Image Processing Device Instant Focus State Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras without a reflex mirror face challenges in displaying an image with sufficient contrast for focus adjustment, as they rely solely on contrast detection methods, making it difficult to instantly determine if an image is in focus using existing phase difference calculation processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that generates and displays achromatic and chromatic images based on signals from different pixel groups of an imaging lens, allowing instant switching between in-focus and out-of-focus states by comparing output values from these groups and adjusting the display accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase difference calculation process is used to determine in-focus state, then focus detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases and instant switching between in-focus and out-of-focus display becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is divided into three distinct pixel groups: first pixel group for receiving light through first region, second pixel group for receiving light through second region, and third pixel group for receiving light without region restriction. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different image signals to determine focus state instantly without complex phase difference calculation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the necessary information for focus detection by comparing image signals from the first and second pixel groups, rather than performing full phase difference calculation on the entire image. This extraction approach maintains accuracy while significantly reducing processing time
2Ease of operation
If chromatic image is displayed to indicate in-focus state, then user recognition is improved, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of processing the entire image to determine focus state, the invention applies local quality assessment by comparing signals only from specific pixel groups (first and second pixel groups) at corresponding positions. This localized approach reduces processing load while maintaining user recognition capability through selective chromatic image generation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an image processing device, an imaging device, an image processing method, and an image processing program which can instantly switch display between a chromatic image indicating an in-focus state and an achromatic image indicating an out-of-focus state. A control unit performs control such that a chromatic split image, which is obtained by giving a chromatic color included in a normal image to an achromatic split image, is displayed in a case in which the result of comparison between an output value of a first image signal and an output value of a second image signal is less than a threshold value. In addition, the control unit performs control such that an achromatic split image, which is obtained based on a left eye image and a right eye image, is displayed in a case in which the comparison result is equal to or greater than the threshold value.