Imaging Control Device Brightness Equalization for Focusing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in accurately setting the focus when subjects with different brightness levels are present in the focusing target area, as they primarily focus on preventing saturation in bright regions without improving focusing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An imaging control device that includes a brightness measurer, an imaging condition controller, a transmittance controller, and a focusing controller, which acquire image data, adjust imaging conditions to equalize brightness across divided areas, and control light transmittance in a variable optical element to enhance focusing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If exposure is determined based on average brightness of all subjects in the focusing target area, then light measurement is simplified, but focusing accuracy deteriorates when subjects with significantly different brightness coexist
Solution Approach 1:
The focusing target area is divided into multiple divided areas, and brightness is measured separately for each divided area. This segmentation allows the system to identify the darkest divided area and use its brightness for exposure determination, ensuring that dark subjects are properly exposed while maintaining focusing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different brightness measurement strategies to different divided areas within the focusing target area. Specifically, the darkest divided area is identified and given special consideration for exposure determination, while other areas are adjusted accordingly. This local quality approach ensures that the exposure settings are optimized for the darkest subject region, improving focusing accuracy.
2Reliability
If a variable optical element is used to adjust light transmittance for bright regions, then saturation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable optical element is divided into multiple regions corresponding to different divided areas of the focusing target area. Each region can independently adjust its light transmittance, allowing selective attenuation of light from bright regions while maintaining full transmittance for other areas. This segmented approach prevents saturation without requiring a completely complex optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the light transmittance parameter of the variable optical element dynamically based on the brightness distribution in the focusing target area. By adjusting the transmittance of specific regions of the optical element, the system prevents saturation in bright areas while maintaining simplicity in the overall device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If brightness equalization is applied to all divided areas, then focusing accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary brightness measurement and identification of the darkest divided area before the actual focusing operation. By pre-processing the brightness data and determining the exposure settings in advance, the system minimizes the time required during the actual focusing and imaging process, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining focusing accuracy.
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 solution improves focusing accuracy by ensuring that all areas within the focusing target are imaged at a consistent brightness, allowing for precise focus control even in scenarios with significantly dark or bright subjects, thereby enhancing the overall imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element which has variable light transmittance for each of a plurality of areas and is arranged ahead of the imager
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging control device includes: a brightness measurer that acquires a first captured image signal obtained from an imager imaging a subject through a focus lens, and obtains brightness of each of divided areas of a focusing target area set in the first captured image signal; an imaging condition controller that controls an imaging condition of the imager to a state where brightness of a lowest divided area which is one of the divided areas having lowest brightness is set to the set value; a transmittance controller that decreases brightness of other divided areas than the lowest divided area by controlling light transmittance of the areas corresponding to the other divided areas; and a focusing controller that performs focusing control for the focus lens based on the focusing target area of a second captured image signal in a specific state.