Image capturing device with automatic focus function
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An image capturing device comprising:
- an image capturing unit configured to capture an image;
a detection unit configured to detect a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit;
an area setting unit configured to set one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area detected by the detection unit;
a focusing unit configured to cause the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas set by the area setting unit; and
a determining unit configured to determine numbers of the contrast evaluation areas in vertical and horizontal directions according to length ratios in vertical and horizontal directions of the image area;
wherein the area setting unit is configured to set the contrast evaluation areas with a same shape according to the shape of the image area, andwherein the area setting unit is configured to set the contrast evaluation areas side by side.
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Abstract
An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a detection unit, an area setting unit, and a focusing unit. The image capturing unit captures an image. The detection unit detects a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the captured image. The area setting unit sets one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the detected image area. The focusing unit causes the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the set contrast evaluation areas.
5 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An image capturing device comprising:
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an image capturing unit configured to capture an image; a detection unit configured to detect a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; an area setting unit configured to set one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area detected by the detection unit; a focusing unit configured to cause the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas set by the area setting unit; and a determining unit configured to determine numbers of the contrast evaluation areas in vertical and horizontal directions according to length ratios in vertical and horizontal directions of the image area; wherein the area setting unit is configured to set the contrast evaluation areas with a same shape according to the shape of the image area, and wherein the area setting unit is configured to set the contrast evaluation areas side by side. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An image capturing device comprising:
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an image capturing unit configured to capture an image; a detection unit configured to detect a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; an area setting unit configured to set one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area detected by the detection unit; and a focusing unit configured to cause the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas set by the area setting unit, wherein the area setting unit is configured to set a contrast evaluation area overlapping with an edge portion of the image area of the observed subject. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An image capturing device comprising:
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an image capturing unit configured to capture an image; a detection unit configured to detect a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; an area setting unit configured to set one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area detected by the detection unit; and a focusing unit configured to cause the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas set by the area setting unit, wherein the focusing control unit is configured to cause the image capturing unit to focus by adopting image data in a contrast evaluation area which is included in the contrast evaluation areas, in which detection precision of a contrast gradient of image data in each of the evaluation areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and which includes a peak contrast in a distance closest to the image capturing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An image capturing method for an image capturing unit, the method comprising:
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detecting a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; setting one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the detected shape of the image area; causing the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the set contrast evaluation areas; and determining numbers of the contrast evaluation areas in vertical and horizontal directions according to length ratios in vertical and horizontal directions of the image area, wherein the setting of the one or more contrast evaluation areas further comprises setting the contrast evaluation areas with a same shape according to the shape of the image area and setting the contrast evaluation areas side by side.
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17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for controlling an image capturing unit, the program comprising:
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detecting a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; setting one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the detected shape of the image area; causing the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the set contrast evaluation areas; and determining numbers of the contrast evaluation areas in vertical and horizontal directions according to length ratios in vertical and horizontal directions of the image area, wherein the setting of the one or more contrast evaluation areas further comprises setting the contrast evaluation areas with a same shape according to the shape of the image area and setting the contrast evaluation areas side by side.
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18. An image capturing method for an image capturing unit, comprising:
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capturing an image; detecting a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; setting one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area; and causing the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas, wherein the setting the one or more contrast evaluation areas further comprises setting a contrast evaluation area overlapping with an edge portion of the image area of the observed subject.
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19. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for controlling an image capturing unit, comprising:
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capturing an image; detecting a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image captured by the image capturing unit; setting one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area; and causing the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas, wherein the setting the one or more contrast evaluation areas further comprises setting a contrast evaluation area overlapping with an edge portion of the image area of the observed subject.
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20. An image capturing method for an image capturing device, comprising:
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capturing an image; detecting a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image; setting one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area; and causing the image capturing device to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas, wherein the causing the image capturing device to focus further causes the image capturing device to adopt image data in a contrast evaluation area which is included in the contrast evaluation areas, in which detection precision of a contrast gradient of image data in each of the evaluation areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and which includes a peak contrast in a distance closest to the image capturing device.
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21. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for controlling an image capturing device, comprising:
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capturing an image; detecting a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the image; setting one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the image area; and causing the image capturing device to focus based on image data in the contrast evaluation areas, wherein the causing the image capturing device to focus further causes the image capturing device to adopt image data in a contrast evaluation area which is included in the contrast evaluation areas, in which detection precision of a contrast gradient of image data in each of the evaluation areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and which includes a peak contrast in a distance closest to the image capturing device.
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Specification