IP Library Granted Patent US 10,212,378
Granted Patent B2
US 10,212,378 · App. 15/454,862 · Granted Feb 19, 2019

Image capturing apparatus

Inventor: Norio Negishi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
H04N5/378H04N5/357H04N5/3696H04N9/045H04N5/374
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,212,378
App. No.
15/454,862
Granted
Feb 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image capturing apparatus is provided with a pixel array that has a plurality of image forming pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels, a readout unit that reads out a pixel signal from the pixel array, an A/D conversion unit that has a first mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a first resolution and a second mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, and a control unit that switches between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with the pixel signal read out from the pixel array.

Claims (22)

1. An image capturing apparatus comprising:

a pixel array that has a plurality of image forming pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels; and

one or more circuits configured to function as:

a readout unit that reads out a pixel signal from the pixel array;

an A/D conversion unit that has a first mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a first resolution and a second mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution; and

a control unit that switches between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with a magnitude relationship between a signal level of the pixel signal read out from the pixel array and a reference level.

2. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the plurality of focus detection pixels are discretely arranged among the plurality of image forming pixels.

3. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control unit performs A/D conversion in the first mode in a case where the signal level of the pixel signal is higher than or equal to the reference level.

4. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control unit changes the reference level between a case of reading out a signal of the image forming pixel and a case of reading out a signal of the focus detection pixel.

5. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein the control unit sets the reference level to be lower in a case of reading out the signal of the focus detection pixel than in a case of reading out the signal of the image forming pixel.

6. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control unit changes the reference level depending on an f-number of an aperture of an imaging optical system.

7. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 6 ,

wherein the control unit sets the reference level to high in a case where the f-number of the aperture of the imaging optical system is larger than a predetermined value.

8. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control unit changes the reference level in accordance with a scene of a subject to be shot.

9. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control unit changes the reference level based on a defocus amount.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 2, 2017
From: NEGISHI, NORIO
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 042669/0650 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-047364 · Mar 10, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170264846A1 · Sep 14, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,192,644