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 for a camera is disclosed which employs a CCD for producing an image signal carrying focus information. A monitoring circuit has a charge storing circuit for storing the charge generated from a light receiving element, so that the monitoring circuit monitors the amount of light received from the target object to be photographed and produces a charge signal representing the monitored amount. A reference signal generator is provided for producing a reference signal. Since the reference signal generator is defined by the same circuitry as the charge storing circuit, undesirable fluctuation in the charge signal will also be seen in the reference signal. Since undesirable fluctuation in both signals can be counterbalanced with each other, the comparison between the charge signal and the reference signal can be done with high accuracy.

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: There is disclosed a focus condition detecting device for a camera.The focus condition detecting device has a preliminary correlation calculation means for calculating correlations between first and second image signals with a relatively low accuracy and a principal correlation calculation means for calculating correlations between first and second image signals with a relatively high accuracy on the basis of data obtained in the preliminary correlation calculation.

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 device for a camera is disclosed which employs a CCD for producing an image signal carrying focus information. A monitoring circuit has a charge storing circuit for storing the charge generated from a light receiving element, so that the monitoring circuit monitors the amount of light received from the target object to be photographed and produces a charge signal representing the monitored amount. A reference signal generator is provided for producing a reference signal. Since the reference signal generator is defined by the same circuitry as the charge storing circuit, undesirable fluctuation in the charge signal will also be seen in the reference signal. Since undesirable fluctuation in both signals can be counterbalanced with each other, the comparison between the charge signal and the reference signal can be done with high accuracy.