IP Library Granted Patent US 12666147
Granted Patent B2
US 12666147 · App. 18/921,502 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Image pickup apparatus and its control method

Inventor: Hideaki Yokoo (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
H04N23/675H04N23/635
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12666147
App. No.
18/921,502
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image pickup apparatus includes at least one image sensor, a focus detector, a processor configured to perform focus control of each of the first optical system and the second optical system based on the focus state, and an input unit configured to allow a user to input a first target position in an imaging range through the first optical system. The processor is configured to perform focus control of the first optical system according to the focus state at the first target position, set a second target position corresponding to the first target position in an imaging range through the second optical system, perform focus control of the second optical system according to the focus state at the second target position, and notify the user of a completion of the focus control of each of the first optical system and the second optical system.

Claims (37)

1 . An image pickup apparatus comprising:

at least one image sensor configured to capture two object images formed by a first optical system and a second optical system arranged in parallel;

a focus detector configured to detect a focus state using a signal output from the image sensor;

a processor configured to perform focus control of each of the first optical system and the second optical system based on the focus state; and

an input unit configured to allow a user to input a first target position in an imaging range through the first optical system,

wherein the processor is configured to:

perform focus control of the first optical system according to the focus state at the first target position,

set a second target position corresponding to the first target position in an imaging range through the second optical system,

perform focus control of the second optical system according to the focus state at the second target position, and

notify the user of a completion of the focus control of each of the first optical system and the second optical system.

2 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to set the second target position for the same object as an object for which the first target position is set.

3 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to perform the focus control of the first optical system, a notification of a completion of the focus control of the first optical system, the focus control of the second optical system, and a notification of completion of the focus control of the second optical system in this order.

4 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to perform the focus control of each of the first optical system and the second optical system, and a notification of completions of the focus controls of the first optical system and the second optical system in this order.

5 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit configured to display a first captured image obtained by imaging through the first optical system and a second captured image obtained by imaging through the second optical system,

wherein the processor is configured to:

perform the focus control of the first optical system by displaying the first target position on the first captured image, and

perform the focus control of the second optical system by displaying the second target position on the second captured image after the focus control of the first optical system is completed.

6 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to:

cause the display unit to display an enlarged image of a portion of the first captured image that includes the first target position, and

cause the display unit to display an enlarged image of a portion of the second captured image that includes the second target position.

7 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a display unit configured to display a first captured image obtained by imaging through the first optical system and a second captured image obtained by imaging through the second optical system,

wherein the processor is configured to perform the focus control of the first optical system by displaying the first target position on the first captured image and the focus control of the second optical system by displaying the second target position on the second captured image.

8 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to control a first drive unit configured to drive the first optical system in the focus control of the first optical system and a second drive unit configured to drive the second optical system in the focus control of the second optical system.

9 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to control a first drive unit configured to drive the first optical system and the second optical system and a second drive unit configured to drive the second optical system in the focus control of each of the first optical system and the second optical system.

10 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein focus controls of the first optical system and the second optical system, and manual focuses of the first optical system and the second optical system can be switched, and

wherein in the manual focuses, the processor is configured to:

control the first optical system according to an operation of a focus operation member according to an input of the first target position through the input unit, and

control the second optical system according to an operation of the focus operation member according to an input of the second target position through the input unit.

11 . The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the focus control of the first optical system and manual focus of the first optical system can be switched, and

wherein the processor is configured to set the second target position and perform the focus control of the second optical system after the manual focus of the first optical system according to an input of the first target position and an operation of the focus operation member are completed.

12 . A control method for an image pickup apparatus that includes an image sensor configured to capture two object images formed by a first optical system and a second optical system arranged in parallel, and detects a focus state using a signal output from the image sensor, the control method comprising the steps of:

causing a user to input a first target position within an imaging range through the first optical system;

performing focus control of the first optical system according to the focus state at the first target position;

setting a second target position corresponding to the first target position within an imaging range through the second optical system;

performing focus control of the second optical system according to the focus state at the second target position; and

notifying a user of completions of focus controls of the first optical system and the second optical system.

13 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the control method of claim 12 .