Automatic focusing apparatus and control method therefor

Abstract

An automatic focusing apparatus detects presence or absence of change in a distance between an object and the automatic focusing apparatus while operating in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of a focus lens to focus on the object, and stops a movement of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic focusing apparatus comprising:
 an imaging unit configured to capture an object image that is input via a focus lens to output image data;   a detection unit configured to detect a focus signal that indicates a focusing state of the focus lens based on the image data;   a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust a position of the focus lens based on the focus signal detected by the detection unit;   a control unit configured to cause the focus adjustment unit to operate in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of the focus lens; and   a distance change detection unit configured to detect, when the focus adjustment unit is operating in the operation mode, presence or absence of change in a distance between the object and the automatic focusing apparatus,   wherein the control unit stops the adjustment of the position of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected by the distance change detection unit.