# US 10,484,593 B2 · Focus detection device, focus adjustment device and camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,484,593 B2 - Document ID: US10484593B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/894,185 - Filed: 2018-02-12 - Published: 2018-06-14 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-25 - Assignees: Nikon Corporation - Applicants: Nikon Corporation - Inventors: Naoyuki Ohnishi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10484593B2 ## CPC - G02B 7/34: using different areas in a pupil plane - G03B 3/10: Power-operated focusing - G03B 13/36: Autofocus systems - G06V 10/147: Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses (fingerprint or palmprint sensors G06V40/13; vascular sensors G06V40/145; eye sensors G06V40/19) - H04N 23/672: {based on the phase difference signals} - G03B 19/12: Reflex cameras with single objective and a movable reflector or a partly-transmitting mirror - G06F 2218/14: by matching peak patterns - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A focus detection device includes: a plurality of micro-lenses at which light fluxes through an image forming optical system enter, disposed in a two-dimensional array pattern; a plurality of light receiving elements disposed in correspondence to each of the plurality of micro-lenses; a focus detection unit that executes a detection of a defocus quantity of the image forming optical system by detecting, based upon outputs from the plurality of light receiving elements, a phase difference of a plurality of light fluxes through different areas of the image forming optical system; and a recognition unit that recognizes, based upon the outputs from the plurality of light receiving elements, characteristics of a subject image formed onto the plurality of light receiving elements via the plurality of micro-lenses, wherein: the focus detection unit detects the defocus quantity through a method optimal for the characteristics of the subject image recognized by the recognition unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detection device, comprising: a light receiving unit that comprises a micro-lens and a plurality of light receiving elements that receive light transmitted through an optical system and the micro-lens and outputs a signal; and a controller that includes a processor and executes: detecting, based upon the signal outputted by the plurality of the light receiving elements, an offset quantity between a position at which an image is formed by the optical system and the light receiving unit; and changing, based upon the signal outputted by the plurality of the light receiving elements, at least one of a position and a number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes changing at least one of the position and the number of the light receiving elements, in case that (1) the offset quantity is less than a first threshold value, (2) signals outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements are inversed, (3) a change of the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements is equal to or more than a second threshold value, or (4) a change of the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements is less than a third threshold value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes changing a position of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the offset quantity is less than a first threshold value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The detection device according to claim 3, wherein the controller executes changing the light receiving element to be used for detecting the offset quantity to a light receiving element disposed at a position close to a light axis of the optical system, in case that the offset quantity is less than the first threshold value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes changing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the signals outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements are inversed or a change of the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements is equal to or more than a second threshold value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The detection device according to claim 5, wherein the controller executes decreasing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the signals outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements are inversed or a change of the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements is equal to or more than a second threshold value. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes changing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that a change of the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements is less than a third threshold value. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The detection device according to claim 7 wherein the controller executes increasing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that a change of the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements is less than a third threshold value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes changing at least one of the position and the number of the light receiving elements, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes a cycle pattern, an edge pattern or a graduation pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The detection device according to claim 9, wherein the controller executes changing a position of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes the cycle pattern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The detection device according to claim 9, wherein the controller executes changing the light receiving element to be used for detecting the offset quantity to a light receiving element disposed at a position close to a light axis of the optical system, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes the cycle pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The detection device according to claim 9, wherein the controller executes changing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes the edge pattern. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The detection device according to claim 12, wherein the controller executes decreasing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes the edge pattern. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The detection device according to claim 9, wherein the controller executes changing s the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes the graduation pattern. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The detection device according to claim 14, wherein the controller executes increasing the number of the light receiving elements to be used for detecting the offset quantity, in case that the image formed by the optical system includes the graduation pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller executes matching an f-number of aperture included in the optical system for detecting the offset quantity to an f-number of the micro-lens. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving unit comprises a plurality of micro-lenses; and the plurality of the light receiving elements are disposed to each of the plurality of micro-lenses. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An imaging device, comprising: the detection device according to claim 1; and a generation unit that includes a processor and executes generating image data based upon the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements. ### Claim 19 A detection device, comprising: a light receiving unit that comprises a micro-lens and a plurality of light receiving elements that receive light transmitted through an optical system and the micro-lens and outputs a signal; and a controller that includes a processor and executes: recognizing a pattern included in an image formed by the optical system based upon the signal outputted by the plurality of light receiving elements; and controlling a position of a focusing lens included in the optical system to a direction in which a cycle in the recognized pattern is lengthened.