Dynamic Aperture Control for Camera Focus and Flicker Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems face decreased focus and flicker detection accuracy when a small aperture value is set on the lens side, leading to out-of-focus images and reduced performance in still image and movie modes.

Innovation Solution

A system where the lens and pickup apparatus communicate to adjust the aperture value dynamically, allowing the camera to determine the appropriate aperture value based on shooting mode, ensuring optimal focus and flicker detection by transitioning between manual and auto aperture modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the aperture value is set to a small aperture on the lens side, then the depth of field increases, but the focus detection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of fieldVSAvoidfocus detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic aperture control where the aperture value changes based on the shooting mode. In still image mode, the aperture is dynamically adjusted to a larger value during focus detection to ensure accurate detection, then returned to the user-set small aperture value for actual shooting. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by having different aperture values at different stages of the shooting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary aperture adjustment before focus detection. The aperture is temporarily opened to a larger value before the focus detection process begins, ensuring optimal conditions for detection. This preliminary action allows the system to achieve accurate focus detection even when the final shooting aperture will be small.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Illumination intensity

If the aperture value is set to a small aperture on the lens side, then the lighting effect improves, but the flicker detection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting effectVSAvoidflicker detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic aperture control for flicker detection similar to focus detection. During flicker detection in still image mode, the aperture is temporarily adjusted to a larger value to ensure sufficient light for accurate detection. After detection completes, the aperture returns to the user-set small aperture value for actual shooting, thus resolving the contradiction between lighting effect and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the camera controls the aperture value, then the focus detection accuracy improves, but the user's manual aperture setting cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus detection accuracyVSAvoidmanual aperture setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aperture control into different phases: during focus detection phase, the camera controls the aperture to ensure accurate detection; during actual shooting phase, the lens maintains the user-set aperture value. This segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied at different times without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary aperture adjustment by the camera only when needed for focus detection, before the actual shooting occurs. This preliminary control ensures accurate detection while minimizing the impact on user experience, as the aperture is quickly adjusted and then returned to the user-set value for the actual photo capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the aperture value is fixed to the user-set value during focus detection, then the manual control is maintained, but the detection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual controlVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements conditional dynamic control where the aperture behavior changes based on the shooting mode. In still image mode, the aperture dynamically adjusts during focus detection. In movie mode, the aperture remains fixed at the user-set value. This conditional approach maintains manual control where needed while enabling dynamic adjustment where detection accuracy is critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240329493A1System capable of changing aperture value of diaphragm within lens apparatus on both lens side and camera side, pickup apparatus, lens apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 CANON KK

AI summary

The system has a camera and a lens unit, and in a first mode, a diaphragm of the lens unit is controlled such that an effective aperture value is a first aperture value set according to a user operation and in the camera, a photometric value is calculated from a frame image during a Live View operation in a state where an amount of light received is adjusted by the diaphragm.