Imaging device

摘要

In an imaging device with a wide dynamic range function by combining images, focus is controlled to establish an in-focus state for each image to enlarge the dynamic range with reducing blur, thereby improving visibility. The device includes an imaging unit with a variable focal distance focus lens, an exposure controller for controlling the imaging unit's exposure to implement several shooting operations for a subject with different sensitivity, a processing unit for processing a signal outputted from the imaging unit to generate an image signal and a focus evaluation value indicating focus degree, an image combining unit for combining signals generated by the processing unit and outputting the combined signal, the processing unit generates a focus evaluation value for each outputted signal and the focus controller controls the focus lens for shooting operations of the imaging unit with mutually different sensitivity values, based on focus evaluation values respectively associated therewith.

主权项

1. An imaging device, comprising:
imaging means comprising a focus lens having a variable focal distance; exposure control mean for controlling exposure of the imaging means; focus control means for controlling the focus lens for a plurality of shooting operations by the imaging means with different sensitivity values under control of the exposure control mean, to thereby obtain a predetermined focal distance for each of the sensitivity values; signal processing means for processing a signal obtained by conducting a shooting operation by the imaging means under control of the exposure control mean and the focus control means, to thereby create a plurality of in-focus images of mutually different sensitivity values; and image combining means for combining with each other the plural in-focus images of mutually different sensitivity values created from the signal processing means into a combined image and outputting the combined image therefrom; wherein the signal processing means processes a signal obtained by conducting a shooting operation by the imaging means, to thereby create focus evaluation values respectively corresponding to a plurality of signals of mutually different sensitivity values; and wherein the focus control means beforehand sets focal distance for each of the sensitivity values based on the focus evaluation value created by the signal processing means.