Tracking Object Selection Apparatus for Accurate Autofocus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging apparatuses face difficulties in selecting a tracking object when multiple objects are moving or have low visibility, leading to unintended object selection and inaccurate autofocus and exposure control.

Innovation Solution

A tracking object selection apparatus that displays candidate tracking objects at a predetermined position, extracts features, determines the orientation of the object, and stores the image of the candidate tracking object region when in a predetermined state, allowing users to easily select the intended object through a simple operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user selects a tracking object by touching the object in the displayed image, then the selection operation is simple, but the selected object may be unintended when the object moves between the display update and selection moment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection operation simplicityVSAvoidselection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores the positional relationship between the imaging device and candidate tracking objects before the user makes a selection. This preliminary action captures the spatial context at the moment of selection, ensuring that even if objects move during display updates, the selection is made based on the correct positional data from the selection moment rather than from an earlier display state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the imaging apparatus tracks only static objects, then the tracking is stable, but the apparatus cannot track moving objects which are common in video shooting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking stabilityVSAvoidtracking moving objects capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically updates the positional relationships between the imaging device and tracking objects as objects move. Instead of assuming static positions, the apparatus continuously recalculates spatial relationships based on current object positions, allowing accurate selection and tracking of moving objects while maintaining selection reliability through real-time positional awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the camera remains stationary during object selection, then the image position is stable, but the user cannot operate the camera buttons which causes camera movement and image position change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage position stabilityVSAvoidcamera operation accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures and stores the positional relationship data at the moment of selection before any subsequent camera movement occurs. This preliminary capture of spatial data ensures that the selection is based on the camera position at the selection moment, not affected by later movements caused by button operations or other user interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2355492B1Device, method, program, and circuit for selecting subject to be tracked
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP2355492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2355492B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP2355492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a tracking object selection apparatus (1a) which selects a tracking object (103xm). The tracking object selection apparatus (1a) includes a synthesis unit (306) which synthesizes an input image (9Ib) and an image (93) so that the image is disposed at a predetermined position (92P), a display unit (307), and a selection unit (308) which selects, as the tracking object (103xm) in a predetermined process, a detected object (301x) when an operation (104L2) is performed on the image (92) displayed at the predetermined position (92P).