# US 5,349,382 A · Image pickup apparatus with image light focus prevention

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- Number: US 5,349,382 A
- Document ID: US5349382A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/866,479
- Filed: 1992-04-10
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1991-04-12
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Kyoji Tamura
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349382A

## CPC

- H04N 23/75: by influencing optical camera components
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image pickup apparatus photoelectrically converts image light from an object. The image light incident on the photosensing plane of the image pickup apparatus is optically controlled by a zoom lens and a focus lens. A controller drives the zoom lens to its telephoto position and drives the focus lens to its closest position so that bright image light is prevented from being focused on the photosensing plane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image pickup apparatus comprising:
(a) image pickup means for photo-electrically converting image light from an object;
(b) focusing means for focusing; and
(c) control means for inhibiting the image light from being focused on the photo-sensing plane of said image pickup means for a predetermined period by controlling said focusing means after said image pickup apparatus is powered.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said focusing means defocuses the image on the photo-sensing plane by focusing on a closest object.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said focusing means is included in a zoom lens.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means prevents focusing by said focusing means, by driving the zoom lens.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control means prevents the focusing by said focusing means, by setting the zoom lens in zoom up state.