Multi-Area Focus Lens Control for High-Speed Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses require significant time to detect in-focus positions for multiple objects due to increased driving amounts of focus lenses, making the process inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that acquires contrast evaluation values for multiple areas in an image and determines the in-focus position of a focus lens for each area, adjusting its driving direction based on these values, allowing for simultaneous detection of in-focus positions across multiple areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the in-focus position is detected for each of the plurality of objects separately, then the focus accuracy for each object is improved, but the total detection time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the focus detection process for multiple objects by performing simultaneous contrast evaluation across all objects in a single scanning operation. The control unit coordinates the focus lens driving and contrast evaluation such that all objects are evaluated together, eliminating the need for separate detection processes while maintaining accurate focus detection for each object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous focus lens driving during the detection process, where the focus lens moves continuously through the focus range while contrast evaluation is performed at multiple positions. This continuous action allows the system to gather focus information for all objects throughout the scanning process rather than stopping and starting between objects, significantly reducing total detection time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the focus lens driving amount is increased to cover all objects, then the focus coverage for multiple objects is improved, but the detection process becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic focus lens driving where the scanning speed and stopping positions are adjusted based on real-time contrast evaluation results. The system accelerates through regions where no objects are present and decelerates or stops only when objects are detected, creating a dynamic detection process that maintains comprehensive coverage while optimizing speed. The focus lens driving amount and pattern adapt to the actual distribution of objects in the scene.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire a contrast evaluation value for each of a plurality of areas in an image, and a controlling unit configured to detect an in-focus position of a focus lens for each of the plurality of areas based on the contrast evaluation value. The controlling unit determines whether or not the focus lens approaches the in-focus position of each of the plurality of areas based on the contrast evaluation value. The controlling unit determines a driving direction of the focus lens based on a result of a determination. When detecting the in-focus position of one area of the plurality of areas, the controlling unit determines the driving direction of the focus lens based on the contrast evaluation value of another area of the plurality of areas other than the one area.