Camera Subject Tracking Control During Pan Tilt and Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems struggle to flexibly maintain focus and exposure control on a desired subject during panning, tilting, and zoom operations, often focusing on the background instead of the intended subject due to inflexible subject identification.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with an identification unit to dynamically change the main subject based on user intent, using an image capturing unit, setting unit, and control unit to adjust processing for subject identification during field angle changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the AF frame stops following the subject during panning, tilting, and zoom operations, then the focus control is simplified, but the focus accuracy deteriorates and the background becomes focused instead of the intended subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the AF frame following behavior changeable based on operation type. The control unit dynamically adjusts whether the AF frame follows the detected subject during panning, tilting, and zoom operations. When subject following is enabled, the AF frame continuously tracks the subject position; when disabled, the AF frame maintains its last position or follows a different rule. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt focus control complexity to operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of AF frame position adjustment based on operation type. During panning, tilting, and zoom operations, the control unit modifies the AF frame following parameter - either enabling it to track the subject or disabling it to maintain stability. This parameter change allows the system to balance between focus accuracy (when following is enabled) and control simplicity (when following is disabled), resolving the technical contradiction.
2Device complexity
If the AF frame is fixed during field angle change operations, then the control is simplified, but the adaptability to different subjects deteriorates and unintended subjects are focused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the AF frame position dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the AF frame position based on the type of operation being performed (panning, tilting, zooming) and whether subject following is enabled. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different operational contexts and subject intentions, resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about the operation type and the detected subject position. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the AF frame position accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different subjects and operational contexts while maintaining manageable control complexity, resolving the technical contradiction.
3Device complexity
If the main subject identification is rigid, then the processing is simplified, but the adaptability to user intentions deteriorates during panning and tilting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics to the main subject identification process. The control unit dynamically changes the identified main subject based on operation type and subject following status. During panning and tilting operations, the system can switch between rigid subject identification (maintaining the same subject) and flexible subject identification (tracking the detected subject). This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by allowing the processing complexity to vary with operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the parameter of main subject identification based on operational context. When subject following is enabled during panning or tilting, the system changes from rigid to flexible subject identification. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to user intentions while managing processing complexity, resolving the technical contradiction.
4Device complexity
If exposure control and white balance control do not follow the main subject during operations, then the control processing is simplified, but the image quality deteriorates due to inappropriate exposure and white balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics to exposure control and white balance control. The control unit dynamically adjusts these parameters based on whether the AF frame is following the subject during panning, tilting, and zoom operations. When subject following is enabled, the exposure and white balance controls adapt to the detected subject; when disabled, they maintain previous settings or use alternative rules. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between control processing complexity and image quality precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A main subject is automatically determined, and the main subject is made flexibly changeable in accordance with the intention of the user. Provided is a control method of an imaging apparatus that includes identifying a main subject in image data that is to be used for a setting of an image capturing condition, and in a case where a field angle change operation equal to or larger than a predetermined amount has been performed, performing control in such a manner as to change processing for identifying a subject, depending on whether the subject is being followed.