Image Capturing Apparatus Depth Width AF Frame Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras face complexity in displaying focus frames, making it difficult for users to determine the focus location, especially when the background is included within the focus frame, as existing techniques do not effectively differentiate between focus on the background or an object.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a focusing unit, detecting unit, calculating unit, and superimposing unit that calculates depth width based on depth information to determine if an object detection frame and AF frame should be displayed, with the AF frame only shown when the depth width is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an AF frame is superimposed to clearly indicate focus location, then focus indication clarity is improved, but screen complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the display strategy based on local depth characteristics. When depth width is large (significant depth difference), the AF frame is displayed to indicate focus location. When depth width is small (minimal depth difference), the AF frame is omitted to simplify the screen. This conditional display approach tailors the information presentation to the specific depth characteristics of each scene.
2Area of stationary object
If detection frame size increases to cover larger object areas, then object coverage is improved, but focus location clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by making the AF frame display conditional on depth characteristics. When the detection frame covers a large area with significant depth variation (large depth width), the AF frame is displayed to clarify which portion is in focus. When the detection frame covers areas with minimal depth variation (small depth width), the AF frame is omitted as it would not provide meaningful focus differentiation.
3Loss of information
If AF frame is always displayed within detection frame, then focus information completeness is improved, but visual clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively displaying the AF frame only when necessary - specifically when depth width exceeds a threshold indicating significant depth variation. This avoids the excessive action of always displaying the AF frame, thereby reducing visual clutter while maintaining focus information completeness in scenarios where it is actually needed.
4Measurement precision
If depth width calculation is performed to determine frame display, then focus indication accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by calculating depth width (a specific depth parameter) to control the display state of the AF frame. This single parameter calculation provides the necessary information to determine whether focus indication is needed, achieving accurate focus indication control without requiring complex multi-parameter analysis or sophisticated processing algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having a focusing unit for focusing in relation to an area within an angle of view, detects, from a captured image, an object area in which a specific object is present, calculates a depth width for the object area based on depth information indicating a defocus distance to an object for each portion obtained by dividing the image, and controls a display so as to, if the depth width is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, superimposedly display, on the image, an object detection frame for indicating the object area and an AF frame for indicating an AF location that the focusing unit uses, and, if the depth width is less than a predetermined value, superimposedly display the object detection frame, and not superimposedly display the AF frame.