Patent ID: 6686966
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An electronic imaging system comprising:a photographic optical system for focusing a scene image; an imaging means for converting the scene image focused by the photographic optical system to an image signal; a high frequency component detecting means for detecting high frequency components of the image signal obtained by the imaging means; a light detecting means including a light-emitting means for emitting light toward the scene and a light-receiving means for receiving light emitted by the light-emitting means and reflected from the scene; a driving means for controlling the focal point of the photographic optical system; a brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness of the scene; and a drive control means for controlling the driving means on the basis of the output of the high frequency detecting means or the light detecting means; wherein the focal point control is performed on the basis of the output of the high frequency component detecting means when detecting, from the result of detection in the brightness detecting means, that the brightness of the scene is higher than a predetermined brightness, and the focal point control is performed on the basis of the output of the light detecting means when detecting, from the result of detection in the brightness detecting means, that the brightness of the scene is lower than the predetermined brightness, the output of the light detecting means being obtained by controlling a power supply to cut off current or supply a relatively low current flowing in the imaging means and then driving the light detecting means for emission of light toward the scene and reception of light reflected light from the scene.