Imaging Apparatus Temporary Exposure Control for Signal Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In continuous imaging for storage, existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in determining accurate imaging conditions due to low or high signal levels from phase difference detection pixels, leading to reduced focus lens position accuracy and inappropriate exposure, resulting in prolonged imaging intervals and compromised imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a sensor section and storage section that performs actual imaging for storage and temporary imaging to determine imaging conditions, using a signal output controller to divide and sequentially output imaging signals for improved accuracy, allowing for shorter imaging intervals and enhanced quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate actual imaging is performed before optional actual imaging to determine imaging conditions, then imaging condition determination accuracy is improved, but imaging interval is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs temporary imaging in advance to determine imaging conditions (exposure, focus lens position) before optional actual imaging. By pre-determining these conditions through temporary imaging with different exposure settings, the system avoids the need for separate actual imaging to test conditions, thus shortening the imaging interval while maintaining determination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the imaging process into separate functional components: temporary imaging for condition determination, actual imaging for storage, and pre-imaging for focus adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - temporary imaging uses different exposure settings to ensure adequate signal levels for accurate condition determination without affecting the quality or timing of actual imaging
2Adaptability or versatility
If exposure at separate actual imaging is changed or manually set, then imaging flexibility is improved, but imaging condition determination accuracy is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the exposure parameter specifically for temporary imaging to ensure adequate signal levels from phase difference detection pixels. By setting temporary imaging exposure to be longer than actual imaging exposure, the system guarantees sufficient signal for accurate focus lens position determination while maintaining the ability to use appropriate shorter exposure for actual imaging. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by optimizing exposure for its specific purpose rather than using fixed or manually set values
3Measurement precision
If pre-imaging is performed after separate actual imaging to determine imaging conditions, then imaging condition determination accuracy is improved, but imaging interval is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs temporary imaging as a preliminary action immediately after actual imaging to determine imaging conditions for the next actual imaging. By conducting this condition determination process without waiting for signal output from the imaging element, the system establishes imaging conditions in advance, eliminating the time delay that would otherwise be required and thus shortening the overall imaging interval
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 both shortening of imaging intervals and improvement of imaging quality by accurately determining imaging conditions through temporary imaging, even during continuous storage imaging, by utilizing the divided and sequentially output imaging signals.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element 5 that has a sensor section 51, which includes a light-receiving surface 60 on which a plurality of pixel rows 62 each consisting of a plurality of pixels 61 arranged in a row direction X are arranged in a column direction Y orthogonal to the row direction X and which captures an image of a subject through an imaging optical system
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging element; an imaging controller; a signal output controller; and an imaging condition determination section as defined herein, the signal output controller divides the first imaging signal stored in the storage section into a plurality of groups and sequentially outputs the first imaging signal from the imaging element for each of the groups, and the imaging controller causes the sensor section to perform the temporary imaging by performing the temporary imaging control, during a period from when all the imaging signals belonging to at least one of the groups are output from the imaging element until all the imaging signals belonging to all the groups are output from the imaging element, and determines the exposure condition at the temporary imaging based on the imaging signal stored in the storage section through the imaging performed by the sensor section before the actual imaging.