Focus detection device, focus detection method, and storage medium storing focus detection program

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019109994-A1
Application number	US-201816157023-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 10, 2018
Priority date	Oct 11, 2017
Publication date	Apr 11, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A focus detection device includes an imaging unit, an image processor, a focus detection circuit, and a control circuit. The imaging unit includes a pixel portion including light-receiving portions. The light-receiving portions are divided into first and second pupil division directions. The image processor performs processing to display an image based on a display pixel signal. The focus detection circuit performs processing for focus detection based on a focus detection pixel signal. The control circuit controls the imaging unit to generate the focus detection pixel signal regarding the first pupil division direction in a first operation, and controls the imaging unit to generate the display pixel signal and the focus detection pixel signal regarding the second pupil division direction in a second operation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A focus detection device comprising:
an imaging unit including one or more pixel portions in which a plurality of light-receiving portions are arranged, the light-receiving portions being divided into a first pupil division direction and a second pupil division direction that differs from the first pupil division direction, to perform photoelectric conversion on each light flux that passes through an exit pupil region having different imaging optical systems with respect to one microlens, and to generate pixel signals; an image processor configured to perform processing to display an image based on a display pixel signal for display that is generated based on the pixel signals; a focus detection circuit configured to perform processing for focus detection based on a focus detection pixel signal for focus detection that is generated based on the pixel signals; and a control circuit configured to control the imaging unit to alternately perform a first operation and a second operation that each includes generating and reading the pixel signals, the the control circuit controlling the imaging unit to generate the focus detection pixel signal regarding the first pupil division direction in the first operation, and controlling the imaging unit to generate the display pixel signal and the focus detection pixel signal regarding the second pupil division direction in the second operation.

2 . The focus detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit controls the imaging unit to add the pixel signals from the light-receiving portions divided in the second pupil division direction in the first operation, and to add the pixel signals from the light-receiving portions divided in the first pupil division direction in the second operation.

3 . The focus detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit controls the imaging unit not to add the pixel signals output from the pixel portions regarding the first pupil division direction, and to add the pixel signals regarding the second pupil division direction in the first operation.

4 . The focus detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit controls the imaging unit to add the pixel signals output from the pixel portions regarding both the first pupil division direction and the second pupil division direction in the second operation.

5 . The focus detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit controls the imaging unit to read only a part of the pixel signals regarding the second pupil division direction in the first operation.

6 . The focus detection device according to claim 5 , wherein the control circuit controls the imaging unit to read only a part of the pixel signals regarding the second pupil division direction when a frame rate relating to the first operation is faster than a predetermined value.

7 . A focus detection method using an imaging unit including one or more pixel portions in which a plurality of light-receiving portions are arranged, the light-receiving portions being divided into a first pupil division direction and a second pupil division direction that differs from the first pupil division direction, to perform photoelectric conversion on each light flux that passes through an exit pupil region having different imaging optical systems with respect to one microlens, and to generate pixel signals, the focus detection method comprising:
performing processing to display an image based on a display pixel signal for display that is generated based on the pixel signals; performing processing for focus detection based on a focus detection pixel signal for focus detection that is generated based on the pixel signals; and controlling the imaging unit to alternately perform a first operation and a second operation that each includes generating and reading the pixel signals, the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to generate the focus detection pixel signal regarding the first pupil division direction in the first operation, and controlling the imaging unit to generate the display pixel signal and the focus detection pixel signal regarding the second pupil division direction in the second operation.

8 . The focus detection method according to claim 7 , wherein the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to add the pixel signals from the light-receiving portions divided in the second pupil division direction in the first operation, and to add the pixel signals from the light-receiving portions divided in the first pupil division direction in the second operation.

9 . The focus detection method according to claim 7 , wherein the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit so as not to add the pixel signals output from the pixel portions regarding the first pupil division direction, and to add the pixel signals regarding the second pupil division direction in the first operation.

10 . The focus detection method according to claim 7 , wherein the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to add the pixel signals output from the pixel portions regarding both the first pupil division direction and the second pupil division direction in the second operation.

11 . The focus detection method according to claim 7 , wherein the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to read only a part of the pixel signals regarding the second pupil division direction in the first operation.

12 . The focus detection method according to claim 10 , wherein the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to read only a part of the pixel signals regarding the second pupil division direction when a frame rate relating to the first operation is faster than a predetermined value.

13 . A computer readable non-transitory storage medium that stores a focus detection program using an imaging unit including one or more pixel portions in which a plurality of light-receiving portions are arranged, the light-receiving portions being divided into a first pupil division direction and a second pupil division direction that differs from the first pupil division direction, to perform photoelectric conversion on each light flux that passes through an exit pupil region having different imaging optical systems with respect to one microlens, and to generate pixel signals, the focus detection program comprising:
performing processing to display an image based on a display pixel signal for display that is generated based on the pixel signals; performing processing for focus detection based on a focus detection pixel signal for focus detection that is generated based on the pixel signals; and controlling the imaging unit to alternately perform a first operation and a second operation, each including generation and reading of the pixel signals, the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to generate the focus detection pixel signal regarding the first pupil division direction in the first operation, and controlling the imaging unit to generate the display pixel signal and the focus detection pixel signal regarding the second pupil division direction in the second operation.

14 . The storage medium according to claim 13 , wherein the controlling of the imaging unit includes controlling the imaging unit to add the pixel signals from the light-receiving portions divided in the second pupil division direction in the first operation, and to add the pixel signals from the light-receiving portions divided in the first pupil division

Assignees

• Olympus Corp

Inventors

• Kikuchi Tetsuo
• Hatakeyama Ryo

Classifications

• H04N23/687

  by shifting the lens or sensor position · CPC title

• H04N25/134

  based on three different wavelength filter elements · CPC title

• H04N25/531

  by controlling rolling shutters in CMOS SSIS · CPC title

• H04N23/663 Primary

  for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals · CPC title

• H04N23/672 Primary

  based on the phase difference signals · CPC title