Focal point detection device of camera and method of detecting focal point thereof

A focal point detection device of a camera comprising:

• an imaging optical system which is driven for focusing operation;
• a focal point detection section which detects a focal point state of an object image corresponding to each of a plurality of focal point detection regions arranged in an imaging screen;
• a group selection section which selects two or more focal point detection regions in the plurality of focal point detection regions as a group;
• a judgment section which determines a focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state of the object image by the focal point detection section is enabled;
• an automatic focal point detection region selection section which includes
• a first automatic selection mode in which
• when focal point detection regions in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled are present in the selected group as a result of the determination, a focal point detection region is selected in the selected group, wherein selecting the focal point detection region in the selected group includes selecting a central focal point detection region when the central focal point detection region is included in the focal point detection regions, and
• when no focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled is present in the selected group, a focal point detection region outside the selected group is selected, and
• a second automatic selection mode in which it is judged, with respect to all the focal point detection regions, whether or not detection of the focal point state of the object image by the focal point detection section is enabled, and when focal point detection regions in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled are present, a focal point detection region is selected from the focal point detection regions in which detection of the focal point state is enabled;
• a mode setting section which sets the first automatic selection mode or the second automatic selection mode as a focal point detection region selection mode;
• and
• a control section which causes the imaging optical system to drive in accordance with the focal point detection region selection mode set by the mode setting section, and in accordance with the focal point state corresponding to the focal point detection region selected by the automatic focal point detection region selection section.

A method of detecting a focal point state of an imaging optical system corresponding to a plurality of focal point detection regions in an imaging screen, comprising:

• detecting a focal point state of an object image corresponding to each of the plurality of focal point detection regions arranged in the imaging screen;
• selecting two or more focal point detection regions from the plurality of focal point detection regions as a group;
• determining a focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled in the selected group;
• selecting,
• when focal point detection regions in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled are present in the selected group, a focal point detection region in the selected group, wherein selecting the focal point detection region in the selected group includes selecting a central focal point detection region when the central focal point detection region is included in the focal point detection regions, and
• when no focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled is present in the selected group, a focal point detection region outside the selected group;
• and
• causing the imaging optical system to drive in accordance with the focal point state corresponding to the selected focal point detection region.