Camera Image Buffering to Eliminate Shutter Lag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera devices experience shutter lag due to delays between image capture and processing, preventing real-time consideration of photographing information like lens, aperture, and orientation data, which hinders optimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that buffer photographing information and metadata within the same frame, allowing for the processing of images using integrated photographing information to eliminate shutter lag and enhance image quality by utilizing lens, aperture, flash, and sensor data simultaneously during image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If image processing is performed after capture, then image quality can be optimized using photographing information, but shutter lag increases due to processing delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and buffering multiple preview frames along with their photographing information (lens, aperture, flash, actuator, orientation data) before the actual capture is triggered. When the user presses the shutter button, the system immediately processes the pre-buffered frame with its complete photographing information, eliminating the processing delay that would normally occur after capture. This allows the image to be processed optimally without shutter lag.
2Manufacturing precision
If photographing information is processed in real-time, then image quality enhancement is possible, but processing complexity increases due to multiple data integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple photographing information sources (lens data, aperture settings, flash status, actuator position, orientation sensor data) into a single integrated data structure that is stored together with each preview frame in the buffer. This consolidation allows the image processing unit to access all necessary parameters simultaneously without managing multiple separate data streams, thereby reducing processing complexity while enabling comprehensive image quality optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing an image in a camera device includes processing a preview image in which first photographing information for controlling a camera drive in a preview mode and second photographing information collected in the image processing are obtained, and both photographing information is stored with a corresponding frame image; and processing a still image in which a specific frame image selected from the frame images stored in a buffer is processed by using the corresponding photographing information during a capture mode.