Subject Indicator Display for Crowded Image Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies struggle to effectively distinguish between a target subject and other subjects when multiple subjects are densely gathered, leading to reduced visibility and difficulty in selecting the intended subject for control operations such as AF, exposure, and white balance.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that utilizes a processor to detect and distinguish between multiple subjects in a captured image, applying different indicators for different subjects based on their relative positions and types, and control imaging operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple subjects are densely gathered in a captured image, then the quantity of detected subjects increases, but the visibility and distinguishability of the intended subject decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) around each detected subject, allowing the system to process and display information for each subject separately. This segmentation enables the system to maintain distinguishability even when multiple subjects are densely gathered, as each subject is handled as an independent unit with its own processing region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing and display characteristics to different regions associated with each subject. By assigning local quality attributes (such as different display modes, highlight intensities, or region-specific processing parameters), the system enhances the visibility of the intended subject while maintaining context about other subjects, thus resolving the contradiction between quantity and visibility.
2Loss of information
If multiple indicators are displayed for different subjects, then the distinguishability between subjects improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a unified indicator system that can serve multiple functions: identifying subject presence, distinguishing between subjects, indicating focus status, and providing selection feedback. By making the indicator system multi-functional, the patent achieves high distinguishability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same indicator infrastructure handles multiple tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic indicator display where the characteristics of indicators (such as brightness, size, shape, or position) can change based on the current state, user interaction, or detected subject properties. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain simplicity in the indicator design while achieving high distinguishability through adaptive presentation.
3Productivity
If the system processes only the most prominent subject, then the processing speed increases, but the accuracy of imaging control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing on multiple subjects simultaneously by detecting all subjects and creating their associated regions of interest before final imaging control is executed. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare multiple subject data structures in advance, enabling faster processing while maintaining comprehensive accuracy, as the system already has processed information ready for control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial processing to the most prominent subject while maintaining sufficient processing for secondary subjects to ensure accurate imaging control. By using partial action strategically (focusing computational resources on the most likely intended subject while maintaining adequate processing for others), the system achieves both high processing speed and accurate imaging control, resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a processor and a memory connected to or built into the processor. The processor is configured to: detect a plurality of subjects based on a captured image obtained by being captured by an imaging apparatus; select, from among the plurality of subjects, a first subject and a second subject that is present within a range of a first distance from the first subject in an in-plane direction of the captured image; and output display data for displaying, on a display, the captured image, a first indicator that specifies a first subject image showing the first subject, and a second indicator that specifies a second subject image showing the second subject in a mode different from a mode of the first indicator.