Phased metalens for adjusting a focus of an image

The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for adjusting a focus of an image. A system includes a phased metalens configured to adjust a focus of an image detected by an imaging substrate of an image sensor to compensate for warpage of the imaging substrate. The phased metalens can achieve a near-diffraction-limited focusing over incoming light wavelengths using precisely defined nanoscale subwavelength resolution structures.

Apparatus and method executed by apparatus

An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

METHOD FOR GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL OF A PDAF PIXEL

Illumination control apparatus for capturing image using plurality of illumination apparatuses, illumination control system, and imaging apparatus

Controlling the emission of light of a plurality of illumination/light emitting devices 400a-400d for use in image capture by an imaging unit e.g. camera 100. The control apparatus 300 has a communication unit 402 that is able to establish communication with the plurality of illumination apparatuses. A processor 401 of the control apparatus outputs light amount data based on maximum light emission amounts from the illumination apparatuses with which communication has been established by the communication unit. The processor also obtains from the e.g. camera light requirements for a picture/image to be taken and based on the required light emission amount determines the light that needs to be emitted from the various illumination apparatuses which are communicatively coupled and thus control the illumination apparatuses for use in a main light emission (e.g. flash) 405 to emit light with the determined light emission amounts. There may be control modes where the first mode causes the illumination ...

Solid-state imaging device and electronic equipment

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device and electronic equipment that enable improvement of image quality of a captured image. In the solid-state imaging device, two or more photoelectric conversion layers including a photoelectric converter and a charge detector are laminated. The solid-state imaging device is configured to include a state in which light having entered one pixel of a first photoelectric conversion layer closer to an optical lens is received by the photoelectric converter of a plurality of pixels of the second photoelectric conversion layer farther from the optical lens. The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device that performs imaging.

Vibration apparatus, image pickup apparatus, control method of vibration apparatus, and storage medium

A vibration apparatus includes a vibrating unit, and a control unit configured to control vibration of the vibrating unit. The control unit changes a vibration pattern of the vibrating unit by controlling the vibrating unit so as to change at least one of a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, and a vibration time according to at least one of a detection result of an offset amount from an in-focus position and a detection result of a predetermined object image in a mode that continuously performs autofocus processing.

METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH AUTOFOCUS

A processor-implemented method includes: generating first input data comprising phase information of an input image; generating second input data in which lens position information is encoded; and determining position information of a lens corresponding to autofocus by inputting the first input data and the second input data to a neural network model.

IMAGING APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD

Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging element that includes photodiode split pixels, the photodiode split pixels each including a first photodiode pixel and a second photodiode pixel, the first photodiode pixel and the second photodiode pixel outputting different pixel signals, respectively, a signal processing section that, in a case where output values of the pixel signals reach saturation values, performs a saturation handling process of correcting the output values according to the saturation values and predicted output values.

IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

An image capturing apparatus (100) comprises: an image sensor (106) for generating an image signal from an object image formed by an imaging optical system (101, 102); tilt control means (116) for executing tilt control of tilting the image sensor (106) with respect to a principal surface of the imaging optical system (101, 102); deriving means (112, 114) for deriving, by a phase difference detection pixel (201) included in the image sensor (106), a defocus amount with respect to an object image at a position of the phase difference detection pixel (201); and control means (115) for controlling to execute the tilt control by the tilt control means (116) in deriving the defocus amount by the deriving means (112, 114), and to derive, by the deriving means (112, 114), a defocus amount based on an object image obtained while executing the tilt control.

MULTIMEDIA PROCESSING CHIP, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC-IMAGE PROCESSING

A multimedia processing chip, an electronic device, and a method for dynamic-image processing are provided. The multimedia processing chip includes an image signal processor (ISP) and a neural network processing unit (NPU). The ISP is configured to collect status information of image data. The NPU is configured to process the image data with a neural network algorithm. The multimedia processing chip is configured to perform pre-processing on the image data and transmits the status information and the pre-processed image data to an application processing chip.

LIGHT RECEIVING ELEMENT, IMAGING DEVICE, AND CORRECTION PROCESSING METHOD

There is provided a light receiving element capable of obtaining a signal with high autofocus performance while suppressing image quality degradation, an imaging device, and a correction processing method. The light receiving element includes: a first pixel that includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to share a first on-chip lens, receive incident light from a pupil region of an optical system via the first on-chip lens, and perform photoelectric conversion; and a second pixel that includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to share a second on-chip lens, receive the incident light from the pupil region of the optical system via the second on-chip lens, and perform the photoelectric conversion. The second pixel has lower transmittance on an outer side of the pupil region in which the first pixel is capable of receiving light as compared with the transmittance of the pupil region.

Varied depth determination using stereo vision and phase detection auto focus (PDAF)

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for varied depth determination using, stereo vision and phase detection auto focus (PDAF). Computer stereo vision (stereo vision) is used to extract three-dimensional information from digital images. To utilize stereo vison, two optical sensors are displaced horizontally from one another and used to capture images depicting two differing views of a real-world environment from two different vantage points. The relative depth of the objects captured in the images is determined using triangulation by comparing the relative positions of the objects in the two images. For example, the relative positions of matching objects (e.g., features) identified in the captured images are used along with the known orientation of the optical sensors (e.g., distance between the optical sensors, vantage points the optical sensors) to estimate the depth of the objects.

Range detection using machine learning combined with camera focus

A method for range detection is described. The method includes segmenting an image into one or more segmentation blobs captured by a monocular camera of an ego vehicle. The method includes focusing on pixels forming a selected segmentation blob of the one or more segment blobs. The method also includes determining a distance to the selected segmentation blob according to a focus function value of the monocular camera of the ego vehicle.

Imaging device provided with event-based camera

An imaging device in which an autofocus function can be performed without using brightness information is provided. In an imaging device according to one aspect, a density of points obtained by plotting two-dimensional point data of a plurality of event data as points on a plane, the event data outputted from an imaging element in a predetermined period in a state in which a focal point of a light receiving lens is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism, is calculated as a point density. When the point density is calculated, a control unit drives and controls the adjustment mechanism based on comparison results between the point density currently calculated and the point density last calculated to thereby adjust the focal point toward the in-focus position. In another aspect, an imaging device having an autofocus function can be provided without using event data.

IMAGE SENSOR AND AUTOFOCUSING METHOD OF THE SAME

An image sensor, including a pixel array including a first unit pixel including first a plurality of photodiodes and a second unit pixel including a second plurality of diodes; a readout circuit configured to: obtain a reset signal from the first unit pixel and the second unit pixel, obtain a first single pixel signal from a first photodiode of the first unit pixel, and a second single pixel signal from a second photodiode of the second unit pixel, and obtain a first summed pixel signal from the first unit pixel, and a second summed pixel signal from the second unit pixel, wherein the first photodiode is disposed in position with respect to the first unit pixel which is different from a position of the second photodiode with respect to the second unit pixel.

AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF ALL-IN-FOCUS IMAGES WITH A MOBILE CAMERA

The present disclosure describes systems and techniques directed to producing an all-in-focus image with a camera of a mobile device, in particular, cameras with shallow depth-of field. User equipment includes a sensor for determining distance to an object in a camera's field-of-view. Based on a depth map of the field-of view, a plurality of segments is inferred, each segment defining a unique focus area within the camera's field-of-view. An autofocus lens of the camera sweeps to a respective focal distance associated with each of the plurality of segments. The camera captures sample images at each focal distance swept by the autofocus lens. The user equipment produces an all-in-focus image by combining or merging portions of the captured sample images.

Imaging device, focusing control method, and computer readable non-transitory recording medium storing a focusing control program

An imaging device and a focusing control method are provided. The imaging device includes: an imaging element, having pixels including phase-difference detecting pixels and imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens; and a focusing controller, selectively performing focusing control using a phase difference AF method or focusing control using a contrast AF method in a mode in which focusing control for focusing on a main subject by driving the focus lens is continuously performed multiple times. The focusing controller performs the focusing control using the contrast AF method in a case where a state in which a degree of reliability of the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is equal to or less than a threshold value persists N times (N=2 or more), while the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is continuously performed.

INTERCHANGEABLE LENS DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD AND PROGRAM

IMAGING DEVICE INCLUDING SHARED PIXELS AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

An operating method of an imaging device comprising a plurality of shared pixels that share a floating diffusion node and each comprising sub-pixels covered by a micro-lens. The method involves generating a capture image from the plurality of shared pixels that receive light reflected from an object; compensating for the capture image using static phase information based on misalignment of the micro lens of each of the plurality of shared pixels; performing auto exposure control based on the compensation of the capture image; performing auto focus control based on the compensated capture image; and generating an output image by processing the compensated capture image.

IMAGING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH EVENT-BASED CAMERA

LENS CONTROL APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE

An image-capturing device includes: an image sensor that includes an imagecapturing area where an image of a subject is captured; a setting unit that sets imagecapturing conditions to be applied to the image-capturing area; a selection unit that selects pixels to be used for interpolation from pixels present in the image-capturing area; and a generation unit that generates an image of the subject captured in the image-capturing area with signals generated through interpolation executed by using signals output from the pixels selected by the selection unit, wherein: the selection unit makes a change in selection of at least some of the pixels to be selected depending upon the image-capturing conditions set by the setting unit.

IMAGING APPARATUS, FOCUS CONTROL METHOD, AND FOCUS CONTROL PROGRAM

An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging element that images a subject through an imaging optical system; and a processor, and the processor is configured to: detect a subject area as a second area from pixel data obtained by the imaging element at a second time point; and output, to a lens drive mechanism of the imaging optical system, a control signal generated by selectively using a first focus position based on data of the second area in the pixel data obtained at the second time point and a second focus position based on data of the second area in pixel data obtained by the imaging element at a third time point after the second time point.

Image sensor and imaging apparatus for performing focus detection by detecting a phase difference based on an image signal

An image sensor outputs captured image data by discriminating whether to add a result of an imaging plane phase difference AF calculation to a top of the captured image data or whether to add the result to an end of the captured image data, thus reducing a time lag between exposure and focus position movement.

IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS

AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF ALL-IN-FOCUS IMAGES WITH A MOBILE CAMERA

DETECTION METHOD, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM

There is provided a detection method used in an imaging apparatus including an imaging element that has a first pixel for generating a first signal and second and third pixels for generating second and third signals for detecting a phase difference, and a memory that stores a machine-trained model, the detection method including: an input step of inputting a second image based on the second signal, a third image based on the third signal, or a fourth image based on the second signal and the third signal to the model as an input image; a subject detection step of detecting a subject included in a first image generated by the first signal, through the model on which the input step is executed; and a focusing position detection step of detecting a focusing position with respect to the subject, through the model on which the input step is executed.

Image sensing device

Disclosed is an image sensing device including a first pixel group including at least one first half-shading pixel and at least one first normal pixel, and an image processor suitable for using a first pixel signal, which is generated from the first half-shading pixel during a first period, as phase information, and using a first pixel signal, which is generated from the first half-shading pixel during a second period, as dynamic range information.

Image sensor, image capturing apparatus, method of performing phase difference focus detection, and storage medium

An image sensor comprises: a plurality of microlenses; and a pixel region including, with respect to each of the plurality of microlenses, a plurality of first sensitivity regions formed at first depth from a light incident surface, a plurality of second sensitivity regions formed at second depth which is deeper than the first depth, and a plurality of connection portions that electrically connect the plurality of first regions and the plurality of second regions in different combinations.

CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

A control apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire a position of an optical system based on an image signal, and a predicting unit configured to predict an in-focus position of the optical system based on the position acquired by the acquiring unit. The acquiring unit acquires the position of the optical system by performing interpolation processing in a range equal to or wider than an interval between first accumulation center time for a first frame in the image signal and second accumulation center time for a second frame in the image signal.

CONTROL DEVICE AND MEDICAL IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM

IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGING DEVICE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATES

An image sensor includes: a first imaging region that captures an image of light entering through an optical system under a first imaging condition and generates a detection signal to perform focus detection of the optical system; and a second imaging region that captures an image of the light entering through the optical system under a second imaging condition other than the first imaging condition and generates an image signal.

INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM

Imaging apparatus and imaging method

Provided is an imaging apparatus and an imaging method that sets a type of a subject as a focusing target in each imaging. The imaging apparatus includes an image sensor that acquires an image, and an operation unit that selects a type of the subject as the focusing target in each imaging of the image acquired by the image sensor. In the case where the type of the subject as the focusing target is selected by the operation unit, a microcomputer detects an area of the subject of that type from the image and sets the detected area as an in-focus area of the image.

IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An image capturing apparatus includes an object detection unit configured to detect an object from an image signal, a discriminating unit configured to discriminate a type of the object, a setting unit configured to set a focus detection region divided in a plurality of sub-regions corresponding to the region of the object, a focus detection unit configured to detect information about an in-focus position for each of the plurality of sub-regions, a prediction unit configured to predict an in-focus position according to a movement of the object in a depth direction, and a selection unit configured to select an in-focus position of which sub-region among the plurality of sub-regions to employ as the in-focus position of the object, in accordance with the type of the object and the in-focus position being predicted.

APPARATUS AND METHOD EXECUTED BY APPARATUS

An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device and electronic equipment that enable improvement of image quality of a captured image. In the solid-state imaging device, two or more photoelectric conversion layers including a photoelectric converter and a charge detector are laminated. The solid-state imaging device is configured to include a state in which light having entered one pixel of a first photoelectric conversion layer closer to an optical lens is received by the photoelectric converter of a plurality of pixels of the second photoelectric conversion layer farther from the optical lens. The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device that performs imaging.

VARIED DEPTH DETERMINATION USING STEREO VISION AND PHASE DETECTION AUTO FOCUS (PDAF)

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for varied depth determination using, stereo vision and phase detection auto focus (PDAF). Computer stereo vision (stereo vision) is used to extract three-dimensional information from digital images. To utilize stereo vison, two optical sensors are displaced horizontally from one another and used to capture images depicting two differing views of a real-world environment from two different vantage points. The relative depth of the objects captured in the images is determined using triangulation by comparing the relative positions of the objects in the two images. For example, the relative positions of matching objects (e.g., features) identified in the captured images are used along with the known orientation of the optical sensors (e.g., distance between the optical sensors, vantage points the optical sensors) to estimate the depth of the objects.

Imaging device with an improved autofocusing performance

The invention describes an imaging device (1) comprising an image sensor (2), an imaging lens (3), an infrared light source (5) to illuminate a scene (SC), and an infrared autofocus system (6) for providing an autofocus function, wherein the image sensor (2) comprises an array (21) of sensor pixels each arranged as dual pixel (22) comprising two separate pixel sensors (22a, 22b) per dual pixel (22) to record the image data (D1) as a sum signal from both pixel sensors (22a, 22b) and providing infrared data (D2) as individual signals from each of the two pixel sensors (22a, 22b) for phase contrast (PC) autofocusing, wherein an infrared filter (7) arranged between an aperture (4) of the imaging device (1) and an imaging sensor (2) and is adapted to locally transmit only a portion of the infrared light (IR) to the imaging sensor (2) by comprising at least one first area (71) arranged as infrared blocking area and at least one second area (72) arranged as infrared bandpass area. The invention ...

Apparatus and method executed by apparatus

An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME

A method and an electronic device are provided in which, in a first unit pixel of an image sensor, a first analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) is performed by reading out a first photodiode (PD) group and a second PD group that is adjacent to the first PD group in a first direction. A second ADC is performed by reading out a third PD group that is adjacent to the first PD group in a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A third ADC is performed by reading out a fourth PD group that is adjacent to the second PD group in the second direction. A first phase difference in the second direction is detected based on the first ADC, the second ADC, and the third ADC. A second phase difference in the first direction is detected based on the second ADC and the third ADC.

VIBRATION APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF VIBRATION APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

A vibration apparatus includes a vibrating unit, and a control unit configured to control vibration of the vibrating unit. The control unit changes a vibration pattern of the vibrating unit by controlling the vibrating unit so as to change at least one of a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, and a vibration time according to at least one of a detection result of an offset amount from an in-focus position and a detection result of a predetermined object image in a mode that continuously performs autofocus processing.

Signal processing method and imaging apparatus

An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element, and disposed in matrix on a light-receiving surface; a plurality of light-receiving lenses provided one by one for each of the plurality of pixels in the plurality of pixels; and a control section that controls exposure times of the plurality of pixels. The control section controls the exposure times of the plurality of pixels to allow exposure times of at least two of the pixels, of the plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the light-receiving lenses, to be the same, and exposure times of at least two of the pixels, of the plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the light-receiving lenses, to be different from each other.

Control device, control method, and electronic device to determine a lens position

Provided is a control device that includes a calculation unit that calculates, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions and a determination unit that determines a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.

Interchangeable lens, focus detecting device, and camera body

An interchangeable lens which is mountable in and removable from a camera body having an imaging part, includes an optical system in which an exit pupil distance changes according to a position of the imaging part on an imaging surface, an input part in which information on a position on the imaging surface is input from the camera body, and an output part which outputs first information regarding the exit pupil distance of the optical system based on the information input to the input part to the camera body.

Camera module extracting distance information based on a time-of-flight method

According to an embodiment of the present invention, disclosed is a camera module comprising: a light output unit for outputting an optical signal to an object; a sensor for receiving an optical signal reflected from the object; and a control unit for acquiring distance information about the object by using the phase difference of the received optical signal, wherein the sensor includes a non-extraction area from which the phase different is not extracted and an extraction area from which the phase difference is extracted and the control unit stops timing control for the received optical signal in the non-extraction area.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING IMAGE

Focus adjustment device and focus adjustment method

A focus adjustment device, that provides a plurality of detection areas in an imaging region, repeatedly generates ranging values for a physical object in the detection areas, and performs focus adjustment for the physical object based on the ranging values, including a processor that has a statistical processing section, a movement state estimating section, a prediction section, and a control section, wherein the statistical processing section subjects ranging values of the plurality of detection areas to statistical processing, the movement state estimating section calculates representative values that contain statistical dispersion based on the statistical processing, and estimates movement state of the physical object based on time-series change in the representative value, the prediction section predicts focal position regarding the physical object based on the movement state that has been estimated, and the control section performs focus adjustment based on the focal position that ...

IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM

Machine learning for phase detection autofocus

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for image capture using an autofocus (AF) algorithm. In a first aspect, a method for autofocus includes receiving first image data of a first scene from a first image sensor of a first camera, the first image data comprising phase shift information; determining a first focal distance for the first scene based on a machine learning algorithm by inputting the phase shift information to the machine learning algorithm; and controlling a focal position of the first camera based on the first focal distance. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

IMAGE SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR

An image sensor includes a sensor substrate including first, second, third, and fourth pixels, and a color separating lens array, wherein each of the first pixels includes a first focusing signal region and a second focusing signal region that independently generate focusing signals, and the first focusing signal region and the second focusing signal region are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the first pixel in a first direction, and each of the fourth pixels includes a third focusing signal region and a fourth focusing signal region that independently generate focusing signals, and the third focusing signal region and the fourth focusing signal region are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the fourth pixel in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

IMAGE SENSING DEVICE INCLUDING LIGHT SHIELDING PATTERN

Image sensing devices are disclosed. In some implementations, an image sensing device includes a substrate, and a pixel array including one or more phase difference detection pixel groups supported by the substrate and structured to respond to incident light, each phase difference detection pixel group including two or more phase difference detection pixels structured to detect a phase difference of the incident light, wherein the phase difference detection pixel group comprises a light shielding pattern structured to provide each of the two or more phase difference detection pixels with a light receiving region along two contiguous sides of each of the two or more phase difference detection pixels.

IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PROCESSING SUBJECT DETECTION IN MULTIPLE-EXPOSURE IMAGE WITH HIGH PRECISION AND HIGH SPEED, CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An image pickup apparatus capable of processing subject detection in a multiple-exposure image with high accuracy and high speed is provided. The image pickup apparatus includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the processor storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to function as an acquisition unit to acquire images of a plurality of frames, a synthesis unit to synthesize the images of the plurality of frames to generate a multiple-exposure image, a first detection unit to detect at least one or more subjects with respect to at least one of the images of the plurality of frames, a determination unit to determine a subject type of a main subject of the multiple-exposure image based on a detection result obtained by the first detection unit, and a second detection unit to detect a subject of the determined subject type in the multiple-exposure image.

FOCAL POINT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, AND LENS BARREL

An interchangeable lens is provided which comprises: an optical system that includes a focus adjustment lens; a transceiver that performs transmission and reception of a signal between the interchangeable lens and a camera body; and a control unit configured to control the transceiver to transmit, to the camera body, a minimum value of an image plane movement coefficient that represents correspondence relationship between a movement amount of the focus adjustment lens and a movement amount of an image plane.

Apparatus including focusing function and method of the same

An apparatus includes a device that acquires an image signal by photoelectrically converting a light beam of a subject that has entered via an optical system including a focus lens, a setting unit that sets a first region in the image signal, a focus detection unit that detects a defocus amount for each divided region of a region in the image signal, a detection unit that detects a second region as a region of a specific subject, based on the image signal, and a control unit that controls the focus lens based on the defocus amount of the divided region included in the second region if the first region and the second region overlap, and controls the focus lens based on the defocus amount of the divided region included in the first region if the first region and the second region do not overlap.

Image processing device, imaging device, method of controlling image processing device, and recording medium, with outputting image if accepting first action and with outputting distribution information of evaluation values if accepting second action

Provided are an output unit configured to output an image or distribution information of evaluation values corresponding to a plurality of regions of the image, an operation unit configured to accept a first action and a second action different from the first action; and a control unit configured to execute, when the output unit outputs a first image, output control such that the output unit outputs a second image if the operation unit accepts the first action, and that the output unit outputs distribution information of the evaluation values corresponding to the first image if the operation unit accepts the second action.

APPARATUS AND METHOD EXECUTED BY APPARATUS

An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

Electronic device and computer program product

An electronic device includes a display and a control unit. The display displays a plurality of images of a subject captured in a first image-capturing region of an image sensor. The control unit controls the image sensor so as to set image-capturing conditions for the first image-capturing region to be different from image-capturing conditions for a second image-capturing region of the image sensor by using an image selected from the plurality of images displayed on the display.

IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGE, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND IMAGING DEVICE

An information processing system configured to perform predetermined processing based on out-of-focus information corresponding to a first area of an image, the out-of-focus information corresponding to a difference in focus between the first area of the image and a second area of the image that is different from the first area of the image.

LENS POSITIONING FOR SECONDARY CAMERA IN MULTI-CAMERA SYSTEM

An example method for camera processing includes detecting a first region of interest for image content captured with a primary camera, detecting a second region of interest for image content captured with a secondary camera, comparing the first region of interest and the second region of interest, determining a first lens position for a secondary camera lens of the secondary camera based on an autofocus process for the secondary camera, determining a second lens position for the secondary camera lens of the secondary camera based on a determined lens position for a primary camera lens of the primary camera, determining a lens position for the secondary camera lens based on the first lens position or the second lens position based at least in part on the comparison, and causing the secondary camera to capture images with the secondary camera lens at the determined lens position.

Image sensor and image capturing apparatus

An image sensor comprising a plurality of microlenses, and a pixel array having, with respect to each of the microlenses, a pair of first regions formed at a first depth from a surface on which light is incident, a pair of second regions formed at a second depth deeper than the first depth, and a plurality of connecting regions that connects the pair of first regions and the pair of second regions, respectively. A direction of arranging the pair of second regions corresponding to each microlens is a first direction, and a direction of arranging the pair of first regions is either the first direction or a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction.

METHODS AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING A PHASE DETECTION AUTOFOCUS (PDAF) OPTICAL SYSTEM

Electronic apparatus reduced in lowering of focus adjustment accuracy, method of controlling same, and storage medium

An electronic apparatus suppressed in occurrence of lowering of focus adjustment accuracy in a case where an occlusion area exists in an object area. An image is acquired which is captured using an image capturing device including a plurality of photoelectric converters to which are incident light fluxes via exit pupils of an image capturing optical system pupil-divided in first and second directions. An object and occlusion areas of the object are detected from the image. Focus adjustment is controlled based on phase difference information, according to a direction of distribution of the occlusion areas.

Method of manufacturing integrated circuit device

A photosensitive unit and a photo-insensitive unit are formed in a substrate. A lens is formed to cover the photosensitive unit and the photo-insensitive unit, and the lens has a single radius of curvature and an optical axis passing through a surface of the curvature at the center of the lens. The photosensitive unit is disposed at a first side of the optical axis and the photo-insensitive unit is disposed at a second side opposite to the first side of the optical axis, a light beam passing through the lens is simultaneously incident into the photosensitive unit and the photo-insensitive unit without being blocked, and the photosensitive unit detects the light beam while the photo-insensitive unit is ineffective in sensing the light beam. A conductive feature is formed over the substrate between the photosensitive unit and the photo-insensitive unit, wherein the optical axis of the lens passes the conductive feature.

Image pickup apparatus, control method, and storage medium

An image pickup apparatus includes an object detecting unit detecting at least one object in an image, a focus detecting unit that provides a focus detection of the object, a determination unit that determines the tilt angle and the focus position based on a focus detecting result by the focus detecting unit, and a control unit that controls the tilt driving unit and the focus driving unit based on the determined tilt angle and focus position. The control unit selects an object from among a plurality of objects, which is to be used to determine the tilt angle and the focus position, based on at least one of a detected size and a detected position of the object, and accuracy of the focus detecting result. The determination unit determines the tilt angle and the focus position based on a focus detecting result of a selected object.

Solid-state imaging device, method for driving the same, and electronic device for improved auto-focusing accuracy

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.

FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS

Imaging apparatus and setting screen thereof

It is an object to improve usability at the time of photographing or reproducing in an imaging apparatus including a plurality of imaging units. In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus including a plurality of imaging units includes a setting unit that sets a plurality of photographing modes which are settable in advance, a unit that controls a plurality of imaging units in accordance with a set photographing mode, and a manipulation unit. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus with excellent usability capable of controlling a plurality of imaging units independently or simultaneously such that imaging is performed with a simple manipulation when a desired photographing mode is selected by a user.

SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGING APPARATUS

An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element, and disposed in matrix on a light-receiving surface; a plurality of light-receiving lenses provided one by one for each of the plurality of pixels in the plurality of pixels; and a control section that controls exposure times of the plurality of pixels. The control section controls the exposure times of the plurality of pixels to allow exposure times of at least two of the pixels, of the plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the light-receiving lenses, to be the same, and exposure times of at least two of the pixels, of the plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the light-receiving lenses, to be different from each other.

Solid-State Image Sensor, Imaging Device, and Electronic Device

The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of switching FD conversion efficiency in all pixels of a solid-state image sensor. A photodiode performs photoelectric conversion on incident light. A floating diffusion (FD) stores charge obtained by the photodiode. FD2, which is a second FD to which the capacity of an additional capacitor MIM is added, adds the capacity to the FD. The additional capacitor MIM is constituted by a first electrode formed by a wiring and a second electrode formed by a metallic light blocking film provided on a surface of a substrate on which the photodiode is formed. Switching between the FD and FD+FD2 allows switching of the FD conversion efficiency. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.

Lens device, lens system, imaging device, movable lens operation device, lens driving method, and lens driving program

A lens device includes: a movable lens capable of being moved in a direction of an optical axis and configured to be moved by an operating member driven by an operating member driving unit; an optical member that reflects a portion of light having passed through the movable lens; a target position information acquiring unit that acquires information of a target position of the movable lens by calculating the target position based on the reflected light; and a movable lens driving unit that performs first driving for moving the movable lens based on a position of the operating member detected by an operating member position detection unit, and the operating member driving unit drives the operating member based on the information of the target position.

LENS BARREL AND CONTROL APPARATUS

A lens barrel includes a detecting unit that detects a position of an optical element in an optical axis direction, a driving unit that drives so as to change the position of the optical element in the optical axis direction, and a memory that stores setting information about the position of the optical element in the optical axis direction. The lens barrel is switchable between a storage mode for storing setting information about a first position of the optical element in the memory, and a reproduction mode in which the driving unit transfers the position of the optical element to the first position. Setting information about a position of the optical element is repeatedly storable in the memory in the storage mode. Setting information about a position of the optical element is prohibited from being stored in the memory in the reproduction mode.

Camera with phased metalens

A camera includes a phased metalens positioned between an objective lens and an imager of the camera. The phased metalens is configured to adjust a focus plane of an image in a field of view of the camera in response to changes in an operating temperature of the camera. The phased metalens adjusts the focus plane for multiple frequencies or wavelengths light such that all light wave-fronts exiting the phased metalens arrive at the imager at a same time.

IMAGING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM

There is provided an imaging apparatus including an image sensor, and a processor, in which the processor is configured to detect a focus region within an imaging area based on imaging data obtained by the image sensor, generate moving image data based on the imaging data obtained by the image sensor, generate information image data representing information related to the moving image data, output the moving image data and the information image data, which is associated with a window region in an image represented by the moving image data, and control a position of the window region according to the focus region.

Methods and apparatus employing a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) optical system

Apparatus and methods employing a PDAF optical system are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels include a set of pixels configurable to be imaging pixels or focus pixels. The image sensor is configured to generate image data of a scene based on received light at the plurality of pixels. The example apparatus also includes a processor coupled to the image sensor. The processor may be configured to receive first image data of a first frame of the scene, determine at least one region of interest or region of non-interest of the first frame, select, based on the determined at least one region of interest or region of non-interest, a subset of the set of pixels to be focus pixels, and cause the selected subset of the set of pixels to operate as focus pixels.

Image processing device, image processing method, program, and imaging device

An object is to cause a distribution of defocus amounts in a certain arbitrary region of a captured image to be displayed. A map data generation unit configured to generate defocus map data representing defocus amounts at a plurality of positions in a captured image obtained by an imaging element unit, calculated from phase difference information detected by a phase difference detection unit, and a display control unit configured to generate a defocus map image representing a distribution of defocus amounts of the captured image using the defocus map data generated by the map data generation unit and to perform display control are included.

IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE

An image-capturing device includes: an image sensor that includes an image capturing area where an image of a subject is captured; a setting unit that sets image capturing conditions to be applied to the image-capturing area; a selection unit that selects pixels to be used for interpolation from pixels present in the image-capturing area; and a generation unit that generates an image of the subject captured in the image-capturing area with signals generated through interpolation executed by using signals output from the pixels selected by the selection unit, wherein: the selection unit makes a change in selection of at least some of the pixels to be selected depending upon the image-capturing conditions set by the setting unit.

IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS

An image sensor comprises a pixel array in which pixels are arranged in a matrix form, and phase-difference signals in a horizontal direction are output from a first pixel group of the pixel array via a first signal output line, and phase-difference signals in a vertical direction are output from a second pixel group, which is different from the first pixel group of the pixel array, via a second signal output line, and number of pixels of the phase-difference signals in the horizontal direction output via the first signal output line and number of pixels of the phase-difference signals in the vertical direction output via the second signal output line are different.

IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An image processing device that can facilitate setting related to layer information based on distance information is provided. The image processing device includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image including a subject through a lens unit, a distance information acquisition unit configured to acquire distance information indicating a distance to the subject, a layer information generation unit configured to generate layer information on a layer for each distance based on the distance information, and a setting unit configured to set a reference for generating the layer information and switch display of a setting value capable of being set in accordance with the lens information of the lens unit.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOFOCUS OF CAMERA

FOCUS INFORMATION OBTAINING APPARATUS, LENS APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, FOCUS INFORMATION OBTAINING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

A focus information obtaining apparatus including a detector, a controller, and an obtaining unit. The detector is configured to detect at least a part of a light beam from an object via an optical member. The controller is configured to control driving of the detector. The obtaining unit is configured to obtain information on a focus state based on an output of the detector. The controller is configured to control driving of the detector based on a temporal change rate of at least one of information based on an output of the detector and a driving state of the optical member.

Image processing device, method of processing image, image processing program, and imaging device

An information processing system configured to perform predetermined processing based on out-of-focus information corresponding to a first area of an image, the out-of-focus information corresponding to a difference in focus between the first area of the image and a second area of the image that is different from the first area of the image.

Image sensor and image capturing apparatus

An image sensor includes a pixel portion in which a plurality of unit pixels each having one micro lens and a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions are arrayed in a matrix, a signal readout portion that reads out signals accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portions and converts the read signals to digital signals, a signal processor that processes signals read out by the signal readout portion and has an image capture signal processor that performs signal processing for generating a captured image on signals read out by the signal readout portion and a focus detection signal processor that performs signal processing for focus detection on signals read out by the signal readout portion, and an output portion that outputs signals processed by the signal processor.

Image sensing device including light shielding pattern

Image sensing devices are disclosed. In some implementations, an image sensing device includes a substrate, and a pixel array including one or more phase difference detection pixel groups supported by the substrate and structured to respond to incident light, each phase difference detection pixel group including two or more phase difference detection pixels structured to detect a phase difference of the incident light, wherein the phase difference detection pixel group comprises a light shielding pattern structured to provide each of the two or more phase difference detection pixels with a light receiving region along two contiguous sides of each of the two or more phase difference detection pixels.

Determining depth information from a single camera

An optical system comprises an imaging lens for imaging an object to an image and a sensing pixel array for detecting lights from the object toward the image. The sensing pixel array comprises a first sensing pixel and a second sensing pixel, each sensing pixel comprising a microlens covering a one-dimensional series of photodiodes having n photodiodes. A photodiode at an end of the one-dimensional series of photodiodes of the first sensing pixel detects a first light from the object toward the image, and a photodiode at an opposite end of the one-dimensional series of photodiodes of the second sensing pixel detects a second light from the object toward the image, where the first light and the second light pass opposite parts of the imaging lens.

Varied depth determination using stereo vision and phase detection auto focus (PDAF)

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for varied depth determination using stereo vision and phase detection auto focus (PDAF). Computer stereo vision (stereo vision) is used to extract three-dimensional information from digital images. To utilize stereo vision, two optical sensors are displaced horizontally from one another and used to capture images depicting two differing views of a real-world environment from two different vantage points. The relative depth of the objects captured in the images is determined using triangulation by comparing the relative positions of the objects in the two images. For example, the relative positions of matching objects (e.g., features) identified in the captured images are used along with the known orientation of the optical sensors (e.g., distance between the optical sensors, vantage points the optical sensors) to estimate the depth of the objects.

IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING CONTROL METHOD, AND IMAGING CONTROL PROGRAM

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an imaging element, and a processor, in which, in a first focus mode, the processor outputs moving image data captured by the imaging element via the imaging optical system to a display destination, detects an in-focus region in an image represented by the moving image data based on the moving image data, senses, in a case where a focus operation is performed, a termination of the focus operation based on a time related to the focus operation, sets, in a case where the termination of the focus operation is sensed, a subject present in the in-focus region as a tracking target to continuously perform tracking processing and auto focus control, and terminates, in a case where the focus operation is performed again after the tracking processing and the auto focus control are started, the tracking processing and the auto focus control.

Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus, in which both oblique light characteristics and sensitivity can be improved. The solid-state imaging device includes pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and multi-stage light shielding walls are provided between the pixels. The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a back-illuminated type solid-state imaging device and the like.

Control device, image capturing apparatus, and control method for detecting obstacle

A device includes a focus detection unit configured to detect a defocus amount based on a focus detection signal output from an image capturing device, an object detection unit configured to detect a specific object based on image data output from the image capturing device, and a processing unit configured to perform first obstacle detection processing detecting an obstacle based on characteristics of the defocus amount on the specific object, and to perform second obstacle detection processing detecting an obstacle higher in spatial frequency than the specific object.

Electronic device and focusing method

An electronic device and a focusing method are provided. The electronic device includes at least two cameras, and each of the at least two cameras is provided with a phase difference (PD) point pair set having one or more PD point pairs. The one or more PD point pairs in the PD point pair set of one camera are located in different areas of the one camera, and areas of another camera corresponding to the different areas where the one or more PD point pairs of the one camera are located do not have PD point pairs located therein, and the another camera is a camera other than the one camera in the at least two cameras.

Camera module for high resolution auto focusing and electronic device including same

Disclosed is an electronic device including a camera module, and at least one processor, wherein the camera module includes a micro-lens array, a color filter array, and a light-receiving element array, wherein a first row of the micro-lens array includes a first micro-lens and a second micro-lens adjacent to the first micro-lens, wherein a first row of the color filter array includes a first color filter and a second color filter disposed under the first micro-lens, and a third color filter and a fourth color filter disposed under the second micro-lens, and wherein a first row of the light-receiving element array includes a first light-receiving element disposed under the first color filter, a second light-receiving element disposed under the second color filter, a third light-receiving element disposed under the third color filter, and a fourth light-receiving element disposed under the fourth color filter.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING IMAGE SENSOR AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

A method and an electronic device are provided in which, in a first unit pixel of an image sensor, a first analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) is performed by reading out a first photodiode (PD) group and a second PD group that is adjacent to the first PD group in a first direction. A second ADC is performed by reading out a third PD group that is adjacent to the first PD group in a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A third ADC is performed by reading out a fourth PD group that is adjacent to the second PD group in the second direction. A first phase difference in the second direction is detected based on the first ADC, the second ADC, and the third ADC. A second phase difference in the first direction is detected based on the second ADC and the third ADC.

Image pickup device and electronic apparatus with an image plane phase difference detection pixel

The present disclosure relates to an image pickup device that enables inhibition of occurrence of color mixture or noise, and an electronic apparatus. The image pickup device of the present disclosure includes an image plane phase difference detection pixel for obtaining a phase difference signal for image plane phase difference AF. The image plane phase difference detection pixel includes: a first photoelectric conversion section that generates an electric charge in response to incident light; an upper electrode section that is one of electrodes disposed facing each other across the first photoelectric conversion section, the upper electrode section being formed on an incident side of the incident light on the first photoelectric conversion section; and a lower electrode section that is another of the electrodes disposed facing each other across the first photoelectric conversion section, the lower electrode section being formed on an opposite side of the incident side of the incident ...

SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.

System for imaging lesions aligning tissue surface

Methods, compositions and systems are provided for the imaging of cavity/tissue lesions, including without limitation cavity/tissue malignant lesions, e.g. cancers of the skin, mouth, colon, digestive system cervix, bladder, lung, etc.

Image capturing apparatus, storage medium, and image capturing method

An image capturing apparatus capable of performing highly-accurate focus detection at a high frame rate with minimal time lag is provided with a focus position detection unit configured to calculate a focus position by using an image via an image capturing optical system, an aberration information acquisition unit configured to acquire aberration information of the image capturing optical system, a color information acquisition unit configured to acquire color information of a subject in a focus detection region, a first correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a first correction value for correcting the focus position based on the aberration information, a second correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a second correction value for correcting the focus position based on the first correction value and the color information, and a correction unit configured to correct the focus position by using the second correction value.

Phase detection autofocus sensor apparatus and method for depth sensing

Various embodiments are directed to a device including an infrared phase detection autofocus (PDAF) sensor. The device may include a projector configured to transmit a source light onto a scene. The device may include the infrared PDAF sensor configured to receive reflections of the source light off of objects within the scene. The infrared PDAF sensor may include a first set of pixels including focus pixels. The device may include a processor coupled to the infrared PDAF sensor and a memory. The processor may be configured to generate first depth data based on the received reflections of the source light. The processor may be configured to generate second depth data based on signals generated from corresponding pairs of the focus pixels. The processor may be configured to generate combined depth data based on the first depth data and the second depth data.

APPARATUS AND METHOD EXECUTED BY APPARATUS

An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

IMAGING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD OF IMAGING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM

The imaging apparatus includes: a processor; and an imaging element that has column signal lines, which are for reading out signals and extend in a first direction, and that has a first pixel group and a second pixel group arranged in the first direction, the first pixel group including phase difference pixels and imaging pixels arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction and the second pixel group including imaging pixels arranged in the second direction. The processor is configured to set one of a first exposure time, during which the first pixel group is exposed, and a second exposure time, during which the second pixel group is exposed, shorter than the other, and determine which of the first exposure time and the second exposure time is made shorter than the other on the basis of information of a subject image.

IMAGING DEVICE, FOCUSING CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM STORING A FOCUSING CONTROL PROGRAM

An imaging device and a focusing control method are provided. The imaging device includes: an imaging element, having pixels including phase-difference detecting pixels and imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens; and a focusing controller, selectively performing focusing control using a phase difference AF method or focusing control using a contrast AF method in a mode in which focusing control for focusing on a main subject by driving the focus lens is continuously performed multiple times. The focusing controller performs the focusing control using the contrast AF method in a case where a state in which a degree of reliability of the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is equal to or less than a threshold value persists N times (N=2 or more), while the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is continuously performed.

Image capturing apparatus, image capturing device, image capturing method, and program

Provided is an image-capturing apparatus including: an image-capturing device where pixels covered with first filters blocking light other than light in a first wavelength range among wavelength ranges obtained by two-dividing a specific wavelength range and second filters blocking light other than light in a second wavelength range are disposed based on a predetermined rule; a light-blocking filter being detachably disposed in an optical path of subject light toward the image-capturing device and blocking the light in the first wavelength range; a focus-alignment determination unit performing focus-alignment determination through phase-difference detection based on a signal generated by the image-capturing device when the light-blocking filter is inserted into the optical path; an image-generation unit generating an image based on a signal generated by the image-capturing device; and a controller controlling insertion/detachment of the light-blocking filter with respect to the optical path based on necessity of the focus-alignment determination.

Solid-state imaging device and electronic camera

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly-accurate AF without adding a mechanism of the camera or increasing the power consumption. A solid-state imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to convert incident light into electronic signals, the photoelectric conversion units being arranged in a two dimensional array, the photoelectric conversion units including a plurality of first photoelectric conversion units and a plurality of second photoelectric conversion units; a plurality of first microlenses each of which is disposed to cover a corresponding one of said first photoelectric conversion units; and a second microlens disposed to cover the second photoelectric conversion units, in which at least two of the second photoelectric conversion units are located at respective positions which are offset from an optical axis of the second microlens, in mutually different directions.

Imaging apparatus

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor, a reticle, a focus detection unit, a spectroscopic member, and a diffusion coefficient controller. The imaging sensor is configured to receive light from a lens unit. The reticle is capable of changing a diffusion coefficient. The focus detection unit is configured to detect a focus state of an imaging surface based on a signal from the imaging sensor. The spectroscopic member is configured to split the light from the lens unit to the reticle and the focus detection unit. The diffusion coefficient controller is configured to change the diffusion coefficient of the reticle. The diffusion coefficient controller controls a diffusion coefficient of a portion of the reticle corresponding to a defocus range to be higher than a diffusion coefficient of a portion of the reticle corresponding to a focusing range according to the focus state detected by the focus detection unit.

Imaging apparatus and camera

An imaging apparatus having a function of enabling focus detection at high speed while exposing an image sensor to light. Imaging apparatus 1 has: a first photoelectric converting element (image sensor 10 ) that converts an optical image formed on an imaging plane into an electrical signal for forming an image signal; and a second photoelectric converting element (phase difference detecting sensor 20 ) that receives light having passed through the first photoelectric converting element and converts light into an electrical signal for distance measurement.

Systems and methods for sensing light

A device for sensing light comprises a light sensor, one or more intermediate mirrors, a micromirror array including a plurality of independently positionable micromirrors, wherein a first micromirror in the micromirror array is positionable in a first position such that light reflected by the first micromirror while in the first position is reflected toward a first region on one of the one or more intermediate mirrors, wherein the light reflected toward the first region on one of the one or more intermediate mirrors is further reflected to the light sensor, and a lens configured to direct light toward the micromirror array.

Image pickup apparatus and control method thereof

The image pickup apparatus electrically converts an object image to produce an image signal and includes a first detector detecting a first in-focus position by a phase difference detection method, a second detector detecting a second in-focus position by a contrast detection method using the image signal, and a corrector correcting, based on a difference between the first and second in-focus positions, the first in-focus position for image pickup. A controller instructs the optical apparatus to move the focus lens by a predetermined movement amount when the second in-focus position is detected, receives, from the optical apparatus, information on an actual movement amount of the focus lens in response to the instruction, and instructs again the optical apparatus to move the focus lens with change of the predetermined movement amount when a difference between the predetermined and actual movement amounts exceeds a predetermined value.

Image pickup apparatus having improved contrast autofocus accuracy

An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device that includes a plurality of focus detection pixels, a phase difference detection type of a first focus detector, a contrast detection type of a second focus detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to allow the second focus detector to continue the focus detection when the shift amount detected by the first focus detector is larger than a threshold even when the second focus detector detects the lens position corresponding to the peak of the contrast value, and to move the image pickup lens to a lens position that provides a peak of a contrast value detected by the second focus detector when the shift amount is the threshold or smaller.

Imaging device and control method for imaging device

An imaging device includes an imaging section for repeatedly forming an image of a subject at a set period, while performing a bulb exposure operation, and outputting image data; an adding processing section for performing adding processing of the image data and previously output image data; an image display section for displaying the added image; and a designation section for designating to display only notification information indicating that bulb exposure is being performed, on the image display section, for a given period from commencement of the bulb exposure.

Lens barrel and camera body

A lens barrel comprising: an optical system which includes a focus adjustment optical system 32; an aperture 34 which limits the light beam which pass through the optical system to predetermined range at the time of detection of the focus state of the optical system; a drive 36 which drives the focus adjustment optical system 32; a memory 37 which stores a first predetermined value which is a aperture value within the predetermined range; and a transmitter 37 which sends the first predetermined value to the camera body 2.

Image pickup apparatus, solid-state image pickup element, and image pickup method

A solid-state image pickup device includes a first unit to convert light into an electrical signal and a second unit to convert light into an electrical signal. The first unit includes a first lens and a first pair of light receiving elements to receive light from the first lens. The second unit includes a second lens and a second pair of light receiving elements to receive light from the second lens. A profile of the second pair of light receiving elements is different in plan view than a profile of the first pair of light receiving elements.

Focus detector, and lens apparatus and image pickup apparatus including the same

A focus detector for detecting a defocus amount of an image pickup optical system based on a displacement amount between two images formed by two beams divided from the image pickup optical system and passed through two pupil areas, the focus detector including: two lenses; two phase difference sensors for photoelectrically converting two subject images formed by the two lenses into two image signals; a correlation computing unit for dividing the two image signals based on a reference number-of-pixels to compute an image displacement amount for each divided area; a waveform coincidence computing unit for computing a coincidence degree of the two image signals in the each divided area in which the image displacement amount is computed by the correlation computing unit; and a defocus computing unit for computing a defocus amount based on the coincidence degree of the two image signals computed by the waveform coincidence computing unit.

Imaging apparatus and imaging method

An imaging apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device having pairs of phase-difference pixels for detecting a phase difference; a position control section which changes the relative position of an imaging optical system and the solid-state imaging device; a control section which causes the solid-state imaging device to perform plural provisional imagings while changing the relative position; and a regular-imaging position determination section which determines one of the relative positions that are obtained when the provisional imagings are performed, as a relative position in regular imaging, on the basis of, among plural captured image signals which are obtained in the provisional imagings, output signals which correspond to a part or all of the pairs included in the solid-state imaging device, and which are obtained from pixels in areas including the pairs.

Image pickup apparatus and focus detection method

The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor photoelectrically converting paired object images formed by light fluxes from mutually different pupil areas of an image capturing optical system, a signal producing part producing, by using output from each of plural pixel lines in a focus detection area in the image sensor, paired image signals corresponding to the paired object images for each pixel line, a calculating part calculating a defocus amount by using the paired image signals produced for each pixel line. The calculating part shifts the paired image signals relatively, produce first correlation data showing change of a correlation value of the paired image signals according to their relative shift amount, adds the first correlation data produced for the respective plural pixel lines to produce second correlation data, and calculates the defocus amount from the second correlation data.

Image pickup element and image pickup device

An image pickup element includes a light-receiving portion having a matrix arrangement formed by disposing first-direction arrays, each having photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a first direction with a predetermined gap maintained therebetween, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and micro-lenses provided above the light-receiving portion. A certain first-direction array in the matrix arrangement is provided with a pair of photoelectric conversion portions that optically receive, via a pair of micro-lenses, photographic-subject light beams passing through a pair of segmental regions in an exit pupil of a photographic optical system, the pair of segmental regions being disposed biasedly in opposite directions from each other in the first direction. The pair of micro-lenses is disposed such that light axes thereof extend through vicinities of edges of the pair of photoelectric conversion portions, the edges being the farthest edges from each other in the first direction.

Imaging device and camera body

A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.

Image capturing apparatus and focus detection method

An image capturing apparatus performs focus detection based on a pair of image signals obtained from an image sensor including pixels each having a pair of photoelectric conversion units capable of outputting the pair of image signals obtained by independently receiving a pair of light beams that have passed through different exit pupil regions of an imaging optical system. In the focus detection, an f-number of the imaging optical system is acquired, the pair of image signals undergo filtering using a first filter formed from an summation filter when the f-number is less than a predetermined threshold, or using a second filter formed from the summation filter and a differential filter when the f-number is not less than the threshold, and focus detection is performed by a phase difference method based on the pair of filtered image signals.

Endoscope system and method for controlling endoscope system

An endoscope system includes a focus control section that performs a focus control process on an optical system of an endoscopic scope, an operation information acquisition section that acquires operation information about at least one operation among a discharge operation, a suction operation, and a tissue treatment operation based on sensor information from an operation detection sensor, and a switch control section that determines whether or not to cause the focus control section to perform the focus control process based on the operation information.

Electronic apparatus, electronic apparatus control method, and storage medium

An electronic apparatus including an image sensing unit performs scene determination processing of determining a photographic scene based on an image being captured by the image sensing unit. Upon receiving a help designation to display a help screen, the electronic apparatus displays a description concerning the determined photographic scene as the help screen.

Imaging apparatus and control method thereof

An imaging apparatus enables the user to separately set an AF area and an enlargement area and, when the position of the AF area is changed, eliminates time and effort to change the position of the enlargement area. To achieve this, the imaging apparatus includes an AF area setting unit configured to set an AF area used for AF indicating an area out of the live view image of a subject imaged by an imaging unit, and a control unit configured to change a position of an enlargement area indicating an area to be enlarged in conjunction with a position of the AF area set by the AF area setting unit and configured, in response to an instruction to change the position of the enlargement area, to change the position of the enlargement area without changing the position of the AF area set by the AF area setting unit.

Image capturing apparatus and in-focus position detection method thereof

It is provided a image capturing apparatus including a control unit that determines whether to set a division number to a first division number n or to a second division number m which is larger than n based on the status of a subject, calculating a divided area evaluation curve by calculating a correlation between first detection information and second detection information for each of divided areas formed by dividing a phase difference detection area into the n or the m, and acquires a defocus amount to drive and control a focus lens to the in-focus position from a total evaluation curve obtained by conducting a required calculation processing on the divided area evaluation curves of the plural divided areas.

Focus detecting apparatus

A focus detecting apparatus includes: a lens; a light-transmitting unit; a light-receiving unit; and an optical film that transmits a beam of light passing through the lens and includes a holographic optical element, a diffractive optical element, or a pellicle mirror, wherein a beam of light from the light-transmitting unit is reflected on a reflection mirror including the optical film, passes through a first exit pupil area on one side of an optical axis, and is transmitted to the subject, a beam of reflected light of light irradiated onto the subject passes through a second exit pupil area on another side of the optical axis, is reflected on the reflection mirror and received by the light-receiving unit, and a focal position is obtained using position information of the beam of light received by the light-receiving unit. Autofocusing can be continuously performed during continuous photographing operation and in low brightness environment.

Intuitive techniques and apparatus for ophthalmic imaging

Apparatus and techniques can include using one or more of a portable or fixed optical system to obtain images of a desired anatomical target, such as the fundus region of a human eye. The optical system can include one or more of a laser-based focusing target, a laser-based fixation target, or a removable or adjustable alignment assembly. Such an alignment assembly can provide or allow user alignment based on using anatomical landmarks other than the fundus being imaged. One or more of the apparatus or techniques can be implemented in an optical assembly included as a portion hand-held fundus camera, such as including or using a consumer or commercial digital camera to capture an image.

Color imaging element, imaging device, and storage medium storing a control program for imaging device

Interpolation precision of phase difference detection pixels is raised. An image pickup device includes: a color filter disposed with a repeating basic array pattern configured by 3×3 pixel square arrays of a first array pattern and a second array pattern disposed symmetrically about a point; a first phase difference detection pixel that is placed at a position of a pixel corresponding to 1 corner portion out of the 4 corner portions of at least one array pattern in 1 pair of the first array pattern and the second array pattern out of 2 pairs of the first array pattern and the second array pattern configuring the basic array pattern; and a second phase difference detection pixel that is placed at a position of a pixel corresponding to 1 corner portion out of the 4 corner portions in the array pattern, out of the first array pattern.

Color imaging element, imaging device, and storage medium storing an imaging program

An image pickup device includes: a color filter having repeatedly disposed basic array patterns configured with first and second array patterns disposed symmetrically about a point, wherein the first array pattern has a first filter placed at the 4 corner and center pixels of a 3×3 pixel square array, a second filter placed in a line at the horizontal direction center of the square array, and a third filter placed in a line at the vertical direction center of the square array, and the second array pattern has the same placement of the first filter as the first array pattern and has placement of the second filter and placement of the third filter swapped over to that of the first array pattern; and phase difference detection pixels placed at positions corresponding to the first filter at a top and bottom edge sides in the array pattern.

Color imaging element, imaging device, and storage medium storing an imaging program

An image capturing element is provided with: a color filter in which a basic arrangement pattern having first and second arrangement patterns arranged to be symmetrical about a point is repeated. The first arrangement pattern comprises first filters arranged on pixels in 2×2 arrangement located at the upper-left portion and a pixel located at the lower-right in a 3×3 pixel square arrangement, second filters arranged on the center and lower end lines in the vertical direction of the square arrangement, and third filters arranged on the center and right lines in the horizontal direction of the square arrangement. The second arrangement pattern comprises the first filters having the same arrangement as in the first arrangement pattern, and the second filters and the third filters having the arrangements interchanged with each other compared to the arrangements in the first arrangement pattern.

Optical apparatus used in 3d image pickup system

An apparatus includes first and second lens apparatuses, which have first and second focus lenses, first and second driving units that drive the first and second focus lenses, first and second detectors that detect first and second in-focus information of an object by phase difference detection, and first and second controllers that control driving of the first and second focus lenses. The first controller sets a first target position based on the first in-focus information detected by the first detector and drives the first focus lens. The second controller obtains the first target position or information corresponding to the first target position from the first lens apparatus, sets focus range based on the first target position or the information corresponding to the first target position, and drives the second focus lens based on the focus range and the second in-focus information detected by the second detector.

Image pickup apparatus and image pickup method

There is provided an image pickup apparatus including an image sensor including a plurality of phase difference detection pixels that each perform pupil division of a photographing lens, a gain acquisition unit for acquiring a gain used to correct an output of the phase difference detection pixels, and a correction processing unit for correcting the output of the phase difference detection pixels using the gain acquired by the gain acquisition unit.

Focus adjusting apparatus, focus adjusting method, and image capturing apparatus

In a focus adjusting apparatus, a tracking unit detects from an image signal an area of a subject to be tracked, a position of an imaging plane of the area and reliability of the position, and a prediction unit predicts a position of an imaging plane when the image signal was obtained based on a history of detected positions of imaging planes. A setting unit sets a tolerance based on the reliability, and a determination unit determines the area of the detected subject as a focus adjustment area if a difference between the predicted and detected positions is within the tolerance. The prediction unit predicts a position of an imaging plane of the subject in the focus adjustment area at a future time point.

Focus adjustment device and focus adjustment method

While a focus lens is moving to a focus lens driving target position, a controller of a focus adjustment device switches a moving speed of the focus lens from a first speed to a second speed. In particular, the controller calculates the number of times the defocus amount can be calculated when the focus lens moves at a predetermined speed in a section between a first position in which the moving speed is switched and a second position in which the focus lens starts being controlled to stop in the focus lens driving target position, and calculates the second speed based on the number of times, the first position and the focus lens driving target position.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, imaging apparatus, and recording medium

An imaging element of an imaging apparatus has a configuration in which a plurality of pixels provided with a plurality of photoelectric conversion units for receiving light fluxes transmitting each of different pupil partial regions of an image forming optical system are arrayed. A CPU performs control to acquire a plurality of viewpoint images corresponding to different pupil partial regions from the imaging element and to generate output images using an image processing unit. The CPU and the image processing unit sets a detection range of an image shift amount using a photographing condition of an input image and a conversion coefficient for a conversion an image shift amount to a defocus amount, generates an image shift amount distribution of the detection range on the basis of a plurality of viewpoint images, and generates an image shift difference amount distribution. Image processing in accordance with the image shift amount distribution is performed to generate refocused images as output images.

Control systems and image sensors

A control system for an image capture device. The control system includes an image sensor including sensor pixels including at least two sub-pixels respectively. First and second pluralities of the sensor sub-pixels capture first and second pixel data with a first and second exposure respectively. An image processor receives image data derived from a first set of the sensor sub-pixels including sub-pixels of the first and second pluralities of the sensor sub-pixels. On the basis of the image data, the image processor generates output data representing at least part of an output image. A focus controller receives focus data derived from a second set of the sensor sub-pixels including at least two of the first plurality of the sensor sub-pixels. On the basis of the focus data, the focus controller generates a control signal for adjusting a focus of the image capture device. Other examples relate to image sensors.

Imaging element, imaging apparatus, operation method of imaging element, and program

An imaging element incorporates a memory and a processor. The memory stores image data obtained by performing imaging at a first frame rate. The processor is configured to output the image data at a second frame rate. In addition, the processor derives shake degree information indicating a degree of shake included in an image indicated by the image data, using the image data, and outputs the derived shake degree information at a rate greater than or equal to the second frame rate. The first frame rate is a frame rate greater than or equal to the second frame rate.

Image sensor and image-capturing apparatus

An image sensor includes: a first light-receiving unit that: receives a modulated optical signal having being reflected on an image-capturing target and including a modulated component with an intensity modulated at a predetermined modulation frequency; and outputs a first electrical signal; a second light-receiving unit that: receives a reference optical signal with an intensity modulated in synchronization with the modulated optical signal; and outputs a second electrical signal; and a detecting unit that: is provided to a substrate stacked on a substrate including the first light-receiving unit; refers to the second electrical signal; and detects, from the first electrical signal, a third electrical signal corresponding to the modulated component.

Rotation detection apparatus, motor control apparatus, motor driven apparatus, method of correcting rotation detection apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing correction program

The rotation detection apparatus includes a rotatable member rotatable with rotation of a motor and having multiple pattern element portions in its rotational direction, a signal outputter to output a detection signal changing in response to rotation of the pattern element portions, and a memory storing correction values each provided for each of the pattern element portions and used to perform correction of an error in a relation between rotational positions of the rotatable member and the change of the detection signal. A corrector performs the correction with reference to a reference position of the rotatable member in an origin state where a driven member driven by the motor is located at its origin position and by using each of the correction values for each change of the detection signal when the rotatable member is rotated from the reference position.

Image pickup device, image pickup apparatus, recording medium and image pickup method

An image pickup device, in which a plurality of pixels photoelectrically convert incident light and generate a plurality of pieces of pixel data, includes a vertical scanning section configured to generate a pixel data sequence composed of pixel data having a same characteristic, a pixel section, an analog processing section, an ADC processing section, a memory section, a horizontal scanning section, and an output section configured to add additional information indicating the characteristic of the pixel data sequence to the pixel data sequence.

Digital photographing apparatus and digital photographing method

A digital photographing apparatus includes: an image sensor including a first pixel group and a second pixel group each pixel group including a plurality of pixels for generating an imaging signal by photoelectrically converting incident light, the image sensor being configured to acquire the imaging signal two or more times in the second pixel group and to acquire the imaging signal once in the first pixel group; and a processor configured to acquire an image in which a motion of a subject appears based on the imaging signal acquired by the image sensor, and to generate a motion-corrected image based on the imaging signal acquired in the second pixel group.

Solid-state imaging element, method for manufacturing solid-state imaging element, and electronic apparatus

[Problem] Provided are: a solid-state imaging element capable of actualizing a phase difference detection pixel that enables a finer pattern of pixels and also enables improvement in quality of a captured image in a stacked structure including a plurality of photodiodes; a method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging element; and an electronic apparatus. [Solution] Provided is a solid-state imaging element including a plurality of pixels including at least two phase difference detection pixels for focus detection. In the solid-state imaging element, each pixel has a stacked structure including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are stacked on top of each other and absorb light beams different in wavelength from one another to generate electrical charges, and each phase difference detection pixel includes, in the stacked structure, a color filter that partially covers an upper face of one of the photoelectric conversion elements and absorbs a light beam with a specific wavelength.

Imaging Assemblies With Rapid Sample Auto-Focusing

Advantageous instruments, assemblies and methods are provided for undertaking imaging techniques (e.g., microscopic imaging techniques). The present disclosure provides improved imaging techniques, equipment and systems. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous microscopy/imaging assemblies with rapid sample auto-focusing (e.g., microscopy/imaging assemblies having instant focusing for rapid sample imaging with auto-focusing). The present disclosure provides for high-throughput whole slide imaging with instant focal plane detection. A whole slide imaging platform/assembly that uses instant focusing systems/methods for high-speed sample autofocusing is provided. Such exemplary platforms/assemblies can be used for digital pathology or the like, and can provide improved, faster and cheaper diagnosis/prognosis of ailments/diseases. At least two exemplary rapid-focus systems for whole slide imaging are provided, a first system including two pinhole-modulated cameras mounted on the eyepiece ports of a microscope platform/assembly, and a second system including one pinhole-modulated camera mounted on the epi-illumination arm for auto-focusing.

Image pickup apparatus and driving method therefor

An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements provided correspondingly to each of microlenses arranged two-dimensionally, reads out a first signal through addition from the photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to the microlense, reads out a second signal from one of the photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to the microlense, and sets one of a first and second read-out modes to read signals from the image pickup unit in accordance with a photographing condition, wherein the first and second read-out modes differ in read-out density of the second signal in a read-out area in accordance with one of a thinning-out rate and an addition rate of a area from which the second signal is read out being different as compared to a area from which the first signal is read out.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program

Provided is an image processing apparatus, including: an image processor configured to process an image of a first frame based on depth information of the first frame and depth information of a second frame before the first frame, the depth information indicating a position of an object in an image in a depth direction.

Image pickup apparatus

The invention provides an image pickup apparatus with a blur correcting unit which has a display function of causing a photographer to easily confirm a photographed image. The image pickup apparatus includes photographing lens which forms an object image, a photoelectric conversion unit which is disposed on a predicted image plane of the photographing lens, a display unit which displays a photographed image obtained by the photoelectric conversion unit, an image display control unit which displays the photographed image by the display unit after the photographed image is obtained by the photoelectric conversion unit, a distance information acquiring unit which obtains distance information in the photographed image, and a blur correcting unit which performs blur correction on the photographed image based on the distance information obtained by the distance information acquiring unit. The image display control unit displays the photographed image where plural distances in the photographed image are focused.

Imaging apparatus, control method, and non-transitory storage medium

According to an aspect of the invention, an imaging apparatus includes: a focal point detection unit configured to perform focal point detection on the basis of a phase difference between a plurality of image signals obtained by photoelectric conversion of light fluxes each passing through different pupil partial regions of an imaging optical system; an image blur compensation unit configured to compensate for image blur; and a control unit configured to set a position at which a vignetting amount occurring in a light flux passing through the imaging optical system is equal to or less than a predetermined value during a period in which the focal point detection is performed by the focal point detection unit as a center position of a driving amplitude to perform drive control of the image blur compensation unit.

Image sensor and electronic apparatus

The present technology relates to an image sensor and an electronic apparatus which enable higher-quality images to be obtained. Provided is an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including one on-chip lens, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers formed below the on-chip lens. Each of at least two of the plurality of photoelectric conversion layers is split, partially formed, or partially shielded from light with respect to a light-receiving surface. The pixels are phase difference detection pixels for performing AF by phase difference detection or imaging pixels for generating an image. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor, for example.

Imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus

In an imaging apparatus, a processer is configured to output a first monochrome correction image and a second monochrome correction image. The first monochrome correction image is an image generated by correcting a value based on components overlapping between a first transmittance characteristic and a second transmittance characteristic for a captured image having components based on the first transmittance characteristic. The second monochrome correction image is an image generated by correcting a value based on components overlapping between the first transmittance characteristic and the second transmittance characteristic for the captured image having components based on the second transmittance characteristic. The processer is configured to perform image processing on a processing target image out of the first and second monochrome correction images such that the difference of image quality between the first and second monochrome correction images becomes small.

Imaging apparatus and method for controlling same

An imaging apparatus including an imaging element that includes a pixel portion sets a first readout area and then performs detection processing for detecting the phase difference of an image signal read out from the area to thereby output the reliability of the phase difference. If the imaging apparatus determines that phase difference detection has been successful, the imaging apparatus executes focus adjustment processing based on the detected phase difference. If the imaging apparatus determines that the phase difference has failed to be detected, the imaging apparatus sets a second readout area having a range wider than that of the first readout area as a readout area, and then sets an area other than an area which is included in the first readout area from the second readout area and is used for generating a display image as a trimming target.

Driving method of imaging device and driving method of imaging system

A driving method of an imaging device, and a driving method of an imaging system set the number of unit cells based on signals output from a plurality of unit cells in a phase difference detection area within an imaging area to a number larger than the number of unit cells based on signals output from a plurality of unit cells in a range other than the phase difference detection area within the imaging area.

Imaging device and signal correcting method

A digital signal processing unit 17 of a digital camera which includes a solid-state imaging element 5 having an imaging pixel cell 30 and a pair of focus detecting pixel cells 31 R and 31 L determines whether a captured image signal obtained by imaging by the imaging element 5 has a region affected by at least one of the flare and the ghost. And, when it is determined that there is the region, the digital signal processing unit 17 performs correction processing by signal interpolation using an output signal of imaging pixel cells around the focus detecting pixel cell included in the captured image signal on an output signal of all the focus detecting pixel cells included in the captured image signal.

Focus detection apparatus, control method therefor, and image capture apparatus

A plurality of image signals for focus detection are generated from combined signals obtained by combining output signals of a pixel in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas obtained by dividing are arranged in a predetermined direction, in units of the photoelectric conversion areas, and the defocus amount is detected based on a correlation amount between the plurality of image signals. The combined signals are generated for each pixel block, for a plurality of pixel block lines in which pixel blocks each having a predetermined size are arranged in the predetermined direction. The pixel data amount for focus detection can be effectively reduced by, in the combining, making combining central points of signals, in the plurality of pixel block lines, shifted relative to each other or phases of positions of the pixel blocks different from each other.

Image sensor, photographing method, and image-capturing device

An image sensor includes: a plurality of microlenses arranged in a two-dimensional pattern; and a plurality of pixels that are provided in correspondence to each of the microlenses and receive lights of different color components, respectively. Pixels that are provided at adjacent microlenses among the microlenses and that receive lights of same color components, are adjacently arranged.

Detection device and detection method

A detection device, comprising an image sensor provided with a plurality of pixels having a plurality of light receiving sections corresponding to a micro lens, capable of adding output signals of the plurality of light receiving sections in accordance with phase difference detection direction and outputting an added signal, and a processor for performing focus detection or depth detection using phase difference detection, based on the added signal of the image sensor, whereby the image sensor makes height of a potential barrier between the light receiving sections different in accordance with the plurality of phase difference detection directions, and the processor sets charge storage determination level differently in accordance with the phase difference detection direction, and controls charge storage operation of the image sensor based on the added signal and the charge storage determination level.

Exchangeable lens having a settable aperture and camera body that captures an image by an optical system which has a settable aperture

A lens barrel including: an optical system which includes a focus adjustment optical system; an aperture which limits the light beam which pass through the optical system to predetermined range at the time of detection of the focus state of the optical system; a drive which drives the focus adjustment optical system; a memory which stores a first predetermined value which is a aperture value within the predetermined range; and a transmitter which sends the first predetermined value to the camera body.

Control apparatus, image capturing apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

A control apparatus includes an acquirer ( 204 a ) which acquires a first signal and a second signal that correspond to light beams passing through different pupil regions of an image capturing optical system, a calculator ( 204 b ) which performs a plurality of filtering processes with different bands for the first signal and the second signal to calculate a plurality of defocus amounts and reliabilities based on the first signals and the second signals where the respective filtering processes have been performed, and a determiner ( 209 ) which determines a defocus amount used for focusing from among the plurality of defocus amounts based on a difference between the plurality of defocus amounts and at least one of the plurality of reliabilities.

Image pickup apparatus

Provided is an image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup unit configured to pick up an object image imaged by a lens unit; and a display unit configured to display an image output from the image pickup unit, the display unit detecting a first close condition and a second close condition of a photographer. The display unit displays a first display object indicating a focal point adjustment area on a display image of the object image in response to detection of the first close condition, and displays a second display object indicating a focusing command area on the display image of the object image corresponding to a range of detection of the second close condition.

Image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same

An image processing apparatus is operable to determine a focus target area of an image capturing apparatus. The apparatus comprises: an obtainment unit configured to obtain a first area to be a focus target in a first image captured by the image capturing apparatus at a first point in time, a detection unit configured to detect a second area to be a focus target candidate from a second image captured by the image capturing apparatus at a second point in time succeeding a first point in time; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on the first area and the second image, a focus target area in the second image from among one or more partial areas in the second area.

Interchangeable lens apparatus, image capturing apparatus and storage medium storing focusing program

The interchangeable lens apparatus provided with an image capturing optical system and being detachably attachable to an image capturing apparatus, the image capturing apparatus being configured to detect a defocus amount of the image capturing optical system by using a signal acquired by photoelectric conversion of an optical image formed by the image capturing optical system. The interchangeable lens apparatus includes a focus lens included in the image capturing optical system, and a memory to store information on a focus sensitivity indicating a relation between a unit movement amount of the focus lens and a displacement amount of the optical image. The information on the focus sensitivity is information for enabling acquiring the focus sensitivity different depending on an image height.

Solid-state imaging device, imaging system, and moving body

A solid-state imaging device in which a signal from a first photoelectric conversion portion of one pixel, signals from the first photoelectric conversion portion and a second photoelectric conversion portion of the one pixel, and a noise signal from the one pixel are converted into a first digital signal, a second digital signal, and a third digital signal, respectively. As signals of pixels in a first pixel row, the first, the second, and the third digital signals are input from a memory unit to output signal lines. As signals of pixels in a second pixel row adjacent to the first pixel row of a pixel unit in the row direction, the second and the third digital signals are input from the memory unit to the output signal lines while the first digital signal is not output.

Method and device for setting a focus of a camera

The present invention relates generally to auto focus algorithms for setting a focus of a camera. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method ( 600 ) and device for setting a focus of a camera wherein a camera motion level of the camera is continuously measured (S 604 ) during the read-out of pixel data by a rolling shutter image sensor and wherein the auto focus algorithm uses weighted focus measures which are calculated (S 612 ) using the continuously measured camera motion levels.

Interchangeable lens, camera body, and camera

An interchangeable lens attachable to a camera body, the interchangeable lens including: a focusing optical system configured to vary a focal position of the interchangeable lens; and a transmitter configured to transmit a first value and a second value to the camera body, the first value indicating a relationship between an amount of movement of the focusing optical system and an amount of movement of an image plane at a position to which the focusing optical system has moved, the second value indicating a relationship between an amount of movement of the focusing optical system and an amount of movement of the image plane, the second value being equal to or smaller than the first value.

Saliency based capture or image processing

A device for image capture comprises a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: receive, during a preview mode or a recording, a first image, generate a first saliency map indicative of relative saliency of different regions within the first image, wherein the relative saliency of the different regions is indicative of a likelihood of attracting viewer gaze, generate one or more additional images based on manipulating pixels in the first image, generate one or more additional saliency maps indicative of relative saliency of different regions within the one or more additional images, and determine, during the preview mode or the recording, a camera setting based on the first saliency map and the one or more additional saliency maps.

Solid-state imaging device, electronic apparatus, lens control method, and imaging module

There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel region that includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern. Some of the plurality of pixels are configured to be phase difference detection pixels that include a photoelectric conversion section disposed on a semiconductor substrate and a light blocking film disposed above a portion of the photoelectric conversion section. In particular a location of the light blocking film for the phase difference detection pixels varies according to a location of the phase difference detection pixel. For example, the location of the light blocking film for a phase difference detection pixel positioned at a periphery of the pixel region is different than a location of the light blocking film for a phase difference detection pixel positioned in a center portion of the pixel region.

Image capturing device and image capturing method

The quality of a planar image is improved while maintaining the parallax of a stereoscopic image. An image capturing device includes an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion on respective light fluxes passing through different regions of a single pickup lens. The image capturing device includes a neutral density filter an AE control unit that acquires subject brightness, and a diaphragm control unit that, in a case of the stereoscopic pickup, controls whether or not to reduce the amount of light which reaches the imaging element using the neutral density filter based on the subject brightness, and that, in a case of the plane pickup, causes a diaphragm value of the diaphragm to be greater than a diaphragm value in the case of the stereoscopic pickup while setting the light extinction filter to a non-insertion state.

Imaging device and focusing control method

An imaging device includes an image pick-up device including phase difference detection pixel pairs, each formed from a pair of phase difference detection pixels respectively having their openings eccentrically formed on opposite sides of a main axis of an imaging lens, and imaging pixel pairs; a reading section that reads out signals from the pixels arrayed in the image pick-up device using a rolling shutter method; a first correlation computation section that performs correlation computation on the signals from the phase difference detection pixel pairs; a second correlation computation section that performs correlation computation on the signals from the imaging pixel pairs; a correction section that corrects a result from the first correlation computation section using a result from the second correlation computation section; and a focusing section that performs focus control using the corrected result.

Image sensing device

Disclosed is an image sensing device including a first pixel group including at least one first half-shading pixel and at least one first normal pixel, and an image processor suitable for using a first pixel signal, which is generated from the first half-shading pixel during a first period, as phase information, and using a first pixel signal, which is generated from the first half-shading pixel during a second period, as dynamic range information.

Image sensor and imaging apparatus

An image sensor outputs captured image data by discriminating whether to add a result of an imaging plane phase difference AF calculation to a top of the captured image data or whether to add the result to an end of the captured image data, thus reducing a time lag between exposure and focus position movement.

Focus detection apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

A focus detection apparatus comprises a line sensor including a photoelectric conversion element and an integrating capacitor, a storage unit configured to store information concerning a defective pixel, a first comparison unit configured to compare a signal from the defective pixel with a predetermined threshold, a switching unit configured to switch between a first accumulation mode and a second accumulation mode, and a control unit configured to control the switching unit so as to set the line sensor in the first accumulation mode if the first comparison unit determines that a signal from the defective pixel is not more than the predetermined threshold and set the line sensor in the second accumulation mode if the first comparison unit determines that a signal from the defective pixel is larger than the threshold.

Stereoscopic image capture device and method

A stereoscopic image capture device comprising: a single imaging optical system; an imaging element that forms pupil-divided object images; a diaphragm that restricts a light flux that enters into the imaging element; and a diaphragm control device, wherein, when focal lengths before and after adjusting the focal length of the imaging optical system are assumed to be f1 and f2 and the F value of the diaphragm before adjusting the focal length of the imaging optical system is assumed to be FNo1, the diaphragm control device performs control such that an F value of FNo2 after adjusting the focal length of the imaging optical system becomes an F value that can be set according to a following equation: FNo   2 = FNo   1 * ( f   2 f   1 ) 2 .

Focusing method and terminal

A focusing method and a terminal are provided. The method includes the following. A set of FV sampling parameter groups and a set of defocus value sampling parameter groups are obtained. A first mapping relation between step angles and FVs is determined according to the set of FV sampling parameter groups and a first predetermined fitting scheme, and a second mapping relation between the step angles and defocus values is determined according to the set of defocus value sampling parameter groups and a second predetermined fitting scheme. A first step angle in a first step angle set is determined according to the first mapping relation, and a second step angle in a second step angle set is determined according to the second mapping relation. Focusing is completed according to the first step angle and the second step angle.

Lens unit, method for controlling lens unit, imaging apparatus, and method for controlling imaging apparatus

A lens unit that can be attached to an imaging apparatus includes a display unit configured to switch and display information of a plurality of items, a lens control unit configured to control display on the display unit, and a first storage unit configured to store first information indicating an item selected from among items of information that can be displayed on the display unit. When the display on the display unit is turned off, the lens control unit stores in the first storage unit the first information corresponding to an item of information displayed on the display unit, and when the display on the display unit is turned on, the lens control unit displays, on the display unit, information of the item indicated by the first information stored in the first storage unit.

Depth of field visualization

In a method for visualizing depth of field, a computing device determines a distance value for each respective pixel of a plurality of pixels of a digital image based on a distance between subject matter depicted in the respective pixel and an imaging device integrated with the computing device. The computing device determines a depth of field of the digital image. The computing device compares the depth of field of the digital image to the distance value for each respective pixel to determine a first set of pixels of the plurality of pixels having distance values outside the depth of field and a second set of pixels of the plurality of pixels having distance values inside the depth of field. The computing device indicates the first set of pixels in a user interface.

Image sensor and imaging device

An image sensor comprising a plurality of imaging pixels, a plurality of focus detecting pixels in which opening positions of light receiving sections are shifted from those of the imaging pixels, and a plurality of color filters arranged corresponding to the imaging pixels and the focus detecting pixels, wherein first focus detecting pixels in which opening positions are shifted in a first direction are arranged at positions corresponding to first color filters of the imaging pixels, and second focus detecting pixels in which opening positions are shifted in the first direction and which have opening ratios different from those of the first focus detecting pixels are arranged at positions corresponding to the first color filters.

Image pickup apparatus, image pickup apparatus control method and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium recording program

An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup device including a pixel region in which image pixels corresponding to microlenses are arrayed in a matrix, each of the image pixels being divided into a plurality of focus detection pixels configured to generate respective photoelectric conversion signals; and a control circuit configured to control a cycle in a column direction of first rows in which photoelectric conversion signals in an image pixel are added up to generate an image pixel signal, and second rows in which both of a pair of the focus detection pixel signals or one of the pair of the focus detection pixel signals and the image pixel signal are generated and read, in a frame is provided.

Image processing device, method of processing image, image processing program, and imaging device

An information processing system configured to perform predetermined processing based on out-of-focus information corresponding to a first area of an image, the out-of-focus information corresponding to a difference in focus between the first area of the image and a second area of the image that is different from the first area of the image.

Image capturing apparatus and method for controlling the same

An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a readout unit that reads out a signal from a portion of the photoelectric conversion elements of each pixel as a first signal and reads out a sum of signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements of each pixel as an image signal; a generation unit that generates a second signal for each pixel using the image signal and the first signal; and a calculation unit that calculates a moving amount of a focus lens for achieving an in-focus state based on a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal. The calculation unit performs the calculation without using a signal from a defective line.

Image acquisition apparatus, image obtaining method, image obtaining program, and storage medium

An image acquisition apparatus includes: an image acquisition device that includes normal image-acquisition pixels and a phase-difference detection pixel; a shift unit that shifts the image acquisition device; a phase-difference-pixel correcting unit that corrects a pixel value obtained by the phase-difference detection pixel to a value equivalent to values obtained by the normal image-acquisition pixels; a pixel storage unit that arranges and stores the pixel values after the correction at storage areas; and a high-resolution-image compositing unit that composites the stored pixel values to generate a high-resolution image. The shift unit shifts the image acquisition device such that pixel values that correspond to a specific color and that include the pixel value of a normal image-acquisition pixel exist at the same pixel position as the phase-difference detection pixel in the high-resolution image. The high-resolution-image compositing unit composites the pixel values corresponding to the specific color at a predetermined compositing ratio.

Imaging apparatus and controlling method therefor, and lens unit and controlling method therefor, and imaging system

In a camera unit that is mountable to a lens unit having a focus lens, an AF signal processing unit generates an AF evaluation value from an imaging signal obtained by an imaging element, and a camera control unit generates drive information for moving the focus lens to an in-focus point using the AF evaluation value and transmits the drive information to the mounted lens unit. The camera control unit transmits drive information including a focus lens position served as a reference for micro vibration and an amount of movement of the focus lens indicated by shift amount of an image plane with reference to the focus lens position to a lens unit.

Photoelectric conversion apparatus, image pickup system, and driving method of the photoelectric conversion apparatus

An apparatus including pixels, each having first and second photoelectric conversion elements, an amplifying unit, first and second transfer gates, and a microlens, performs, in one pixel, a first operation involving turning on the first transfer gate, outputting a signal based on charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element, turning on the first and second transfer gates while retaining the charge generated and transferred to an input node, and outputting a signal based on charges generated in the first and second photoelectric conversion elements, and, in another pixel, a second operation involving turning on the first transfer gate, not outputting a signal based on charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element, turning on the first and second transfer gates while retaining the charge generated and transferred to the input node, and outputting a signal based on charges generated in the first and second photoelectric conversion elements.

Apparatus and control method

An apparatus sets a weighting of a first subject included in a predetermined first range to be larger than that of other subjects when a detected subject is included in a first range in an image, updates a target subject for the photometry of which the weighting is set to be larger after continuing a state where the weighting of the first subject is set to be larger for a predetermined time when the first subject goes out of a second range which is wider than the first range and when the first subject does not go out of a third range which is wider than the second range, and updates the target subject for the photometry of which the weighting is set to be larger in response that the first subject goes out of the third range.

Solid state image capturing element, image capturing apparatus, and focusing control method

An image capturing element 5 has a phase difference detecting region 50 a in a light receiving region 50 in which pixel cells are arranged, in the region 50 a, some of pixel cells mounted with G filters, among the pixel cells which are arranged in a Bayer pattern, serve as phase difference detecting pixel cells 51 R and 51 L, the pixel cell 51 L and the pixel cell 51 R receive light which passes through different pupil areas of the image capturing lens 1, the pixel cell 51 L includes two types of pixel cells ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) having different arrangement patterns of the adjacent pixel cells 51 and the pixel cell 51 R includes two types of pixel cells ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) having different arrangement patterns of the adjacent pixel cells 51.

Solid-state image capture element, image capture device, and focus control method

A solid-state image capture element includes a pixel, which receives light of one of a pair of light beams which pass through iris regions of different locations on a photographic lens, and a pixel which receives light of the other, in a pair of said pixels. The pair of pixels are positioned shifted from one another in a direction which intersects the x-axis which is the phase difference direction. The pair includes a plurality of first pairs and second pairs which respectively have mutually inverse location relations with respect to the pixels and the pixels therein. The first pair and the second pair are alternately positioned in either the phase difference detection direction or the direction which is orthogonal thereto.

Control apparatus, image pickup apparatus, image pickup system, lens apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

A control apparatus includes a focus detector configured to perform focus detection based on an image signal obtained via a first optical system, the first optical system having a shallowest depth of field in a plurality of optical systems having focal lengths different from each other, and a controller configured to perform focus control of the plurality of optical systems based on an output signal from the focus detector.

Image sensor

An image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels, first and second row selection lines separated from each other, and first and second column lines separated from each other are disposed and a column selecting circuit configured to connect the first and second column lines using a column selection signal. The pixel array includes a first pixel which is connected to the first row selection line and the first column line and a second pixel which is disposed in the same row as the first pixel and connected to the second row selection line and the second column line.

Band connecting device and head mounted display including the same

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a plurality of cameras that are arranged on at least one surface of the housing, a display that is arranged on at least one surface of the housing to display image data obtained through at least one of the cameras, a memory that is arranged inside the housing to store the image data, a processor that is arranged inside the housing and is electrically connected to the cameras, the display, and the memory, and a cover that is arranged to cover at least a portion of the housing such that the at least a portion of the housing is opened and closed to provide at least a first arrangement state or a second arrangement state. The processor is configured to determine an arrangement state of the cover in response to a request signal to set at least one camera among the cameras to a photographing ready state for obtaining the image data, and to switch a photographing unit from the at least one camera to at least one other camera based on the determination result. In addition, various embodiments identified through the specification are possible.

Solid-state imaging device and driving method thereof, and electronic apparatus

The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light. The phase difference detection pixel is formed in a manner that at least part of at least one of the photoelectric conversion unit and the charge accumulation unit refrains from being shielded from light. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.

Image sensor and mobile terminal

Disclosed are an image sensor, and a control method. The image sensor includes a two-dimensional pixel array and a lens array. The two-dimensional pixel array includes a plurality of color pixels and a plurality of panchromatic pixels; wherein each color pixel has a narrower spectral response than each panchromatic pixel; the two-dimensional pixel array includes a plurality of sub-units, and each sub-unit includes a plurality of single-color pixels among the plurality of color pixels and some of the plurality of panchromatic pixels. The lens array includes a plurality of lenses; wherein each lens covers a plurality of pixels in at least one of the plurality of sub-units; the plurality of pixels in each sub-unit are composed of the plurality of single-color pixels among the plurality of color pixels and the some of the plurality of panchromatic pixels.

Electronic device and focusing method

The embodiments of the present application disclose an electronic device and a focusing method, the electronic device comprises at least two cameras, wherein each of the at least two cameras is provided with a PD point pair set, an angle value between directions of straight lines in which the PD point pair sets on every two cameras in the at least two cameras are located is within a first preset angle range.

Image sensor and electronic apparatus

The present technology relates to an image sensor and an electronic apparatus which enable higher-quality images to be obtained. Provided is an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including one on-chip lens, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers formed below the on-chip lens. Each of at least two of the plurality of photoelectric conversion layers is split, partially formed, or partially shielded from light with respect to a light-receiving surface. The pixels are phase difference detection pixels for performing AF by phase difference detection or imaging pixels for generating an image. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor, for example.

Image pickup apparatus, image processing apparatus, and storage medium storing image processing program

An image pickup apparatus is characterized in that it includes an imaging element having imaging pixels and focus detecting pixels, a determining unit determining an amount of noise superimposed on an image obtained by driving the imaging element, and a pixel interpolation unit executing the interpolation processing from among a plurality of interpolation processing with different processing contents in accordance with a determination result of the amount of noise determined by the determining unit, with respect to the image, to generate interpolation pixel values with respect to the focus detecting pixels.

Image processing apparatus, image processing program, and image processing method

[Object] To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and an image processing method capable of obtaining three-dimensional information of an observation target object. [Solving Means] An image processing apparatus includes a difference calculation unit and a difference distribution generation unit. The difference calculation unit calculates, for each of pixels that constitute a pickup image in each of a plurality of pickup images taken at different focal depths, a difference of a luminance value from an adjacent pixel. A difference image generation unit generates, on the basis of the difference and the focal depth at which the pickup image including the pixel whose difference is calculated is taken, a distribution of the difference with respect to the focal depth.

Imaging apparatus and imaging method

An imaging apparatus, comprising a movement section having a thrust mechanism capable of movement, an imaging section that acquires image data, an imaging control section that acquires first image data using the imaging section with an examination chart under a first shooting condition, and that acquires second image data using the imaging section with a physical object under a second shooting condition, and a determination section for determining illuminated state for the physical object and the examination chart based on the first and second image data.

Solid-state image pickup element and electronic apparatus

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image pickup element and an electronic apparatus each of which enables a phase difference in an arbitrary direction to be properly detected. A solid-state image pickup element as a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a pixel array, and a plurality of AD conversion portions. The pixel array is partitioned into a plurality of pixel blocks each including a normal pixel and a pixel for phase difference detection. The plurality of AD conversion portions correspond to the respective plurality of pixel blocks, and AD-convert pixel signals based on a plurality of pixels included in the corresponding pixel block. In this case, the pixel for phase difference detection included in one pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks, and the pixel for phase difference detection included in the other pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks are arranged in positions corresponding to each other. The present disclosure, for example, can be applied to a CMOS image sensor.

Imaging device and method for controlling same

An imaging device comprising a photographing lens, an imaging element; a first interpolation device, a second interpolation device, a focusing confirmation image generation device configured to at least generate a first image and a second image respectively from the pixel values of the first and second interpolation pixels calculated by the first and second interpolation device and generating a focusing confirmation image based on the first and second images, and a display device configured to display the focusing confirmation image generated by the focusing confirmation image generation device.

Image processing apparatus, image-capturing apparatus, and image processing apparatus control program

An image processing apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit receiving a first image and image-capturing information associated with the first image; a determining unit determining, based on the image-capturing information, whether or not the first image is an image of a subject image in a view point direction corresponding to the aperture mask, using an output signal of an image sensor that includes a pixel array including first parallax pixels having the aperture mask with asymmetric directional properties in the long axis and short axis with respect to incident light flux of a single optical system and positioned to permit a portion of the light flux to pass; and an outputting unit outputting a corrected first image by carrying out a correction process having different frequency properties between the long axis direction and the short axis direction on the subject image in an unfocused region of the first image.

Image capture device and focus control method

Provided are an image capture device and a focus control method capable of performing reliability determination based on a phase difference AF method at high speed. A phase difference AF processing unit 19 of a digital camera performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P 1 , performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P 2 , performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P 3 , and performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P 4 . A system control unit 11 determines reliability of a focus control based on the phase difference AF method using detection signals of respective pixels with respect to each of the pixel pairs P 1 to P 4 based on four correlation operation results.

Image sensor, image capturing apparatus, focus detection apparatus, image processing apparatus, and control method of image capturing apparatus

An image sensor in which pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion region divided into a plurality of regions, are arranged two-dimensionally, the image sensor comprising: a first pixel, from the pixels, for which each of photoelectric conversion regions divided in a first direction receives a light beam that passes through a pupil region; and a second pixel, from the pixels, for which each of photoelectric conversion regions divided in a second direction different to the first direction receives a light beam that passes through the pupil region; wherein the first pixel outputs signals having parallax in the first direction from the photoelectric conversion regions divided in the first direction, and the second pixel outputs signals having parallax in the second direction from the photoelectric conversion regions divided in the second direction.

Camera assembly, method for tracking target portion based on the same, and electronic device

A camera assembly, a method for tracking a target portion based on the camera assembly, and an electronic device are provided. The camera assembly includes: a first camera; a first motor for driving the first camera to move; a second camera, comprising a plurality of pixel blocks each being formed of a plurality of photosensitive pixels and configured to obtain a first photodiode pixel by capturing a target portion of an object to be photographed through a first part of the plurality of photosensitive pixels and obtain a second photodiode pixel by capturing the target portion through a second part of the plurality of photosensitive pixels when the target portion is detected; a controller, configured to obtain a global photodiode pixel, calculate a phase difference and control the first motor to drive the first camera to move to an in-focus position according to the phase difference.

Image Processing Method And Apparatus, And Electronic Device

An image processing method is provided. The image sensor is controlled to output the merged image. The depth-of-field area is identified based on the merged image. The image sensor is controlled to output the color-block image. A first part of the color-block image within the depth-of-field area is converted into a first simulation image using a first interpolation algorithm. The second part of the color-block image outside the depth-of-field area is converted into a second simulation image using a second interpolation algorithm. The first simulation image and the second simulation image are merged to generate a simulation image corresponding to the color-block image.

Focus adjustment device and focus adjustment method

A focus adjustment device, comprising: a processor having a main physical object position detection circuit for detecting position of a main object based on an image signal, a distance value detection circuit for detecting distance values in accordance with object distance of a plurality of AF regions based on the image signal, a candidate region setting section for setting regions exhibiting a distance value for a close-range side of greater than a specific value, with respect to a statistic for distance value of regions corresponding to position of the main physical object, to unnecessary candidate regions, and a control section for determining regions corresponding to unnecessary physical objects based on the unnecessary candidate regions, and controlling focus adjustment based on distance value corresponding to regions that have had regions corresponding to the unnecessary physical objects excluded from the main physical object regions.

Imaging element and imaging apparatus

An error is reduced in phase difference detection of an imaging element including a phase difference pixel with an on-chip lens in common for a pair of pixels. The imaging element includes a pixel, an individual on-chip lens, a plurality of phase difference pixels, a common on-chip lens, and a pixel circuit. The individual on-chip lens individually collects incident light for each pixel. The phase difference pixels are arranged adjacent to each other to detect a phase difference. The common on-chip lens is arranged in common for the plurality of phase difference pixels and collects incident light in common. The pixel circuit is formed in a semiconductor substrate and generates an image signal on the basis of a transferred charge. Charge transfer units of the plurality of phase difference pixels are in a region between the common on-chip lens and the individual on-chip lens.

Camera

A camera includes: an image capturing unit that outputs a signal by capturing a subject image via an optical system having a focus adjustment optical system; a detection unit that detects an in-focus position at which the subject image is in focus on the image capturing unit by the optical system based on the signal outputted from the image capturing unit; a control unit that controls a position of the focus adjustment optical system so as to focus continuously upon a specified subject based on the in-focus position detected by the detection unit; and an acquisition unit that acquires information related to at least one of a distance to the specified subject, a size of the specified subject, and the optical system; wherein the control unit controls the position of the focus adjustment optical system based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Imaging Device for Determining Behavior of a Brightness Adjustment of an Imaging Optical System and Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Storage Medium

An imaging device includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject formed by an imaging optical system and to generate a moving-image signal based on the captured image; and a processor comprising hardware, wherein the processor is configured to implement: an inter-frame change information acquisition unit configured to acquire inter-frame change information related to a change between at least two frames of the moving-image signal; an intra-frame information acquisition unit configured to acquire intra-frame information which is information within one frame included in the moving-image signal; and a brightness adjustment determination unit configured to determine behavior of brightness adjustment based on both of the inter-frame change information acquired by the inter-frame change information acquisition unit and the intra-frame information acquired by the intra-frame information acquisition unit.