JP2010008443A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method which calculates the distance to a subject with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device 107 having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which are disposed two-dimensionally and convert a subject image into an electric signal, the subject image being projected on a light receiving face from a subject; a reading section 111 which sequentially reads electric signals for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line; and a distance calculating section 132 that calculates the distance to the subject based on an electric signal intensity distribution difference between a first element line set and a second element line set, the first element line set including a plurality of parallel element lines included in a ranging frame, which is an area of part of the imaging device, and a second element line set being disposed on a line extended from the first element line set in the lengthwise direction and includes a plurality of element lines included in the ranging frame and parallel to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method.

  Digital still cameras (imaging devices) are equipped with, for example, a quick return mirror, and before shooting, a single-lens reflex camera that guides the light from the imaging optical system to the viewfinder side, and a quick return mirror. There are compact cameras that guide light from an image optical system to an imaging device (photoelectric conversion device).

  The digital still camera performs focus control so that the subject is focused on the imaging surface. The focus control of a digital still camera includes, for example, a phase difference detection method and a contrast detection method. In the phase difference detection method, a focus position is detected from a phase difference between two images of a subject, and a focus lens is driven to the focus position. The contrast detection method acquires the image signal while moving the focus lens, detects the position where the contrast value is highest (the position where the most edges are detected in the image), and aligns the position of the focus lens at that time. Determine as the focal position.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor in a phase difference detection method. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for accurately focusing by adding a plurality of pixel values when the subject has low luminance in the contrast detection method.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-12815 JP 2006-324760 A

  In the phase difference detection method, the light flux from the subject is separated into two, and the distance between the camera and the subject is calculated based on the appearance distance of the light distribution. Conventionally, in the phase difference detection method, a line sensor has been used for light detection. The line sensor is a sensor in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a one-dimensional direction. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between the finder 10 and the distance measurement frame 12 of the conventional imaging apparatus. When there is a distance measuring frame 12 in the finder 10, a line sensor 14 is arranged inside the imaging apparatus so as to correspond to the distance measuring frame 12.

  Patent Document 1 describes a case where a CMOS sensor in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a two-dimensional direction is used instead of a line sensor. However, the technique of Patent Document 1 is a technique for extracting and scanning elements on one straight line like a line sensor from a plurality of elements constituting a CMOS sensor. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has almost the same configuration as that of a conventional line sensor with respect to scanning of a subject image and calculation of a distance.

  In the phase difference detection method, the light beam from the subject is split into two in the left-right direction, for example, and irradiated to the line sensor 14. As shown in FIG. 12, when the subject 5 is in the distance measuring frame 12, the line sensor 14 obtains the distribution of output values as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the output value distribution of the line sensor 14 of the conventional imaging apparatus. The distance A between the waveforms of the left and right output peak values changes according to the distance between the imaging device and the subject. For example, the inter-waveform distance A becomes shorter as the photographing distance becomes longer, and the inter-waveform distance A becomes longer as the photographing distance becomes shorter. In order to calculate the inter-waveform distance A, it is necessary to detect the place where the correlation between the two left and right waveforms is the strongest.

  As the correlation detection, for example, the sum of the differences from the other waveform data is calculated while shifting one waveform data in units of pixels, and the distance when the sum is minimum is the inter-waveform distance A having the strongest correlation. There is a way to judge.

  At this time, the correlation value can be expressed by, for example, the following equation (Equation 1), and the output value distribution shown in FIG. 13 provides a graph showing the relationship between the correlation value and the inter-waveform distance as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the correlation value and the inter-waveform distance. When the correlation value is the minimum min1, the distance A between waveforms in FIG. 13 corresponds.

ここで、ｎ：Ａｒｅａ画素数、ｊ：相対画素位置である。

Here, n is the number of Area pixels, and j is a relative pixel position.

  By the way, when the subjects 5 and 7 having different distances exist in the distance measuring frame 12 as shown in FIG. 15, the line sensor 14 obtains output value distributions as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between the finder 10 and the distance measurement frame 12 of the conventional imaging apparatus. FIG. 16 is a graph showing the output value distribution of the line sensor 14 of the conventional imaging apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when a plurality of output peak values are detected, there is a problem that an error is likely to occur in the distance calculation by the two output value distributions, or the distance cannot be calculated. That is, if correlation is detected when a waveform as shown in FIG. 16 is obtained, a graph showing the relationship between the correlation value and the distance between waveforms as shown in FIG. 17 is obtained. FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the correlation value and the distance between waveforms. As shown in FIG. 17, when the correlation values of the two waveform distances A and B are equal and the minimum correlation value min2, the distance between the imaging device and the subject cannot be determined. In addition, when a plurality of output peak values are detected, the correlation value also increases, and the accuracy of distance detection also decreases.

  Conventionally, when the distance cannot be determined in this way, the distance between the imaging device and the subject is finally determined, so a value between correlation values is taken for the time being, or a predetermined distance is substituted instead. , Both had the problem of low reliability.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved imaging apparatus and imaging method capable of accurately calculating the distance to the subject. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, an imaging device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction for converting an object image irradiated from a subject onto a light receiving surface into an electric signal; A readout unit that sequentially reads out an electrical signal for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line made up of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment, and within a distance measurement frame that is a partial area of the imaging element A first element line set composed of a plurality of element lines parallel to each other, and a plurality of elements parallel to each other included in the distance measurement frame arranged on the extension line in the longitudinal direction of the first element line set. An imaging apparatus is provided that includes a distance calculation unit that calculates a distance to a subject based on a difference in intensity distribution of an electrical signal from a second element line set including element lines.

  With such a configuration, the imaging element has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction for converting a subject image irradiated on the light receiving surface from the subject into an electrical signal, and the reading unit is one of the imaging elements. The electrical signal is sequentially read out for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment of the unit. The distance calculation unit includes a first element line set including a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in a distance measurement frame that is a partial area of the image sensor, and the first element line set. The distance to the subject is calculated based on the difference in the intensity distribution of the electrical signal from the second element line set that is arranged on the extension line in the longitudinal direction and that is included in the same distance measurement frame and that includes a plurality of element lines that are parallel to each other. To do.

  The distance calculation unit includes an intensity distribution of a first element line which is one element line of the first element line set, and a second element line set arranged on the same straight line as the first element line. The distance may be calculated by comparing the intensity distribution of the second element line which is one of the element lines. With this configuration, the first element line and the second element line are arranged on the same straight line, and the intensity distribution of the first element line is compared with the intensity distribution of the second element line, The distance is calculated.

  The distance calculation unit calculates the intensity of the first element line set based on the addition value obtained by adding the intensity of the electric signal output from the photoelectric conversion element arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line. The distance may be calculated by comparing the distribution with the intensity distribution of the second element line set. With this configuration, the added value of the electric signal strength is obtained by adding the strengths of the electric signals output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line. Based on, the intensity distribution of the first element line set and the intensity distribution of the second element line set are compared to calculate the distance to the subject.

  The number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line added by the distance calculation unit may be variable according to the luminance level of the subject image. With this configuration, the number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line added by the distance calculation unit can be made different according to the luminance level of the subject image. Therefore, the sensitivity can be improved according to the luminance level of the subject image.

  When the distance calculation unit adds the electric signal strengths of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line, the photoelectric conversion elements may be added so as not to overlap each other. With this configuration, when the electric signal strengths of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line are added, the photoelectric conversion elements are extracted so as not to overlap each other. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the added signal strength with high accuracy.

  When the distance calculation unit adds the electric signal strengths of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line is 1 You may arrange | position on one virtual straight line. With this configuration, when the electric signal strengths of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line are added, the photoelectric conversion arranged on one virtual line in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line Elements are extracted.

  The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements may be arranged in a matrix shape or a honeycomb shape. With such a configuration, an imaging element including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix shape or a honeycomb shape can be applied.

  The first element line set and the second element line set may be selectable from all the optical conversion elements by selection by the user. With this configuration, the first element line set and the second element line set are selected from all the optical conversion elements by selection by the user.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction for converting a subject image irradiated from a subject onto a light receiving surface into an electrical signal. A step of sequentially reading out an electric signal for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment of the image pickup element, and a measurement that is a partial area of the image pickup element. A first element line set including a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in the distance frame, and parallel to each other included in the distance measurement frame arranged on an extension in the longitudinal direction of the first element line set. And a step of calculating the distance to the subject based on the difference in the intensity distribution of the electrical signal from the second element line set including a plurality of element lines.

  With such a configuration, the imaging element has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction for converting a subject image irradiated from the subject onto the light receiving surface into an electrical signal, and one of the imaging elements Electrical signals are sequentially read out from the element lines composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on the imaginary line segment for each photoelectric conversion element, and are included in a distance measurement frame that is a partial area of the imaging element. A first element line set composed of a plurality of parallel element lines, and a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in the same distance measurement frame, which are arranged on an extension in the longitudinal direction of the first element line set. The distance to the subject is calculated based on the difference in the intensity distribution of the electrical signal from the second element line set.

  According to the present invention, the distance to the subject can be calculated with high accuracy.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

(Configuration of the first embodiment)
First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The imaging device 100 is, for example, a digital single-lens reflex camera, but the imaging device of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a compact digital camera or the like.

  The imaging apparatus 100 includes, for example, an imaging optical system 101, a quick return mirror 105, a shutter 106, a CMOS sensor 107, an image input controller 110, an AF sensor 111, a DSP / CPU 120, a CPU 130, and an operation member. 135, drivers 141, 143, 145, motors 142, 144, 146, image signal processing circuit 152, compression processing circuit 154, LCD driver 156, LCD 158, VRAM 162, SDRAM 164, media controller 166, , Recording media 168 and the like.

  The imaging optical system 101 includes, for example, a zoom lens 102, a diaphragm 103, a focus lens 104, and the like. The imaging optical system 101 is an optical system that forms external light information on the CMOS sensor 107 and transmits light from the subject to the CMOS sensor 107. The zoom lens 102 is a lens that changes the angle of view by changing the focal length. The angle of view of the zoom lens may be adjusted by the user, or may be controlled by a motor and a driver (not shown). The diaphragm 103 is a mechanism that adjusts the amount of light transmitted therethrough, and is driven by a motor 142. The focus lens 104 moves in the optical axis direction to focus the subject image on the imaging surface of the CMOS sensor 107. The focus lens 104 is driven by a motor 144. The motors 142 and 144 are driven by receiving drive signals from the drivers 141 and 143, respectively.

  The quick return mirror 105 includes a half mirror member that reflects incident light and transmits part of the incident light, a sub mirror provided on the back surface (CMOS sensor 107) side of the half mirror member, and the like. The quick return mirror 105 is in a so-called mirror-down state before actual photographing, and is disposed on the optical path connecting the imaging optical system 101 and the CMOS sensor 107 to block the optical path. Further, the half mirror member of the quick return mirror 105 reflects the light from the imaging optical system 101 to the viewfinder side before the main photographing. Further, the sub mirror of the quick return mirror 105 reflects the light transmitted through the half mirror member to the AF sensor 111 side before the main photographing.

  The quick return mirror 105 is so-called mirror-up at the time of actual photographing, opens the optical path connecting the imaging optical system 101 and the CMOS sensor 107, and causes light from the subject to reach the CMOS sensor 107.

  The shutter 106 is a mechanical shutter, and opens an optical path connecting the imaging optical system 101 and the CMOS sensor 107 so that light strikes the CMOS sensor 107 during actual photographing, and blocks light when not photographing. The shutter 106 controls the exposure time of the CMOS sensor 107. The quick return mirror 105 and the shutter 106 are driven and interlocked by a motor 146. The motor 146 is driven by receiving a drive signal from the driver 145.

  A CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor 107 is an example of an image sensor, and includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that photoelectrically convert light information transmitted through the imaging optical system 101 into electrical signals. Each photoelectric conversion element generates an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light. The imaging device is not limited to a CMOS sensor, and a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor or the like can be applied. At this time, an electronic shutter (not shown) may be applied instead of the shutter 106. Note that the shutter 106 or the electronic shutter is operated by a switch of a shutter button (operation member 135) connected to the DSP / CPU 120.

  The CMOS sensor 107 further includes a CDS / AMP unit 108 and an A / D conversion unit 109. A CDS / AMP section (correlated double sampling circuit / amplifier) 108 removes low-frequency noise contained in the electrical signal output from the CMOS sensor 107, and at the same time outputs the electrical signal to an arbitrary level. Amplify until. The A / D conversion unit 109 digitally converts the electrical signal output from the CDS / AMP unit 108 to generate a digital signal. The A / D conversion unit 109 outputs the generated digital signal to the image input controller 110.

  The image input controller 110 performs processing on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit 109 to generate an image signal that can be processed. The image input controller 110 outputs the generated image signal to, for example, the image signal processing circuit 152. The image input controller 110 controls reading / writing of image data to / from the SDRAM 164.

  The AF sensor 111 is a CMOS sensor in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a two-dimensional direction. The AF sensor 111 receives light from the sub-mirror of the quick return mirror 105 before the actual photographing and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the light amount. The AF sensor 111 outputs the generated electrical signal to the CPU 130. The AF sensor 111 further includes a CDS / AMP unit 112 and an A / D conversion unit 113.

  The AF sensor 111 is an example of a reading unit, and among the photoelectric conversion elements of the AF sensor 111, an electric signal is output for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment. Read sequentially.

  The AE sensor 114 is, for example, a photoelectric conversion element. The AE sensor 114 receives light from the subject before the actual photographing and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the light amount. The AE sensor 114 outputs the generated electrical signal to the CPU 130.

  The DSP / CPU 120 and the CPU 130 function as an arithmetic processing device and a control device according to a program, and control processing of each component provided in the imaging device 100. The CPU 130 mainly operates before and during the main shooting, and the DSP / CPU 120 mainly operates after the shooting.

  For example, the CPU 130 outputs signals to the drivers 141, 143, and 145 based on focus control and exposure control to drive the imaging optical system 101, the quick return mirror 105, and the shutter 106. Further, the CPU 130 controls each component of the imaging apparatus 100 based on a signal from the operation member 135. The DSP / CPU 120 controls image processing for an image signal acquired by shooting.

  In the present embodiment, the DSP / CPU 120 and the CPU 130 are each composed of only one. However, a signal system command and an operation system command may be executed by separate CPUs. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the DSP / CPU 120 includes, for example, a timing generator 121, a proper AWB calculation unit 122, an image processing selection unit 123, an SIO 124, and the like. The CPU 130 includes, for example, an image input controller 131, an AF calculation control unit 132, an AE calculation control unit 133, a GUI management unit 134, an SIO 136, and the like.

  The timing generator 121 outputs a timing signal to the CMOS sensor 107 and the CDS / AMP unit 108, and performs charge read control of each photoelectric conversion element constituting the CMOS sensor 107.

  The appropriate AWB calculation unit 122 calculates the WB control value based on the color information of the image signal corresponding to the subject image received by the CMOS sensor 107. For example, the appropriate AWB calculation unit 122 calculates the WB control value so that an appropriate white balance (WB) corresponding to the subject is obtained. The appropriate AWB calculation unit 122 sends the calculated WB control value to the image signal processing circuit 152.

  The image processing selection unit 123 selects whether or not to perform image processing such as gamma correction and contour enhancement processing on the image signal, and sets parameters necessary for each image processing. The image processing selection unit 123 sends the selection result and the set parameters to the image signal processing circuit 152.

  The image input controller 131 processes the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit 113 and generates a signal that enables focus control. The image input controller 131 outputs the generated signal to, for example, the AF calculation control unit 132.

Upon receiving the focus control start operation signal, the AF calculation control unit 132 generates a control signal for moving the focus lens 104 in one direction, and outputs the generated control signal to the driver 143.
The AF calculation control unit 132 calculates an AF (auto focus) evaluation value, and further calculates a focus position of the focus lens 104 based on the AF evaluation value. The AF evaluation value is calculated based on the luminance value of the signal output from the AF sensor 111.

The AF calculation control unit 132 is an example of a distance calculation unit, and is arranged on a first element line set including a plurality of element lines parallel to each other and an extension line in the longitudinal direction of the first element line set. The distance between the subject and the imaging device 100 is calculated based on the difference in the intensity distribution of the electrical signal from the second element line set including a plurality of element lines parallel to each other.
The AF calculation control unit 132 outputs the in-focus position obtained as a result of the calculation to the driver 143 as a control signal. The driver 143 generates a drive signal based on the control signal received from the AF calculation control unit 132. The driver 143 sends the generated drive signal to the motor 144.

  The AE calculation control unit 133 calculates an AE (auto exposure) evaluation value, and calculates the aperture amount of the aperture 103 and the shutter speed of the shutter 106 based on the calculated AE evaluation value. The AE evaluation value is calculated based on the luminance value of the AE sensor 114. The AE calculation control unit 133 outputs the calculated aperture amount and shutter speed to the drivers 141 and 145 as control signals, respectively. Drivers 141 and 145 generate drive signals based on control signals received from AE calculation control unit 133. The drivers 141 and 145 send the generated drive signals to the motors 142 and 146.

  In the present embodiment, the AE calculation control unit 133 controls the AF sensor 111 based on the AE evaluation value. For example, when the subject has low luminance, electrical signals are output from a larger number of element lines than normal luminance so that the output values of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element lines can be added. To be.

  The GUI management unit 134 manages a GUI (graphic user interface) such as a thumbnail screen of images displayed on the LCD 158 and a menu screen for operating the imaging apparatus 100. For example, the GUI management unit 134 receives an operation signal from the operation member 135 and sends a control signal based on the operation signal to the LCD driver 156.

  The SIOs 124 and 136 are input / output interfaces for inputting / outputting signals to / from each other.

  The operation member 135 is, for example, an up / down / left / right key, a power switch, a mode dial, or a shutter button provided in the imaging apparatus 100. The operation member 135 sends an operation signal to the CPU 130 or the like based on an operation by the user. For example, the shutter button can be half pressed, fully pressed, or released by the user. When the shutter button is half-pressed, it outputs an operation signal for starting focus control, and when the half-press is released, the focus control ends. The focus button outputs an operation signal for starting shooting when fully pressed.

  The image signal processing circuit 152 receives an image signal from the image input controller 110 and generates an image signal subjected to image processing based on a WB control value, a γ value, an edge enhancement control value, and the like. The compression processing circuit 154 receives the image signal before the compression process, and compresses the image signal in a compression format such as a JPEG compression format or an LZW compression format. The compression processing circuit 154 sends the image data generated by the compression processing to, for example, the media controller 166.

  For example, the LCD driver 156 receives image data from the VRAM 162 and displays an image on an LCD (liquid crystal display) 158. The LCD 158 is provided in the main body of the imaging device 100. The image displayed on the LCD 158 is, for example, an image before shooting (live view display) read from the VRAM 162, various setting screens of the image capturing apparatus 100, images captured and recorded, and the like. In the present embodiment, the LCD 158 is used as the display unit and the LCD driver 156 is used as the display drive unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be an organic EL display, a display drive unit, or the like.

  A VRAM (video RAM) 162 is a memory for image display and has a plurality of channels. The VRAM 162 can simultaneously input image data for image display from the SDRAM 164 and output image data to the LCD driver 156. The resolution and maximum number of colors of the LCD 158 depend on the capacity of the VRAM 162.

  An SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) 164 is an example of a storage unit, and temporarily stores image data of captured images. The SDRAM 164 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data of a plurality of images. The SDRAM 164 stores an operation program for the DSP / CPU 120. Reading and writing of images to and from the SDRAM 164 is controlled by the image input controller 110.

  The media controller 166 controls writing of image data to the recording medium 168 or reading of image data and setting information recorded on the recording medium 168. The recording medium 168 is, for example, an optical disc (CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magneto-optical disc, a magnetic disc, a semiconductor storage medium, etc., and records photographed image data. The media controller 166 and the recording medium 168 may be configured to be detachable from the imaging apparatus 100.

  Note that a series of processing in the imaging apparatus 100 may be processed by hardware or may be realized by software processing by a program on a computer.

  Next, the optical system such as the focus lens 104 and the AF sensor 111 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship and configuration of the focus lens 104, the CMOS sensor 107, the condenser lens 172, the separator lens 174, and the AF sensor 111. The CMOS sensor 107 in FIG. 2 shows an imaging surface. The relationship between the subject A point on the optical axis and the focus lens 104 is in focus, and the relationship between the subject B point on the optical axis and the focus lens 104 is that the subject is in the front pin state, and the subject C point on the optical axis is The relationship of the focus lens 104 is that the subject is in the rear pin state.

  Part of the light passing through the focus lens 104 from the subject A point on the optical axis (shaded portion in FIG. 2) is focused on the imaging surface, and then is moved toward the separator lens 174 by the condenser lens 172 of the AF sensor 111. It can be bent. The bent light is divided by the separator lens 174, and the divided light beam forms an image again on the light receiving surface 176 of the AF sensor. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the split light beam 182 at the focus lens position.

  The optical axis of the separator lens 174 is eccentric with respect to the condenser lens 172. For this reason, the position at which the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the AF sensor 114 in accordance with the focus state (in-focus state or front pin / rear pin state) is the eccentricity of the optical axis of the separator lens 174. Deviation in direction. Since this shift amount corresponds to the focus state, by calculating the distance between the pair of subject images when the pair of divided light beams form an image on the light receiving surface of the AF sensor 114, the focus state is calculated. Can be detected.

  The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the AF sensor 114 are selected as element lines in parallel with the eccentric direction. Thereby, the interval between the subject images formed on the AF sensor 114 can be calculated.

  Next, the phase difference detection method of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between the finder 10 and the distance measurement frame 12 of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In the phase difference detection method, the light flux from the subject is separated into two, and the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject is calculated based on the appearance distance of the light distribution. In the phase difference detection method of this embodiment, an AF sensor 111 to which a CMOS sensor is applied for light detection is used. Then, among the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the two-dimensional direction of the AF sensor 111, a plurality of horizontal lines 184, 186, 188 composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on a line segment are used. The horizontal lines 184, 186, 188 are parallel to each other. The horizontal lines 184, 186, and 188 each have a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a one-dimensional direction. When the rangefinder frame 12 is present in the viewfinder 10, three horizontal lines 184, 186, 188 are arranged in the imaging apparatus so as to correspond to the rangefinder frame 12.

  In this embodiment, unlike the technique of Patent Document 1 that extracts one horizontal line from a CMOS sensor, a plurality of parallel horizontal lines are used as sensors from the CMOS sensor of the AF sensor 111. A plurality of parallel horizontal lines are included in the same distance measuring frame. The distance measurement frame is a partial area of the CMOS sensor 107, and the distance measurement frame applied to the CMOS sensor 107 of the present embodiment is a minimum unit (minimum area) when performing distance measurement calculation. The distance measurement frame is on a par with the smallest unit distance measurement frame (frame for confirming in-focus) displayed on the LCD 158, for example. Note that one distance measurement frame of the present embodiment does not indicate one multi-AF system configured with a plurality of minimum distance measurement units, but refers to one minimum unit for performing a distance measurement calculation.

  In the phase difference detection method of the present embodiment, the light beam from the subject is split into, for example, two in the left-right direction and irradiated to the horizontal lines 184, 186, 188, respectively. When there are the subjects 5 and 7 in the distance measuring frame 12 shown in FIG. 4, the distribution of output values as shown in the upper part of FIG. This is because only the subject 5 is imaged on the horizontal lines 186 and 188. On the other hand, a distribution of output values as shown in the lower part of FIG. This is because the subjects 5 and 7 are imaged on the horizontal lines 186 and 188.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the output value distribution of the horizontal lines 184, 186, and 188 of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The distance between the left and right output peak values varies depending on the distance between the imaging device and the subject. For example, the distance between waveforms becomes shorter as the shooting distance becomes longer, and the distance between waveforms becomes longer as the shooting distance becomes shorter.

  In FIG. 5, the inter-waveform distance A between the left and right output peak values corresponds to the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject 5, and the inter-waveform distance B corresponds to the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject 7. To do. In order to calculate the inter-waveform distances A and B, it is necessary to detect the place where the correlation between the two left and right waveforms is the strongest.

  For correlation detection, for example, while shifting one waveform data pixel by pixel, the sum of differences from the other waveform data is taken, and the distance when the sum is minimized is determined to be the distance between waveforms with the strongest correlation. There is a way to do it.

  At this time, the correlation value can be expressed by, for example, the following formula (Formula 2). In the output value distribution shown in the upper part of FIG. 5, the relationship between the correlation value and the inter-waveform distance similar to that in FIG. 14 is obtained, and in the output value distribution shown in the lower part of FIG. Is obtained. As in FIG. 14, the minimum correlation value min1 corresponds to the inter-waveform distance A in the upper part of FIG. Similarly to FIG. 17, the minimum correlation value min2 corresponds to the inter-waveform distances A and B in the lower part of FIG.

ここで、ｎ：Ａｒｅａ画素数、ｊ：相対画素位置である。

Here, n is the number of Area pixels, and j is a relative pixel position.

  In the present embodiment, not only the output value distribution detected from the central horizontal line 184 but also the output value distribution detected from the horizontal lines 186 and 188 positioned on the upper side or the lower side is used. Since a plurality of data are used, the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject can be calculated more accurately. Also, even when multiple output value peak values are detected, unlike the case of using a single horizontal line or a conventional line sensor, it may cause an error or a problem that distance calculation is impossible. Absent. As a result, the distance between the imaging device 100 and the subject can be calculated with higher accuracy.

  Next, element lines on the AF sensor 111 will be described. 6 and 7 are plan views showing the arrangement of photoelectric conversion elements of the AF sensor 111 according to this embodiment. Each photoelectric conversion element of the CMOS sensor applied to the AF sensor 111 may be configured with a matrix pattern as illustrated in FIG. 6 or may be configured with a honeycomb pattern as illustrated in FIG. 7. The matrix pattern is a pattern in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in the horizontal direction and in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. A honeycomb pattern is a pattern in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a horizontal direction and in a direction having an angle other than 90 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

  In the AF sensor 111 shown in FIG. 6, when the phase difference is detected in the focus control, the AF sensor 111 includes element lines L11, L12, L13, R11 including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment. , R12, and R13 sequentially read out electrical signals for each photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion elements indicated by the shaded portions in FIG. 6 indicate the element lines. The line connecting L11 and R11 corresponds to the horizontal line 186 shown in FIG. 6, the line connecting L12 and R12 corresponds to the horizontal line 184, and the line connecting L13 and R13 corresponds to the horizontal line 188. To do.

  The combination of the element lines L11, L12, L13 arranged on one side and the combination of the element lines R11, R12, R13 arranged on the other side are element line sets (first element line set, second element line). It is also called a set. The element line set is included in a distance measuring frame which is a partial area of the CMOS sensor 107.

  The AF calculation control unit 132 calculates the correlation between the intensity distribution of the output value of the element line L11 and the intensity distribution of the output value of the element line R11, and calculates the distance from the subject. In the present embodiment, in order to calculate the correlation for a plurality of lines, the correlation between the element lines L12 and R12 and the correlation between the element lines L13 and R13 are calculated.

  As in the case of FIG. 6, the AF sensor 111 shown in FIG. 7 receives electric signals from the element lines L21, L22, L23, R21, R22, R23 including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment. Read sequentially for each photoelectric conversion element. Then, the AF calculation control unit 132 calculates the correlation between the element lines L21 and R21, the correlation between the element lines L22 and R22, and the correlation between the element lines L23 and R23.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the shooting distance calculation operation in the focus control of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the shooting distance calculation operation in the focus control of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, the AF sensor 111 acquires (reads) an output value (pixel value) output by each photoelectric conversion element for each horizontal line (for example, horizontal lines 184, 186, 188, etc.) (step S101). Then, the correlation is calculated by comparing the intensity distributions of the output values of the left and right element lines in the AF sensor 111 (step S102). For example, the correlation between the element lines L11 and R11, the correlation between the element lines L12 and R12, and the correlation between the element lines L13 and R13 are calculated.

  Next, the minimum value among the calculated correlation values is held for each horizontal line (step S103). Then, it is determined whether or not the held minimum correlation value is lower than a predetermined value (step S104). That is, the lower the correlation value, the higher the correlation between the element lines, and thus the higher the reliability. Therefore, when the minimum correlation value is lower than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S106 without performing any particular processing. On the other hand, if the minimum correlation value is higher than the predetermined value, it is determined that the reliability of the horizontal line is low, and is excluded from the distance calculation target (step S105). Thereby, distance calculation with higher reliability can be performed.

  Next, the kurtosis of the graph is evaluated with respect to the shape of the graph indicating the relationship between the correlation value and the distance between waveforms (for example, the graphs shown in FIGS. 14 and 17) (step S106). If the shape of the graph showing the relationship between the correlation value and the inter-waveform distance has a mountain distribution, it can be determined that there is only one subject. On the other hand, if the shape of the graph is not a single mountain distribution, it can be determined that there are a plurality of subjects having different distances (step S107). If the shape of the graph is not a single mountain distribution, the horizontal line is excluded from the distance calculation target (step S108). On the other hand, when the shape of the graph has a mountain distribution, the process proceeds to step S109. Thereby, it is possible to limit the subject whose distance is to be calculated.

  Next, assuming that the output value of the remaining horizontal line is a highly reliable value as a result of the above processes, the inter-waveform distance is calculated based on the output value of the horizontal line. The shooting distance between is calculated. If there are a plurality of remaining horizontal lines, the shooting distance is determined giving priority to the line with the shortest shooting distance (the line with the longest distance between waveforms) (step S109). Through the above processes, the shooting distance in the focus control of the imaging apparatus 100 can be determined.

  In the above embodiment, the case where three horizontal lines are provided in a portion corresponding to one distance measuring frame has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The imaging apparatus 100 may be provided with a plurality of distance measurement frames, and a plurality of horizontal lines are provided in portions corresponding to the respective distance measurement frames. Then, the processing at step S101 to step S109 is performed for each distance measurement frame to calculate the shooting distance. Thereafter, the distance obtained for each distance measurement frame is compared to determine an optimum shooting distance.

  According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of subjects having different distances are mixed in one distance measurement frame, an error is less likely to occur in the distance calculation, and the accuracy of the calculation result can be further improved. In addition, since a CMOS sensor in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a two-dimensional direction is used for the AF sensor 111, the subject image detection range is more flexible than in the case where a plurality of line sensors are arranged in parallel. That is, when line sensors are arranged in parallel, since each line sensor has a thick package, a gap is generated between the line sensors. As a result, the detection range of the subject image can be limited. On the other hand, in the case of a CMOS sensor as in the present embodiment, the readout position can be specified in units of photoelectric conversion elements, so the degree of freedom of the detection range is high.

  Further, in the CMOS sensor as in the present embodiment, since a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged close to each other in the two-dimensional direction, even if an attachment error of the AF sensor 111 to the apparatus main body occurs, the reading position can be set. It only needs to be changed and adjustment is easy. On the other hand, since the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged only in the one-dimensional direction, the line sensor has a high mounting accuracy and the manufacturing process is difficult.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 9 and 10 are plan views showing the arrangement of photoelectric conversion elements of the AF sensor 111 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a case where each photoelectric conversion element of the CMOS sensor applied to the AF sensor 111 is configured with a matrix pattern. FIG. 10 shows a case where each photoelectric conversion element is formed of a honeycomb pattern.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the readout range of each photoelectric conversion element. Hereinafter, the reading range will be described. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the correlation between the two element lines L30 and R30 included in one horizontal line is calculated. At this time, the output value is acquired in units of photoelectric conversion elements one by one surrounded by a thick line.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, a plurality of element lines L31, L32, L33, and L34 on one side are set as one set as a first element line set, and a plurality of element lines R31, R32 on the other side are parallel to each other. , R33, R34 as one set to form a second element line set. Then, the output values of the photoelectric conversion elements in a direction (for example, the vertical direction) different from the scanning direction (the longitudinal direction of the element line) are added. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11B, an addition value of output values of four photoelectric conversion elements surrounded by a thick line is acquired. Then, the four photoelectric conversion elements surrounded by bold lines are treated as one pixel, and the intensity distribution of the output values (added values) of the pixels in the scanning direction is compared to calculate the correlation.

  The example of the honeycomb pattern shown in FIG. 10 is the same. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the element lines L40 and R40, the output value is acquired in units of photoelectric conversion elements one by one surrounded by thick lines. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the first element line set including the element lines L41 to L44 and the second element line set including the element lines R41 to R44, The four surrounding photoelectric conversion elements are treated as one pixel, and the correlation is calculated by comparing the intensity distributions of the output values (added values) of the pixels in the scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 10B, for example, element lines may be extracted every other line, and photoelectric conversion elements to be added may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 10C, element lines may be extracted so as to be adjacent to each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10C, in the first element line set composed of element lines L45 to L48 and the second element line set composed of element lines R45 to R48, four photoelectric conversions surrounded by bold lines The element is treated as one pixel. The photoelectric conversion elements to be added are arranged in a zigzag manner in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction.

  Even if a sufficient dynamic range cannot be obtained in the unit of one photoelectric conversion element in the AF sensor 111, according to this embodiment, the output values of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are added. It is possible to compensate for the narrow dynamic range and to increase the sensitivity. In addition, when pixels in the vertical direction with respect to the scanning direction are added, since no component in the scanning direction is included, data with good features can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, an AF sensor with high sensitivity can be realized with a normal CMOS sensor. Therefore, it is not necessary to develop and manufacture a separate high-sensitivity photoelectric conversion element, thereby suppressing an increase in cost.

  In the first embodiment, a plurality of element lines parallel to each other are read to improve the accuracy of distance calculation when a plurality of subjects are included in the distance measurement frame.

  In the present embodiment, by reading a plurality of element line sets including a plurality of element lines parallel to each other, it is possible to improve the accuracy of distance calculation when a plurality of subjects are included in the distance measurement frame with high sensitivity. . FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the arrangement of photoelectric conversion elements of the AF sensor 111 according to this embodiment.

  FIG. 11A shows a case where the output values are obtained in units of photoelectric conversion elements one by one surrounded by a thick line in the element lines L50, L60, L70, R50, R60, and R70. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the four photoelectric conversion elements surrounded by a thick line are treated as one pixel, and the intensity distribution of the output values (added values) of the pixels in the scanning direction are compared. Calculate the correlation. The element line set in FIG. 11B includes an element line set including element lines L51, L52, L53, and L54, an element line set including element lines R51, R52, R53, and R54, and element lines L61, L62, L63, and L64. Element line set consisting of, element line set consisting of element lines R61, R62, R63, R64, element line set consisting of element lines L71, L72, L73, L74, element line set consisting of element lines R71, R72, R73, R74 There is.

  At this time, photoelectric conversion elements in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction are added so that the element line sets do not overlap each other. Thereby, the AF sensor 111 can detect the subject image with high accuracy.

  Further, the number of photoelectric conversion elements (addition number) arranged in a direction (for example, the vertical direction) different from the longitudinal direction of the element lines to be added can be made variable according to the luminance level of the subject image. For example, the AE calculation control unit 132 receives the output value of the AE sensor 114 and grasps the luminance level. The AE calculation control unit 132 determines the necessity for addition and the number of additions, and sends the result to the AF sensor 111. Thereby, an AF sensor having sensitivity according to the luminance of the subject can be realized.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship and structure of a focus lens, a CMOS sensor, a condenser lens, a separator lens, and an AF sensor. It is the schematic diagram which showed the light beam divided | segmented by the focus lens position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the finder 10 and the ranging frame 12 of the imaging device of the embodiment. It is a graph which shows the output value distribution of the horizontal line of the imaging device of the embodiment. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the photoelectric conversion element of the AF sensor which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the photoelectric conversion element of the AF sensor which concerns on the same embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an imaging distance calculation operation in focus control of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the photoelectric conversion element of the AF sensor which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the photoelectric conversion element of the AF sensor which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the photoelectric conversion element of the AF sensor which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship with the finder of a conventional imaging device, and a ranging frame. It is a graph which shows the output value distribution of the line sensor of the conventional imaging device. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a correlation value and the distance between waveforms. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship with the finder of a conventional imaging device, and a ranging frame. It is a graph which shows the output value distribution of the line sensor of the conventional imaging device. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a correlation value and the distance between waveforms.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image pick-up device 101 Imaging optical system 102 Zoom lens 103 Diaphragm 104 Focus lens 105 Quick return mirror 106 Shutter 107 CMOS sensor 108, 112 CDS / AMP part 109, 113 A / D conversion part 110, 131 Image input controller 120 DSP / CPU
121 Timing generator 130 CPU
135 Operation member 141, 143, 145 Driver 142, 144, 146 Motor 152 Image signal processing circuit 154 Compression processing circuit 156 LCD driver 158 LCD
162 VRAM
164 SDRAM
166 Media controller 168 Recording media

Claims (9)

An imaging device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction for converting a subject image irradiated from a subject onto a light receiving surface into an electrical signal;
A readout unit that sequentially reads out the electrical signal for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line including a plurality of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged on one virtual line segment;
A first element line set composed of a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in a distance measuring frame, which is a partial area of the image sensor, and an extension in the longitudinal direction of the first element line set The distance for calculating the distance to the subject based on the difference in the intensity distribution of the electric signal with the second element line set composed of a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in the distance measurement frame An imaging device comprising a calculation unit.   The distance calculation unit includes the intensity distribution of the first element line which is one of the element lines in the first element line set, and the first element line arranged on the same straight line as the first element line. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance is calculated by comparing the intensity distribution of a second element line that is one of the two element line sets.   The distance calculation unit is configured to add the first element based on an addition value obtained by adding the electric signal intensities output from the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance is calculated by comparing the intensity distribution of the line set and the intensity distribution of the second element line set.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the element line added by the distance calculation unit is variable according to a luminance level of the subject image.   The said distance calculation part is added so that the said photoelectric conversion element may not mutually overlap when adding the intensity | strength of the said electrical signal of the said photoelectric conversion element arrange | positioned in the direction different from the longitudinal direction of the said element line. The imaging apparatus according to 3 or 4.   When the distance calculation unit adds the electric signal intensities of the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line, a plurality of the arrangements arranged in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the element line The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on one virtual line.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix shape or a honeycomb shape.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first element line set and the second element line set can be selected from all the optical conversion elements by selection by a user. Among the imaging elements having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction for converting a subject image irradiated on the light receiving surface from the subject into an electric signal, the plurality of photoelectric conversions arranged on one virtual line segment Sequentially reading out the electrical signal for each photoelectric conversion element from an element line comprising elements;
A first element line set composed of a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in a distance measuring frame, which is a partial area of the image sensor, and an extension in the longitudinal direction of the first element line set Calculating a distance to the subject based on a difference in intensity distribution of the electrical signal with a second element line set including a plurality of element lines parallel to each other included in the distance measurement frame disposed in An imaging method comprising:

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