US6972798B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Focusing device and method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 2000-08-29
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Granted: 2005-12-06
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Expires: 2020-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An automatic focus adjustment device has an image sensing element for converting an object optical image into an electrical signal, and outputting an image signal, a filter for extracting high-frequency components of the image signal obtained by the image sensing element, an integrator for integrating the high-frequency components extracted by the filter and outputting an integrated value, a peak hold circuit for detecting and outputting a peak value of the high-frequency components extracted by the filter, a discrimination unit for discriminating the luminance distribution of the object optical image, and a focus adjustment unit for making focus adjustment using one of the integrated value output from the integrator and the peak value output from the peak hold circuit in accordance with the discrimination result.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirofumi Takei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/67; H04N23/673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus comprising: (A) a photo-receiving device that receives light from an object and converts the light into an image signal; and (B) a focus adjusting device that forms a first focus evaluation value by integrating a predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device and forms a second focus evaluation value, different from said first focus evaluation value, by detecting a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device, and performs a focus adjusting operation by selectively using one of said first and second focus evaluation values on the basis of a luminous state of the image signal, wherein the selectively used first or second focus evaluation value becomes larger as an image of the object approaches to a focused state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus comprising: (A) a photo-receiving device that receives light from an object and converts the light into an image signal; and (B) a focus adjusting device that forms a first focus evaluation value by integrating a predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device and forms a second focus evaluation value, different from said first focus evaluation value, by detecting a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device, and performs a focus adjusting operation by selectively using one of said first and second focus evaluation values on the basis of a luminous state of the image signal, wherein the selectively used first or second focus evaluation value becomes larger as an image of the object approaches to a focused state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined frequency component is a frequency component on a predetermined high frequency side.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device judges the state of the luminous State of the object on the basis of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies at least one of said first and second focus evluation values to the focus adjustment on the basis of a luminous distribution state of the object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies said second focus adjusting signal to the focus adjustment in a case there an object image is judged as a peak image on the basis of the luminous state of the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies said first focus adjusting signal to the focus adjustment in a case where an object image is not judged as a peak image on the basis of the luminous state of the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies said first focus adjusting signal to the focus adjustment in a case where an object image is not judged as a peak image on the basis of the luminous state of the object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device forms said first focus adjusting signal by integrating a predetermined peak value of Said predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said focus adjusting device forms said second focus adjusting signal by obtaining said peak value without performing said predetermined integration operation on said predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said focus adjusting device forms said second focus adjusting signal from a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device forms said second focus adjusting signal by obtaining said peak value without performing said predetermined integration operation on the predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device forms said second focus adjusting signal from a single peak value of a predetermined frequency component of the image signal obtained by said photo-receiving device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device judges the luminous state of the object on the basis of a peak value of luminance of the object and an average value of the luminance of the object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to the focus adjustment in consideration of a state of a focal length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to the focus adjustment in consideration of a state of an iris.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device applies at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to the focus adjustment in consideration of a state of an iris.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said focus adjusting device changes a focus adjusting signal to be applied to the focus adjustment from said second focus adjusting signal to said first focus adjusting signal as depth of field is deepened by at least one of a focal length and an iris.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an image sensing apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a camera.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an optical device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
A focus adjusting method comprising: converting light from an object into an image signal, forming a first focus evaluation value by integrating a predetermined frequency component of the image signal, forming a second focus evaluation value, different from said first focus evaluation value, by detecting a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal, and selectively using at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to thereby perform a focus adjusting operation on the basis of a luminous state of the image signal, wherein the selectively used first or second focus evaluation value becomes larger as an image of the object approaches to a focused state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
112 words
A focus adjusting method comprising: converting light from an object into an image signal, forming a first focus evaluation value by integrating a predetermined frequency component of the image signal, forming a second focus evaluation value, different from said first focus evaluation value, by detecting a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal, and selectively using at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to thereby perform a focus adjusting operation on the basis of a luminous state of the image signal, wherein the selectively used first or second focus evaluation value becomes larger as an image of the object approaches to a focused state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
124 words
A computer-program product comprising code that, when executed, causes a computer to carry out the steps of: converting light from an object into an image signal, forming a first focus evaluation value by integrating a predetermined frequency component of the image signal, forming a second focus evaluation value, different from said first focus evaluation value, by detecting a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal, and selectively using at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to thereby perform a focus adjusting operation on the basis of a luminous state of the image signal, wherein the selectively used first or second focus evaluation value becomes larger as an image of the object approaches to a focused state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
A computer-program product comprising code that, when executed, causes a computer to carry out the steps of: converting light from an object into an image signal, forming a first focus evaluation value by integrating a predetermined frequency component of the image signal, forming a second focus evaluation value, different from said first focus evaluation value, by detecting a peak value of the predetermined frequency component of the image signal, and selectively using at least one of said first and second focus evaluation values to thereby perform a focus adjusting operation on the basis of a luminous state of the image signal, wherein the selectively used first or second focus evaluation value becomes larger as an image of the object approaches to a focused state.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product according to claim 22 , wherein said computer program product comprises a storage medium.
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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) | 2008-12-05 | 2009-06-06 | 2009-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-05 | 2013-06-06 | 2013-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-12-05 | 2017-06-06 | 2017-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |