Blink Detection Unit for Digital Camera Eye Closure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital photographing apparatuses often capture still images with closed eyes, requiring users to retake photos, causing inconvenience due to the need for manual checking and potential time delays.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a blink determination unit that checks for closed eyes in images captured by the device, allowing for re-capture if eyes are closed and storing the best image based on eye openness, reducing the number of instances with closed eyes in the final image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual checking of captured images is performed to ensure eyes are open, then image quality is improved, but user convenience deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic blink detection and self-corrects by retaking photographs when eyes are closed, eliminating the need for manual checking by the user. The apparatus autonomously identifies problematic images and initiates re-capture, making the system self-serve the quality control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where captured images are automatically analyzed for blink conditions, and based on the detection result, the system provides feedback by either accepting the image or triggering a re-capture. This closed-loop feedback ensures quality improvement without manual intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual checking of captured images is performed to ensure eyes are open, then image quality is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blink detection and evaluation process occurs continuously in the background during or immediately after image capture, rather than requiring sequential manual checking. This allows the system to maintain continuous operation and quickly identify and retake problematic images, minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously performs quality assessment and initiates re-capture without user intervention, eliminating the time users would spend manually reviewing each image. The automatic process significantly reduces the time required to obtain acceptable images with open eyes.
3Ease of operation
If automatic blink detection is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing unit performs multiple functions including both standard image processing and blink detection, while the control unit manages both normal operation and blink-based re-capture logic. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple photographs are taken to ensure eyes are open, then image quality is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs blink detection on a partial basis - only on images where eyes are closed - rather than requiring multiple photographs for every capture. By selectively retaking only problematic images and using automatic detection to minimize unnecessary re-captures, the system maintains higher photographing efficiency while still ensuring image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital photographing apparatus is provided that reduces the number of instances in which an image including a subject having closed eyes is obtained. A method of controlling the apparatus and a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method are also provided. The apparatus includes an image capture device that generates data from light incident thereon, and a blink determination unit that determines whether eyes are closed in an image from the generated data. The blink determination unit performs the determination as to whether eyes are closed only on an image from first still image data obtained in response to a signal received from a user. If the blink determination unit determines that eyes are closed in an image from still image data generated by the image capture device, still image data is obtained again from light incident on the image capture device.