DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an active distance measuring apparatus for improving the maintenance of distance measurement performance and extending the lifetime of the apparatus. SOLUTION: The distance measuring apparatus comprises: a light projection section 6 for projecting luminous flux to an object; a light reception section 7 for receiving luminous flux that is reflected from the object and returns and outputting detection signals I1, I2; an operation section 8 for measuring distance to the object, based on the detection signals I1, I2; and a control section 9 for controlling the operation of the light projection section 6 and the light reception section 7. The light projection section 6 includes a light-emitting element 1 for radiating luminous flux according to a drive current If and a drive circuit 10 for supplying the drive current If to the light-emitting element 1. The control section 9 controls the light projection section 6, performs preliminary light projection, and sets the level of the drive current If so that the quantity of received light at the light reception section 7 becomes a level suited for measuring distance, and projects light for measuring distance by the drive current If set by further controlling the light projection section 6. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI