Continuous Zoom Image Trimming via Single Capture Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital cameras with zoom functions lack an efficient method to capture and record images with varying focal lengths and viewing angles without significant quality loss or complexity in operation.
Innovation Solution
A digital camera system that includes an image pickup device, photograph control means, generation means for trimmed-image data, and record control means, allowing for continuous-zoom-photographing mode where images are captured and trimmed to different sizes and magnifications, enabling multiple images with different viewing angles to be obtained in a single shot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic zooming is used to capture images with varying focal lengths, then the operation becomes simpler, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single captured image into multiple trimmed images with different focal length ranges. The image pickup means captures one full-frame image, and then generation means creates multiple trimmed images by extracting different regions (first trimmed image data, second trimmed image data, etc.), each corresponding to different zoom magnifications. This segmentation approach avoids electronic zooming while providing multiple viewing angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the captured image data with different trimming applied. Instead of optically zooming and recapturing, the system copies the single captured image data and generates multiple trimmed versions, each representing a different focal length range. This copying approach preserves image quality while achieving zoom functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple images with different focal lengths are captured using optical zoom, then image quality is maintained, but the photographing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary capture of a single full-frame image that contains all necessary information for multiple focal lengths. By capturing the complete scene first and then generating trimmed images from this single capture, the system eliminates the need for multiple sequential shots, thereby reducing photographing time while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by generating multiple trimmed images from a single captured image data without requiring additional capture operations. The generation means continuously processes the captured data to produce multiple trimmed images with different focal lengths, eliminating idle time between captures and maintaining efficient workflow.
3Productivity
If a single image is captured and then trimmed to multiple sizes, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the image pickup device multi-functional by enabling it to produce multiple types of output images (first trimmed images, second trimmed images, third trimmed images with different focal lengths) from a single capture operation. The generation means serves multiple functions by creating different trimmed versions, reducing the need for separate devices or operations for each focal length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple image processing operations into a single workflow. Instead of capturing separate images for different focal lengths and then processing them individually, the system captures one image and merges the processing of multiple trimmed versions from this single source, improving productivity while consolidating the processing pipeline.
Data Source
AI summary
When a continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected, a through image of a subject and first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames are produced on an image-display section. When a user operates a cross key, recorded information about a trimming position of each of the first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames is updated according to the cross-key operation, and the first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames are produced at the updated trimming position recorded after the update. When a shutter button is operated, still-image photographing is started and obtained image data is stored in a buffer memory. On the basis of the obtained image data, image data is generated for each of the first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames through trimming processing and stored in the buffer memory. The obtained image data and the generated image data are stored in a flash memory.