Distance measuring apparatus

Abstract

A distance measuring apparatus provided with a plurality of light-emitting units and a plurality of light-receiving units. The light emission period of each of the light-emitting units is changed over at each predetermined period interval. A plurality of light-receiving elements constituting each light-receiving unit are constructed so as to receive the reflected lights from a plurality of distance measurement fields of view on an object to be photographed in a plurality of distance measurement zones obtained by dividing a range to be measured into several blocks. The input signal from each of the light-receiving elements in each of the distance measurement zones is changed over in synchronism with the light emission period of the light-emitting units and the output signals for the respective distance measurement zones are compared, whereby a distance data indicative of the distance measurement zone most approximate to the object distance is put out.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a distance measuring apparatus for detecting the distance data of an object to be photographed, and in particular to a so-called active type distance measuring apparatus which emits an object distance detecting light from the photographing apparatus side toward the object to be photographed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a distance measuring apparatus using a plurality of light-emitting means and a plurality of light-receiving means.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A number of so-called active type distance measuring apparatus which apply a distance detecting light from the photographing apparatus side toward an object to be photographed have been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,744 and others. These active type distance measuring apparatuses of the prior art are often designed such that a small spot light obtained by stopping down a light beam is projected to keep the accuracy with which the reflected light from the object to be photographed is received. Where such a spot light is used, if a plurality of objects to be photographed exist in the field of view, the spot light is applied to the position intermediate the objects with a result that the distance of a distant object in the background is detected and the picture-taking lens cannot be moved and controlled to a proper focusing position.

Further, in the apparatuses of the prior art, correct distance measurement has sometimes not been accomplished depending on the contrast or the like of the brightness of the surface of the object to be photographed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which has a plurality of light-emitting means and a plurality of light-receiving means and in which the range of distance to be measured from the close distance to the infinity position is divided into a plurality of distance measurement zones, whereby distance data indicative of the distance measurement zone corresponding to the object distance is detected.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a distance measuring apparatus in which the light emission timing of the plurality of light-emitting means is time-divided and the light-receiving means are disposed so as to receive the reflected lights from a plurality of distance measurement fields of view on an object to be photographed in each of said distance measurement zones and further, a signal detecting circuit for successively changing over and controlling the output signals from the light-receiving elements for the respective distance measurement zones in accordance with the timing of the time division of the light-emitting means is provided, whereby the distance data of the distance measurement zone most approximate to the object distance can be put out by said circuit.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a circuit which enables an electric circuit which achieves the second object to be efficiently constructed.

The invention will become fully apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the arrangement relation of a plurality of light-receiving elements for receiving the pulse lights from a plurality of light-emitting means a.sub.1, a.sub.2 and a.sub.3.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows the circuit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the major output waveforms of various components in the circuit diagram of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates the light-emitting means according to the present invention and the relation between the light emission of the light-emitting means and the light reception. In FIG. 1, reference characters a.sub.1, a.sub.2 and a.sub.3 designate light-emitters such as light-emitting elements which emit pulse lights of a predetermined period on the basis of the signal of a light emission control circuit shown in a block A in FIG. 2. Pl.sub.1, Pl.sub.2 and Pl.sub.3 denote the light beams from the light-emitting elements a.sub.1, a.sub.2 and a.sub.3, respectively, and L.sub.1 designates a projecting lens disposed in front of the light-emitting elements a.sub.1, a.sub.2, a.sub.3. .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2 and .alpha..sub.3 designate objects to be photographed lying on the photographing optical path. Pr.sub.1, Pr.sub.2, . . . denote the reflected light beams of the lights emitted from the light-emitting elements, reflected from the objects to be photographed. D.sub.1, D.sub.2, . . . , D.sub.7 designate light-receiving elements such as light sensors having the photoelectric converting function. The light-receiving elements D.sub.1, D.sub.2, . . . , D.sub.7 are rectilinearly arranged rearwardly of a light-receiving lens L.sub.2 and receive the reflected lights from the light-emitting elements.

The light-emitting elements a.sub.1 -a.sub.3, the lenses L.sub.1, L.sub.2 and the light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7 are arranged, for example, in the following manner.

In the case of the object a 1 near the lenses L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, the light-receiving elements are disposed so that the reflected light Pr.sub.1 by the pulse light Pl.sub.1 of the first light-emitter a.sub.1 is received chiefly by the fifth light-receiving element D.sub.5, the reflected light by the second light-emitter a.sub.2 is received chiefly by the sixth light-receiving element D.sub.6 and the reflected light by the third light-emitter a.sub.3 is received chiefly by the seventh light-receiving element D.sub.7.

In the case of the object .alpha..sub.2 slightly distant from the lenses L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, the light-receiving elements are disposed so that the reflected light Pr.sub.2 by the first light-emitter a.sub.1 is received chiefly by the fourth light-receiving element D.sub.4, the reflected-light by the second light-emitter a.sub.2 is received chiefly by the fifth light-receiving element D.sub.5 and the reflected light by the third light-emitter a.sub.3 is received chiefly by the sixth light-receiving element D.sub.6.

In the case of the object .alpha..sub.3 distant from the lenses L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, the light-receiving elements are disposed so that the reflected light Pr.sub.3 by the first light-emitter a.sub.1 is received chiefly by the third light-receiving element D.sub.3, the reflected light by the second light-emitter a.sub.2 is received chiefly by the fourth light-receiving element D.sub.4 and the reflected light by the third light-emitter a.sub.3 is received chiefly by the fifth light-receiving element D.sub.5.

In the case of the object .alpha..sub..infin. at infinity, the light-receiving elements are disposed so that the reflected light Pr.infin. by the first light-emitter a.sub.1 is received chiefly by the first light-receiving element D.sub.1, the reflected light by the second light-emitter a.sub.2 is received chiefly by the second light-receiving element D.sub.2 and the reflected light by the third light-emitter a.sub.3 is received chiefly by the third light-receiving element D.sub.3.

Although not shown, in the case of the object .alpha..sub.4 nearer than the object .alpha..sub..infin. at infinity and more distant than the distant object .alpha..sub.3, the light-receiving elements are disposed so that the reflected light by the first light-emitter a.sub.1 is received chiefly by the second light-receiving element D.sub.2, the reflected light by the second light-emitter a.sub.2 is received chiefly by the third light-receiving element D.sub.3 and the reflected light by the third light-emitter a.sub.3 is received chiefly by the fourth light-receiving element D.sub.4.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the distance zone of the objects .alpha..sub.1 -.alpha..sub..infin. is discriminated by being divided into five stages.

FIG. 2 shows the construction of a light emission control circuit A for controlling the light emission of the light-emitting elements a.sub.1 -a.sub.3 of the light-emitting means described in connection with FIG. 1 and a detecting circuit receiving the output signals of the light-receiving elements as input and detecting a distance measurement zone corresponding to the object distance.

FIG. 3 shows the output waveforms of the components of the circuits of FIG. 2.

The light emission control circuit A is a drive circuit which puts out a pulse wave such as an output waveform PP.sub.0 shown in FIG. 3. DM.sub.1 designates a demultiplexer circuit which receives the pulse wave PP.sub.0 as input and puts out the light emission pulses PP.sub.1, PP.sub.2 and PP.sub.3 of the light-emitting elements a.sub.1, a.sub.2 and a.sub.3, respectively, from the output terminals 1, 2, and 3 thereof. Pl.sub.1, Pl.sub.2 and Pl.sub.3 denote the light beam pulses from the respective light-emitting elements.

In FIG. 2, a block B is light-receiving means. The light-receiving means B comprises light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7 and amplifiers for amplifying the output signals of the light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7. A block C designates a signal detecting circuit which comprises five multiplexers MX.sub.1 -MX.sub.5 for dividing the distance measurement range into five distance measurement zones and receiving as input the output signals of the light-receiving elements receiving the reflected lights from the three distance measurement fields of view of the objects on the distance measurement zones, and detector means DA.sub.1 -DA.sub.5 each comprising a synchronous detector and a comparator given a desired threshold. FF.sub.1 -FF.sub.5 designate memory flip-flop circuits. PE.sub.1 denotes an encoder having the priority function of receiving the signals of the flip-flops as input and putting out a distance data dd corresponding to a signal obtained by dividing into five stages the close distance to the telephoto distance in the range to be measured.

Operation of the circuit of FIG. 2 will now be described by assuming a case where the object whose distance is to be measured lies at the position .alpha..sub.1 indicated in FIG. 1. The pulse lights Pl.sub.1 -Pl.sub.3 from the light-emitting elements a.sub.1 -a.sub.3 are applied to and reflected by three distance measurement fields of view on the objects lying in the distance measurement zones .alpha..sub.1 -.alpha..sub..infin. and are received by the elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7 of the light-receiving element group B. The emitted lights Pl.sub.1 -Pl.sub.3 to the position .alpha..sub.1 are reflected from the three distance measurement fields of view P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.3 on the position .alpha..sub.1 and are received by the fifth light-receiving element D.sub.5, the sixth light-receiving element D.sub.6 and the seventh light-receiving element D.sub.7, respectively, and the outputs of these light-receiving elements D.sub.5, D.sub.6 and D.sub.7 are amplified by amplifiers A.sub.5, A.sub.6 and A.sub.7, respectively.

The reflected light Pr.sub.1 from the distance measurement field of view P.sub.1 enters the light-receiving element D.sub.5,and large output waveforms L, L, . . . are put out from this light-receiving element in synchronism with the period of light emission pulse PP.sub.1 as is shown at D.sub.5 in FIG. 3. The reflected light Pr.sub.2 from the distance measurement field of view P.sub.2 enters the light-receiving element D.sub.6, and large waveforms L, L, . . . are put out from this element in synchronism with the period of light emission pulse PP.sub.2 as is shown at D.sub.6 in FIG. 3. Further, the reflected light Pr.sub.3 from the distance measurement field of view P.sub.3 enters the light-receiving element D.sub.7, and waveforms L, L, . . . are put out from this element in synchronism with pulse PP.sub.3 as is shown at D.sub.7 in FIG. 3. The reflected light from each distance measurement field of view of the object lying at the position on .alpha..sub.2 enters the light-receiving elements D.sub.4, D.sub.5 and D.sub.6 as previously described, but since the distance object is assumed to lie on .alpha..sub.2, small output waveforms S appear in the light-receiving elements D.sub.4, D.sub.5 and D.sub.6 in synchronism with light emission pulses PP.sub.1 -PP.sub.3, respectively, as is shown at D.sub.4, D.sub.5 and D.sub.6 in FIG. 3. If the output waveforms of the light-receiving elements which have received the reflected light from each distance measurement zone are shaped and only the effective output waveforms are shown as the signals from the position on .alpha..sub.1, they will be as shown at A.sub.5, A.sub.6 and A.sub.7 in FIG. 3.

The output from the other amplifiers A.sub.1 -A.sub.4 are weak signals which do not reach a predetermined level value.

The five multiplexers MX.sub.1 -MX.sub.5 of the signal detecting circuit receive as inputs for each three distance measurement fields of view the signals from the light-receiving means which has received the reflected lights from each three distance measurement fields of view on five distance measurement zones. The input state when the output signals from the amplifiers A.sub.1 -A.sub.7 are applied as input to the multiplexers MX.sub.1 -MX.sub.5 is designed so as to be changed over into 1.fwdarw.2.fwdarw.3 in synchronism with a change-over signal CS which changes over the light emission pulse PP.sub.0 of the demultiplexer DM.sub.1 into light emission pulses PP.sub.1, PP.sub.2 and PP.sub.3 of the respective light-emitting elements. The detecting circuit group DA.sub.1 -DA.sub.5 receives as input the signals from the multiplexers MX.sub.1 -MX.sub.5 in synchronism with the reference pulse PP.sub.0, compares the output signals from the multiplexers with a predetermined reference level signal and puts out a logic signal 1 when the input value is greater than the reference level signal, and puts out a logic signal 0 when the input value is lower than the reference level signal.

In the case of the present embodiment, the input of the detecting circuit DA.sub.5 which has received as input the signal of the multiplexer MX.sub.5 which in turn has received the signals from the light-receiving element means D.sub.5 -D.sub.7 and A.sub.5 -A.sub.7 which have received the reflected light from the distance measurement zone in which the object to be photographed exists is higher than the input levels of the other detecting circuits DA.sub.1 -DA.sub.4 and also greater than the reference level signal with which it is compared and therefore, a signal exhibiting a high output as a logic signal is put out from the detecting circuit DA.sub.5 and no output signal is put out from the other detecting circuits DA.sub.1 -DA.sub.4.

FF.sub.1 -FF.sub.5 are memory flip-flops connected to the rear stages of the detecting circuits DA.sub.1 -DA.sub.5. When a high level detection signal dts is applied as input to the flip-flops FF.sub.1 -FF.sub.5, they are set and put out high level distance signals d.sub.1 -d.sub.5. The flip-flops FF.sub.1 -FF.sub.5 are reset by a reset signal puc put out from means, not shown.

PE.sub.1 designates an encoder having the priority function. It is connected to the rear stage of the group of flip-flops FF.sub.1 -FF.sub.5 and receives as input any one of distance signals d.sub.1 -d.sub.5 corresponding to the zones of five distance stages and puts out a distance data dd corresponding to the distance signal. This distance data may be either digital or analog. For example, the distance signal d.sub.1 corresponds to the most distant zone. In other words, in the case of the object .theta..sub..infin. at infinity shown in FIG. 1, the distance signal d.sub.1 is applied as input to the encoder PE.sub.1 and an infinity distance data dd is put out from the encoder. The distance signal d.sub.5 corresponds to the nearest zone and in this case, a distance data dd indicative of the shortest distance is likewise put out from the encoder PE.sub.1. When the plurality of distance-signals d.sub.1 -d.sub.5 are applied as input to the encoder PE.sub.1, the priority function of the encoder works and the distance signals d.sub.1 -d.sub.5 indicative of the short distance are selected and a distance data dd (e.g., a focus signal) corresponding to the distance signal is put out.

Where sensors having an accumulating effect and capable of selectively reading out such as MOS photosensors are utilized as the light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.71 the multiplexers MX.sub.1 -MX.sub.5 in the embodiment may be constructed within the sensors and the first-stage amplifiers A.sub.1 -A.sub.7 may be omitted.

As described above, the light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7 (including the first-stage amplifiers A.sub.1 -A.sub.7) are used in common to effect a plurality of measurements by a plurality of narrow-width pulse lights Pl and from the result thereof, distance measurement display or automatic focusing may be effected, whereby distance measurement hardly affected by the patterns or conditions of the objects .theta..sub.1 -.theta..sub..infin. to be photographed becomes possible.

Moreover, there is a merit that the number of the light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7 on the light-receiving circuit side is only slightly increased and the circuit, particularly, the multiplexers MX.sub.1 -MX.sub.5 and subsequent demodulating portions can be used in common and thus, the circuit is not so bulky.

There is also a merit that the adjustment is substantially the same as that in the prior art because of the integration of the plurality of light-emitters a.sub.1 -a.sub.3 and the integration of the light-receiving elements D.sub.1 -D.sub.7.

Claims

1. A distance measuring apparatus, comprising:

(a) a signal projection device which projects signals toward different target directions;

(b) a signal receiving device which receives respective reflection signals of said signals projected toward the different target directions, said signal receiving device receiving the respective reflection signals on different signal receiving areas thereof corresponding to the different target directions, and outputting signals corresponding to the respective received reflection signals the output signals varying in accordance with receiving positions of the received reflection signals in the respective signal receiving areas; and

(c) a determination device which selectively obtains the output signals from said different signal receiving areas corresponding to said different target directions and determines distances to objects existing in said different target directions on the basis of the obtained output signals.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal projection device comprises a plurality of signal generating portions for projecting said signals toward the different target directions.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal projection device activates said plurality of signal generating portions at different time periods.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said determination device selectively obtains the output signals from said different signal receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said plurality of signal generating portions are activated.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination device serially determines said distances to objects existing in the different target directions.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal projection device projects the signals toward the different target directions at different time periods.

7. An apparatus according to claim wherein said determination device selectively obtains the output signals from said different signal receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said signal projection device projects said signals toward the different target directions.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination device serially processes the respective output signals from said different signal receiving areas in order to determine said distances to objects existing in the different target directions.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflections signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflections signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

11. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

12. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflections signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

13. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflections signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

14. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflections signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

15. A distance measuring apparatus, comprising:

(a) a light projection device which projects light toward different target directions;

(b) a light receiving device which receives respective reflection light of said light projected toward the different target directions, said light receiving device receiving the respective reflection light on different light receiving areas thereof corresponding to the different target directions, and outputting signals corresponding to the respective received reflection light the output signals varying in accordance with receiving positions of the received reflection light in the respective light receiving areas; and

(c) a determination device which selectively obtains the output signals from said different light receiving areas corresponding to said different target directions and determines distances to objects existing in said different target directions on the basis of the obtained output signals.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said light projection device comprises a plurality of light generating portions for projecting said light toward the different target directions.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said light projection device activates said plurality of light generating portions at different time periods.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said determination device selectively obtains the output signals from said different light receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said plurality of light generating portions are activated.

19. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said determination device serially determines said distances to objects existing in the different target directions.

20. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said light projection device projects the light toward the different target directions at different time periods.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said determination device selectively obtains the output signals from said different light receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said light projection device projects said light toward the different target directions.

22. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said determination device serially processes the respective output signals from said different light receiving areas in order to determine said distances to objects existing in the different target directions.

23. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

24. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

25. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

26. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

27. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

28. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

29. An apparatus for forming a signal to be used for automatic focusing, comprising:

(a) a signal projection device which projects signals toward different target directions;

(b) a signal receiving device which receives respective reflection signals of said signals projected toward the different target directions, said signal receiving device receiving the respective reflection signals on different signal receiving areas thereof corresponding to the different target directions, and outputting signals corresponding to the respective received reflection signals; and

(c) a signal forming device which by electrically selectively obtains the output signals from said different signal receiving areas corresponding to said different target directions and forms said signal to be used for automatic focusing on the basis of the obtained output signals.

30. A device according to claim 29, wherein said signal projection device comprises a plurality of signal generating portions for protecting said signals toward the different target directions.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said signal projection device activates said plurality of signal generating portions at different time periods.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said signal forming device selectively obtains the output signals from said different signal receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said plurality of signal generating portions are activated.

33. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward different target directions at different time periods.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said signal forming device selectively obtains the output signals from said different signal receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said signal projection device projects said signals toward the different target directions.

35. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said determination device serially processes the respective output signals from said different signal receiving areas in order to form said signal to be used for automatic focusing.

36. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

37. Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

38. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

39. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

40. Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

41. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said signal projection device projects said signals toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said signal receiving device receives said respective reflection signals corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

42. An apparatus for forming a signal to be used for automatic focusing, comprising:

(a) a light projection device which projects light toward different target directions;

(b) a light receiving device which receives respective reflection light of said light projected toward the different target directions, said light receiving device receiving the respective reflection light on different light receiving areas thereof corresponding to the different target directions, and outputting signals corresponding to the respective received reflection light; and

(c) a signal forming device which selectively obtains the output signals from said different light receiving area corresponding to said different target directions and forms said signal to be used for automatic focusing on the basis of the obtained output signals.

43. A device according to claim 42, wherein said light projection device comprises a plurality of light generating portions for projecting said light toward the different target directions.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said light projection device activates said plurality of light generating portions at different time periods.

45. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said signal forming device selectively obtains the output signals from said different light receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said plurality of light generating portions are activated.

46. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward the different target directions in different time periods.

47. An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said signal forming device selectively obtains the output signals from said different light receiving areas in synchronism with the respective time periods during which said light projection device projects said light toward the different target directions.

48. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said determination device serially processes the respective output signals from said different light receiving areas in order to form said signal to be used for automatic focusing.

49. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

50. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

51. Apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

52. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

53. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.

54. Apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said light projection device projects said light toward respective detection areas of said different target directions, and wherein said light receiving device receives said respective reflection light corresponding to the different target directions from said respective detection areas.