Image Sensor Live View Luminance Control During Still Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture apparatuses with live view display functions face issues in maintaining visibility when still image shooting overlaps with live view display periods, leading to either blackouts or unnatural movement due to luminance differences and looping of past images.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus and method that control the image sensor to prioritize still image shooting and reduce the luminance or change the tone of the repeatedly displayed image when live view update is not possible, ensuring smooth display visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the image sensor prioritizes still image shooting when still image shooting overlaps with live view display period, then still image shooting quality is improved, but the live view display cannot be updated leading to visibility drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the luminance parameter of the repeatedly displayed live view image by applying a luminance adjustment value. When the image sensor prioritizes still image shooting, the control unit adjusts the luminance of the repeated live view display image to be higher than the original, compensating for the visibility drop caused by not updating the display during still image capture period.
2Manufacturing precision
If a black image is displayed when live view image cannot be shot, then the image sensor can prioritize still image shooting, but the major luminance difference between black image and live view image reduces visibility and tires viewer's eyes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of displaying a black image (luminance = 0), the patent applies luminance adjustment to the repeatedly displayed live view image, changing its luminance parameter to a higher value. This eliminates the harmful extreme luminance difference between black and colored images, preventing visibility reduction and eye fatigue while maintaining still image shooting priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of displaying a repeated image (which normally causes unnatural movement) into a benefit by adjusting its luminance. The luminance adjustment makes the repeated display less noticeable and more acceptable, transforming what would be a defect into an acceptable solution for maintaining continuous display during still image capture.
3Illumination intensity
If the LV image is displayed at a higher-than-normal luminance to ameliorate darkness between black images, then the visibility between black images is improved, but the major luminance difference between black image and LV image exacerbates visibility issues and eye fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the luminance parameter of the repeated live view image based on the display context. By controlling the luminance adjustment value, the system achieves appropriate visibility during still image capture without creating excessive luminance differences that would cause eye fatigue, finding an optimal balance between these conflicting requirements.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the same LV image is displayed on a loop when live view cannot be updated, then continuous display is maintained, but unnatural movement in moving objects appears in the LV display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the luminance parameter of the repeatedly displayed image to reduce the visual impact of repetition. By adjusting the luminance to be different from the original (typically higher), the repeated display becomes less visually striking, making the unnatural stagnation of moving objects less noticeable and more acceptable to viewers.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture apparatus comprising an image sensor is disclosed. When an instruction to shoot a still image has been detected when executing a live view display, the image capture apparatus shoots the still image preferentially, while repeatedly displaying a same image during a period in which the live view display cannot be updated. The image capture apparatus reduces a luminance and/or changes a tone of the image that is repeatedly displayed.