초록 ▼

System controller (10) seeks a focus adjusting evaluating value which is indicative of focus adjusting state as a criterion from object image information, and searches a focus adjusted position where focus adjusting evaluating value becomes the most appropriate and drives the focus operating means t

System controller (10) seeks a focus adjusting evaluating value which is indicative of focus adjusting state as a criterion from object image information, and searches a focus adjusted position where focus adjusting evaluating value becomes the most appropriate and drives the focus operating means to the focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by a focus adjusting scan to obtain a plurality of focus adjusting evaluating value by operating the focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means while driving focusing lens (1a) in at lease one way of continuous way or intermittent way which varies focus adjusting state of the object image.System controller (10) shifts a scan starting point from an initial locating position Po of the focusing lens (1a) in a first predetermined amount of distance in a predetermined direction then initiate scan from the initial locating position toward an opposite direction to the predetermined direction.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A camera comprising:a photographing optical system which forms an image of an object to be photographed on an image forming surface; a means for capturing the image to convert said image of the object to be photographed to an image signal; a focus operating means to vary a focus adjusting state o

1. A camera comprising:a photographing optical system which forms an image of an object to be photographed on an image forming surface; a means for capturing the image to convert said image of the object to be photographed to an image signal; a focus operating means to vary a focus adjusting state of the image of the object to be photographed on said means for capturing the image by moving at least any one of said photographing optical system, an optical means which is a portion of said photographing optical system and said means for capturing the image along an optical axis direction; a focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means seeking an evaluating value of focus adjusting which is indicative of the focus adjusting state as a criterion from image data obtained by said means for capturing the image; and a control means for adjusting focus which seeks a focus adjusted position where the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value and drives said focus operating means to said focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by scan in that said focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means is driven while said focus operating means is driven in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes a scan control means to set a scan starting point and a direction of a scan such that the focus adjusting operation is initiated from a point that is shifted in a first predetermined amount of distance in a predetermined direction from an initial locating position of said focus operating means toward an opposite direction to said predetermined direction. 2. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scan control means sets the direction going to an end point which is located farther from said initial locating position between both of end points of a scanning range as said predetermined direction.3. A camera comprising:a photographing optical system which forms an image of an object to be photographed on an image forming surface; a means for capturing the image to convert said image of the object to be photographed to an image signal; a focus operating means to vary a focus adjusting state of the image of the object to be photographed on said means for capturing the image by moving at least any one of said photographing optical system, an optical means which is a portion of said photographing optical system and said means for capturing the image along an optical axis direction; a focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means seeking an evaluating value of focus adjusting which is indicative of the focus adjusting state as a criterion from image data obtained by said means for capturing the image; and a control means for adjusting focus which seeks a focus adjusted position where the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value and drives said focus operating means to said focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by scan in that said focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means is driven while said focus operating means is driven in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes an additional scan control means to set a scan starting point and a direction of a scan such that when in a case that a distance from an initial locating point of said focus operating means to an end point which is located nearer to the initial locating position between both of end points of a focus adjusting scan range, is smaller than a second predetermined amount of distance, after a focusing lens is moved to the nearer end point, then the focus adjusting scan is initiated from the end point toward an other end point. 4. The camera as claimed in any one of claim 1 to claim 2, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an operation number discriminating means which discriminates whether the focus adjusting operation performed next is a first focus adjusting operation after an electric power is turned on or is a second or more focus adjusting operation, and an operated result storing means which stores an operated result that designates whether a focus adjusted state is detected or not at said focus adjusting operation, and any one of a first variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to a discriminated result by said operation number discriminating means, and a second variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance on the basis of the operated result in the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said operated result storing means.5. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an evaluating value storing means which stores a final evaluating value of focus adjusting in said focus adjusting operation, and a continuous evaluating value storing means which obtains continuously the evaluating value of focus adjusting and stores the evaluating value of focus adjusting at all times when a power source of the camera is turned on, and any one of a third variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to a result of comparison between the final evaluating value of focus adjusting of the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said evaluating value storing means and an evaluating value of focus adjusting when the present focus adjusting operation is started, and a fourth variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to a time series alternating state of the evaluating value of focus adjusting that is stored in said continuous evaluating value storing means from a time point that the last focus adjusting operation is terminated to a time point that the present focus adjusting operation is started.6. The camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photographing optical system comprises a variable focal distance optical system and a focal distance output means which outputs a focal distance information which is related to its focal distance, and said control means for adjusting focus includes a fifth variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to the focal distance information output from said focal distance output means.7. A device for capturing an object image comprising:a means for capturing an image to obtain the object image; an image data obtaining means to obtain object information according to the object image from said object image; a focus operating means which varies a focus adjusting state of the object image obtained by said means for capturing the image; a focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means which seeks an evaluating value of focus adjusting as a criterion of the focus adjusting state from image data obtained by said image data obtaining means; a control means for adjusting focus which seeks a focus adjusted position where the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value and drives said focus operating means to said focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by scan in that said focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means is driven while said focus operating means is driven in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes a scan control means to set a scan starting point and a direction of a scan such that the focus adjusting operation is initiated from a point that is shifted in a first predetermined amount of distance in a predetermined direction from an initial locating position of said focus operating means toward an opposite direction to said predetermined direction. 8. The device for capturing the object image as claimed in claim 7, where said scan control means sets the direction going to an end point which is located farther from said initial locating position between both of end points of a scanning range as said predetermined direction.9. A device for capturing an object image comprising:a means for capturing an image to obtain the object image; an image data obtaining means to obtain object information according to the object image from said object image; a focus operating means which varies a focus adjusting state of the object image obtained by said means for capturing the image; a focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means which seeks an evaluating value of focus adjusting as a criterion of the focus adjusting state from image data obtained by said image data obtaining means; a control means for adjusting focus which seeks a focus adjusted position where the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value and drives said focus operating means to said focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by scan in that said focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means is driven while said focus operating means is driven in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes an additional scan control means to set a scan starting point and a direction of a scan such that when in a case that a distance from an initial locating point of said focus operating means to an end point which is located nearer to the initial locating position between both of end points of a focus adjusting scan range, is smaller than a second predetermined amount of distance, after a focusing lens is moved to the nearer end point, then the focus adjusting scan is initiated from the end point toward an other end point. 10. The device for capturing the object image as claimed in any one of claim 7 to claim 8, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes at least any one of an operation number discriminating means which discriminates whether the focus adjusting operation performed next is a first focus adjusting operation after an electric power is turned on or is a second or more focus adjusting operation, an operated result storing means which stores an operated result that designates whether a focus adjusted state is detected or not at said focus adjusting operation, and a focal distance output means which outputs a focal distance information related to its focal distance of said means for capturing the image; and a first variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to at least one of a discriminated result by said operation number discriminating means, the operated result in the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said operated result storing means and the focal distance information by said focal distance output means.11. The device for capturing the object image as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an evaluating value storing means which stores a final evaluating value of focus adjusting in said focus adjusting operation and a continuous evaluating value storing means which obtains continuously the evaluating value of focus adjusting and stores the evaluating value of focus adjusting at all times when a power source of the device is turned on, and a second variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to at least one of a result of comparison between a final evaluating value of focus adjusting of the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said evaluating value storing means and an evaluating value of focus adjusting when the present focus adjusting operation is started, and a time series alternating state of the evaluating value of focus adjusting that is stored in said continuous evaluating value storing means from a time point that the last focus adjusting operation is terminated to a time point that the present focus adjusting operation is started.12. The device for capturing the object image as claimed in claim 7, wherein said device for capturing the object image comprises any one of a camera, an image input device including image scanner and copying machine, and an optical observing equipment including microscope, telescope, binoculars and endoscope.13. An automatic focus adjusting system comprising:a focus operating means to vary a focus adjusting state of an object image; a focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means seeking an evaluating value of focus adjusting which is indicative of the focus adjusting state as a criterion from an object to be photographed image data corresponding to the object image; and a control means for adjusting focus which seeks a focus adjusted position where the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value and drives said focus operating means to said focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by scan in that said focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means is driven while said focus operating means is driven in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes a scan control means to set a scan starting point and a direction of a scan such that the focus adjusting operation is initiated from a point that is shifted in a first predetermined amount of distance in a predetermined direction from an initial locating position of said focus operating means toward an opposite direction to said predetermined direction. 14. The automatic focus adjusting system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said scan control means sets the direction going to an end point which is located farther from said initial locating position between both of end points of a scanning range as said predetermined direction.15. An automatic focus adjusting system comprising:a focus operating means to vary a focus adjusting state of an object image; a focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means seeking an evaluating value of focus adjusting which is indicative of the focus adjusting state as a criterion from an object to be photographed image data corresponding to the object image; and a control means for adjusting focus which seeks a focus adjusted position where the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value and drives said focus operating means to said focus adjusted position to perform a focus adjusting by scan in that said focus adjusting evaluating value detecting means is driven while said focus operating means is driven in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes an additional scan control means to set a scan starting point and a direction of a scan such that when in a case that a distance from an initial locating point of said focus operating means to an end point which is located nearer to the initial locating position between both of end points of a focus adjusting scan range, is smaller than a second predetermined amount of distance, after a focusing lens is moved to the nearer end point, then the focus adjusting scan is initiated from the end point toward an other end point. 16. The automatic focus adjusting system as claimed in any one of claim 13 to claim 15, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an operation number discriminating means which discriminates whether the focus adjusting operation performed next is a first focus adjusting operation after an electric power is turned on or is a second or more focus adjusting operation, an operated result storing means which stores an operated result that designates whether a focus adjusted state is detected or not at said focus adjusting operation, a focal distance output means which output a focal distance information related to its focal distance, and a first variable control means which controls to vary at least one of said first predetermined amount of distance and said second predetermined amount of distance according to at least one of a discriminated result by said operation number discriminating means, the operated result in the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said operated result storing means and the focal distance information by said focal distance output means.17. The automatic focus adjusting system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an evaluating value storing means which stores a final evaluating value of focus adjusting in said focus adjusting operation, and a continuous evaluating value storing means which obtains continuously the evaluating value of focus adjusting and stores the evaluating value of focus adjusting at all times when a power source of the automatic focus adjusting system is turned on, and a second variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to at least one of a result of comparison between a final evaluating value of focus adjusting of the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said evaluating value storing means and an evaluating value of focus adjusting when the present focus adjusting operation is started, and a time series alternating state of the evaluating value of focus adjusting that is stored in said continuous evaluating value storing means from a time point that the last focus adjusting operation is terminated to a time point that the present focus adjusting operation is started.18. A method for adjusting automatic focus comprising:varying a focus adjusting state of an object image; seeking an evaluating value of focus adjusting which is indicative of the focus adjusting state as a criterion from object image information according to the object image; and performing a focus adjusting at which the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value by scan in that said focus adjusting state is varied in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; scanning a starting point setting to shift a scan starting point in a first predetermined amount of distance in a predetermined direction from an initial locating position of said focus adjusting scan; and scanning initiating to initiate a scan toward an opposite direction to said predetermined direction. 19. The method for adjusting automatic focus as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:setting a direction going to an end point which is located farther from said initial locating position between both of end points of a scanning range as said predetermined direction. 20. A method for adjusting automatic focus comprising:varying a focus adjusting state of an object image; seeking an evaluating value of focus adjusting which is indicative of the focus adjusting state as a criterion from object image information according to the object image; and performing a focus adjusting at which the focus adjusting evaluating value becomes a most appropriate value by scan in that said focus adjusting state is varied in at least any one of a continuous way and an intermittent way to obtain a plurality of said focus adjusting evaluating value; scanning position discriminating to judge if a distance from an initial locating point of said focus adjusting scan to an end point which is located nearer to the initial locating position between both of end points of a focus adjusting scan range, is smaller than a second predetermined amount of distance; scanning a starting point setting to move a scan starting point to said nearer end point when in a case the distance from the initial locating point of said focus adjusting scan to the end point which is located nearer is shorter than the second predetermined amount of distance; and scanning initiating to initiate the focus adjusting scan from the end point toward an other end point after the moving of said scan starting point has been completed. 21. The camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an evaluating value storing means which stores a final evaluating value of focus adjusting in said focus adjusting operation, and a continuous evaluating value storing means which obtains continuously the evaluating value of focus adjusting and stores the evaluating value of focus adjusting at all times when a power source of the camera is turned on, and any one of a third variable control means which controls to vary a first predetermined amount of distance according to a result of comparison between the final evaluating value of focus adjusting of the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said evaluating value storing means and an evaluating value of focus adjusting when the present focus adjusting operation is started, and a fourth variable control means which controls to vary said first predetermined amount of distance according to a time series alternating state of the evaluating value of focus adjusting that is stored in said continuous evaluating value storing means from a time point that the last focus adjusting operation is terminated to a time point that the present focus adjusting operation is started.22. The camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein said photographing optical system comprises a variable focal distance optical system and a focal distance output means which outputs a focal distance information which is related to its focal distance, and said control means for adjusting focus includes a fifth variable control means which controls to vary said second predetermined amount of distance according to the focal distance information output from said focal distance output means.23. The device for capturing the object image as claimed in claim 9, wherein said device for capturing the object image comprises any one of a camera, an image input device including image scanner and copying machine, and an optical observing equipment including microscope, telescope, binoculars and endoscope.24. The camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes any one of an operation number discriminating means which discriminates whether the focus adjusting operation performed next is a first focus adjusting operation after an electric power is turned on or is a second or more focus adjusting operation, and an operated result storing means which stores an operated result that designates whether a focus adjusted state is detected or not at said focus adjusting operation, and any one of a first variable control means which controls to vary said second predetermined amount of distance according to a discriminated result by said operation number discriminating means, and a second variable control means which controls to vary said second predetermined amount of distance on the basis of the operated result in the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said operated result storing means.25. The device for capturing the object image as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control means for adjusting focus includes at least any one of an operation number discriminating means which discriminates whether the focus adjusting operation performed next is a first focus adjusting operation after an electric power is turned on or is a second or more focus adjusting operation, an operated result storing means which stores an operated result that designates whether a focus adjusted state is detected or not at said focus adjusting operation, and a focal distance output means which outputs a focal distance information related to its focal distance of said means for capturing the image; and a first variable control means which controls to vary said second predetermined amount of distance according to at least one of a discriminated result by said operation number discriminating means, the operated result in the last focus adjusting operation that is stored in said operated result storing means and the focal distance information by said focal distance output means.