Automatic Focus Control Apparatus and Method, Recording Medium and Program

摘要

The present invention makes it possible to enhance the automatic focusing response characteristic. An image pickup sensor performs light exposure ex 11 and ex 12 in synchronization with an image vertical synchronizing signal VP (waveform A in FIG. 7 ). A camera signal processing section reads out the image signal obtained by the light exposure ex 11 at a timing VR 12 (waveform D in FIG. 7 ). An AF detection section extracts high-frequency components of an image signal corresponding to an AF detection reduction gate frame (hereinafter referred to simply as gate frame) at a timing of the gate frame and performs rectification detection. Then the AF detection section produces a focus evaluation value just after the timing of the gate frame. An AF module fetches the produced focus evaluation value at a timing of an AF module 21 (waveform F in FIG. 7 ), and produces an automatic focusing control signal LD 22 for bringing a focusing position close to an in-focus position (waveform G in FIG. 7 ) and moves a focusing lens based on the produced control signal. The present invention can be applied to a video camera.