초록 ▼

A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene, an image sensor for sensing an image of the scene, and signal processing means responsive to signals produced by the image sensor for determining the relative location of the illuminated

A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene, an image sensor for sensing an image of the scene, and signal processing means responsive to signals produced by the image sensor for determining the relative location of the illuminated spot in the image of the scene to determine the distance to the object. The rangefinder device features means for removing the contribution due to ambient scene illumination from the photosignals, including an improved image sensor having an array of photosensors and a pair of analog shift registers for receiving the photosignals from the array of photosensors. One of the analog shift registers receives photosignals from the photosensor array when the beam is turned off, and the other analog shift register receives photosignals from the array when the beam is turned on. The shift registers are read out simultaneously and the signals therefrom are differenced to yield a series of photosignals free from background scene information. The difference signals are supplied serially to a peak detector to determine the location of the illuminated spot. In a preferred embodiment, the rangefinder is designed to operate from a single low voltage power source.

대표청구항 ▼

A range finder, comprising: means energizable for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene; a linear array of photosensors responsive to light for generating a photosignal proportional to the quantity of light falling thereon; means for forming an image of a portion of

A range finder, comprising: means energizable for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene; a linear array of photosensors responsive to light for generating a photosignal proportional to the quantity of light falling thereon; means for forming an image of a portion of the scene containing the illuminated spot on said array; first and second analog shift register means for receiving, in parallel, a plurality of analog signals, and responsive to control signals for delivering said analog signals serially to first and second output means respectively; first and second means actuable for transferring the photosignals in said array to said first and second analog shift register means respectively; control means for energizing said light beam and actuating said first transfer means, for deenergizing said light beam and actuating said second transfer means, and for supplying control signals simultaneously to said first and second analog shift register means to cause the photosignals therein to be delivered in synchronism to said first and second output means respectively; differential means connected to said first and second output means and responsive to the photosignals thereat to form difference signals; and signal processing means responsive to said difference signals for detecting the location of the image of said illuminated spot on said array and producing a distance signal in response thereto.