Camera which automatically and properly focuses in situations with relatively low luminance foreground objects and high luminance background objects

Claim 2

An auto focus apparatus driving a focus lens to a position where high frequency component of a video signal output from an image pickup device attains a maximum value, comprising: an evaluating value detector detecting an evaluating value generated based on said high frequency component; and a lens driver, responsive to detection of two peak evaluating values by said evaluating value detector, setting said focus lens to a position bringing the focus lens in-focus at a prescribed distance, wherein said lens driver drives said lens, to a position where the evaluating value is lowest between the two peak evaluating values, as an in-focus position.

Claim 3

The auto focus apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: said lens driver drives said lens to an infinite focusing end in an initial state, moves the lens to a closest focusing point side, and in response to detection of said two peak evaluating values therebetween, drives said lens to the in-focus position.

Claim 4

An auto focus apparatus driving a focus lens based on high frequency component of a video signal output from an image pickup device, comprising: an evaluating value detector detecting an evaluating value generated based on said high frequency component; and a lens driver setting, when one peak evaluating value is detected by said evaluating value detector, said focus lens to a position corresponding to the detected one peak evaluating value, and setting, when two peak evaluating values are detected by said evaluating value detector, said focus lens to a prescribed fixed position, regardless of a result of detection by said evaluating value detector.

Claim 5

An auto focus apparatus driving a focus lens based on high frequency component of a video signal output from an image pickup device, comprising: an evaluating value detector detecting an evaluating value generated based on said high frequency component; and a lens driver setting, when one peak evaluating value is detected by said evaluating value detector, said focus lens to a position corresponding to the detected one peak evaluating value, and setting, when two peak evaluating values are detected by said evaluating value detector, said focus lens to a prescribed fixed position, regardless of a result of detection by said evaluating value detector.

Claim 6

The auto focus apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising: an A/D converter converting the video signal output from said image pickup device to a digital signal; brightness signal generator extracting a brightness signal component from the video signal converted to the digital signal by said A/D converter; and a filter extracting high frequency component from the brightness signal component extracted by said brightness signal generator so as to form an extracted high frequency component and applying the extracted high frequency component to said evaluating value detector.

Claim 7

An auto focus apparatus driving a focus lens to a position where high frequency component of a video signal output from an image pickup device attains a maximum value, comprising: an evaluating value detector detecting an evaluating value generated based on said high frequency component; and a lens driver, responsive to detection of two peak evaluating values by said evaluating value detector, setting said focus lens to a position bringing the focus lens in-focus at a prescribed position; wherein an image plane as sensed by the image pickup device contains an area of relatively high brightness and an object having relatively low illuminance with respect to said area and in response to which the two peak evaluating values occur, and the lens driver, in response to the two peak evaluating values, sets the position of the lens at a predefined intermediate position situated within a range between lens positions associated with said peaks.

Claim 8

An auto focus apparatus driving a focus lens to a position where high frequency component of a video signal output from an image pickup device attains a maximum value, comprising: an evaluating value detector detecting an evaluating value generated based on said high frequency component; and a lens driver, responsive to detection of two peak evaluating values by said evaluating value detector, setting said focus lens to a position bringing the focus lens in-focus at a prescribed position; wherein an image plane as sensed by the image pickup device contains an area of relatively high brightness and an object having relatively low illuminance with respect to said area and in response to which the two peak evaluating values occur, and the lens driver, in response to the two peak evaluating values, sets the position of the lens at a predefined intermediate position situated within a range between lens positions associated with said peaks.