Automatic focussing system including in-focus position prediction means

An automatic focussing system comprising:

• (A) output means for sequentially outputting
• signals corresponding to a focus condition;
• (B) prediction means for predicting a focus position of a plurality of signals outputted from
• said output means;
• and
• (C) control means for controlling the focus on
• the basis of the result of prediction by said
• prediction means when the levels of said
• signals satisfy a predetermined condition.

An automatic focussing system comprising:

• (A) output means for sequentially outputting signals corresponding to a focus condition of a photographic lens at a predetermined timing;
• (B) prediction means for predicting the focus point by use of at least three successive signals outputted from said output means;
• (C) detection means for detecting information relating to said photographic lens;
• and
• (D) correcting means for correcting the predicted values of said prediction means in accordance with the information detected by said detection means.

An automatic focussing system comprising:

• (A) output means for sequentially outputting signals corresponding to a focus condition;
• (B) prediction means for predicting at least one of a maximum level and a timing, at which said maximum level is obtained, by use of a plurality of successive signals outputted from said output means;
• and
• (C) inhibition means for inhibiting focus control on the basis of the result of prediction when at least one of said maximum level and said timing predicted by said prediction means changes above an allowable range with respect to the previous predicted values.