Camera Image Data Split Storage for Real-Time Color Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing methods in cinematographic productions face challenges such as high computational effort, inefficient data compression, and irreversible color space shifts when generating viewable color images, leading to increased data volume and potential inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A method that separates sensor image data into color image data and augmentative image data, allowing real-time viewing and efficient distribution of color information, with subsequent processing of the augmentative data to enhance resolution and correct brightness gradients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sensor image data is interpolated before recording to generate viewable color images, then color image quality is improved, but processing effort and data volume increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor image qualityVSAvoidprocessing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the full-resolution sensor image data into two separate components: downsampled color image data for immediate viewing and compressed high-frequency detail data for later enhancement. This segmentation allows the color image to be generated quickly without full interpolation, while preserving the option to enhance quality later using the stored detail data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary downsampling and compression of the sensor image data before final use. By pre-processing the data into color and detail components, the system avoids the computationally intensive full interpolation step at the time of viewing, while still enabling quality enhancement when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If sensor image data is compressed to reduce data volume, then storage efficiency is improved, but color accuracy and resolution deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata volumeVSAvoidcolor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating image data into color information (downsampled) and high-frequency detail information (compressed). This allows different compression strategies to be applied to each component, optimizing both storage efficiency and color accuracy independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating different frequency components of the image data differently. Low-frequency color information is preserved with appropriate downsampling, while high-frequency detail information is compressed separately. This localized approach to quality management maintains color accuracy where it matters most while reducing overall data volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If full-resolution sensor image data is stored without processing, then data quality is preserved, but storage requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments full-resolution sensor data into color image data and augmentative image data, storing each component separately. This segmentation preserves the quality of the original data while reducing total storage requirements through targeted downsampling and compression of appropriate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing only the portions of the image data that need processing for immediate use (color information), while preserving the remaining high-frequency detail data in a compressed format. This avoids the excessive processing that would be required to fully interpolate and process the entire high-resolution dataset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4683341A1Method for processing and storing image data, and camera system
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO BETRIEBS KG
  • EP4683341A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4683341A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4683341A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method for processing and storing image data, sensor image data from a camera's image sensor is provided. This sensor image data has a first spatial resolution and comprises at least three color channels, with each pixel containing only one signal value from one of the at least three color channels. Based on the sensor image data, color image data is generated that corresponds to a second spatial resolution and comprises at least three color channels, with each pixel containing at least three signal values. The second spatial resolution is lower than the first. Finally, based on the sensor image data, supplementary image data is generated that corresponds to a third spatial resolution and comprises only a single color channel, with each pixel containing only one signal value.The color image data and the supplementary image data are stored in such a way that the color image data can be accessed independently of the supplementary image data.