Imaging Focus and Distance Mapping With Region-Specific Shift Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies face challenges in rapidly acquiring both focusing and distance information, particularly in large regions, due to inefficient shift operations and sensitivity differences between phase difference pixel groups.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus and method utilizing a first and second phase difference pixel group, with distinct shift operations, where the second mode acquires distance information over a larger region with a smaller shift range and enhanced information amount, employing local binary encoding for rapid and accurate distance mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a first shift operation with a larger shift range is performed to acquire focusing information in a first region, then focusing precision is improved, but the processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging area into a first region (center region) and a second region (peripheral region), and applies different shift operation ranges to each region. The first shift operation uses a larger shift range for the first region to ensure focusing precision, while the second shift operation uses a smaller shift range for the second region to reduce processing time and improve productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different regions: the first region (center) receives more intensive processing with a larger shift range for higher precision focusing, while the second region (peripheral) receives optimized processing with a smaller shift range for faster distance information acquisition. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between precision and speed.
2Area of stationary object
If shift operations are performed over a large region to acquire distance information, then the coverage area is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distance measurement process into two modes: a first mode for the first region (center) with a larger shift range, and a second mode for the second region (peripheral) with a smaller shift range. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage while reducing the overall processing time by optimizing the shift range for each region's specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a smaller shift range in the second mode for the second region, which is sufficient for distance information acquisition in peripheral areas. This avoids the excessive processing time that would result from applying the full shift range uniformly across the entire imaging area.
3Measurement precision
If phase difference information from both pixel groups is utilized with equal weight, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sensitivity differences cause errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing strategies to phase difference information from the first and second pixel groups based on their respective characteristics. By recognizing that different regions have different sensitivity characteristics, the system optimizes the utilization of phase difference information locally, combining the advantages of both pixel groups while compensating for their sensitivity differences through region-specific processing.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an imaging apparatus configured to: execute a first mode that is a mode related to focusing on a subject and in which focusing information of a first region is acquired by performing a first shift operation on first phase difference information, which is obtained from a first phase difference pixel group within the first region, and second phase difference information, which is obtained from a second phase difference pixel group within the first region; and execute a second mode that is a mode different from the first mode and in which distance information of a second region larger than the first region is acquired by performing a second shift operation on the first phase difference information and the second phase difference information corresponding to the second region, and a shift range in the second shift operation is smaller than a shift range in the first shift operation.