Imaging device

Abstract

Herein disclosed is an imaging device having an imaging optical system, the device including: an imaging element configured to include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged along a predetermined direction; a first processor configured to execute focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels; and a second processor configured to execute specific processing based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels, the specific processing being different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and being necessary for a function of the imaging device.

Description

[0001]CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-319783 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Nov. 28, 2006, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to an imaging device having an imaging optical system.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]As a technique in a digital camera (imaging device), a technique is known in which auto focus control by a phase difference detection system (hereinafter, referred to also as “phase difference AF”) is implemented by using an imaging element that includes pixels each having divided inside and plural photoelectric converters (hereinafter, referred to also as “divided pixels”).[0007]For example, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-305415 (hereinafter, Patent Document 1), the respective photoe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]There is a need for the present invention to provide an imaging device that can execute specific processing necessary for camera functions other than phase difference AF with high accuracy by using an imaging element that has pixels for the phase difference AF.

[0012]According to the embodiment of the present invention, focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system is executed based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels that receive subject light beams that have passed through a pair of partial areas of the exit pupil of the imaging optical system. Furthermore, based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels that receive a subject light beam that has passed through the entire area of the exit pupil of the imaging optical system, specific processing that is different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and is necessary for a function of the imaging device is executed. As a result, by using an imaging element having pixels (the above-described second pixels) for phase difference AF, specific processing necessary for camera functions other than the phase difference AF can be executed with high accuracy.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, there is a fear that the focusing accuracy of this contrast AF is lower than that of existing contrast AF.

Accordingly, it is difficult for the contrast AF by use of the outputs of the divided pixels to ensure accuracy equal to that of existing contrast AF.

In addition, if auto exposure control (AE), auto white balance control (AWB), and so on are implemented based on the outputs of the divided pixels similarly to the above-described contrast AF, there is a fear that the accuracy of these specific controls necessary for camera functions is also lower than that of existing controls.

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