# US 2019/0170968 A1 · Camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170968 A1 - Document ID: US20190170968A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/313,977 - Filed: 2017-06-30 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-30 - Assignees: Nikon Corporation - Applicants: Nikon Corporation - Inventors: Masaru HABE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170968A1 ## CPC - G02B 7/34: using different areas in a pupil plane - G02B 7/005: {Motorised alignment} - G02B 7/28: Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals - G03B 3/02: moving lens along baseboard - G03B 13/36: Autofocus systems - H04N 23/611: where the recognised objects include parts of the human body - H04N 23/67: Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals - H04N 23/672: {based on the phase difference signals} - H04N 23/675: {comprising setting of focusing regions} - H04N 23/69: Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming - H04N 25/76: Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A camera includes: an image capturing unit that outputs a signal by capturing a subject image via an optical system having a focus adjustment optical system; a detection unit that detects an in-focus position at which the subject image is in focus on the image capturing unit by the optical system based on the signal outputted from the image capturing unit; a control unit that controls a position of the focus adjustment optical system so as to focus continuously upon a specified subject based on the in-focus position detected by the detection unit; and an acquisition unit that acquires information related to at least one of a distance to the specified subject, a size of the specified subject, and the optical system; wherein the control unit controls the position of the focus adjustment optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 -14. (canceled) ### Claim 15 A camera, comprising: an image capturing unit that outputs a signal by capturing a subject image via an optical system having a focus adjustment optical system; a detection unit that detects an in-focus position at which the subject image is in focus on the image capturing unit by the optical system based on the signal outputted from the image capturing unit; a control unit that controls shifting of the focus adjustment optical system so as to focus upon a specified subject based on the in-focus position detected by the detection unit; and an acquisition unit that acquires at least one of information related to the specified subject and information related to the optical system; wherein the control unit limits the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein: the detection unit detects an amount of deviation between the in-focus position and the image capturing unit; and the control unit limits the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system based on the amount of deviation and a threshold value that is set based on the information. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein: the detection unit detects an amount of deviation between the in-focus position and the image capturing unit; and the control unit compares the amount of deviation and a threshold value that is set based on the information, and determines whether or not to limit the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The camera according to claim 16, wherein: the control unit limits the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system if the amount of deviation is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and allows the focus adjustment to shift if the amount of deviation is smaller than threshold value. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The camera according to claim 16, wherein: the information related to the specified subject is information related to a distance to the specified subject, a focus distance, a size of the specified subject, and a size of an image of the specified subject upon an imaging surface of the image capturing unit; and the information related to the optical system is information related to a focal length, an angle of view, and a reproduction ratio. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The camera according to claim 19, wherein the threshold value is greater, as the distance to the specified subject is shorter, or as the focus distance to the specified subject is shorter, or as the size of the specified subject is greater, or as a magnification ratio of the optical system is greater, or as the optical system is set more towards a telephoto side, or as the reproduction ratio is greater, or as the angle of view is narrower. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein: the control unit limits the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system for a time period that is set based on the information. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The camera according to claim 21, wherein: the information related to the specified subject is information related to at least one of a motion vector of the specified subject and speed of the specified subject. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The camera according to claim 22, wherein the control unit limits the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system for a longer time period as the motion vector of the specified subject is greater, or as the speed of the specified subject is greater. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The camera according to claim 21, wherein: the information related to the specified subject is information of a size of a region that is employed for detecting the in-focus position of the specified subject. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The camera according to claim 24, wherein: the control unit limits the shifting of the focus adjustment optical system for a longer time period as the size of the region is greater. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein: the control unit controls a position of the focus adjustment optical system so as to focus continuously on the specified subject.