Intelligent Self-Timer Pauses Capture for Unwanted Subjects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-timer functions in digital cameras often result in unwanted images due to the distance between the camera and subject, leading to interruptions from passing objects during outdoor photography, necessitating re-captures or missed shots.
Innovation Solution
A digital camera with an intelligent self-timer that uses a motion calculating unit and image capture start determining unit to pause and resume the image capturing operation based on the detection of unwanted subjects within set sub-windows, ensuring the self-timer only initiates capture when the subject is clear and the set time has elapsed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-timer function is used to capture images after a predetermined time period, then image stabilization and self-portrait capabilities are improved, but unwanted subjects may enter the composition and interrupt the capturing operation, resulting in missed shots or requiring re-captures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of unwanted subjects in regions surrounding the subject composition area before the self-timer expires. By detecting motion in these peripheral regions in advance, the system can predict potential interruptions and adjust the capturing timing accordingly, ensuring reliable image capture without requiring complex real-time intervention mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors motion in sub-windows surrounding the subject area and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the image capturing timing. When motion exceeding a threshold is detected, the system extends the self-timer duration, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing environmental conditions and ensures reliable capture
2Manufacturing precision
If the camera waits for the self-timer period to expire before capturing, then proper exposure and focus are achieved, but passing objects may enter the frame and create unwanted images
Solution Approach 1:
The image frame is divided into a central subject composition area and surrounding sub-windows. Motion detection is performed specifically in the sub-windows while the main subject area maintains its exposure and focus settings. This segmentation allows the system to monitor for unwanted subjects without interfering with the optical optimization for the main subject
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting motion in sub-windows and proactively extending the self-timer when unwanted subjects are detected. This prevents the harmful effect of unwanted subjects entering the frame at the moment of capture, while maintaining proper exposure and focus conditions for the desired subject
3Measurement precision
If motion detection is performed in the entire image frame, then all moving objects are detected, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The image frame is segmented into a central subject area and surrounding sub-windows for motion detection. By limiting motion analysis to only the sub-windows and using simple motion vector calculation rather than full-frame complex analysis, the system achieves sufficient detection precision while minimizing processing time and computational resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a digital camera supporting an intelligent self-timer, which pauses an image capturing operation when an unwanted subject enters a subject composition and starts the image capturing operation later, and a method of controlling the digital camera. The digital camera includes a motion calculating unit which calculates degree of motions observed in image frames that are obtained in a chronologically successive manner, and an image capture start determining unit which determines whether to start an image capturing operation or not based on whether entry of an unwanted subject is detected or not from the calculated degree of motions and whether a set self-timer time is over or not.