Subject Tracking Region Control for Camera Shake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image stabilization systems in imaging apparatuses often fail to effectively track subjects, leading to unnatural footage and potential subject frame loss, especially when the photographer is holding the device firmly or moving, due to delays in subject tracking calculations and variations in camera shake correction.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a control unit that determines the holding state of the camera and sets specific subject tracking regions based on this state, adjusting the tracking region size and dead zones to optimize subject tracking performance, thereby reducing delays and maintaining subject focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subject tracking is performed with high degree in all regions, then subject tracking precision is improved, but tracking stability deteriorates when camera is held firmly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple regions with different tracking degrees. In the first region (peripheral area), subject tracking is performed with a higher degree to prevent subjects near edges from leaving the frame. In the second region (central area), subject tracking is performed with a lower degree to maintain stability when the camera is held firmly. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate tracking intensity to different spatial locations based on their specific needs.
2Area of stationary object
If subject tracking region is enlarged to cover more area, then subject detection capability is improved, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to increased region size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a non-uniform tracking region where different areas have different tracking degrees. The peripheral first region has higher tracking priority to prevent subject loss, while the central second region has lower tracking priority to maintain stability. This spatially-varying approach allows the system to cover a broad area while maintaining accuracy in critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies tracking selectively rather than uniformly across the entire image. By concentrating tracking resources on the peripheral first region where subjects are most likely to leave the frame, the system achieves effective subject retention without applying excessive tracking that would reduce overall accuracy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If camera shake correction is applied, then image stability is improved, but subject tracking performance deteriorates due to correction delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates tracking behavior in different regions to compensate for camera shake correction delays. In the peripheral first region, higher-degree tracking ensures subjects near the frame edges are tracked more aggressively to counteract delays. In the central second region, lower-degree tracking maintains natural stability. This regional differentiation mitigates the impact of correction delays on overall tracking performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises an acquisition unit that acquires information about a subject detected from a captured image, a calculation unit that calculates a tracking amount based on a position of the subject in the captured image and a target position, a control unit that controls subject tracking to bring the position of the subject in the captured image close to the target position, based on the tracking amount, and a setting unit that sets first and second regions based on at least any of a holding state of an imaging apparatus that captures the captured image, a detection result of an operation performed by a photographer on the imaging apparatus, a position in the captured image of the target position, and a type of the subject, wherein, in the first region, a degree to which the subject tracking is performed is lower than in the second region.