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.

A lens control device includes a processor that performs a control of generating image data for each of first wavelength range light and second wavelength range light by an image sensor, in which the processor estimates a first focus position of a focus lens for the first wavelength range light based on a first focus evaluation value determined in accordance with the image data of the first wavelength range light, estimates a second focus position of the focus lens for the first wavelength range light based on a second focus evaluation value determined in accordance with the image data of the second wavelength range light, and performs a control of moving the focus lens along an optical axis based on the first focus position in a case in which a comparison result obtained by comparing the first focus position with the second focus position satisfies a predetermined condition.

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.

Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for determining autofocus for a camera on a mobile device. In some instances, depth imaging is used to assist in determining a focus position for the camera through an autofocus process. For example, a determination of depth may be used to determine a focus position for the camera. In another example, the determination of depth may be used to assist another autofocus process.

Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for operating a multiple camera system. In some embodiments, a primary camera may be selected from a plurality of cameras using object distance estimates, distance error information, and minimum object distances for some or all of the plurality of cameras. In other embodiments, a camera may be configured to use defocus information to obtain an object distance estimate to a target object closer than a minimum object distance of the camera. This object distance estimate may be used to assist in focusing another camera of the multi-camera system.

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.

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element that captures an image for detecting a phase difference in a predetermined direction on an image surface in order to detect a focal state of an image formed by an image formation lens, an imaging element driving unit configured to be able to drive the imaging element in a parallel movement direction and a rotation direction within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the image formation lens, and a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus by rotating the imaging element using the imaging element driving unit in accordance with a result of an image captured by the imaging element.

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.

A method for controlling microscopic imaging of a microscope includes providing a microscope control arrangement configured for receiving a focusing request and for receiving sample information on a sample to be imaged, wherein the microscope control arrangement activates, upon receipt of a focusing request and after having received the sample information, a predefined focusing setting depending on the sample information received for controlling focusing of the microscope for microscopic imaging of the sample.

An imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a focus detection result from a focus detection area in which an object is more appropriately captured during focus detection using a signal from an image sensor is provided. The imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to periodically capture an image, the image sensor including a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion units with respect to a microlens, a setting unit configured to set a plurality of focus detection areas, wherein each of the plurality of focus detection areas corresponds to respective areas of the image sensor. The setting unit is configured to provide a plurality of division patterns for forming a plurality of focus detection areas, and switch the division patterns each time an image is captured by the image sensor.