Imaging Apparatus Panning Shot Exposure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging apparatuses fail to capture intended images with a blurred background and a moving object in focus, as they incorrectly adjust exposure control during panning shots, resulting in a stopped or clear background instead of a blurred one.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus that detects motion and determines whether a panning shot is being taken, adjusting exposure control accordingly to allow for correct exposure and focus on the moving object while blurring the background.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If exposure control is executed based on motion detection to control object shake, then the object can be captured in focus, but the background becomes clear instead of blurred when panning shot is intended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus accuracyVSAvoidpanning shot capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the exposure control adaptive based on detected motion patterns. The system dynamically adjusts exposure parameters according to whether panning motion is detected, allowing the same system to serve both stationary object photography and panning shot requirements without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback by detecting motion in the captured image and using this information to adjust exposure control. The motion detection result feeds back into the exposure control mechanism, enabling the system to automatically distinguish between panning shots and stationary object photography and adjust accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If fast shutter speed is set when motion is detected, then object shake is controlled, but the background stream or blur effect is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject stabilityVSAvoidintended shot achievement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts shutter speed based on motion pattern recognition. When panning motion is detected, the system maintains slower shutter speeds to preserve background blur effects, while switching to faster shutter speeds only when stationary object photography is intended, thus adapting to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes exposure parameters (shutter speed) based on detected motion characteristics. By analyzing motion patterns and determining whether panning is intended, the system adjusts the shutter speed parameter accordingly, allowing full range from slow (for panning) to fast (for stationary objects).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2081374B1Imaging apparatus and its control method
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 CANON KK
  • EP2081374B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2081374B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2081374B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An imaging apparatus (100) includes an imaging unit (103) configured to capture an image of an object to acquire image data; a display unit (107) configured to display the image captured by the imaging unit; a motion detection unit (115) configured to detect information about motion of the object and the background in a display image based on image data acquired by the imaging unit; a determination unit (116) configured to determine whether the imaging apparatus is taking a panning shot from a result detected by the motion detection unit (115); and an exposure control unit (102) configured to execute exposure control to decrease the amount of motion of the object and the background in the display image based on a result detected by the motion detection unit, wherein the exposure control unit executes exposure control based on a result detected by the motion detection unit (115) when the imaging apparatus is determined not to be taking a panning shot by the determination unit (116) and, when the imaging apparatus is determined to be taking a panning shot by the determination unit (116), executes different exposure control compared to a case when the imaging apparatus is determined not to be taking a panning shot.