Image Sensor Resizing OB Region Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-resolution video recording requires efficient handling of RAW image data, particularly in handling optical black regions during resizing, digital zooming, and image stabilization, where existing techniques fail to maintain correction quality and reduce processing loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a two-dimensional array of pixels including correction and effective pixel regions, where resizing is only applied to the effective pixel region, maintaining the optical black region unchanged to preserve correction quality and reduce processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If resizing process is applied to the entire image data including OB region, then data amount is reduced, but correction quality deteriorates due to dynamic changes in OB region during digital zooming and image stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is segmented into two distinct regions: the effective pixel region and the OB region. The resizing process is selectively applied only to the effective pixel region, while the OB region is preserved at its original resolution. This segmentation allows the patent to reduce overall data amount while maintaining correction quality by preventing dynamic changes in the OB region during digital zooming and image stabilization operations.
2Device complexity
If minimum required image correction is carried out in post-recording developing process, then device complexity is reduced, but it requires OB region data to be preserved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by preserving the OB region data in its original, unresized state during the image capture and storage phase. By maintaining the full-resolution OB region data before the developing process, the system enables post-recording image correction without requiring complex in-camera processing circuits, thus reducing device complexity while ensuring data reliability for correction purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If OB region is changed dynamically during digital zooming and image stabilization, then adaptability is improved, but correction quality fluctuates significantly between frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating the OB region differently from the effective pixel region. While the effective pixel region undergoes dynamic resizing to adapt to digital zooming and image stabilization requirements, the OB region maintains its original quality and resolution. This local differentiation ensures that correction quality remains consistent across frames, as the OB region is not subject to the quality degradation that would result from dynamic resizing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor in which pixels including a correction pixel region and an effective pixel region are arrayed two-dimensionally; and a creating unit configured to create uncompressed or losslessly-compressed image data from signals acquired from the effective pixel region and the correction pixel region, wherein in the case where a resizing process is to be carried out on the effective pixel region included in the image data, the creating unit does not carry out the resizing process on the correction pixel region.