초록 ▼

A light-projecting unit projects distance measurement light onto an object to be photographed. A light quantity detecting unit splits, from steady light, the reflected signal light quantity of the distance measurement light from the object on the basis of the light received by a sensor, and detects

A light-projecting unit projects distance measurement light onto an object to be photographed. A light quantity detecting unit splits, from steady light, the reflected signal light quantity of the distance measurement light from the object on the basis of the light received by a sensor, and detects the reflected signal light quanity. A sensor array constituted by a pair of sensor arrays monitors the luminance distribution of light which steadily irradiates the object. Normally, a CPU calculates the distance to the object on the basis of the luminance distribution output from the sensor array. When the object has a low luminance or contrast, the CPU calculates the distance to the object on the basis of the reflected signal light quantity received by the sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [31.] A distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to an object, comprising:a light-emitting element for projecting distance measurement light for performing distance measurement onto said object;a light-receiving circuit which includes a light-receiving element for receiving

[ I claim:] [31.] A distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to an object, comprising:a light-emitting element for projecting distance measurement light for performing distance measurement onto said object;a light-receiving circuit which includes a light-receiving element for receiving a reflected portion of the distance measurement light projected on said object, and which outputs a reflected light quantity signal obtained by splitting a steady light component from an output from said light-receiving element, wherein an intensity of the reflected light varies in accordance with the distance to the object;a sensor array for receiving images of said object at two different positions, and for outputting a pair of luminance distribution signals corresponding to the images of said object; anda microprocessor for calculating the distance to said object based on the pair of luminance distribution signals output from said sensor array, and for determining whether said object to be photographed is at a distance longer than a predetermined distance based on the reflected light quantity signal output by said light-receiving circuit.