Autofocus Object Selection Using Face and Body Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital photographing apparatuses face difficulties in precisely and instantly autofocusing on a person, especially in low-light conditions or when the face is too small due to a large distance, as they rely solely on face detection and may not obtain sufficient autofocus information.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a face detecting unit, a body detecting unit, and an autofocus information obtaining unit that analyze both face and body autofocus information to select the most precise autofocus object, which can be the face, the body, or both, to improve focusing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only face detection and autofocus information from the face is used, then the system is simple and fast, but sufficient autofocus information cannot be obtained in dark places or when the face is too small due to large distance
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two independent modules: face detection and body detection. Each module processes different regions of the image separately to extract autofocus information. This segmentation allows the system to gather sufficient autofocus information from multiple sources (face and body) without creating a single complex detection algorithm, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Productivity
If face detection is performed first and autofocus is based solely on face information, then the process is quick, but precise autofocus cannot be achieved when face information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges face detection results and body detection results into a unified autofocus decision-making process. Both detection modules contribute their respective autofocus information to the final autofocus control, combining the strengths of both detection methods. This merging enables the system to maintain fast processing by using face information when available while supplementing with body information when face information is insufficient, thereby achieving both speed and precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the digital photographing apparatus relies only on face autofocus information, then the control method is simple, but it fails to provide precise autofocus in challenging conditions like dark environments or large distances
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various challenging conditions. The face detection module can operate in normal lighting conditions, while the body detection module provides backup functionality for dark environments or distant subjects. Both modules serve the universal purpose of providing autofocus information, making the system adaptable to different scenarios without requiring an entirely complex control method, as the same basic framework accommodates multiple detection sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital photographing apparatus capable of precisely and immediately performing autofocusing on a person being photographed, and a method of controlling the same are provided. The digital photographing apparatus comprises a face detecting unit that detects a face, a body detecting unit that detects a body, which may or may not exclude the face, an autofocus information obtaining unit, and an autofocus object determining unit. The autofocus object determining unit analyzes face autofocus information obtained from the face by the autofocus information obtaining unit and body autofocus information obtained from the body, and then selects the face part and/or the body as an object of autofocusing.