Patent ID: 6222587
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A focus control apparatus comprising:an estimation-value generating means for generating from a high-frequency component of a video signal output from an imagine means a plurality of estimation values corresponding to respective combinations of filter means and detection windows;an estimation value determining means for determining for each estimation value of said estimation values whether or not said estimation value is a proper estimation value indicative of a focus degree with respect to a target object, thereby generating a plurality of proper estimation values, said determining means being operative to make such determination for two of said estimation values at a time by calculation the absolute value of the difference between said two estimation values to generate a difference measure, multiplying one of said two estimation values by a predetermined multiplier to generate a product, and comparing said difference measure to said product;an arithmetic means for calculating weight data corresponding to said proper estimation values; anda control means for determining a focus direction based on said weight data calculated by said arithmetic means.