A control apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to perform a focus detection by a phase difference detection method based on an image signal output from an image sensor, and to calculate a defocus amount, and a focus control unit configured to control a focus lens based on the defocus amount. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the focus control unit changes a driving speed of the focus lens based on information on a luminance or contrast of the image signal. At least one processor or circuit is configured to perform a function of at least one of the units.

A dual-core focusing image sensor is disclosed. The dual-core focusing image sensor includes a photosensitive cell array including a plurality of focus photosensitive units, each of which including a first half and a second half and a plurality of dual-core focusing photosensitive pixels; a filter cell array disposed above the photosensitive cell array and including a plurality of white filter cells; and a micro-lens array disposed above the filter cell array and including a plurality of first micro-lenses, each of which having an elliptical shape and a plurality of second micro-lenses. The first half is covered by one of the white filter cells and the second half is covered by a plurality of the second micro-lenses, each of the white filter cells is covered by one of the first micro-lenses. Each of the dual-core focusing photosensitive pixels is covered by one of the second micro-lenses.

A focus adjustment device comprising: a first detector which detects a focused state by a contrast detection system; second detectors which detect a focused state by a phase difference detection system; and a control unit which controls the first detector and second detectors so as to detect the focused state by the second detectors when detecting the focused state by the first detector.

A focus adjustment device comprising: a first detector which detects a focused state by a contrast detection system; second detectors which detect a focused state by a phase difference detection system; and a control unit which controls the first detector and second detectors so as to detect the focused state by the second detectors when detecting the focused state by the first detector.

The focus detection accuracy is improved in an imaging apparatus that detects focus of each of a plurality of lenses. A main side focus control section detects, as a main side in-focus position, a main side lens position where focus is achieved in a main side detection region inside a main side image. A parallax acquisition section acquires parallax proportional to a distance by finding the distance on the basis of the main side in-focus position. A subordinate side detection region setup section sets a subordinate side detection region position in a subordinate side image on the basis of the parallax and the main side detection region position. A subordinate side focus control section detects, as a subordinate side in-focus position, a subordinate side lens position where focus is achieved in the subordinate side detection region.

A method and apparatus for autofocussing an imaging device, such as an optical microscope, and dynamic focus tracking of the imaging device is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a electrically tunable lens that is located within the apparatus such that auto-focussing can be achieved without disrupting or corrupting the image being generated or registered on the imaging device.

Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.

An autofocus (AF) frame integration unit generates at least two groups, each group including at least one focus detection area based on a comparison between a plurality of focus detection results, the plurality of focus detection results to be obtained corresponding to a specific time. A movement determination unit determines whether an object corresponding to a first group and a second group is moving, based on a focus detection result corresponding to the first group, generated based on a focus detection result corresponding to a first time, and a focus detection result corresponding to the second group, generated based on a focus detection result corresponding to a second time later than the first time.

An automatic focus system for an optical microscope that facilitates faster focusing by using at least two cameras. The first camera can be positioned in a first image forming conjugate plane and receives light from a first illumination source that transmits light in a first wavelength range. The second camera can be positioned at an offset distance from the first image forming conjugate plane and receives light from a second illumination source that transmits light in a second wavelength range.

Provided is a control device that includes a calculation unit that calculates, on a basis of a result of capturing a subject image passed through a focus lens by using an imaging element including a plurality of phase difference detection regions, a focus position of each of the phase difference detection regions and a determination unit that determines a position of the focus lens on a basis of an average value of the focus positions of the phase difference detection regions calculated by the calculation unit and falling within a predetermined range from the focus position on an infinity side or macro side.