Flicker Detection Control for High-Speed Continuous Shooting

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image capturing apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed continuous shooting while effectively reducing the effects of flicker, as frequent flicker detection between frames slows down the shooting process due to fluctuations in flicker frequency.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing apparatus that switches between two operational modes: a first mode where flicker detection is performed between frames for precise exposure timing and a second mode where detection is omitted between frames, allowing high-speed continuous shooting by accurately determining the flicker frequency and peak timing before starting continuous shooting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If flicker detection is performed between frames in continuous shooting, then exposure timing accuracy is improved, but shooting speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure timing accuracyVSAvoidshooting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs flicker detection and peak timing identification in advance before continuous shooting begins. The control unit stores the detected peak timing information and uses it throughout the continuous shooting sequence, eliminating the need for repeated detection operations between frames while maintaining accurate exposure timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If flicker detection is performed between frames in continuous shooting, then exposure uniformity is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure uniformityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs flicker detection and peak timing identification in advance before continuous shooting begins. The control unit stores the detected peak timing information and uses it throughout the continuous shooting sequence, eliminating the need for repeated detection operations between frames while maintaining accurate exposure timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If peak timing detection is performed periodically, then flicker frequency stability is improved, but detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflicker frequency stabilityVSAvoiddetection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs flicker detection and peak timing identification in advance before continuous shooting begins. The control unit stores the detected peak timing information and uses it throughout the continuous shooting sequence, eliminating the need for repeated detection operations between frames while maintaining accurate exposure timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10868972B2Image capturing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing device, a flicker detection unit that detects a cycle of change of brightness in the flicker and a peak timing, and a control unit that switches between a first flicker reduction continuous shooting operation, in which, in a case where flicker is present, the image capturing device is caused to capture images in accordance with the peak timing while causing the flicker detection unit to detect the peak timing between frames in continuous shooting, and a second flicker reduction continuous shooting operation in which the image capturing device is caused to capture images in accordance with the peak timing without causing the flicker detection unit to detect the peak timing between frames in continuous shooting.