Multi-Frame Window for Camera 3A Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital camera systems experience latency in applying new 3A parameters, leading to lower quality images due to delays in generating and transmitting statistics, which results in blurred parts, abrupt changes in brightness, and incorrect colors, especially when using 'on-the-fly' processing without adequate memory transactions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-frame-based window system that combines statistics from two consecutive frames to generate and apply new 3A parameters earlier, utilizing a rolling shutter for continuous exposure and reducing memory transactions by holding image data in ISP registers, allowing for earlier application of parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional frame-by-frame statistics generation and memory transactions are used, then image processing can be performed, but latency increases and image quality deteriorates due to delays in applying 3A parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs statistics generation and 3A parameter calculation in advance during the active shutter period of a rolling shutter, before the frame is fully captured. By preparing parameters preliminarily using partially captured image data, the system eliminates waiting time and applies parameters immediately when the full frame is ready, thus reducing latency while maintaining processing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the statistics generation process to operate concurrently with the rolling shutter capture rather than sequentially. The system continuously updates statistics as image data becomes available during the rolling shutter scan, enabling real-time parameter adaptation and reducing the overall processing timeline
2Loss of time
If on-the-fly processing without adequate memory transactions is used, then latency is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to insufficient statistics generation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous statistics generation throughout the rolling shutter capture process rather than performing discrete batch processing. The statistics calculation operates continuously as image data streams in during the active shutter period, ensuring that processing is always underway and parameters are ready immediately when needed, eliminating idle time while maintaining quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary statistics generation using the partially captured image data during the rolling shutter scan, so that when the full frame is captured, the parameters are already prepared or nearly prepared, requiring minimal additional processing time
3Productivity
If statistics are generated and transmitted frame by frame, then processing can be completed, but memory and power consumption increase due to repeated transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the statistics generation function with the ongoing image capture process during the rolling shutter active period. Instead of separate frame capture followed by separate statistics generation, both operations are combined into a single concurrent process, eliminating redundant memory transactions and reducing power consumption while maintaining processing throughput
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and article is directed to camera control and image processing with a multi-frame-based window for image data statistics.