Real-Time Special-Effect Processing in Image Acquisition Preview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image acquisition devices perform special-effect processing after image compression and saving, leading to redundant processes that consume time, electricity, and memory space, as they do not support real-time processing in preview mode.

Innovation Solution

An image acquisition device with a special-effect processor that processes raw image data in real-time during preview mode, allowing for immediate display and saving of modified image data without prior storage, utilizing a combination of hardware and firmware for special-effect processing including soft focusing, reshaping, and color adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If special-effect processing is performed after image compression and saving, then the processing can be completed with existing hardware architecture, but it causes redundant processes that consume time, electricity, and memory space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware architecture compatibilityVSAvoidelectricity consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing special-effect processing on the raw image data before compression and saving. The special-effect processor receives raw image data from the image signal processor and generates processed image data with special effects applied, which is then compressed and saved. This eliminates the redundant processing step where images would otherwise be processed after saving, thereby reducing electricity consumption while maintaining hardware architecture compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware architecture compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing special-effect processing on the raw image data before compression and saving. The special-effect processor receives raw image data from the image signal processor and generates processed image data with special effects applied, which is then compressed and saved. This eliminates the redundant processing step where images would otherwise be processed after saving, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining hardware architecture compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware architecture compatibilityVSAvoidmemory space usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing special-effect processing on the raw image data before compression and saving. The special-effect processor receives raw image data from the image signal processor and generates processed image data with special effects applied, which is then compressed and saved. This eliminates the redundant processing step where images would otherwise be processed after saving, thereby reducing memory space usage while maintaining hardware architecture compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of energy

If real-time special-effect processing is implemented in preview mode, then memory and electricity usage are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional processing units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoidprocessing unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the special-effect processing function into the existing image signal processing pipeline. The special-effect processor is positioned between the image signal processor and the compression unit, merging the special-effect processing step with the existing processing flow. This integration reduces the need for separate, independent processing units and minimizes overall device complexity while achieving real-time processing in preview mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Quantity of substance

If real-time special-effect processing is implemented in preview mode, then memory and electricity usage are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional processing units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory space usageVSAvoidprocessing unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7715660B2Image acquisition device

Publication Date: 2010.05.11 SIGMASTAR TECH LTD

AI summary

An image acquisition device capable of accomplishing special-effect processing on real-time motion of the image data in a preview mode is disclosed. The device includes a lens, an optical sensor, an image signal processor, a special-effect processor, a storage unit, and an image display unit. The optical sensor receives an optical signal representing an image through the lens and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the image. The image signal processor couples to the optical sensor for processing the electric signal with a first processing mode and then outputting a raw image data. The special-effect processor couples to the image signal processor for processing the raw image data with a second processing mode and then outputting a processed image data. The storage unit saves the processed image data. The image display unit displays the image based on the processed image data.