Abstract: A method for controlling auto focusing of a camera, which heretofore involved severe hunting phenomena in the case of a low depth of focus due to arbitrarily determining a wobbling width of a focus lens free from the depth of focus (iris opening), utilizes an opening of an iris and position of a zoom lens. The iris opening and zoom position are detected to variably control the wobbling width of the auto focusing, thereby improving the auto focusing speed. This minimizes wobbling and prevents hunting in the case of a low depth of focus.

Abstract: An automatically focusing camera apparatus includes an image device for photo-shooting an object and converting the resultant value to an electric signal, a signal processor for applying a digital signal process and a digital zoom process to the converted picture signal to provide a basic luminance signal and a basic color signal, a focus value detector for receiving at least one of the zoom-processed signals and detecting its focus value, and a controller for carrying out an AF (automatic focusing) control using the focus value detected by the focus value detector member. The apparatus precisely performs the processing of an object-shooting signal and the AF operation and prevents the AF operation from being distorted during a digital zoom operation.

Abstract: In automatic focus controlling of a camera, a method for controlling focusing areas of the camera is performed by setting a supervisory area in the center of a subject area picked up by an optical system; setting plural variable areas into an outer periphery of the supervisory area; and detecting the subject to perform the auto focusing while performing area variation to the variable areas, unless the subject is detected while constantly observing the supervisory area. An apparatus for executing the method is also provided, enhancing precision of the auto focusing to the main subject in the case of multiple subjects, continuously tracking the auto focusing of the subject that moves to the outer peripheral side of the center of the picture, and improving the tracking property of the center area when varying the picture areas.

Abstract: A zoom tracking apparatus and method in a video camera. An offset adjustment is achieved by deriving applied voltage of the zoom position sensor only by use of data relating to positions of the zoom lens respectively associated with several optional points and corresponding positions of the focusing lens involving focusing while shifting the zoom lens in one direction. The offset adjustment is, thereby, achieved rapidly and accurately, and an accurate focus upon zoom tracking is obtained. The minimum quantity of trace data is stored in the internal ROM of the control circuit, while a trace tracking of the focusing lens associated with the shift of the zoom lens is achieved in a region where an error may occur possibly upon detecting the position of the zoom lens by use of a focusing evaluation value, thereby capable of achieving the trace tracking accurately.