IMAGING APPARATUS, FOCUSING UNIT, IMAGING METHOD, AND FOCUSING METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make correct and precise automatic focusing control matching various imaging conditions in a simple configuration using the imaging element for taking images of objects in the field also for focusing control. SOLUTION: The focusing unit is built in the imaging system focusing the image in the field on the image receiving section of the imaging element 3 through the imaging optical system 1 to obtain the image data of the field. A plurality of microlenses arranged in a line across the imaging screen on the image receiving section of the imaging element 3 cover the image receiving section for some number of pixels, and a microlens array 4 for guiding the light is provided while matching the exit pupil location of the imaging optical system 1. A plurality of primary images are rebuilt corresponding to the exit pupil locations by extracting the pixel data respectively corresponding to the exit pupil locations for those microlenses from the pixels respectively corresponding to the microlenses. The focusing information for imaging the object is obtained by comparing those primary images. The object images in the field are formed by using the pixel data of the pixels other than those covered by the microlenses of the imaging element 3. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT