Imaging apparatus having an automatic focusing means

• US 5,604,537 A
• Filed: 03/01/1995
• Issued: 02/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Koji, Yamazaki, Tatsuya, Kyuma, Kenji, Tsuda, Yuji, Tamura, Kyoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Boudreau, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHALWALA, BIPIN H
• Application Number:
  US08/396,879
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 348/345, 348/346, 348/347, 348/348, 348/349, 348/350, 348/353, 348/354, 348/207, 354/400, 354/402
• US Class Current: 348/350
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions

Abstract

An imaging apparatus makes it possible to precisely focus on an object to be photographed in each photographic mode by controlling the focusing of the object in accordance with the photographic mode.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

(a) image pickup means for receiving an object image;

(b) automatic focusing means for controlling said image pickup means so as to automatically focus on said object image based on an image signal corresponding to a predetermined area within one frame, area changing means for automatically changing a size and/or position of said area according to a condition of said object image;

(c) mode switching means for switching said apparatus between at least a portrait mode and a non-portrait mode; and

(d) inhibit means for inhibiting changing of the size and/or position of said area by said area changing means when in said portrait mode.

2. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of a focusing frame of said automatic focusing means is changed between a plurality of respectively different sizes at a predetermined timing during said non-portrait mode, and said focusing frame size is not changed during said portrait mode.

3. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of respectively different sizes includes at least first and second sizes, said second size being larger than said first size, said focusing frame size being maintained at said first size in said portrait mode.

4. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

gain control means for controlling the level of image signals from said image pickup means; and

shutter speed control means for controlling the shutter speed of said image pickup means on the basis of the image signals outputted from said gain control means.

5. An imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said image pickup means comprises means for converting light incident thereon into an electrical signal and light amount adjusting means for controlling the amount of light incident on said converting means, and further comprising control means for controlling said light amount adjusting means, said gain control means and said shutter speed control means.

6. An imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means cojointly controls said light amount adjusting means, said gain control means and said shutter speed control means.

7. An imaging apparatus, comprising:

(a) image pickup means for receiving an object image;

(b) automatic focusing means for controlling said image pickup means so as to automatically focus on said object image based on an image signal corresponding to a predetermined area within one frame, area changing means for automatically changing a size and/or position of said area according to a condition of said object image;

(c) mode switching means for switching said apparatus between at least a close-up mode and a non-close-up mode; and

(d) inhibit means for inhibiting changing of the size and/or position of said area by said changing means when in said close-up mode.

8. An imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a size of a focusing frame of said automatic focusing means is changed between a plurality of respectively different sizes at a predetermined timing during said non-close-up mode, and said focusing frame size is not changed during said close-up mode.

9. An imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of respectively different sizes includes at least first and second sizes, said second size being larger than said first size, said focusing frame size being maintained at said first size in said close-up mode.

10. An imaging apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

gain control means for controlling the level of image signals from said image pickup means; and

shutter speed control means for controlling the shutter speed of said image pickup means on the basis of the image signals outputted from said gain control means.

11. An imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said image pickup means comprises means for converting light incident thereon into an electrical signal and light amount adjusting means for controlling the amount of light incident on said converting means, and further comprising control means for controlling said light amount adjusting means, said gain control means and said shutter speed control means.

12. An imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control means cojointly controls said light amount adjusting means, said gain control means and said shutter speed control means.