Image Sensor Control Circuit for Still and Moving Image Shooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capture apparatuses face challenges in simultaneously performing still image shooting and moving image shooting without suspending live view display or reducing the update frequency of moving image data, due to differences in resolution and sensor operations between the two modes, leading to complex readout control and processing.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus with a control circuit that manages the image sensor operations to perform still image shooting after a predetermined time delay from the shooting instruction during moving image shooting, and continues still image shooting during the blanking time period of moving image shooting if the instruction is continuous, ensuring stable moving image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If still image shooting is performed immediately upon receiving a shooting instruction during moving image shooting, then the still image can be captured at the intended timing, but moving image shooting must be suspended and live view display is suspended
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit delays the still image shooting timing by a predetermined time from the shooting instruction input timing. This preliminary timing adjustment allows the still image to be captured at the intended moment while avoiding immediate suspension of moving image shooting, thus maintaining live view display stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the shooting timing based on the relationship between still image and moving image shooting cycles. By making the still image timing flexible relative to the moving image frame rate, the system can accommodate both modes without requiring suspension of either operation.
2Productivity
If still image shooting is performed continuously during moving image shooting, then multiple still images can be captured, but the readout control of the image sensor becomes complicated and processing for generating display image data becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs still image shooting at periodic intervals during moving image shooting, synchronized with the moving image frame rate. This periodic approach simplifies readout control by establishing a regular pattern where still images are captured during blanking periods of the moving image shooting cycle, avoiding complex timing coordination.
3Device complexity
If the same image sensor is used for both moving image shooting and still image shooting, then device complexity is reduced, but the operations of the image sensor need to be switched according to the type of picture being shot
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically switches the image sensor operation mode based on the shooting type (still image or moving image). By implementing flexible timing control that adapts to different shooting modes, the system can use a single image sensor for both purposes without requiring separate dedicated sensors, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture apparatus comprises an image sensor and a control circuit that controls operations of the image sensor. The control circuit, in a case where a still image shooting instruction is input during moving image shooting that uses the image sensor, performs a first shot of still image shooting using the image sensor upon a time determined in advance elapsing from input of the shooting instruction, and, in a case where the shooting instruction is continuously input, controls the image sensor to perform still image shooting of a second shot onward during a blanking time period of the moving image shooting.