IP Library Granted Patent US 12,634,580
Granted Patent B2
US 12,634,580 · App. 18/906,481 · Granted May 19, 2026

Image capturing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium

Inventors: Junichi Imamiya (Kanagawa, JP); Tsukasa Hirabayashi (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
H04N23/67H04N13/332
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,634,580
App. No.
18/906,481
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing device configured to photoelectrically convert a first optical image formed by a first imaging optical system, and configured to also photoelectrically convert a second optical image formed by a second imaging optical system arranged in parallel with the first optical system, a calculating unit configured to calculate a three-dimensional range, which is a range of a subject distance of the image capturing device in which a three-dimensional image looks three-dimensional, and a control unit configured to control the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to limit a range of a subject distance in which automatic focusing of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system is performed to within the three-dimensional range and perform automatic focusing.

Claims (59)

1 . An image capturing apparatus, comprising:

an image capturing device configured to photoelectrically convert a first optical image formed by a first imaging optical system to output a first image, and configured to also photoelectrically convert a second optical image formed by a second imaging optical system arranged in parallel with the first optical system to output a second image; and

at least one processor or circuit configured to function as:

a calculating unit configured to, when the first image and the second image are displayed on a display apparatus, calculate a three-dimensional range, which is a range of a subject distance of the image capturing device in which a three-dimensional image looks three-dimensional; and

a control unit configured to control the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to limit a range of a subject distance in which automatic focusing of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system is performed to within the three-dimensional range and perform automatic focusing.

2 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor or circuit configured to further function as:

a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection on a basis of a signal obtained via photoelectric conversion of light incident via the first imaging optical system and a second focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection on a basis of a signal obtained via photoelectric conversion of light incident via the second imaging optical system.

3 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the calculating unit calculates the three-dimensional range on a basis of a size of the display apparatus that displays the first image and the second image, a viewing distance, a parallax angle which is a difference between a convergence angle and an angle when a three-dimensional image jumps out and when a three-dimensional image recedes back at a virtual position, an interval between an optical axis of the first imaging optical system and an optical axis of the second imaging optical system, and angle of view information at a time of image capture.

4 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor or circuit configured to further function as:

an input unit configured to input the size of the display apparatus and the viewing distance.

5 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein

the size of the display apparatus and the viewing distance are a size of a display and a viewing distance in a virtual space of a head mounted display.

6 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor or circuit configured to further function as:

an input unit configured to input the parallax angle.

7 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein

the interval between the optical axis of the first imaging optical system and the optical axis of the second imaging optical system is obtained from the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system or input by a user.

8 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein

the angle of view information at the time of image capture is obtained from the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system or calculated on a basis of information including a size of an image sensor and a focal length of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system.

9 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the display apparatus displays the three-dimensional range on a display screen of a live view image obtained via the image capturing device.

10 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit does not put a limit on the three-dimensional range on an infinite distance side of a subject distance.

11 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

the first focus detection unit and the second focus detection unit detect a first defocus amount of the first imaging optical system and a second defocus amount of the second imaging optical system on a basis of a signal of a pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that receive a light beam that passes through a different pupil area of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system.

12 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein

the control unit obtains a defocus amount used in focusing of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system on a basis of the first defocus amount and/or the second defocus amount.

13 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the control unit sets a defocus amount with a highest reliability from among the first defocus amount and the second defocus amount as the defocus amount used in the focusing.

14 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the control unit calculates an average value of the first defocus amount and the second defocus amount and sets the average value as the defocus amount used in the focusing.

15 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the calculating unit obtains information of a captured current subject distance from the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system or calculates the information of the captured current subject distance via triangulation.

16 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the control unit, in a case where a target image capture distance based on the defocus amount used in the focusing is in the three-dimensional range, uses the defocus amount used in the focusing to focus the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system.

17 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the control unit, in a case where a target image capture distance based on the defocus amount used in the focusing is outside the three-dimensional range, moves focus lenses of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to a position of an end of an image capture distance of the three-dimensional range.

18 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the control unit, in a case where a target image capture distance based on the defocus amount used in the focusing is outside the three-dimensional range and a captured current subject distance is outside the three-dimensional range, moves focus lenses of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to an end of an image capture distance of the three-dimensional range before searching and driving the focus lenses at a predetermined speed.

19 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit, in a case where a captured current subject distance is outside the three-dimensional range, does not drive focus lenses of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system.

20 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor or circuit configured to further function as:

notification unit configured to notify that a captured current subject distance is outside the three-dimensional range.

21 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor or circuit configured to further function as:

notification unit configured to notify that a target image capture distance based on the defocus amount used in the focusing is outside the three-dimensional range.

22 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein

the notification unit displays a warning on the display apparatus via text or an icon.

23 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein

the notification unit warns via sound.

24 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein

the notification unit warns via a different AF frame display.

25 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein

the notification unit performs a superimpose display on a subject on a live view screen.

26 . A method for controlling an image capturing apparatus including an image capturing device configured to photoelectrically convert a first optical image formed by a first imaging optical system to output a first image, and configured to also photoelectrically convert a second optical image formed by a second imaging optical system arranged in parallel with the first optical system to output a second image, the method comprising:

when the first image and the second image are displayed on a display apparatus, calculating a three-dimensional range, which is a range of a subject distance of the image capturing means in which a three-dimensional image looks three-dimensional; and

controlling the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to limit a range of a subject distance in which automatic focusing of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system is performed to within the three-dimensional range and perform automatic focusing.

27 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for controlling an image capturing apparatus including an image capturing device configured to photoelectrically convert a first optical image formed by a first imaging optical system to output a first image, and configured to also photoelectrically convert a second optical image formed by a second imaging optical system arranged in parallel with the first optical system to output a second image, the method comprising:

when the first image and the second image are displayed on a display apparatus, calculating a three-dimensional range, which is a range of a subject distance of the image capturing means in which a three-dimensional image looks three-dimensional; and

controlling the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system to limit a range of a subject distance in which automatic focusing of the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system is performed to within the three-dimensional range and perform automatic focusing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2024
From: IMAMIYA, JUNICHI; HIRABAYASHI, TSUKASA
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 069161/0702 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2023-177769 · Oct 13, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250126357A1 · Apr 17, 2025
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