Camera Focus Lens Control for Adjustable Focusing Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatuses prioritize short focusing times, leading to discomfort for users and an inability to capture images that meet the photographer's intended purpose, especially when shooting motion images.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a focus detection section that performs phase difference detection and adjusts focusing time based on detected defocus amounts, allowing for flexible focusing times to suit the user's needs by moving the focus lens according to the defocus amount and user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the focusing time is shortened to improve productivity, then the focusing speed is improved, but the user comfort and image quality deteriorate due to restlessness and inability to capture intended subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the focusing speed variable rather than fixed. The control section dynamically adjusts the focusing speed based on the detected defocus amount, allowing the system to adapt between fast focusing (when defocus is large) and slow focusing (when defocus is small), thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and user comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of focusing speed based on the defocus amount. When the defocus amount is large, the focusing speed is set to a higher value for quick adjustment; when the defocus amount is small, the focusing speed is reduced to prevent overshooting and restlessness. This parameter change strategy resolves the technical contradiction
2Ease of operation
If the focusing time is extended to improve user comfort, then the user comfort is improved, but the productivity and focusing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts focusing speed based on real-time defocus detection, allowing fast focusing when needed (maintaining productivity) and slow focusing when precision is needed (maintaining user comfort), thus resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The focusing speed parameter is changed according to the defocus amount detected by the focus detection section, enabling the system to optimize between speed and comfort based on actual focusing conditions
3Device complexity
If the focusing time is fixed to simplify device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different shooting scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the defocus amount and autonomously determining the appropriate focusing speed without requiring user intervention or complex manual settings, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The focus detection section provides feedback on the defocus amount to the control section, which then adjusts the focusing speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to different focusing scenarios without increasing device complexity
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 reduces user discomfort during focusing and enables the capture of images that meet the photographer's purpose by allowing adjustable focusing times, whether fast or slow, depending on the situation.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device configured to convert light from a subject into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion and generate an image signal
Implementation Method 2
a focus detection section configured to, in parallel with receipt of the light from the subject by the imaging device, receive a part of the light from the subject to perform phase difference detection using the light, and detect a defocus amount of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A camera includes an imaging device; a phase difference detection unit configured to, in parallel with receipt of the light from the subject by the imaging device, perform phase difference detection using the light to detect a defocus amount of the subject; a focus lens group; a body control section configured to move the focus lens group based on the defocus amount detected by the phase difference detection unit to bring the subject into focus; and an image display section for selecting a subject to be in focus from subjects included in an image signal. The body control section is configured to, when the subject to be in focus is selected, move the focus lens group to bring the selected subject into focus. The body control section adjusts a focusing time depending on the defocus amount detected before the movement of the focus lens group.