Zoom Lens Stop Position Adjustment for Consistent Focal Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatuses with electromotive zooms confuse users by displaying different 35 mm equivalent focal lengths for 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, leading to uncertainty in setting magnification, especially in step zoom mode where the same actual focal lengths result in different zoom lens stop positions.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus includes a controller that adjusts the stop position of the zoom lens stepwise based on the aspect ratio, ensuring a consistent 35 mm equivalent focal length across different aspect ratios, thereby simplifying user operation and maintaining consistent magnification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the imaging apparatus displays 35 mm equivalent focal length for different aspect ratios (4:3 and 16:9), then the user can see the focal length information, but the user becomes confused about setting magnification because the same actual focal length shows different converted focal lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of focal length representation by introducing a unified conversion standard. Instead of displaying different converted focal lengths for different aspect ratios, the system converts all actual focal lengths to a standard 35mm film equivalent basis, ensuring consistent display regardless of the selected aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining accurate focal length information while eliminating user confusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the zoom lens stop positions are predefined for step zoom mode, then the user can shoot at predetermined magnifications, but the same actual focal length results in different stop positions for different aspect ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the stop position configuration dynamic by adjusting the predefined stop positions based on the selected aspect ratio. The controller dynamically determines which set of stop positions to use (4:3 or 16:9) depending on the imaging mode, ensuring that the stop positions correspond to consistent converted focal lengths. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between offering multiple shooting modes and maintaining operational consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging apparatus allows aspect ratio change before shooting, then the user can shoot images appropriate for different television aspect ratios, but the angle of view changes unexpectedly when switching between aspect ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing different stop position sets for different aspect ratios in the controller. Before the user switches aspect ratios, the system has already prepared the appropriate stop positions, allowing for smooth transitions without unexpected angle of view changes. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by enabling aspect ratio flexibility while maintaining angle of view consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes a zoom lens, an operation unit that receives an operation for changing a magnification of the zoom lens, an imaging unit that generates image data based on a subject image formed via the zoom lens, a driver that moves the zoom lens stepwise to one of predetermined stop positions corresponding to each of a plurality steps according to the operation received by the operation unit, and a controller that controls the driver. The controller changes the stop position of the zoom lens at each step according to a size of a region of the imaging unit on which the image data is generated so that a converted focal length at the stop position of the zoom lens at each step is the same regardless of the size of the region.