Camera Focusing via Locator Beacon Distance Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera focusing systems face challenges in maintaining accurate focus, especially when subjects are dynamic or multiple, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs due to the need for manual adjustments and inability to reshoot scenes.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing locator beacons and wireless communication to calculate and display focus distances, enabling continuous, automated focus control and transition between subjects, with both manual and servo-operated follow-focus capabilities, allowing a single operator to manage multiple cameras.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual focus adjustment is used, then the operator can control focus, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient for dynamic or multiple subjects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus adjustment speedVSAvoidtime for focus adjustments
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical focus adjustment with an automated electronic system. A processor receives distance information from sensors (such as time-of-flight sensors or RFID tags) and automatically controls the lens focus mechanism, eliminating the need for manual operation and enabling real-time focus adjustment for dynamic subjects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the camera to automatically determine subject distance and adjust focus without human intervention. The processor continuously monitors distance data from sensors and autonomously modifies lens positioning to maintain optimal focus, making the system self-regulating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated focus system is implemented, then focus adjustment speed improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated focus capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor serves multiple functions: it processes distance information from various sensor types (time-of-flight, RFID, ultrasonic), determines focus requirements, and controls the lens mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining automated focus capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a processor as an intermediary that bridges the sensor system and the lens control mechanism. This central processing unit simplifies the overall system architecture by consolidating control logic and serving as a single point of coordination between distance measurement and focus execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If distance measurement accuracy is improved, then focus precision increases, but measurement difficulty increases for dynamic subjects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoiddistance detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary distance measurement using sensors (such as time-of-flight sensors that emit and measure reflected light, or RFID tags that provide pre-encoded position data) before focus adjustment is needed. This advance measurement allows the processor to prepare focus settings in advance, improving both accuracy and response time for dynamic subjects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3069505B1Location-tag camera focusing systems
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 FREE FOCUS SYSTEMS LLC
  • EP3069505B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3069505B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3069505B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system (100) for improved camera focusing systems using subject location tags (116). More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to providing a system (100) comprising camera accessories and in-lens technologies that allows for the continuous, automated focus of a subject by measuring the distance between the camera and a subject that has been "tagged" with a locator beacon (116).