Focus detection apparatus and method, and image capturing apparatus

A focus detection apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of sensors for focus detection that correspond to a plurality of predetermined focus detection areas, and in which electric charges corresponding to received light accumulate;
• and
• a controller configured to control accumulation in the sensors,
• wherein the controller monitors a signal that is based on electric charges accumulated in each of the sensors, performs first control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which the signal has exceeded a predetermined threshold value among the sensors, and second control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which accumulation of electric charges has not been stopped in a case where an accumulation period of electric charges has reached a predetermined maximum accumulation period, and sets the maximum accumulation period of a sensor that is different from a first sensor in which accumulation has been stopped first by the first control, based on an accumulation period of the first sensor, and
• the maximum accumulation period of the sensor that is different from the first sensor is changed according to whether or not a predetermined condition, including a condition that a flicker light source is included in the focus detection areas, is satisfied.

An image capturing apparatus comprising:

• an image capturing unit;
• and
• a focus detection apparatus comprising:
• a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a flicker light source is included in a plurality of predetermined focus detection areas;
• a plurality of sensors for focus detection that correspond to the focus detection areas, and in which electric charges corresponding to received light accumulate;
• and
• a controller configured to control accumulation in the sensors,
• wherein the controller monitors a signal that is based on electric charges accumulated in each of the sensors, performs first control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which the signal has exceeded a predetermined threshold value among the sensors, and second control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which accumulation of electric charges has not been stopped in a case where an accumulation period of electric charges has reached a predetermined maximum accumulation period, and sets the maximum accumulation period of a sensor that is different from a first sensor in which accumulation has been stopped first by the first control, based on a result of determination performed by the determination unit and the accumulation period of the first sensor.

An image capturing apparatus comprising:

• an image capturing unit;
• and
• a focus detection apparatus comprising:
• a plurality of sensors for focus detection that correspond to a plurality of predetermined focus detection areas, and in which electric charges corresponding to received light accumulate;
• and
• a controller configured to control accumulation in the sensors,
• wherein the controller monitors a signal that is based on electric charges accumulated in each of the sensors, performs first control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which the signal has exceeded a predetermined threshold value among the sensors, and second control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which accumulation of electric charges has not been stopped in a case where an accumulation period of electric charges has reached a predetermined maximum accumulation period, and sets the maximum accumulation period of a sensor that is different from a first sensor in which accumulation has been stopped first by the first control, based on an accumulation period of the first sensor, and
• the maximum accumulation period of the sensor that is different from the first sensor is changed according to whether or not a predetermined condition, including a condition that a flicker light source is included in the focus detection areas, is satisfied.

A control method of a focus detection apparatus having a plurality of sensors for focus detection that correspond to a plurality of predetermined focus detection areas, and in which electric charges corresponding to received light accumulate and a controller configured to control accumulation in the sensors, the control method comprising:

• determining whether or not a flicker light source is included in the focus detection areas;
• monitoring a signal that is based on electric charges accumulated in each of the sensors, and performing first control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which the signal has exceeded a predetermined threshold value among the sensors, and second control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which accumulation of electric charges has not been stopped in a case where an accumulation period of electric charges has reached a predetermined maximum accumulation period;
• and
• setting the maximum accumulation period of a sensor that is different from a first sensor in which accumulation has been stopped first by the first control, based on a result of determination in the determining and the accumulation period of the first sensor.

A control method of a focus detection apparatus having a plurality of sensors for focus detection that correspond to a plurality of predetermined focus detection areas, and in which electric charges corresponding to received light accumulate and a controller configured to control accumulation in the sensors, the control method comprising:

• monitoring a signal that is based on electric charges accumulated in each of the sensors, and performing first control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which the signal has exceeded a predetermined threshold value among the sensors, and second control for stopping accumulation in a sensor in which accumulation of electric charges has not been stopped in a case where an accumulation period of electric charges has reached a predetermined maximum accumulation period;
• and
• setting the maximum accumulation period of a sensor that is different from a first sensor in which accumulation has been stopped first by the first control, based on an accumulation period of the first sensor,
• wherein, in the setting of the maximum accumulation period, the maximum accumulation period of the sensor that is different from the first sensor is changed according to whether or not a predetermined condition including a condition that a flicker light source is included in the focus detection areas is satisfied.