Imaging device and imaging apparatus for performing focus alignment

A method for imaging comprising:

• in an imaging device comprising a pixel array unit:
• generating an image based on signals generated by a plurality of image generation pixels;
• and
• performing focus alignment based on signals generated by a plurality of phase difference detection pixels;
• wherein the plurality of image generation pixels are arranged in a first direction to define first lines of image generation pixels and the plurality of phase difference detection pixels are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define second lines of phase difference detection pixels, wherein the first lines of image generation pixels and the second lines of phase difference detection pixels are alternately arranged in the second direction;
• wherein the second lines comprise third lines of phase difference detection pixels operable to receive pupil split light in the first direction and fourth lines of phase difference detection pixels operable to receive pupil split light in the second direction,
• wherein the third lines of phase difference detection pixels and the fourth lines of phase difference detection pixels are alternately arranged in the second direction, and wherein the first direction is a reading direction when the signals generated by the plurality of phase difference detection pixels and the plurality of image generation pixels are read from the plurality of phase difference detection pixels and the plurality of image generation pixels.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors operable to:
• generate an image based on signals generated a plurality of image generation pixels;
• and
• perform focus alignment based on signals generated by a plurality of phase difference detection pixels;
• wherein the plurality of image generation pixels are arranged in a first direction to define first lines of image generation pixels and the plurality of phase difference detection pixels are arranged in the first direction to define second lines of phase difference detection pixels,
• wherein the first lines of image generation pixels and the second lines of phase difference detection pixels are alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
• wherein the first lines and the second lines adjacent to the first lines overlap each other by portions thereof in the second direction, and
• wherein the second lines comprise third lines of phase difference detection pixels operable to receive pupil split light in the first direction and fourth lines of phase difference detection pixels operable to receive pupil split light in the second direction,
• wherein the third lines of phase difference detection pixels and the fourth lines of phase difference detection pixels are alternately arranged in the second direction,
• wherein the third lines of phase difference detection pixels comprise a plurality of pairs of first direction phase difference detection pixels operable to receive a pair of subject light beams pupil-split in the first direction, each of the pairs of first direction phase difference detection pixels arranged in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of pairs of the first direction phase difference detection pixels are repetitively arranged interposing a first pixel which is not used for the first direction phase difference detection, and
• wherein the fourth lines of phase difference detection pixels comprise second direction phase difference detection pixels arranged at positions perpendicular to the position where the first pixel is arranged, and wherein second pixels which are not used for the second direction phase difference detection are arranged at positions other than positions perpendicular to the position where the first pixel is arranged.