US5629735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image sensing device having a selectable detecting area
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-02
•
Granted: 1997-05-13
•
Expires: 2015-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An automatic focusing device which is capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the focused degree of an object image formed on the image sensing plane by a photo-taking optical system comprises a position detecting circuit for detecting the position of an object within the focus detecting area, a computing circuit for computing on the basis of information from the position detecting circuit a setting position for setting the focus detecting area, and a control circuit which is arranged to move the focus detecting area according to the output of the computing circuit and to vary and control at least one of the size, the moving range and the moving response speed of the focus detecting area according to information on the depth of field of the photo-taking optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Kitahiro Kaneda
- 👤 Akihiro Fujiwara
- 👤 Kunihiko Yamada
- 👤 Hirofumi Suda
- 👤 Masamichi Toyama
- 👤 Hideyuki Arai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/67; H04N23/675
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image screen; b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said detecting area in said image screen and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image screen; b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said detecting area in said image screen and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 1, further comprising image sensing means arranged to convert an image formed on the image sensing plane into an electrical signal to output an image signal, said detecting means being arranged to detect said predetermined information from the image signal output from by said image sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said information is a signal indicating a feature of an object image formed on the image sensing plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said information relates to a peak value of a high-frequency component of the image signal and/or a peak value of information corresponding to an edge component of the object image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said computing means is arranged to detect the movement of object image by detecting in the cycle of field period a signal indicating the feature of the object image and to determine the setting position of said detecting area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said moving response characteristic of said detecting area is a moving response speed of said detecting area, and wherein said control means is arranged to vary stepwise at least one of the size, the moving range and the moving response speed of said detecting area according to said information on photo-taking conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein data for each of the size, the moving range and the moving response speed of said detecting area corresponding to said information on photo-taking conditions are stored in a memory in the form of a table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said control means is arranged to increase the size of said detecting area and decrease the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when the depth of field is deep and to decrease the size of said detecting area and increase the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when the depth of field is shallow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said computing means is arranged to compute the position of said detecting area by averaging in accordance with a predetermined algorithm a plurality of values of said information detected at different points of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area; and c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane and the moving response speed of said focus detecting area on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area; and c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane and the moving response speed of said focus detecting area on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 10, further comprising image sensing means arranged to convert into an electrical signal an image formed on the image sensing plane to output an image signal, said detecting means being arranged to detect the position of the object image by detecting a signal indicating a feature of the object image from the image signal output from said image sensing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein said computing means is arranged to compute the moving position of the object image by detecting an output of said detecting means in the cycle of field period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said information on photo-taking conditions is information on the depth of field of a photo-taking optical system which forms the object image on the image sensing plane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said control means is arranged to vary stepwise the size, the moving range and the moving response speed of said focus detecting area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein said moving response characteristic of said focus detecting area is a moving response speed of said focus detecting area, and wherein data for the size, the moving range and the moving response speed of said focus detecting area corresponding to said information on photo-taking conditions are stored in a memory in the form of a table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said control means is arranged to increase the size of said focus detecting area and decrease the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when the depth of field is deep and to decrease the size of said focus detecting area and increase the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when the depth of field is shallow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said computing means is arranged to compute the position of said focus detecting area by averaging in accordance with a predetermined algorithm a plurality of values of said information detected at different points of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
An image sensing apparatus, comprising: a) image sensing means arranged to photo-electrically convert an object image formed on the image sensing plane to output an image signal; b) detecting means for detecting predetermined information representing a feature of an object image from the image signal corresponding to said detecting area; c) area setting means arranged to compute a setting position of said detecting area and to move said detecting area to the setting position as computed; d) discriminating means for discriminating whether the object can be detected from the image signal; and e) control means for setting said detecting area in a predetermined position by suspending renewal of the setting position of said detecting area when a computing operation of the setting position of said detecting area by said area setting means is discriminated impossible according to said discriminating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
140 words
An image sensing apparatus, comprising: a) image sensing means arranged to photo-electrically convert an object image formed on the image sensing plane to output an image signal; b) detecting means for detecting predetermined information representing a feature of an object image from the image signal corresponding to said detecting area; c) area setting means arranged to compute a setting position of said detecting area and to move said detecting area to the setting position as computed; d) discriminating means for discriminating whether the object can be detected from the image signal; and e) control means for setting said detecting area in a predetermined position by suspending renewal of the setting position of said detecting area when a computing operation of the setting position of said detecting area by said area setting means is discriminated impossible according to said discriminating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said detecting area is a focus detecting area which is used for detecting the state of focus of an object image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image sensing device capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a detecting area for detecting predetermined information on an image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting said predetermined information from the image formed on the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and c) control means for varying and controlling the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area on the basis of a depth of field.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image sensing device capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a detecting area for detecting predetermined information on an image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting said predetermined information from the image formed on the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and c) control means for varying and controlling the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area on the basis of a depth of field.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said detecting means is arranged to detect said predetermined information from an image signal output from image sensing means for photo-electrically converting the image formed on the image sensing plane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 21, wherein said predetermined information is information on the position of the image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein data for the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area is stored in a memory in the form of a table.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said information on the operating state of said photo-taking optical system is information on the depth of field.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said control means is arranged to restrict the moving range of said detecting area in the vertical direction of the image sensing plane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said control means is arranged to vary a size of said detecting area in the vertical direction of the image sensing plane.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
130 words
An image sensing device capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a detecting area for detecting the state of an image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) image sensing means for photo-electrically converting the image on the image sensing plane to output an image signal; a') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane; b) detecting means for detecting predetermined information from the image signal; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means for simultaneously varying the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area, on the basis of a magnification state of said zooming means, when said detecting area is set on the basis of the output of said computing means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
130 words
An image sensing device capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a detecting area for detecting the state of an image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) image sensing means for photo-electrically converting the image on the image sensing plane to output an image signal; a') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane; b) detecting means for detecting predetermined information from the image signal; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means for simultaneously varying the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area, on the basis of a magnification state of said zooming means, when said detecting area is set on the basis of the output of said computing means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 27, wherein said control means is arranged to control a size, the moving range and the moving response speed of said detecting area in accordance with the depth of field.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said control means is arranged to increase the size of said detecting area and decrease the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when the depth of field is deep and to decrease the size of said detecting area and increase the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when the depth of field is shallow.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 27 or 29, wherein said detecting area is a focus detecting area which is set for detecting a focused state of the image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
105 words
A video camera, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image sensing plane; b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area; b') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a magnification condition of said zooming means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
105 words
A video camera, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image sensing plane; b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area; b') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a magnification condition of said zooming means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 31, wherein said setting means, computing means and control means are arranged to operate on a V-sync signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 32, wherein said predetermined information is a high frequency component in the image signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 31, wherein said computing means is arranged to effect averaging computation of information concerning a plurality of past set positions of said detecting area to calculate a next set position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device according to claim 31, wherein said information is an information concerning depth of field and said moving range is a moving range of the upward and downward movement of the detecting area in which the moving range is increased when the depth of field is shallower, while the moving range is decreased when the depth of field is deeper.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 35, wherein said computing means is arranged to effect averaging computation of information concerning a plurality of past set positions of said detecting area to calculate a next set position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 35, wherein said detecting means is arranged to detect a characteristic feature of an object image on the basis of a high frequency component in the image signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
106 words
A video camera, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image sensing plane; a') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane; b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the moving response speed of said detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a magnification condition of said zooming means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
106 words
A video camera, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image sensing plane; a') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane; b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area; and d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the moving response speed of said detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a magnification condition of said zooming means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device according to claim 38, wherein said information is an information concerning a depth of field, and said moving response characteristic includes motion responding speed of the decting area, in which the motion responding speed is increased when the depth of field is shallower, while the motion responding speed is decreased when the depth of field is deeper.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area; and c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area; and c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein said setting means, computing means and control means are arranged to operate on a V-sync signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein said computing means is arranged to effect averaging computation of information concerning a plurality of past set positions of said detecting area to calculate a next set position.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein said information is an information concerning depth of field and said moving range is a moving range of the upward and downward movement of the detecting area, in which the moving range is increased when the he depth of field is shallower, while the moving range is decreased when the depth of filed is deeper.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area; and c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the moving response speed of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising: a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane; b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area; and c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the moving response speed of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a depth of field.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said information is an information concerning a depth of field, and said moving response characteristic includes a motion responding speed of the detecting area, in which the motion responding speed is increased when the depth of field is shallower, while the motion responding speed is decreased when the depth of field is deeper.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said detecting means is arranged to detect a characteristic feature of an object image on the basis of a high frequency component in the image signal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said computing means is arranged to effect averaging computation of information concerning a plurality of past set positions of said detecting area to calculate a next set position.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a processing area in an image screen; b) processing means for processing a predetermined information obtained within said processing area; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said processing area; and d) control means arranged to move said processing area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said processing area in said image screen and/or the moving response speed of said processing areas in said image screen on the basis of information on a magnification condition of an image on said image screen.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a) setting means for movably setting a processing area in an image screen; b) processing means for processing a predetermined information obtained within said processing area; c) computing means for computing a setting position of said processing area; and d) control means arranged to move said processing area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said processing area in said image screen and/or the moving response speed of said processing areas in said image screen on the basis of information on a magnification condition of an image on said image screen.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said processing area is a focus detecting area.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said processing means detects a focal detection and a movement position of the object on an image signal the basis of said focus detecting area.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said magnification condition is a focal distance of a phototaking lens and information corresponding to a depth of field.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 48, wherein said control means is arranged to increase a size of said processing area and decrease the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when a depth of field is deep and to decrease the size of said processing area and increase the moving range and the moving response speed thereof when a depth of field is shallow.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 48, wherein said computing means is arranged to compute the position of said processing area by averaging in accordance with a predetermined algorithm a plurality of values of said information detected at different points of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-11-11 | 2001-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-11-11 | 2005-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-11-11 | 2009-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |