Image pickup device with focusing control

An image pickup device comprising:

• A) focusing means for automatically adjusting a focus state of a phototaking optical system continuously in a predetermined moving range of said phototaking optical system, consisting of a plurality of regions, said focusing means being operable in a mode of operation wherein said focus state is continuously adjusted by a common operating algorithm that does not vary from region to region in said predetermined moving range;
• B) detection means for detecting a region in which said phototaking optical system is positioned;
• and
• C) control means, connected to said detection means, for detecting powering on, determining on the basis of a signal from said detection means whether said phototaking optical system is positioned in a normal region at a time when said powering on is detected, said control means immediately activating said mode of operation of said phototaking optical system if said phototaking optical system is positioned in said normal region at said time when said powering on is detected, and if said phototaking optical system is not positioned in said normal region at said time when said powering on is detected, said control means generates a drive control signal for driving said phototaking optical system continuously to an initial position in said normal region and then activates said mode of operation of said focusing means.

A video camera comprising:

• A) a focus lens;
• B) position discrimination means for dividing a moving range of said focus lens into a plurality of regions and discriminating a region in which said focus lens is located;
• C) focus detecting means for detecting a focus state of said focus lens and outputting a focus detection signal corresponding to the focus state;
• and
• D) control means operable in a mode of operation wherein automatic focus adjustment is performed according to a common operating algorithm that does not vary in dependence on the region in which said focus lens is located, said automatic focus adjustment being performed by moving said focus lens continuously in said moving range on the basis of said focus detection signal;
• said control means determining whether said focus lens is located in a normal region in said plurality of regions at a time when power is turned on and, if said focus lens is not located in said normal region at said time, driving said focus lens to said normal region before operation of said control means in said mode of operation is started and then starting the operation of said control means in said mode of operation.

A video camera comprising:

• A) a focus lens for performing focus adjustment by moving in a moving range which is divided into a plurality of regions;
• B) focus detection means for detecting a focus state of said focus lens and outputting a focus detection signal corresponding to the focus state;
• C) focus control means operable in a mode of operation wherein automatic focus adjustment is performed according to a common operating algorithm that does not vary in dependence on the region in which said focus lens is located, said automatic focus adjustment being performed by moving said focus lens continuously in said moving range;
• and
• D) control means for receiving a reset signal generated in response to a powering-on and, in case the focus lens is not located in a normal region of said plurality of regions when the reset signal is received, for driving said focus lens to said normal region and for prohibiting operation of said focus control means in said mode of operation until said focus lens is driven to said normal region.

A lens control apparatus comprising:

• A) automatic focusing means for continuously adjusting a focus condition of a lens by driving said lens in a predetermined moving range consisting of a plurality of regions, said focusing means being operable in a mode of operation wherein said focus condition is continuously adjusted according to a common operating algorithm that does not vary from region to region in said predetermined moving range;
• B) detection means for detecting a region in which said lens is positioned;
• and
• C) control means, in response to power-on of said apparatus, for controlling said lens on the basis of an output of said detection means so as to immediately activate said mode of operation of said focusing means if said lens positioned in said normal region at the power-on of said apparatus and generate a driving signal for moving said lens to a predetermined initial position in said normal region and then activate said mode of operation of said focusing means if said lens is not positioned in said normal region.