Autofocus Subject Selection Adaptation for Camera Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses face challenges in selecting the main subject appropriately when autofocus settings are changed, leading to potential misalignment with the user's intention.
Innovation Solution
A focus adjustment apparatus and method that determines whether to select the main subject based on the previous selection or independently of it, depending on the change in autofocus settings, ensuring accurate subject selection in line with user intent by adjusting the autofocus settings and performing focus adjustments accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the main subject is always selected based on the previous selection regardless of AF setting changes, then the subject selection consistency is improved, but the adaptability to user intention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic selection mechanism that adapts the subject selection strategy based on the type of AF setting change. When continuous AF is enabled, the system maintains the previous main subject selection for consistency. When AF range or other settings change, the system performs independent re-selection to adapt to new user intentions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the selection process flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameter (whether to use previous selection or re-select) based on the AF setting change type. By monitoring AF setting parameters and adjusting the selection strategy accordingly, the system achieves both consistency when appropriate and adaptability when needed, resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the main subject is re-selected independently every time after AF setting changes, then the adaptability to user intention is improved, but the subject selection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the re-selection behavior based on the specific AF setting change. For continuous AF mode, the system maintains stability by keeping the previous selection. For other AF setting changes, the system performs re-selection to ensure adaptability. This conditional dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary re-selection while maintaining adaptability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameter (use previous selection vs. re-select) based on the AF setting change type. This parameter-based decision-making allows the system to maintain stability when appropriate while achieving adaptability when needed, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the AF setting is changed frequently, then the adaptability to different shooting scenarios is improved, but the likelihood of misselection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic selection mechanism that adapts the subject selection strategy based on the type of AF setting change. When continuous AF is enabled, the system maintains the previous main subject selection for consistency. When AF range or other settings change, the system performs independent re-selection to adapt to new user intentions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the selection process flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the AF setting change type to determine the appropriate selection strategy. By monitoring whether continuous AF is enabled or if other AF settings have changed, the system adjusts its selection behavior accordingly, reducing misselection while maintaining adaptability to different shooting scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a focus adjustment apparatus. A selection unit repeatedly executes selection processing for selecting a main subject from one or more subjects included in a shooting range based on an autofocus (AF) setting. A focus adjustment unit performs focus adjustment on a target position determined based on the selected main subject. A change unit changes the AF setting. In a case where the AF setting is changed after a previous execution of selection processing, the selection unit determines whether to execute selection processing based on a main subject selected in the previous execution of selection processing or whether to execute the selection processing independently of the main subject selected in the previous execution of selection processing according to a change content of the AF setting.