JP2007240877A - Imaging apparatus and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain a decrease in reliability in terms of an obtained focusing position while keeping speed required for AF high. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 10 obtains the focusing position by phase difference detection system AF for both vertical field and horizontal field, and determines the reliability in terms of the obtained focusing position. Then, it performs contrast detection system AF in a direction where the reliability is high, and replaces the focusing position obtained by the phase difference detection system AF in the same direction with a more accurate focusing position. A range where a focus lens moves when the contrast detection system AF is performed is a comparatively small range near the focusing position obtained by the phase difference detection system AF. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function and a control method thereof.

  An imaging apparatus such as a digital camera having a so-called autofocus (AF) function that automatically adjusts the focus during imaging is widely used. As methods for realizing the AF function, a phase difference detection method and a contrast detection method are known. In general, the phase difference detection method AF is fast, but there are features that are less accurate than the contrast detection method, and the contrast detection method AF is highly accurate but slow.

  Therefore, a hybrid AF method is known that combines high-speed and high-precision AF by combining a phase difference detection method and a contrast detection method (see Patent Document 1).

  The imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1 first obtains a first focus position by phase difference detection AF, and performs first focus by performing contrast detection AF in the vicinity of the first focus position. An accurate second in-focus position is obtained from the position. Since AF by the contrast detection method is performed by scanning the focus lens within a relatively narrow range in the vicinity of the first focus position, the focus position is obtained at a higher speed than AF using only the conventional contrast detection method. be able to.

  Also, an imaging device that stores in advance the difference in focus position detected using each of the phase difference detection method and the contrast detection method as a correction value, and corrects the focus position detected by the phase difference detection method with this correction value during imaging. Is also known (see Patent Document 2).

The imaging apparatus described in Patent Literature 2 can obtain the in-focus position at a higher speed because it is not necessary to perform AF by the contrast detection method at the time of imaging once the correction value is stored.
JP 2003-302571 A JP 2000-292684 A

  The imaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not consider whether autofocus (AF) is performed based on either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the focus detection region. Therefore, when AF is performed based on one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, if the contrast of the subject in the reference direction is low, the reliability of the required in-focus position is also low. Further, if AF is performed with reference to both the vertical and horizontal directions, the reliability of the in-focus position is improved, but it takes time to execute AF.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 calculates a correction value regardless of the contrast of the subject in the focus detection area. Therefore, if the contrast of the subject in the focus detection area is low, a correction value with low reliability is calculated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing reduction in reliability of a required in-focus position while maintaining a high speed required for AF. To do.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus having the following features. That is, based on a first focus detection unit that detects an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on an imaging signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject image by an imaging unit, and a detection signal different from the evaluation value A second focus detection unit that detects a focal point of the imaging optical system, and a direction that is highly reliable when detecting the focal point among a plurality of directions in the imaging unit based on the detection signal. An evaluation value representing the focus state of the imaging optical system based on the imaging signal in the direction of the imaging unit corresponding to the direction detected by the detection unit. An image pickup apparatus for detecting

  The present invention also provides an imaging apparatus having the following features. That is, a focus detection unit that detects a focal point of the imaging optical system based on a detection signal, and an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image to obtain an imaging signal using a correction value that corrects a deviation of a detection result in the focus detection unit. Storage means for storing each of a plurality of directions in the detection means, and detection means for detecting a direction in which the detection signal has high reliability when detecting a focal point, among the plurality of directions in the imaging means, based on the detection signal And a correction unit that corrects the focal point detected by the focus detection unit based on a correction value stored in the storage unit corresponding to the direction detected by the detection unit. .

  The present invention also provides a method for controlling an imaging apparatus having the following features. That is, based on a first focus detection unit that detects an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on an imaging signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject image by an imaging unit, and a detection signal different from the evaluation value And a second focus detection unit that detects a focal point of the imaging optical system, and based on the detection signal, out of a plurality of directions in the imaging unit, A highly reliable direction is detected, and the first focus detection unit is controlled to detect an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on the imaging signal corresponding to the direction detected by the detection unit. A control method characterized by:

  The present invention also provides a method for controlling an imaging apparatus having the following features. That is, a focus detection unit that detects a focal point of an imaging optical system based on a detection signal, and an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image to obtain an imaging signal using a correction value that corrects a deviation of a detection result in the focus detection unit. And a storage means for storing each of a plurality of directions in the image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup signal is highly reliable among a plurality of directions in the image pickup means based on a detection signal of the focus detection means. A detection step for detecting a direction, and a correction step for correcting the in-focus detected by the focus detection unit based on a correction value stored in the storage unit corresponding to the direction detected in the detection step. A control method comprising:

  Other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention.

  With the above configuration, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reliability of a required in-focus position while maintaining a high speed required for autofocus (AF).

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The individual embodiments described below will help to understand various concepts, such as the superordinate concept, intermediate concept and subordinate concept of the present invention.

  The technical scope of the present invention is determined by the claims, and is not limited by the following individual embodiments. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of digital camera 10>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera 10 that is an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  Connected to the CPU 100 are a focus detection sensor 101, a signal input unit 104, a lens communication unit 105, an imaging sensor 106 (imaging means), a photometric sensor 107, and a shutter control unit 108.

  The signal input unit 104 is for detecting the state of the switch group 114 that gives various instructions to the digital camera 10.

  The lens communication unit 105 is for transmitting a lens signal 115 indicating the state of the imaging lens 60 shown in FIG. 2 to the CPU 100 and controlling the focal position and the aperture.

  The shutter control unit 108 is for controlling the shutter magnets 118a and 118b.

  The CPU 100 includes a contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201, a detection direction determination unit 202, a reliability evaluation unit 203, and a storage unit 204.

  The contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 detects the contrast of an imaging signal (image data) obtained by photoelectrically converting light (subject image) incident from the imaging lens 60 (imaging optical system) by the imaging sensor 106, and Evaluate the focus state.

  When the contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 detects the contrast of the image data, the detection direction determination unit 202 determines which direction (for example, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, etc.) of the image data is to be detected. .

  The reliability evaluation unit 203 evaluates the reliability of the focus detection result using the focus detection sensor 101.

  The storage unit 204 includes a ROM that stores a program that controls the operation of the digital camera 10, a RAM that is a work area when the program is executed, an EEPROM that stores parameters related to the settings of the digital camera 10, and the like.

  The functions of the contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201, the detection direction determination unit 202, and the reliability evaluation unit 203 are realized in software by the CPU 100 executing a program stored in the storage unit 204. However, of course, the digital camera 10 may be provided with dedicated hardware.

  The switch group 114 is used to set an operation mode (for example, an imaging mode or a reproduction mode) of the digital camera 10.

  The CPU 100 controls the photometric sensor 107 and the focus detection sensor 101 to detect the in-focus state and brightness of the subject and determine the position of the focus lens included in the imaging lens 60, the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the like. The aperture value is controlled via the lens communication unit 105, the energization time of the shutter magnets 118a and 118b is controlled via the shutter control unit 108, the shutter speed is controlled, and the image sensor 106 is controlled. Exposure is performed to obtain image data. At this time, the imaging lens 60 is driven to focus on the subject image. Then, development processing is performed, and image data is taken into a recording unit in the camera, thereby completing a series of photographing.

<Optical Configuration of Digital Camera 10>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an optical configuration of the digital camera 10.

  The imaging lens 60 includes a focus lens (not shown) that is an optical member for adjusting the focus.

  Most of the luminous flux from the subject incident through the imaging lens 60 is reflected upward by the quick return mirror 31 and forms an image on the finder screen 51. The user can observe this image via the pentaprism 52 and the eyepiece lens 53.

  A part of the light beam passes through the quick return mirror 31, is bent downward by the rear sub-mirror 30, and detects the focus through the field mask 32, the infrared cut filter 33, the field lens 34, the stop 38, and the secondary imaging lens 39. An image is formed on the sensor 101. The focus detection sensor 101 can detect the in-focus state of the imaging lens 60 by photoelectrically converting the imaged light beam in the light receiving element array and processing the imaging signals obtained from the pair of light receiving element arrays. it can.

  When imaging is performed using the digital camera 10, the quick return mirror 31 and the sub mirror 30 jump up, and all the light flux from the subject forms an image on the imaging sensor 106, so that the subject image is exposed.

<Phase difference detection method and contrast detection method>
In this embodiment, the digital camera 10 performs AF by combining autofocus (AF) based on the phase difference detection method that is the first focus detection method and AF based on the contrast detection method that is the second focus detection method. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is one focus detection area 81 (see FIG. 5) included in the imaging area 80 (see FIG. 5). You may perform AF according to this embodiment.

  First, the configuration of the digital camera 10 for AF by the phase difference detection method in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of an optical system used for AF by the phase difference detection method.

  The light flux from the subject reflected by the sub mirror 30 forms an image once in the vicinity of the field mask 32. The field mask 32 is a light shielding member for determining the focus detection area 81 in the imaging area 80, and has a cross-shaped opening 32a in the center.

  A diaphragm 38 is disposed behind the field lens 34, and a total of four openings 38 a are provided in the center of the diaphragm 38, one pair vertically and horizontally.

  The field lens 34 has an effect of imaging each aperture 38 a of the diaphragm 38 in the vicinity of the exit pupil of the imaging lens 60. A secondary imaging lens 39 composed of a total of four lenses in two pairs is disposed behind the diaphragm 38, and each lens corresponds to each opening 38 a of the diaphragm 38.

  Each light beam that has passed through the field mask 32, the field lens 34, the diaphragm 38, and the secondary imaging lens 39 forms an image on a two-to-four line sensor on the focus detection sensor 101.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a line sensor on the focus detection sensor 101. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the imaging area 80 and the focus detection area 81.

  The pair of line sensors 111 a and 111 b forms a vertical focus detection field with respect to the focus detection area 81 in the imaging area 80, and the pair of line sensors 111 c and 111 d detects the focus in the horizontal direction with respect to the focus detection area 81. A visual field is formed.

  Hereinafter, the focus detection field by the pair of line sensors 111a and 111b is referred to as “vertical field” (or first field), and the focus detection field by the pair of line sensors 111c and 111d is referred to as “lateral field” (or second field). Call. The first visual field and the second visual field indicate the direction of contrast evaluation in the imaging signal output from the imaging sensor.

  The focus detection sensor 101 photoelectrically converts the image on each line sensor and detects the relative position displacement of the two pairs of imaging signals, thereby detecting the vertical imaging signal and the horizontal imaging signal from the subject included in the focus detection area 81. Both imaging signals can be detected.

  The CPU 100 can obtain the in-focus position from the imaging signal obtained as described above. However, since the method for obtaining the in-focus position is the same as a conventionally known method, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the AF by the contrast detection method in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of the image sensor 106. In FIG. 6, each rectangle represented in a grid shape indicates a pixel imaged by the image sensor 106. The focus detection pixel area 82 is an area corresponding to the focus detection area 81 in the image sensor 106. The vertical field pixel region 82 a and the horizontal field pixel region 82 b are regions corresponding to the vertical field and the horizontal field of the focus detection region 81 in the image sensor 106.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the focus detection pixel region 82 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the focus detection pixel region 82 includes m × n pixels.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the signal of each pixel is represented by S (1,1), S (1,2)... S (m, n), the contrast detection method is used in the lateral direction with respect to the focus detection area 81. The contrast evaluation value when applied can be expressed by the following equation.

  On the other hand, the contrast evaluation value when the contrast detection method is applied to the focus detection region 81 in the vertical direction can be expressed by the following equation.

  The CPU 100 can obtain the in-focus position from the contrast evaluation value obtained as described above. However, the method for obtaining the in-focus position is the same as a conventionally known method, and thus description thereof is omitted.

<Principle of Embodiment>
In this embodiment, the digital camera 10 first obtains the focus position (first focus position) by phase difference detection AF for both the vertical field and the horizontal field of view, and determines the reliability of the obtained focus position. judge. Next, AF of the contrast detection method is performed in a highly reliable direction to obtain the second focus position. As described above, the second in-focus position obtained by the contrast detection method is more reliable than the first in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection method.

  In other words, the digital camera 10 performs focus detection by the contrast detection method in the same direction as the highly reliable direction among the first in-focus positions obtained for the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field, and is finally obtained. Further improve the reliability of the in-focus position. The principle of this embodiment and the reason why the reliability of the in-focus position is improved will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the in-focus position obtained by phase difference detection AF and the in-focus position obtained by contrast detection AF. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the focal position, and the vertical axis indicates the contrast evaluation value.

  In FIG. 8, the zero point on the horizontal axis is the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF using either the vertical field or the horizontal field. When the in-focus position is obtained by the phase difference detection AF, the CPU 100 moves the focal position of the imaging lens 60 back and forth at a predetermined interval (hereinafter also referred to as “detection step”). Specifically, the focus lens included in the imaging lens 60 is moved at a predetermined detection step (movement interval). In the example of FIG. 8, the CPU 100 moves the focal position of the imaging lens 60 by 5 steps back and forth from the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF. The contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 calculates a contrast evaluation value according to the above [Equation 1] or [Equation 2] for each focus position in a direction that matches the direction of the visual field used in the phase difference detection method. The focal position where the contrast evaluation value is maximized (-1 point in FIG. 8) is the in-focus position obtained by contrast detection AF.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the principle of determining which direction of the vertical field of view and the horizontal field of view is higher when performing AF of the phase difference detection method and the contrast detection method. Will be explained.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the subject 83 is included in the focus detection area 81 of the imaging area 80. In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the subject 83 has a higher luminance than the surrounding white portion.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the luminance distribution of the imaging signals obtained by the line sensors 111a to 111d when the imaging region 80 is in the state of FIG. FIG. 10A shows the luminance distribution of the imaging signal obtained by the line sensor 111a or 111b constituting the vertical visual field, and FIG. 10B shows the imaging signal obtained by the line sensor 111c or 111d constituting the horizontal visual field. The luminance distribution is shown. The horizontal axis indicates the position of the pixel in the focus detection area 81, and the vertical axis indicates the luminance of the pixel (the intensity of the imaging signal). That is, in FIG. 10A, the left end indicates the upper end of the focus detection region 81, the right end indicates the lower end of the focus detection region 81, and in FIG. 10B, the left end indicates the left end of the focus detection region 81, and the right end detects the focus. The right ends of the areas 81 are shown respectively.

  In FIG. 10A, the gradient from the low luminance portion to the high luminance portion is steep. That is, in the vertical field of view, the contrast ratio of the focus detection area 81 is high. If the contrast ratio is high and the brightness gradient is steep, it is difficult to be affected by noise of the line sensor and the like, and thus the reliability of the obtained in-focus position becomes high.

  On the other hand, in FIG.10 (b), the gradient of a part with a low brightness | luminance is gentle. That is, in the horizontal field of view, the contrast ratio of the focus detection area 81 is low. If the contrast ratio is low and the luminance gradient is gentle, the reliability of the obtained in-focus position becomes low because it is easily affected by the noise of the line sensor.

  Therefore, the reliability evaluation unit 203 calculates the difference between the brightness levels of adjacent image pickup signals on the line sensor, or calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value, thereby obtaining the phase difference detection method by AF. The reliability of the obtained in-focus position can be evaluated.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing contrast evaluation values when the imaging region 80 is in the state of FIG. FIG. 11A corresponds to FIG. 10A (that is, the contrast evaluation value according to [Equation 2] for the vertical visual field is shown), and FIG. 11B corresponds to FIG. (Contrast evaluation value according to [Equation 1] for horizontal visual field is shown).

  In FIG. 11A, the difference between the low and high contrast evaluation values is large, and the in-focus position where the contrast evaluation value is maximum is clear. For this reason, the reliability of the obtained in-focus position is increased.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 11B, the difference between the low and high contrast evaluation values is small, and it is difficult to specify the in-focus position where the contrast evaluation value is maximum, and it is easily affected by noise and the like. For this reason, the reliability of the obtained in-focus position is lowered.

  As described above, whether the phase difference detection method is used or the contrast detection method is used, the reliability of the obtained in-focus position changes depending on the contrast of the subject in the focus detection area 81. Further, it can be seen from the above description that the reliability when the phase difference detection method is used and the reliability when the contrast detection method is used coincide with each other.

  Therefore, as described above, the digital camera 10 first obtains the in-focus position for both the vertical field and the lateral field by phase difference detection AF, and determines the reliability of the obtained in-focus position. Next, if the contrast detection AF is performed in the highly reliable direction and the focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF in the same direction is finely adjusted, the reliability of the focus position can be further improved. .

  Further, since it is only necessary to perform contrast detection AF for only one of the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field, execution of AF according to the present embodiment is faster than performing contrast detection AF for both the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field. It is. Further, the range of the focus position when detecting the contrast in the contrast detection AF is a relatively narrow range based on the focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF (see FIG. 8). Contrast detection AF is even faster. That is, in contrast detection AF, an evaluation value representing the focus state of the imaging lens in a part of the imaging lens drive range including the focal point detected in a highly reliable direction by phase difference detection AF. Since AF is detected, AF is performed at high speed.

<Processing Flow of Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the digital camera 10 performs AF according to the present embodiment.

  In step S1001, the CPU 100 determines whether or not the start of AF is instructed. An instruction to start AF is given, for example, when the shutter button included in the switch group 114 is half pressed. When the start of AF is instructed, the process proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S <b> 1002, the CPU 100 performs AF of the phase difference detection method with respect to the focus detection region 81 for the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field, and obtains an in-focus position for each of the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field.

  In step S1003, the reliability evaluation unit 203 evaluates the reliability of the in-focus position for the vertical visual field and the in-focus position for the horizontal visual field obtained in step S1002. If at least one of the focus position reliability for the vertical field of view and the reliability of the focus position for the horizontal field of view is greater than or equal to a predetermined level, the process proceeds to step S1004. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1014. Note that the reason for evaluating reliability in step S1003 is that reliability does not reach a predetermined level for both the vertical field and the horizontal field of view, even if the phase difference detection method and the contrast detection method are combined. This is because a high focus position cannot be obtained. Therefore, the CPU 100 obtains the in-focus position by the method of step S1014 described later.

  In step S1004, the reliability evaluation unit 203 compares which of the in-focus position for the vertical field of view and the in-focus position for the horizontal field of view obtained in step S1002 has higher reliability. If the reliability of the vertical field is higher, the process proceeds to step S1005. If the reliability of the horizontal field is higher, the process proceeds to step S1006. If the reliability of the vertical field and the horizontal field is equal, the process proceeds to step S1007.

  In step S <b> 1005, the CPU 100 stores the in-focus position obtained based on the vertical field of view of the focus detection sensor 101 in the storage unit 204 as the in-focus position to be adopted.

  In step S <b> 1006, the CPU 100 stores the in-focus position obtained based on the horizontal field of view of the focus detection sensor 101 in the storage unit 204 as the in-focus position to be adopted.

  In step S <b> 1007, the CPU 100 stores the average of the focus positions obtained based on the vertical field and the horizontal field of the focus detection sensor 101 in the storage unit 204 as the employed focus position. When the reliability of the in-focus position based on the vertical field of view and the horizontal field of view is the same, the reliability of the in-focus position increases if the final in-focus position is obtained from the average value in this way. However, the focus position may be obtained based on only one of the vertical field and the horizontal field, and in this case, the AF speed is improved.

  In steps S1005 to S1007, the detection direction determination unit 202 records the direction of the visual field used for obtaining the employed focus position in the storage unit 204.

  In S1008, the CPU 100 calculates a difference between the in-focus position stored in the storage unit 204 in S1005 to S1007 and the current focus position of the imaging lens 60 (hereinafter referred to as a defocus amount), and is the in-focus state? Determine whether or not. If the absolute value of the defocus amount is larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the in-focus state is not achieved, and the process proceeds to step S1009. On the other hand, if the absolute value of the defocus amount is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, it is determined that the in-focus state is achieved, and the process proceeds to step S1010.

  In step S1009, the CPU 100 moves the focus lens in the imaging lens 60 to the in-focus position. Next, the process returns to step S1002, and the same processing is repeated.

  In step S1010, the detection direction determination unit 202 determines the direction of the visual field recorded in the storage unit 204 in steps S1005 to S1007. If it is a vertical field of view, the process proceeds to step S1011. If it is a horizontal field of view, the process proceeds to step S1012. If it is both a vertical field of view and a horizontal field of view, the process proceeds to step S1013.

  In steps S1011 to S1013, the detection direction determination unit 202 determines the detection direction of contrast in AF performed by the next contrast detection method. The detection direction determination unit 202 records in the storage unit 204 as the vertical direction in step S1011, the horizontal direction in S1012, and the vertical and horizontal directions in S1013. That is, the direction of the visual field corresponding to the in-focus position adopted in the phase difference detection method matches the contrast detection direction in the contrast detection method.

  In S1014, the detection direction determination unit 202 records the contrast detection direction in the storage unit 204 in the AF using the contrast detection method as an oblique direction. This is because, as described in step S1003, the phase difference detection method has low reliability in both the vertical and horizontal fields of view, and the contrast detection method has low reliability in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

  In step S1015, the contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 obtains a contrast evaluation value while moving the focus lens in a predetermined detection step within a predetermined range (see FIG. 8) from the current focus lens position. At this time, the direction for obtaining the contrast evaluation value is the direction determined in steps S1011 to S1014. Further, in the reliability determination in step S1003, the reliability of the in-focus position based on the vertical field of view and the horizontal field of view is low, and when passing through step S1014, the entire focus lens driving range (at least a range wider than the predetermined range). ) For the contrast evaluation value. This is because in this case, the in-focus position is not calculated by the phase difference detection method.

  In step S1016, the contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 obtains a focus position from the result of the contrast evaluation value obtained in step S1015, moves the focus lens, and focuses the subject.

  With the above processing, the AF processing in the present embodiment is completed, in which the in-focus position is first obtained at high speed by the phase difference detection method and the highly accurate in-focus position is detected by the contrast detection method. In this state, when the shutter button included in the switch group 114 is fully pressed, imaging is performed.

<Summary of First Embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the digital camera 10 first obtains the in-focus position by phase difference detection AF for both the vertical field and the horizontal field of view, and determines the reliability of the obtained in-focus position. judge. Next, contrast detection AF is performed in a highly reliable direction, and the in-focus position obtained by phase difference detection AF in the same direction is replaced with a more accurate in-focus position. The range in which the focus lens moves during execution of contrast detection AF is a relatively narrow range near the in-focus position obtained by phase difference detection AF.

  Thereby, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the required in-focus position while keeping the speed required for AF high.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the hybrid AF that performs the contrast detection AF at the time of imaging and finely adjusts the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF has been described. In the second embodiment, the difference between the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF and the in-focus position by the contrast detection AF is stored in advance as a correction value, and the phase difference detection AF is corrected during imaging. The hybrid AF that corrects by value will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera 11 that is an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. The same components as those of the digital camera 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The CPU 100 includes a contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201, a detection direction determination unit 202, a reliability evaluation unit 203, a storage unit 204, a detection resolution determination unit 205, and a focus detection correction unit 206.

  The detection resolution determination unit 205 determines a detection step for moving the focus lens of the imaging lens 60 during execution of contrast detection AF. The detection step is a scale interval on the horizontal axis of FIG. The smaller the detection step, the more accurate in-focus position can be obtained. However, when the contrast evaluation value is obtained for a predetermined range of the focal position, the number of points for which the contrast evaluation value must be calculated increases. Therefore, more time is required for the AF of the contrast detection method.

  The focus detection correction unit 206 corrects the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF using the correction value. The correction value is the difference between the in-focus position obtained in advance by the phase difference detection AF and the in-focus position obtained by the contrast detection method, and is recorded in the storage unit 204.

  In addition, the digital camera 11 includes an operation for performing imaging using a correction value (hereinafter referred to as an imaging mode) and an operation for obtaining a correction value (hereinafter referred to as an AF calibration mode). The digital camera 11 is set to an imaging mode or an AF calibration mode by operating the switch group 114.

  Note that the functions of the detection resolution determination unit 205 and the focus detection correction unit 206 are realized by software when the CPU 100 executes a program stored in the storage unit 204. However, of course, it may be realized by providing the digital camera 11 with dedicated hardware.

  Next, a flow of processing in which the digital camera 11 performs AF calibration according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S2001, the CPU 100 determines the mode of the digital camera 10 based on the state of the switch group 114. If the AF calibration mode is set, the process proceeds to step S2003. If a mode other than the AF calibration mode is set, the process advances to step S2002, and the CPU 100 executes an operation corresponding to the set mode. If the mode is not set, the mode determination operation in step S2001 is repeated.

  In step S2003, the CPU 100 determines whether an instruction to start AF calibration has been received based on the state of the switch group 114. If an AF calibration start instruction is received, the process proceeds to step S2004. On the other hand, if the AF calibration start instruction has not been received, the process returns to step S2001.

  In step S2004, the CPU 100 performs AF of the phase difference detection method with respect to the focus detection area 81 in the vertical field of view, and obtains a focus position.

  In step S2005, the reliability evaluation unit 203 evaluates (determines) the reliability of the in-focus position obtained in step S2004. If the reliability is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the process proceeds to step S2006. If the reliability is less than the predetermined level, it means that the state of the focus detection area 81 is not suitable for obtaining the correction value, and the process proceeds to step S2013 without obtaining the correction value for the vertical visual field.

  In step S2006, the CPU 100 determines whether the in-focus state is achieved based on whether the absolute value of the defocus amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If it is in focus, the process proceeds to step S2008; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2007.

  In step S2007, the CPU 100 moves the focus lens in the imaging lens 60 to the in-focus position. Next, the process returns to step S2004, and the same processing is repeated.

  In step S2008, the CPU 100 stores the current focus lens position in the storage unit 204 as an in-focus position by phase difference detection AF in the vertical field of view.

  In step S2009, the detection direction determination unit 202 determines the contrast detection direction in the vertical direction when performing contrast detection AF, and stores it in the storage unit 204.

  In step S2010, the detection resolution determination unit 205 stores the detection step in the storage unit 204 as a predetermined value (for example, two graduations in FIG. 8).

  In step S2011, the contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 obtains a contrast evaluation value for a predetermined range (see FIG. 8) from the current focus lens position while moving the focus lens in the detection step determined in step S2010. At this time, the direction for obtaining the contrast evaluation value is the vertical direction determined in step S2009. The contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201 stores the focal position where the contrast evaluation value is maximized in the storage unit 204 as the focus position by the contrast detection method.

  In step S2012, the CPU 100 acquires a difference between the in-focus position stored in step S2011 and the in-focus position stored in step S2008 as a vertical field correction value, and stores it in the storage unit 204.

  Steps S2013 to S2021 are basically the same as steps S2004 to S2012 except that the vertical field of view is the horizontal field of view and the vertical direction is the horizontal direction, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  However, when the detection resolution determination unit 205 determines the detection step in step S2019, the detection resolution is set smaller than the detection step in step S2010 (for example, one scale in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 3, in the combination of the focus detection sensor 101 and the secondary imaging lens 39 used in this embodiment, the horizontal field of view is the center of the secondary imaging lens 39 rather than the vertical field of view. This is because the baseline length, which is the interval, is longer. Therefore, in the phase difference detection type AF, the horizontal field of view has a higher focus detection resolution than the vertical field of view. Therefore, in order to have a positive correlation between the focus detection resolution by the phase difference detection method and the focus detection resolution by the contrast detection method, the horizontal detection step is made smaller than the vertical detection step.

  Through the above processing, correction values are obtained for both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. If it is determined in step S2005 and step S2014 that a reliable correction value cannot be obtained, the corresponding direction correction value is not obtained. For this reason, the user of the digital camera 11 may perform AF calibration anew using another subject.

  When the image is captured by the digital camera 11, first, the focus positions of the vertical field and the horizontal field are obtained by phase difference detection AF. Next, the focus detection correction unit 206 corrects the in-focus position of the field of view with higher reliability with the correction value. Then, the lens communication unit 105 moves the focus lens of the imaging lens 60 to the corrected focus position, and focuses the subject. Therefore, AF by the contrast detection method is not performed at the time of imaging, and an accurate in-focus position can be obtained at higher speed and the focus lens can be focused.

<Summary of Second Embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the digital camera 11 stores in advance the difference between the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF and the in-focus position by the contrast detection AF as a correction value. However, the digital camera 11 does not store the correction value when the reliability of the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF is low. At the time of imaging by the digital camera 11, first, the focus position of the vertical field and the horizontal field is obtained by phase difference detection AF, and the focus position of the field of view with higher reliability is corrected by the correction value.

  This suppresses the digital camera 11 from storing an incorrect correction value with low reliability. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the in-focus position obtained by the phase difference detection AF at the time of imaging from being corrected with an incorrect correction value.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, in the AF calibration mode, the digital camera 11 obtains correction values for both the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field. In the third embodiment, a digital camera 12 (see FIG. 15) in which either or both of the correction values for the vertical visual field and the horizontal visual field are selectively obtained will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera 12 that is an imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. The same components as those of the digital camera 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the CPU 100, a contrast evaluation value calculation unit 201, a detection direction determination unit 202, a reliability evaluation unit 203, a storage unit 204, a detection resolution determination unit 205, a focus detection correction unit 206, and a visual field selection unit 207 are incorporated.

  The visual field selection unit 207 detects the state of the switch group 114 and selects a visual field for which a correction value is calculated when the digital camera 12 performs AF calibration. In addition, when the digital camera 12 performs imaging, AF is usually performed based on the more reliable one of the vertical field and the horizontal field, but the field selector 207 detects the state of the switch group 114 and uses it. The field of view to be selected may be selected.

  Note that the function of the visual field selection unit 207 is realized in software by the CPU 100 executing a program stored in the storage unit 204. However, of course, the digital camera 12 may be provided with dedicated hardware.

  Next, a flow of processing in which the digital camera 12 performs AF calibration according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 16, steps that perform the same processing as in the second embodiment (FIG. 14) are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In step S <b> 3001, the CPU 100 determines whether the vertical field of view is selected by the visual field selection unit 207 as an AF calibration target. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S2004. If not selected, the AF calibration for the vertical visual field is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S3002.

  In step S3002, the CPU 100 determines whether or not the horizontal field of view is selected by the visual field selection unit 207 as an AF calibration target. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S2013. If not selected, the AF calibration for the horizontal field of view is not performed, and the process ends.

<Summary of Third Embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the digital camera 12 performs AF calibration only for the selected visual field and obtains a correction value.

  As a result, AF calibration is performed only in the direction in which the user desires to update the correction value, and unnecessary AF calibration can be omitted, so that the correction value can be acquired at high speed.

[Other Embodiments]
The processing of each embodiment described above may provide a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes embodying each function. The functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like can be used. Alternatively, a CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

  The functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In some cases, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. include.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera 10 that is an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an optical configuration of a digital camera 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the optical system used for AF by a phase difference detection system. 2 is a diagram showing a line sensor on a focus detection sensor 101. FIG. It is a figure which shows the imaging area 80 and the focus detection area 81. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating details of an image sensor 106. FIG. It is the figure which expanded the focus detection pixel area | region 82 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the focus position calculated | required by AF of a phase difference detection system, and the focus position calculated | required by AF of a contrast detection system. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a subject 83 is included in a focus detection area 81 of an imaging area 80. FIG. It is a figure which shows the luminance distribution of the imaging signal which the line sensors 111a thru | or 111d obtain when the imaging region 80 is the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the contrast evaluation value when the imaging region 80 is in the state of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the digital camera 10 performs AF according to this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera 11 which is an imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which the digital camera 11 performs AF calibration according to 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera 12 which is an imaging device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which the digital camera 12 performs AF calibration according to 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 100 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Focus detection sensor 106 Imaging sensor 201 Contrast evaluation calculating part 202 Detection direction determination part 203 Reliability evaluation part 204 Memory | storage part

Claims (13)

First focus detection means for detecting an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on an imaging signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject image by the imaging means;
Second focus detection means for detecting a focal point of the imaging optical system based on a detection signal different from the evaluation value;
Detection means for detecting a direction having high reliability when detecting a focal point among a plurality of directions in the imaging means based on the detection signal of the second focus detection means;
The first focus detection unit detects an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on the imaging signal in the direction of the imaging unit corresponding to the direction detected by the detection unit. Imaging device.   The first focus detection unit detects an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system in a part of a driving range of the imaging optical system including a focal point detected by the second focus detection unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   In the case where the detection unit cannot detect a highly reliable direction, the first focus detection unit sets the in-focus state in a range wider than a part of the drive range of the imaging optical system. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an evaluation value is detected.   The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection unit detects a highly reliable direction based on a luminance level of the detection signal.   The first focus detection means obtains an evaluation value based on the contrast of the subject indicating the focus state of the imaging optical system, the second focus detection means receives light reflected by the subject by a pair of light receiving element arrays, 5. The phase difference between signals from the pair of light receiving element arrays is obtained, and a focal point of the imaging optical system is detected according to the phase difference. 6. Imaging device.   The base line length, which is the center interval of the imaging optical system, is longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, and the image signal for detecting the focus state in the first focus detection means is more focused in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection resolution is set to be small. Focus detection means for detecting the focal point of the imaging optical system based on the detection signal;
Storage means for storing a correction value for correcting a deviation in detection result in the focus detection means for each of a plurality of directions in an imaging means for photoelectrically converting a subject image to obtain an imaging signal;
Based on the detection signal, out of a plurality of directions in the imaging means, a detection means for detecting a direction with high reliability of the detection signal when detecting a focal point;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects a focal point detected by the focus detection unit based on a correction value stored in the storage unit corresponding to the direction detected by the detection unit. A focus state detection unit that detects an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on an imaging signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject image by the imaging unit;
The focus state detection unit includes a predetermined driving range of the imaging optical system including a focal point acquired based on the imaging signal in the direction of the imaging unit in a direction with high reliability detected by the detection unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an evaluation value representing a focus state is detected to obtain a deviation amount from the in-focus point, and the storage unit stores the deviation amount from the in-focus point. A focus state detection unit that detects an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on an imaging signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject image by an imaging unit;
Receiving means for receiving selection of whether to acquire the correction values in a plurality of directions in the imaging means;
The focus state detection unit is an evaluation that represents a focus state in a predetermined driving range of the imaging optical system including the in-focus point acquired based on the imaging signal in the direction of the imaging unit received by the receiving unit. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a value is detected to acquire a deviation amount from the in-focus point, and the storage unit stores the deviation amount from the in-focus point. Imaging means for driving the imaging optical system to capture the subject image and outputting image data based on the evaluation value;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording control unit that controls the recording unit to record the image data. Imaging means for driving the imaging optical system to capture the subject image and outputting image data based on a correction result by the correction means;
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a recording control unit configured to control the recording unit to record the image data. First focus detection means for detecting an evaluation value representing a focus state of the imaging optical system based on an imaging signal obtained by photoelectrically converting a subject image by an imaging means; and based on a detection signal different from the evaluation value A control method of an imaging apparatus having a second focus detection means for detecting a focal point of an imaging optical system,
Based on the detection signal, a reliable direction of the imaging signal is detected from among a plurality of directions in the imaging unit, and the imaging optical is based on the imaging signal corresponding to the direction detected by the detection unit. A control method comprising: controlling the first focus detection unit to detect an evaluation value representing a focus state of the system. A plurality of focus detection means for detecting the in-focus point of the imaging optical system based on the detection signal, and a correction value for correcting a deviation of the detection result in the focus detection means, and a plurality of imaging means for photoelectrically converting the subject image to obtain an imaging signal. A method for controlling the imaging apparatus having storage means for storing each of the directions,
A detection step of detecting a highly reliable direction of the imaging signal among a plurality of directions in the imaging unit based on a detection signal of the focus detection unit;
And a correction step of correcting the focal point detected by the focus detection unit based on the correction value stored in the storage unit corresponding to the direction detected in the detection step. Control method.

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