 106 in FIG. 9) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and putting out a stop signal for stopping said lens means at the properly focused position with respect to said object; (G) stop means (e.g. MG, ST 2 in FIG. 37) capable of responding to the output of said comparing means to stop the movement of said lens means; and (H) data supply means (e.g. 100, 106, 70 in FIG. 9 and SWs in FIG. 37) for imparting to said comparing means specific distance data representing a predetermined distance suited for flash photography, instead of the output data of said distance detecting means, when said lens means starts to move before the distance detecting means produces the distance data in photography using said flash unit.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 309 words

A camera capable of using a flash unit, comprising: (A) objective lens means movable along the optic axis thereof to be focused with respect to an object; (B) distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object, said distance detecting means putting out distance data representing the distance of said object simultaneously with the termination of the distance operation; (C) drive means (e.g. SP 1 in FIG. 47) for moving said lens means (e.g. TL) along the optic axis thereof from a predetermined position; (D) starting means (e.g. RB in FIG. 47) for starting the movement of said lens means; (E) position detecting means (e.g. PG in FIG. 37 and CNT3 in FIG. 9) for detecting the moved position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof in association with the movement of said lens means from said predetermined position, said position detecting means putting out position data representing the moved position of said lens means along the optic axis thereof; (F) comparing means (e.g. 106 in FIG. 9) for comparing the distance data put out from said distance detecting means with the position data put out from said position detecting means and putting out a stop signal for stopping said lens means at the properly focused position with respect to said object; (G) stop means (e.g. MG, ST 2 in FIG. 37) capable of responding to the output of said comparing means to stop the movement of said lens means; and (H) data supply means (e.g. 100, 106, 70 in FIG. 9 and SWs in FIG. 37) for imparting to said comparing means specific distance data representing a predetermined distance suited for flash photography, instead of the output data of said distance detecting means, when said lens means starts to move before the distance detecting means produces the distance data in photography using said flash unit.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 211 words

A camera according to claim 40, wherein said data supply means includes: data producing means (e.g. 100) for producing said specific distance data; flash photography detecting means (e.g. SW S ) for detecting the use of said flash unit, said flash photography detecting means producing a characteristic output when it has detected the use of said flash unit; operation detecting means (e.g. JF7 in FIG. 27D) for detecting whether or not said distance detecting means has terminated its distance detecting operation after the operation thereof has been started, said operation detecting means producing a characteristic output during the time from after the operation of said distance detecting means has been started until the distance detecting operation thereof is terminated; and selector means (e.g. 106) for selecting the distance data to be imparted to said comparing means between the output data of said distance detecting means and the output data of said data producing means, said selector means being capable of responding to the characteristic outputs of said flash photography detecting means and said operation detecting means and selecting the output data of said data producing means when said lens means starts to move before the distance detecting operation of said distance detecting means is terminated in photography using the flash unit.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 389 words

A distance detecting system for detecting the distance of an object, comprising: image element data producing means (e.g. 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3) disposed to receive a first and a second detected image of said object in accordance with different paths and produce analog image element data regarding a plurality of image elements in each of said first and second detected images; quantizing means (e.g. 66 in FIG. 7B) for quantizing the analog image element data produced by said image element data producing means to produce quantized image element data regarding the plurality of image elements in each of said first and second detected images; storage means (e.g. SR1, SR2, SR3 in FIG. 9) for storing quantized image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said first detected image and quantized image element data regarding N (N>M) continuous image elements in said second detected image; image position detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1, 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2 in FIG. 9) for detecting the location, in said N continuous image elements in said second detected image, of a set of M continuous image elements in said second detected image which are most similar to said M continuous image elements in said first detected image, on the basis of the quantized image element data stored in said storage means, the output of said image position detecting means representing the distance of said object; quantized condition detecting means (e.g. the construction of 74 in FIG. 9 - G4 - GR, JF1, JF2, DF2 in FIG. 27A) for detecting whether or not the quantized image element data regarding said M continuous image elements in said first detected image have all become identical data and whether or not the quantized image element data regarding said N continuous image elements in said second detected image have all become identical data, said quantized condition detecting means producing a characteristic output when it has detected that at least one of the quantized image element data regarding said M continuous image elements in said first detected image and the quantized image element data regarding said N continuous image elements in said second detected image are all identical data; and control means (e.g. 70 in FIG. 9) responsive to said characteristic output of said quantized condition detecting means to control the operation of the system.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 389 words

A distance detecting system for detecting the distance of an object, comprising: image element data producing means (e.g. 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3) disposed to receive a first and a second detected image of said object in accordance with different paths and produce analog image element data regarding a plurality of image elements in each of said first and second detected images; quantizing means (e.g. 66 in FIG. 7B) for quantizing the analog image element data produced by said image element data producing means to produce quantized image element data regarding the plurality of image elements in each of said first and second detected images; storage means (e.g. SR1, SR2, SR3 in FIG. 9) for storing quantized image element data regarding M continuous image elements in said first detected image and quantized image element data regarding N (N>M) continuous image elements in said second detected image; image position detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1, 70, SR6, 106, CNT3, PSR2 in FIG. 9) for detecting the location, in said N continuous image elements in said second detected image, of a set of M continuous image elements in said second detected image which are most similar to said M continuous image elements in said first detected image, on the basis of the quantized image element data stored in said storage means, the output of said image position detecting means representing the distance of said object; quantized condition detecting means (e.g. the construction of 74 in FIG. 9 - G4 - GR, JF1, JF2, DF2 in FIG. 27A) for detecting whether or not the quantized image element data regarding said M continuous image elements in said first detected image have all become identical data and whether or not the quantized image element data regarding said N continuous image elements in said second detected image have all become identical data, said quantized condition detecting means producing a characteristic output when it has detected that at least one of the quantized image element data regarding said M continuous image elements in said first detected image and the quantized image element data regarding said N continuous image elements in said second detected image are all identical data; and control means (e.g. 70 in FIG. 9) responsive to said characteristic output of said quantized condition detecting means to control the operation of the system.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 156 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 42, wherein said quantizing means compares the analog image element data produced by said image element data producing means with the threshold level to thereby produce quantized image element data in the form of logic value "1" or logic value "0" on the basis of the result of the comparison, and said quantized condition detecting means detects whether or not the data regarding said M continuous image elements in said first detected image are all "1" or all "0" and whether or not the data regarding said N continuous image elements in said second detected image are all "1" or all "0" and produces said characteristic output when it has detected that at least one of the data regarding said M continuous image elements in said first detected image and the data regarding said N continuous image elements in said second detected image are all "1" or all "0".

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 38 words

A distance detecting system according to claim 42 or 43, wherein said control means inhibits the image position detection operation of said image position detecting means in response to said characteristic output of said quantized condition detecting means.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 247 words

A data correlation system for correlating a first quantized data of M bits and a second quantized data of N bits greater than M, comprising: first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing said first quantized data, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the first M data of said second qauntized data, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the remaining N-M data of said second quantized data; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; and detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting correlation between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 247 words

A data correlation system for correlating a first quantized data of M bits and a second quantized data of N bits greater than M, comprising: first storage means (e.g. SR1) for storing said first quantized data, said first storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; second storage means (e.g. SR2) for storing the first M data of said second qauntized data, said second storage means having a data circulation path for circulating the stored data thereof; third storage means (e.g. SR3) for storing the remaining N-M data of said second quantized data; circulation delaying means (e.g. SR4) provided in the data circulation path of said first storage means for delaying the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by n data relative to the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means during each circulation; drive means (e.g. 110) for driving said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other to circulate the stored data of said first and second storage means in synchronism with each other; data transfer means (e.g. 70, 78) for transferring n of the stored data of said third storage means to second storage means during each circulation of the stored data of said first storage means through said circulation delaying means; and detecting means (e.g. G90, G94, CNT4, PSR1) for detecting correlation between the stored data of said first and second storage means during each circulation of said data.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 83 words

A data correlation system according to claim 45, wherein said circulation delaying means is a first circulation delaying circuit adapted to delay the circulation of the stored data of said first storage means by α greater than said n during each circulation, and said system further comprises: a second circulation delaying circuit (e.g. SR5) provided in the data circulation path of said second storage means to delay the circulation of the stored data of said second storage means by α-n during each circulation.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 56 words

A data correlation system according to claim 46, wherein said first circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-bit construction, said second circulation delaying circuit is a shift register of α-n-bit construction, and these two circulation delaying shift registers are disposed so as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 18 words

A data correlation system according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 59 words

A data correlation system according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein said first and second storage means are shift registers of M-bit construction, said third storage means is a shift register of N-M-bit construction, and these three data storing shift registers are disposed as to be driven in synchronism with each other by said drive means.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 13 words

A data correlation system according to claim 49, wherein said n is 1.

Claim 63

Independent Claim 218 words

A system for detecting the focusing condition of an objective lens means with respect to an object, said lens means having an optical axis and being movable along the axis, said system comprising: distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object and for producing distance data regarding the object distance; first receiving means (e.g. 98) for receiving a first type of electrical signal correlated with said lens means and for providing position data regarding the adjusted position of the lens means along the optical axis on the basis of said first type of electrical signal; second receiving means (e.g. CNT3, PSR2) for receiving a second type of electrical signal correlated with said lens means which is different from said first type of electrical signal and for providing position data regarding the adjusted position of the lens means along the optical axis on the basis of said second type of electrical signal; selecting means (e.g. 104) for selecting said position data provided by said first receiving means and said position data provided by said second receiving means; and means (e.g. 106) for receiving the selected position data selected by said selecting means and said distance data produced from said distance detecting means and for discriminating the focusing condition of said lens means with respect to the object.

Claim 64

Independent Claim 218 words

A system for detecting the focusing condition of an objective lens means with respect to an object, said lens means having an optical axis and being movable along the axis, said system comprising: distance detecting means for detecting the distance of said object and for producing distance data regarding the object distance; first receiving means (e.g. 98) for receiving a first type of electrical signal correlated with said lens means and for providing position data regarding the adjusted position of the lens means along the optical axis on the basis of said first type of electrical signal; second receiving means (e.g. CNT3, PSR2) for receiving a second type of electrical signal correlated with said lens means which is different from said first type of electrical signal and for providing position data regarding the adjusted position of the lens means along the optical axis on the basis of said second type of electrical signal; selecting means (e.g. 104) for selecting said position data provided by said first receiving means and said position data provided by said second receiving means; and means (e.g. 106) for receiving the selected position data selected by said selecting means and said distance data produced from said distance detecting means and for discriminating the focusing condition of said lens means with respect to the object.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 52 words

A system according to claim 51, wherein said first type of electrical signal has a predetermined first code; and said first receiving means includes a code conversion circuit for converting said first code into a predetermined second code different from the first code and fitted to a code of said distance data.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 22 words

A system according to claim 52, wherein said first code is a gray code and said second code is a binary code.

Claim 67

Independent Claim 50 words

A system according to one of claims 51 to 53, wherein said second type of electrical signal includes electrical pulses generated in relation to the movement of said lens means; and said second receiving means includes a pulse counting circuit for counting said electrical pulses to provide said position data.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system according to claim 54, wherein said pulse counting circuit includes a binary counter to provide said position data in a binary code.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system according to claim 55, wherein said distance detecting means produces said distance data in a binary code.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system according to claim 53, wherein said distance detecting means produces said distance data in a binary code.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-05-10	1985-11-09	1986-05-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-05-10	1989-11-09	1990-05-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-05-10	1993-11-09	1994-05-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Distance detecting device and a focus control system utilizing the same

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