Patent ID: 8836767
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus comprising: two imaging optical systems that change image focusing locations; two imagers that convert images of a subject formed by the imaging optical systems into two image signals, respectively; a contrast evaluation value output unit that outputs contrast evaluation values of the subject in the two images of the subject, respectively; a focus location detector that detects a focus location corresponding to a conclusive focus location for focusing the subject, wherein the focus location is determined based on contrast evaluation values at a plurality of image focusing locations; a focus location controller that controls image focusing locations and deviates an image focusing location of an imaging optical system of one side and an image focusing location of an imaging optical system of another side from the focus location, before the focus location detector detects the focus location, wherein the focus location controller maintains the image focusing locations of the two imaging optical systems to be deviated at a fixed distance from each other as the contrast evaluation values are being determined; and a focus location direction discriminator that determines a direction toward the focus location for focusing the subject from a current image focusing location of each of the two imaging optical systems, based on two contrast evaluation values output in accordance with the two imaging optical systems, wherein the image focusing locations of the two imaging optical systems are deviated from the focus location.