Patent · US Expired

Focus detecting device

US3938894A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 1974
Grant dateFeb 17, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B7/36
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A photoelectric focus detecting member includes a semiconductor substrate of a first polarity and at least two closely transversely spaced parallel longitudinally extending photosensitive laminae of a polarity opposite to the first polarity to form corresponding photodiodes. Each of the photosensitive laminae is masked to provide regularly spaced light receiving areas alternating with masked areas, the light receiving areas of successive transversely spaced photodiodes being relatively longitudinally offset to present a checkered pattern. The detecting element is positioned in the focal plane of a lens and is either stationary or oscillated. The difference in potential between the diodes or the amplitude of the AC current in a circuit including the photodiodes is a function of the condition of focus of the lens.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.