AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automatic focusing apparatus comprising:
- an imaging unit configured to capture an object image that is input via a focus lens to output image data;
a detection unit configured to detect a focus signal that indicates a focusing state of the focus lens based on the image data;
a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust a position of the focus lens based on the focus signal detected by the detection unit;
a control unit configured to cause the focus adjustment unit to operate in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of the focus lens; and
a distance change detection unit configured to detect, when the focus adjustment unit is operating in the operation mode, presence or absence of change in a distance between the object and the automatic focusing apparatus,wherein the control unit stops the adjustment of the position of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected by the distance change detection unit.
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Abstract
An automatic focusing apparatus detects presence or absence of change in a distance between an object and the automatic focusing apparatus while operating in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of a focus lens to focus on the object, and stops a movement of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected.
32 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An automatic focusing apparatus comprising:
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an imaging unit configured to capture an object image that is input via a focus lens to output image data; a detection unit configured to detect a focus signal that indicates a focusing state of the focus lens based on the image data; a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust a position of the focus lens based on the focus signal detected by the detection unit; a control unit configured to cause the focus adjustment unit to operate in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of the focus lens; and a distance change detection unit configured to detect, when the focus adjustment unit is operating in the operation mode, presence or absence of change in a distance between the object and the automatic focusing apparatus, wherein the control unit stops the adjustment of the position of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected by the distance change detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling an automatic focusing apparatus including a focus adjustment unit configured to calculate a focus evaluation value that indicates a contrast of a predetermined focus detection area based on image data of an image of an object formed and captured by a photographic optical system including a focus lens, and to adjust a position of the focus lens so that the focus evaluation value becomes maximal, and a control unit configured to cause the focus adjustment unit to operate in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of the focus lens, the method comprising:
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detecting presence or absence of change in a distance between the object and the automatic focusing apparatus when the focus adjustment unit is operating in the operation mode; and stopping the adjustment of the position of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected.
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Specification