Image Pickup Focus Control with Inside/Outside Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capture systems may inadvertently focus on unintended objects, such as animals or vehicles, instead of the intended human subjects, due to conventional methods that prioritize human faces over user-defined objects.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus and method that determines a main object to focus on by distinguishing between objects within and outside a focus frame using different methods, including face detection and object tracking, ensuring the intended object is prioritized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If human face detection is prioritized as the main object, then human subjects are reliably focused on, but unintended objects like animals or vehicles within the focus frame cannot be focused on

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus accuracyVSAvoidobject selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the focus frame into different detection zones and applies different detection methods to objects inside versus outside the focus frame. Objects within the focus frame are detected using one method while objects outside are detected using another method, allowing the system to prioritize user-intended objects while maintaining reliable focus on human subjects when appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the main object selection based on the user's focus frame position and detected objects. The system continuously evaluates both objects inside and outside the focus frame, switching between different determination methods based on the current shooting scenario, thereby adapting to different user intentions in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single detection method is used for all objects, then the detection process is simple, but the system cannot distinguish between user-intended and non-user-intended objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection method complexityVSAvoidobject identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different detection qualities and methods to different spatial locations. Objects within the focus frame are subjected to one detection approach while objects outside the focus frame receive a different detection approach, allowing the system to maintain high identification accuracy for user-intended objects while keeping the overall system manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12375804B2Control apparatus, image pickup apparatus, control method, and storage medium thatdetermine a main object to be focused on

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 CANON KK

AI summary

A control apparatus is configured to control an image pickup apparatus that is configured to acquire image data. The control apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire an area for focus detection set to the image data, and a determining unit configured to determine as a main object that is a target to be focused on, one of a first object determined from at least one object detected inside the area and a second object determined from at least one object detected outside the area. The determining unit determines the first object and the second object by different methods.