Patent ID: 9030596
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A focus detection apparatus comprising: a solid-state imaging device configured to have an array of a plurality of unit pixel cells each having a plurality of photoelectric converters sharing one micro lens; a first saturation detection unit configured to, with respect to each of the unit pixel cells, detect saturation of a pixel signal read out from one of the plurality of photoelectric converters; a first luminance signal generation unit configured to generate a first luminance signal from the pixel signal; an estimation unit configured to, based on the first luminance signal and a sum pixel signal obtained from the unit pixel cell having the plurality of photoelectric converters, estimate another pixel signal output from another one of the plurality of photoelectric converters; a second saturation detection unit configured to detect saturation of the another pixel signal estimated by said estimation unit; a second luminance signal generation unit configured to generate a second luminance signal from a the another pixel signal; and a focus detection processing unit configured to, based on the first luminance signal and the second luminance signal, calculate an amount of defocus for an optical system provided for the solid-state imaging device.