A focus identification method adaptable for a focus identification system is provided. The focus identification method includes: capturing a projection picture to generate a captured picture; dividing the captured picture into a plurality of image regions; calculating a plurality of sharpness values corresponding to the plurality of image regions respectively according to image data of the plurality of image regions; and displaying the plurality of sharpness values on the plurality of corresponding image regions respectively to generate a first focus identification picture. Moreover, the disclosure further discloses a focus identification system applying the focus identification method. The focus identification method and the focus identification system using the same in the disclosure may improve the remote maintenance efficiency.

An imaging device and a focusing control method are provided. The imaging device includes: an imaging element, having pixels including phase-difference detecting pixels and imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens; and a focusing controller, selectively performing focusing control using a phase difference AF method or focusing control using a contrast AF method in a mode in which focusing control for focusing on a main subject by driving the focus lens is continuously performed multiple times. The focusing controller performs the focusing control using the contrast AF method in a case where a state in which a degree of reliability of the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is equal to or less than a threshold value persists N times (N=2 or more), while the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is continuously performed.

An imaging device and a focusing control method are provided. The imaging device includes: an imaging element, having pixels including phase-difference detecting pixels and imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens; and a focusing controller, selectively performing focusing control using a phase difference AF method or focusing control using a contrast AF method in a mode in which focusing control for focusing on a main subject by driving the focus lens is continuously performed multiple times. The focusing controller performs the focusing control using the contrast AF method in a case where a state in which a degree of reliability of the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is equal to or less than a threshold value persists N times (N=2 or more), while the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is continuously performed.

An autofocusing method includes causing light having n wavelengths different from one another to sequentially pass through a spectral filter and acquiring n image frames corresponding to the n wavelengths, n being an integer greater than or equal to two, selecting a wavelength corresponding to the image frame having the largest statistical value from the n image frames, the statistical value being one of the average, median, and mode of class values of pixels contained in a first region out of entire measurement pixels in each of the image frames, and determining a focusing point in a second region wider than the first region out of the entire measurement pixels while causing the light having the selected wavelength to pass through the spectral filter.

For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

A focus driving control unit 34 of a control unit 30 performs speed priority driving control in which a focus lens is driven to a focusing position in a driving pattern selected in advance by a user, for example, in a case in which a defocus amount of a ranging area is greater than a driving control determination threshold set in advance. In addition, the focus driving control unit 34 performs subject priority driving control in which a focus lens movement amount by which the focus lens is located at the focusing position in accordance with the defocus amount of the ranging area is set and the focus lens is driven in a case in which the defocus amount is equal to or less than the driving control determination threshold. The focus lens is driven to the focusing position in the driving pattern selected by the user. Thereafter, a focusing state can be maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform an auto-focus operation with the high degree of freedom.

A focus driving control unit 34 of a control unit 30 performs speed priority driving control in which a focus lens is driven to a focusing position in a driving pattern selected in advance by a user, for example, in a case in which a defocus amount of a ranging area is greater than a driving control determination threshold set in advance. In addition, the focus driving control unit 34 performs subject priority driving control in which a focus lens movement amount by which the focus lens is located at the focusing position in accordance with the defocus amount of the ranging area is set and the focus lens is driven in a case in which the defocus amount is equal to or less than the driving control determination threshold. The focus lens is driven to the focusing position in the driving pattern selected by the user. Thereafter, a focusing state can be maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform an auto-focus operation with the high degree of freedom.

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 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.