Image capturing apparatus capable of storing focus detection data

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016044233-A1
Application number	US-201514887754-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 20, 2015
Priority date	Nov 14, 2008
Publication date	Feb 11, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor having a first pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a first exit pupil region, a second pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a second exit pupil region, and a third pixel group for capturing that photoelectrically converts an object image from overall exit pupil region; a focus detection unit that detects focus information by performing a defocus calculation with use of a first image signal obtained from the first pixel group and a second image signal obtained from the second pixel group; an image processing unit that converts captured image data into an image file for recording and saving; and a data recording unit that records, in association with the image file, signals obtained from the first pixel group and the second pixel group such that the defocus calculation can be performed.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . An information processing apparatus which processes data of an image file recorded by an image capturing apparatus which comprises an image sensor having a first pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a first exit pupil region that is part of an exit pupil region of a photographing lens, a second pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a second exit pupil region that is different from the first exit pupil region, and a third pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from an exit pupil region that includes the first exit pupil region and the second exit pupil region, and a data recording unit that records image data photoelectrically converted at least by the third pixel group and detection data detected by the first pixel group and the second pixel group, as the image file, the information processing apparatus comprising:
a reading unit that reads out the image data and the detection data recorded in the image file; a generation unit that interpolates data of a position corresponding to each pixel of the first and second pixel groups by data of the third pixel group surrounding each pixel of the first and second pixel groups and generates interpolated image data; an image processing unit that applies image processing to the interpolated image data; and a calculation unit that calculates focus information of the photographing lens using the detection data that is read out.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the focus information of the photographing lens using the detection data detected by the first and second pixel groups before the image processing is applied to the image data.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the focus information of the photographing lens by performing a phase difference calculation to the detection data detected by the first and second pixel groups.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the calculation unit generates two image signals using the detection data detected by the first and second pixel groups and detects the focus information by calculating a phase difference of the two image signals.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the focus information using the detection data detected by the first and second pixel groups corresponding to a designated position of the image data processed by the image processing unit.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a display control unit that controls to display the processed image data to a display unit.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the display control unit controls to display information corresponding to the calculated focus information to the display unit.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the detection data is recorded in attached information recording area in the image file by an Exif format.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein position information of the first and second pixel groups is recorded in the image file.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the position information is recorded in an attached information recording area in the image file by an Exif format.

12 . A method of controlling an information processing apparatus which processes data of an image file recorded by an image capturing apparatus which comprises an image sensor having a first pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a first exit pupil region that is part of an exit pupil region of a photographing lens, a second pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a second exit pupil region that is different from the first exit pupil region, and a third pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from an exit pupil region that includes the first exit pupil region and the second exit pupil region, and a data recording unit that records image data photoelectrically converted at least by the third pixel group and detection data detected by the first pixel group and the second pixel group, as the image file, the method comprising:
reading out the image data and the detection data recorded in the image file; interpolating data of a position corresponding to each pixel of the first and second pixel groups by data of the third pixel group surrounding each pixel of the first and second pixel groups and generating interpolated image data; applying image processing to the interpolated image data; and calculating focus information of the photographing lens using the detection data that is read out.

Assignees

• Nakagawa Kazuo
• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Nakagawa Kazuo

Classifications

• H04N23/675

  comprising setting of focusing regions · CPC title

• H04N23/635

  Region indicators; Field of view indicators · CPC title

• H04N25/134

  based on three different wavelength filter elements · CPC title

• H04N23/672 Primary

  based on the phase difference signals · CPC title

• H04N23/62

  Control of parameters via user interfaces · CPC title