Patent
1976-06-17
1977-12-27
Gonzales, John
G03B 710
Patent
active
040657787
ABSTRACT:
An automatic rangefinder and focusing apparatus is provided for use with a camera for determining the distance from an object to be photographed to the film plane of the camera and for positioning the camera's objective lens to focus an image of the object in the film plane. The apparatus comprises a photoresponsive device and a light emitter device that projects light in angularly intersecting relation to the optical axis along which light is received by a photodetector incorporated in the photoresponsive device. The light projected by the light emitter device is amplitude modulated at a frequency functionally related to the distance from the camera at which that light intersects the optical axis of the photoresponsive device. The emitted light reflected from an object located along that axis and received by the photoresponsive device produces a correspondingly modulated electric output signal that is translated into a readout of the object distance and/or into a corresponding focusing adjustment of the camera's objective lens. In a preferred embodiment, the rangefinder utilizes a plurality of light beams, each having a separate modulation frequency, which intercept three distance zones along the photodetector axis to form a zone type rangefinder and focusing apparatus. In another embodiment, two differently modulated light beams are emitted in partially overlapping relation to each other to define three distance zones. In still another embodiment, the emitter comprises movable means whereby a single light beam is swept through an angular path intersecting the photodetector axis as the modulation frequency of the beam is correspondingly changed.
REFERENCES:
patent: RE27461 (1972-08-01), Harvey
patent: 3442193 (1969-05-01), Pagel
patent: 3723003 (1973-03-01), Vockenhuber
Eastman Kodak Company
Gellner M. L.
Gonzales John
Pagel A. B.
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