Focus Adjustment Display Unit for Moving Image Cameras

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Solution Overview

Problem

Professional motion picture camera focusing is challenging due to the need for precise manual control of focus distance, especially in complex scenes, where existing focus adjustment aids are either complex, overlay the monitor image, or inadequate for multiple objects at varying distances.

Innovation Solution

A focus setting display unit with a data input, display device, and control device that graphically represents the current focus distance and focus range relative to scenery points, providing intuitive visual feedback through a spatial relationship of graphical representations, allowing for easy adjustment of focus distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual focusing is used to achieve precise control of depth of field, then focusing precision is improved, but operation complexity increases and requires specialized skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocusing precisionVSAvoidoperation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by displaying the current focus distance numerically and graphically showing the focus range relative to detected scenery points. This provides continuous visual feedback to the operator about the focusing state, enabling precise manual control while simplifying the operation through intuitive display information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical focusing judgment with electronic detection and display systems. Distance detection means electronically measure distances to scenery points, and display means present this information visually, substituting mechanical skill-based focusing with electronic assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If focus adjustment aids overlay the monitor image to indicate sharply imaged areas, then focusing information is improved, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus informationVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts focus information from the captured image data and presents it separately through dedicated display means showing numerical values and graphical representations. This separates the focus information display from the monitor image, providing focus guidance without overlaying the actual image content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If existing focus adjustment aids are used for complex scenes with multiple objects, then single object focusing is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus distance measurementVSAvoidscene adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by detecting distances to multiple scenery points simultaneously and processing this data to provide comprehensive focus assistance for complex scenes. The system can handle single objects, multiple objects, and varying distance planes, adapting to different scene configurations through unified detection and display functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to focus assistance by graphically displaying the relationship between focus range and scenery points on a display device. This graphical representation provides spatial context and depth information that helps operators focus on appropriate objects in complex multi-object scenes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If a rotary knob with scale is used to check focus setting, then device simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidfocus distance reading precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the traditional rotary knob interface with electronic display technology. The rotary knob remains for manual focus adjustment, but is combined with numerical display means and graphical display means that show precise focus distance values and focus range information, merging simple mechanical operation with precise electronic measurement and display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3534210B1Focus adjustment display unit
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO BETRIEBS KG
  • EP3534210B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3534210B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3534210B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A focus setting display unit for a moving image camera comprises a data input configured to receive a focus setting, representing the instantaneous focus distance of a lens of the moving image camera, and distance values, representing the distances of numerous scene points within the lens's field of view from the moving image camera. The focus setting display unit further comprises a display device and an evaluation and control device configured to control the display device to show a graphical representation of the focus setting and a graphical representation of the frequency distribution of the distance values ​​in a spatial relationship to one another, reflecting the spatial relationship between the instantaneous focus distance of the lens and the distances of the numerous scene points.