Image Sensor Development Circuit Time-Sharing for Still and Moving Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing devices cannot record high-resolution still images without stopping moving image recording due to the occupation of development processing circuits by moving image processing, which limits memory capacity and results in constraints on the number of still image frames that can be captured during moving image recording.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus that controls the development process for both moving and still images within a one-frame period of moving image capturing, allowing for high-resolution still image capturing without stopping moving image recording by using a shared processing circuit and efficient memory management, including pixel thinning and area cutting in the image sensor, and time-sharing the processing circuit for both image types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate development process circuit is provided for still images during moving image recording, then high-resolution still image capturing is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The developing unit is designed to perform both moving image development and still image development functions using a single shared circuit. The control unit manages the timing and allocation of the developing unit to handle still image RAW data from the image sensor during moving image recording, eliminating the need for separate development circuits while maintaining high-resolution still image capture capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If high resolution still image RAW data is stored in memory during moving image recording, then still image capturing is enabled, but memory capacity is quickly consumed limiting the number of frames
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary development processing of still image RAW data during the moving image recording period. The control unit initiates the development process for still image RAW data stored in the semiconductor memory while the moving image recording is ongoing, so that development is completed before the memory capacity is fully consumed, enabling continuous still image capturing without frame limitations.
3Productivity
If the development process for still images is performed during moving image recording, then still image capturing without stopping is enabled, but processing time becomes constrained within one-frame period
Solution Approach 1:
The development processing is divided into segments that can be executed within the one-frame period of moving image capturing. The control unit allocates specific time slots within each frame period for still image development, breaking down the overall development task into manageable portions that fit within the constrained time window, allowing continuous processing without stopping the moving image recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The developing unit alternates between processing moving image frames and still image data in a periodic manner within each frame period. This time-division multiplexing approach allows the single developing unit to serve both functions rhythmically, performing still image development during designated intervals while maintaining continuous moving image recording, thus resolving the time constraint issue.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus which performs moving image recording and still image capturing comprises: an image sensing unit configured to output an image signal in accordance with a quantity of incident light; a developing unit configured to perform development processes for a moving image or a still image for image signals output from the image sensing unit; a storage unit configured to store image signals output from the image sensing unit; and a control unit configured to control to perform a development process for a moving image corresponding to one frame of the image signals output from the image sensing unit and a development process for part of one frame of the image signals stored in the storage unit within a one-frame period of the moving image capturing, in a case where the still image capturing is performed during moving image recording.