Imaging Device DFD Processing Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The continuous performance of DFD processing in imaging devices increases power consumption and alters the focused state of subject images, reducing user visibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a control unit that measures variations in subject images and performs DFD processing only when the variation exceeds a predetermined value, optimizing power usage and maintaining image clarity by stabilizing the focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If DFD processing is always performed, then depth measurement capability is maintained, but power consumption increases and image visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic DFD processing by determining whether to perform DFD based on focus lens drive amount and subject image variation. Instead of continuous processing, the system periodically evaluates conditions and performs DFD only when appropriate, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining depth measurement capability when needed.
2Measurement precision
If DFD processing is always performed, then depth measurement capability is maintained, but focused state changes and visibility is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs DFD processing periodically based on evaluated conditions rather than continuously. By checking focus lens drive amount and subject image variation, the system determines appropriate moments to perform DFD, preventing unnecessary processing that would alter focus state and reduce visibility, while still maintaining depth measurement capability.
3Productivity
If DFD processing is performed frequently, then depth information is more frequently updated, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements conditional periodic processing by evaluating focus lens drive amount and subject image variation before performing DFD. This approach updates depth information at appropriate intervals based on actual scene changes rather than at fixed high frequency, maintaining necessary update frequency while significantly reducing power consumption by skipping unnecessary processing.
4Measurement precision
If DFD processing is performed when focus is changing, then depth measurement can be performed, but image clarity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic evaluation of focus lens drive amount and subject image variation to determine when to perform DFD. By checking whether focus has stabilized and subject image variation is within acceptable ranges, the system ensures DFD is performed only when image clarity is maintained, preventing degradation during focus transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device of the present disclosure includes: an optical system including a focus lens; an imaging system configured to generate image data based on an image obtained by the optical system; a DFD processing unit configured to calculate DFD distance information regarding a subject distance based on a plurality of blur signals and a plurality of pieces of image data having different focusing positions, the image data being obtained from the imaging system following drive of the focus lens; a measuring unit configured to measure a variation of a subject image of the image data; and a control unit configured to control the DFD processing unit to calculate the DFD distance information when the variation is equal to or more than a predetermined value.