Autofocus Field of View Compensation via Lens Position Cropping
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Solution Overview
Problem
During autofocus, changes in the field of view can be confusing for users as they often occur simultaneously with focus adjustments, making it difficult to control these camera properties independently.
Innovation Solution
An image capture and processing device that moves a lens while reading image data from an image sensor, determines the lens positions, and performs field of view compensation by cropping specific rows of image data based on these positions to maintain a consistent field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the lens is moved during autofocus to adjust focus, then the focus speed is improved, but the field of view changes simultaneously causing user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image data processing by identifying and separating the region affected by lens movement (first region) from the rest of the image (second region). This allows independent handling of each region - the first region undergoes compensation while the second region remains unchanged, enabling focus adjustment without unwanted FOV changes in the visible image area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing quality to different regions of the image. The first region (affected by lens movement) receives compensation processing to maintain consistent FOV, while the second region maintains original quality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying corrections only where necessary.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lens movement is detected and image data is cropped to compensate for FOV changes, then the field of view consistency is improved, but the image data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of image data (the first region affected by lens movement) for compensation processing, rather than processing the entire image frame. This extraction approach maintains FOV consistency where needed while minimizing overall processing complexity by leaving the rest of the image untouched.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of lens movement during the image frame capture process, before final image processing. By detecting lens position changes in real-time during capture, the system can prepare compensation parameters in advance, reducing the complexity of post-processing operations.
3Speed
If the lens moves while image data is being read from the sensor, then the autofocus speed is improved, but visual distortion occurs in the captured image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where lens position is continuously monitored during image capture. The detected lens position information feeds back into the image processing pipeline, enabling real-time identification of affected regions and application of appropriate compensation. This feedback loop allows fast autofocus while maintaining image quality through targeted corrections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for independent control of focus and field of view, enhancing user experience by preventing distortion caused by lens movement during autofocus, and improving autofocus speed by allowing lens movement during image frame capture without waiting for frame completion.
Implementation Method 1
moving a lens of the image capture device while still receiving the image data corresponding to the image frame
Implementation Method 2
performing field of view compensation on the image data from the image frame by cropping one or more rows of the image data based on the plurality of positions of the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device receives image data from an image frame captured by an image sensor of an image capture device. The image processing device moves a lens of the image capture device while still receiving the image data from the image frame, for instance as part of an autofocus operation. The image processing device determines multiple positions of the lens from the beginning of the movement to the end of the movement based on a lens position sensor, based on differences between the image frame and other consecutive image frames, or based on interpolation. The image processing device performs field of view compensation on the image data by cropping one or more rows of the image data based on the positions of the lens.