Zoom Lens Tracking Thresholds to Prevent Focus Drive Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens devices experience uncomfortable vibrations and sounds due to high responsiveness zoom tracking when the zoom lens moves slightly due to mechanical rattling, despite the user's intent.

Innovation Solution

A lens device with a detection unit to measure the zoom lens position and a control unit that maintains parameters if the movement is below a threshold, switching parameters only when the movement exceeds the threshold, thereby controlling focus lens drive appropriately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If zoom tracking with high responsiveness is performed based on the movement of the zoom lens, then the responsiveness to target is improved, but sound or vibration occurs due to minute movement not intended by the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness of zoom trackingVSAvoidsound and vibration from unnecessary zoom tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of zoom tracking responsiveness by introducing a threshold value for movement amount. When the movement amount exceeds the threshold, high responsiveness zoom tracking is activated; when it remains below the threshold, zoom tracking is suppressed. This parameter change allows the system to adapt between high responsiveness and low responsiveness modes based on the detected movement magnitude, thereby resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and unwanted sound/vibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If zoom tracking is performed for every slight movement of the zoom lens, then tracking accuracy is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to frequent unnecessary adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoiduser discomfort from frequent adjustments
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing zoom tracking only when necessary - specifically when the movement amount exceeds the predetermined threshold. Instead of tracking every slight movement (excessive action), the system selectively activates tracking only for significant movements, thereby maintaining adequate tracking accuracy while avoiding user discomfort from frequent unnecessary adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4718135A1Lens device, control method, and imaging system
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4718135A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4718135A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4718135A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A lens device includes a zoom lens; a focus lens; a detection unit that directly detects a position of the zoom lens; and a control unit that maintains a parameter for performing drive control of the focus lens in a case where a movement amount of the zoom lens based on a detection result of the detection unit is less than a predetermined threshold, switches the parameter in a case where the movement amount of the zoom lens is equal to or greater than the threshold, and performs drive control of the focus lens on the basis of the maintained or switched parameter.