Compound Eye Camera Autofocus Correction for Environmental Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compound eye camera systems face challenges in maintaining accurate autofocus (AF) performance due to variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, as well as changes in the state of internal components, which affect the calibration relationship between modules.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus equipped with two photographing modules that perform contrast AF and calculate object distance using parallax information, with a correction unit to adjust the focus detection results when environmental or internal changes occur, ensuring accurate AF even under varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a compound eye camera uses multiple photographing modules to achieve image composite functions and measurement functions, then the functionality and measurement capability are improved, but the calibration relationship between modules becomes unstable under environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration between photographing modules under controlled conditions and stores the calibration data in advance. When environmental conditions change, the system retrieves and applies pre-calibrated correction data corresponding to the current temperature or humidity conditions, avoiding the need for real-time recalibration and maintaining measurement accuracy across varying environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature and humidity as parameter variables that affect calibration relationships. By pre-calibrating at different temperature and humidity levels and storing multiple sets of calibration data, the system dynamically selects and applies the appropriate calibration parameters based on current environmental conditions, thus maintaining stability despite parameter changes.
2Measurement precision
If the system performs real-time correction of focus detection results based on temperature and humidity sensors, then the autofocus accuracy under varying environmental conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature and humidity sensors as intermediary elements that detect environmental conditions and trigger the selection of appropriate calibration data. These sensors act as mediators between the physical environment and the image processing system, enabling automatic adaptation without complex real-time correction algorithms. The intermediary sensors simplify the overall system by providing straightforward environmental feedback that maps to pre-computed correction tables.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple photographing modules are attached to different slots for compound eye camera functions, then the adaptability and functionality are improved, but the manufacturing precision and calibration stability deteriorate due to assembly variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration for each photographing module individually before final assembly, capturing the specific characteristics and alignment of each module. This pre-calibration data is stored and used to compensate for assembly variations that occur when modules are attached to different slots. By addressing alignment issues during individual module calibration rather than during final assembly, the system maintains manufacturing precision despite assembly flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus that achieves a function of a compound eye camera using a plurality of photographing modules and that improves AF accuracy even if environmental conditions vary or even if a state is changed by impact from outside. The electronic apparatus includes two photographing modules. A first obtaining unit performs contrast AF by one of the two photographing modules to obtain a first focus detection result. A second obtaining unit calculates an object distance from parallax information between the two photographing modules to obtain a second focus detection result. A correction unit corrects a calculation result of the object distance obtained by the second obtaining unit in a case where a state of at least one of the two photographing modules and a body of the electronic apparatus varies and where a difference between the first and second focus detection results is more than a threshold.