IP Library Granted Patent US 9,247,123
Granted Patent B2
US 9,247,123 · App. 14/049,343 · Granted Jan 26, 2016

Imaging apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,247,123
App. No.
14/049,343
Granted
Jan 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image, a subject detector configured to detect a subject from the image captured by the imaging unit, a setting unit configured to set, in accordance with a change of a position of the subject detected by the subject detector, an image region to be focused on for the changed position of the subject, a focus unit configured to perform a focus operation to the subject included in the set image region, and a controller configured to control a speed of the focus operation according to a moving speed of the subject detected by the subject detector.

Claims (16)

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit including an image sensor configured to capture an image;

a focus motor configured to drive a focus lens; and

a controller configured to

detect a subject from the image captured by the imaging unit,

set, in accordance with a change of a position of the detected subject, an image region to be focused on for the changed position of the subject, and

perform a focus operation to the subject included in the set image region by controlled the focus motor, wherein:

the controller controls a speed of the focus operation by changing a time interval of sampling for performing autofocus AF(auto-focus) control according to a moving speed of the detected subject, or by changing a moving amount of the focus lens per one sampling for performing AF control according to the moving speed of the detected subject;

the sampling for performing AF control is a repeating interval of a predetermined number of frames; and

the controller controls the focus operation to be slower as the moving speed of the detected subject is faster.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller sets the time interval of the sampling for performing the focus operation to be longer as the moving speed of the detected subject is faster.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller reduces a moving amount of the focus lens per one sampling to a smaller amount as the moving speed of the detected subject is faster.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

when the moving speed of the detected subject is faster than a first reference speed, the controller stops the focus operation.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

when the moving speed of the detected subject becomes slower than a second reference speed after the focus operation is stopped, the controller restarts the focus operation.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2014
From: KOBAYASHI, KUNIYOSHI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032226/0415 →