Autofocus Lens Driving Range Control via Segmented Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens apparatuses face challenges in efficiently controlling the focus lens movement during autofocus operations, particularly in reducing focusing time while minimizing erroneous operations.
Innovation Solution
The optical apparatus includes a first operation unit for switching between two autofocus modes with different focus lens driving ranges, a second operation unit for initiating a focus limit operation, and a processor that sets a narrower focus driving range based on a reference position or the focus lens's position after the start command is issued.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the focus lens driving range in autofocus is set to a wide first range, then the autofocus can cover a broader focusing area, but the focusing time increases and the precision of focus control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The focus driving range is segmented into a first range for initial autofocus operations and a second narrower range for precision focusing. The processor dynamically switches between these segmented ranges based on operational mode, allowing broad coverage when needed while achieving fast precision focusing when in the second mode with focus limit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The focus driving range is made dynamic rather than fixed. The processor adjusts the driving range between the first range and second range based on the operational mode (normal AF vs. focus limit operation). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between coverage and speed/precision depending on current needs.
2Productivity
If the focus lens driving range is limited to a narrow second range, then the focusing time is reduced and focus control precision is improved, but the coverage area for autofocus is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between a narrow second range for fast focusing and a wide first range for broad coverage. The processor determines which range to use based on the operational mode, making the driving range adaptive rather than fixed, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The focus limit operation prepares the system by pre-setting the driving range to the narrower second range before autofocus execution. This preliminary action of range limitation ensures that when autofocus operates, it does so within the optimized narrow range for fast positioning, while the system retains the capability to switch to the wider first range if needed.
3Measurement precision
If manual focus operation is required to set the reference position before autofocus, then the user can precisely position the focus lens, but the overall focusing process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the focus lens position automatically determined by the processor (either current position or position after AF driving) as the reference position for the second range, eliminating the need for manual focus operation. The system serves itself by automatically establishing the reference point, thus achieving precision without manual intervention time.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs preliminary determination of the reference position using autofocus-driven positioning before executing the focus limit operation. This preliminary action establishes the reference position automatically, eliminating the need for subsequent manual focus adjustment and reducing overall time while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes a first operation unit operable to switch between a first mode for setting a driving range of a focus lens in autofocus to a first range and a second mode for setting the driving range to a second range narrower than the first range, a second operation unit operable to issue a start command of a focus limit operation for limiting the driving range to the second range in the second mode, and a processor configured to set the second range to a range that has a reference position at a position of the focus lens when the start command is issued or a position to which the focus lens is driven by the autofocus after the start command is issued, and control driving of the focus lens by the autofocus within the second range after the second range is set.