Camera Image Quality Control via Keyword-Processing Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic cameras do not allow users to easily achieve desired finished image quality while providing exposure control, as they require knowledge of image processing and chrominance control, making it difficult for users familiar with film cameras to obtain consistent and customized image results.

Innovation Solution

An electronic camera with an image quality control system that uses pre-stored correlated information between finish keywords and image processing operations, allowing users to select keywords for desired image qualities without needing to understand image processing, and providing independent exposure control modes for flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electronic cameras provide exposure control and image processing functions, then the camera can produce varied image qualities, but users need to understand image processing and chrominance control which increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality control capabilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system separates exposure control and image quality control into independent selectable modes. Users can choose from predefined scene modes (landscape, portrait, sport) that automatically coordinate exposure and image processing settings, or switch to manual exposure control while maintaining simplified image quality selection through the finish setting function with keywords like VIVID, SOFT, and SHARP.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates simple user selections (scene modes or finish keywords) into coordinated control signals for both exposure control and image processing systems. This intermediary function automatically determines the combination of settings without requiring users to understand the underlying technical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users want to reflect their individual experiences and sensitivities on exposure, then they need manual exposure control, but this requires familiarity with exposure operation which may not be available to all users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure control flexibilityVSAvoidexposure operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The camera provides dynamic switching capability between automatic scene modes and manual exposure control. Users can transition between these modes based on their skill level and specific needs, with the system adapting its level of automation accordingly. The finish setting function remains available in both modes to maintain simplified image quality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional cameras change exposure and image processing settings simultaneously based on scene mode, then consistent image quality can be achieved, but users cannot independently adjust exposure or image quality settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality consistencyVSAvoidsetting adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system segments the control of exposure and image quality into independently adjustable components. Users can select scene modes for coordinated control or switch to manual exposure control while maintaining simplified image quality selection through finish keywords, allowing independent adjustment of these critical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If users select finish keywords for desired image qualities, then operational simplicity is improved, but the system must store and process correlated information between keywords and image processing operations which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyword selection simplicityVSAvoidinformation storage and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system performs preliminary organization of image processing operations by pre-defining combinations of processing parameters associated with each finish keyword (VIVID, SOFT, SHARP). This preliminary structuring allows the system to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate processing combinations without requiring complex real-time calculations when users select keywords.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7619651B2Electronic camera having finish setting function and processing program for customizing the finish setting function

Publication Date: 2009.11.17 NIKON CORP

AI summary

An electronic camera of the present invention includes an image pickup part, an image quality control part, a storage part, an input part, and a control part. The image pickup part captures a subject image to generate image data. The image quality control part allows for performing multiple types of image processing in combination on the image data, thereby realizing multiple ways of finished image qualities. The storage part stores correlated information between finish keywords indicative of the finished image qualities and the “combinations of image processing operations” required for the finished image qualities. A finish keyword selected at the input part is referenced with the correlated information in the storage part to obtain a “combination of image processing operations”. The image quality control part provides image quality control to the image data in accordance with the “combination of image processing operations” determined by the control part.