Focus detection apparatus, method for controlling the same and image capturing apparatus

摘要

A focus detection apparatus comprises a plurality of sensor groups, each comprising a plurality of sensors, each including a photoelectric converter and a storage portion, and controls part of the sensor groups according to a first accumulation method, in which charge generated by a photoelectric converter is accumulated in itself, and to a second accumulation method, in which charge generated by a photoelectric converter is accumulated in a storage portion. A sensor group corresponding to a selected focus detection area is controlled according to the first accumulation method, and a sensor group adjacent to the sensor group controlled according to the first accumulation method is controlled according to the second accumulation method. A monitor unit monitors a signal level of the charge stored in the storage portion corresponding to the photoelectric converter controlled according to the second accumulation method.

主权项

1. A focus detection apparatus comprising:
a plurality of sensor groups, each comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor includes a photoelectric converter configured to generate charge according to incident light and a storage portion configured to store charge transferred from the photoelectric converter, and each sensor group corresponds to each of a plurality of focus detection areas; a selection unit configured to select one of the plurality of focus detection areas; a control unit configured to control charge accumulation of the sensor group according to one of a first accumulation method in which charge generated by the photoelectric converter is accumulated in the photoelectric converter, and a second accumulation method in which charge generated by the photoelectric converter is transferred to and accumulated in the storage portion; and a monitor unit configured to, for each sensor group controlled according to the second accumulation method, monitor a signal level of the charge stored in the storage portion, wherein the control unit controls according to the first accumulation method a sensor group corresponding to the focus detection area selected by the selection unit, and controls according to the second accumulation method a sensor group adjacent to the sensor group controlled according to the first accumulation method.