Main Subject Selection Using Orientation and Face Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems fail to accurately determine the main subject among multiple subjects, particularly when a subject has both orientation information and registered person information, leading to unintended subjects being focused during moving image capturing.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that utilizes a detection unit to identify subject orientation and authentication unit to verify pre-registered subjects, determining the main subject based on orientation detection reliability and registered subject priority.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only orientation information is used for main subject determination, then the system can identify subjects with specific orientations, but it cannot reliably distinguish between multiple subjects with similar orientations or determine which subject the photographer intends to capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines orientation information and registered person information into a unified main subject determination process. The determination unit integrates results from both the detection unit (orientation) and authentication unit (registered person verification) to comprehensively identify the main subject, resolving the limitation of using either information source alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a determination unit as an intermediary that processes and integrates information from multiple sources (orientation detection and registered person authentication). This intermediary component synthesizes the information to make the final main subject determination, improving accuracy without directly increasing the complexity of individual detection components
2Adaptability or versatility
If only registered person information is used for main subject determination, then the system can identify pre-registered subjects, but it cannot adapt to situations where the photographer intends to capture a different subject that is not pre-registered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges orientation information (which provides adaptability to capture any subject with the intended orientation) and registered person information (which provides precision for identifying specific individuals). This combination allows the system to maintain both flexibility in subject selection and accuracy in subject identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic determination process that can adapt its weighting or prioritization of different information sources based on the situation. The determination unit can flexibly adjust how it uses orientation versus registered person information depending on which subjects are detected and what the photographer's intent appears to be
3Measurement precision
If the system processes both orientation information and registered person information for all detected subjects, then the main subject determination accuracy improves, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication of detected subjects against the registered person database before final main subject determination. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly eliminate subjects that are not registered persons, reducing the number of subjects that require full orientation and authentication analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the main subject determination process into distinct stages: detection of subjects, authentication of registered persons, orientation analysis, and final determination. This segmentation allows each component to process information independently and efficiently, reducing overall processing time while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes one or more processors, and at least one memory coupled to the one or more processors and having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the image processing apparatus to function as a detection unit configured to detect a subject and a specific orientation of the subject from an image, an authentication unit configured to, based on information about a pre-registered specific subject, authenticate the specific subject, and a determination unit configured to, in a plurality of subjects detected from the image, determine a main subject based on a result of the specific orientation detection by the detection unit and a result of the authentication by the authentication unit.