IP Library Granted Patent US 9,118,828
Granted Patent B2
US 9,118,828 · App. 13/673,491 · Granted Aug 25, 2015

Imaging device and control method for imaging device

Inventor: Atsuro Okazawa (Hino, JP)
Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
H04N5/23212H04N5/3696
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,118,828
App. No.
13/673,491
Granted
Aug 25, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging device of the present invention comprises an image sensor provided with phase detection pixels for focus detection at some of its pixels, a contrast information detection section for detecting contrast information of a formed image from pixels, among pixel data output from the image sensor, positioned close to the phase detection pixels, a phase detection pixel correction determination section for determining whether or not to correct data of the phase detection pixel based on the detected contrast information, a weighting determination section for determining a weighting for neighboring pixels to the phase detection pixels based on the detected contrast information, a pixel correction section for carrying out weighted correction of the phase detection pixels based on the determined weighting, and a color conversion processing section for carrying out conversion processing for display of the image data or to create an image for storage, after the pixel correction.

Claims (26)

1. An imaging device, comprising:

an image sensor provided with phase detection pixels for focus detection at some of its pixels,

a contrast information detection circuit that detects contrast information of a formed image from pixels, among pixel data output from the image sensor, positioned close to the phase detection pixels,

a phase detection pixel correction determination circuit that determines whether or not to correct data of the phase detection pixel based on the detected contrast information,

a weighting determination circuit that, when it has been determined by the phase detection pixel correction determination circuit that the phase detection pixel will be corrected, determines a weighting for output calculated from outputs of neighboring pixels to the phase detection pixels and gain corrected output of the phase detection pixel based on the detected contrast information,

a pixel correction circuit that carries out weighted correction of the phase detection pixels based on the determined weighting, and

a color conversion processing circuit that carries out conversion processing for display of the image data or to create an image for storage, after the pixel correction;

wherein the contrast information detection circuit detects a difference added value and a difference maximum value of pixels values for neighboring pixels to the phase detection pixel as contrast information.

2. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein:

the weighting determination circuit makes an appropriate proportion of interpolation pixels smaller in the case where the difference added value or the difference maximum value is small than in a case where the difference added value or the difference maximum value is large.

3. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein:

other phase detection pixels are not included in the peripheral pixels used in correction of the phase detection pixel.

4. The imaging device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a shooting selection circuit that selects still picture shooting and movie shooting, wherein correction of the phase detection pixels is carried out when movie shooting has been selected.

5. An imaging device, comprising:

an image sensor provided with phase detection pixels for focus detection at some of its pixels,

a contrast information detection circuit that detects contrast information of a formed image from pixels, among pixel data output from the image sensor, positioned close to the phase detection pixels,

a weighting determination circuit that determines a weighting for output calculated from outputs of neighboring pixels to the phase detection pixels and gain corrected output of the phase detection pixel based on the detected contrast information,

a pixel correction circuit that carries out weighted correction of the phase detection pixels based on the determined weighting, and

a color conversion processing circuit that carries out, conversion processing for display of the image data or to create an image for storage, after the pixel correction;

wherein the contrast information detection circuit detects a difference added value and a difference maximum value for neighboring pixels of pixel values to the phase detection pixel as contrast information.

6. A control method for an imaging device having a group of imaging pixels and a group of phase detection pixels, comprising:

an adjustment step of adjusting gain for the phase detection pixel group,

a detection step of detecting a difference added value and difference maximum value of pixel values, of a pixel group that is close to the phase detection pixels of an image sensor,

a determination step of determining, based on the difference added value and difference maximum value that was detected in the detection step, an appropriate proportion of output calculated from outputs of the pixel group that is close to the phase detection pixel and the phase detection pixels, and

an interpolation step of interpolating the phase detection pixels in accordance with the result of the determination step.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 27, 2016
From: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039344/0502 →
MERGER Recorded May 7, 2015
From: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035615/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2013
From: OKAZAWA, ATSURO
To: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Reel/Frame 029594/0211 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-247209 · Nov 11, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130120609A1 · May 16, 2013