Autofocus Jitter Filtering via Gyroscope Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autofocus systems in imaging devices can result in out-of-focus images due to jitter, as they may incorrectly identify local maximum focus values caused by external interference as the optimal focus position.

Innovation Solution

A focusing method that employs contrast-detection autofocus mode, utilizing a gyroscope to measure rotation angular velocity and filter out focus values affected by jitter, ensuring only valid focus values are used to determine the optimal focus position within a preset offset range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If contrast-detection autofocus mode is used to determine focus position, then focusing speed is improved, but focusing accuracy deteriorates due to jitter-induced false peak detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocusing speedVSAvoidfocus position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

An offset value representing jitter magnitude is introduced as an intermediary parameter to mediate between the focus value and the determination of optimal focus position. The offset value acts as a threshold that filters out false peaks caused by jitter, allowing the system to maintain fast contrast-detection autofocus while improving accuracy by ignoring focus values that exceed the jitter threshold

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for focus determination from solely relying on focus value magnitude to considering both focus value and offset value. By introducing the offset value parameter that quantifies jitter, the system transforms the single-parameter optimization problem into a two-parameter evaluation, enabling accurate focus detection even in the presence of jitter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If focus determination is based on maximum focus value, then focusing simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to jitter causing out-of-focus conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus determination simplicityVSAvoidfocus accuracy under jitter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The offset value serves as an intermediary that preserves the simplicity of maximum-based focus determination while adding reliability. Instead of complicating the focus determination logic, the system simply adds a jitter threshold check: if the offset value exceeds the preset threshold, the focus determination is invalidated. This maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving reliability under jitter conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful effect of jitter is extracted and isolated into a separate offset value parameter. By separating the jitter measurement from the focus value calculation, the system can independently evaluate and filter out jitter-induced errors without affecting the simplicity of the main focus determination process. The offset value is extracted as a distinct metric that can be compared against a threshold to reject unreliable focus measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 prevents out-of-focus issues by accurately identifying and filtering out focus values distorted by jitter, allowing for precise focusing on the target object.

Implementation Method 1

obtain a current offset value of the imaging apparatus correspondingly, wherein the offset value is a rotation angular velocity obtained by a gyroscope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3410171B1Focusing method, apparatus, computer readable storage medium and terminal
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3410171B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3410171B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3410171B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a focusing method, a focusing apparatus, a computer readable storage medium and a terminal. The focusing method includes: controlling an imaging apparatus to employ a contrast-detection autofocus mode to focus on a target object to be captured; obtaining a current focus value and a current offset value of the imaging apparatus correspondingly each time the imaging apparatus is driven to move; obtaining a plurality of focus values of validity from the obtained focus values according to the obtained offset values; and determining a maximum value from the plurality of focus values of validity.