Imaging device
In an imaging device with a wide dynamic range function by combining images, focus is controlled to establish an in-focus state for each image to enlarge the dynamic range with reducing blur, thereby improving visibility. The device includes an imaging unit with a variable focal distance focus lens, an exposure controller for controlling the imaging unit's exposure to implement several shooting operations for a subject with different sensitivity, a processing unit for processing a signal outputted from the imaging unit to generate an image signal and a focus evaluation value indicating focus degree, an image combining unit for combining signals generated by the processing unit and outputting the combined signal, the processing unit generates a focus evaluation value for each outputted signal and the focus controller controls the focus lens for shooting operations of the imaging unit with mutually different sensitivity values, based on focus evaluation values respectively associated therewith.
1. An imaging device, comprising:
imaging means comprising a focus lens having a variable focal distance;
exposure control mean for controlling exposure of the imaging means;
focus control means for controlling the focus lens for a plurality of shooting operations by the imaging means with different sensitivity values under control of the exposure control mean, to thereby obtain a predetermined focal distance for each of the sensitivity values;
signal processing means for processing a signal obtained by conducting a shooting operation by the imaging means under control of the exposure control mean and the focus control means, to thereby create a plurality of in-focus images of mutually different sensitivity values; and
image combining means for combining with each other the plural in-focus images of mutually different sensitivity values created from the signal processing means into a combined image and outputting the combined image therefrom;
wherein the signal processing means processes a signal obtained by conducting a shooting operation by the imaging means, to thereby create focus evaluation values respectively corresponding to a plurality of signals of mutually different sensitivity values; and
wherein the focus control means beforehand sets focal distance for each of the sensitivity values based on the focus evaluation value created by the signal processing means.
2. An imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising timing control means for controlling exposure control timing of the exposure control means, signal processing timing of the signal processing means, image combining timing of the image combining means, and focus control timing of the focus control means.
3. An imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the focus control means conducts control to drive a focus of the imaging means to move during a period of time in which the imaging means is not conducting exposure.
4. An imaging device, comprising:
imaging means comprising a focus lens having a variable focal distance;
exposure control mean for controlling exposure in the imaging means, to thereby implement a plurality of shooting operations for one subject with mutually different sensitivity values;
camera signal processing means for executing camera signal processing for a signal outputted from the imaging means, to thereby create an image signal and a focus evaluation value indicating a degree of focus;
image combining means for combining with each other a plurality of image signals of mutually different sensitivity values created by the camera signal processing means into a combined signal and outputting the combined signal therefrom;
dynamic range control means for controlling exposure control processing of the exposure control means, camera signal processing of the camera signal processing means, and image combining processing of the image combining means; and
focus control means for controlling the focus lens of the imaging means based on the focus evaluation value outputted from the camera signal processing means, to thereby adjust a focal distance of the focus lens, wherein:
the camera signal processing means creates a focus evaluation value for each of a plurality of image signals of mutually different sensitivity values outputted from the imaging means;
the focus control means controls the focus lens for shooting operations with substantially equal sensitivity based on focus evaluation values respectively associated therewith; and
the image combining means combines with each other a plurality of image signals of mutually different sensitivity values and in an in-focus state into a combined image signal and outputs the combined image signal therefrom.
5. An imaging device according to claim 4 , further comprising:
timing control means for controlling exposure control timing of the exposure control means, signal processing timing of the camera signal processing means, image signal combining timing of the image combining means, and focus control timing of the focus control means, wherein
the timing control means controls the signal processing timing of the camera signal processing means and the control timing of the focus control means such that
the camera signal processing means creates a focus evaluation value for each of the plural image signals of mutually different sensitivity values outputted from the imaging means and
the focus control means controls the focus lens for shooting operations with substantially equal sensitivity based on focus evaluation values respectively associated therewith.
6. An imaging device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
focus control information recording means for writing therein and reading therefrom control information to be used by the focus control means to conduct focus control, wherein
when controlling a focus for a plurality of shooting operations with mutually different sensitivity values by the imaging means based on timing controlled by the timing control means, the focus control means reads, from the focus control information recording means, control information in a shooting operation with sensitivity in the past, the sensitivity being substantially equal to that in the pertinent focus control; employs the control information for the pertinent focus control of the imaging means, and records latest control information in the shooting operation with the sensitivity in the focus control information recording means.
7. An imaging device according to claim 4 , wherein the focus control means conducts control to drive a focus of the imaging means to move only during a period of time in which the imaging means is not conducting exposure.
8. An imaging device, comprising:
imaging means comprising a focus lens having a variable focal distance;
exposure control mean for controlling exposure in the imaging means, to thereby implement a plurality of shooting operations for one subject with mutually different sensitivity values;
camera signal processing means for executing camera signal processing for a signal outputted from the imaging means, to thereby create an image signal and a focus evaluation value indicating a degree of focus;
image combining means for combining with each other a plurality of image signals of mutually different sensitivity values created by the camera signal processing means into a combined signal and outputting the combined signal therefrom, wherein:
in an operation to carry out a plurality of shooting operations for one subject with mutually different sensitivity values, the imaging means conducts, for each of the sensitivity values, a plurality of shooting operations for one subject with substantially equal sensitivity and with mutually different focal distance values; and
the image combining means combines with each other the image signals of mutually different sensitivity values and mutually different focal distance values into a combined signal and outputs the combined image signal therefrom.