# US 10,771,675 B2 · Imaging control apparatus and imaging control method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,771,675 B2 - Document ID: US10771675B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/303,547 - Filed: 2017-08-24 - Published: 2019-12-19 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-07 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Applicants: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Takayuki Hosokawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771675B2 ## CPC - G03B 13/00: Viewfinders; Focusing aids for cameras; Means for focusing for cameras; Autofocus systems for cameras - H04N 23/675: {comprising setting of focusing regions} - G02B 7/34: using different areas in a pupil plane - G02B 7/38: measured at different points on the optical axis {, e.g. focussing on two or more planes and comparing image data} - G03B 13/10: adjusting viewfinders field - G03B 13/32: Means for focusing - G03B 13/36: Autofocus systems - H04N 23/60: Control of cameras or camera modules - H04N 23/62: Control of parameters via user interfaces - H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders - H04N 23/672: {based on the phase difference signals} - H04N 25/704: Pixels specially adapted for focusing, e.g. phase difference pixel sets - 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) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The present disclosure includes an imaging control apparatus, an imaging control method, and an imaging apparatus. The imaging control apparatus includes a focal point detection control circuitry configured to receive first information from a range-finding area of a dedicated phase difference detection sensor and second information from a range-finding area of an image plane phase difference detection sensor, and detect a focal point based on at least one of the first information or the second information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging control apparatus comprising: a focal point detection control circuitry configured to receive first information from a range-finding area of a dedicated phase difference detection sensor and second information from a range-finding area of an image plane phase difference detection sensor, detect a focal point based on at least one of the first information or the second information, and determine whether synchronous processing is to be carried out, in accordance with whether the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in an imaging range. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor and the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor overlap with each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information from the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor and the second information from the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor are output during a series of auto-focus control procedures. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a selection circuitry that selects which one of the first information from the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor and the second information from the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor to use, on a basis of a predetermined condition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the selection circuitry selects the first information or the second information in accordance with at least one condition among an f-number, an extent of blur, and an amount of gain. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focal point detection control circuitry carries out the synchronous processing in a case where the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in a setting area set within the imaging range. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the synchronous processing is processing to associate the first information from the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor with the second information from the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor in accordance with a predetermined condition. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is whether a timing of an exposure center of gravity of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor matches or is approximate to a timing of an exposure center of gravity of the image plane phase difference detection sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the setting area is an area set by a user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the setting area is an area set in accordance with one of a plurality of modes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated phase difference detection sensor and the image plane phase difference detection sensor are line sensors capable of detecting patterns in the same direction or patterns in directions perpendicularly intersecting with each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is a sensor constituted by a pair of line sensors arranged in a cross form. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is provided at a location different from a location of the image plane phase difference detection sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one pixel of the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor has a one-to-one correspondence with at least one pixel of the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor corresponds to the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor with respect to an object in the imaging range of an imaging unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information and the second information are based on a common light source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is smaller than a size of the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor, and wherein the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor overlaps in a vicinity of a center of the range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor. ### Claim 18 An imaging control method, the method comprising: receiving, with a focal point detection control circuitry, first information from a range-finding area of a dedicated phase difference detection sensor and second information from a range-finding area of an image plane phase difference detection sensor; detecting, with the focal point detection control circuitry, a focal point on a basis of the first information and the second information; and determining, with the focal point detection control circuitry, whether synchronous processing is to be carried out, in accordance with whether the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in an imaging range. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The imaging control method according to claim 18, wherein determining, with the focal point detection control circuitry, whether the synchronous processing is to be carried out, in accordance with whether the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in the imaging range further includes determining whether the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in a setting area set within the imaging range; and carrying out the synchronous processing in response to determining that the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in the setting area set within the imaging range. ### Claim 20 An imaging apparatus comprising: a dedicated phase difference detection sensor; an image plane phase difference detection sensor; and a focal point detection control circuitry configured to receive first information from a range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor and second information from a range-finding area of the image plane phase difference detection sensor, detect a focal point based on at least one of the first information or the second information, and determine whether synchronous processing is to be carried out, in accordance with whether the range-finding area of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor is present in an imaging range.