Image Pickup Apparatus Row-Based Reading Cycle Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image pickup devices with microlenses and focus detection pixels face a decrease in frame rate due to the increased number of pixels being read, leading to longer read times and reduced efficiency in acquiring phase difference detection information.

Innovation Solution

An image pickup apparatus with a control circuit that manages the reading cycle by dividing the pixel region into first and second rows, where first rows perform single image pixel signal reading, and second rows generate and read both focus detection pixel signals, optimizing the reading process to reduce overall read time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all focus detection pixels are read to enable phase difference detection, then measurement precision is improved, but reading time increases and frame rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase difference detection accuracyVSAvoidframe rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel array is segmented into first rows and second rows with different reading strategies. Second rows perform full focus detection pixel reading for accurate phase difference measurement, while first rows perform simplified reading to reduce overall reading time and increase frame rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different reading qualities are applied to different row regions. Second rows use high-quality full reading for focus detection, while first rows use lower-quality simplified reading, creating local quality differentiation to balance accuracy and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If all focus detection pixels are read to enable phase difference detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase difference detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel array is segmented into first rows and second rows with different reading strategies. Second rows perform full focus detection pixel reading for accurate phase difference measurement, while first rows perform simplified reading to reduce overall reading time and increase frame rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different reading qualities are applied to different row regions. Second rows use high-quality full reading for focus detection, while first rows use lower-quality simplified reading, creating local quality differentiation to balance accuracy and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If simplified reading is performed to increase frame rate, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision of phase difference detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe rateVSAvoidphase difference detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel array is segmented into first rows and second rows with different reading strategies. Second rows perform full focus detection pixel reading for accurate phase difference measurement, while first rows perform simplified reading to reduce overall reading time and increase frame rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different reading qualities are applied to different row regions. Second rows use high-quality full reading for focus detection, while first rows use lower-quality simplified reading, creating local quality differentiation to balance accuracy and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the frame rate and reduces power consumption while maintaining accurate phase difference detection, effectively addressing the efficiency issues in conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

each of the image pixels being divided into a plurality of focus detection pixels configured to perform photoelectric conversion of a light flux passing through a plurality of regions resulting from division of an exit pupil of a shooting optical system, to generate respective photoelectric conversion signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10757348B2Image pickup apparatus, image pickup apparatus control method and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium recording program

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup device including a pixel region in which image pixels corresponding to microlenses are arrayed in a matrix, each of the image pixels being divided into a plurality of focus detection pixels configured to generate respective photoelectric conversion signals; and a control circuit configured to control a cycle in a column direction of first rows in which photoelectric conversion signals in an image pixel are added up to generate an image pixel signal, and second rows in which both of a pair of the focus detection pixel signals or one of the pair of the focus detection pixel signals and the image pixel signal are generated and read, in a frame is provided.