Autofocus Control Apparatus Prioritizing Main Object Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autofocus methods struggle to accurately focus on an area with higher priority while avoiding areas where focus detection is difficult, especially when obstructions or backgrounds are present on the far or close side of the object.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that sets multiple focusing points using object information from an image signal, selects a main focusing point, determines if the object is the same as previously focused, and adjusts the search area based on this determination to prioritize accurate focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the focus detection area is set to a position of a main object, then the focusing priority is improved, but the focus detection accuracy deteriorates when obstructions or backgrounds are present
Solution Approach 1:
The object detection area is divided into multiple regions with different priorities (first priority region, second priority region, etc.). The control apparatus segments the focus detection task by separately evaluating each region and selecting the main focusing point from the highest priority region that provides accurate focus detection, rather than treating the entire object area as a single focus region.
2Area of stationary object
If the focus detection area includes the entire object area, then the coverage is improved, but the focus detection reliability deteriorates due to obstructions or far/close backgrounds
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions within the object detection area are assigned different qualities or priorities. The first priority region is designated for main object focus detection, while the second priority region handles obstruction or background detection. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high reliability by selecting focus points from appropriate regions based on their specific characteristics.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple focusing points are set in the entire search area, then the focus detection coverage is improved, but the selecting accuracy of the main focusing point deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary classification of the object detection area into multiple priority regions before selecting focusing points. By pre-establishing the first priority region for main object detection and the second priority region for obstructions/backgrounds, the system narrows down the search scope and improves the accuracy of main focusing point selection, rather than searching randomly across the entire search area.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes at least one processor that functions as a setting a plurality of focusing points by using object information that includes information on a part of an object and is based on an image signal converted from an object image, a selection unit configured to select, from the plurality of focusing points in a search area, a main focusing point on which focusing is performed, an object determination unit configured to determine, by using a focusing state of a focusing point in a part with a highest priority in priorities set for respective parts of the object, whether or not the object included in the focusing point is the same as an object included in a previously selected main focusing point, and a decision unit configured to decide the search area based on a determination made by the object determination unit.