Autofocus Control for Pan-Tilt Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autofocus systems in imaging apparatuses face challenges in quickly focusing on subjects when the imaging direction changes, particularly during pan or tilt movements, leading to issues like image flapping and prolonged focus acquisition times, especially when dealing with subjects at varying distances.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus that includes a unit to calculate shifts in subject distance during pan or tilt movements using stored distance information, allowing for precise control of the optical system to adjust the focal position accordingly, thereby preventing image flapping and ensuring smooth focus control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging direction is changed through pan or tilt driving, then the imaging apparatus can capture different directions, but the subject distance changes causing focus accuracy to deteriorate and image flapping to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the subject distance shift that will occur when the imaging direction changes from a first direction to a second direction. By determining this shift in advance based on stored distance information, the system can proactively adjust the focal position before the pan or tilt movement completes, preventing focus accuracy deterioration and image flapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses stored distance information associated with different imaging directions to create a feedback mechanism. When the imaging direction changes, the system references the pre-stored distance information to determine the appropriate focal position adjustment, ensuring continuous focus accuracy across direction changes.
2Device complexity
If traditional autofocus control is used during pan or tilt movements, then the system structure remains simple, but focus acquisition time increases and image flapping occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores distance information associated with different imaging directions before actual imaging occurs. When pan or tilt movements are executed, the system quickly retrieves and applies this pre-computed information to adjust focus, dramatically reducing focus acquisition time without adding complex real-time calculation hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the focal position based on the calculated subject distance shift when imaging direction changes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the focus to track the subject smoothly during pan or tilt movements, preventing image flapping while maintaining a relatively simple system structure.
3Device complexity
If the focal position is not adjusted during direction changes, then the control system remains simple, but image quality deteriorates due to focus loss and flapping
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms with a computational approach. By using pre-stored distance information and calculating subject distance shifts through software algorithms, the system achieves reliable focus maintenance during direction changes without requiring complex mechanical focus drive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focal position parameter based on calculated subject distance shifts when imaging direction changes. By dynamically adjusting this key parameter using pre-computed distance information, the system maintains imaging quality across different directions while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image formed by an optical system, a first unit configured to control the optical system to adjust a focal position of the optical system, a second unit configured to control a driving unit configured to change a direction of the imaging unit through pan or tilt driving, and a storage unit configured to store distance information where the direction and a subject distance are in association with each other. The first unit calculates a shift in the subject distance in a process in which the direction is changed from a first direction to a second direction through the pan or tilt driving, based on the stored distance information, and controls the optical system in accordance with the shift in the subject distance.