Camera Shutter Speed Adjustment via Motion Blur Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the shutter speed priority mode of image capturing apparatuses, users face difficulties in quickly adjusting shutter speed to match their desired settings, leading to potential missed shots due to the need for multiple operations to achieve the correct setting, especially when there is a significant difference between the set and desired shutter speeds.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that detects motion amounts from images taken at predetermined intervals, converts these into motion blur amounts for subsequent shots, and determines a shutter speed adjustment step size based on the difference between actual and target motion blur amounts, allowing for precise and efficient adjustments to the shutter speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shutter speed is adjusted using traditional manual methods (dial manipulation or touch panel swiping), then the user can change the shutter speed setting, but it requires multiple operations and takes longer when there is a major difference between the set and desired shutter speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter speed adjustment operationVSAvoidtime required for shutter speed adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical dial manipulation or touch panel swiping with an optical recognition system. The imaging unit captures images of the dial position, and image processing automatically determines the current shutter speed setting, eliminating the need for manual input operations and enabling faster adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the camera's own imaging capabilities to read the dial position automatically. The imaging unit and image processing unit work together to self-determine the current shutter speed setting without requiring external input devices or manual user interaction, making the system self-sufficient in obtaining setting information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the user manually adjusts shutter speed through multiple operations to achieve the desired value, then the correct shutter speed can be set, but the user may miss the shooting opportunity due to the time delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter speed setting accuracyVSAvoidshooting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual dial manipulation with automated optical recognition. The imaging unit captures the dial position image, and image processing automatically extracts the shutter speed value, ensuring precise setting while eliminating the time delay associated with manual adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously or pre-acquires images of the dial position and processes them to determine the current shutter speed setting before the user actually needs to change it. This preliminary preparation of setting information enables immediate response when the user wants to adjust the shutter speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional shutter speed adjustment methods are used, then the user can control the shutter speed setting, but the adjustment step size is fixed and does not adapt to the motion blur requirements of the shooting subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter speed adjustment adaptabilityVSAvoidshutter speed adjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the shutter speed adjustment step size dynamic rather than fixed. The determining unit calculates the adjustment step size based on the relationship between current and target shutter speeds, allowing the step size to adapt automatically to different shooting scenarios and motion blur requirements, improving both ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the determined motion blur amount and the difference between current and target shutter speeds to adjust the adjustment step size. This feedback mechanism allows the system to intelligently modify the adjustment behavior based on the actual shooting requirements, making the operation more adaptable and user-friendly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11405555B2Information processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 CANON KK

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus. A detecting unit detects a first motion amount of an object from an image obtained through first shooting carried out repeatedly at predetermined intervals of time. A converting unit converts the first motion amount into a first motion blur amount that will arise in second shooting, on the basis of the predetermined intervals of time and a shutter speed used in the second shooting. A determining unit determines a first shutter speed adjustment step size on the basis of a difference between the first motion blur amount and a first target motion blur amount that is lower than the first motion blur amount. A changing unit changes the shutter speed of the second shooting at the first shutter speed adjustment step size in response to a first shutter speed changing unit being operated.