Abstract: A focus detecting optical system comprises an objective lens for forming an image of an object, at least one condenser lens disposed behind a predetermined image plane of the objective lens for converging light passed through the objective lens, at least one pair of image re-forming lenses located behind the condenser lens for re-forming a pair of secondary images of the image formed by the objective lens, at least one pair of rows of light receiving elements arrayed in a single line behind and in alignment with the paired image re-forming lenses for detecting the paired secondary images, and a light deflecting member disposed between the image re-forming lenses and the element rows and separated from said image re-forming lenses by an air space for deflecting light fluxes forming the secondary images outwards in a direction of array of the element rows with respect to a center of the paired secondary images.

Abstract: A focus detecting system having a passive type automatic focusing function and an active type automatic focusing function. When the passive type automatic focusing function is used, focus detection is performed using light which is incident from a position close to an optical axis of a photographic lens, while in the case of using the active type automatic focusing function, focus detection is performed using light which has passed through a position far from the optical axis of a photographic lens. The focus detection value is corrected using a preset correction value to set the photographic lens in the best image position.

Abstract: A camera with an automatic focusing device has an objective lens mounted on a camera. An image formed by the objective lens is divided into a plurality of zones. In each zone, a brightness distribution is obtained so as to detect a rough focusing condition in each zone, thereby producing a plurality of rough focusing condition data. Based on the result of the rough focusing condition data, one zone is selected. Furthermore, a precise focusing condition is detected in the selected zone based on the light contained in the selected zone, so as produce a precise focusing condition data. Based on the precise focusing condition data obtained from the selected zone, the objective lens is driven to an infocus condition.

Abstract: An exposure controlling system wherein functional restrictions are little even when a cata-dioptric lens is mounted as an interchangeable lens and also provide an interchangeable lens for such an exposure controlling system. The exposure controlling system comprises means for reading data regarding aperture values of an interchangeable lens from the lens, and a light measuring means. In response to outputs of the two means, a display means displays, when the lens is an ordinary lens, a combination of an aperture value and an exposure time to which the ordinary lens can be controlled to provide an appropriate exposure, and when the lens is a cata-dioptric lens, a fixed aperture value and an exposure time for the fixed aperture value of the cata-dioptric lens which time provides an appropriate exposure.

Abstract: A focus detecting device capable of correcting an error, between an in-focus position of a photographic lens detected by a focus detecting means and an image field position affording the best image. Focus detection is made using plural focus detecting areas provided on and off the optical axis of the photographic lens, to obtain an in-focus position. Then, the thus-obtained in-focus position of the photographic lens is corrected using an appropriate correction value out of those preset and stored in a ROM in the lens according to whether the focus detecting area used in the focus detection is an axial or off-axial area, or according to the focal length of the photographic lens as well as the photographing mode. And the photographic lens is thereby set to the best image field position.

Abstract: A focus detection device which repeatedly calculates correlations between first and second image signals representing light intensity distributions on first and second image sensor arrays by shifting one of the image signals relative to the other to find an amount of shift affording the highest correlation includes shift range restriction means for restricting the shift range for the present correlation calculation in accordance with the amount of shift found through the last correlation calculation to afford the highest correlation. The shift range restriction is inhibited when the result of the last correlation calculation was not reliable indicating an infeasible condition of the focus detection.

Abstract: A focus detecting system which comprises photoelectric transducer element arrays for sensing standard and reference light fluxes which have passed respectively through different areas of an exit pupil of a photo-taking lens. The photoelectric transducer element arrays are comprised of a plurality of photoelectric transducer element arrays different in at least position or direction, some of the photoelectric transducer element arrays being arranged at a position containing the optical axis of the photo-taking lens whereas the remaining photoelectric transducer element arrays are arranged at a position which does not contain the optical axis. The direction of the photoelectric transducer element arrays is substantially perpendicular to the imaginary line which is drawn to connect between the optical axis and the position at which the photoelectric transducer element arrays outside the optical axis are arranged.

Abstract: A focus detecting device has a plurality of focus detection blocks, which blocks reproduce images of an object once produced by an objective lens as a pair of images on first and second CCD line sensors arrayed in a line, by means of a condenser lens, a pair of re-imaging lenses, and an aperture mask having a pair of aperture openings provided in the proximity of the re-imaging lenses, which blocks detect the positions of the paired images formed on the CCD line sensors, and detects the focus condition of the objective lens. In the focus detecting device, a light shield member to prevent the incidence of harmful light on the CCD line sensors is provided between at least the condenser lens and the CCD line sensors.

Abstract: A focus condition detecting device for a camera is disclosed. The device provides first and second image sensors for calculating correlations between images each having passed through an objective lens of the camera. A plurality of image detecting blocks are defined on the first image sensor in order to execute correlation calculations with respect to each block for detecting focus conditions. A focus condition which indicates the focus condition among those obtained from the correlation calculations with use of each block is employed as the most probable focus condition. In the present invention, correlation calculations unnecessary for finding the rearmost focus condition are omitted.

Abstract: A focus detecting system of a type comprising a transducer element array arranged in a vertical direction for detecting through a reflecting member a standard light flux and a reference light fluxes which have passed through different areas of a plane of an exit pupil of the photo-taking lens. The reflecting member is supported for pivotal movement between a downwardly pivoted position at which both of the standard and reference light fluxes are reflected downwards, and an upwardly pivoted position at which it is retracted out of the optical axis. The reflecting member when in the downwardly pivoted position causes the standard light flux to be reflected at a first reflecting surface area of the reflecting member adjacent the pivot axis and also causes the reference light flux to be reflected at a second reflecting surface area of the reflecting member remote from the pivot axis.

Abstract: An image sensor system for sensing an image of an object includes a plurality of image sensor arrays. Each array comprises photoelectric converting elements arranged to receive the object image and accumulation cells coupled to each photoelectric converting element for accumulating charges produced from the photoelectric converting element. A buffer memory cells are coupled respectively to the accumulation cells for temporarily storing the accumulated charges shifted from the accumulation cells in response to the completion of the charge accumulation in each array. A shift register is provided to receive accumulated charges from the buffer memory cells in every one of the arrays after all the arrays complete the charge accumulation. The accumulated charges stored in the shift register are then sequentially outputted.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for a camera is disclosed. The automatic focusing device has sensing means for sensing light intensity distributions within narrow and wide areas of a field of view of an objective lens, respectively and can be operated in either operation mode of one-shot AF mode and continuous AF mode. When the one-shot AF mode is designated, said narrow area which is narrower than said wide area is automatically selected for focus condition detection and, when the continuous AF mode is designated, said wide area is automatically selected.

Abstract: A camera with an automatic focusing device has an objective lens mounted on a camera. An image formed by the objective lens is divided into a plurality of zones. In each zone, a brightness distribution is obtained so as to detect a rough focusing condition in each zone, thereby producing a plurality of rough focusing condition data. Based on the result of the rough focusing condition data, one zone is selected. Furthermore, a precise focusing condition is detected in the selected zone based on the light contained in the selected zone, so as produce a precise focusing condition data. Based on the precise focusing condition data obtained from the selected zone, the object lens is driven to an infocus condition.

Abstract: A focus detecting system having a passive type automatic focusing apparatus and an active type automatic focusing apparatus. When the passive type automatic focusing apparatus is used, focus detection is made using light which is incident from a position close to an optical axis of a photographic lens, while in the case of using the active type automatic focusing apparatus, focus detection is made using light passed through a position far from the optical axis of a photographic lens. The focus detection value is corrected using a preset correction value to set the photographic lens in the best image position.

Abstract: A focus condition detecting device which generated first and second light intensity distribution signals representing light intensity distributions on first and second arrays arranged to receive lights having passed through different areas of the exit pupil of an objective lens is arranged so as to divide the first light intensity distribution signal into a plurality of blocks. Each of the portions of the first light intensity distribution signal belonging to the respective blocks is shifted relative to the second light intensity distribution signal by sequentially changing an amount of shift, so that correlations therebetween are calculated for finding the amount of shift providing the highest correlation.

Abstract: A focus detecting optical system including a condenser lens disposed in a vicinity of or rearwardly of a predetermined focal plane of a photographic lens, an image forming lens unit having a pair of image forming lens sections disposed symmetrically relative to a main optical axis, a light blocking member having an opening for regulating a luminous flux coming into the image forming lens unit, a first prism for refracting the luminous flux in a direction departing from the main optical axis, a second prism for refracting the luminous flux in a direction nearing the main optical axis and a light receiving element array.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor drive apparatus in accordance with the present invention enables a solid state image sensor to start integration of photoelectric current in response to an integration clear signal so that electric charges are accumulated to a prescribed level and transferred to a shift register. The accumulated electric charges transferred to the shift register are read out successively based on a transfer signal so that it is supplied to a microcomputer performing various operations. At this time, if a request for interruption is inputted from a load to the microcomputer, the transfer signal supplied to the shift register is stopped and the content of the shift register is not supplied to the microcomputer. When the interruption processing in the microcomputer is completed, the transfer signal is supplied again to the shift register so that transfer of data from the shift register to the microcomputer is restarted.

Abstract: A camera with an AF and AE control structure including a one-shot AF mode and a continuous AF mode, in which the operability and exposure control are improved. The camera includes a unit for detecting a focusing condition of an objective lens, defined by the relationship between a position of an object to be photographed against the lens and a focus point of the lens; a unit for focusing the lens in accordance with the detected focusing condition so that the lens is moved to the in-focus position, a first light measurement unit for measuring light at a spot area corresponding to a region of the object to be detected at the detecting unit, a second light measurement means for measuring averaged light at another area broader than the first area, and a unit for controlling exposure amount.

Abstract: A focus detecting device capable of correcting an error, between an in-focus position of a photographic lens detected by a focus detecting means and an image field position affording the best image. Focus detection is made using plural focus detecting areas provided on and off the optical axis of the photographic lens, to obtain an in-focus position. Then, the thus-obtained in-focus position of the photographic lens is corrected using an appropriate correction value out of those preset and stored in a ROM in the lens according to whether the focus detecting area used in the focus detection is an axial or off-axial area, or according to the focal length of the photographic lens as well as the photographing mode. And the photographic lens is thereby set to the best image field position.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for a camera is disclosed. The automatic focusing device has sensing means for sensing light intensity distributions within narrow and wide areas of a field of view of an objective lens, respectively and can be operated in either operation mode of one-shot AF mode and continuous AF mode. When the one-shot AF mode is designated, said narrow area which is narrower than said wide area is automatically selected for focus condition detection and, when the continuous AF mode is designated, said wide area is automatically selected.