Apparatus and method for increasing a digital camera image capture rate by delaying image processing

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-08-01
APPLE INC
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  • Abstract
  • Description
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  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention is a method and apparatus for increasing the image capture rate of a digital camera by delaying image processing and compression of the captured image data. In the pre

Problems solved by technology

Photographers, however, may want to capture another image before the camera has completed the time-consuming image processing and compression of raw image data.
Typically, up to three relatively expensive ASICs may be required to perform the image processing and compression operations.
While such ASIC-based cameras perform the required image processing and compression operati

Method used

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  • Apparatus and method for increasing a digital camera image capture rate by delaying image processing
  • Apparatus and method for increasing a digital camera image capture rate by delaying image processing

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Embodiment Construction

[0026]PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for increasing the successive image capture rate of a digital camera and features a series of priority levels, the highest of which maintains the apparatus in a ready state for capturing multiple sets of raw image data. Recently captured raw images are temporarily diverted to a memory device and the time-intensive software-based image processing and compression operations are postponed until after the apparatus has stopped capturing additional sets of image data or until processor time becomes available. During a time when the apparatus is no longer capturing additional sets of image data, the present invention advantageously performs the image processing and compression operations. As a result, the time delay between successive image captures is greatly reduced.

[0027]Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of apparatus 10 for increasing an image capture rate is shown. Appar...

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Abstract

An apparatus for increasing a digital camera image capture rate comprises an imaging device for capturing raw image data, a frame buffer for receiving the image data, a first RAM spooler for transferring the raw image data to a RAM disk, a first flash spooler for transferring the raw image data from the RAW disk to a flash memory, an image processor for processing and compressing the raw data, a second RAM spooler for storing the compressed image data into the RAM disk, and a second flash spooler for transferring the compressed image data from the RAM disk to the flash memory.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application relates to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 355,031, entitled “A System and Method For Generating a Contrast Overlay as a Focus Assist for an Imaging Device,” filed on Dec. 13, 1994, and also relates to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 588,210, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Rotating the Display Orientation of a Captured Image,” filed on Jan. 19, 1996.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for managing digital image data. More particularly, the present invention is an apparatus and method for increasing the image capture rate of a digital camera by delaying image processing and compression.[0004]2. Description of the Background Art[0005]Still-cameras are often required to capture images at rates which vary depending on their selected photographic targets. For example, during a fast-moving sporting eve...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H04N5/76H04N1/21
CPCH04N1/2141H04N1/2112H04N1/215H04N2101/00
Inventor ANDERSON, ERIC C.MASUKAWA, MIKE M.
Owner APPLE INC
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