Patent ID: 6350976
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: G01C,G02B

Abstract:
A distance measuring apparatus for measuring the distance to an object, the apparatus including:at least three sensors respectively comprising a plurality of CCD elements, each of said CCD elements being positioned on a single straight line; an optical system that forms an image of said object on said sensors; a light emitting element that radiates light to said object; and a system that operates at least two of said sensors as passive sensors for passive sensing, and that operates at least one of said sensors as an active sensor in combination with the light emitting element for active sensing, said optical system comprising passive lenses that form an image of said object onto said passive sensors, an active lens that forms an image of an object corresponding to said active sensor, and a condenser lens that condenses light which said light-emitting element emits and is directed to the object, said active lens, said condenser lens and said passive lenses being formed as a single unit.