Imaging Device Phase Difference Pixel Occlusion Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in accurately tracking and focusing on a subject, especially when objects in the peripheral region interfere with the subject or when the subject moves, leading to occlusion and difficulties in maintaining focus.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device equipped with phase difference pixels and a processor that acquires subject distance information and peripheral distance information to perform focusing control, detect objects between the subject and the device, and adjust the focusing target region accordingly, while also generating and recording distance distribution information for correction processing and composite image generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If focusing control is performed based on subject distance information only, then focus accuracy on the subject is improved, but the system cannot detect objects between the subject and the imaging device, leading to failed subject tracking when occlusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device divides the detection field into a focusing target region and a peripheral region, and separately processes distance information from these regions. The processor acquires subject distance information from the focusing target region and peripheral distance information from the peripheral region, enabling independent analysis of each region's depth data to detect occluding objects while maintaining subject focus accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that compares subject distance information with peripheral distance information to detect objects positioned between the subject and the imaging device. By analyzing distance discrepancies and spatial relationships, the processor identifies occluding objects and triggers appropriate focusing control adjustments to maintain subject tracking reliability.
2Device complexity
If the focusing target region is fixed, then focus control is simplified, but the system cannot follow a moving subject accurately when the subject moves out of the initial focusing region
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device dynamically adjusts the focusing target region based on detected subject position and movement. The processor monitors subject distance information and peripheral distance information to determine when the subject moves out of the current focusing target region, then shifts the focusing target region to track the subject's new position, enabling continuous accurate focus on moving subjects.
3Speed
If phase difference pixels are used for distance measurement, then distance information acquisition speed is improved, but the system requires complex pixel configuration and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The phase difference pixels serve multiple functions: they provide subject distance information for focusing control, provide peripheral distance information for occlusion detection, and enable depth distribution analysis. This multi-functional use of phase difference pixels reduces the need for separate sensing systems while maintaining high-speed distance acquisition capabilities.
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
The solution enables accurate subject tracking and focus maintenance even under occlusion conditions, improving the visibility of live view displays and allowing for precise focusing control and correction processing based on relative distances.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor 20 that has a plurality of phase difference pixels and outputs phase difference information
Data Source
AI summary
The imaging device includes an image sensor that has a plurality of phase difference pixels and outputs phase difference information and a captured image, and at least one processor, in which the processor is configured to acquire subject distance information indicating a distance to a subject existing in a focusing target region and peripheral distance information indicating a distance to an object existing in a peripheral region of the focusing target region based on the phase difference information.