Image-taking apparatus automatic face focus selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-taking methods struggle with focusing on human faces, especially in low-contrast subjects and when multiple people are in the frame, due to the need for manual focus adjustment and time lag between shutter button press and image capture, leading to missed moments.
Innovation Solution
An image-taking method that automatically takes multiple images with different focus positions, detects human faces or eyes, sets a focus evaluation area, calculates focus evaluation values, and chooses the image with the highest value for optimal focus without manual operation, allowing immediate shooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If focus evaluation is performed in a predetermined focus evaluation area, then focus calculation can be performed, but if the main subject is not in the set focus evaluation area, an image in which the main subject is in focus cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The image area is divided into multiple focus evaluation areas instead of using a single predetermined area. This segmentation allows different regions of the image to be evaluated independently, enabling the system to capture focus information for multiple subjects or different parts of the same subject across the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The focus evaluation system is designed to handle multiple subjects and different subject positions simultaneously by evaluating multiple areas. This multi-functional approach allows the same evaluation mechanism to adapt to various shooting scenarios whether the subject is in the center, edge, or multiple positions throughout the frame.
2Manufacturing precision
If the main subject is focused first and then the focus position is moved back and forth, then focus bracketing can be performed, but there is a time lag between the moment the shutter button is pressed and the moment an image is actually taken
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple images are captured simultaneously or in rapid succession at different focus positions before the shooting moment is lost. This preliminary capture of multiple focus states eliminates the need for sequential focusing adjustments, allowing the system to immediately select the best-focused image after the fact without missing the decisive moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs focus bracketing by capturing images at periodic focus intervals (infinity to close distance) in rapid succession. This periodic capture method ensures that the subject is captured at multiple focus points quickly, minimizing the total time required while maintaining focus accuracy.
3Reliability
If multiple images are taken with one shot using focus bracketing function, then focusing on low-contrast subjects can be improved, but a process for choosing an image is required after shooting
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system automatically performs focus evaluation and selects the best-focused image without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by evaluating the captured images based on focus metrics and automatically choosing the optimal image for storage, eliminating the need for users to manually review and select images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates focus evaluation values for each captured image and uses this feedback information to automatically determine which image has the best focus. This feedback mechanism allows the camera to make intelligent selections based on quantitative focus measurements rather than relying on user subjective judgment.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image-taking method and apparatus capable of quickly taking an image in which a human face is in focus. When an instruction to take an image is input, multiple images are taken with different focus positions. A human face in each of the images is detected, an area enclosing a detected human face is set as a focus evaluation area, and a focus evaluation value is calculated. Once focus evaluation values for all the images taken have been calculated, the image with the highest focus evaluation value among the images is chosen and recorded. Thus, an image in which the human face is in focus can be readily taken without having to perform cumbersome operations such as an image choosing operation.