Image Pickup Apparatus Omitting Development Processing to Manage Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
During consecutive photographing, the idle capacity of the primary storage device in image pickup apparatuses can run short due to the faster decrease in idle capacity caused by high image data obtaining speeds, leading to potential interruptions in image pickup operations, and existing solutions like overwriting image data result in data loss and increased storage costs.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus that omits part or all of the development processing of raw data based on the usage status of the storage unit or similarity between images, allowing for efficient management of idle capacity without increasing storage capacity, by temporarily storing raw data and selectively performing development processing to maintain sufficient idle capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage capacity of the primary storage device is increased to prevent idle capacity from running short during consecutive photographing, then the idle capacity is sufficient to maintain continuous operation, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the development processing based on real-time idle capacity monitoring. The control unit adjusts whether to perform development processing on a per-frame basis depending on the current idle capacity level, making the system adaptable to varying storage conditions during consecutive photographing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers idle capacity by selectively skipping development processing for certain frames when idle capacity is low. This allows the system to preserve raw data in the primary storage device, effectively recovering storage space that would otherwise be consumed by processed image data, thereby maintaining continuous operation without expanding storage capacity
2Productivity
If the development processing speed is increased to increase the increasing speed of idle capacity, then more processed images are generated quickly, but the idle capacity may still run short if the obtaining speed is faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the idle capacity level of the primary storage device and uses this information to dynamically adjust the development processing execution. When idle capacity falls below a threshold, the control unit skips development processing for subsequent frames, creating a feedback loop that prevents idle capacity exhaustion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively performing development processing only on certain frames rather than all frames during consecutive photographing. When idle capacity is sufficient, development processing is performed normally; when idle capacity becomes low, the system partially skips development processing to preserve raw data and maintain adequate idle capacity levels
3Reliability
If overwriting is performed to prevent idle capacity from running short, then continuous photographing can be maintained, but image data is lost and storage capacity must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent discards the computationally intensive development processing step for certain frames when idle capacity is low, rather than overwriting raw data. This approach recovers storage space by keeping only the essential raw data, preventing both data loss and idle capacity exhaustion while maintaining continuous photographing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and performs development processing only on selected frames rather than all frames. By taking out the development processing from the mandatory sequence and making it conditional based on idle capacity levels, the system prevents idle capacity exhaustion without requiring data overwriting or storage expansion
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing an idle capacity from running short during consecutive photographing without increasing a storage capacity of a storage device that temporarily retains data is provided. The image pickup apparatus comprising an image pickup unit configured to continuously perform image pickup and obtain raw data, a storage unit configured to temporarily store the raw data, a developing unit configured to develop the raw data, and a control unit configured to control so as to omit a part or all of a development processing of the raw data performed by the developing unit based on a usage status of the storage unit or a similarity degree between images of the raw data.