JP7147887B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique of detecting a subject's face from an imaging screen and adjusting the focus. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a focus detection device that determines the size of an AF frame to be set in a body region according to the size of a detected face.

JP 2012-128287 A

The focus detection device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the human body is brought into focus regardless of the user's intention.

An imaging device according to a first aspect includes an imaging unit that outputs a signal obtained by imaging an image of a subject by an optical system, a detection unit that detects a characteristic portion from an image generated based on the signal, and the a plurality of detection areas set in an imaging region for capturing an image of a subject and detecting a focus state of the image of the subject in the imaging region; and a first detection area selected from the plurality of detection areas. Based on the difference between the first focus state and the second focus state in the second detection area corresponding to the characteristic portion detected by the detection unit, the first focus state or the first focus state is determined. and a control unit for controlling the position of the optical system based on the in-focus state of 2.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an imaging screen and a focus detection area; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging screen including only one face; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging screen including only one face; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging screen 10 in which a car is present in front of a person; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging screen including two faces; 4 is a flowchart of focus adjustment processing; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the method of checking the positional relationship between the face and the selected area; FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the display form of the focus detection area;

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment. The imaging device 1 is a so-called lens-interchangeable digital camera. The imaging device 1 comprises a camera body 200 and an interchangeable lens 100 detachable from the camera body 200 .

The interchangeable lens 100 includes an imaging optical system 101 and a lens driving section 102 . The imaging optical system 101 consists of a first lens 103 , a focus lens 104 and a second lens 105 . The lens drive unit 102 drives the focus lens 104 in the optical axis O direction using an actuator (not shown).

The camera body 200 includes a control unit 201, a quick return mirror 202, a finder screen 203, a superimposed display unit 204, a pentaprism (pentagonal roof prism) 205, an eyepiece lens 206, a condenser lens 207, a photometric sensor 208, a submirror 209, A focus detection device 210 and an image sensor 211 are provided.

The quick return mirror 202 is configured to be movable between a reflection position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a retracted position indicated by a broken line. The reflection position is on the optical path of the subject light. When the quick return mirror 202 is at the reflecting position, subject light does not enter the image sensor 211 . During non-exposure (non-imaging), the control unit 201 moves the quick return mirror 202 to the reflection position. At this time, the subject light that has passed through the imaging optical system 101 is reflected upward from the camera body 200 by the quick return mirror 202 . The reflected subject light passes through the finder screen 203 and the superimposed display section 204 and enters the pentaprism 205 . The pentaprism 205 reflects incident subject light toward an eyepiece lens 206 . The user can visually recognize the subject image (imaging screen) through the eyepiece lens 206 .

A condenser lens 207 and a photometric sensor 208 are provided near the pentaprism 205 and the eyepiece lens 206 . Part of the subject light incident on the pentaprism 205 passes through the condenser lens 207 and enters the photometry sensor 208 . The photometric sensor 208 has photoelectric conversion elements arranged two-dimensionally. That is, the photometric sensor 208 is a small-scale imaging device. A photometric sensor 208 measures the amount of subject light from the light receiving output of the photoelectric conversion element. The received light output of the photometric sensor 208 is also used for face detection, which will be described later.

A sub-mirror 209 is attached to the rear surface of the quick return mirror 202 . The quick return mirror 202 is a so-called half mirror. Accordingly, part of the subject light that has passed through the imaging optical system 101 is transmitted through the quick return mirror 202 and enters the sub-mirror 209 . The sub-mirror 209 reflects the subject light downward of the camera body 200 . The reflected subject light enters the focus detection device 210 . The focus detection device 210 has a plurality of focus detection areas corresponding to each of the plurality of focus detection areas 11 provided on the imaging screen 10, which will be described later. A focus detection device 210 detects the focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system 101 in a plurality of focus detection areas.

During exposure of the imaging device 211 (imaging), the control unit 201 moves the quick return mirror 202 to the retracted position. At this time, subject light that has passed through the imaging optical system 101 is incident on the imaging surface of the imaging device 211 . The imaging element 211 is, for example, a solid-state imaging element such as CMOS or CCD. The imaging device 211 captures an image of a subject and outputs an imaging signal. The control unit 201 creates image data by performing various image processing on the imaging signal. The control unit 201 stores the created image data in a storage medium (not shown) (for example, a memory card).

The control unit 201 is configured by a CPU and its peripheral circuits (not shown). This CPU controls each part of the imaging device 1 by reading and executing a control program stored in advance in a storage medium (not shown).

The control unit 201 functionally has a face detection unit 221 and a focus adjustment unit 222 . In other words, the face detection section 221 and the focus adjustment section 222 are implemented in software by the aforementioned control program. One or both of the face detection unit 221 and the focus adjustment unit 222 may be realized by an electronic circuit.

The face detection unit 221 detects faces included in the imaged screen. The focus adjustment unit 222 adjusts the focus of the imaging optical system 101 based on the focus adjustment state detected by the focus detection device 210 . The focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 by instructing the lens drive unit 102 to drive the focus lens 104 in the direction and amount.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the imaging screen 10 and the focus detection area 11. As shown in FIG. As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the imaging screen 10 is provided with 51 focus detection areas 11 . That is, the focus detection device 210 is configured to be able to individually detect the focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system 101 for each of the 51 focus detection areas 11 . A superimposed display unit 204 displays the positions of the 51 focus detection areas 11 superimposed on the imaging screen. For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, rectangles representing the positions of 51 focus detection areas 11 are displayed. Note that the number and arrangement of the focus detection areas 11 may be different from those illustrated in FIG.

The focus detection device 210 performs so-called phase-difference focus detection. That is, the focus detection device 210 includes a plurality of pairs of photoelectric conversion units that respectively receive a pair of light beams that have passed through different regions of the imaging optical system 101 . The focus detection device 210 performs a correlation operation between the received light signal output from one of the pair of photoelectric conversion units and the received light signal output from the other of the pair of photoelectric conversion units, thereby obtaining the pair of received light signals. Calculate the phase difference of The focus detection device 210 detects the defocus amount of the imaging optical system 101 based on the calculated phase difference. That is, in this embodiment, the focus adjustment state detected by the focus detection device 210 is the defocus amount.

It should be noted that focus detection of a method different from this may be performed. For example, on the imaging surface of the imaging device 211, a plurality of pairs of photoelectric conversion units are provided for receiving a pair of light beams that have respectively passed through different regions of the imaging optical system 101, and the light reception outputs of the plurality of pairs of photoelectric conversion units are provided. Focus detection may be performed based on the so-called imaging plane phase difference method. Alternatively, so-called contrast-based focus detection may be performed based on the contrast of the imaging signal output from the imaging device 211 .

The image pickup apparatus 1 has three types of focus detection modes: a selection area AF mode, an auto area AF mode, and a tracking AF mode. A user can select from these three types of focus detection modes. The selection area AF mode is a mode in which automatic focusing is performed on the focus detection area 11 designated in advance by the user, for example, the focus detection area 11a (FIG. 2). In the selection area AF mode, it is determined whether or not there is a face existing in the vicinity of the focus detection area 11a designated by the user. can also be done. In the following description, the focus detection area 11a specified by the user is called a selection area 11a. There may be a plurality of focus detection areas 11 that can be specified by the user. In the following description, a case where the user designates one focus detection area 11a will be described as an example.

The auto area AF mode is a mode in which the face detected by the face detection section 221 is focused and automatic focus adjustment is performed. The focus adjustment section 222 specifies the focus detection area 11 existing at the position of the face detected by the face detection section 221 . Then, based on the defocus amount detected for the specified focus detection area 11, focus adjustment is performed so that the detected face is brought into focus.

The tracking AF mode is a mode in which an object specified by the user is tracked and automatic focus adjustment is repeatedly performed so that the object is kept in focus. The control unit 201 detects the subject to be tracked by performing, for example, well-known color detection processing and subject detection processing on the light reception output of the photometry sensor 208 . The focus adjustment unit 222 specifies the focus detection area 11, for example, the focus detection area 11a, which exists at the detected subject position. Then, based on the defocus amount detected for the specified focus detection area 11a, focus adjustment is performed so that the subject to be tracked is brought into focus. In the tracking AF mode, it is determined whether or not there is a face existing in the vicinity of the focus detection area 11a identified as existing at the position of the subject to be tracked. can also be used for automatic focus adjustment. Further, in the tracking AF mode, the camera may automatically recognize the subject to be tracked, and perform automatic focus adjustment repeatedly so as to maintain the state in which the subject is in focus. That is, in the tracking AF mode, the focus detection area 11a existing at the position of the subject to be tracked corresponds to the selection area 11a in the selection area AF mode.

When the selection area AF mode is set, the superimpose display unit 204 displays the position of the selection area 11a superimposed on the imaging screen. For example, in FIG. 2, the superimpose display unit 204 displays the selection area 11a with a thicker frame line than the other focus detection areas 11 . Thereby, the user can visually recognize the current position of the selection area 11a.

When the auto area AF mode is set, the superimpose display unit 204 displays the position of the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the face targeted for focus adjustment, superimposed on the imaging screen.

When the tracking AF mode is set, the superimpose display unit 204 displays the position of the focus detection area 11a existing at the position of the subject to be tracked superimposed on the imaging screen.

The operation of the focus adjustment section 222 in the selection area AF mode will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging screen 10 containing only one face. When the focus adjustment section 222 performs focus adjustment, the face detection section 221 detects a face from the imaging screen 10 . A face detection unit 221 detects a face based on the received light output of the photometry sensor 208 . The face detection unit 221 detects faces using a well-known face detection technique. A variety of such techniques are known, so the description is omitted. For example, in FIG. 3, the imaging screen 10 includes a face 20 . The face detection unit 221 detects this face 20 and specifies the position and size of the face 20 . Note that the face detection unit 221 may detect the face using a member other than the photometric sensor 208 . For example, in a camera having a so-called live-view display function, it is possible to detect a face from an imaging signal from the imaging device 211 that is the basis of the live-view display or from displayed image data (so-called through image). . Alternatively, faces can be detected using thumbnail images or reduced images.

Next, the focus detection device 210 detects the defocus amount of the imaging optical system 101 for each focus detection area. After that, the focus adjustment section 222 sets the face estimation range 21 on the imaging screen 10 . The face estimation range 21 is a range in which it is estimated that a face corresponding to the selection area 11a exists. The focus adjustment unit 222 sets the face estimation range 21 as a range including the upper side of the selection area 11a. For example, in FIG. 3, the face estimation range 21 is rectangular, and the lower side of the face estimation range 21 matches the lower side of the selection area 11a. Further, the center position of the face estimation range 21 in the horizontal direction coincides with the center position of the selection area 11a in the horizontal direction.

The focus adjustment section 222 determines the size of the face estimation range 21 based on the size of the detected face 20 . For example, in FIG. 3, the vertical length of the face 20 is HF, and the horizontal length is WF. The focus adjustment unit 222 sets the vertical length of the face estimation range 21 to HF×3 and the horizontal length to WF×2. Note that the size of the face estimation range 21 may be determined by a calculation different from this. For example, the focus adjustment unit 222 reduces the size of the face estimation range 21 when the size of the face is small. The focus adjustment unit 222 increases the size of the face estimation range 21 when the size of the face is large.

The focus adjustment section 222 determines whether or not the face 20 detected by the face detection section 221 exists within the face estimation range 21 . When the face 20 does not exist within the face estimation range 21, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment so that the subject existing at the position of the selection area 11a is brought into focus. In other words, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 based on the defocus amount detected for the selection area 11a.

When the face 20 exists within the face estimation range 21, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment so that the face 20 is in focus. In other words, the focus adjustment unit 222 adjusts the focus of the imaging optical system 101 based on the defocus amount detected for the focus detection area 11 a located at the position of the face 20 .

This is done so that the subject desired by the user can be more precisely focused. For example, consider the case of capturing an image of a person who is doing sports or the like. At this time, if face detection is performed and the detected face is brought into focus as in the prior art, there is a possibility that an unrelated person in the background will be brought into focus. On the other hand, it is particularly difficult for the user to actively match the selection area 11a to the target person's face if the person is moving vigorously. This is because the face is a relatively small part when considering the whole body of a person.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the user adjusts the focus by adjusting the selection area 11a not to the face 20 but to the body 22 . Since the body 22 is relatively large compared to the face 20, such manipulation is relatively easy for the user. Even when the selection area 11a is aligned with the body 22, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment based on the face 20 corresponding to the body 22. automatic focus adjustment is made.

A plurality of focus detection areas 11 may exist at the position of the face 20 . In other words, face 20 may include multiple focus detection areas 11 . In such a case, the focus adjustment section 222 selects one of the closest focus detection areas 11 from those focus detection areas 11 and performs focus adjustment based on the selected focus detection area 11 .

If there are multiple focus detection areas 11 at the position of the face 20, it is also possible to perform focus adjustment in a different manner. For example, an average value of defocus amounts detected in the plurality of focus detection areas 11 may be calculated, and focus adjustment may be performed based on the average value. Alternatively, a weighted average value of the defocus amount detected in one or more of the plurality of focus detection areas 11 and the defocus amount detected in the selected area 11a is calculated, and focus adjustment is performed based on the weighted average value. may be performed. In this case, it is desirable to set a smaller weight for the selection area 11 a than for the focus detection area 11 at the position of the face 20 . In other words, it is desirable to focus on the focus detection area 11 positioned on the face 20 rather than on the selection area 11a.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the imaging screen 10 including only one face 20a that is smaller than that in FIG. Since the face 20a in FIG. 4 is smaller than the face 20 in FIG. 3, the face estimation range 21 is also smaller than in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the imaging screen 10 when the car 26 exists in front of the person 25. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the selection area 11a indicates the car 26. In FIG. Since the person 25 happened to be behind the car 26, the face 20b is located above the selected area 11a.

Here, it is presumed that the fact that the selection area 11a points to the car 26 means that the user intends to bring the car 26 into focus. In spite of this, the face 20b is included in the face estimation range 21, so if focus adjustment is performed according to the procedure described with reference to FIGS. .

Therefore, the focus adjustment unit 222 compares the defocus amount of the face 20b included in the face estimation range 21 with the defocus amount of the selection area 11a. Then, when these two defocus amounts differ by a predetermined amount (e.g., an amount equivalent to 1 m) or more, the face estimation range 21 includes the face 20b, but the selection area 11a is emphasized. Adjust the focus. That is, in the case of FIG. 5, the focusing unit 222 focuses on the car 26 instead of the face 20b.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the imaging screen 10 including two faces 20c and 20d. The focus adjustment unit 222 determines a face estimation range 21c having a size based on the size of one face 20c included in the imaging screen 10. FIG. For the other face 20d included in the imaging screen 10, the focus adjustment unit 222 also determines a face estimation range 21d having a size based on the size of the other face 20d. That is, the focus adjustment unit 222 individually defines the face estimation ranges 21c and 21d for the faces 20c and 20d included in the imaging screen 10, respectively.

In the example of FIG. 6, the face estimation range 21d corresponding to the face 20d does not include the face 20d. On the other hand, face estimation range 21c corresponding to face 20c includes face 20c. Therefore, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment based on the face 20c. That is, the face 20c is brought into focus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of focus adjustment processing. The focus adjustment processing shown in FIG. 7 is processing included in the control program executed by the control unit 201 . The control unit 201 executes the focus adjustment process shown in FIG. 7 in response to the user performing a predetermined focus adjustment operation (for example, half-pressing a release switch (not shown)).

First, in step S<b>10 , the face detection section 221 detects a face included in the imaging screen 10 . In step S<b>20 , the focus detection device 210 detects the defocus amount of the imaging optical system 101 for each of the plurality of focus detection areas 11 provided on the imaging screen 10 .

In step S<b>30 , the focus adjustment unit 222 selects one unprocessed (unselected) face 20 from the detected faces 20 . In step S40, the focus adjustment unit 222 determines the size of the face estimation range 21 based on the size of the face 20 selected in step S30. In step S50, the focus adjustment unit 222 determines whether or not the face estimation range 21 set in step S40 includes the face 20 selected in step S30.

If the face 20 is not included in the face estimation range 21, the focus adjustment section 222 advances the process to step S60. In step S60, the focus adjustment unit 222 determines whether or not an unprocessed (unselected) face 20 remains. If an unprocessed (unselected) face 20 remains, the focus adjustment unit 222 advances the process to step S30. On the other hand, if all faces 20 have been processed (selected), the focus adjustment unit 222 advances the process to step S70. In step S70, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment based on the selection area 11a. That is, the subject in the selection area 11a is brought into focus.

In step S50, if the selected face 20 is included in the face estimation range 21, the focus adjustment unit 222 advances the process to step S80. In step S80, the focus adjustment unit 222 determines whether the difference between the defocus amount detected in the focus detection area 11 existing at the position of the selected face 20 and the defocus amount detected in the selection area 11a is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. determine whether or not If the defocus amount difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the focus adjustment unit 222 advances the process to step S30. On the other hand, if the defocus amount difference is less than the predetermined amount, the focus adjustment unit 222 advances the process to step S90. In step S90, the focus adjustment unit 222 focuses on the face 20 selected in step S30. That is, the focus adjustment section 222 performs focus adjustment based on the focus detection area 11 existing at the position of the face 20 .

Note that the operation of the focus adjustment unit 222 in the tracking AF mode is similar to the operation of the focus adjustment unit 222 in the selection area AF mode, except that the focus detection area 11 existing at the position of the subject to be tracked is used instead of the selection area 11a. is the same as , so the description is omitted.

According to the imaging device according to the first embodiment described above, the following advantages are obtained.
(1) When the detected face position is above the position of one selected area 11a selected from the plurality of focus detection areas 11, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus detection corresponding to the face position. Focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 is performed based on the defocus amount detected for the area 11 . On the other hand, when the position of the face is not above the position of the selection area 11a, focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 is performed based on the defocus amount detected for the selection area 11a. Since this is done, it is possible to accurately focus on the subject intended by the user. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user's unintended face from being brought into focus.

(2) When the face 20 exists within the face estimation range 21 including the upper side of the selection area 11a, the focus adjustment unit 222 adjusts the defocus amount detected for the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the position of the face 20. Based on this, focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 is performed. Since this is done, it is possible to accurately focus on the subject intended by the user.

(3) The focus adjustment section 222 determines the size of the face estimation range 21 based on the size of the face 20 . With this arrangement, the focus on the face 20 can be reliably adjusted regardless of the distance (size) of the face 20 .

(4) When a plurality of faces 20 are detected by the face detection section 221, the focus adjustment section 222 determines the face estimation range 21 having a size corresponding to the size of the face 20 for each of the plurality of faces 20. . With this arrangement, even when the perspective (size) of the face 20 is different, the focus on the face 20 can be reliably adjusted.

(5) The focus adjustment unit 222 detects the defocus amount detected for the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the position of the face 20 and the selection area 11a even if the face 20 is located above the position of the selection area 11a. If the detected defocus amount differs by a predetermined amount or more, focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 is performed based on the defocus amount detected for the selected area 11a. As a result, even if the face 20 is accidentally located above the selection area 11a, it is possible to prevent the face 20 from being brought into focus against the user's intention.

(6) The superimpose display unit 204 displays the position of the selection area 11a superimposed on the imaging screen 10. FIG. With this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the subject to be focused.

The following modifications are also within the scope of the present invention, and it is also possible to combine one or more of the modifications with the above-described embodiments.

(Modification 1)
An orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of the imaging device 1 may be provided in the first embodiment described above. Such a posture detection unit can be realized by combining, for example, an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. If the orientation detection section is provided, the focus adjustment section 222 can regard the direction based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection section (for example, the direction opposite to the vertical direction) as above the selection area 11a.

According to Modification 1, in addition to the effects (1) to (6) described in the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(7) The focus adjustment unit 222 regards the direction based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit as above the selection area 11a. By doing so, it is possible to set the face estimation range 21 to a position where the face 20 is more likely to be detected, regardless of the posture in which the user holds the imaging device 1 .

(Modification 2)
2. Description of the Related Art A focus adjustment device is known that can repeatedly perform focus adjustment and maintain a state in which a moving object is in focus. In the first embodiment described above, when repeatedly performing focus adjustment in this way, the focus adjustment unit 222 changes the size of the face estimation range 21 according to the defocus amount at the time of the previous focus adjustment. You can let it run.

For example, consider maintaining a state in which a person who is exercising is in focus. At this time, the user tries to hold the selection area 11a on the person's body part. The focus adjustment unit 222 brings the person's face into focus. Here, if the person moves greatly and the selection area 11a deviates from the part of the body, the face 20 also moves greatly. In this way, when the defocus amount detected this time for the selection area 11a differs from the defocus amount detected last time for the selection area 11a by a predetermined amount (for example, an amount corresponding to 1 m) or more, the focus adjustment unit 222 Increase the size of the estimated range 21 .

According to Modification 2, in addition to the effects (1) to (6) described in the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(8) The focus adjustment unit 222 expands the size of the face estimation range 21 when the defocus amount detected this time for the selection area 11a differs from the defocus amount detected last time for the selection area 11a by a predetermined amount or more. do. With this configuration, even when capturing an image of a subject that moves a lot, the subject can be kept in focus.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described first embodiment, even when focusing is actually performed on the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the position of the face 20, the superimpose display unit 204 displays only the selection area 11a on the imaging screen. Shown on 10. The superimpose display unit 204 may superimpose the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the position of the face 20 on the imaging screen 10 and display it. This state is schematically shown in FIG. In FIG. 9A, the focus detection area 11b present at the position of the face 20 is displayed in the same form as the selection area 11a.

As shown in FIG. 9A, both the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the position of the face 20 and the selection area 11a may be displayed, or the focus detection area 11b corresponding to the position of the face 20 may be displayed. Only the display may be performed and the selection area 11a may not be displayed. Further, the display of the focus detection area 11b corresponding to the position of the face 20 and the display of the selection area 11a may be performed in different forms. For example, the color of the frame line may be changed, or one of them may blink. FIG. 9B shows an example in which the frame line of the focus detection area 11b corresponding to the position of the face 20 is decorated.

According to Modification 3, in addition to the effects (1) to (6) described in the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(9) When the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 based on the defocus amount detected for the focus detection area 11 corresponding to the position of the face 20, the superimposed display unit 204 The position of the focus detection area 11 is displayed superimposed on the imaging screen 10 . With this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the focus detection area 11 that is actually in focus.

(Modification 4)
In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, for each face 20, the face estimation range 21 matching the size thereof is set above the selection area 11a. It is also possible to check the positional relationship between the face 20 and the selection area 11a by the focus adjustment unit 222 in a different method.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a selection area estimation range 41e is set instead of the face estimation range 21 for the detected face 20e. The selection area estimation range 41e is a rectangular area, and is arranged so that the center position in the left-right direction matches the center position of the face 20e and the upper side matches the upper side of the face 20e. The focus detection unit 222 determines whether or not the selected area 11a is included in the corresponding selected area estimation range 41e for the face 20e. When the selection area 11a is included, focus adjustment is performed based on the focus detection area 11 existing at the position of the face 20e, not the selection area 11a. Similarly, a selection area estimation range 41f is set for the detected face 20f, and it is determined whether or not the selection area 11a is included in the selection area estimation range 41f. In FIG. 8A, the estimated selected area range 41e does not include the selected area 11a, and the estimated selected area range 41f includes the selected area 11a. Therefore, the focus adjustment unit 222 performs focus adjustment based on the face 20f.

That is, in the first embodiment described above, the face estimation range 21 is arranged with the selection area 11a as a reference in order to determine whether or not the face 20 is located above the selection area 11a. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8A, in order to determine whether or not the face 20 is located above the selection area 11a, the selection area estimation range 41 is arranged with the face 20 as the reference.

A simpler example is shown in FIG. 8(b). In FIG. 8B, the focus detection area 11 at least partially overlapping with the face 20 is displayed with shading. The focus adjustment unit 222 does not set the face estimation range 21 or the selection area estimation range 41 at all, and simply determines whether the shaded focus detection areas 11 are included in the focus detection areas 11 arranged above the selection area 11a. judge. Then, when such a focus detection area 11 exists, the focus is adjusted based on the focus detection area 11. FIG. That is, it is determined whether or not the face 20 exists above the selection area 11a, and the focus is adjusted.

In this way, the positional relationship between the face 20 and the selection area 11a can be checked by the focus adjustment unit 222 using various methods. The effect (1) described in the first embodiment can be obtained by using either method.

(Modification 5)
The focus adjustment section 222 may set the face estimation range 21 to different positions according to the orientation of the face 20 . For example, when the face 20 faces the lower right direction or the upper left direction of the imaging screen 10, the face estimation range 21 is defined so as to include the upper right of the selection area 11a. Further, when the face 20 faces the upper right direction or the lower left direction of the imaging screen 10, the face estimation range 21 is defined so as to include the upper right of the selection area 11a. That is, the focus adjustment unit 222 checks whether the selected area 11a is located in the direction of the body estimated from the orientation of the face 20, and focuses on the face 20 when such a positional relationship is satisfied. Alternatively, the face estimation range 21 may be determined from the orientation of the subject's head and the orientation of the face 20 . For example, when the head is directed downward and the face 20 is directed toward the lower right or upper left of the imaging screen 10, the face estimation range 21 is defined to include the lower left of the selection area 11a. When the head is downward and the face 20 is oriented in the upper right direction or the lower left direction of the imaging screen 10, the face estimation range 21 is determined to include the lower right of the selection area 11a. That is, the focus adjustment unit 222 checks whether the selected area 11a is located in the direction of the body estimated from the directions of the subject's head and face 20, and if such a positional relationship is satisfied, the face 20 focus on.

According to Modification 5, in addition to the effects (1) to (6) described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(10) The focus adjustment unit 222 sets the face estimation range 21 so as to include a range of directions corresponding to the orientation of the face 20 when viewed from the selection area 11a. Since this is done, focusing can be performed reliably regardless of the pose of the subject.

(Modification 6)
As an example of conditions for performing focus adjustment based on the selection area 11a even though the face estimation range 21 includes the face 20, in the first embodiment, the defocus amount of the selection area 11a and the face 20 is different to some extent from the defocus amount of the focus detection area 11 of . Other conditions may be set.

For example, when the reliability of the defocus amount of the focus detection area 11 positioned on the face 20 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, that is, when the probability of the defocus amount is less than a certain level, the selection area 11a Focus adjustment may be performed based on the defocus amount of . Also, the reliability of face detection by the face detection unit 221 may be similarly determined.

According to Modification 6, in addition to the effects (1) to (6) described in the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(11) The focus adjustment unit 222 does not rely on the defocus amount detected for the focus detection area corresponding to the position of the face 20 even if the position of the face 20 and the position of the selection area 11a satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. If the degree is less than the predetermined threshold value, focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 101 is performed based on the defocus amount detected for the selected area 11a. Since it did in this way, a desired subject can be brought into focus reliably.

As described above, the first embodiment and its modification have been described based on a lens-interchangeable digital camera, but embodiments other than this can also be realized. For example, the above-described focus adjustment processing may be performed by a lens-integrated camera instead of a lens-interchangeable camera, and the above-described focus adjustment processing may be performed by a film camera instead of a digital camera. Also, the focus adjustment process described above may be performed in the camera of a smartphone or tablet terminal.

As long as the features of the present invention are not impaired, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Imaging device 100... Interchangeable lens 101... Imaging optical system 200... Camera body 201... Control part 204... Superimpose display part 208... Photometry sensor 210... Focus detection device 221... Face detection part, 222 ... focus adjustment part

Claims (11)

an imaging unit that outputs a signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject by an optical system;
a detection unit that detects a characteristic portion from an image generated based on the signal;
a plurality of detection areas set in an imaging area for imaging the image of the subject of the imaging unit and detecting a focused state of the image of the subject in the imaging area;
A first focused state in a first detection area selected from among the plurality of detection areas, and a second focused state in a second detection area corresponding to the characteristic portion detected by the detection unit. a control unit that controls the position of the optical system based on the first focus state or the second focus state based on the difference between
An imaging device having The imaging device according to claim 1,
The control unit controls the position of the optical system based on the second focus state when a difference between the first focus state and the second focus state is less than a predetermined value, An imaging apparatus for controlling the position of the optical system based on the first focus state when a difference between the first focus state and the second focus state is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
When the position of the characteristic portion is within the range set based on the position of the first detection area, the control unit adjusts the difference between the first focus state and the second focus state. an imaging device that controls the position of the optical system based on the first focus state or the second focus state. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the position of the characteristic portion is within a range set based on the position of the first detection area and the size of the characteristic portion, the control section sets the first focus state and the second focus state. An imaging apparatus that controls the position of the optical system based on the first focused state or the second focused state based on the difference from the focused state. In the imaging device according to claim 3 or claim 4,
An image pickup apparatus that controls the position of the optical system based on the first focus state when the position of the characteristic portion is outside the range. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
When the position of the first detection area is within the range set based on the position of the characteristic portion, the control unit adjusts the difference between the first focus state and the second focus state. an imaging device that controls the position of the optical system based on the first focus state or the second focus state. In the imaging device according to claim 6,
An imaging apparatus for controlling the position of the optical system based on the first focus state when the position of the first detection area is outside the range. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
An imaging device comprising a selection unit that selects the first detection area from the plurality of detection areas. The imaging device according to claim 8,
The imaging device, wherein the selection unit tracks a specific subject from an image generated based on the signal, and selects the first detection area corresponding to the position of the specific subject. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The detection area is an area for detecting, as the in-focus state, the amount of deviation between the position of the image by the optical system and the position of the imaging surface of the imaging unit. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
The imaging device, wherein the detection unit detects a face as the characteristic portion.

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