Imaging device

Abstract

An imaging device according to the present invention has: a photometric circuit that detects a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from the photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens; an exposure calculation circuit that calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed based on the detected brightness of the photographic subject; an imaging element that converts the light flux from the photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, the imaging element having a plurality of the photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of the photo-electric elements in order to converge the light flux from the photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of the photo-electric elements; and a correction circuit that corrects the aperture value calculated by the exposure calculation circuit so that a signal level of the electric signal of the light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.

1 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric means for detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation means for calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging means for converting said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, said imaging means having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    a correction means for correcting said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         2 . An imaging device according to    claim 1   , wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.    
     
     
         3 . An imaging device according to    claim 1   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein    said correction means corrects said aperture value based on said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.    
     
     
         4 . An imaging device according to    claim 1   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein    said correction means corrects said aperture value based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.    
     
     
         5 . An imaging device according to    claim 2   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value based on said read out correction pattern and said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.  
   
     
     
         6 . An imaging device according to    claim 3   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value based on said read out correction pattern and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         7 . An imaging device according to    claim 4   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value based on said read out correction pattern, said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         8 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric means for detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation means for calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging means for converting said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, said imaging means having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    a correction means for correcting said aperture value and said shutter speed calculated by said exposure calculation means so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         9 . An imaging device according to    claim 8   , wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.    
     
     
         10 . An imaging device according to    claim 8   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed based on said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         11 . An imaging device according to    claim 8   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         12 . An imaging device according to    claim 9   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value and said shutter speed, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein    said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed based on said read out correction pattern and said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.    
     
     
         13 . An imaging device according to    claim 10   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value and said shutter speed, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed based on said read out correction pattern and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         14 . An imaging device according to    claim 11   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value and said shutter speed, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed based on said read out correction pattern, said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         15 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric means for detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation means for calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging means for converting said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, said imaging means having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements;    an amplifying means for amplifying said electric signal outputted from said imaging means with a predefined amplification factor; and    a correction means for correcting said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said amplification factor so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         16 . An imaging device according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value and said amplification factor based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.    
     
     
         17 . An imaging device according to    claim 15   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value and said amplification factor based on said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         18 . An imaging device according to    claim 15   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value and said amplification factor based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         19 . An imaging device according to    claim 16   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value and said amplification factor, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value and said amplification factor based on said read out correction pattern and said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.  
   
     
     
         20 . An imaging device according to    claim 17   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value and said amplification factor, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value and said amplification factor based on said read out correction pattern and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         21 . An imaging device according to    claim 18   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value and said amplification factor, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value and said amplification factor based on said read out correction pattern, said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         22 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric means for detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation means for calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging means for converting said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, said imaging means having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements;    an amplifying means for amplifying said electric signal outputted from said imaging means with a predefined amplification factor; and    a correction means for correcting said aperture value, said shutter speed calculated by said exposure calculation means and said amplification factor so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         23 . An imaging device according to    claim 22   , wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.    
     
     
         24 . An imaging device according to    claim 22   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor based on said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         25 . An imaging device according to    claim 22   , further comprising: 
 an exit pupil position detection means for detecting an exit pupil position of said photographic lens, wherein 
 said correction means corrects said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor based on said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         26 . An imaging device according to    claim 23   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor based on said read out correction pattern and said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means.  
   
     
     
         27 . An imaging device according to    claim 24   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor based on said read out correction pattern and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         28 . An imaging device according to    claim 25   , further comprising: 
 a correction pattern memory means for storing a plurality of correction patterns to correct said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor, said correction patterns being respectively corresponding to a plurality of said micro-lenses that have different characteristics respectively, wherein 
 said correction means reads out said correction pattern corresponding to said micro-lens of said imaging means from said correction pattern memory means, and corrects said aperture value, said shutter speed and said amplification factor based on said read out correction pattern, said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation means and said exit pupil position detected by said exit pupil position detection means.  
   
     
     
         29 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric circuit that detects a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation circuit that calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging element that converts said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, said imaging element having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    a correction circuit that corrects said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation circuit so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         30 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric circuit that detects a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation circuit that calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging element that converts said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, said imaging element having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    a correction circuit that corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed calculated by said exposure calculationr circuit so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         31 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric circuit that detects a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation circuit that calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging element that converts said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, said imaging element having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements;    an amplifying circuit that amplifies said electric signal outputted from said imaging element with a predefined amplification factor; and    a correction circuit that corrects said aperture value calculated by said exposure calculation circuit and said amplification factor so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         32 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric circuit that detects a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an exposure calculation circuit that calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    an imaging element that converts said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, said imaging element having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements;    an amplifying circuit that amplifies said electric signal outputted from said imaging element with a predefined amplification factor; and    a correction circuit that corrects said aperture value and said shutter speed calculated by said exposure calculation circuit and said amplification factor so that a signal level of said electric signal of said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively.    
     
     
         33 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a photometric circuit that detects a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    an imaging element that converts said light flux from said photographic subject received on each photo-electric element to an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, said imaging element having a plurality of said photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    an exposure calculation circuit that calculates an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject in consideration of an output characteristic of said imaging element that is influenced by an incident angle of said light flux from said photographic subject upon said micro-lens element.    
     
     
         34 . A method of forming an image, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    correcting said calculated aperture value so that an output of an imaging element for said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively, said imaging element having a plurality of photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    converting said light flux from said photographic subject to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal.    
     
     
         35 . A method of forming an image, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    correcting said calculated aperture value and shutter speed so that an output of an imaging element for said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively, said imaging element having a plurality of photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    converting said light flux from said photographic subject to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal.    
     
     
         36 . A method of forming an image, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    converting said light flux from said photographic subject to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal;    amplifying said electric signal with a predefined amplification factor; and    correcting said calculated aperture value and said predefined amplification factor so that an output of an imaging element for said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively, said imaging element having a plurality of photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    
     
     
         37 . A method of forming an image, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject;    converting said light flux from said photographic subject to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal;    amplifying said electric signal with a predefined amplification factor; and    correcting said calculated aperture value, shutter speed and said predefined amplification factor so that an output of an imaging element for said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a same brightness respectively, said imaging element having a plurality of photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements.    
     
     
         38 . A method of forming an image, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a brightness of a photographic subject based on a light flux from said photographic subject that passes through a photographic lens;    calculating an aperture value and a shutter speed based on said detected brightness of said photographic subject in consideration of an output characteristic of an imaging element that is influenced by an incident angle of said light flux from said photographic subject upon a micro-lens element so that an output of said imaging element for said light flux does not change among photographic subjects each having a brightness respectively, said imaging element having a plurality of photo-electric elements and a micro-lens in which each of micro-lens elements is arranged facing to each of said photo-electric elements in order to converge said light flux from said photographic subject to a light receiving surface of each of said photo-electric elements; and    converting said light flux from said photographic subject to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal.