Image Capturing Device With Predicted Exposure Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices struggle to capture subjects moving at high speeds with high image quality and at desired timing, particularly in continuous shooting modes.

Innovation Solution

The imaging device controls exposure timing based on predicted optimal exposure timing using a recognition and prediction process, allowing for high-speed shooting with high image quality by adjusting exposure phases without changing frame rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If exposure timing is controlled to capture high-speed subjects, then image quality is improved, but timing accuracy deteriorates without prediction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure timing accuracyVSAvoiddelay in capturing critical moment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition and prediction process performs preliminary analysis of subject movement trends before the optimal exposure moment occurs. By predicting the future position and state of the subject based on current and past frame data, the system prepares the exposure timing in advance, allowing the main imaging to capture the critical moment without delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors subject movement across multiple frames and uses this feedback to refine the predicted optimal exposure timing. The recognition and prediction process analyzes movement patterns and adjusts the timing prediction based on real-time subject behavior, improving timing accuracy dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If frame rate is increased to capture high-speed motion, then timing coverage is improved, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe rateVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary high-frame-rate recognition and prediction processing on reduced-resolution or down-sampled image data. This preliminary analysis identifies the optimal exposure timing without requiring full-resolution imaging at high frame rates, thereby maintaining image quality while achieving high-speed capture capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging process is segmented into two stages: (1) recognition and prediction stage using lower-resolution data at high frame rates to determine timing, and (2) main imaging stage at full resolution using the predicted timing. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from high frame rates for timing detection without sacrificing final image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3975543B1Image capturing device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3975543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3975543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3975543B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(C)

AI summary

An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes an exposure section and a controller. The controller controls, at an exposure timing based on a predicted exposure timing at which a state of a subject shot at a first frame rate is predicted to satisfy a predetermined condition, the exposure section at a second frame rate. The second frame rate is different from the first frame rate.