Abstract: A variable-magnification image taking device comprising a phototaking lens for varying magnification, a solid-state image pickup device for receiving an object image formed by the phototaking lens and recording the image information of the object image, a moving device for axially moving the solid-state image pickup device, and a control device for controlling the moving device so as to position the solid-state image pickup device at the focus position of the object image, movable according to the magnification-varying operation of the phototaking lens.

Abstract: Automatic focusing apparatus for automatically matching focus with respect to an object in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensing device having an adjustable aperture, a lens, and an image sensor which receives incident light through the aperture and lens. The automatic focusing apparatus includes a circuit for integrating a high frequency component of a video signal every field to generate a focus evaluating value; a control unit for adjusting the position of a focusing lens so that the focus evaluating value attains the maximum value; memories for storing focus evaluating values of fields successively supplied from the focus evaluating value generating circuit, and memories for storing data relating to the various positions of the focusing lens which correspond to the focus evaluating values. The automatic focusing apparatus further includes a control device for controlling the speed at which the focusing lens position is adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image defocusing apparatus for defocusing an image formed on a screen by modeling an object in a boundary box by updating pixel values on the image to approximate a lens's focusing effects and a method thereof. The apparatus comprises a unit for computing data related to a circle of confusion for each point in the boundary box, the circle of confusion being a measure how defocused an out-of-focus point is on the screen, a unit for checking a reference pixel whose corresponding point's circle of confusion overlaps a pixel selected as a target pixel, and a unit for updating an original value of the target pixel by taking into account a value of the reference pixel and the data of the target pixel's circle of confusion.

Abstract: A photometry device having a first and a second imaging device, a control mechanism and a photometry measurement mechanism. The first and second imaging devices include light-sensitive elements which are sensitive to complementary colors dispose thereon in a 2.times.2 matrix. The control mechanism controls the first and second imaging devices to construct luminance signals in accordance with the output signals of the first and second imaging devices. The photometry measurement mechanism carries out photometry measurement in accordance with the luminance signals constructed by the control mechanism.

Abstract: A lens position adjusting method for flange back adjustment of an inner focus lens assembly, which is suitable for a video camera is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: moving a variator near to a telephoto end or a wide end; detecting a focal position by moving a focus lens when the variator is moved near to the telephoto end or the wide end; computing a difference in position between the variator and the telephoto end or the wide end, based on a moving distance of the focus lens to the focal position; and determining the position of the telephoto end or the wide end.

Abstract: A video camera has a memory for storing the position of an image lens in relation to the position of a variator lens, that is, zoom tracing curves in respect of individual subject distances, a motor for moving the image lens while vibrating it slightly during zooming operation, a variation component extractor circuit for extracting the amplitude and phase of a slight variation component of focusing voltage generated by moving the image lens while vibrating it slightly, and a controller for controlling drive means on the basis of the stored zoom tracing curves and an extracted slight variation component. During zooming operation, the controller first controls the motor in compliance with a position of the variator lens pursuant to a zoom tracing curve stored in the memory in association with a position assumed by the image lens immediately before start of the zooming operation.

Abstract: An optical system controlling apparatus includes an optical system for moving in a predetermined direction and varying an optical characteristic, a position sensor for detecting a position of the optical system which is in operation, and a controlling circuit for moving the optical system to a predetermined initial set position and resetting the position sensor when it is detected that the optical system has reached the initial set position, the controlling circuit varying a driving speed of the optical system before and after it is detected that the optical system has reached the initial set position.

Abstract: An object tracking apparatus for an automatic zoom lens control in a video camera includes a memory for storing data for zoom track lines showing the relationship between the distance variation of a zoom lens and the distance variation of a focus lens while the distance of an object is kept constant, a zoom encoder for producing a zoom position signal showing the zoom lens position, a microcomputer for detecting the variation amount of the zooming position, and a zoom motor for variably controlling the zoom lens position corresponding to the detected zoom speed. A corresponding method for automatic object tracking using a zoom lens is also described.

Abstract: A lens control device for performing focusing during lens initialization includes an axially movable focusing lens, a lens position detector for detecting the position of the lens and a detector for detecting a focus state of the lens on an image pickup plane. The lens control device further includes an initializing circuit which effects an initialization of the lens position detector, a memory circuit which stores the position of the lens at the detection of a focused state on the image pickup plane by the detector during the functioning of the initializing circuit and a control circuit which moves the lens to the position stored in the memory circuit at the completion of the initialization.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus with zooming function, which is equipped with a photoelectric converter for converting an image of an object to be taken by an optical system into an electric signal. The optical system and photoelectric converter are provided as separately slidable on an optical axis. A high frequency component of the electric signal is extracted to determine if the image is in focus by means of level of the high frequency component. Responding to the result of the judgement, the optical system and photoelectric converter are respectively slid to click stop points on the optical axis where the image is in focus.

Abstract: In a camera system including a camera unit and a lens unit which is detachably mounted on the camera unit, an automatic focusing apparatus comprises a focus signal forming circuit which forms a focus detection signal for indicating a focusing state of the lens unit, a focal length information outputting circuit which produces absolute focal length information on the absolute focal length of the lens unit, a transmission circuit which transmits the absolute focal length information to the camera unit, and a control circuit which controls the focus signal forming circuit on the basis of the absolute focal length information.

Abstract: A camera system including an objective lens system and a camera body comprises: a movable lens unit included in the objective lens system to act as a variator for varying a focal length of whole of the objective lens system; a CCD for receiving light passed through the objective lens system to pick up an image formed by the objective lens system; a motor for shifting the CCD along the optical axis of the objective lens system; a first detector for detecting a position of an image formed by the objective lens system to produce a defocus signal representing the position of the image; a second detector for detecting a position of the movable lens unit along the optical axis to produce a lens position signal representing the detected position of the movable lens unit; and a controller for controlling the motor in accordance with both of the defocus signal and the lens position signal to bring the light receiver to the position of the image formed by the objective lens system.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus of this invention can select one of a plurality of distance measurement areas in a photographing area, and obtains an in-focus point on the basis of contrast data of an object in the selected distance measurement area, thereby driving a photographing lens. When the selected distance measurement area is set by an area setting unit, an MTF characteristic value corresponding to the selected distance measurement area stored in a ROM is read out. An MPU obtains a contrast peak value of a first detection frequency component, and detects a position of a first peak value. The MPU predicts an existing area of a contrast peak value of a second detection frequency component higher than the first detection frequency component on the basis of the detected first peak value position and the MTF characteristic value read out from the ROM.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus photoelectrically converts image light from an object. The image light incident on the photosensing plane of the image pickup apparatus is optically controlled by a zoom lens and a focus lens. A controller drives the zoom lens to its telephoto position and drives the focus lens to its closest position so that bright image light is prevented from being focused on the photosensing plane.

Abstract: A video camera having a zoom controlling apparatus which readily controls the magnitude of an image to a fixed size. The camera apparatus detects movement of a subject being photographed based on changes in the image signal and detects the magnitude of the subject being photographed by the imaging device. A servo-control maintains the magnitude of a subject being viewed by the camera constant by moving a zoom lens in response to the detected magnitude.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus of a video camera automatically matches a focus in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensing circuit. The automatic focusing apparatus detects the level of a high frequency component of the video signal in order to supply a focus evaluating value which takes a maximum value in an in-focus position. A focusing motor controlling circuit performs an automatic focusing operation by a hill-climbing servo system based on the supplied focus evaluating value. A determination is made by employing a fuzzy inference with respect to the initialization of the direction of movement of a lens when the automatic focusing operation starts, the selection of a focusing area from a plurality of areas, and the reactivation of the automatic focusing operation due to a change of an object after once the automatic focusing operation is completed.

Abstract: This is a film image input system wherein an image of the developed still photo film is made to focus on an image sensing plane of a charge coupled device through a taking lens to be converted into electric signals and the electric signals are input in a video monitor. The film image input system comprises: a zoom driving part for changing the image magnification of the taking lens; a scan mechanism for moving an image taking position on the film by the taking lens; and a control part for controlling the scan mechanism in such a manner that the moving speed of the scan mechanism is decreased with the increase in the image magnification of the taking lens and making the moving speed of a screen on the video monitor constant during scan.