The present invention relates to the field of video camera image processing. Disclosed are an intelligent adjustment method when a video camera performs automatic exposure and an apparatus therefor. In the present invention, a first corresponding relationship between a rate and an aperture is pre-set. The first corresponding relationship records corresponding upper and lower aperture limits required by each rate for achieving the best depth of field of an image. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring the current rate of a video camera; searching for upper and lower aperture limits corresponding to the current rate in a first corresponding relationship; if the current aperture value exceeds the range of the searched upper and lower aperture limits corresponding to the current rate, adjusting the current aperture value to be within the range of the upper and lower aperture limits; and according to the adjusted aperture value, adjusting exposure time and gain to satisfy the need of image brightness. In the present invention, according to different field scenario rates, the aperture is adjusted to be within the aperture range corresponding to the best depth of field so as to acquire the best depth of field, and a shutter and gain are adjusted accordingly, so that the best brightness can be ensured and the best depth of field is achieved at the same time so as to improve image quality.

An apparatus including a camera shutter having a shutter window therethrough; a shutter drive connected to the camera shutter; and an aperture member having an aperture therethrough. The shutter drive includes at least one magnet and at least one coil. The shutter drive is configured to move the camera shutter when the coil is activated. The shutter window is sized and shaped to be moved into registry with the aperture. The shutter window is substantially at least as large as the aperture.

A control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a frame rate control unit configured to control a frame rate of imaging, and a transmittance control unit configured to control transmittance of a filter which transmits light incident on an imaging element according to change of the frame rate so that brightness of an imaged subject is maintained. According to this configuration, even when the frame rate changes, it is possible to maintain fixed brightness according to change of the frame rate without causing change in imaging quality.

A variable aperture is provided. The variable aperture includes a fastening base, a rotating bracket, a coil, a magnetic piece, a drive chip, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a plurality of blades. The rotating bracket is rotatably connected to the fastening base. The coil is disposed on the rotating bracket, and the magnetic piece is disposed on the fastening base. The coil is configured to drive the rotating bracket to rotate relative to the fastening base, to change a hole diameter of the aperture hole. Both the drive chip and the first electrical connector are disposed on the fastening base, the second electrical connector is disposed on the rotating bracket, and the coil is electrically connected to a power supply interface of the drive chip through the second electrical connector and the first electrical connector.

Various embodiments include a combined variable aperture and shutter device for a camera system. The combined variable aperture and shutter device may be coupled with a lens assembly of the camera system. The combined variable aperture and shutter device may include one for more sets of blades arranged to provide a variable aperture as well as a shutter with a reduced stack height. For example, a single set of blades may be shaped such that rotation of the set of blades moves the blades between a fully open state, a mid-state and a shutter state. In another example, one set of blades may provide various aperture sizes while a second set of blades provide shutter functionality.