IP Library Granted Patent US 12,542,969
Granted Patent B2
US 12,542,969 · App. 18/653,823 · Granted Feb 3, 2026

Control apparatus for controlling focus of imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Inventor: Masaki Kamba (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
H04N23/67H04N23/69
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,542,969
App. No.
18/653,823
Granted
Feb 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control apparatus includes at least one memory storing instructions, and at least one processor that, upon execution of the instructions, configures the at least one processor to acquire a size of a subject in a captured image, calculate a difference between the acquired size of the subject and a target size, control a position of a zoom lens to reduce the calculated difference, identify a search range to determine a position of a focus lens, based on the position of the zoom lens and the calculated difference, and cause an image capture device to execute autofocus control to focus on the subject within the identified search range.

Claims (40)

1 . A control apparatus comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions; and

at least one processor that, upon execution of the stored instructions, configures the at least one processor to:

acquire a size of a subject in a captured image;

calculate a difference between the acquired size of the subject and a target size;

control a position of a zoom lens so that the calculated difference reduces;

identify a search range to determine a position of a focus lens, based on the position of the zoom lens and the calculated difference; and

cause an image capture device to execute autofocus control to focus on the subject within the identified search range.

2 . The control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case where the acquired size of the subject is larger than the target size, the search range is identified to be closer to a near side than a current subject distance.

3 . The control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case where the acquired size of the subject is smaller than the target size, the search range is identified to be closer to a far side than a current subject distance.

4 . The control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the search range is identified such that the search range is narrower as the calculated difference decreases.

5 . The control apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the search range is acquired from data stored in advance with a subject distance and the position of the zoom lens as parameters in the acquisition.

6 . The control apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the search range is identified such that the search range is wider as a moving speed of the zoom lens is higher than a current speed.

7 . An imaging apparatus, comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions; and

at least one processor that, upon execution of the stored instructions configures the at least one processor to:

acquire a size of a subject in a captured image;

calculate a difference between the acquired size of the subject and a target size;

control a position of a zoom lens so that the calculated difference reduces;

identify a search range to determine a position of a focus lens, based on the position of the zoom lens and the calculated difference; and

cause an image capture device to execute autofocus control to focus on the subject within the identified search range;

an imaging optical system including the zoom lens and the focus lens; and

an imaging unit configured to capture an image obtained by the imaging optical system.

8 . A method for controlling a control apparatus, the method comprising:

acquiring a size of a subject in a captured image;

calculating a difference between the acquired size of the subject and a target size;

controlling a position of a zoom lens to reduce the calculated difference;

identifying a search range to determine a position of a focus lens, based on the position of the zoom lens and the calculated difference; and

causing an image capture device to execute autofocus control to focus on the subject within the identified search range.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein, in a case where the acquired size of the subject is larger than the target size, the search range is identified to be closer to a near side than a current subject distance.

10 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein, in a case where the acquired size of the subject is smaller than the target size, the search range is identified to be closer to a far side than a current subject distance.

11 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the search range is identified such that the search range is narrower as the calculated difference decreases.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the search range is acquired from data stored in advance with a subject distance and the position of the zoom lens as parameters in the acquisition.

13 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the search range is identified such that the search range is wider as a moving speed of the zoom lens is higher than a current speed.

14 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, configures the at least one processor to execute a method, the method comprising:

acquiring a size of a subject in a captured image;

calculating a difference between the acquired size of the subject and a target size;

controlling a position of a zoom lens to reduce the calculated difference;

identifying a search range to determine a position of a focus lens, based on the position of the zoom lens and the calculated difference; and

causing an image capture device to execute autofocus control to focus on the subject within the identified search range.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2024
From: KAMBA, MASAKI
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 067589/0125 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2023-080064 · May 15, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240388798A1 · Nov 21, 2024
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