Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises two types of distance measuring units, which are a first distance measuring unit of the active method for receiving reflected light of measuring light returning from an object and performing distance measurement based on a focused position thereof, and a second distance measuring unit of the passive method for receiving the natural light reflected by the object through two optical systems and performing the distance measurement based on two optical images thus obtained. The apparatus further has a luminance determining unit for determining a luminance of the external field from a photometry result, and a distance selecting device for selecting and outputting either one of distance measurement results obtained by the first distance measuring unit and second distance measuring unit as a proper distance value, based on the luminance of the external field determined by the luminance determining unit.

Abstract: In a finder lens system having a zooming function, a distance measuring infrared projection system having its own zooming function is disposed such that the beam diameter of the emitted infrared ray becomes smaller in telephotographic mode. Accordingly, a sufficient quantity of light can be provided for measuring the distance and judging the projection area. The fifth lens (L5) constituting the infrared projection system has the first surface (facing the finder optical system) disposed at a position distanced from the third lens (L3) by 12.0 mm by way of a half mirror (M). An LED (1) is disposed at a position distanced from the second surface (facing the LED 1) of the fifth lens (L5) by about 13.8 mm.

Abstract: A device and a method for focus detection that increases the amount of light projected on an object to capture the object without fail. Light rays are projected onto an object by a projection optical system using a projection pattern film that contains transparent and non-transparent parts, or semi-transparent parts with different light transmission rates. A pair of light rays from the object pass through the shooting lens and are guided onto a photo-electric converter by a focus detection optical system to compose a pair of object images. The focus adjustment state of the shooting lens is detected based on the image defocus amount of the pair of the object images.

Abstract: A camera has an electronic flash unit for providing a flash exposure light pulse, and a selection mean device on the camera or on an auxiliary lamp has a selection setting for allowing the auxiliary lamp to provide a subject-conditioning pre-flash light pulse before the electronic flash unit provides the flash exposure light and another setting for allowing the auxiliary lamp to be continuously on to illuminate the subject instead of providing the pre-flash light pulse.

Abstract: In a flash light amount control device capable of operating according to multiple methods, the flash light control method alternates according to the detected AF mode setting, the camera panning status, or the reliability of the detected object distance. For example, if AF lock is on, control is performed by flash light adjustment, but if AF lock is not on, control is performed by flashmatic. If panning is performed after AF lock, the method of control alternates between flash light adjustment and flashmatic in response to the amount of panning movement.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus includes distance measuring units of the active and passive methods, and a distance-value selecting circuit for selecting and outputting one of distance measurement results obtained from these distance measuring units. When a self-timer mode is set, distance measurement of the active method is inhibited, and distance measurement is executed by only the passive method. When the power supply voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage value at which distance measurement can be properly executed by the active method, distance measurement by the active method is inhibited, and distance measurement is executed by only the passive method. Therefore, erroneous distance measurement can be prevented, and distance measurement having high reliability can be performed.

Abstract: In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of a distance measurement device of the light-projecting type, the device is provided with a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage having a level dependent upon whether or not a light is being projected.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus uses both active and passive distance measuring methods. A preferable distance measuring method is selected based upon the luminance of the field and the distance to the object unless a focus lock switch is switched. When the focus lock switch is switched, then a distance measurement using the active distance measuring method is selected.

Abstract: A camera that emits auxiliary light for the reduction of the red-eye phenomenon and auxiliary light for distance measurement when the photo object brightness is low using a single light source, wherein when auxiliary light is emitted for distance measurement immediately before a photo is taken, the emission of auxiliary light for the reduction of the red-eye phenomenon is omitted.

Abstract: A camera has a finder optical system and a range measuring optical system which are provided independent of a photographing optical system. The finder optical system includes an objective system having a positive refracting power, an image inverting optical member having a plurality of reflecting surfaces for erecting an image formed by the objective system, and an eyepiece system having a positive refracting power. At least one of the reflecting surfaces constituting the image inverting optical member is disposed as a path splitting member In the optical path of the objective system so that one of optical paths split by the path splitting member is used for the finder optical system and the other is used for the range measuring optical system. A positive refracting power is provided, as a whole, between the path splitting member and the imaging plane of the objective system, without any refracting power between the path splitting member and a range measuring element.

Abstract: An active type range finder apparatus comprises a light projecting element having a base, a lead frame disposed on the base, at least one light emitting member disposed on the lead frame for emitting light to a subject, and at least one control terminal disposed on the base for controlling the light emitting member. A light receiving element is disposed at a base length from the light projecting element for receiving light reflected by the subject. The lead frame and the control terminal of the light projecting element have end portions arranged outside an extension region of the light emitting member in a direction of the base length. When the light emitting member is illuminated, scattered light is prevented from being projected within the extension region of the light emitting member in the direction of the base length, thereby preventing distance measurement errors.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera has a selective night view mode of photographing a scene where the brightness of a main object is lower than the brightness of a background and the brightness of the whole scene is lower than a specified value, and includes an auxiliary light emitter operable to emit an auxiliary light to the main object for focusing; a first determinator operable to determine whether an auxiliary light is necessary in the night view mode; and a controller in responsive to the first determinator to render the auxiliary light emitter emit an auxiliary light.

Abstract: A light-emitting section projects distance measurement light toward an object to be photographed. A switching section sequentially switches the projection direction of the distance measurement light projected from the light-emitting section. A first light-receiving section is arranged at a position separated from the light-emitting section by a first base length. The first light-receiving section receives a reflected light beam of the distance measurement light from the object and outputs a first signal corresponding to the incident position of the reflected light beam. The second light-receiving section receives a reflected light beam of the distance measurement light from the object and outputs a second signal corresponding to the incident position of the reflected light beam. An object distance calculating section calculates the object distance in accordance with first and second signals corresponding to the incident positions and output from the first and second light-receiving sections.

Abstract: A rangefinding device for use in a camera comprising a projection section for projecting a light beam emitted by a light source through a projection lens to an object, a light pickup section disposed diagonally opposite from the projection section that picks up, on its light pickup element, light reflected off the object, two-dimensionally senses the light, and outputs incident light position information, a CPU for computing the range to the object based on the output of the light pickup section and an attitude sensor section for sensing the orientation or attitude of the camera. In response to the output of the attitude sensor section, the CPU computes the range to the object based on the incident light position information in either the vertical direction or horizontal direction of the photographing frame, output by the light pickup section.

Abstract: There is provided a distance measuring apparatus capable of avoiding a situation in which the distance measurement time is prolonged. This apparatus executes distance measurement of an active method and distance measurement of a passive method. When a determining portion detects that the distance measurement of the passive method using a large number of photodiodes exceeds a predetermined time, a distance-value selecting circuit selects the distance measurement result of the active method as a distance measurement value.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to an object, which comprises an active distance measuring unit, a passive distance measuring unit, a parameter determining unit, a memory and a distance-value selecting circuit. The memory stores a distance measurement value look-up table and a parameter look-up table. The distance-value selecting circuit outputs an active distance measurement value or a passive distance measurement value as a distance to the object on the basis of first type active and passive distance measurement points picked up from the distance measurement value look-up table and second type active and passive distance measurement points picked up from the parameter look-up table.

Abstract: A compact camera apparatus having an improved display device and circuit mounting board layout within the camera body in relationship to other components to achieve a more compact and efficient space camera utilization. In one embodiment of the camera, a display unit is located on the upper surface of the camera body, and has a portion thereof, such as its drive mechanism at least partially positioned in a space formed between a light projection unit and light receiving of the camera's rangefinder device. In another embodiment, the camera has a mounting board of the required size for holding constituent control circuit components of the camera located in the camera body with attention to the location of the board in relationship to the cartridge compartment and other camera components to provide for a more compact design.

Abstract: A method and system for light beam communication between a camera and a computer is provided by adapting an existing light beam auto-focus system of a conventional automated camera, such as a conventional automated film-based camera or a conventional automated electronic camera, and by adapting a conventional computer to provide a light beam communication linkage with the adapted camera. The light beam auto-focus system of such automated cameras is modified to include a mode selector providing a selection of the conventional light beam auto-focus mode and alternatively for selection of a light beam communication mode. The camera has a microprocessor and an erasable electrically programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In the light beam communication mode, a light beam emitter driver circuit and a light beam sensor timing circuit and signal processor are provided.

Abstract: An autofocusing apparatus including a device for irradiating a light ray toward an object; a device for sensing a light beam corresponding to the image of the object and the light ray reflected off of the object; a device for indicating to the user of the apparatus that the light ray has hit the object based on the result of the sensing by the sensing device. In another embodiment, the autofocusing apparatus includes a device for indicating to the user which portion of the object has been hit by the light ray.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus (e.g. camera) includes a laser emitter which emits a beam of laser radiation towards a scene to be recorded. A movement detector detects when the image recording apparatus is being moved at or above a predetermined magnitude such that blurred images may be recorded. A controller controls an output level of laser radiation from the laser emitter. The controller enables the laser emitter to emit laser radiation when the movement detector detects movement of the image recording apparatus at or above the predetermined magnitude and disables the laser emitter from emitting laser radiation when the movement detector detects movement of the image recording apparatus below the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: An active range-finding device includes a light-projecting section for successively projecting range-finding light beams toward an object in a plurality of directions, a plurality of light-receiving sections for receiving light beams reflected from the object, a distance data calculating section for calculating a distance to the object on the basis of a plurality of outputs from the light-receiving sections, and a speed calculating section for calculating the movement speed of the object in two directions perpendicular to each other which include at least the direction of the optical axis of a photographing lens. The position of the photographing lens at the time of film exposure is corrected on the basis of the movement speed of the object output from the calculating section.

Abstract: A distance measuring device for ensuring accuracy of the positional relationship between the optical axis of a light-receiving lens and the optical center of a light-receiving element obtains distance information data by measuring the distance to a target plate which is 1 meter from the distance measuring device. If the distance information is not smaller than 1.625 meter, a switch is connected to one pair of terminals and the difference between reference output data stored in a control circuit and output data of an AF-IC obtained when the distance to the target plate is measured with the switch connected to the pair of terminals is calculated and stored in a memory circuit. When the value of the distance information data is not greater than 0.375 meter, the switch is connected to another pair of terminals, and output deviation data is stored in the memory circuit 11 in the same way. When the value of the distance information value is smaller than 1.625 meter and greater than 0.

Abstract: An active-type automatic focusing apparatus having an arrangement that a light receiving portion is disposed on each side of a light emitting unit to obtain the distance from a subject in accordance with the output from each light receiving portion. An automatic focusing apparatus of the foregoing type is enabled to have a small size by shortening the distance from either of the light receiving portions disposed on the two sides of the light emitting unit to the light emitting unit than the distance from the other light receiving portion.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for a camera comprises a light projecting device for projecting light to an object to be photographed, a light receiving circuit for receiving light projected by the light projecting device and reflected by the object to be photographed and for converting the reflected light into first and second output signals, a first selecting device for selecting the first output signal, and a second selecting device for selecting one of the first and second output signals. A first signal processing circuit is connected to the first selecting device for processing the output signal selected by the first selecting device. A second signal processing circuit is connected to the second selecting device for processing the output signal selected by the second selecting device.

Abstract: A camera comprising a photographic optical system; an aperture formed behind the photographic optical system in order to limit a range of subject light irradiated to a film surface; a cartridge chamber lying on one side of the aperture so as to accommodate a small-sized film cartridge containing film that is smaller than rolled film of 35 mm width, in which a film cartridge is stowed so that a built-in take-up axis thereof is oriented substantially in parallel with the height of the camera; a take-up chamber lying on the other side of the aperture so as to wind in a portion of film that has been fed from the film cartridge stowed in the cartridge chamber in the lateral direction of the camera and has passed behind the aperture; a light projecting optical system lying above the take-up chamber to distribute light to be used for range finding toward an object to be photographed; and a light receiving optical system lying below the take-up chamber to receive light having emanated from the light projecting optica

Abstract: A compact camera including a plurality of components and one mounting board having an upper surface and a lower surface and disposed inside the compact camera, near a top portion of the compact camera. The compact camera further includes a control circuit, mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting board, to control an operation of the plurality of components, a land portion disposed underneath at least one input device and mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting board, an IC element mounted on the lower surface of the one mounting board, a low power device disposed near the at least one input device and mounted on the lower surface of the one mounting board, and an inhibiting circuit mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting device, to inhibit an operation of the low power device when the at least one input device receives an operation input signal.

Abstract: A camera device for a photographer viewing a scene to be photographed includes an illumination source for illuminating the scene and means for linearly scanning the scene with said illumination source to provide a visible linear indication of a scanned region of the scene. Control means vary the brightness of the illumination in accordance with changes in one or more scene parameters, to ensure constant visibility of the linear indication.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises two types of distance measuring units, which are a first distance measuring unit of the active method for receiving reflected light of measuring light returning from an object and performing distance measurement based on a focused position thereof, and a second distance measuring unit of the passive method for receiving the natural light reflected by the object through two optical systems and performing the distance measurement based on two optical images thus obtained. The apparatus further has a luminance determining unit for determining a luminance of the external field from a photometry result, and a distance selecting device for selecting and outputting either one of distance measurement results obtained by the first distance measuring unit and second distance measuring unit as a proper distance value, based on the luminance of the external field determined by the luminance determining unit.

Abstract: The invention aims to increase an expansion angle in a road surface direction in a short-distance area without setting a detection range one-sidedly and without sacrificing a maximum detection distance.A double-focus lens is integrally formed by disposing a short-focus portion in the vicinity of a center and a long-focus portion on the periphery of the short-focus portion. A light source is disposed at a distance slightly shorter than the focal length of the short-focus portion of the double-focus lens. When light is emitted from the light source to the double-focus lens, light emerging from the short-focus portion has a small expansion angle such as not to diffuse largely. Therefore, the emerging light can be caused to reach a long distance. On the other hand, light emerging from the long-focus portion has a large expansion angle such as to diffuse to some extent.

Abstract: A light projecting device used to project light onto an object has a light source and a projection lens system. The light emitted by the light source is refracted by the projection lens system to form an image pattern consisting of alternate bright and dark areas. The image pattern is used to illuminate an object whose distance is to be measured using a passive distance measuring system. The projection system consists of only converging lenses.

Abstract: A distance measuring device for a camera projects a pulsed light beam toward a subject and converts the reflected light from the subject to a voltage which is integrated by an integrating circuit. The output of the integrating circuit is compared with a first reference voltage until the level thereof exceeds the first reference voltage, and then the output of the integrated circuit is compared with a second reference voltage until the level thereof reaches the second reference voltage. The distance to the subject is calculated depending on the number of times the integration operation is performed.

Abstract: A compact camera including one mounting board to which a plurality of electronic components are mounted. A display panel, a control unit, and a land portion, located underneath input devices, are mounted on an upper surface of the mounting board. A first drive IC and a second IC are mounted on a lower surface of the mounting board. Furthermore, a low-power device, such as an autofocus device, is mounted on a lower surface of the mounting board. The autofocus device is disposed near the input devices. Therefore, an inhibiting circuit is provided which inhibits the operation of the autofocus device when the input devices receive operation input signals.

Abstract: An object distance detecting apparatus having a light projecting device for projecting a pulse light toward an object to be photographed and a primary semiconductor position detecting device for receiving the reflected light from the object by this light projecting device and outputting a first current value and second current value corresponding to the object distance, comprising: a first integrating circuit for integrating a predetermined number of times the added value of the above-mentioned first current value and second current value, a second integrating circuit for integrating a predetermined number of times the ratio operating value of the above-mentioned both current values, a first calculating device for calculating the object distance on the basis of the square of the output of the above-mentioned first integrating circuit and a second calculating device for calculating the object distance on the basis of the output of the above-mentioned second integrating circuit so that, when the output of the f