WO2019171696A1

WO2019171696A1 - Imaging device, imaging method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2019171696A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/045512
Authority: WO
Inventors: 田中　康一; 林　健吉; 内田　亮宏; 誠一伊澤; 伸一郎藤木
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2018-03-09
Filing date: 2018-12-11
Publication date: 2019-09-12

Abstract

An imaging device comprises: an imaging lens including a focus lens; an imaging section for outputting an image signal obtained by capturing an optical image passing through the imaging lens; an image formation unit for generating a captured image in accordance with the image signal; a movement unit for displacing the focus lens along the optical axis; a control unit that, when the movement unit displaces the focus lens, sets a measurement range for the captured image to a size in accordance with the rate of change in the image magnification of the focus lens which changes with the displacement of the focus lens; and a detection unit that detects a position of the focus lens at which the contrast value for the image in the measurement range set by the control unit reaches a peak, the contrast value changing with the displacement of the focus lens by the movement unit. The movement unit displaces the focus lens to the position detected by the detection unit.

Description

Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program

The technology of the present disclosure relates to an imaging device, an imaging method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus that performs auto-focusing using a so-called contrast AF (Auto-Focus) method, a focus lens is based on a contrast value peak detected from a change in contrast value of an image in a distance measurement area provided in a captured image. Has been disclosed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-52022 and 2013-186313).

However, in the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-52022 and 2013-186313, if the image magnification of the focus lens changes with the movement of the focus lens along the optical axis direction, the distance from the distance measurement area is increased. There is a case where the image of the subject is shifted. When autofocus is performed using the result of a peak search of contrast values for images in the distance measurement area, if the subject image deviates from within the distance measurement area, it will not be in the proper focus state. In some cases, the captured image was blurred.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program capable of improving the detection accuracy of a peak of a change in contrast value in a ranging area. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an imaging lens including a focus lens, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens, and An image generation unit that generates a captured image according to the image signal, a moving unit that moves the position of the focus lens along the optical axis direction, and a ranging area in the captured image when the moving unit moves the focus lens A control unit that performs control to set the size of the zoom lens to a size according to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens that changes with the movement of the position of the focus lens, and according to the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit A detecting unit that detects a position of a focus lens that changes a contrast value of an image within a ranging area whose size is set by the control unit, and the moving unit includes: Detector moves the focus lens position detection.

The imaging device according to the second aspect is the imaging device according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit derives the amount of change in the position of the image of the subject included in the ranging area from the amount of change in the image magnification, and the derived subject The size of the distance measurement area is determined based on the amount of change in the image position.

The imaging device according to the third aspect is the imaging device according to the second aspect, wherein the amount of change in the position of the image of the subject depends on the peak detection range in which the focus lens moves by the moving unit when the detecting unit detects a peak. It is derived from the amount of change in the image magnification and the position of the ranging area.

The imaging device according to the fourth aspect is the imaging device according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and the control unit increases the size of the ranging area as the amount of change in image magnification increases. .

In the imaging device according to the fifth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the control unit increases the image magnification with the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit, When the position of the distance measurement area is changed to a position toward the outer edge of the captured image and the image magnification is reduced, the position of the distance measurement area is changed to a position toward the center of the captured image.

The imaging device according to a sixth aspect is the imaging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control unit performs distance measurement in accordance with a change in the position of the image of the subject included in the distance measurement area. A movement process for moving the position of the region is performed.

The imaging device according to a seventh aspect further includes an instruction unit that instructs execution of movement processing in the imaging device according to the sixth aspect, and the control unit changes when the movement processing is executed according to an instruction from the instruction unit. The amount of change in the position of the image of the subject included in the distance measurement area during the expected processing time required to derive the position of the image of the subsequent subject is derived.

The imaging device according to the eighth aspect further includes an instruction unit that instructs execution of the movement process in the imaging device according to the sixth aspect, and the control unit is set when the movement process is executed according to an instruction from the instruction unit. The size of the distance measurement area to be set is kept at a predetermined size regardless of the change in image magnification.

In the imaging device according to the ninth aspect, in the imaging device according to the eighth aspect, the instruction unit moves according to at least one of an estimated processing time expected to be required for the movement process and a frame rate at which the imaging unit performs imaging. Instructs execution of processing.

The imaging device according to a tenth aspect is the imaging device according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, in which the control unit uses a start position of peak detection by the detection unit as a reference position, and starts from the reference position. A distance is set for each of a plurality of distance measurement areas derived corresponding to each of a plurality of ranges along the optical axis direction, and the detection unit is configured such that the moving unit is a focus lens of the plurality of ranges. The position of the peak detected for the distance measurement area having a size corresponding to the range including the position where the movement of the position is stopped is output.

The imaging apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, further including a display unit that displays a captured image, and the control unit is configured to capture an image displayed on the display unit. Information representing the distance measurement area is displayed on the image.

In the imaging device according to a twelfth aspect, in the imaging device according to the eleventh aspect, the control unit sets the distance measurement area size in the information representing the distance measurement area to be displayed with respect to the captured image. The predetermined size is maintained regardless of the size.

An imaging method of a thirteenth aspect includes an imaging lens including a focus lens, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens, and an image that generates a captured image corresponding to the image signal An imaging method executed by an imaging apparatus including a generation unit and a moving unit that moves the position of the focus lens along the optical axis direction. When the moving unit moves the focus lens, measurement in the captured image is performed. Controls the distance area to be set according to the amount of change in focus lens image magnification that changes with the movement of the focus lens, and changes according to the movement of the focus lens by the moving unit. The position of the focus lens at which the contrast value of the image in the distance measurement area where the size is set reaches a peak is detected, and the moving part is moved to the detected position. Moving the Surenzu, imaging method including processing.

A program according to a fourteenth aspect includes an imaging lens including a focus lens, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens, and an image generation that generates a captured image corresponding to the image signal. And a moving unit that moves the position of the focus lens along the optical axis direction when the moving unit moves the focus lens to a computer that controls the imaging apparatus. Is set to a size corresponding to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens that changes with the movement of the focus lens position, and the size changes according to the movement of the focus lens position by the moving unit. The position of the focus lens at which the contrast value of the image within the distance measurement area for which is set to a peak is detected, and the focus position is detected by the moving unit. Moving the Surenzu, a program for executing a process.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the change peak with respect to the change of the contrast value in the ranging area.

It is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the imaging device of an embodiment. It is a rear view which shows an example of the external appearance of the back side of the imaging device of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the imaging device of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the imaging lens contained in the imaging device of embodiment. It is a graph for demonstrating the autofocus of embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the memory content of the secondary memory | storage part of the lens main control part contained in the imaging lens of an imaging device. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the memory content of the secondary memory | storage part of the main body side main-control part contained in the imaging device main body of embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a relationship among a movement of a focus lens position, a change in image magnification, and a change in the position of an image of a subject in the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the change of the magnitude | size of the ranging area in the imaging device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the change of the magnitude | size of the ranging area in the imaging device of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the movement of the center position of the ranging area in the imaging device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of a movement of the center position of the ranging area in the imaging device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the assumption peak search range of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the ranging area of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 5th Embodiment. It is a graph which shows an example of the relationship between the process estimated time of 5th Embodiment, and the variation | change_quantity of the position of the image of a to-be-photographed object. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the peak search process of 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example which superimposes and displays the ranging area of embodiment on a captured image. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the aspect by which a peak search program is installed in the imaging device main body from the storage medium in which the peak search program of embodiment was stored. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between a ranging area and a to-be-photographed object image.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, an example of the configuration of the imaging device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, an imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a lens interchangeable digital camera, and includes an imaging apparatus body 12 and an imaging lens 14.

The imaging lens 14 is attached to the imaging apparatus main body 12 in a replaceable manner. The lens barrel of the imaging lens 14 is provided with a focus ring 16 used in the manual focus mode. The imaging lens 14 includes a lens unit 18.

The lens unit 18 is a combination lens in which a plurality of lenses including the focus lens 84 are combined. The focus lens 84 moves along the optical axis L 1 along with the manual rotation operation of the focus ring 16. The focus lens 84 is stopped at a focus position corresponding to the subject distance. Subject light, which is reflected light indicating the subject, passes through the lens unit 18 including the focus lens 84 and forms an image on a light receiving surface 22A (see FIG. 3) of the image sensor 22 described later. The “subject distance” is the distance from the light receiving surface 22A to the subject.

A dial 24 and a release button 26 are provided on the upper surface of the imaging apparatus main body 12. The dial 24 is operated in various settings such as switching between the imaging mode and the reproduction mode. Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10, when the dial 24 is operated by the user, the imaging mode and the reproduction mode are selectively set as the operation mode.

The imaging device 10 has a still image capturing mode and a moving image capturing mode as operation modes of the imaging system. The still image imaging mode is an operation mode for recording a still image obtained by imaging a subject by the imaging device 10, and the moving image imaging mode is for recording a moving image obtained by imaging the subject by the imaging device 10. It is an operation mode. In the present embodiment, when a still image and a moving image are collectively referred to without distinction, they are simply referred to as “captured images”.

The release button 26 is configured to be able to detect a two-stage pressing operation of an imaging preparation instruction state and an imaging instruction state. The imaging preparation instruction state refers to, for example, a state where the image is pressed from the standby position to the intermediate position (half-pressed position), and the imaging instruction state refers to a state where the image is pressed to the final pressed position (full-pressed position) exceeding the intermediate position. Point to. In the following description, “a state where the button is pressed from the standby position to the half-pressed position” is referred to as “half-pressed state”, and “a state where the button is pressed from the standby position to the fully-pressed position” is referred to as “full-pressed state”.

In the auto focus mode, the imaging condition is adjusted by pressing the release button 26 halfway, and then the main exposure is performed when the release button 26 is fully pressed. That is, when the release button 26 is half-pressed, the AE (Auto-Exposure) function is activated and the exposure amount state is set, and then the AF (Auto-Focus) function is activated and the focus control is performed. When it is pushed, imaging is performed.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, a display 28, a cross key 30, a MENU / OK key 32, a BACK / DISP button 34, a finder 36, and a touch panel 38 are provided on the back surface of the imaging apparatus main body 12.

The display 28 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays images, characters, and the like obtained by imaging the subject by the imaging device 10. The display 28 of this embodiment is an example of the display unit of the present disclosure. Note that the display 28 of the present embodiment is configured as a touch panel display 29 together with the touch panel 38. The display 28 is used for displaying a live view image in the imaging mode. The live view image is also referred to as a through image, and is a continuous frame image obtained by imaging a subject in a continuous frame by the imaging element 22 of the imaging device 10. Note that the “captured image” includes a live view image.

The display 28 is also used to display a still image obtained by capturing a single frame when an instruction to capture a still image is given. Furthermore, the display 28 is also used for displaying a reproduction image and a menu screen in the reproduction mode.

A transmissive touch panel 38 is overlaid on the surface of the display area of the display 28. The touch panel 38 detects contact with an indicator such as a finger or a stylus pen. The touch panel 38 outputs detection result information indicating a detection result such as the presence or absence of contact with an indicator on the touch panel 38 at a predetermined output destination (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit described later) at a predetermined cycle (for example, 100 milliseconds). ) 74, see FIG. The detection result information includes two-dimensional coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “coordinates”) that can specify the contact position of the indicator on the touch panel 38 when the touch panel 38 detects the contact of the indicator. If no contact is detected, no coordinates are included.

The cross key 30 functions as a multi-function key that outputs an instruction content signal corresponding to various instructions such as selection of one or a plurality of menus, zooming, or frame advancement. The MENU / OK key 32 is an operation key having both a function as a menu (MENU) button and a function as a permission (OK) button. The function as the menu (MENU) button is a function for giving an instruction to display one or a plurality of menus on the screen of the display 28. The function as the permission (OK) button is a function for instructing confirmation and execution of the selection contents. The BACK / DISP button 34 is used to delete a desired item such as a selection item, cancel a specified content, or return to the previous operation state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the imaging lens 14 included in the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging apparatus main body 12 of this embodiment includes a mount 13 (see also FIG. 1), and the imaging lens 14 includes a mount 15. The imaging lens 14 is replaceably attached to the imaging apparatus main body 12 by coupling the mount 15 to the mount 13.

The imaging lens 14 includes a diaphragm 19 and a control device 40 in addition to the lens unit 18 described above. When the mount 15 is connected to the mount 13, the control device 40 is electrically connected to the CPU 74 via the external I / F (Interface) 72 of the imaging device body 12, and the imaging lens 14 is in accordance with instructions from the CPU 74. Control the whole.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lens unit 18 of the present embodiment includes an incident lens 80, a zoom lens 82, and the focus lens 84 described above. The incident lens 80, the zoom lens 82, and the focus lens 84 are provided along the optical axis L1. The focus lens 84, the zoom lens 82, and the incident lens 80 are arranged in this order from the stop 19 side along the optical axis L1. Has been.

The subject light is incident on the incident lens 80. The incident lens 80 transmits the subject light and guides it to the zoom lens 82. The zoom lens 82 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of lenses that can move along the optical axis L1. The focal length of the imaging lens 14 (hereinafter simply referred to as “focal length”) is adjusted by the position of the zoom lens 82. Specifically, the zoom lens 82 adjusts the positional relationship between the lenses along the optical axis L1 as each lens approaches or moves away along the optical axis L1 by a zoom operation via the cross key 30 or the like. And the focal length is adjusted. The zoom lens 82 transmits the subject light incident from the incident lens 80 and guides it to the focus lens 84.

The focus lens 84 is a lens that can move along the optical axis L1, and changes the focus state of the subject image formed on the light receiving surface 22A of the image sensor 22 by moving along the optical axis L1. The focus lens 84 transmits the subject light incident from the zoom lens 82 and guides it to the diaphragm 19. The diaphragm 19 adjusts the amount of subject light transmitted through the lens unit 18 and guides the subject light into the imaging apparatus main body 12.

The control device 40 of the imaging lens 14 includes a lens side main control unit 86, a focal length sensor 88, a focus lens driving unit 90, a lens position sensor 92, an aperture driving unit 94, and an external I / F 96.

The lens side main control unit 86 includes a CPU 98, a primary storage unit 100, and a secondary storage unit 102. The CPU 98 controls the entire imaging lens 14. The primary storage unit 100 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like when executing various programs. An example of the primary storage unit 100 is a RAM (Random Access Memory). The secondary storage unit 102 is a nonvolatile memory that stores various programs, various parameters, and the like in advance. As an example of the secondary storage unit 102, there is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only フラッシュ Memory) or a flash memory.

The CPU 98, the primary storage unit 100, and the secondary storage unit 102 are connected to the bus line 104. A focal length sensor 88, a focus lens driving unit 90, a lens position sensor 92, a diaphragm driving unit 94, and an external I / F 96 are also connected to the bus line 104.

The external I / F 96 is connected to the external I / F 72 of the imaging apparatus main body 12 by connecting the mount 13 to the mount 15. The external I / F 96 controls transmission / reception of various information between the CPU 98 and the CPU 74 of the imaging apparatus main body 12 in cooperation with the external I / F 72.

The focal length sensor 88 detects the state of the zoom lens 82 from the amount of zoom operation via the cross key 30 or the like, and converts the detected state of the zoom lens 82 into a focal length. Then, the focal length sensor 88 outputs focal length information indicating the focal length obtained by conversion to the CPU 98.

The focus lens driving unit 90 includes a focus lens driving motor (not shown). The focus lens driving unit 90 of the present embodiment is an example of a moving unit of the present disclosure. The focus lens driving unit 90 operates the focus lens driving motor in accordance with the drive pulse under the control of the CPU 98 in accordance with the instruction received by the receiving device 62 (see FIG. 3). Move along the optical axis L1. That is, the focus lens driving unit 90 operates the focus lens driving motor in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 98 and transmits the power of the focus lens driving motor to the focus lens 84, thereby moving the focus lens 84 along the optical axis L1. To move. The lens position sensor 92 detects a position along the optical axis L1 of the focus lens 84 (hereinafter simply referred to as “the position of the focus lens 84”), and outputs lens position information indicating the detected position to the CPU 98.

The aperture drive unit 94 includes an aperture drive motor (not shown). The aperture driving unit 94 adjusts the size of the aperture of the aperture 19 by operating the aperture driving motor under the control of the CPU 98 in accordance with the instruction received by the receiving device 62.

In addition, the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment performs autofocus for controlling the in-focus state by a so-called contrast AF method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 as an example, the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has a focus lens within a range between an infinity (INF) side and a close (MOD: minimumminiobject) side. The contrast value of the captured image is derived at a plurality of different positions while moving the position 84 along the optical axis L1. Then, the focus lens driving unit 90 of the imaging device 10 controls the in-focus state by moving the focus lens 84 to a position where the derived contrast value becomes a peak value. In the present embodiment, the contrast value of the image in the distance measurement area (details will be described later) in the captured image is applied as the contrast value. In the present embodiment, the size of the distance measurement area is changed to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens 84 that changes with the movement of the position of the focus lens 84 by the main body side main control unit 46 (CPU 74) of the imaging apparatus main body 12. It is controlled to a corresponding size (details will be described later).

In this embodiment, image magnification data 110 representing the image magnification of the focus lens 84 is stored in advance in the secondary storage unit 102 of the lens side main control unit 86 as shown in FIG. 6 as an example. The image magnification of the focus lens 84 varies depending on the type of the focus lens and the like, and may vary depending on the position of the focus lens 84. As described above, when the image magnification differs depending on the position of the focus lens 84, the image magnification data 110 is information indicating the correspondence between the position of the focus lens 84 and the image magnification. Depending on the type of the focus lens 84, there is a type in which the image magnification is constant and does not change regardless of the position of the focus lens 84. In this case, the image magnification data 110 is information representing the image magnification (a constant value) of the focus lens 84.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the imaging apparatus main body 12 of the present embodiment includes an imaging device 22, a main body side main control unit 46, an imaging device driver 50, an image signal processing circuit 52, an image memory 54, an image processing unit 56, and A display control unit 58 is included. The imaging apparatus main body 12 includes a reception I / F 60, a reception device 62, a media I / F 64, and an external I / F 72.

The main body side main control unit 46 is an example of a computer according to the technology of the present disclosure, and includes a CPU 74, a primary storage unit 76, and a secondary storage unit 78. The CPU 74 controls the entire imaging apparatus 10. The primary storage unit 76 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like for executing various programs. An example of the primary storage unit 76 is a RAM or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, the secondary storage unit 78 of the present embodiment is a non-volatile memory in which various programs including a peak search program 79, various parameters, and the like are stored in advance. An example of the secondary storage unit 78 is an EEPROM or a flash memory.

The CPU 74 reads the peak search program 79 from the secondary storage unit 78 and develops it in the primary storage unit 76, and executes peak search processing, which will be described in detail later, in accordance with the developed peak search program 79. In other words, the CPU 74 operates as the detection unit and the control unit of the present disclosure by executing the peak search program 79. The peak search program 79 of the present embodiment is an example of the program of the present disclosure.

The CPU 74, the primary storage unit 76, and the secondary storage unit 78 are connected to the bus line 81. The image sensor driver 50 and the image signal processing circuit 52 are also connected to the bus line 81. Further, the image memory 54, the image processing unit 56, the display control unit 58, the reception I / F 60, the media I / F 64, and the external I / F 72 are also connected to the bus line 81.

The image sensor driver 50 is connected to the image sensor 22. The image sensor driver 50 controls the operation of the image sensor 22. The image sensor 22 and the image sensor driver 50 of the present embodiment are an example of the image capturing unit of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor is used as the image sensor 22. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and other image sensors such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor may be used as the image sensor 22.

The image signal processing circuit 52 reads an image signal for one frame from the image sensor 22 for each pixel in accordance with the horizontal synchronization signal. The image signal processing circuit 52 performs various processes such as correlated double sampling processing, automatic gain adjustment, and A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion on the read image signal. The image signal processing circuit 52 converts the image signal digitized by performing various processes on the image signal at a specific frame rate (for example, several tens of frames / second) defined by the clock signal supplied from the CPU 74. Each frame is output to the image memory 54. The image memory 54 temporarily holds the image signal input from the image signal processing circuit 52.

The image processing unit 56 acquires an image signal for each frame from the image memory 54 at a specific frame rate, and performs various processes such as gamma correction, luminance conversion, color difference conversion, and compression processing on the acquired image signal. Do. Further, the image processing unit 56 outputs an image signal obtained by performing various processes to the display control unit 58 for each frame at a specific frame rate. Further, the image processing unit 56 outputs an image signal obtained by performing various processes to the CPU 74 in response to a request from the CPU 74. The image processing unit 56 of the present embodiment is an example of an image generation unit of the present disclosure.

The display control unit 58 is connected to the display 28 and the finder 36 of the touch panel display 29, and controls the display 28 and the finder 36 under the control of the CPU 74. The display control unit 58 outputs the image signal input from the image processing unit 56 to the display 28 and the finder 36 at a specific frame rate for each frame.

The display 28 displays an image indicated by an image signal input at a specific frame rate from the display control unit 58 as a live view image. The display 28 also displays a still image that is a single frame image obtained by imaging in a single frame. In addition to the live view image, a playback image and a menu screen are displayed on the display 28. The finder 36 is a so-called electronic view finder, and displays an image indicated by an image signal input at a specific frame rate from the display control unit 58 as a live view image, like the display 28.

The receiving device 62 includes a dial 24, a release button 26, a cross key 30, a MENU / OK key 32, a BACK / DISP button 34, and the like, and receives various instructions from the user.

The touch panel 38 and the reception device 62 of the touch panel display 29 are connected to the reception I / F 60 and output an instruction content signal indicating the content of the received instruction to the reception I / F 60. The reception I / F 60 outputs the input instruction content signal to the CPU 74. The CPU 74 executes a process according to the instruction content signal input from the reception I / F 60.

A memory card 66 is detachably connected to the media I / F 64. The media I / F 64 records and reads an image file to and from the memory card 66 under the control of the CPU 74.

The image file read from the memory card 66 by the media I / F 64 is decompressed by the image processing unit 56 under the control of the CPU 74 and displayed on the display 28 as a reproduced image.

In the imaging apparatus 10, the operation mode is switched according to the instruction received by the receiving device 62. For example, in the imaging apparatus 10, the still image capturing mode and the moving image capturing mode are selectively set in accordance with an instruction received by the receiving device 62 in the imaging mode. Under the still image capturing mode, a still image file can be recorded on the memory card 66. Under the moving image capturing mode, a moving image file can be recorded on the memory card 66.

The CPU 74 causes the image sensor 22 to perform main exposure for one frame by controlling the image sensor driver 50 when an instruction to capture a still image is received by the release button 26 in the still image capturing mode. The image processing unit 56 acquires an image signal obtained by performing exposure for one frame under the control of the CPU 74, performs compression processing on the acquired image signal, and stores a specific still image format. Generate a still image file. The specific still image format may be, for example, a JPEG (JointoPhotographic Experts Group) format. The still image file is recorded on the memory card 66 by the media I / F 64 under the control of the CPU 74.

When an instruction for capturing a moving image is received by the release button 26 in the moving image capturing mode, the image processing unit 56 performs a compression process on the image signal for the live view image to generate a moving image in a specific moving image format. Create an image file. The specific moving image format may be, for example, an MPEG (Moving / Picture / Experts / Group) format. The moving image file is recorded on the memory card 66 by the media I / F 64 under the control of the CPU 74.

Next, as the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 when executing the above-described peak search process in autofocus will be described.

When the focus lens 84 is moved in the range between the infinity side and the close side, the image magnification of the focus lens 84 may change as the position of the focus lens 84 changes. As an example, when the focus lens 84 moves from the infinity side to the close side, the image magnification of the focus lens 84 increases, and when the focus lens 84 moves from the close side to the infinity side, the focus lens 84. Image magnification may be reduced. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, when the image magnification of the focus lens 84 changes according to the position of the focus lens 84, the subject image 154 (154A, 154B) included in the captured image 150 (150A, 150B, and 150C). And the position and size of 154C) may change. Hereinafter, when the captured

images

150A, 150B, and 150C, the

subject images

154A, 154B, and 154C are collectively referred to, the reference numerals (A to C) indicating the individual may be omitted. In the following description, the position of the subject image 154 may be simply referred to as “image position”.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the size of the subject image 154 is the largest in the subject image 154A of the captured image 150A corresponding to the infinity side, and corresponds to the position X between the infinity side and the closest side. The subject image 154B of the captured image 150B decreases in the order of the subject image 154C of the captured image 150C corresponding to the closest side. Further, the position of the subject image 154 is such that the subject image 154A of the captured image 150A is closest to the outer edge of the captured image 150, and the subject image 154B of the captured image 150B and the center of the captured image 150 are 154C of the captured image 150C. It approaches 151. That is, as the focus lens 84 approaches the infinity side, the position of the subject image 154 tends to move in the direction from the center 151 of the captured image 150 toward the outer edge. Further, as the focus lens 84 approaches the infinity side, the size of the subject image 154 tends to increase. In other words, the subject image 154 moves to a position from the outer edge of the captured image 150 toward the center 151 as the focus lens 84 approaches, and the image tends to be smaller.

FIG. 25 shows an example in which the size of the ranging area 152 is set regardless of the change in the position of the focus lens 84, that is, the change in the image magnification, unlike the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 25, when the focus lens 84 is on the infinity side, the subject image 154 is included in the distance measurement area 152. However, as the focus lens 84 approaches the closest side, the subject image is increased. 154 is shifted out of the distance measurement area 152. If a peak search is performed using the image in the distance measurement area 152 in a state where the subject image 154 is shifted out of the distance measurement area 152, there is a concern that an appropriate peak search for focusing on the object image 154 may not be performed. is there.

Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as an example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the CPU 74 performs distance measurement before performing the peak detection operation according to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens 84. Control is performed to set one size of the region 152 in advance. Here, the peak detection operation is an operation for detecting the peak of the contrast value. When the position of the focus lens 84 moves during the peak detection operation, the image magnification of the focus lens 84 changes. FIG. 9 shows a case where the position of the focus lens 84 is moved from the infinity side to the close side, and the CPU 74 sets a large distance measurement area 152 as the position of the focus lens 84 is moved closer to the close side. Represents the case. In the imaging apparatus 10 of this embodiment, when the position of the focus lens 84 is moved from the infinity side to the position X, one size corresponding to the distance measurement area 152B is set in advance before the peak detection operation. In the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the position of the focus lens 84 is moved from the infinity side to the close side, one size corresponding to the distance measurement region 152C is set in advance before the peak detection operation. . In the example shown in FIG. 9, the distance measurement area 152A of the captured image 150A is the smallest, and the distance measurement area 152C of the captured image 150C is the largest.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the position of the focus lens 84 is moved from the closest side to the infinity side, and the CPU 74 sets a large distance measurement area 152 as the position of the focus lens 84 is moved closer to the infinity side. It represents the case. In the imaging apparatus 10 of this embodiment, when the position of the focus lens 84 is moved from the closest side to the position X, one size corresponding to the distance measurement area 152B is set in advance before the peak detection operation. In the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the position of the focus lens 84 is moved from the closest side to the infinity side, one size corresponding to the ranging area 152A is set in advance before the peak detection operation. . In the example shown in FIG. 10, the distance measurement area 152C of the captured image 150C is the smallest, and the distance measurement area 152A of the captured image 150A is the largest. In other words, in the present embodiment, the size of the distance measurement area 152 increases in accordance with the amount of change in image magnification, regardless of the moving direction of the focus lens 84. In the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is set in this manner, so that the subject image 154 is sufficiently included in the distance measurement area 152.

In this embodiment, even if the size of the distance measurement area 152 is changed, the center position of the distance measurement area 152 is the same position (not changed).

Next, peak search processing executed by the CPU 74 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an example of the peak search process executed by the CPU 74 of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the user presses the release button 26 halfway, the CPU 74 of the imaging apparatus 10 reads the peak search program 79 from the secondary storage unit 78, expands it in the primary storage unit 76, and executes it. Thus, the peak search process shown as an example in FIG. 11 is executed.

11, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the imaging lens 14 is connected to the imaging apparatus main body 12 in a state where communication with the control device 40 of the imaging lens 14 is possible. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the mount 15 is connected to the mount 13. If the imaging lens 14 is not connected to the imaging apparatus main body 12, the determination in step S100 is negative and the peak search process is terminated. On the other hand, when the imaging lens 14 is connected to the imaging apparatus main body 12, the determination in step S100 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the CPU 74 acquires the image magnification data 110. As described above, the image magnification data 110 is stored in the secondary storage unit 102 included in the control device 40 of the imaging lens 14. Therefore, the CPU 74 acquires the image magnification data 110 read from the secondary storage unit 102 by the CPU 98 of the control device 40 via the external I / F 72 and the external I / F 96.

In the next step S104, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the change amount of the image magnification is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Specifically, the CPU 74 of the present embodiment first, based on the image magnification data 110, an image in a range in which the focus lens 84 is moved in order to detect a contrast value peak (hereinafter referred to as “peak search range”). The amount of change in magnification is derived. In the present embodiment, the amount of change between the image magnification corresponding to the position (start position) where peak detection is started in the peak search range and the image magnification corresponding to the position (end position) where peak detection is ended is derived. . Further, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the derived change amount of the image magnification is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The smaller the change amount of the image magnification, the smaller the change in the position of the subject image 154 that accompanies the movement of the position of the focus lens 84. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the amount of change in the position of the subject image 154 is small, for example, when the amount of change in the position of the subject image 154 is small compared to the size of the distance measurement region 152, the distance measurement region 152. The normal size (detailed later) is set without changing the size of. In the present embodiment, the change amount of the image magnification corresponding to the case where the change amount of the position of the subject image 154 is small is obtained as a predetermined value.

If the change amount of the image magnification is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the determination in step S104 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, as described above, the CPU 74 sets the size of the distance measurement area 152 to the normal size, and then proceeds to step S112. Note that the normal size is a predetermined size regardless of the image magnification, and the normal size (when step S110 described later is not performed) and / or even if the focus lens 84 moves. This is the size (size) of the distance measuring area 152 applied when the magnification does not change.

On the other hand, if the change amount of the image magnification is not less than the predetermined value, in other words, if the change amount of the image magnification exceeds the predetermined value, the determination in step S104 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the CPU 74 derives the amount of change in the position of the subject image 154 in the peak search range.

The start position is ps, the image magnification corresponding to the start position ps is K [ps], the end position is pe, and the image magnification corresponding to the end position pe is K [pe]. Also, assuming that the distance from the center 151 of the captured image 150 to the center of the ranging area 152 is R, the change amount D of the image position during the peak search is the image of the subject between the start position ps and the end position pe. It is derived by the following equation (1) that represents how much 154 has moved.
D = | R × (K [ps] −K [pe]) ÷ K [ps] | (1)

It should be noted that the focus lens 84 is not actually moved at the stage of step S108. Therefore, for example, the start position ps and the end position pe are determined according to the position of the subject image 154 with respect to the captured image 150 at the stage of step S108 (before the movement of the focus lens 84).

In the next step S110, the CPU 74 sets the size of the distance measurement area 152 determined based on the change amount D derived in step S108. As an example, the CPU 74 of the present embodiment sets the size of the distance measurement area 152 as the size of the change amount D as one side. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the size of the distance measurement area 152 may be n (n> 0 and n ≠ 1) times the amount of change D.

In the next step S112, the CPU 74 performs a peak detection operation for detecting the peak of the contrast value. In the present embodiment, as described above, before the movement of the focus lens 84 is started, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is set in step S106 or step S110. When the movement of the focus lens 84 is started, the CPU 74 detects the contrast value of the image in the distance measuring area 152 having a set size for each position where the focus lens 84 is moved, and the contrast value reaches the peak. The position of the focus lens 84 is detected. For example, when the start position ps is on the infinity side and the end position pe is on the close side, the size corresponding to the distance measurement area 152C shown in FIG. 9 is set in step S110 as described above. Therefore, in the peak detection operation in step S112, the peak of the contrast value is detected for the image in the distance measurement area 152 having a size corresponding to the distance measurement area 152C shown in FIG.

In this way, when the peak detection operation in step S112 is completed, the peak search process is terminated. When the peak search process ends, the CPU 74 controls the in-focus state based on the position of the focus lens 84 when the contrast value reaches a peak.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the ranging area 152 that is enlarged according to the amount of change in the image magnification that changes with the change in the position of the focus lens 84 is set in advance before the peak detection operation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the subject image 154 from being out of the distance measurement area 152 during the peak detection operation. Therefore, according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the contrast value can be stably acquired based on the subject image 154 in the distance measuring area 152, and the contrast value change peak in the distance measuring area 152 is obtained. Detection accuracy can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4), and thus description thereof is omitted.

On the other hand, the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is different in part of the peak search process. In the first embodiment, when the size setting of the ranging area 152 is changed from the normal size, the position of the center of the ranging area 152 is not changed (the ranging area 152 is not moved). In the present embodiment, a mode will be described in which the position of the center of the distance measurement area 152 is changed as the size setting of the distance measurement area 152 is changed.

As described above, when the focus lens 84 is moved from the infinity side to the close side, the image magnification of the focus lens 84 changes in the direction in which the subject image 154 is reduced. Further, the position of the subject image 154 moves in a direction approaching the center 151 of the captured image 150. Therefore, when the focus lens 84 is moved from the infinity side to the close side, the CPU 74 of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment moves the center 153 of the distance measurement area 152 closer to the center 151 as in the example illustrated in FIG. Move in the direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the ranging

areas

152A, 152B, and 152C are schematically displayed on the captured image 150 in an overlapping manner. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the center 153A of the ranging area 152A corresponding to the case where the focus lens 84 is on the infinity side is the farthest from the center 151 of the captured image 150 and close to the outer edge. It approaches the center 151 of the captured image 150 in the order of the center 153B of the area 152B and the center 153C of the distance measurement area 152C.

On the other hand, as described above, when the focus lens 84 is moved from the closest side to the infinity side, the image magnification of the focus lens 84 changes in the direction in which the subject image 154 is enlarged. In addition, the position of the subject image 154 moves away from the center 151 of the captured image 150 (closer to the outer edge). Therefore, when the focus lens 84 is moved from the closest side to the infinity side, the CPU 74 of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment moves the center 153 of the distance measuring area 152 away from the center 151 as in the example illustrated in FIG. Move in the direction. Similar to FIG. 12, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the distance measurement areas 152 A, 152 B, and 152 C are schematically displayed on the captured image 150. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the center 153C of the distance measurement area 152C corresponding to the case where the focus lens 84 is on the closest side is the position closest to the center 151 of the captured image 150, and the center 153B of the distance measurement area 152B. , And the center 153A of the distance measurement area 152A, away from the center 151 of the captured image 150 and approach the outer edge.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the peak search process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the peak search process of this embodiment differs from the peak search process of the first embodiment (see FIG. 11) in that the process of step S111 is executed after step S110.

In step S111 shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 74 derives the position of the center 153 of the ranging area 152 based on the size of the ranging area 152 derived in step S110, and then proceeds to step S112. The CPU 74 of the present embodiment determines the center of the distance measurement area 152 in the captured image 150 based on the moving direction of the focus lens 84 (the direction toward the infinity side or the direction toward the closest side) and the size of the distance measurement area 152. The position of 153 is derived.

For example, when the peak search range is from the infinity side to the close side, and the focus lens 84 is moved from the infinity side to the close side, as shown in FIG. Is set to the size shown as the distance measurement area 152C instead of the normal size shown as the distance measurement area 152A. Further, the position of the center 153C is set to a position closer to the center 151 of the captured image 150 than the center 153A. A specific method for deriving the position of the center 153C by the CPU 74 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, among the four corners of the rectangular distance measuring area 152A and distance measuring area 152C, the positions of the corners (corners) farthest from the center 151 are matched, and The coordinates of the center 153C may be derived from the coordinates and the size of the distance measurement area 152C.

Further, for example, when the peak search range is from the near side to the infinity side, and the focus lens 84 is moved from the close side to the infinity side, the CPU 74 causes the distance measurement area as shown in FIG. The size of 152 is set to the size shown as the distance measurement area 152A instead of the normal size shown as the distance measurement area 152C. Further, the position of the center 153A is set to a position farther from the center 151 of the captured image 150 than the center 153C. A specific method for deriving the position of the center 153A by the CPU 74 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, among the four corners of the rectangular distance measuring area 152A and distance measuring area 152C, the positions of the corners (corners) closest to the center 151 are matched, and the coordinates of the matched corners are set. Then, the coordinates of the center 153A may be derived from the size of the distance measurement area 152A.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the size of the ranging area 152 is set to a size larger than the normal size in accordance with the amount of change in image magnification that changes with the change in the position of the focus lens 84. At the same time, the position of the center 153 of the distance measuring area 152 is changed according to the moving direction of the focus lens 84, that is, according to the changing direction of the position of the subject image 154.

In the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the position of the center 153 of the distance measurement area 152 is also changed according to the change direction of the image position, so that the subject image 154 is out of the distance measurement area 152. It can be suppressed more. Therefore, according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the contrast value can be acquired more stably based on the image 154 of the subject in the distance measuring area 152, and the peak of the contrast value in the distance measuring area 152 can be obtained. The detection accuracy can be further improved.

Further, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the position of the center 153 of the distance measurement area 152 is also changed according to the change direction of the image position. The size can be reduced. Thereby, in the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, since it is possible to suppress an image other than the subject image 154 from being included in the distance measurement area 152, a specific subject (subject corresponding to the subject image 154). It is possible to suppress focusing on a different subject. In other words, focusing on a specific subject can be facilitated, and focusing accuracy is improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

On the other hand, the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is different in part of the peak search process. As a method of the peak search process, when the peak of the contrast value is detected during the movement of the focus lens 84 in the peak detection operation, the movement of the focus lens 84 is stopped and the peak detection operation (peak search process) is performed. There is a known method for terminating the process. The peak position in the optical axis direction varies depending on the actual position of a specific subject. For this reason, in this method, the distance from the start position ps where the peak detection operation starts to the movement of the focus lens 84 to the movement of the focus lens 84, that is, the peak search range differs depending on the actual position of a specific subject. . Therefore, the amount of change in image magnification varies depending on the actual position of a specific subject.

The size of the distance measurement area 152 is the maximum value corresponding to the peak search range, and the size corresponding to the entire range between the infinity side and the close side where the peak search range is the widest range. In this case, the subject image 154 is sufficiently within the distance measurement area 152 regardless of the stop position of the focus lens 84. However, when the actual movement amount of the focus lens 84 is small and the change in the image magnification is small, the distance measurement area 152 is excessively large, and the distance measurement area 152 includes an image other than the subject image 154 excessively. As a result, focusing accuracy may be reduced.

On the other hand, if the peak detection operation is not actually performed, the position corresponding to the peak of the contrast value (the position of the focus lens 84) is unknown, so it is difficult to predict the actual peak search range in advance.

Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of peak search ranges are assumed, and a ranging area 152 having a size corresponding to each of a plurality of assumed peak search ranges is set.

The assumed peak search range is not particularly limited, but may be determined according to the depth of focus of the focus lens 84, for example. As a specific example in this case, there are three assumed peak search ranges p1, p2, and p3 shown in FIG. The first assumed peak search range p 1 is a range from the start position ps to 10 times the focal depth of the focus lens 84. FIG. 16 shows an example of a distance measurement area 152p1 having a size corresponding to the first assumed peak search range p1. The second assumed peak search range p2 is a range from the start position ps to 20 times the focal depth of the focus lens 84. FIG. 16 shows an example of a distance measurement area 152p2 having a size corresponding to the second assumed peak search range p2. The third assumed peak search range p3 is a search end (infinity: INF or closest: MOD) in the moving direction of the focus lens 84 from the start position ps. FIG. 16 shows an example of a distance measurement area 152p3 having a size corresponding to the third assumed peak search range p3. The size of each of the ranging areas 152p1 to 152p3 increases in the order of the first ranging area 152p1, the second ranging area 152p2, and the third ranging area 152p3.

Since the distance measurement areas 152p1 to 152p3 are different in size as shown in FIG. 16, the change in the contrast value detected from the images included in each of the distance measurement areas 152p1 to 152p3 and the position of the peak In FIG. 15, only one contrast value change is schematically shown in FIG. 15 for convenience of illustration.

As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, when performing the peak detection operation, the focus lens 84 is temporarily moved from the current position in the direction opposite to the movement direction for peak detection, and the moved position is determined. The start position ps of the peak detection operation is used as the reference position of the peak search range.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the peak search process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, in the peak search process of this embodiment, steps S108A, S110A, and S112A are used instead of steps S108, S110, and S112, as compared with the peak search process of the first embodiment (see FIG. 11). The point of executing the process is different.

In step S108A shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 74 derives the amount of change in the position of the subject image 154 in each of the assumed peak search ranges p1 to p3 in the same manner as in step S108 of the peak search process of the first embodiment.

In the next step S110A, the CPU 74 sets the size of the ranging areas 152p1 to p3 for each of the assumed peak search ranges p1 to p3 derived in step S108A based on the amount of change in the image position. This is set in the same manner as in step S110 of the peak search processing of the form.

In the next step S112A, the CPU 74 performs a peak detection operation. The present embodiment differs from the peak detection operation performed in step S112 of the peak search process of the first embodiment in the following points.

When the movement of the focus lens 84 is started, the CPU 74 of the present embodiment has a size corresponding to each of the assumed peak search ranges p1 to p3 set in step S110A for each position where the focus lens 84 is moved. Contrast values are detected for each of the ranging areas 152p1 to 152p3. When the CPU 74 detects the peak of the contrast value for all the distance measurement areas 152p1 to 152p3, the CPU 74 stops the movement of the focus lens 84.

The CPU 74 specifies an assumed peak search range having a minimum size in the range including the stop position (peak search end position pe) of the focus lens 84 among the assumed peak search ranges p1 to p3. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 15, there are two ranges including the actual peak search range end position pe, the second assumed peak search range p2 and the third assumed peak search range p3. The minimum range is the second assumed peak search range p2. For this reason, the CPU 74 specifies the second assumed peak search range p2.

Further, the CPU 74 determines a peak detected by the peak detection operation as a peak detected by the distance measuring area 152 corresponding to the specified assumed peak search range. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 74 determines a peak detected using the second assumed peak search range p2. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 74 changes the focus state based on the position of the focus lens 84 corresponding to the peak detected using the distance measuring area 152p2 corresponding to the second assumed peak search range p2. Control.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, in order to obtain a focused state from the peak of the contrast value detected using the ranging area 152 having an appropriate size according to the actual peak search range. The position of the focus lens 84 is determined. Therefore, according to the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, since the peak of the contrast value is detected by the distance measurement area 152 having an appropriate size, the focusing accuracy can be improved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4), and thus description thereof is omitted. Note that the CPU 74 of this embodiment is an example of an instruction unit of the present disclosure.

On the other hand, the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is different in part of the peak search process. In the peak search process, the subject may move during the peak detection operation. When the subject moves, the position of the subject image 154 in the captured image 150 also changes. As a method corresponding to such a case, there is a method called a so-called subject tracking mode. In the subject tracking mode, the CPU 74 uses the captured image 150 acquired during the peak detection operation to track the specific subject image 154 included in the captured image 150, and performs measurement according to the movement of the subject image 154. A movement process for moving the position of the distance area 152 is performed.

As described above, in the subject tracking mode, the position of the distance measuring area 152 is moved in accordance with the movement of the subject image 154. Therefore, even when the image magnification is changed by moving the position of the focus lens 84, the image magnification is changed. The position of the ranging area 152 is moved in accordance with the position of the subject image 154 moved in accordance with the change. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, the subject image 154 can be sufficiently accommodated in the distance measurement area 152 without changing the size of the distance measurement area 152. Therefore, in the peak search process of the present embodiment, when the subject tracking mode is executed, control is performed so that the size setting of the distance measurement area 152 remains the normal size.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the peak search process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, in the peak search process of this embodiment, the process of step S101 is executed between step S100 and step S102 as compared to the peak search process of the first embodiment (see FIG. 11). Is different.

In step S101 shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 74 determines whether or not to execute the subject tracking mode. In the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as an example, when the receiving device 62 receives an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode from the user, the subject tracking mode is executed by the CPU 74. Therefore, when the receiving device 62 receives an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode, the determination in step S101 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S106. Therefore, when the subject tracking mode is executed, a normal size is set as the size of the distance measurement area 152, and peak detection is performed by the distance measurement area 152 of the normal size.

On the other hand, if the receiving device 62 has not received an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode, the determination in step S101 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S102. Accordingly, when the subject tracking mode is not executed, as in the first embodiment, when the change amount of the image magnification exceeds a predetermined value, the size corresponding to the change amount of the image position is set as the size of the ranging area 152. Thus, peak detection is performed by the distance measuring area 152 having a size corresponding to the amount of change in the image position.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when executing the subject tracking mode in which the position of the ranging area 152 is moved according to the movement of the subject image 154, the size of the ranging area 152 is set to the normal size. It remains.

Therefore, according to the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, since it is possible to suppress an image other than the subject image 154 from being included in the distance measurement area 152, it is different from a specific subject corresponding to the subject image 154. Focusing on a subject can be suppressed, and focusing on a specific subject can be facilitated.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those described in the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, the mode in which the subject tracking mode is executed by the CPU 74 when the receiving device 62 receives an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode by the user has been described. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the subject tracking mode can be automatically executed even when the receiving device 62 has not received an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode by the user will be described.

When executing the subject tracking mode, the CPU 74 performs image analysis on the captured image 150, detects the face of the subject, etc., and performs processing for tracking the area including the detected face. In this process, template matching is performed on the plurality of captured images 150 acquired while the focus lens 84 is moving, thereby detecting a region including the face of the subject and detecting the position of the subject image 154 after the movement. Therefore, the calculation processing load is high and the calculation processing takes time. Therefore, if the frame rate during the peak detection operation becomes high, the calculation process cannot catch up, and the distance measurement area 152 may not be moved in real time.

Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, whether or not to execute the subject tracking mode is determined according to at least one of a frame rate and a time expected to be required for calculation processing (hereinafter referred to as “calculation expected time”). .

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the peak search process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, in the peak search process of this embodiment, each process of steps S101A, S101B, S101C, and S101D is executed instead of step S101 of the peak search process (see FIG. 18) of the fourth embodiment. Is different.

In step S101A shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the receiving device 62 has received an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode by the user. When the receiving device 62 receives an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode from the user, the determination in step S101A is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S106.

On the other hand, if the receiving device 62 has not received an instruction to execute the subject tracking mode by the user, the determination in step S101A is negative, and the process proceeds to step S101B.

In step S101B, the CPU 74 determines whether or not a value obtained by multiplying the frame rate f [Hz] by the calculation expected time t (sec) is equal to or less than a threshold value TH (f × t ≦ TH). In the present embodiment, by executing the processing of step S101B, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the arithmetic processing required to detect a change in the position of the subject cannot be caught because the frame rate is high. judge. Note that the threshold TH for use in this determination may be obtained in advance by experiments or the like and stored in the secondary storage unit 78. In addition, since the calculation expected time t varies depending on the size and / or resolution of the captured image 150, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of calculation predictions corresponding to the size and / or resolution of the captured image 150 are provided. The time t is stored in the secondary storage unit 78 in advance. The calculation expected time t of the present embodiment is an example of the predicted processing time of the present disclosure.

When the value obtained by multiplying the frame rate f by the calculation expected time t is equal to or less than the threshold value TH, the determination in step S101B is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S101C. In step S101C, the CPU 74 permits execution of the subject tracking mode.

On the other hand, if the value obtained by multiplying the frame rate f by the calculation expected time t is not less than the threshold value TH, in other words, if the value obtained by multiplying the frame rate f by the calculation expected time t exceeds the threshold value TH, step S101B Is negative, and the process proceeds to step S101D. In step S101D, the CPU 74 prohibits execution of the subject tracking mode.

For example, when the threshold value TH is 5 (TH = 5) and the calculation expected time t is 0.01 [sec], the following is performed according to the frame rate f.

When the frame rate f is 100 [Hz],
t × f = 0.01 × 100 = 1 ≦ TH
Therefore, the determination in step S101B is affirmative, and execution of the subject tracking mode is permitted in step S101C.

On the other hand, when the frame rate f is 1000 [Hz],
t × f = 0.01 × 1000 = 10> TH
Therefore, the determination in step S101B is negative, and execution of the subject tracking mode is prohibited in step S101D.

Thus, in this embodiment, when the frame rate f becomes high, the CPU 74 prohibits execution of the subject tracking mode.

Also, for example, when the threshold value TH is 5 (TH = 5) and the frame rate f is 100 [Hz], it is as follows according to the calculation expected time t.

When the calculation expected time t is 0.01 [sec], as described above, since t × f = 1 ≦ TH, step S101B is positively determined, and execution of the subject tracking mode is permitted in step S101C. The

On the other hand, when the calculation expected time t is 0.1 [sec],
t × f = 0.1 × 100 = 10> TH
Therefore, the determination in step S101B is negative, and execution of the subject tracking mode is prohibited in step S101D.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the calculation expected time t becomes longer, the CPU 74 prohibits execution of the subject tracking mode.

In the present embodiment, the determination as to whether the execution of the subject tracking mode is permitted or prohibited is made by comparing the value obtained by multiplying the frame rate f by the calculation expected time t with the threshold value TH. However, it is not limited to this embodiment. Any form may be used as long as it is determined whether to permit or prohibit execution of the subject tracking mode in accordance with at least one of the frame rate f and the calculation expected time t.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, it is expected that the ranging area 152 cannot be moved in real time when the subject tracking mode is executed according to at least one of the frame rate f and the calculation expected time t. When the change amount of the image magnification exceeds a predetermined value, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is increased in accordance with the change amount of the image magnification that changes as the position of the focus lens 84 changes.

Therefore, according to the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the probability that the subject image 154 is included in the distance measurement area 152.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those described in the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

In the fifth embodiment, execution of the subject tracking mode is prohibited when it is expected that the distance measurement area 152 cannot be moved in real time when the subject tracking mode is executed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, even if it is expected that the distance measurement area 152 cannot be moved in real time, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is set and the subject tracking mode is executed. explain.

When the peak detection operation is started in the peak search process, the position of the subject image 154 moves as in the example shown in FIG. 20 as the image magnification changes due to the movement of the focus lens 84. In FIG. 20, the horizontal axis represents the movement time of the focus lens 84, and the vertical axis represents the position (image position) of the subject image 154.

As described above, in the subject tracking mode, the position of the ranging area 152 in the captured image 150 is moved based on the result of the calculation process for detecting the position of the subject image 154 after the movement. Therefore, the subject cannot be tracked from the start time T0 when the peak detection operation is started until the first calculation result is obtained, and the position of the ranging area 152 is not fixed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image position in the time during which the computation process required for tracking the subject is performed, specifically, the time from the start time T0 until the computation process result is obtained (see the processing expected time in FIG. 20). The size of the distance measurement area 152 is set using the change amount D0.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the peak search process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the peak search process of this embodiment does not include the processes of steps S101C and S101D of the peak search process (see FIG. 19) of the fifth embodiment, and instead of step S108, The difference is that the process is executed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when an affirmative determination is made in step S101B shown in FIG. 21, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when it becomes negative determination by step S101B, it transfers to step S102.

In step S108B, the CPU 74 derives the change amount D0 of the position of the subject image 154 in the estimated processing time. The amount of change in the subject image 154 during the estimated processing time depends on the amount of movement of the focus lens 84 that has moved within the estimated processing time. Therefore, the CPU 74 of this embodiment derives the amount of movement of the focus lens 84 from a value obtained by multiplying the movement speed of the focus lens 84 and the estimated processing time. Furthermore, the CPU 74 multiplies the derived movement amount of the focus lens 84 by the variation amount of the image position per unit movement amount with respect to the movement amount of the focus lens 84, thereby deriving the variation amount D0 of the image position in the estimated processing time. To do. The estimated processing time may be stored in advance in the secondary storage unit 78 as a value obtained through experiments or the like, and the moving speed of the focus lens 84 may be stored in the secondary storage unit 78 in advance. That's fine.

Thereby, in the next step S110, the CPU 74 sets the size of the distance measurement area 152 based on the change amount D0 derived in step S108B.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, even when the distance measurement area 152 cannot be moved in real time during execution of the subject tracking mode, the position of the subject image 154 in the estimated processing time required for the calculation processing A distance measuring area 152 having a size corresponding to the amount of change D0 is set. Therefore, according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the subject image 154 can be sufficiently included in the distance measurement area 152 even during the period in which the position of the distance measurement area 152 during tracking of the subject does not move. Therefore, the focusing accuracy can be improved.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described in detail. In each of the above-described embodiments, one size of the distance measurement area 152 is set in advance before the peak detection operation, and the peak detection operation is performed in the distance measurement area 152 having the set size, thereby performing measurement during the peak detection operation. The embodiment in which the size of the distance area 152 is not changed has been described. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a mode in which the size of the ranging area 152 is changed according to the movement (position) of the focus lens 84 during the peak detection operation will be described. In the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the peak search process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, in the peak search process of the present embodiment, steps S110B and S112B are executed instead of steps S110 and S112, respectively, as compared with the peak search process of the first embodiment (see FIG. 11). Is different.

In step S110B shown in FIG. 22, the CPU 74 sets a plurality of sizes of the ranging area 152 based on the change amount D derived in step S108. In the present embodiment, as an example, the size of the distance measurement area 152 at the start position ps is set to the normal size, and the size of the distance measurement area 152 at the end position pe is set to a size with the change amount D as one side, and ends from the start position ps. The size of the distance measurement area 152 is set for each of a plurality of predetermined positions up to the position pe (for example, every predetermined interval). If the amount of change in the size of the ranging area 152 is S, the size obtained by sequentially adding the amount of change S derived from the following equation (2) to the normal size for each of a plurality of predetermined positions. Set as the size of.

S = (D-normal size) / number of predetermined positions (2)

That is, in step S108B of the present embodiment, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is set for each of a plurality of predetermined positions, and the distance measurement area 152 becomes larger as it approaches the end position pe.

In the next step S112B, the CPU 74 performs a peak detection operation. In the present embodiment, the peak detection operation itself performed in step S112 of the peak search process of the first embodiment is the same. However, the peak detection operation is performed while changing the size of the ranging area 152 to the size set in step S110B each time the position of the focus lens 84 reaches each of a plurality of predetermined positions. The points described below are different.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the size of the ranging area 152 changes during the peak detection operation. As the size of the distance measurement area 152 changes, the number of pixels of the image (in the distance measurement area 152) included in the distance measurement area 152 also changes. Therefore, the CPU 74 of the present embodiment is different from the peak detection operation of the first embodiment in that the detected contrast value is normalized. Specifically, the CPU 74 of the present embodiment has a case in which the width of the ranging area 152 is H (number of pixels), the height is V (number of pixels), and the contrast value detected from the ranging area 152 is C. Then, the contrast value per unit pixel is normalized by dividing the contrast value C by the value obtained by multiplying the width H and the height V (C / (H × V)).

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, during the peak detection operation, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is changed according to the movement (position) of the focus lens 84, thereby changing the image magnification change amount. Accordingly, the size of the distance measurement area 152 is increased. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the subject image 154 from being out of the distance measurement area 152 during the peak detection operation. Therefore, according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the contrast value can be stably acquired based on the subject image 154 in the distance measuring area 152, and the contrast value change peak in the distance measuring area 152 is obtained. Detection accuracy can be improved.

Note that it is needless to say that the mode of changing the size of the distance measurement area 152 according to the movement (position) of the focus lens 84 during the peak detection operation is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the process corresponding to step S108, instead of the change amount D corresponding to the end position pe, a plurality of change amounts D corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined positions are derived, and in the process corresponding to step S110B, The size of the ranging area 152 based on each of the plurality of change amounts D may be set for each of a plurality of corresponding predetermined positions.

As described above, the imaging device 10 of each of the above embodiments includes the imaging lens 14 including the focus lens 84, the imaging element 22 that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens 14, and An imaging element driver 50, an image processing unit 56 that generates a captured image according to an image signal, a focus lens driving unit 90 that moves the position of the focus lens 84 along the optical axis direction, a CPU 74, and a peak search program 79. And a main body side main control unit 46 including a secondary storage unit 78 for storing.

When the focus lens driving unit 90 moves the focus lens 84 by executing the peak search program 79, the CPU 74 determines the size of the distance measurement area 152 in the captured image 150 according to the movement of the position of the focus lens 84. The size is controlled by the control unit that performs control to set the size according to the change amount of the image magnification of the focus lens 84 that changes, and the control unit that changes according to the movement of the position of the focus lens 84 by the focus lens driving unit 90. Functions as a detection unit that detects the position of the focus lens 84 at which the contrast value of the image in the distance measuring area 152 reaches a peak. Then, the focus lens driving unit 90 moves the focus lens 84 to the position detected by the detection unit.

Therefore, in the imaging device 10 of each of the above embodiments, the subject image 154 can be prevented from being detached from the distance measurement area 152 and the subject image 154 can be sufficiently stored in the distance measurement area 152. The detection accuracy of the peak of the change in contrast value in the region 152 can be improved. Therefore, according to the imaging device 10 of each of the embodiments described above, since the in-focus state is controlled based on the position of the focus lens 84 when the contrast value reaches a peak, the in-focus accuracy can be improved.

In each of the above embodiments, when the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens 84 is large (when a negative determination is made in step S104 of the peak search process), the image magnification (the position of the subject image 154 is changed). A mode of setting the size of the distance measurement area 152 based on (change amount) has been described. In contrast to these forms, when the amount of change in the size setting of the ranging area 152 is large, the size of the ranging area 152 is limited to prevent the ranging area 152 from becoming excessively large. It is good also as a form to do. If the distance measurement area 152 is excessively large, an image other than the subject image 154 is excessively included in the distance measurement area 152, and there is a possibility that the focusing accuracy is lowered. Therefore, as described above, it is preferable to provide an upper limit value for the size of the distance measurement area 152. Examples of the upper limit include about 10% of the width (vertical width or horizontal width) of the captured image 150.

Further, in each of the embodiments described above, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the CPU 74 performs information 158 representing the set ranging area 152 in the captured image 150 displayed on the display 28 during the peak detection operation in the peak search process. (158A) may be superimposed and displayed. When displaying information representing the distance measurement area 152, as shown in FIG. 23, information 158A representing the distance measurement area 152 having a size corresponding to the setting may be displayed. Further, when the size of the distance measurement area 152 displayed on the display 28 changes, the user may feel uncomfortable, so as shown in FIG. 23, as shown in FIG. In other words, the information 158 representing the distance measurement area 152 with the normal size may be displayed.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the peak search program 79 is read from the secondary storage unit 78 is illustrated, but it is not always necessary to store the peak search program 79 in the secondary storage unit 78 from the beginning. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, a peak search is first performed on an arbitrary portable storage medium 250 such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) memory, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory). The program 79 may be stored. In this case, the peak search program 79 of the storage medium 250 is installed in the imaging apparatus main body 12, and the installed peak search program 79 is executed by the CPU 74.

Further, a peak search program 79 is stored in a storage unit such as another computer or a server device connected to the imaging apparatus body 12 via a communication network (not shown), and the peak search program 79 is stored in the imaging apparatus body 12. It may be downloaded on demand. In this case, the downloaded peak search program 79 is executed by the CPU 74.

In addition, the peak search process described in the above embodiments is merely an example. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, and the processing order may be changed within a range not departing from the spirit.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the peak search process is realized by a software configuration using a computer is illustrated, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, instead of a software configuration using a computer, the peak search process may be executed only by a hardware configuration such as FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the peak search process may be executed by a configuration combining a software configuration and a hardware configuration.

More specifically, the following various processors can be used as hardware resources for executing the peak search process described in the above embodiment. Examples of the processor include a CPU that is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource for executing peak search processing by executing software, that is, a program, as described above. Examples of the processor include a dedicated electric circuit that is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute specific processing such as FPGA, PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or ASIC.

The hardware resource for executing the peak search process may be composed of one of these various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs, or (Combination of CPU and FPGA). Moreover, one processor may be sufficient as the hardware resource which performs the various processes which concern on the technique of this indication.

As an example of configuring with one processor, first, as represented by a computer such as a client and a server, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor is used for peak search. There is a form that functions as a hardware resource for executing processing. Second, as represented by SoC (System-on-a-chip), etc., a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including a plurality of hardware resources for executing peak search processing with a single IC chip is used. There is a form to do. As described above, the peak search process is realized by using one or more of the various processors as hardware resources.

Furthermore, as a hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined can be used.

From the above description, the invention described in the following supplementary item 1 can be grasped.

[Additional Item 1]
An imaging lens including a focus lens, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens, an image generation unit that generates a captured image according to the image signal, and the focus In an imaging apparatus comprising: a moving unit that moves the position of the lens along the optical axis direction;
When the moving unit moves the focus lens, the size of the distance measurement area in the captured image is a size according to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens that changes with the movement of the position of the focus lens. A control processor for performing control to be set to
Detection that detects the position of the focus lens at which the contrast value of the image in the distance measurement area whose size is set by the control processor changes according to the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit. A processor;
With
The moving unit moves the focus lens to the position detected by the detection processor;
Imaging device.

In the present specification, “A and / or B” is synonymous with “at least one of A and B”. That is, “A and / or B” means that only A, B, or a combination of A and B may be used. Further, in this specification, the same concept as “A and / or B” is applied when expressing three or more things by connecting them with “and / or”.

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-043562, which is a Japanese application filed on March 9, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are the same as when individual documents, patent applications, and technical standards are specifically and individually described to be incorporated by reference. Incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

An imaging lens including a focus lens;
An imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens;
An image generation unit that generates a captured image according to the image signal;
A moving unit that moves the position of the focus lens along the optical axis direction;
When the moving unit moves the focus lens, the size of the distance measurement area in the captured image is a size according to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens that changes with the movement of the position of the focus lens. A control unit that performs control to be set to
Detection that detects the position of the focus lens at which the contrast value of the image within the distance measurement area whose size is set by the control unit changes according to the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit. And
With
The moving unit moves the focus lens to the position detected by the detecting unit;
Imaging device.
The control unit derives a change amount of the position of the image of the subject included in the distance measurement area from the change amount of the image magnification, and the distance measurement area based on the derived change amount of the position of the image of the subject Determine the size of
The imaging device according to claim 1.
The amount of change in the position of the image of the subject includes the amount of change in image magnification according to the peak detection range in which the focus lens moves by the moving unit when the detecting unit detects the peak, and Derived from the position,
The imaging device according to claim 2.
The control unit increases the size of the ranging area as the amount of change in the image magnification increases.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The control unit changes the position of the distance measurement area to a position facing the outer edge of the captured image when the image magnification is increased in accordance with the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit, and the image magnification is When reducing, change the position of the ranging area to a position toward the center of the captured image,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The control unit performs a movement process of moving the position of the ranging area in accordance with a change in the position of the image of the subject included in the ranging area;
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
An instruction unit for instructing execution of the movement process;
When the control unit executes the movement process in response to an instruction from the instruction unit, the control unit is included in the distance measurement area at an expected processing time required to derive the position of the image of the subject after the change. Deriving the amount of change in the position of the subject image;
The imaging device according to claim 6.
An instruction unit for instructing execution of the movement process;
When the control unit executes the movement process in response to an instruction from the instruction unit, the size of the distance measurement area to be set remains a predetermined size regardless of a change in the image magnification. ,
The imaging device according to claim 6.
The instruction unit instructs execution of the movement process according to at least one of an estimated processing time expected to be required for the movement process and a frame rate at which the imaging unit performs the imaging.
The imaging device according to claim 8.
The control unit uses a start position of the peak detection by the detection unit as a reference position, and is derived in correspondence with each of a plurality of ranges along the optical axis direction, each having a different distance from the reference position. Set the size of the ranging area of
The detection unit outputs a position of a peak detected for the ranging area having a size corresponding to a range including a position where the moving unit stops moving the position of the focus lens among the plurality of ranges. ,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
A display unit for displaying the captured image;
The control unit displays information representing the ranging area for the captured image displayed on the display unit.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The control unit sets the size of the distance measurement area in the information representing the distance measurement area to be displayed for the captured image to a predetermined size regardless of the set size of the distance measurement area. Leave,
The imaging device according to claim 11.
An imaging lens including a focus lens, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens, an image generation unit that generates a captured image according to the image signal, and the focus lens An image capturing method executed by an image capturing apparatus comprising: a moving unit that moves the position of
When the moving unit moves the focus lens, the size of the distance measurement area in the captured image is a size according to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens that changes with the movement of the position of the focus lens. Control to be set to
Detecting the position of the focus lens at which the contrast value of the image in the distance measuring area having a size that changes according to the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit is a peak;
Moving the focus lens to the detected position by the moving unit;
An imaging method including processing.
An imaging lens including a focus lens, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal obtained by imaging an optical image that has passed through the imaging lens, an image generation unit that generates a captured image according to the image signal, and the focus lens A computer that controls the imaging device, and a moving unit that moves the position of the
When the moving unit moves the focus lens, the size of the distance measurement area in the captured image is a size according to the amount of change in the image magnification of the focus lens that changes with the movement of the position of the focus lens. Control to be set to
Detecting the position of the focus lens at which the contrast value of the image in the distance measuring area having a size that changes according to the movement of the position of the focus lens by the moving unit is a peak;
Moving the focus lens to the detected position by the moving unit;
Program for executing processing.