JP2012093775A - Focus detector and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a focus detection area adopted for carrying out focusing.SOLUTION: Image information on a screen by an imaging optical system is acquired by an imaging element, and a target area 50 in the screen is detected on the basis of reference information related to an image to be the reference and the image information. A focusing state of the imaging optical system at a plurality of focus detection positions 45 set in the screen is detected, and any one among the plurality of focus detection positions is selected on the basis of detection result of the target area and focus detection result. If the selected focus detection position is located in the target area or close to the target area, a focus detection position 46 closest to a center of the target area is displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a focus detection apparatus and an imaging apparatus.

  An automatic focus adjustment (AF) function for detecting the defocus amount of the photographing lens in a plurality of focus detection areas set in the photographing screen and driving the photographing lens based on the defocus amount of any area; The image of the subject to be tracked in the photographed image is stored as a template image (reference image), and the subject to be tracked is tracked while searching for the position of the same or similar image as the template image in the repeatedly captured image. There is known an autofocus system that includes an image tracking function for selecting a focus detection area at a tracking position of an image tracking result and driving a photographing lens in focus by a defocus amount of the focus detection area (for example, this Prior art documents related to the invention of the application include the following (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-058431 A

  However, in the above-described conventional autofocus system, when there are a plurality of focus detection areas at the tracking position of the image tracking result, which focus detection area is adopted as the area for focus adjustment, or the tracking position of the image tracking result If focus detection is not possible in the focus detection area or the focus detection result is not reliable, it is not known which focus detection area other than the tracking position has been adopted as the area for focus adjustment. I couldn't recognize whether I was doing it.

(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image information in the screen by the imaging optical system is acquired by the imaging device, and the target region in the screen is detected based on the reference information and the image information regarding the reference image. Image detection means, focus detection means for detecting the focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system at a plurality of focus detection positions set in the screen, detection results of the target area by the image detection means, and focus by the focus detection means A selection unit that selects one of a plurality of focus detection positions based on the detection result of the adjustment state, a display unit that displays the focus detection position superimposed on the screen, and a focus detection position selected by the selection unit Control means for displaying on the display means the focus detection position closest to the center of the target area.
(2) The focus detection apparatus according to claim 2 displays the selected focus detection position on the display means when the focus detection position selected by the selection means is not within or near the target region by the control means. It is what you do.
(3) The focus detection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit repeatedly performs the selection, and the focus detection unit cannot detect the focus at any of the focus detection positions in and near the target region. Or, if the focus detection result is not reliable, the focus adjustment state for the focus detection position selected last time out of the focus adjustment states detected for the focus detection position in the target region and other than its vicinity. A focus detection position showing a focus adjustment state similar to the above is selected, and the focus detection position selected by the selection means is displayed on the display means by the control means.
(4) In the focus detection apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the selection means repeatedly performs selection, and if the target area cannot be detected within the screen by the image detection means, the focus adjustment state detected by the focus detection means is detected. Among them, a focus detection position showing a focus adjustment state similar to the focus adjustment state for the previously selected focus detection position is selected, and the focus detection position selected by the selection means is displayed on the display means by the control means. It is.
(5) The invention according to claim 5 is an imaging device including the focus detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

  According to the present invention, the photographer can easily confirm whether or not the camera accurately tracks the subject to be tracked.

The figure which shows the structure of the imaging device provided with the image tracking device of one embodiment The figure which shows the detailed structure of a body drive control apparatus Front view showing a detailed configuration of the second image sensor Detailed view of pixels of second image sensor Diagram showing viewfinder image Figure showing another viewfinder image The figure explaining the subject tracking method of one embodiment The figure explaining the subject tracking method of one embodiment Flowchart showing subject tracking operation of one embodiment The flowchart which shows the initial processing of the tracking control of one embodiment The flowchart which shows the tracking calculation processing of one embodiment

  The focus adjustment state of the photographic lens (in this embodiment, the defocus amount) is detected in a plurality of focus detection areas set in the photographic screen, and the photographic lens is focused based on the defocus amount in one of the areas. The automatic focus adjustment (AF) function to be driven and the image of the subject to be tracked in the photographed image are stored as a template image (reference image). An image pickup apparatus (single-lens) having an image tracking function for tracking a subject to be tracked while searching for a position (template matching), and tracking an object while driving a photographing lens with an AF function and an image tracking function An embodiment of a reflex digital still camera will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an imaging apparatus (single-lens reflex digital still camera) 1 including an image tracking apparatus according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, illustration and description of camera devices and circuits not directly related to the present invention are omitted. In a camera 1 according to an embodiment, an interchangeable lens 3 is attached to a camera body 2 in a replaceable manner. The camera body 2 is provided with a first image sensor 4 for capturing a subject image and recording the image. The first image sensor 4 can be constituted by a CCD, a CMOS, or the like. At the time of photographing, the quick return mirror 5 and the sub mirror 6 are retracted to a position outside the photographing optical path indicated by a solid line, the shutter 7 is opened, and a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the first image sensor 4 by the photographing lens 8.

  At the bottom of the camera body 2, a focus detection optical system 9 and a distance measuring element 10 for detecting the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 8 are provided. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a focus detection method based on a pupil division type phase difference detection method is employed. The focus detection optical system 9 guides the pair of focus detection light fluxes that have passed through the photographing lens 8 to the light receiving surface of the distance measuring element 10 and forms a pair of optical images. The distance measuring element 10 includes, for example, a pair of CCD line sensors, and outputs a focus detection signal corresponding to the pair of optical images. Before shooting, the quick return mirror 5 and the sub mirror 6 are set at positions in the shooting optical path as indicated by broken lines, and the pair of focus detection light beams from the shooting lens 8 are transmitted through the half mirror portion of the quick return mirror 5. Then, the light is reflected by the sub mirror 6 and guided to the focus detection optical system 9 and the distance measuring element 10.

  A finder optical system is provided on the upper part of the camera body 2. Before shooting, the quick return mirror 5 and the sub mirror 6 are in positions indicated by broken lines, and subject light from the shooting lens 8 is reflected by the quick return mirror 5 and guided to the focusing screen 11, and the subject image is displayed on the focusing screen 11. Form an image. The liquid crystal display element 12 superimposes and displays information such as a focus detection area mark on the subject image formed on the focusing screen 11 and displays various photographing information such as an exposure value at a position outside the subject image. The subject image on the focusing screen 11 is guided to the eyepiece window 15 via the penta roof prism 13 and the eyepiece lens 14 so that the photographer can visually recognize the subject image.

The finder optical system at the top of the camera body 2 is provided with a second image sensor 16 that captures a subject image for subject tracking and photometry. The subject image formed on the focusing screen 11 is re-imaged on the light receiving surface of the second image sensor 16 via the penta roof prism 13, the prism 17 and the imaging lens 18. The second image sensor 16 outputs an image signal corresponding to the subject image. The subject image formed on the focusing screen 11 before photographing is guided to the second image sensor 16 via the penta roof prism 13, the prism 17 and the imaging lens 18, and the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the second image sensor 16. Is re-imaged. Although details will be described later, image tracking control and exposure calculation are performed based on the subject image captured by the second image sensor 16.

  The camera body 2 is also provided with a body drive control device 19 and an operation member 20. The body drive control device 19 is constituted by peripheral components such as a microcomputer, a memory, and an A / D converter, the details of which will be described later, and performs various controls and calculations of the camera 1. The operation member 20 includes a switch and a selector for operating the camera 1 such as a shutter button, a focus detection area selection switch, and a shooting mode selection switch.

  The interchangeable lens 3 is provided with a zooming lens 8a, a focusing lens 8b, a diaphragm 21, a lens drive control device 22, and the like. In this embodiment, the photographic lens 8 is represented by a zoom lens 8a, a focusing lens 8b, and a diaphragm 21, but the configuration of the photographic lens 8 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. The lens drive control device 22 includes a microcomputer (not shown) and peripheral components such as a memory, a drive circuit, and an actuator, and performs drive control of the lenses 8a and 8b and the diaphragm 21 and detection of their set positions. Information such as a focal length and an open aperture value of the interchangeable lens 3 is stored in a memory built in the lens drive control device 22.

  The body drive control device 19 and the lens drive control device 22 communicate via the contact 23 of the lens mount, and transmit information such as a lens drive amount and an aperture value from the body drive control device 19 to the lens drive control device 22. Lens information and aperture information are transmitted from the lens drive control device 22 to the body drive control device 19. The monitor 24 is provided on the back surface of the camera body 2 and displays various shooting information in addition to the through image and the shot image.

  FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the body drive control device 19. Note that illustration and description of control functions not directly related to the present invention are omitted. The body drive control device 19 includes an element control circuit 19a, an A / D converter 19b, a microcomputer 19c, a memory 19d, and the like. The element control circuit 19 a controls charge accumulation and reading of the second image sensor 16. The A / D converter 19b converts the analog image signal output from the second image sensor 16 into a digital image signal. The microcomputer 19c constitutes a tracking control unit 19e, an exposure control unit 19f, a focus detection calculation unit 19g, and a lens drive amount calculation unit 19h according to a software form. The memory 19d stores information such as an image tracking template image (reference image) and defocus amount, or the focal length, open F value, aperture value, image shift amount to defocus amount conversion coefficient of the photographing lens 8, and the like. Store lens information.

The tracking control unit 19e generates a template image (reference image) of the subject image captured by the second image sensor 16 and corresponding to the tracking target position manually specified by the photographer or the tracking target position automatically set by the camera 1. Image) is stored in the memory 19d, and the position of the target is recognized by searching for an image area that matches or is similar to the template image from images repeatedly photographed thereafter. The exposure calculation unit 19f calculates an exposure value based on the image signal captured by the second image sensor 16.

The focus detection calculation unit 19g detects the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 8, here the defocus amount, based on the focus detection signal corresponding to the pair of optical images output from the distance measuring element 10. Although details will be described later, a plurality of focus detection areas are set in the shooting screen of the shooting lens 8, and the distance measuring element 10 outputs a focus detection signal corresponding to a pair of optical images for each focus detection area. Then, the focus detection calculation unit 19g detects the defocus amount based on the focus detection signal corresponding to the pair of optical images for each focus detection area. The lens driving amount calculation unit 19h converts the detected defocus amount into a lens driving amount.

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing a detailed configuration of the second image sensor 16. The second imaging element 16 includes a plurality of pixels (photoelectric conversion elements) 26 (here, horizontal 16 × vertical 12 = 192) arranged in a matrix. As shown in FIG. 4, each pixel 26 is divided into three portions 26a, 26b, and 26c, and primary color filters of red R, green G, and blue B are provided in these portions 26a, 26b, and 26c, respectively. . Thereby, the RGB signal of the subject image can be output for each pixel 26.

  Next, a subject tracking operation according to an embodiment will be described. 5 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a subject tracking method according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 9 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating subject tracking processing according to the embodiment. The quick return mirror 5 is set in the photographing optical path shown by the broken line in FIG. Is done. The subject image on the focusing screen 11 is guided to the second image sensor 16 via the penta roof prism 13, the prism 17 and the imaging lens 18, and the subject image signal is repeatedly output from the second image sensor 16.

  5 and 6 are subject images (viewfinder images) that the photographer visually recognizes from the eyepiece window 15. Information such as a focus detection area mark is superimposed on the subject image formed on the focusing screen 11 by the photographic lens 8 and guided to the eyepiece window 15 via the penta roof prism 13 and the eyepiece 14. Thus, the photographer can visually recognize the subject image. In this embodiment, 45 focus detection areas are set in the shooting screen 44 of the shooting lens 8, and the area mark 45 is superimposed on the subject image on the focusing screen 11 by the liquid crystal display element 12. Displays the position of the detection area. When an arbitrary area is selected by the focus detection area selection switch of the operation member 20, the mark 45 of the area is lit up.

  When one of the focus detection areas is selected by the focus detection area selection switch of the operation member 20 and the shutter button of the operation member 20 is pressed halfway in this state, the focus detection area is stored in the memory 19d as the initial AF area. The Thereby, a tracking symmetrical subject is designated. In this example, the photographer selects the first AF area and manually specifies the subject to be tracked. However, for example, in a camera having a function of automatically recognizing a subject, the first time is determined based on the subject recognition result. An AF area and a tracking target subject may be set.

In step 1, an initial tracking image (an image acquired first after starting the image tracking process) is acquired by the second image sensor 16. This initial tracking image is represented by RGB values for each pixel.
R [x, y], G [x, y], B [x, y] (1)
Based on the RGB values for each pixel, the luminance information L is calculated from the color information RG and BG of each pixel, the exposure time T when the image is acquired, the gain Gain, and the color synthesis coefficients Kr, Kg, and Kb.
RG [x, y] = Log ₂ (R [x, y]) − Log ₂ (G [x, y]),
BG [x, y] = Log ₂ (B [x, y]) − Log ₂ (G [x, y]),
L [x, y] = Log ₂ (Kr × R [x, y] + Kg × G [x, y] + Kb × B [x, y]) − Log ₂ (T) −Log ₂ (Gain) (2)

  In the subsequent step 2, the tracking control initial process shown in FIG. 10 is executed. In step 101 of FIG. 10, an image at a position corresponding to the position of the first AF area in the initial tracking image acquired by the second image sensor 16 is stored as subject color information. In step 102, as shown in FIG. 7A, the same color information area indicating the same color information as the subject color information is detected in the peripheral portion of the initial AF area in the initial tracking image. The information area is an initial tracking subject area 47.

In step 104, the image of the tracking subject area 47 in the tracking initial image is stored in the memory 19d as a template image 48 (see FIG. 7B) used for the image tracking process. For example, when the starting point position of the tracking subject region 47 is (x, y) = (4, 5) as shown in FIG. 7A, the color information of the template image 48 is expressed as follows.
RGref [rx, ry] = RG [x, y],
BGref [rx, ry] = BG [x, y],
Lref [rx, ry] = L [x, y] (rx, ry = 1 to 3, x = 4 to 6, y = 5 to 7) (3)

  Next, in step 105, an area enlarged by predetermined pixels (here, two pixels) around the tracking subject area 47 is set as the search area 49. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the search area 49 is an area where x = 2 to 8 and y = 3 to 9.

When the initial processing of the tracking control is completed, the process proceeds to step 3 in FIG. 8 to check whether or not the shutter button of the operation member 20 has been fully pressed, that is, whether or not the shutter release operation has been performed. If there is no shutter release operation, the process proceeds to step 4 to obtain a tracking next image from the second image sensor 16, and color information RG [x, y], BG [x, y] and luminance information are obtained in the same manner as the process in step 1. L [x, y] is calculated and stored in the memory 19d. At the same time, the focus detection signal corresponding to the pair of optical images for focus detection is acquired for each focus detection area by the distance measuring element 10.

In step 5, the tracking calculation process shown in FIG. 11 is executed. In step 201 in FIG. 11, a region having the same size as the template image 48 is sequentially cut out from the search region 49 in the following tracking image, and a color information difference Diff is calculated for each corresponding pixel in the cut-out image and the template image 48. . As shown by a thick broken line in FIG. 8A, a color information difference Diff with respect to the template image 48 is calculated while shifting the region by one pixel in the search region 49.

Assuming that the starting point position of the search area 49 is (scx, scy) = (2, 3) as shown in FIG. 8A, the difference Diff is calculated as follows.
Diff [dx, dy] = ΣΣ {ABS (RG [scx + dx−1 + rx, scy + dy−1 + r
y] -RGref [rx, ry]) + ABS (BG [scx + dx-1 + rx, scy + dy-1 + ry] -BGref [rx, ry]) + ABS (L [scx + dx-1 + rx, scy + dy-1 + ry] -Lref [rx, ry]) } (4)
In the equation (4), dx, dy = 1 to 5, rx, ry = 1 to 3, scx = 2, scy = 3, and ΣΣ is a sum operation of rx = 1 to 3 and ry = 1 to 3.

  Next, in step 202, the minimum difference in the difference Diff [dx, dy] is searched, and the cutout area when the minimum difference is calculated in the search area 49 is determined as a new tracking subject area 47. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, a cut-out area whose start point position is (x, y) = (5, 6) is set as a new tracking subject area 47.

Here, a process of updating the image information of the template image 48 using the image information newly determined for the subject region 47 may be added. In that case, for example, by adding 20% of the image information of the new subject area 47 to the image information of 80% of the original template image 48, the latest image information is updated little by little with respect to the information of the template image. It becomes easy to follow the change of. In this case, the update may not be performed every time the tracking calculation is performed, but may be updated only when the difference Diff of the position determined as the tracking subject region 47 is smaller than a certain threshold value.

In step 203, an area enlarged by predetermined pixels (here, two pixels) around the new tracking subject area 47 is set as a new search area 49. Here, FIG.
As shown in b), a region where x = 3 to 9 and y = 4 to 10 is set as a new search region 49. Thereafter, the process returns to step 6 in FIG.

  In step 6 of FIG. 9 after the return, the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 8 in each selected focus detection area, that is, the defocus amount is detected based on the focus detection signal acquired in step 4. In the subsequent step 7, a focus detection area showing a defocus amount similar to the defocus amount of the focus detection area employed in the previous focus adjustment is searched from among the defocus amounts of all focus detection areas.

  In step 8, an area for focus adjustment is determined based on the new tracking subject area of the image tracking result in step 5 and the focus detection area of the area search result in steps 6-7. In this embodiment, the focus detection area corresponding to the new tracking subject area 47 of the image tracking result is compared with the focus detection area of the area search result, and the focus detection area common to the image tracking result and the area search result is compared. Are determined as areas for focus adjustment (hereinafter referred to as focus adjustment areas).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when one of the focus detection areas in or near the new tracking subject area 47 of the image tracking result matches the focus detection area of the area search result The matched focus detection area is determined as the focus adjustment area. However, at this time, the area mark of the focus detection area 46 closest to the center of the new tracking subject area 47 is lit up by the liquid crystal display element 12. In this case, there is a high probability that the focus detection area 46 in the center of the subject image 50 to be tracked is lit up, and the photographer can easily confirm whether or not the camera accurately tracks the subject to be tracked. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the focus detection area in and near the new tracking subject area 47 of the image tracking result does not match the focus detection area of the area search result, the new tracking subject area 47 shows a defocus amount similar to the defocus amount of the focus detection area in which focus adjustment was performed at the time of the previous focus adjustment among the defocus amounts detected in all focus detection areas at positions other than 47 and in the vicinity thereof. The focus detection area is determined as the focus detection area for performing focus adjustment, and the area mark of the focus detection area 46 determined as the area for performing focus adjustment is lit and displayed. In this case, it is possible to clearly display which part in the photographing screen 44 is focused, and it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the camera can accurately track the subject that the photographer wants to track.

  Here, the following causes (1) and (2) can be considered as the reason why the new tracking subject region 47 of the image tracking result and the focus detection area of the area search result do not match.

(1) If the difference Diff [dx, dy] of the template difference calculation result described above exceeds the similarity determination threshold and no image similar to the template image 48 is detected in the captured image, image tracking is performed. Thus, the new tracking subject area 47 cannot be determined, and the new tracking subject area 47 of the image tracking result does not match the focus detection area of the area search result. This may be caused by the case where the tracking target subject is behind another subject, or the orientation of the tracking target subject is changed so that an image similar to the template image 48 cannot be detected from the captured image.

If the tracking subject area 47 cannot be detected in the shooting screen by the image tracking function, it is similar to the defocus amount of the focus detection area in which the focus adjustment was performed during the previous focus adjustment among the defocus amounts detected by the AF function. The focus detection area indicating the defocus amount to be determined is determined as the focus detection area for performing the current focus adjustment, and the area mark of the focus detection area for performing the determined focus adjustment is lit and displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to clearly display which part in the shooting screen 44 is in focus, and it is easy to determine whether the camera can accurately track the subject that the photographer wants to track. Can be confirmed.

(2) If a reliable defocus amount cannot be detected in all focus detection areas in the new tracking subject area 47 or if focus detection becomes impossible, the focus outside the new tracking subject area 47 Among the detection areas, a focus detection area indicating a defocus amount similar to the defocus amount of the focus detection area employed at the time of the previous focus adjustment is searched, and the new tracking subject region 47 and the area search result of the image tracking result are searched. The focus detection area does not match. This may be due to the presence of a subject of similar color in the background or the presence of several similar subjects and an image similar to the template image 48. However, the focus detection area in the new tracking subject region 47 may be detected. There may be a case where the focus amount is significantly different from the defocus amount of the focus detection area employed in the previous focus adjustment.

  If focus detection by the AF function is impossible in all the focus detection areas in and near the new tracking subject region 47 or the focus detection result is not reliable, positions other than in the new tracking subject region 47 and in the vicinity thereof Focus adjustment is performed on a focus detection area that shows a defocus amount similar to the defocus amount of the focus detection area that was subjected to focus adjustment during the previous focus adjustment among the defocus amounts detected in all focus detection areas in The focus detection area is determined, and the area mark of the focus detection area for performing the determined focus adjustment is lit and displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to clearly display which part in the shooting screen 44 is in focus, and it is easy to determine whether the camera can accurately track the subject that the photographer wants to track. Can be confirmed.

  In step 9 of FIG. 9, the defocus amount detected in the focus adjustment area is converted into a lens drive amount, and the focusing lens 8b is driven by the lens drive control device 22 to perform focus adjustment. Confirm that the release button is fully pressed in step 3 after adjusting the focus. While the shutter button is half-pressed, the processes in steps 4 to 9 are repeatedly executed. When the shutter button is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step 10 to execute the photographing process.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, the image formed by the photographic lens 8 is acquired by the second image sensor 16, and the tracking in the shooting screen is performed based on the reference image related to the image to be tracked and the image formed above. An image tracking function for detecting a subject area, and an AF function for detecting the defocus amount of the photographing lens 8 in a plurality of focus detection areas in the photographing screen. The detection result of the tracking subject area by the image tracking function and the AF function When a focus detection area for adjusting the focus of the photographing lens 8 is determined based on the detection result of the defocus amount, and the area mark of the focus detection area is superimposed and displayed on the image formed by the photographing lens 8. If the focus detection area for performing the determined focus adjustment is in or near the tracking subject area, the area of the focus detection area closest to the center of the tracking subject area Lights display over click. Accordingly, there is a high probability that the focus detection area at the center of the subject image to be tracked is lit up, and the photographer can easily confirm whether or not the camera accurately tracks the subject to be tracked.

  On the other hand, according to one embodiment, when the focus detection area for performing the determined focus adjustment is not in or near the tracking subject area, the area mark of the focus detection area for performing the focus adjustment is lit and displayed. Thus, it is possible to clearly display which part in the shooting screen is to be focused, and it is possible to easily check whether the camera is accurately tracking the subject that the photographer wants to track.

8 Shooting Lens 10 Ranging Element 16 Second Image Sensor 19 Body Drive Control Device 19d Memory 22 Lens Drive Control Device

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a focus detection apparatus acquires image information in a screen by an imaging optical system using an image sensor, and a target area in the screen based on reference information about the reference image and the image information. Image detection means for detecting a focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system at a plurality of focus detection positions set in the screen, and a detection result of the target region by the image detection means And a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of focus detection positions based on the detection result of the focus adjustment state by the focus detection means, and a display means for displaying the focus detection position superimposed on the screen And when the focus detection position selected by the selection means is in or near the target area, the focus detection position closest to the center of the target area is And a controlling means for displaying the shown means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a focus detection apparatus that outputs an image information in a screen by an imaging optical system, reference information about a reference image, and a target in the screen using the image information. A region detection unit for detecting a region; a focus detection unit for detecting a focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system at a plurality of focus detection positions; a detection result of the target region by the region detection unit; and the focus detection A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of focus detection positions using the detection result of the focus adjustment state by the unit, and the focus detection position selected by the selection unit is in or near the target region In this case, the display unit may include a display unit that displays the focus detection position closest to the center of the target area, and a control unit that controls the display unit.

Claims (5)

Image detection means for acquiring image information in the screen by the imaging optical system by the imaging device, and detecting the target region in the screen based on the reference information about the image serving as a reference and the image information;
Focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system at a plurality of focus detection positions set in the screen;
A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of focus detection positions based on a detection result of the target region by the image detection unit and a detection result of a focus adjustment state by the focus detection unit;
Display means for superimposing and displaying the focus detection position on the screen;
Control means for displaying the focus detection position closest to the center of the target area on the display means when the focus detection position selected by the selection means is in or near the target area; A focus detection apparatus comprising the focus detection apparatus. The focus detection apparatus according to claim 1,
The control means displays the selected focus detection position on the display means when the focus detection position selected by the selection means is not in or near the target region. Focus detection device. The focus detection apparatus according to claim 2,
The selection unit repeatedly performs the selection, and focus detection by the focus detection unit is impossible for any of the focus detection positions in and near the target region, or the reliability of the focus detection result is high. If not, out of the focus adjustment states detected for the focus detection position in a position other than the vicinity of the target region and the vicinity thereof, a focus adjustment state similar to the focus adjustment state for the previously selected focus detection position Select the focus detection position indicating
The focus detection apparatus, wherein the control means displays the focus detection position selected by the selection means on the display means. The focus detection apparatus according to claim 1,
The selection means repeatedly performs the selection, and if the target area cannot be detected in the screen by the image detection means, the focus selected last time in the focus adjustment state detected by the focus detection means. Selecting the focus detection position showing a focus adjustment state similar to the focus adjustment state for the detection position;
The focus detection apparatus, wherein the control means displays the focus detection position selected by the selection means on the display means. An imaging apparatus comprising the focus detection apparatus according to claim 1.

Images