초록 ▼

A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene. A linear image sensor views the scene and produces a series of photosignals representing the brightness of the scene. Signal processing electronics responsive to the photosignals from the

A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene. A linear image sensor views the scene and produces a series of photosignals representing the brightness of the scene. Signal processing electronics responsive to the photosignals from the linear image sensor detect the location of the illuminated spot in the scene and produce a distance signal representing the distance to the object. The signal processing electronics include: a counter that is advanced each time a photosignal is received from the image sensor; a latch connected to the counter and responsive to a control signal for temporarily storing the current count of the counter; and a peak detector responsive to the photosignals for producing an output signal each time a new greater photosignal is received. The output signal of the peak detector is supplied to the latch as the control signal. After the series of photosignals has been produced by the image sensor, the count remaining in the latch represents the location of the illuminated spot in the scene. The peak detector includes means for setting a threshold peak value below which no peak is detected.

대표청구항 ▼

A rangefinder device, comprising: means for projecting a beam of light for illuminating a spot on an object in a scene; linear image sensor means for viewing the scene and producing in response to periodic scanning signals, a series of photosignals representing the brightness of the scene; and signa

A rangefinder device, comprising: means for projecting a beam of light for illuminating a spot on an object in a scene; linear image sensor means for viewing the scene and producing in response to periodic scanning signals, a series of photosignals representing the brightness of the scene; and signal processing means responsive to said series of photosignals for detecting the relative location of said spot in said scene and producing a distance signal in response thereto, said signal processing means including: counter means, advanced in synchronism with said scanning signals for producing a running count representative of the number of photosignals produced by said image sensor; latch means connected to said counter means and responsive to a latch signal for capturing and temporarily holding the current count at the time of receipt of said latch signal; and peak detector means, responsive to said series of photosignals for producing a latcn signal each time a new greater photosignal is produced by said image sensor means, said latch signal being supplied to said latch means, whereby, after said series of photosignals has been produced by said image sensor, the count held by said latch means represents the location of the image of said spot on said image sensor.