# US 10,375,295 B2 · Imaging device having autofocus capability > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,375,295 B2 - Document ID: US10375295B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/967,876 - Filed: 2018-05-01 - Published: 2018-08-30 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2006-11-28 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Applicants: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Shinichi Fujii - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10375295B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/672: {based on the phase difference signals} - H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders - H04N 23/673: {based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method} - H04N 25/134: {based on three different wavelength filter elements} - H04N 25/703: SSIS architectures incorporating pixels for producing signals other than image signals - H04N 25/704: Pixels specially adapted for focusing, e.g. phase difference pixel sets - H04N 25/78: Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging device, comprising: an imager configured to: generate an image signal of a subject; and determine an in-focus position of a focus lens based on a contrast focus evaluation value and a phase difference focus defocus value, wherein the contrast focus evaluation value is determined based on a contrast auto focus (AF) method from a first part of the image signal read from a normal pixel of the imager, and the phase difference focus defocus value is determined based on a phase difference AF method from a second part of the image signal read from a phase difference pixel of the imager; and at least one processor configured to drive the focus lens to the in-focus position that corresponds to a peak focus evaluation value among a plurality of focus evaluation values, wherein the focus lens is driven based on a determination that a ratio of the peak focus evaluation value to a previous focus evaluation value, prior to the peak focus evaluation value, is within a range of values. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the peak focus evaluation value is highest among the plurality of focus evaluation values. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the normal pixel comprises a first color filter and the phase difference pixel comprises a second color filter, and the first color filter and the second color filter are of same color. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the normal pixel and the phase difference pixel are along a same direction. ### Claim 5 A method, comprising: in an imaging device: generating, by an imager, an image signal of a subject; determining, by the imager, an in-focus position of a focus lens based on a contrast focus evaluation value and a phase difference focus defocus value, wherein the contrast focus evaluation value is determined based on a contrast auto focus (AF) method from a first part of the image signal read from a normal pixel of the imager, and the phase difference focus defocus value is determined based on a phase difference AF method from a second part of the image signal read from a phase difference pixel of the imager; and driving, by at least one processor, the focus lens to the in-focus position that corresponds to a peak focus evaluation value among a plurality of focus evaluation values, wherein the focus lens is driven based on determination that a ratio of the peak focus evaluation value to a previous focus evaluation value, prior to the peak focus evaluation value is within a range of values. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the peak focus evaluation value is highest among the plurality of focus evaluation values. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the normal pixel comprises a first color filter and the phase difference pixel comprises a second color filter, and the first color filter and the second color filter are of same color. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the normal pixel and the phase difference pixel are along a same direction. ### Claim 9 A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute operations, the operations comprising: generating an image signal of a subject; determining an in-focus position of a focus lens based on a contrast focus evaluation value and a phase difference focus defocus value, wherein the contrast focus evaluation value is determined based on a contrast auto focus (AF) method from a first part of the image signal read from a normal pixel of an imager, and the phase difference focus defocus value is determined based on a phase difference AF method from a second part of the image signal read from a phase difference pixel of the imager; and driving the focus lens to the in-focus position that corresponds to a peak focus evaluation value among a plurality of focus evaluation values, wherein the focus lens is driven based on determination that a ratio of the peak focus evaluation value to a previous focus evaluation value, prior to the peak focus evaluation value is within a range of values. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the peak focus evaluation value is highest among the plurality of focus evaluation values. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the normal pixel comprises a first color filter and the phase difference pixel comprises a second color filter, and the first color filter and the second color filter are of same color. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the normal pixel and the phase difference pixel are along a same direction.