Camera Autofocus and Aperture Control Parallel Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera systems experience reduced continuous shooting speed due to longer aperture reducing times on the photographic lens side, leading to standby times on the camera side during continuous shooting.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a detection unit and controller that allows for electric charge accumulation and aperture adjustments without waiting for completion, utilizing a diaphragm driving time prediction unit to output information on predicted diaphragm operation times, enabling parallel execution of autofocus and exposure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera waits for completion of electric charge accumulation for detecting defocus amount before starting aperture reducing operation, then measurement precision of defocus amount is improved, but continuous shooting speed deteriorates due to standby time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by initiating the aperture reducing operation before the electric charge accumulation for defocus detection is completed. The controller starts the aperture reducing operation at a timing when the diaphragm has not yet reached the aperture value corresponding to the predetermined aperture, allowing both operations to proceed in parallel rather than sequentially, thus eliminating the standby time while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements continuity of useful action by allowing the aperture reducing operation and defocus detection to overlap in time. Both operations continue simultaneously without interruption or waiting, maximizing the utilization of available time during continuous shooting modes and eliminating idle standby periods.
2Measurement precision
If the camera executes aperture reducing operation after completion of defocus detection, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases due to sequential execution
Solution Approach 1:
The controller initiates the aperture reducing operation before the defocus detection is fully completed, treating the aperture adjustment as a preliminary action that overlaps with the detection process. This eliminates the sequential waiting period and reduces overall time loss during continuous shooting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By making both defocus detection and aperture reducing operations continue simultaneously, the system eliminates idle time and ensures continuous productive action throughout the shooting sequence, directly reducing the standby time that would otherwise occur during sequential execution.
3Device complexity
If the diaphragm driving sequence is executed sequentially after release sequence, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to longer total time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller starts the aperture reducing operation before the defocus detection is completed, treating the aperture adjustment as a preliminary action that overlaps with the detection process. This eliminates the sequential waiting period and reduces overall time loss during continuous shooting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By making both defocus detection and aperture reducing operations continue simultaneously, the system eliminates idle time and ensures continuous productive action throughout the shooting sequence, directly reducing the standby time that would otherwise occur during sequential execution.
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 enables higher-speed continuous shooting by allowing autofocus and exposure operations to proceed without waiting for aperture adjustments, reducing standby times and enhancing overall camera system performance.
Implementation Method 1
an automatic exposure (hereinafter referred to as AE) device has widely been known. The AE device photo-electrically converts an object image from a photographic lens to determine an exposure amount (exposure value)
Data Source
AI summary
A camera is provided which is adapted to receive a photographic lens having a diaphragm. The camera includes a detection unit configured to execute electric charge accumulation for detecting a defocus amount when the diaphragm is in a state having a first aperture value, and a controller configured to, when causing the diaphragm to perform an aperture reducing operation from the first aperture value to a second aperture value, cause the diaphragm to start the aperture reducing operation without waiting for completion of the electric charge accumulation for detecting the defocus amount by the detection unit.