Abstract: This invention presents a range finding device when 1st and 2nd detection images of an object are scanned by signal storing type image sensing means to obtain image scan signals, which are quantized by quantization means to produce quantized image data for said 1st and 2nd detection images. On the basis of the thus obtained quantized image data, the location within the 2nd detection images of one set of M successive elements of the 2nd detection image which is most similar to M successive elements of the 1st detection image is detected, and with the aid of the data of this location, the distance between the device and the object is determined. According to this improved device, sequence control means, which controls a series of operations for range finding, will firstly cancel the signals stored in said image sensing means as unnecessary signals, when said series of operations is initiated, and then enables proper storing of image signals in the image sensing means so as to properly control the device.

Abstract: A device using signal integration and storing type image sensing means having the functions of generating an electrical signal corresponding to the integrated amount of incident light, storing it, and putting out said stored signal in time-sequential or -seriated manner. This device is provided with control means for controlling the signal integrating and storing operation of said image sensing means. The control means is arranged to control the signal integration and storing operation of the sensing means so that the signal integrating and storing cycle of the image sensing means is made equal to an integer multiple of about 50 mm sec.

Abstract: A focus detecting system of the invention has a signal processing circuit for processing output signals from photoelectric transducer elements. The signal processing circuit has a circuit for obtaining an absolute value of the output signal and for producing power thereof. This circuit is constructed to operate in a current mode.

Abstract: In the disclosed focus adjusting device, at least part of an image forming optical system and a focus adjusting mechanism is arranged within a housing attachable to and detachable from a camera body. A focus condition detector includes a photo-sensor disposed on a plane corresponding to the camera image plane, an electrical detection circuit connected to the photo-sensor, and a detecting optical system for forming an image of at least a part of the object on the surface of the photo-sensor. An aural indicator emits a sound to inform a photographer of the condition of the image formed on the surface of the predetermined focal plane as determined by the focusing condition detector.

Abstract: A signal processing system for processing output signals from an accumulating-type photoelectric transducer element is disclosed which has a squaring circuit and a threshold level control circuit which vary the threshold level of the output signals from the photoelectric transducer element at least at a part of a processing circuit, depending upon the ambient temperature and/or the intensity of light incident on the photoelectric transducer element, so that noise components included in the output signals from the photoelectric transducer element can be suppressed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single reflex camera with a photoelectric focus detecting device or a photoelectric converting element for receiving light from an object through a picture-taking lens. Light reflected by a photosensitive member or film during exposure thereof is directed to the photoelectric converting element. The picture-taking operation is detected or controlled in accordance with the output from the photoelectric converting element with respect to the light reflected from the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A focus detecting system detects an image formation state of an image of an object by processing a time-serial output from a photoelectric transducer element through a high-pass filter. In order to suppress the outputs from the high-pass filter corresponding to the time-serial signal at the initial moment of light reception by the photoelectric transducer element or immediately thereafter, an amplifier is provided which performs the initial setting of the high-pass filter. The input and output ends of the amplifier are connected to parts of the high-pass filter, and the output impedance of the amplifier may be changed in response to a signal from an external source.

Abstract: A distance detecting device in which, with respect to an object whose distance is to be detected, the images of a first and a second field following different lines of sight and containing the object and different in range are scanned while, at the same time, continuous M quantized image element data regarding the first field image and continuous N (N>M) quantized image element data regarding the second field image are obtained and the M image element data regarding the first field image are stored in a first circulation type shift register while the first M image element data of the N image element data regarding the second field image are stored in a second circulation type shift register and the remaining N-M image element data are stored in a third shift register, and the comparison between the stored data of the first and second shift registers during one circulation of said stored data and the relative shift of n bits each of the stored data of the second and third shift registers with respect to the

Abstract: In a photoelectric transducer device such as a solid state image pick-up device or sensor having a great number of minute photoelectric transducer elements with their image-receiving surfaces of certain shape arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional manner so that brightness informations of the various individual sections of the object image are sensed by the respective photoelectric transducer elements which then produce outputs in the form of time-sequential signals, the above-described shape of the image-receiving surface area of each of the minute photoelectric transducer elements is made to be such that, as the distance from the center of the image receiving area toward the margin increases, the proportion of the area of a progressively farther concentric zone of the same width is decreased. The shape takes such a form or such characteristics as to be represented by a sampling function or other analogous functions with respect to the scanning direction of the image pick-up device.

Abstract: The invention provides a camera which uses a signal integrating and accumulating type image sensor for receiving light from a photographing optical system prior to the photographing operation and for producing an output which can be utilized for a predetermined purpose, with the integrating time of the image sensor being controlled in accordance with the output from the image sensor. According to the improvements of the present invention, the signal integrating time of the image sensor is fixed, in association with the photographing operation, at the value of that of the integrating operation just before the photographing operation.

Abstract: A focus detecting system is disclosed which detects a focusing state of an imaging optical system with respect to an object on the basis of signals, of the image formed by the optical system, generated from three light-receiving sections which are disposed at positions substantially corresponding to points in front of, on and behind a predetermined focal plane of the optical system. A substantial range of detection of the light-receiving section among the three light-receiving sections which is disposed at a point substantially corresponding to the predetermined focal plane is limited to be narrower than those of the remaining two light-receiving sections.

Abstract: This invention presents a range finding device when 1st and 2nd detection images of an object are scanned by signal storing type image sensing means to obtain image scan signals, which are quantized by quantization means to produce quantized image data for said 1st and 2nd detection images. On the basis of the thus obtained quantized image data, the location within the 2nd detection images of one set of M successive elements of the 2nd detection image which is most similar to M successive elements of the 1st detection image is detected, and with the aid of the data of this location, the distance between the device and the object is determined. According to this improved device, sequence control means, which controls a series of operations for range finding, will firstly cancel the signals stored in said image sensing means as unnecessary signals, when said series of operations is initiated, and then enables proper storing of image signals in the image sensing means so as to properly control the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sharpness detecting system in which an image formed by an image forming optical system is received by an array of a plurality of optical-electronic transducer elements, and an illumination difference in each individual minute compartment of the above-described image is detected on the basis of the concurrently obtained output signal from a corresponding one of the optical-electronic transducer elements, while all the illumination differences are summed up over the entire area of a sensing region of the above-described image, whereby is obtained a signal representing the degree of sharpness of the image on the above-described array of optical-electronic transducer elements.

Abstract: In the disclosed optical distance measuring system, a pair of mirrors spaced from each other along a base line direct light coming from a scene along two optical paths onto reflecting surfaces of a prism positioned between them and through a pair of image forming lenses positioned between the prism and the mirrors so that the prism forms images of the scene on respective photoelectric element arrays. A light baffle in front of the photoelectric element arrays forms an aperture for limiting a desired field of view and includes a light shading projection at the edge of the aperture for preventing light rays from the lenses and outside the desired field of view from impinging upon the arrays.

Abstract: This specification discloses an image scanning system in which an object image formed by an optical system is electrically scanned by utilization of a photosensor array device and the image scanning output then obtained is quantized to thereby provide quantized image data. According to the improvement of the present invention, there are obtained two different quantized image data, namely, first quatized image data quantized by a voltage level determined on the basis of the image scanning output from the sensor device and second quantized image data quantized by a predetermined fixed voltage level.

Abstract: An image recording system in which an object image is caused to be formed on a solid state image transducer such as CCD each time a release is actuated, and the image signal stored on said image transducer is recorded as a video signal, thus a single frame image is recorded for each release. By controlling the storing operation of the image signal and the like, the exposure level for the image signal is adjusted to make it possible always to record and reproduce the image with regard to an optimum exposure state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a TTL (Through-The-Lens) type focus detecting device for use in an interchangeable lens-equipped camera, in which a plurality of lenslets are positioned at or near the prescribed focal plane of the objective lens, each of the lenslets is associated with two or more pairs of photosensitive elements. Upon attachment of an objective lens to the camera body, one of the pairs of photosensitive elements for each lenslet is automatically selected to operate on the basis of the dimensions of the used objective lens. The outputs of the selected pairs of photosensitive elements for all the lenslets are processed to detect whether or not a positional difference between two images of an object formed with light beams from the objective lens at respective virtual exit pupils lying in almost symmetry with respect to the optical axis thereof is present, whereby the detection of whether or not the objective lens is in-focus is indicated.

Abstract: A focus detecting system for detecting focusing condition of an image forming optical system to an object. In this system there are produced first and second signals corresponding to imaging conditions of object images at first and second positions on front and rear sides of and at substantially equal distances from a predetermined focal plane of said optical system, respectively, and another signal corresponding to imaging condition of an object image at third position substantially coincident with said predetermined focal plane. In accordance with these first, second and third signals, a decision is given as to the focusing condition, namely, in-focus, near-focus or far-focus condition, as well as, the distinction between correctly focused condition and considerably defocused condition.

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: A display device comprising a first semiconductor stripe and a second stripe of composite structure in which a great number of successive areas alternate between a semiconductor material having different type with respect to that of the first stripe and an insulating material or materials and which is positioned in side-by-side contact relation to the first stripe to establish P-N junctions. A resistor stripe connected lengthwise to the second stripe so that a voltage proportional to a value of information which is desired to be displayed is applied across a third stripe when first stripe is negatively biased, a corresponding number of successive semiconductor areas in the second stripe are caused to emit visible light, giving a viewer the impression of a continuous luminous stripe having a length representative of the information value.