Automatic focus camera having an audio device to indicate an in-focus state of a lens and a method thereof

An automatic focus camera having a lens, comprising:

• a focal point detection unit to detect a focal point status of the lens in relation to a subject;
• a start focus detection device to start the operation of said focal point detection apparatus;
• a focal point adjustment unit to perform a focal point adjustment operation by driving the lens to an in-focus position based upon the detection results of said focal point detection unit;
• an audio device to generate a sound in response to the lens being in-focus;
• a primary control unit to repeatedly control said focal point adjustment unit to perform the focal point adjustment operation during a continuous mode until a shutter release of the camera is executed;
• and
• a prohibition unit to drive said audio device to generate the sound during the continuous mode of said primary control unit only when the lens is in the in-focus state an initial time, said prohibition unit prohibiting drive of said audio device during the continuous mode when the lens is in the in-focus state a second and subsequent times, in the period between the start and end of the focal point detection by said focal point detection apparatus.

A method of generating sounds to indicate an in-focus state of a lens of an automatic focus camera, said method comprising the steps of:

• starting detection of the focal point status of the lens;
• determining whether the lens is in an in-focus state during a continuous mode wherein the lens is repeatedly driven to an in-focus position even after the lens has reached the in-focus position and a subsequent defocus position;
• determining whether the lens has previously reached the in-focus position if said lens has been determined to be in the in-focus position during the continuous mode;
• and
• generating a first one of the sounds only if the lens has not previously reached the in-focus position during the continuous mode, in the period between the start and end of the focal point detection.