Patent ID: 6522394
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G01C,G01S,G02B

Abstract:
A distance measuring device comprising:a projecting section that projects spot-shaped light on a distance measuring object; a light receiving section comprising a plurality of photoelectric converting elements; a first calculating section that calculates distance measurement information based on an output from said light receiving section receiving reflected light from the distance measuring object, by driving said projecting section to project the light; and a second calculating section that calculates distance measurement information based on an output from said light receiving section receiving light reflected from the distance measuring object, without driving said projecting section; and a control section that selects fewer photoelectric converting elements, out of said plurality of photoelectric converting elements of said light receiving section used for calculation of the distance measurement information by said second calculating section, in comparison with photoelectric converting elements of said light receiving section used for calculation of the distance measurement information by said first calculating section, said photoelectric converting elements being selected out of said plurality of photoelectric converting elements by said control section.