Image sensing device having a selectable detecting area

An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising:

• a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane;
• b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area;
• and
• c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane and the moving response speed of said focus detecting area on the basis of information on a depth of field.

An image sensing apparatus, comprising:

• a) image sensing means arranged to photo-electrically convert an object image formed on the image sensing plane to output an image signal;
• b) detecting means for detecting predetermined information representing a feature of an object image from the image signal corresponding to said detecting area;
• c) area setting means arranged to compute a setting position of said detecting area and to move said detecting area to the setting position as computed;
• d) discriminating means for discriminating whether the object can be detected from the image signal;
• and
• e) control means for setting said detecting area in a predetermined position by suspending renewal of the setting position of said detecting area when a computing operation of the setting position of said detecting area by said area setting means is discriminated impossible according to said discriminating means.

An image sensing device capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a detecting area for detecting predetermined information on an image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising:

• a) detecting means for detecting said predetermined information from the image formed on the image sensing plane;
• b) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area;
• and
• c) control means for varying and controlling the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area on the basis of a depth of field.

An image sensing device capable of movably setting within an image sensing plane a detecting area for detecting the state of an image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising:

• a) image sensing means for photo-electrically converting the image on the image sensing plane to output an image signal;
• a') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane;
• b) detecting means for detecting predetermined information from the image signal;
• c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area;
• and
• d) control means for simultaneously varying the moving range and/or the moving response speed of said detecting area, on the basis of a magnification state of said zooming means, when said detecting area is set on the basis of the output of said computing means.

A video camera, comprising:

• a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image sensing plane;
• b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area;
• b') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane;
• c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area;
• and
• d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a magnification condition of said zooming means.

A video camera, comprising:

• a) setting means for movably setting a detecting area in an image sensing plane;
• a') zooming means for zooming the image on said image sensing plane;
• b) detecting means for detecting a predetermined information obtained within said detecting area;
• c) computing means for computing a setting position of said detecting area;
• and
• d) control means arranged to move said detecting area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the moving response speed of said detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a magnification condition of said zooming means.

An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising:

• a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane;
• b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area;
• and
• c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a depth of field.

An automatic focusing device capable of moving within an image sensing plane a focus detecting area for detecting the degree of focus of an object image formed on the image sensing plane, comprising:

• a) detecting means for detecting the object image within the image sensing plane;
• b) computing means for computing a setting position of said focus detecting area;
• and
• c) control means arranged to set said focus detecting area in the setting position computed by said computing means and to control and vary the moving response speed of said focus detecting area in said image sensing plane on the basis of information on a depth of field.

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• a) setting means for movably setting a processing area in an image screen;
• b) processing means for processing a predetermined information obtained within said processing area;
• c) computing means for computing a setting position of said processing area;
• and
• d) control means arranged to move said processing area on the basis of an output of said computing means and to control and vary the movable range of said processing area in said image screen and/or the moving response speed of said processing areas in said image screen on the basis of information on a magnification condition of an image on said image screen.