Imaging Apparatus Display Method Switching for Manual Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In digital cameras, as the number of pixels in the image-pickup device increases to support high-definition imaging, the pixel pitch decreases in small-size liquid crystal displays, making it difficult to discern subject details and confirm exact in-focus and exposure states, thereby complicating manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus incorporates an image pickup unit, a cutout image generation unit, an image display unit, and a display image control unit that allows for the display of a normal pickup image and a cutout image simultaneously, enabling the user to watch the entire angle of field and subject details at the same time, and automatically switches the display method based on user operations and image recognition results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of pixels in the image-pickup device is increased to support high-definition imaging, then imaging resolution is improved, but the pixel pitch in the liquid crystal display decreases making it difficult to discern subject details
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into multiple regions: a first region displaying the normal pickup image and a second region displaying the cutout image at enlarged magnification. This segmentation allows simultaneous viewing of both the overall scene and detailed subject information, resolving the contradiction between high imaging resolution and subject detail visibility on the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the display by dividing the screen into different areas. Instead of displaying a single full-resolution image that would require excessive display pixels, the system uses a two-dimensional layout with a normal image region and an enlarged cutout region, enabling users to view both overview and details simultaneously without increasing display pixel pitch.
2Measurement precision
If the number of pixels in the image-pickup device is increased, then imaging resolution is improved, but manual focus and exposure adjustments become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the display into a normal pickup image region and an enlarged cutout image region, users can easily perform manual focus and exposure adjustments. The enlarged cutout region provides magnified views of specific areas, allowing precise manual adjustments while maintaining the benefits of high imaging resolution.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the zoom magnification is changed during manual focusing, then subject detail visibility is improved, but visibility of the entire angle of field is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a first region showing the normal pickup image with the entire angle of field and a second region showing the cutout image at enlarged magnification. This allows users to simultaneously view both the full angle of field for composition and magnified subject details for focus confirmation, eliminating the need to choose between the two views.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spatial arrangement on the display screen to present multiple zoom levels simultaneously. Instead of switching between full view and magnified view, the system displays both in different regions of the same screen, allowing users to monitor both the entire angle of field and subject details at the same time.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, a cutout image generation unit for cutting out a specified area in a pickup image taken by the image pickup unit to generate a cutout image enlarged at a specified magnification, an image display unit for displaying one or both of the pickup image taken by the image pickup unit and the cutout image generated by the cutout image generation unit, a display image control unit, for controlling a method of displaying an image the image display unit displays, a manual focus operation unit for the user to control through manual operation the focus position of the image pickup unit, and a manual zoom operation unit for the user to control the zoom magnification of the image pickup unit.