Image Pickup Control with 3D Search Areas for Autofocus Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses struggle with autofocus timing and continuous imaging speed control, especially when imaging moving objects, often failing to capture in-focus images at desired moments and requiring manual selection of necessary frames.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus that recognizes three-dimensional space, disposes virtual objects to define search areas, and performs focus and continuous imaging controls only within these designated areas, using three-dimensional space information to ensure accurate autofocus and controlled imaging speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous imaging is performed at a uniform interval from the beginning to the end, then a large amount of captured images is obtained, but it requires the user to arduously select a necessary captured image from among them
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-setting virtual objects in three-dimensional space that define specific search areas and imaging conditions. These virtual objects are disposed beforehand to automatically determine when and where to capture images, eliminating the need for post-capture selection. The virtual objects serve as pre-configured triggers that initiate imaging only when objects enter their defined search areas, thus reducing the total number of captured images while ensuring necessary frames are automatically obtained.
2Extent of automation
If autofocus is performed without user operation, then automatic imaging control is achieved, but autofocus is not in time for a desired imaging timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring virtual objects that define search areas and associated autofocus parameters before imaging begins. When a target object enters a search area defined by a virtual object, the system immediately initiates autofocus control with pre-set parameters, ensuring focus is achieved at the desired imaging timing without manual intervention. The virtual objects contain pre-configured imaging conditions that are automatically applied when triggered.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the three-dimensional space for objects entering search areas defined by virtual objects. When an object is detected within a search area, the system provides feedback by automatically initiating focus control and imaging operations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that autofocus is performed at the precise moment when objects enter predefined search areas, achieving timely automatic focus without user operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the image pickup apparatus disposes a virtual object to define a search area, then imaging control reflecting user intent is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses virtual objects as digital copies or representations of user-defined search areas and imaging conditions in three-dimensional space. These virtual objects are software-based constructs that replicate the functional requirements of physical search areas without requiring physical modifications. By using virtual rather than physical implementations, the system achieves high adaptability while avoiding the complexity of physical reconfiguration mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus of controlling imaging of an object includes a memory storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions to acquire information about three-dimensional space as an imaging target, dispose a virtual figure in the three-dimensional space, designate a search area to search the three-dimensional space for the object based on the virtual figure, and perform at least one of focus control and continuous imaging control for the object existing within the search area.