Imaging Device Face Detection via Focus Condition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face region detection methods in imaging devices fail to accurately detect face sizes unless the image forming optical system is in focus, leading to inaccurate face region detection.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with an image pickup device, focus detector, face detection circuit, and controller that executes face detection only when the focusing condition is achieved, ensuring accurate face region detection by prioritizing focus determination before face detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If face region detection is performed without ensuring focus condition, then detection speed is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs focus condition determination before face region detection. The focus detector determines whether the imaging optics are in focus for the face, and only when the focus condition is satisfied does the controller enable the face detection circuit to perform face region detection. This preliminary action ensures that accurate face size estimation is possible only when the optical system is properly focused.
2Productivity
If face detection is executed continuously, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the focus detector continuously monitors the focusing condition of the imaging optics, and the controller uses this feedback information to control the face detection circuit. When the focus condition changes, the controller adjusts the detection operation accordingly, ensuring reliable face detection only when focus is achieved while maintaining continuous monitoring for productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes: an image pickup device that captures an image via an imaging optics; a focus detector that detects a focus adjustment state of the imaging optics; a face detection circuit that detects an image corresponding to a face of a person from the image captured by the image pickup device; and a controller that causes the face detection circuit to execute detection of the image corresponding to the face, according to a focus detection result of the focus detector.