The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 14, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 12, 1991
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An automatic focus state detecting apparatus is capable of focus detection with respect to an object in different focus state detection areas, such as a narrow area or a wide area of an object field, or in areas extending in different directions in the object field. The focus state detecting area may be selected automatically or manually, and the automatic selection may depend upon whether the object is stationary or moving, and the direction of movement. Automatic switching between narrow and wide focus state detecting areas may occur after an in-focus state or a nearly in-focus state is obtained in the narrow area, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the selection of the narrow area, or after a predetermined number of focus detecting operations in the narrow area. Defocus amounts may be calculated for a plurality of sub-areas of the wide area. The defocus amount or a lens driving amount may be limited when the wide area is selected.