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:
Feb. 24, 1998
Filed:
May. 17, 1996
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A lens focusing system for a camera. The camera includes a focusing lens that is movable between a first terminus point and a second terminus point. An amount required to move the focusing lens to obtain an in-focus condition is determined, which is used to drive the focusing lens to position the focusing lens at the in-focus condition. A plurality of drive signals are generated in response to the driving of the focusing lens, which are monitored. A monitored position value is established that is based upon the plurality of drive signals monitored by the monitoring means, and the monitored position value is compared with a predetermined position value corresponding to one of the first terminus point and the second terminus point after the lens has been moved by the amount determined to be required to move the focusing lens to obtain the in-focus condition. The focusing lens is then driven in a direction until the focusing lens is prevented from moving when the monitored position value corresponds to a position which is out of a range between the first terminus point and the second terminus point. When the focusing lens has been moved to one of the first terminus point and the second terminus point, the monitored position value is replaced with the predetermined position value.