Apparatus for automatically selecting a preselected focal position for a lens system
First Claim
1. In an apparatus for automatically focusing image forming rays at a focal plane having ranging means for deriving a signal indicative of the range of a subject from the apparatus, a variable focusing objective lens assembly having at least one lens element displaceable to different focal positions so that at each focal position the image carrying light rays from a subject at corresponding different distance ranges from the apparatus are focused at the focal plane, means for mounting the lens assembly for movement of its lens element to the different focal positions, and positioning means responsive to the ranging means for positioning the lens element to a focal position corresponding to the subject range, the improvement comprising:
- manually actuatable means for disabling the ranging means and for signalling the positioning means to automatically move a lens element to a preselected one of the focal positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic focusing camera having a ranging device, which selects the nearest subject for focusing, including a manually operative member for defeating the ranging device and automatically signalling the lens drive arrangement to move the lens to a preselected focal position when focusing on other than the near subject is desired; as, for example, when focusing through a window with a sonic ranging camera.
28 Citations
8 Claims
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1. In an apparatus for automatically focusing image forming rays at a focal plane having ranging means for deriving a signal indicative of the range of a subject from the apparatus, a variable focusing objective lens assembly having at least one lens element displaceable to different focal positions so that at each focal position the image carrying light rays from a subject at corresponding different distance ranges from the apparatus are focused at the focal plane, means for mounting the lens assembly for movement of its lens element to the different focal positions, and positioning means responsive to the ranging means for positioning the lens element to a focal position corresponding to the subject range, the improvement comprising:
manually actuatable means for disabling the ranging means and for signalling the positioning means to automatically move a lens element to a preselected one of the focal positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Specification