Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus which emits light toward an object, receiving light reflected by the object, and measuring the distance of the object. This apparatus includes receiving means for receiving the reflected light, and the receiving means has at least two receiving areas. According to a disclosed technique, a mean value of photoelectric outputs from the respective receiving areas is calculated, and the distance of the object is measured on the basis of the difference between the mean value and the photoelectric output from either of the receiving areas. According to another disclosed technique, stabilization is provided with respect to amplifier means for amplifying the photoelectric outputs from the receiving means and integrating means.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for performing the switching operation between the automatic focuse mode and the manual command focuse mode. The focusing apparatus includes a selection circuit which is provided between an automatic focusing circuit and a manual command focusing circuit for selectively deriving first or second drive signals therefrom so that either of the first or second drive signals is supplied to a drive device for allowing the movement of a focusing lens in the optical axis directions. The manual command focusing circuit is arranged to generate the second drive signal in response to a manipulation of a switch device, the output of which is also coupled to the selection circuit so that the switching operation is effected in accordance therewith.

Abstract: In the disclosed automatic focusing device for a zoom lens the in-focus position for a particular object distance varies with changes in the focal length. The device detects the amount of variation of the focal length of the zoom lens, and continuously drives the focusing lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for conversion from a field signal to a frame signal in which a field signal delayed by a 1/2 horizontal scanning period and the field signal not subjected to the delay are alternately selected at a time interval of one vertical scanning period by changing over a switch. In the conversion method, the switch is changed over under control of a switching pulse which rises to its high level before the period of preceding equalizing pulses in one field, remains in the high level for one vertical scanning period, then falls to its low level, rises to its high level again during the period of preceding equalizing pulses in the next field, and falls to its low level again during the period of succeeding equalizing pulses and which repeats the above state at a time interval of two vertical scanning periods.

Abstract: A focusing system for a variable focus lens of a motion picture camera includes a pulse modulator and a microwave transmitter mounted on a camera frame for generating a high frequency pulsed signal which is transmitted to a selected target which carries a reactive signal generator that is responsive to the first signal for coding and retransmitting the coded signal back to a receiver mounted on the camera frame, and a signal processor for determining the interval of travel of the signal and translating the interval into a distance-analog signal that is transmitted to a focusing motor for driving the focusing mechanism of the lens for focusing the lens at the distance determined by the signal. One alternate embodiment includes multiple reactive signal generators having distinctive signal responsive controls and portable remote transmitters for selectively switching to the selected ones of said reactive generators.

Abstract: In this circuit, video signals with a continuously increasing or decreasing amplitude are applied to the signal input of a threshold difference comparator at whose reference inputs selectively determined high and low threshold signals are applied. The output of the threshold difference comparator is applied at the first input of a threshold AND gate having a second input connected to a clock. The output of the threshold AND gate supplies a clock pulse sequence which has a duration corresponding with the time during which the input video signal has an amplitude which continuously increases or decreases from one of the threshold reference amplitudes to the other. The clock pulse sequences contained in successive measuring intervals have their respective pulses counted by a counter, and are stored in a buffer. A measurement series is performed corresponding to different focus settings, optimum focus adjustment being achieved when a minimum count of clock pulses in a clock pulse sequence is obtained.

Abstract: A focusing adjusting device for a camera which uses the rotation of a motor shaft to move a photographing lens into focus includes an operating member which is movable to a number of positions. Each position of the operating member specifies a particular rotational direction and a particular rotational speed of the motor shaft. A detecting member is used for detecting the operating mode and the position of the operating member, and for generating detection signals in accordance with these detected parameters. Also provided is a rotation control circuit for receiving the detection signals and rotating the motor shaft at a direction and at a speed in accordance with the position and operating mode of the operating member.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for video camera in which the distance between a lens mounting section of a camera body and the imaging plane of an imaging unit is varied for focusing by moving at least either a lens mounting section or the imaging plane along the optical axis. The device comprises focus detector for receiving the data about an object through a light splitter and driving circuit for varying the distance between lens mounting section and imaging plane according to the output of the focus detector.

Abstract: A video camera operating device which permits the photographing lens of the camera to be controlled either in an automatic mode or a manual mode from a remote operating device. Both the remote operating device and a close operating device on the video camera body include an automatic focusing/manual focusing changeover switch. When the remote operating device is connected to the video camera via a cable, the automatic focusing/manual focusing changeover switch of the remote operating device takes precedence over that of the close operating device. The remote operating device also includes controls for selecting short or long distance movement of the lens and for controlling the speed at which the lens is moved.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for a cine camera operates so that the speed at which the lens is moved to its optimum focusing position decreases as a perfect focus is reached. A comparator determines how far out of focus the system is, and a pulse width modulator provides a zero to 100% energization signal to the servo control circuit. The farther the system is out of focus, the larger percentage energization signal from the pulse width modulator and the faster the lens will be moved toward the optimum position.

Abstract: A focusing system for a variable focus lens of a motion picture camera includes a pulse modulator and a microwave transmitter mounted on a camera frame for generating a high frequency pulsed signal which is transmitted to a selected target which carries a reactive signal generator that is responsive to the first signal for coding and retransmitting the coded signal back to a receiver mounted on the camera frame, and a signal processor for determining the interval of travel of the signal and translating the interval into a distance-analog signal that is transmitted to a focusing motor for driving the focusing mechanism of the lens for focusing the lens at the distance determined by the signal. One alternate embodiment includes multiple reactive signal generators having distinctive signal responsive controls and portable remote transmitters for selectively switching to the selected ones of said reactive generators.

Abstract: An autofocusing motion picture camera having an adjustable focus zoom lens and having means for periodically determining the distance to subjects within the focusing range of said lens is provided with an object presence sensing transducer having an acceptance angle that encompasses the optical field of view angle of said lens whenever the telephoto lens position is selected.

Abstract: Projection TV systems comprise plactic lens and CRT assemblies arranged to project an image onto a screen for viewing. The focus of the lens varies with ambient temperature around the lens as the temperature increases from turn-on of the projection TV system to a warmed-up condition of the system. There is disclosed a temperature compensating mechanism for the lens. The mechanism may be incorporated into the lens to cause direct axial movement of a lens element or it may be attached to an external focussing adjustment of the lens. Several embodiments of the mechanism are disclosed employing either a bimetal or a piston slidable in a cylinder with the cylinder being filled with a material that expands with temperature. The piston and cylinder assembly is used in the preferred embodiment with the cylinder housing attached to the lens housing and the piston directly connected to the external focussing adjustment of the lens.

Abstract: An automatic focus detecting device comprising an image sensor for electrically converting distributions of two images of an object which are formed by two restricted light beams passed through different areas in a zooming lens system into time sequence video signals which in turn are extracted at predetermined extraction intervals and directed to a correlator for deciding the degree of agreement between the two images. The video signal extraction is effected in two operation modes; one is for a high accuracy focus detection and the other for a rough accuracy focus detection. In the former operation mode, a time sequence video signal of a narrow image is extracted at short intervals and on the other hand, in the latter operation mode, a time sequence video signal of a wide image is extracted at long intervals.

Abstract: The invention describes a taking lens driving system using permanent magnets provided inside of the lens barrel. A plurality of movable coils surrond the circumference of the taking lens and are arranged so as to transverse the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets.At least one of the movable coil members drives the taking lens unit, while the other coils are used to the range of movement of the movable coil member.

Abstract: A focus detection device is disclosed which has a light path splitting apparatus provided just in front of a diaphragm in the optical path of an image forming optical system and a different optical system from the aforesaid image forming optical system in the direction in which the split-off part of the light bundle by the aforesaid splitting apparatus goes. On an optical axis of the focus detecting optical system, the conjugate positions to a prescribed focal plane of the image forming optical system and at least two positions on its optical axis are occupied by respective photo-sensitive elements using their outputs for in-focus detection.

Abstract: There are video and sound recording devices such as movie cameras or video cameras with an automatic focusing system of the type for setting a photographic lens to a position at which an object can be sharply focused in response to the signal which is representative of a distance from the camera to the object and obtained by measuring the time interval from the time when the ultrasonic waves are transmitted at a predetermined repetition frequency to the object to the time when the echo from the object is received. Such devices have a common defect that a microphone picks up impulse-like noise generated from an ultrasonic transducer especially at the start point of ultrasonic waves. To overcome this problem, the present invention provides an audible noise elimination or suppression means or a control circuit which operates in synchronism with the ultrasonic wave transmission so that an audio signal processing system attenuates the audio output signal.

Abstract: A compact control circuit for a zoom lens assembly including a microcomputer and external devices including a pulse motor driver section, a detection section, and an operation section coupled through an interface circuit to the microcomputer. The external devices supply a start signal, a magnification specifying signal, an origin position signal and a clock signal to the microcomputer. In response to the signals from the external devices, the microcomputer advances through predetermined programming steps to apply an acceleration/deceleration signal, a forward/reverse rotation signal and a gating signal to the external devices to cause a pulse motor therein to move the zoom lens assembly to a selected magnification position.

Abstract: A spring clutch which has two wrapped springs wound in different directions from each other and which is arranged to transmit the rotation of a drive source to two members to be driven by effecting change-over from one member to another. The transmission of the rotation is arranged to be immediately cut off at any desired point by operating a change-over member.

Abstract: A focusing control device for a cine camera operates to displace the lens so that the lens is automatically and continuously focused on an object. The focusing control device is provided with circuitry to prevent displacement of the lens caused by the detection of an infinite focus condition unless the lens is out of the focusing tolerance range and the lens is in a front focusing condition.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device in which the intensity distributions of the images of an object which are formed by light beams passing through different portions of an optical system in a photographing device are detected as video signals. A correlation output is obtained from the video signals so that the focusing condition is detected from the peak position of the correlation output. When the peak position is not one for focalization, a drive direction signal is delivered to drive the optical system towards the focusing position. A low contrast detecting circuit is provided in which is counted how many times the correlation output becomes higher than a predetermined level in one focusing condition detecting operation, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the drive direction signal is made ineffected, so as to prevent the occurrence of a hunting phenomenon with the optical system.

Abstract: In an automatic focus controlling device, a bilinear type CCD is driven in synchronization with pixell clock pulses having a predetermined frequency to generate time series electric signals corresponding to brightness of an image formed thereon. The time series electric signals are caused to pass through a low-pass filter and a band-stop filter. The low-pass filter cuts off signal components having a frequency higher than the predetermined frequency of the pixell clock pulses, and the band-stop filter cuts off components of the signals having a frequency near the half of the frequency of the pixell clock pulses. Contrast signals free from noises are obtained by differentiating the signals having passed through the filters, and focus is controlled based on the contrast signals.

Abstract: In a pupil divisional type focusing position detection apparatus of the type capable of detecting the infocus state of a taking lens based on a phase difference of output signals produced from at least one photosensor array for receiving rays of image formation light from the exit pupil of the taking lens, the focusing position detection accuracy can be changed as desired or in accordance with F-number of the taking lens.

Abstract: This specification discloses a moving picture camera provided with a cam cylinder for transferring movable lens groups, a motor for rotating the cam cylinder, a rotary type resistor having its adjusting shaft coupled to a cam ring through a gear train and to which a constant voltage is applied, a differentiation circuit for differentiating the output voltage of the resistor to detect any variation in rotational speed of the cam cylinder, and an electric circuit for inputting the output signal of the differention circuit to the motor with a zooming speed indication signal, thereby eliminating any speed fluctuation during zooming.

Abstract: This application discloses a motion picture camera having an automatic focus (auto-focus) adjusting device for automatically focusing a shooting lens on an object.

Abstract: In a television camera, a connection shaft for connecting a zoom operation flexible shaft and a focusing flexible shaft is rotatably attached to a lens holding member and is downwardly projected therefrom, with an engagement mechanism being provided in the lens holding member so as to prevent the zoom and focus movements of the lens when the connection shaft is stored in the lens holding member. A joint mechanism eliminates the necessity for the flexible shaft to extend perpendicularly from the camera during operation.

Abstract: A motion picture camera provided with an automatic focusing device is arranged to have an image of light emitted from an infrared ray emitting diode projected toward an object to be photographed, and to detect an in-focus state by detecting a peak value of output voltage from a light sensitive element as the direction of the emitted light is varied by a rotatable distance measuring cam. The automatic focusing device is adapted for a zoom lens assembly and is arranged to drive an imaging lens, supported by a shaft which is guided by plate shaped masks at both ends of the lens assembly, in the direction of the lens optical axis. The force for driving the imaging lens is kept low, so that the imaging lens can be accurately adjusted by a rotatable focusing cam during a focusing operation. The rotational position of the distance measuring cam, and that of the focusing cam, are provided in the form of resistance values which vary according to the cam lifts, or in the form of digital codes.

Abstract: A unidirectional focus control system for a variable focus lens moves said lens outside of its normal focusing range in order to establish a reliable reference point to which or from which said lens is moved for variable focus lens focusing. In addition, lens movement outside of its normal focusing range provides the means for actuating switch means whose actuation initiates or inhibits the initiation of an event or a series of events.

Abstract: A surveillance camera which automatically and continually varies both the lens angle and the aperture is provided. In an area under surveillance where conditions dictating a need for varying the exposure and the field of a surveillance camera, a continually reciprocating lens angle and a continually varying lens aperture, obtains a variety of camera settings which results in at least some satisfactory exposures of the area.

Abstract: An automatic adjustment system for a camera which time division multiplexes inputs from a scanning system, and an automatic exposure control or a film feeding motor speed control into an evaluation circuit. The same electronic circuitry is thereby used for evaluating the input from any of the mentioned adjusting systems to minimize the complexity and bulk of the camera circuitry necessary for processing. Each aforementioned automatic feature compares a respective pair of signals to determine the respective adjustment. A pair of signals is brought to a common condition indicative of proper adjustment by use of feedback from the actual state of the automatic system for the particular feature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focus detecting system in which first and second signals corresponding to image forming states at first and second positions each almost at the same distance before and behind a predetermined focal plane of an image forming optical system are obtained. A third signal corresponding to an image forming state at a third position different from the first and the second positions is also obtained. The in-focus state of the image formed by the image forming optical system is detected on the basis of a first comparison signal obtained by comparing the first and the second signals with each other, a second comparison signal obtained by comparing the first and the third signals with each other and a third comparison signal obtained by comparing the second and the third signals with each other.

Abstract: An electric motor which can drive the objective of a slide projector or which can adjust the blade or blades of a diaphragm receives signals from the output of an operational amplifier which receives first and second signals from a photosensitive transducer and a differentiating capacitor. The (second) signals from the capacitor are modified (first) signals from the transducer, and the combined intensity of first and second signals is such that the signals at the output of the amplifier reach a value which they would normally reach only when the component has already assumed a predetermined position before the motor can complete the movement of the component to such position.

Abstract: A still camera or motion picture camera wherein the means for monitoring the brightness of a portion of or entire scene transmits signals to an automatic focusing mechanism as well as to the exposure controls. The connection between the output or outputs of the monitoring means and the exposure controls includes elements which can transmit signals denoting the peak value, the integral value or the average value of signals denoting the scene brightness.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera and interchangeable lens in which the camera body is provided with an automatic focusing control circuit, and an electric motor, also provided in the camera body and which operates in response to the output of the circuit, produces rotary motion which is transmitted to a lens through a mounting device for driving the lens to a point of correct focalization. For the smallest of three types of interchangeable lenses, the motor in the camera body is used directly to drive the lens. For a second larger type of interchangeable lens, a separate electric motor is provided with the lens itself. The separate motor is provided with control signals through contacts provided on the camera body and lens mount which are coupled to the control circuit in the camera body. In a third type of lens, the second electric motor and its battery are provided in an separate casing which is detachably mounted to the casing of the lens.

Abstract: A position compensation mechanism for maintaining a movie camera in focus upon displacement. An inner housing supporting a film gate is resiliently mounted at a predetermined orientation within an outer housing which supports the photographic optics of the movie camera. A position compensator is coupled intermediate the inner and outer housing for maintaining the inner housing at its predetermined orientation with respect to the outer housing when the outer housing is displaced.

Abstract: This invention provides a movie camera or a television camera provided with an automatic focusing device, featured by an arrangement in which the automatic focusing device is positioned above the taking lens in the front face of the camera and a digital switch for generating the distance adjust signal for the focusing lens is positioned on the lateral face of the camera.

Abstract: A photographic camera having an adjustable focus lens is provided with an automatic focus control system to focus said lens at one focusing rate if the lens focusing movement necessary to focus said lens to the proper subject-in-focus position is greater than a predetermined magnitude, and at another focusing rate if said necessary lens focusing movement is equal to or less than said predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: An improved automatic focusing system for an optical instrument includes a scanner driven oscillatably across an angle to detect a subject positioned between infinity and the minimum focus condition of the objective lens of the optical instrument. The scanner is adjusted in response to the focus condition of the lens to align the bisector of the angle scanned with the subject when the lens is in perfect focus by electronic and mechanical interconnecting feedback means between the objective lens focusing ring and the scanning system.

Abstract: At the start of each focussing operation, the camera objective is at a first extreme subject-distance setting and is moved in a first direction therefrom towards the second extreme subject-distance setting. A focus-evaluating circuit comprises first and second photodetectors located to receive light from the subject and a comparing circuit which compares the light incident on the photodetectors and in dependence upon the present subject-distance setting generates first and second signals respectively indicating that the subject-distance setting should be changed in the first direction or in the opposite second direction, such circuit having bidirectional character and furthermore establishing a tolerance range of acceptable distance-setting error within which both the first and second signals are generated. During the unidirectional change of subject-distance setting, the appearance of the first signal leads to generation of a stop signal commanding that the progressive change of distance setting be stopped.

Abstract: An auto-focus camera comprising a rangefinder system, an automatic focus adjusting system, a manipulatable zone selector mechanism and a selector switch for electrically connecting the automatic focus adjusting system selectively to the rangefinder system and to the manipulatable zone selector mechanism depending upon the position of the selector switch. In one operative mode, an automatic focus control signal indicative of the zonal distance of the target object to be photographed to the camera and generated from the rangefinder system is applied to the automatic focus adjusting system to bring an objective lens assembly to one of focal positions determined by the automatic focus control signal. In another operative mode, a manual focus control signal indicative of a desired one of the focal positions of the objective lens assembly is applied to the automatic focus adjusting system to bring an objective lens assembly to the desired focal position.

Abstract: An automatic focusing unit of the invention is detachably mounted on a camera having a focusing tube which is adjustable to focus photographic lens on an object to be photographed. The automatic focusing unit includes a lens position detector which is urged to project outwardly from the housing of the unit and come into contact with the focusing tube to detect the position of the lens when the unit is mounted on the camera. The lens position detector is withdrawn into the housing of the unit against a biasing force when an external force is exerted thereon and successfully protected from any damage occurring from erroneous mounting of the unit on the camera.

Abstract: The distance or range setting of a camera lens is most accurate if the focal length and thus the image scale are as large as possible. It is therefore most favorable, if it is desired to effect an accurate distance setting, first of all by a mechanism to move the objective lens to the longest focal length, then to effect the distance setting and only then to move to the desired focal length. A storage or memory device stores the original focal length.

Abstract: The lens mount of a movie camera is automatically positioned to maintain an image of a subject in focus on a focal plane of a recording station by generating periodic range pulses having a characteristic directly related to subject range, and converting each pulse to a number which represents the focus position of the lens mount. Such number is stored in a first register whose contents vary in response to changes in subject distance at a rate dependent on the pulse repetition rate of the range pulses. The actual position of the lens mount is determined in the form of a second number which is stored in a second register whose contents vary in response to changes in the position of the lens mount at a rate determined by the rate of change of position. Rotation of a reversible motor is initiated when the contents of the registers are unequal, rotation being terminated when the contents are equal. The direction of rotation is in accordance with which of the two registers has the larger contents.

Abstract: This invention utilizes a series of two-dimensional photographs of successive cross-sections of an object. The photographs are arranged on a film strip in the order in which the successive sections appear in the object. The film strip is transparent and is intermittently illuminated as the successive frames of the film strip move across an optical path. A projection screen in the optical path is moved with respect to the optical path so that as each successive photograph is illuminated, that photograph is projected onto the screen at a successive position and so that each photograph as projected on the screen appears more remote from an observer than the preceding one. Thus there is formed on the screen a series of images which appear to an observer having persistence of vision to be a composite three-dimensional imgage. The illuminating means may omit the illumination of certain photographs of the series, so that only selected photographs are reproduced on the screen.

Abstract: An autofocus camera includes an electronic flash and a piezoelectric focus motor that are both powered by a moderately high voltage power supply. The camera includes an automatic focus detector that senses a scene and produces a focus signal representing the required focus adjustment for the scene. A focus motor drive circuit responsive to the focus signal supplies a controlled amount of power from the power supply to the piezoelectric focus motor to drive a movable lens element to effect the required focus adjustment.

Abstract: A photographic or cinematographic camera, in particular with a pancratic (zoom) objective lens and a comparator for comparison of the desired setting e.g. of the near point (punctum proximum) and of the far point (punctum remotum) of a camera space and of the actual setting e.g. of the depth of focus, the desired setting being adjusted by means of presetters, the actual setting resulting from the actual setpoints of the objective lens, such as range, diaphragm and under circumstances focal length, the comparator being formed preferably by an electrical linkage device, whereby upon differences between the desired setting and the actual setting, a signal can be released, which signal can be fed to an indicator device, and respectively, or to a control device. A memory device is provided in which all setpoints (which are necessary for a plurality of settings) and/or limit values of objective lens settings are stored in several memory sections which are associated with different desired value ranges.

Abstract: A camera with a focusable objective including an axially shiftable lens member has two ancillary projection systems continuously or intermittently intercepting incident light rays downstream of that lens member and deflecting them onto respective inputs of a photoelectric comparator which emits a coincidence signal whenever these light rays project substantially identical images of an object to be photographed or filmed. One of the projection systems may include a periodically movable element which varies the relative orientation of the two beams constituted by the deflected light rays so that different angles of incidence give rise to a coincidence signal in different parts of a sweep cycle; in one position of this element, in which the incident rays will have a predetermined orientation (e.g. parallel to the objective axis) with proper focusing, a position sensor generates a correlation signal.

Abstract: A modular camera system includes a basic camera having an image forming optical system, image focal plane arrangement, and predetermined imaging and camera functions. The modular camera system further includes modules that are selectively attachable and connectable to the basic camera for providing additional camera and imaging functions and controls. The module includes appropriate module control circuitry for controlling the operation of the basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when the module is attached to the basic camera to form the modular camera system.

Abstract: A focusing mechanism for a camera includes a drive arrangement for displacing the camera lens in accordance with the contents of a counter into which the output of a pulse generator is gated during a range pulse whose duration is directly related to the distance of a subject from the camera. The pulse generator is programmed so that its pulse repetition rate matches the time-derivative of the function relating the subject distance to the lens position at which a subject is in focus. Integration of the generator output is carried out by gating the generator pulses into a counter during the range pulse such that at the trailing edge of the range pulse, the contents of the counter will be the integral of the time-derivative evaluated between the limits of the range pulse, i.e., a definite integral representative of the lens position at which a subject will be in focus when located at a distance defined by the duration of the range pulse.

Abstract: The operational range of an adjustable focus lens is subdivided into a plurality of focus zones, of finite size, by a lens control system that produces a plurality of discrete signals representative of said focus zones, said control system utilizing bidirectional drive means to position the movable element of said lens to one of said focus zones from any position within said operational range in order to focus an image of a remote object at an image plane.