Camera Display Superimposing Focus Marks for Multi-Module Autofocus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital cameras with auto focus functions do not effectively communicate the focusing status of multiple camera modules, particularly when one module is in auto focus mode and another is in manual focus mode, leading to user confusion and potential visibility issues with small display areas.
Innovation Solution
A digital video camera system featuring a main camera and a sub camera, where the focusing status of the sub camera is displayed superimposed on the main camera's image, using a Picture in Picture (PinP) mode, with focus marks indicating completion on the main camera's image rather than the sub camera's, to simplify user understanding and avoid visibility degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the sub camera image is displayed in a small area, then the device can show both camera views simultaneously, but the focus completion mark becomes difficult to recognize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the focus completion mark display from the sub camera image area to the main camera image area, effectively changing the spatial dimension where the indicator appears. This allows the focus status to be communicated in a larger, more visible space while maintaining the small sub camera display for reference purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The main camera image serves as an intermediary canvas where the focus completion mark is displayed. Instead of trying to fit the mark into the limited sub camera view, the system uses the main camera's larger display area as a mediator to convey the focus status information clearly.
2Loss of information
If separate focus marks are displayed for both cameras, then complete focus information is provided, but user confusion increases when one camera is in auto focus and another in manual focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the focus completion mark display from the sub camera image context and places it on the main camera image. This separation of the indicator from its traditional location eliminates the confusion of having multiple marks in different contexts, while still conveying the sub camera's focus status through the main image's unified display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the focus status indication into a single unified display location on the main camera image. Instead of maintaining separate focus marks for each camera that could confuse users, the system combines the information presentation into one clear location that reflects the sub camera's focus completion status.
Data Source
AI summary
The imaging device includes a camera body, a first imaging unit, a display unit, a second imaging unit and a controller. The first imaging unit is fixedly disposed on the camera body and generates a first image data by capturing a subject image. The display unit is rotatable with respect to the camera body via a hinge unit. The second imaging unit is variably disposed on a side different from the hinge unit across the display face of the display unit and generates a second image data by capturing a subject image. The controller causes the display unit to display a superimposed image obtained by superimposing an image represented by the second image data on an image represented by the first image data. The image represented by the second image data is displayed on a side of the second imaging unit on the image represented by the first image data.