Focus-Based Imaging Regions for Lower Data Image Processing

Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in image data due to higher pixel resolution in imaging devices leads to increased processing time and cost, with redundant high-resolution imaging of both near and far objects, and fixed image size processing units causing inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device that determines two regions, one with higher resolution and one with lower resolution based on focus, generating separate images for each region to optimize data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-resolution imaging is applied to the entire imaging region, then image recognition accuracy is improved, but data amount and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage recognition accuracyVSAvoiddata amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different resolution levels to different regions of the imaging area based on the degree of focus. High-resolution imaging is applied only to the in-focus region where image recognition is needed, while low-resolution imaging is applied to the out-of-focus region. This local differentiation maintains recognition accuracy for important objects while significantly reducing overall data amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging region is segmented into multiple regions based on the degree of focus (in-focus region and out-offocus region). Each region is then processed independently with appropriate resolution levels, allowing the system to reduce data amount in out-of-focus regions while maintaining high resolution in in-focus regions for accurate recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution imaging is applied to the entire imaging region, then image recognition accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage recognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different resolution levels to different regions of the imaging area based on the degree of focus. High-resolution imaging is applied only to the in-focus region where image recognition is needed, while low-resolution imaging is applied to the out-of-focus region. This local differentiation maintains recognition accuracy for important objects while significantly reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging region is segmented into multiple regions based on the degree of focus (in-focus region and out-of-focus region). Each region is then processed independently with appropriate resolution levels, allowing the system to reduce processing time in out-of-focus regions while maintaining high resolution in in-focus regions for accurate recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If fixed image size processing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing system complexityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the image size and resolution based on the degree of focus of each region. Instead of using a fixed image size, the system adapts the processing parameters to the content characteristics, improving processing efficiency while managing device complexity through automated region-based adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12549867B2Imaging device and image processing method

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

Provided is an imaging device that includes a determination unit that determines two or more regions including first and second regions with respect to an imaging region of an imaging unit on the basis of a degree of focus of an image acquired by the imaging unit. The imaging device further includes a processing unit that generates a first image based on the first region and a second image based on the second region, in which the first image has a higher resolution than the second image.