Image Capturing Circuit for Reduced Live View Display Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining framing performance during still image photography within live view functions due to delays in displaying reduced still images, which is critical for applications like sports photography.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing circuit that allows for reading and outputting image data at different resolutions, including high-resolution still images and lower-resolution live view images, with options for immediate output or storage and conversion, optimizing data paths for various use cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the still image is stored in memory and then converted to moving image format, then the still image can be displayed in a reduced state, but display delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image data processing into two separate readout paths: one path reads high-resolution still image data for storage and conversion, while another path reads low-resolution live view data directly for immediate display. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing without sequential delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary readout of low-resolution live view image data during the still image exposure period, so that when the still image is captured, the live view data is already prepared and can be displayed immediately without waiting for still image processing to complete.
2Productivity
If the still image is photographed during live view moving image capture, then the still image can be acquired, but frame loss occurs in the live view moving image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array readout into multiple independent channels: a first readout section dedicated to live view moving image data and a second readout section dedicated to still image data. This allows parallel operation without frame loss in either stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory buffer as an intermediary storage component that temporarily holds live view image data during still image capture operations, allowing the live view stream to continue without interruption while still image data is processed separately.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processing paths are provided for different purposes, then diverse photographic needs are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the readout circuit to have universal functionality where the same pixel array can serve multiple purposes: it can simultaneously output data for live view display, still image capture, and reduced-resolution previews through different readout sections, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances framing performance by reducing display delays and enabling efficient data handling for both still and live view images, catering to diverse photographic needs.
Implementation Method 1
a pixel array configured to have a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing circuit that can be applied to an image capturing apparatus, including a pixel array having photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix, a row selection circuit capable of reading out still image data with a first resolution and LV moving image data with a second resolution lower than the first resolution from the pixel array, an image memory for storing the read still image data and the read LV moving image data, and a reduction circuit that converts the still image data to reduced image data with a third resolution lower than the first resolution. The still image data is read out from the memory and output after converted to the reduced still image data, and the still image data is also output without being converted. The LV moving image data is read out from the memory and output without being converted.