Dual-Image Capture Exposure Control for Telephoto Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging apparatuses with high-magnification zoom lenses, the narrow photographing field angle during telephoto shooting causes the main object to be lost from the live view display due to camera shake or motion, leading to missed shutter release opportunities and visibility issues when a bright background saturates the image, especially when the object is out of frame.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-image capture system where a first image capture unit captures images at a narrow field angle and a second unit at a wider angle, with a display unit showing the second unit's image and an exposure control unit reducing exposure when the main object is out of the narrow field angle and the background brightness is high, ensuring the main object's visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If exposure control is performed by each image capture unit, then the image level can be optimized for each unit, but the presence of a very bright background may saturate the image level of the main object area and deteriorate visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image capture system into two separate units: a first image capture unit for narrow field angle imaging and a second image capture unit for wide field angle imaging. Each unit has independent exposure control, allowing the wide-angle unit to capture bright backgrounds without saturating the main object visibility that is preserved in the narrow-angle unit's image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the narrow field angle image data from the first image capture unit as an intermediary to protect the visibility of the main object. When the main object is out of the narrow field angle, this image data serves as a reference to prevent overexposure saturation from affecting the tracked object's visibility in the final composite image.
2Device complexity
If a single photographic optical system is used for framing, then the system is simpler, but a time lag occurs before photographing and shutter release opportunities may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by continuously capturing wide field angle images with the second image capture unit to monitor the main object's position and predict its movement. This allows the system to prepare framing adjustments in advance, eliminating time lags and ensuring shutter release opportunities are not missed when the object moves into or out of the narrow field angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by having both image capture units operate simultaneously and continuously. The first unit captures the main object at high detail while the second unit continuously monitors the broader scene, ensuring uninterrupted tracking and immediate response to object movement without frame-by-frame delays.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus including: a main image-capture unit; a sub-image-capture unit including an optical system and an image-capture element different from the main image-capture unit capturing an image of an image capturing range of the main image-capture unit and its peripheral region; and a display unit displaying, during live view, an image from the sub-image-capture unit and a recording region being an image capturing range of the main image-capture unit, wherein when the main object is in the recording region, the exposure of the sub-image-capture unit is controlled based on photometric information in the recording region, meanwhile when the main object is out of the recording region and there is a region including brightness exceeding a predetermined value outside the recording region, the exposure of the sub-image-capture unit is controlled to be reduced by a predetermined value, and an image output from the sub-image-capture unit is displayed in live view.