Abstract: An apparatus having a line of sight detection device, comprises a viewfinder for observing a target object, a line of sight detection means for detecting a position of line of sight in the viewfinder of a user, focus detection means being possible to select a first operation mode for performing a first focus detecting operation or a second operation mode for performing a second focus detecting operation, and being possible to perform a focus detection to each of a plurality of focus detecting areas arranged in the viewfinder, range setting means for setting a plurality of determination range including the focus detecting areas, and for changing a size of the determination range to be set in accordance with the selection of the operation mode of the focus detecting means, selecting means for determining which determination range includes the position of line of sight detected by the line of sight detecting means, and for selecting at least one focus detecting area among the plurality of focus detecting areas,

Abstract: A line of sight detection device for detecting a line of sight of a user by using personal data of the user includes a personal data obtaining device for obtaining personal data related to the line of sight of the user, an attitude detection device for detecting an attitude of the device, a memory for storing the attitude of the device detected by the attitude detection device, the memory storing the attitude of the line of sight detection device at a time when the personal data obtaining device starts an obtaining operation of the personal data, and a determination device for comparing the attitude of the line of sight detection device stored in the memory with the attitude of the device during the obtaining operation for the personal data by the personal data obtaining device, and for outputting information indicative of a failure of the obtaining operation of the personal data when the compared attitudes of the device are different from each other.

Abstract: A camera for detecting the line-of-sight of a user includes a photographing controller for performing a continuous shot operation in which a photographing operation is repeated continuously while a release button is pressed, a line-of-sight detector for detecting the position of the user's line-of-sight, a line-of-sight detection controller for operating the line-of-sight detector for every photographing operation, a focus detector for performing a focus detecting operation based on the position of the line-of-sight detected by the line-of-sight detector, a determinator for determining whether the result of focus detection by the focus detector is appropriate, and a focus detection controller for operating the focus detector without operating the line-of-sight detector if the determinator determines that the result of focus detection is inappropriate.

Abstract: A camera incorporating an auto-zoom function and a multi-focus detecting device. In this camera, the auto-zoom function is inhibited when a focus detection area selected is an area other than a central area, thereby performing a proper focus detection.

Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus detecting focus to a plurality of areas receives outputs from a plurality of sensors. A processing circuit evaluates the plurality of output signals from the respective plurality of sensors, and independently evaluates whether or not each of the output signals fulfills each of a plurality of predetermined judgement conditions. A selection circuit (i) determines the total number of judgement conditions fullfilled by each of the output signals, (ii) selects the output from one of the plurality of sensors on the basis of the determination.

Abstract: This invention relates to a camera having a focus detecting device for independently detecting the focus states at a plurality of different distance measurement points. This invention provides in such camera a selection circuit for selecting the distance measurement points, and an indicating circuit for indicating the distance measurement points selected by the selection circuit, and provides an indicating device for preindicating a distance measurement point selected before the focus detecting operation and indicating the selected distance measurement point again when the selected distance measurement point is judged to be in focus by the focus detecting operation.

Abstract: A focus adjustment device arranged to measure distances at a plurality of points on a picture plane specified by an optical means to be focus-adjusted and to adjust focus of the optical means on the basis of the results of distance measurement includes: selecting circuitry for selecting information on the nearest of measured distances obtained at the plurality of points, and restricting circuitry for restricting a selecting action of the selecting circuitry according to the nearness degree of the nearest distance in relation to the focal length of the optical means, the position of the distance measuring point on the picture plane, etc.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus for use with a light projection device which projects light to an object, and a storage sensor which alternately receives light reflected from the object when the light is projected onto the object and when the light is not projected onto the object includes an extraction circuit for extracting from the storage sensor (1) a first sensor output corresponding to when the light is projected onto the object, and (2) a second sensor output corresponding to when the light is not projected onto the object. A setting circuit is provided for setting the sensor in an initial state every time the extraction circuit extracts an output signal from the storage sensor. A control circuit is provided for calculating a difference between the first and second sensor signals and providing an output signal corresponding to the difference.

Abstract: An auto focusing device or a camera including such a device has a focus detecting circuit for detecting the defocus states of a plurality of objects. A calculation circuit calculates a lens position and an aperture value which are capable of placing at least two of the plurality of objects in focus on the basis of the detected defocus states. When a defocus amount difference between the two objects is outside of a predetermined range, the calculation circuit calculates a lens position capable of placing two other objects, the defocused amount difference between which is within the predetermined range, in focus.

Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus is provided with an optical assembly having a plurality of components disposed near the predetermined imaging plane of an objective lens and performing the actions of different field lenses, a re-imaging lens unit for receiving a light beam from the optical assembly and forming light distributions whose relative position changes in conformity with the focus adjusted state of the objective lens, and a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of sensor arrangements for receiving the light distributions and converting the light distributions into electrical signals. Predetermined one of the sensor arrangements are adapted to receive the light beam from predetermined ones of the portions of the optical assembly.

Abstract: A focus detecting device switchable between an active and a passive mode has a passive mode in which light from an object is accumulated in a light accumulation type receiving portion without light from a light source being projected onto the object, and an active mode in which light from a light source is projected onto the object. The light accumulated in the accumulation type receiving portion is used to effect focus detection. An accumulating control circuit is provided for controlling the accumulation operation performed by the light receiving portion. A processing circuit is provided for performing the focus detection calculations on the basis of the accumulated output of the light receiving portion as controlled by the control circuit. A change-over circuit is provided for automatically changing between the passive and active modes on the basis of the accumulation state during the accumulating operation before the control of the accumulation operation by the control circuit is terminated.

Abstract: A focus detecting device of the type in which the amount of focus adjustment is found from the amount of image deviation between object images formed on first and second sensor arrays. The magnitude of the regularity of the image pattern or the magnitude of the brightness/darkness deviation rate or the shape similarity is discriminated and light projection means is operated when the regularity is great or when the brightness/darkness deviation rate or the shape similarity is small.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus for a camera in which correction data for shading correction or the like is stored in a memory and an output formed by a photo-taking information forming circuit such as a sensor and the correction data are operated to thereby accomplish the photo-taking processing on the basis of the operational output. When the data stored in the memory is read out and the operation processing is effected, if an error is contained in the read-out data, the data is subjected to revision processing to thereby correct the error, and then the operation processing is accomplished.