Abstract: A distance measuring equipment wherein two images of an object are received on photosensor arrays each, two image data rows indicating a luminous intensity distribution in the object are compared with each other, and a distance to the object is measured from a mutual shift rate of both the signal rows which is required for bringing both the signal rows into coincidence at high correlation. A presence of the shift rate whereat the both image data rows indicate a high correlation is detected when it is present plurally, a part of the plural shift rate including a shift rate corresponding to the highest correlation is stored and taken.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic focusing system for optical imaging equipment, such as a camera, which includes a relative image displacement detection system providing first and second digital quantities indicative of the direction in which the focus of the imaging system is to be altered to achieve focus and the magnitude of such alterations, respectively, and an image contrast detection system providing a third digital quantity indicative of the change in the contrast of an image formed by the imaging system as the focus thereof is altered. In addition, the apparatus includes a servomotor for altering the focus of the imaging system and a motor control circuit which receives the first, second and third digital quantities and provides motor control signals to the servomotor.

Abstract: A range finder wherein the quantization of analog outputs from light receptor elements for converting an optical image into an electrical signal is accomplished by comparing the outputs from at least two of the light receptor elements in each group, by dividing the outputs into the following three cases: one output is greater than the other; both are equal; and one is smaller than the other.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, an image data comparison circuit receives digital image signal trains from two light sensor arrays of a rangefinder and compares the signals in the signal trains while they are being shifted with respect to each other. In one embodiment a set of coincidence detectors compares each signal in one signal train with all of the signals in one segment of the other image train and the number of coincidence detections by each detector is accumulated as the signal trains are cycled through corresponding shift registers. Another embodiment includes coincidence detectors for comparing all of the signals in corresponding segments of the two signal trains simultaneously.

Abstract: A range finder wherein a photocurrent in a predetermined number of light receiving elements corresponding to images formed by a first and a second optical devices for receiving light reflected by an object through different light paths on a focal plane, arranged in first and second light receiving element trains is quantized with reference to the maximum photocurrent in the light receiving elements by a first and a second quantizing devices, and wherein the corelation between the first and second quantizing devices are used for determining the distance to be measured.

Abstract: In the embodiment disclosed in the specification, a rangefinder comprises left and right sensor arrays for receiving the light of an image of an object, evaluative signal generating circuits for defining the interrelation between left and right image data trains representing the distribution of light intensity within the object, an optimum shift value decision circuit for determining the shift number in the image data train corresponding to the highest correlation between both the image data trains, a range signal computing circuit for computing a range signal representing the distance up to the object from the optimum shifted number, and a control circuit for controlling and regulating a predetermined portion in equipment utilizing the range signal. The evaluative signal generating circuits are arranged to generate the evaluative signals simultaneously and transmit them in parallel to the shift value circuit defining the correlation between the left and right image data trains.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic focusing apparatus for an optical imaging system which utilizes a focus detector which monitors the contrast of the image at the focal plane of the imaging system, the image being deemed to be in focus when the contrast of the image is maximized. The focus detector comprise a plurality of detector/converter elements arranged in an array in the focal plane. Each detector/converter senses the light intensity in a respective portion of the image at the focal plane and provides a pulse signal having a pulse-width which is approximately inversely proportional to the sensed light intensity. A detection circuit receives the pulses provided by the detector/converter elements and derives a digital quantity which is related to the difference between the maximum and minimum pulse-widths of the pulses. The digital quantity is received by a digital servosystem which appropriately adjusts the focusing of the imaging system to maximize the digital quantity provided by the detection circuit.

Abstract: An image sensing system comprises an array of photosensors each adapted to sense the light intensity in a respective portion of an image, and circuitry for scanning the photosensor in the array including a plurality of pulse generation circuits corresponding to respective photosensors and each providing a pulse delayed with respect to the beginning of a scanning operation by an interval approximately inversely proportional to the light intensity sensed by its corresponding photosensor. In addition, the system includes a plurality of memory storage locations, each one associated with a respective photosensor and its corresponding pulse generation circuit, and adapted to store a multiple bit code.