Optical apparatus

Claim 2

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including at least a focusing lens; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for causing said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity information.

Claim 3

An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical system includes a zoom lens, and wherein the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the focal length caused by the movement of said zoom lens.

Claim 4

An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the position of said focusing lens.

Claim 5

An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 6

An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said computing means is arranged to obtain said sensitivity information before said focusing lens is driven.

Claim 7

An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said computing means is arranged to obtain said sensitivity information during the process of driving said focusing lens.

Claim 8

An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical system includes a zoom lens, and wherein the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the focal length caused by the movement of said zoom lens and a change of the position of said focusing lens.

Claim 9

An optical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movement of said zoom lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity information is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said zoom lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 10

An optical apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 11

An optical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 12

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including at least a focusing lens; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) control means for causing said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity information; and f) wherein the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the position of said focusing lens, the movement of said focusing lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity information is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said focusing lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 13

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including at least a focusing lens; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) control means for causing said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity information; and f) wherein the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the position of said focusing lens, the movement of said focusing lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity information is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said focusing lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 14

An optical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 15

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system having a degree of sensitivity which varies according to the movement of a specific lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof; b) driving means for driving a focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining said degree of sensitivity of said optical system; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for controlling a driving speed of said focusing lens driven by said driving means on the basis of focus information detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to cause said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity degree.

Claim 16

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system having a degree of sensitivity which varies according to the movement of a specific lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof; b) driving means for driving a focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining said degree of sensitivity of said optical system; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for controlling a driving speed of said focusing lens driven by said driving means on the basis of focus information detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to cause said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity degree.

Claim 17

An optical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said specific lens is a zoom lens.

Claim 18

An optical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said specific lens is said focusing lens.

Claim 19

An optical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree.

Claim 20

An optical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said commuting means is arranged to obtain said sensitivity degree before said focusing lens is driven.

Claim 21

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system having a degree of sensitivity which varies according to the movement of a specific lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof; b) driving means for driving a focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining said degree of sensitivity of said optical system, said computing means being arranged to obtain said sensitivity degree during the process of driving said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for controlling a driving speed of said focusing lens driven by said driving means on the basis of focus information detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to cause said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity degree.

Claim 22

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system having a degree of sensitivity which varies according to the movement of a specific lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof; b) driving means for driving a focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining said degree of sensitivity of said optical system, said computing means being arranged to obtain said sensitivity degree during the process of driving said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for controlling a driving speed of said focusing lens driven by said driving means on the basis of focus information detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to cause said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity degree.

Claim 23

An optical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 24

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system having a degree of sensitivity which varies according to the movement of a specific lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof; b) driving means for driving a focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining said degree of sensitivity of said optical system; d) focus detecting means; e) control means for controlling a driving speed of said focusing lens driven by said driving means on the basis of focus information detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to cause said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity degree; and f) wherein the movement of said specific lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity degree is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said specific lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 25

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system having a degree of sensitivity which varies according to the movement of a specific lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof; b) driving means for driving a focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining said degree of sensitivity of said optical system; d) focus detecting means; e) control means for controlling a driving speed of said focusing lens driven by said driving means on the basis of focus information detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity degree obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to cause said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a first speed and, after that, at a second speed which is lower than said first speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, said control means being arranged to vary said second speed according to said sensitivity degree; and f) wherein the movement of said specific lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity degree is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said specific lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 26

An optical apparatus according to claim 20, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 27

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including a focusing lens which is located behind a lens disposed at a fore end of an optical axis of said optical system; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) first computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) second computing means for determining a driving speed of said driving means, said second computing means being arranged to determine said driving speed on the basis of said sensitivity information obtained by said first computing means; and f) control means for controlling said driving means according to said driving speed.

Claim 28

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including a focusing lens which is located behind a lens disposed at a fore end of an optical axis of said optical system; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) first computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) second computing means for determining a driving speed of said driving means, said second computing means being arranged to determine said driving speed on the basis of said sensitivity information obtained by said first computing means; and f) control means for controlling said driving means according to said driving speed.

Claim 29

An optical apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said first computing means is arranged to obtain said sensitivity information before said focusing lens is driven.

Claim 30

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including a focusing lens which is located behind a lens disposed at a fore end of an optical axis of said optical system; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) first computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens, said first computing means being arranged to obtain said sensitivity information during the process of driving said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) second computing means for determining a driving speed of said driving means, said second computing means being arranged to determine said driving speed on the basis of said sensitivity information obtained by said first computing means; and f) control means for controlling said driving means according to said driving speed.

Claim 31

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including a focusing lens which is located behind a lens disposed at a fore end of an optical axis of said optical system; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) first computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens, said first computing means being arranged to obtain said sensitivity information during the process of driving said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) second computing means for determining a driving speed of said driving means, said second computing means being arranged to determine said driving speed on the basis of said sensitivity information obtained by said first computing means; and f) control means for controlling said driving means according to said driving speed.

Claim 32

An optical apparatus according to claim 24, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 33

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including a focusing lens which is located behind a lens disposed at a fore end of an optical axis of said optical system; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) first computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) second computing means for determining a driving speed of said driving means, said second computing means being arranged to determine said driving speed on the basis of said sensitivity information obtained by said first computing means; f) control means for controlling said driving means according to said driving speed; and wherein the movement of said focusing lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity information is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said focusing lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 34

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including a focusing lens which is located behind a lens disposed at a fore end of an optical axis of said optical system; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) first computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens which is determined on the basis of the position of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; e) second computing means for determining a driving speed of said driving means, said second computing means being arranged to determine said driving speed on the basis of said sensitivity information obtained by said first computing means; f) control means for controlling said driving means according to said driving speed; and wherein the movement of said focusing lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity information is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said focusing lens detected by said position detecting means.

Claim 35

An optical apparatus according to claim 26, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 36

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including at least a focusing lens; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens, the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the position of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for causing said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a specific speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to vary said specific speed according to said sensitivity information.

Claim 37

An optical apparatus comprising: a) an optical system including at least a focusing lens; b) driving means for driving said focusing lens; c) computing means for obtaining sensitivity information concerned with an amount of movement of the position of an image forming plane relative to a predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens, the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the position of said focusing lens; d) focus detecting means; and e) control means for causing said driving means to drive said focusing lens at a specific speed and, then, stop said focusing lens, on the basis of focus information obtained by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information obtained by said computing means, said control means being arranged to vary said specific speed according to said sensitivity information.

Claim 38

An optical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein an area in which said focusing lens is to be driven at said first speed is determined by an amount of movement of said focusing lens required for in-focus which is obtained from an amount of defocus detected by said focus detecting means and said sensitivity information.

Claim 39

An optical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said computing means is arranged to obtain said sensitivity information before said focusing lens is driven.

Claim 40

An optical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said computing means is arranged to obtain said sensitivity information before said focusing lens is driven.

Claim 41

An optical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said optical system includes a zoom lens, and wherein the amount of movement of the position of the image forming plane relative to the predetermined driving degree of said focusing lens varies according to a change of the focal length caused by the movement of said zoom lens and a change of the position of said focusing lens.

Claim 42

An optical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the movement of said focusing lens is detected by position detecting means, and wherein said sensitivity information is obtained on the basis of information on the position of said focusing lens detected by said position detecting means.