RANGE-FINDING OPTICAL DEVICE, RANGE-FINDING METHOD, AND RANGE-FINDING INFORMATION DISPLAY

摘要

A range-finding optical device comprises an imaging element (3), an imaging optical system (2) for forming the image of an object onto the imaging element (3), and a drive section (6, 7, 8, 9) for moving at least the imaging optical system by a predetermined distance substantially perpendicularly to the optical axis (1). The variation in height of the image of the same object is determined by image processing using the image signals outputted from the imaging element before and after the movement of the imaging optical system by the drive section, and the distance from the imaging optical system to the object can be determined from the variation. Thus, a range-finding optical device that can be used also as a general imaging device, is equipped with an imaging optical device, and has a simple structure is provided.