Multipoint autofocus system
First Claim
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1. A multipoint autofocus system, comprising:
- a detecting device that detects a focus state of objects at different positions in a plurality of focus detection zones on an image surface;
a selecting device that selects focus data of one of said focus states detected by said detecting device;
a moving device that moves a focusing lens system in accordance with said selected focus data;
a device that measures a contrast of said objects in each of said plurality of focus detection zones and;
a priority-assigning device that assigns priority to said at least one focus detection zone which corresponds to said focus data selected by said selecting device;
wherein said selecting device selects focus data representing a shortest object distance from among focus data obtained for at least one focus detection zone of said plurality of focus detection zones in which said measured contrast is higher than a predetermined value, andwherein a focusing-state detecting operation and a focusing-lens-system moving operation are repeatedly carried out by said detecting device and said moving device, respectively, andwherein said at least one focus detection zone, which corresponds to said focus data selected by said selecting device in a focus data selecting operation, has priority over the other of said plurality of focus detection zones to be selected in a subsequent focus data selecting operation of said selecting device.
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Abstract
A multipoint autofocus system is provided with a judging apparatus and controller. The multipoint autofocus system detects a focus state of objects at different positions in a plurality of focus detection zones of an image surface. Thereafter, information on the detected focus state is selected, so that a focusing optical system is moved in accordance with the selected focus data. The judging apparatus judges the contrast of the detected object in the focus detection zones. The controller selects data representing the shortest focus from among the focus data of the objects in the focus detection zones in which the judged object contrast is higher than a predetermined value.
47 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A multipoint autofocus system, comprising:
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a detecting device that detects a focus state of objects at different positions in a plurality of focus detection zones on an image surface; a selecting device that selects focus data of one of said focus states detected by said detecting device; a moving device that moves a focusing lens system in accordance with said selected focus data; a device that measures a contrast of said objects in each of said plurality of focus detection zones and; a priority-assigning device that assigns priority to said at least one focus detection zone which corresponds to said focus data selected by said selecting device; wherein said selecting device selects focus data representing a shortest object distance from among focus data obtained for at least one focus detection zone of said plurality of focus detection zones in which said measured contrast is higher than a predetermined value, and wherein a focusing-state detecting operation and a focusing-lens-system moving operation are repeatedly carried out by said detecting device and said moving device, respectively, and wherein said at least one focus detection zone, which corresponds to said focus data selected by said selecting device in a focus data selecting operation, has priority over the other of said plurality of focus detection zones to be selected in a subsequent focus data selecting operation of said selecting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A multipoint autofocus system, comprising:
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a detecting device that detects a focus state of objects at different positions in a plurality of focus detection zones on an image surface; a selecting device that selects focus data of one of said focus states detected by said detecting device; a moving device that moves a focusing lens system in accordance with said selected focus data; a device that measures a contrast of said objects in each of said plurality of focus detection zones and a priority-assigning device that assigns priority to one of said plurality of focus detection zones which corresponds to said focus data selected by said selecting device; wherein said selecting device selects focus data representing a shortest object distance from among focus data obtained for at least one focus detection zone of said plurality of focus detection zones in which said measured contrast is higher than a predetermined value, and wherein a focusing-state detecting operation and a focusing-lens-system moving operation are repeatedly carried out by said detecting device and said moving device, respectively, and wherein a requirement to select said at least one focus detection zone which corresponds to said focus data selected by said selecting device in a focus data selecting operation is less strict than a selection requirement of the other of said plurality of focus detection zones in a subsequent focus data selecting operation of said selecting device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification