Digital Image Analysis System for Instant Quality Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital camera users face challenges in determining image quality due to the limitations of small camera displays, which may not accurately represent printed images, leading to potential waste from capturing images that are out of focus or improperly exposed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for analyzing captured images using a digital camera, which includes software executed by an ASIC to assess image characteristics such as exposure, focus, and white balance, providing suggestions for improving subsequent captures by adjusting camera settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If users view images on the small camera display, then instant review is enabled, but image quality assessment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image analysis system that acts as an intermediary between the captured image and the user's quality assessment. The system automatically analyzes image characteristics (exposure, focus, white balance) and provides objective quality feedback, mediating the gap between the limited display capability and the need for accurate quality assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection method (user viewing image on display) with an automated electronic analysis system. The ASIC-based image analysis circuitry automatically evaluates image quality parameters, substituting the manual visual assessment process with electronic measurement and analysis.
2Measurement precision
If users print images to check quality, then image quality assessment accuracy improves, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image quality analysis immediately after image capture, before the user needs to make decisions about keeping or reprinting the image. The system proactively analyzes exposure, focus, and white balance right when the image is captured, providing timely feedback to prevent wasting time on poor quality prints.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system performs self-diagnosis of image quality through automated analysis of exposure, focus, and white balance parameters. The system serves itself by automatically evaluating its own output quality without requiring external verification through printing, enabling the camera to assess its own captured images.
3Productivity
If users capture images without quality verification, then capture speed improves, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image analysis results are provided back to the user immediately after capture. The system analyzes image quality parameters and communicates the results to the user, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether to recapture or keep the image, thus maintaining quality without significantly slowing down the capture process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing images captured using an imaging device is provided herein. The analysis provides suggestions for changing a parameter of the imaging device during subsequent image capture.