Patent · US Expired

Focal position changeable spatial modulation unit and focus detection device

US6549730B1 · kind B1 · utility

45Cited by
2References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 2000
Grant dateApr 15, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 28, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03B13/00
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A spatial modulator, a luminous flux deflector, a focus detection apparatus and a imaging device, which are capable of changing the focal position. The focus detection device includes: a focus sensor; liquid crystal cells that are arranged between a lens and the focus sensor and deflect luminous flux guided from the lens to the focus sensor while enabling a deflection characteristic of the luminous flux guided from the lens to the focus sensor to be changed; and a microcomputer for controlling the liquid crystal cells according to the size, position and so on upon an exit pupil of the lens and changing the deflection characteristic of the luminous flux guided from the lens to the focus sensor.

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