Patent ID: 6188845
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A multipoint focus detecting apparatus having a plurality of focus detecting zones arranged in a first pattern on a predetermined focal plane, and a corresponding plurality of arrays of light receiving elements which are arranged in a second pattern that is different from said first pattern, wherein a corresponding plurality of light bundles which are passed through said plurality of focus detecting zones are made incident on said plurality of arrays of light receiving elements, respectively; said multipoint focus detecting apparatus comprising:a plurality of pairs of separator lenses, each pair of which divides an image in a corresponding one of said plurality of focus detecting zones into two separate images on a corresponding one of said plurality of arrays of light receiving elements;a separator mask positioned in front of said plurality of pairs of separator lenses and comprising a plurality of pairs of openings to correspond to said plurality of pairs of separator lenses, each opening of said plurality of pairs of openings determining the size of a bundle of rays which enters a corresponding one separator lens of said plurality of pairs of separator lenses; anda light bundle deflector positioned in the close vicinity of said plurality of pairs of separator lenses;wherein a first array of said plurality of arrays of light receiving elements, on which a first light bundle which is passed through a first focus detecting zone of said plurality of focus detecting zones is incident, and a second array of said plurality of arrays of light receiving elements, on which a second light bundle which is passed through a second focus detecting zone of said plurality of focus detecting zones is incident, are aligned so as to be parallel to each other and apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which light receiving elements of each of said plurality of arrays of light receiving elements are aligned; andwherein said light bundle deflector is positioned in the vicinity of said plurality of pairs of separator lenses so that a principal ray of said first light bundle and a principal ray of said second light bundle extend parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to said direction in which said light receiving elements are aligned.