Camera Autofocus Tracking from a Predefined Focus Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses struggle to facilitate efficient focusing operations that track a subject from a desired area, particularly when the subject moves or is not initially within the focus area.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a controller that performs focusing operations based on a predefined first focusing area, transitioning to tracking the subject once detected, using image recognition to adjust focus areas dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the optical system performs focusing operation based on a fixed first focusing area arranged in advance, then the focusing operation can be performed before subject detection, but the focusing operation cannot track the subject when it moves out of the initial focus area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning the focusing area from a static predefined region to a dynamic tracking region. When a subject is detected within the first focusing area, the system dynamically updates the focusing area to follow the subject's movement, enabling continuous focus tracking while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring subject detection results and using this information to adjust the focusing area. The detection unit provides feedback about subject position, and the control unit uses this feedback to update the focusing area, creating a closed-loop system that enables adaptive subject tracking.
2Productivity
If the system uses a predefined focusing area for focus operation, then the initial focusing can be performed efficiently, but the system cannot adapt to subjects moving outside the predetermined area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a predefined first focusing area before subject detection occurs. This preliminary setup enables efficient initial focusing operations to be performed immediately when needed, while the system remains prepared to transition to tracking mode if a subject is detected within this area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static to dynamic operation by updating the focusing area based on subject detection. When a subject is detected in the first focusing area, the system dynamically adapts by making the focusing area track the subject, thus maintaining both initial efficiency and dynamic adaptability.
3Device complexity
If the focusing area remains fixed at the initial position, then the focusing operation is simple to control, but the subject cannot be tracked when moving away from the initial area
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from the detection unit to determine whether to maintain the fixed focusing area or transition to tracking mode. When a subject is detected within the first focusing area, the feedback triggers an update to make the focusing area follow the subject, enabling extended tracking capability without significantly increasing control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements conditional dynamics by maintaining a simple fixed focusing area structure that only becomes dynamic when subject detection occurs. This approach allows the system to keep complexity low during normal operation while gaining enhanced tracking capability when needed, balancing simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor that captures a subject image formed via an optical system to generate image data; and a controller that controls focusing operation by the optical system. Before a subject is detected in a first focusing area, the controller causes the optical system to perform the focusing operation, based on the first focusing area, the first focusing area being arranged in advance in a captured image indicated by the image data. After the subject is detected in the first focusing area, the controller causes the optical system to perform the focusing operation with tracking the subject over a range away from the first focusing area.