Image Capture Apparatus Direction Alignment Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stereophonic techniques, such as Ambisonics, struggle to correct mismatches between the shooting direction of an image capture apparatus and the sound collecting direction of a sound collection apparatus, leading to misalignment between image and sound directions during reproduction.

Innovation Solution

An image capture apparatus is equipped with a processor that connects to a sound collection apparatus, generates stereophonic data, and corrects it based on the difference between the shooting direction of the image capture apparatus and the sound collecting direction of the sound collection apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an integrated imaging unit and sound collection unit are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the shooting direction and sound collecting direction cannot be corrected, causing mismatch between image and sound directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddirection alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by correcting the sound data in advance during the recording process. The correction unit calculates the difference between shooting direction and sound collecting direction, and the sound processing unit generates corrected sound data before reproduction, ensuring direction alignment is established beforehand rather than attempted during playback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary correction unit that mediates between the imaging unit and sound collection unit. This correction unit processes the sound data by calculating direction differences and generating corrected sound data, acting as a bridge that reconciles the directional mismatch between the integrated components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the shooting direction and sound collecting direction are allowed to differ, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the sound and image directions become mismatched, causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiduser discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the sound data parameters based on the direction difference between shooting and sound collecting. The correction unit calculates angular differences and transforms the sound data accordingly, changing the directional parameters of the sound to match the image shooting direction and eliminate user discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250168581A1Image capture apparatus and control method

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capture apparatus connects to a sound collection apparatus configured to collect sound data in different directions, generates stereophonic data based on sound data obtained from the sound collection apparatus, and corrects the stereophonic data based on a difference between a shooting direction of the image capture apparatus and a sound collecting direction of the sound collection apparatus.