Patent ID: 6933978
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A focus detecting device for use in an image pickup optical unit, said device comprising: a photoelectric conversion portion having (a) a first photoelectric conversion unit which performs photoelectric conversion of a light beam emitted from a first pupil area of said image pickup optical unit, (b) a second photoelectric conversion unit which performs photoelectric conversion of a light beam emitted from a second pupil area of said image pickup optical unit, said second pupil area being different from said first pupil area, and (c) a microlens which is common to said first and second photoelectric conversion units; an image pickup unit having a plurality of said photoelectric conversion portions on an image pickup surface; a light blocking unit having a portion for blocking light, a first opening for allowing passage of a portion of light in said first pupil area, and a second opening for allowing passage of a portion of light in said second pupil area, wherein, for the first opening and the second opening, the portion of light having passed is guided onto an image pickup surface of said image pickup unit; and a detecting unit which detects a focus condition of said image pickup optical unit on the basis of photoelectric conversion outputs of said first photoelectric conversion unit and said second photoelectric conversion unit.