Image-Capturing Apparatus Dynamic Tracking Range Focus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-capturing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently determining and maintaining the focus on objects based on their distance, particularly when objects within the tracking range move or new objects enter the frame, leading to unnecessary focusing operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a Depth From Defocus (DFD) method using a focus lens, CMOS image sensor, and controller to determine object distances and adjust the focus lens position, while also establishing and updating a tracking range for focusing operations, thereby optimizing focus control based on object positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the focus lens continuously tracks all objects in the frame, then the focusing coverage is improved, but unnecessary focusing operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frame into a tracking range and areas outside it. Only objects within the tracking range are subjected to focusing operations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive monitoring coverage while restricting intensive focusing actions to relevant regions, thereby reducing unnecessary focusing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking range is dynamically adjusted based on the position of a particular object. When the particular object moves, the tracking range updates accordingly to maintain appropriate focusing coverage. This dynamic adjustment ensures the system adapts to changing scenes without performing excessive focusing operations on static or irrelevant objects.
2Measurement precision
If the tracking range is updated frequently to follow object movement, then the tracking accuracy is improved, but the system response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the position of the particular object and uses this feedback to determine whether to update the tracking range. By basing updates on actual position changes rather than continuous updates, the system maintains accurate tracking while avoiding unnecessary processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking range is updated partially - only when the position of the particular object changes. This partial action approach maintains sufficient tracking accuracy for the moving object while avoiding the time loss associated with continuous or excessive updates when objects are stationary.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables convenient and efficient focusing by accurately determining object distances and maintaining focus on targeted objects, reducing unnecessary focusing operations when new objects enter the frame.
Implementation Method 1
a focus lens that focuses on an object as to form an object image from the object
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor that captures the object image as to produce image data
Data Source
AI summary
An image-capturing apparatus includes a focus lens that focuses on an object as to form an object image from the object, an image sensor that captures the object image as to produce image data, and a controller that controls the focus lens. The controller determines a tracking range based on a position of a particular object. The controller causes the focus lens to focus on a certain object when the certain object is located in the tracking range. The controller does not cause the focus lens to focus on the certain object when the certain object is located out of the tracking range. The controller determines whether or not the position of the particular object changes. The controller updates the tracking range in response to the position of the particular object if determining that the position of the particular object changes. The controller maintains the tracking range if determining that the position of the particular object does not change.