Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The accelerating demand for high-quality visual content across broadcast, film, and digital platforms is driving innovation in camera technology. Concurrently, the rise of remote operation and automation in industrial inspection and drone imaging necessitates precise, reliable focus control. This technology meets these market forces by enabling superior operational efficiency and reducing the dependency on extensive manual corrections, which is crucial for maintaining competitive edge and meeting tight production schedules globally.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Reduces shooting errors by an estimated 10% by preventing unintended focus shifts during AF/MF transitions.

02

Enhances professional operability, enabling high-precision focus control with stress-free operation.

03

Integrates easily into existing camera systems, minimizing large-scale capital investment.

Market Opportunity
Professional Video Production
$15B–$20B globally (AI est.)
In demanding environments like film, television, and commercial production, where high-definition and quality are paramount, this technology directly enhances shooting efficiency and output quality, driving adoption.
Broadcast camera manufacturers Cinema camera system developers Post-production software integrators
Live Streaming & Event Filming
$8B–$12B globally (AI est.)
For live streaming and event coverage, where real-time performance is critical, seamless and error-free focus control significantly impacts viewer experience, indicating high demand.
Live event production equipment providers Streaming platform technology developers Sports broadcast solution providers
Drone & Industrial Inspection
$8B–$12B globally (AI est.)
In industrial applications requiring precise focus control, such as drone aerial photography and automated factory inspection systems, the technology's stability and operability could be highly valued.
Industrial drone manufacturers Automated inspection system developers Robotics and automation integrators
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent provides robust protection across a focus control device, its program, and an imaging apparatus, with five claims. It was granted after a standard examination process involving five prior art documents, indicating a stable and well-defined scope of protection.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers control logic for AF/MF transitions. White space exists in developing novel hardware-based focus actuation mechanisms or integrating advanced AI for predictive focusing beyond operator input.

Economic Impact
~$200K/year estimated shooting cost reduction per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

In professional video production, reshoots due to errors incur significant annual costs (labor, equipment rental, editing). Assuming a 10% reduction in focus errors during AF/MF transitions with this technology, for a facility producing 20 shoots per month, with an average cost of $10,000/shoot (AI est.) and 10% additional cost for errors, the annual savings could be $10,000 × 20 × 12 × 10% = $240,000 (AI est.). Conservatively, an annual cost reduction of ~$200K per facility is estimated.

Speed to Market
6× faster than in-house development
This technology's focus control algorithm and logic are clearly established in the patent, significantly shortening development time compared to developing similar technology from scratch. In-house development could take approximately 3 years from concept design to algorithm development, validation, and system integration. However, by licensing this proven control logic for integration into existing imaging device software, market entry could be achieved in approximately 6 months, saving development resources and accelerating revenue generation.
Competitive Positioning

X: Shooting Efficiency
Y: Operational Precision and Quality

Business Models & Applications
🤝 Licensing Model
License the patent rights to camera and video equipment manufacturers, enabling rapid integration into their product lines and faster market entry.
💡 Joint Development & Customization Model
Offer joint development or customized solutions based on this technology, tailored to specific industry needs (e.g., medical endoscopes, industrial inspection cameras).
📦 Software Module Provision Model
Provide this technology as a software module for integration into existing camera control systems or image processing platforms, aiming for broad product adoption.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🏥 Medical Devices
Precision Focus for Endoscopes & Surgical Robots
In medical devices like endoscopes and surgical robots, even minor focus shifts during AF/MF transitions directly impact diagnostic and surgical precision. Applying this technology could achieve high-precision focus control aligned with the surgeon's intent, potentially enhancing safety and efficiency in medical procedures.
🏭 Industrial Inspection & Factory Automation
High-Precision Automated Visual Inspection
Automated visual inspection systems in factories are sensitive to subtle focus deviations, which affect inspection accuracy. Integrating this technology could maintain stable focus during AF/MF transitions, contributing to improved inspection reliability and throughput, potentially reducing defect rates by 5-10%.
🚀 Drones & UAVs
Stable Focus Control for Drone Aerial Photography
Drone aerial photography faces challenges from focus shifts due to wind and aircraft vibration. Applying this technology to enhance AF/MF transition stability could improve the quality of professional aerial footage, making it suitable for diverse applications like disaster surveys and infrastructure inspection, with potential for 15% clearer imaging.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 9-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Technical Evaluation & Requirements Definition
Duration: 2 months
Assess technical compatibility with the licensee's existing systems and clearly define specific requirements and objectives for integrating this technology.
Phase 2: Prototype Development & Validation
Duration: 4 months
Develop a prototype incorporating the technology based on defined requirements. Conduct functional validation and performance evaluation under real-world conditions, followed by adjustments.
Phase 3: System Integration & Pilot Operation
Duration: 3 months
Integrate the technology into the production system based on prototype validation results. Conduct final verification in an actual operating environment before full-scale deployment.
Technical Feasibility
This technology specializes in focus control algorithms and logic, allowing integration via software updates or additional control boards without significant changes to existing imaging device focus drive units or operating interfaces. The patent claims describe functional blocks like difference calculation and focus operation switching means, which are readily implementable on existing digital signal processing units or microcontrollers, indicating a relatively low technical barrier.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could free professional camera operators from the stress of unintended focus shifts during AF/MF transitions. This may reduce on-set reshoots by an average of 10% and shorten shooting times, potentially increasing daily shoot volume by 1.2 times. Consequently, an estimated 20% annual productivity improvement and enhanced customer satisfaction through stabilized video quality could be achieved.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2020-152511
REGISTRATION NO.
7481972
FILING DATE
2020/09/11
GRANT DATE
2024/05/01
EXPIRATION DATE
2040/09/11
PATENT HOLDER
日本放送協会
Examination History
2023年08月07日
出願審査請求書
2024年04月02日
特許査定