18455226. IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND MONITORING SYSTEM simplified abstract (CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA)
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IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND MONITORING SYSTEM
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IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND MONITORING SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18455226 titled 'IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND MONITORING SYSTEM
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes an image capturing apparatus that includes an image sensor and one or more processors. The image sensor controls the exposure time for different areas of an image based on their luminance information. The processors determine whether an autofocus mode for adjusting the focus position of the imaging optical system using a contrast evaluation value is enabled.
- The image sensor controls the exposure time for each area of the image based on its luminance information.
- The processors determine whether the autofocus mode is enabled or disabled.
- When the autofocus mode is enabled, the exposure times of the different areas within the evaluation frame have a smaller variance compared to when the autofocus mode is disabled.
Potential applications of this technology:
- Photography and videography equipment
- Mobile devices with built-in cameras
- Surveillance systems
- Medical imaging devices
Problems solved by this technology:
- Ensures proper exposure for different areas of an image based on their luminance information
- Improves autofocus accuracy by adjusting the focus position using a contrast evaluation value
- Reduces variance in exposure times within the evaluation frame when autofocus mode is enabled
Benefits of this technology:
- Enhanced image quality with proper exposure for different areas
- Improved autofocus performance for sharper and clearer images
- Consistent exposure times within the evaluation frame for better overall image quality
Original Abstract Submitted
An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor that controls an exposure time for each of a plurality of areas and sets an exposure time, based on luminance information for each of the plurality of areas in an image captured by the image sensor, and one or more processors that execute instructions comprising determining whether an autofocus mode for adjusting a focus position of an imaging optical system using a contrast evaluation value within an evaluation frame set for the image is enabled, wherein the exposure time is determined for each of the plurality of areas so that, within the evaluation frame, a variance of exposure times of the plurality of areas in a case where the autofocus mode is enabled is smaller than a variance of exposure times of the plurality of areas in a case where the autofocus mode is disabled.
