Focusing device, image pickup apparatus, and control method

A focusing device comprising:

• a driving unit configured to drive a focus lens;
• a control unit configured to control the driving unit to move the focus lens through a predetermined range, to determine a state of focus on the basis of a signal output from an image pickup unit, the signal being acquired in association with movement of the focus lens through the predetermined range, and to control the driving unit so that an image of an object is in focus;
• and
• an instructing unit configured to provide an instruction to perform a plurality of imaging operations,
• wherein, when the instructing unit provides the instruction, the control unit is configured to perform movement of the focus lens by the predetermined range at a predetermined speed before each of the plurality of imaging operations, to determine the state of focus, and to move, before moving the focus lens at the predetermined speed, the focus lens to a position where the state of focus is to be determined at a speed higher than the predetermined speed.

A method for controlling a focusing device including a focus-lens driving unit configured to drive a focus lens;

• a control unit configured to control the focus-lens driving unit to move the focus lens through a predetermined range, to determine a state of focus on the basis of a signal output from an image pickup unit, the signal being acquired in association with movement of the focus lens through the predetermined range, and to control the focus-lens driving unit so that an image of an object is in focus;
• and a storing unit configured to store a position of the focus lens in focus acquired by the control unit, the method comprising:
• calculating a datum point of the range of movement of the focus lens for moving the focus lens, on the basis of the position of the focus lens stored in the storing unit;
• and
• shifting the range of movement of the focus lens in response to the calculated datum point in a direction in which the object moves.

A method for controlling a focusing device including a driving unit configured to drive a focus lens;

• a control unit configured to control the driving unit to move the focus lens through a predetermined range, to determine a state of focus on the basis of a signal output from an image pickup unit, the signal being acquired in association with movement of the focus lens through the predetermined range, and to control the driving unit so that an image of an object is in focus;
• and an instructing unit configured to provide an instruction to perform a plurality of imaging operations, the method comprising:
• when the instruction is provided from the instructing unit,
• moving the focus lens by the predetermined range at a predetermined speed before each of the plurality of imaging operations and determining the state of focus;
• and
• moving the focus lens to a position where the state of focus is to be determined at a speed higher than the predetermined speed before moving the focus lens at the predetermined speed.

A focusing device comprising:

• a focusing unit configured to detect a state of focus on an object on the basis of a signal output from an image pickup element while scanning in a direction of an optical axis with respect to the object by moving a focus lens and to adjust a position of the focus lens in response to a detected result of the state of focus on the object so that the object is in focus;
• and
• a control unit configured to control, in a continuous shooting operation, the focusing unit to perform a scan operation for a current imaging operation by moving the focus lens on the basis of a position of the focus lens at an imaging operation prior to the current imaging and to perform focusing,
• wherein the control unit is configured to adjust, in the case where a time interval between an immediately preceding imaging operation and the current imaging operation in the continuous shooting operation is longer than each of time intervals between continuous imaging operations up to the immediately preceding imaging operation, the position of the focus lens on the basis of the scan operation a plurality of times in an interval between the immediately preceding imaging operation and the current imaging operation.

A focusing device comprising:

• a focusing unit configured to detect a state of focus on an object on the basis of a signal output from an image pickup element while scanning in a direction of an optical axis with respect to the object by moving a focus lens and to adjust a position of the focus lens in response to a detected result of the state of focus on the object so that the object is in focus;
• and
• a control unit configured to control, in a continuous shooting operation, the focusing unit to perform a scan operation for a current imaging operation by moving the focus lens on the basis of a position of the focus lens at an imaging operation prior to the current imaging and to perform focusing,
• wherein the control unit is configured to adjust, in the case where a time interval between an immediately preceding imaging operation and the current imaging operation in the continuous shooting operation is longer than each of time intervals between continuous imaging operations up to the immediately preceding imaging operation, the position of the focus lens on the basis of the scan operation just before the current imaging operation.