Hidden Autofocus Camera Image Suppression Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary digital autofocus cameras display a series of unfocused images during the focusing process, which is distracting and may cause users to miss the desired shot, especially when capturing moving subjects.
Innovation Solution
The camera alternates between an original focus position and multiple test positions, displaying only the image when the focus is optimal and suppressing images of out-of-focus positions, using a mechanism with low or no hysteresis to facilitate continuous and hidden autofocusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the autofocus mechanism continuously tests multiple focus positions to determine the best focus, then the focusing accuracy is improved, but the user experiences distraction from viewing multiple unfocused images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the autofocus testing process from the image display process. The camera captures and evaluates multiple focus positions to determine the best focus, but only displays the final focused image. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of displaying unfocused images while preserving the benefit of continuous autofocus testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between image capture and display. The camera processor evaluates focus quality for multiple captured images and selectively displays only the best focused image. This intermediary process acts as a mediator that filters out unfocused images before they reach the user, resolving the contradiction between testing multiple positions and avoiding user distraction.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the camera displays every frame during the autofocus search process, then the user can see the video stream continuously, but the user is distracted by constantly changing focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the video stream function from the autofocus display process. The camera maintains a continuous video stream in the buffer and continuously performs autofocus testing, but separates the display of test frames from the final focused image. This allows the video stream to continue without interruption while preventing the harmful effect of displaying unfocused frames to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous autofocus operation and video streaming in the background while selectively displaying only focused images. The autofocus mechanism continuously tests focus positions and the video stream continues to be captured and processed, ensuring that the useful actions of video streaming and autofocus searching continue without interruption, while the harmful display of unfocused images is eliminated.
3Speed
If the autofocus mechanism performs frequent focus tests to maintain sharp focus on moving subjects, then the focus responsiveness is improved, but more unfocused images are displayed during testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the autofocus testing process from the display pipeline. The camera performs frequent focus tests by capturing multiple frames at different focus positions, but removes these test frames from the display stream. Only the final determined best-focused image is displayed to the user, allowing rapid autofocus testing without proportionally increasing the number of unfocused images shown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary selection process that receives multiple focus test images and selects only the best focused one for display. This intermediary filtering mechanism allows the camera to perform frequent autofocus tests at high speed while preventing the corresponding increase in unfocused image display, as the intermediary layer filters out all but the best focused frame before it reaches the user.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and system for focusing a camera focus can be repeatedly alternated between an original focus position and a plurality of other focus positions. An image can be displayed when the focus position is the original focus position. The image can be suppressed at other focus positions when the images are out of focus. The image can be displayed at one of the other focus position when the image is in focus. In this manner, the display of annoying and distracting unfocused images is mitigated.