Image Sensor Readout Mode Control for Live View Still Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capturing apparatuses face challenges in shooting still images without interrupting live view displays, with previous techniques either requiring multiple image sensors, increasing camera size and power consumption, or experiencing release time lag due to divided reset and readout operations.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing apparatus with a single image sensor that employs different readout modes for live view and still image capture, ensuring equal readout times to maintain continuous display without blackouts, using a combination of pixel thinning and full pixel readout driving to adjust resolution and framerate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If two image sensors are provided to shoot still images and live view simultaneously, then still images can be captured during live view display, but the camera body size increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestill image capture capability during live viewVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into two operational modes: a first readout mode for live view display and a second readout mode for still image capture. By segmenting the readout operations temporally and mode-wise, the system enables still image capture during live view using a single sensor without requiring duplicate hardware, thus avoiding increased power consumption and device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The readout unit dynamically switches between different readout modes (first readout mode for live view, second readout mode for still images) based on operational requirements. This dynamic mode switching allows the single image sensor to adapt its reading behavior to meet both live view and still image capture demands simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If two image sensors are provided to shoot still images and live view simultaneously, then still images can be captured during live view display, but the camera body size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestill image capture capability during live viewVSAvoidcamera body size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different readout modes. The same sensor that captures live view footage can also capture still images by changing its readout configuration, making the sensor universal and eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If reset operation and readout operation for still image are divided by single image sensor during live view display, then still image can be generated, but release time lag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestill image generation during live viewVSAvoidrelease time lag

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous readout operations by switching between readout modes rather than interrupting for reset operations. The second readout mode for still images is configured to have equal readout time to the first mode, ensuring continuous operation without blackouts or time delays, thereby maintaining uninterrupted useful action throughout the capture process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If readout time in first readout mode is made equal to readout time in second readout mode, then continuous display without blackout is achieved, but readout configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous display without blackoutVSAvoidreadout mode configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes readout parameters (readout time, readout mode) to ensure that the first readout mode and second readout mode have equal readout times. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves continuous display without blackout or interruption, as the equal timing ensures seamless transition between live view and still image capture operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10880477B2Image capturing apparatus and multi-readout mode control method for carrying out a live view display

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a plurality of pixels and at least one processor or circuit configured to function as: a readout unit that, to carry out a live view display, reads out pixel signals from the image sensor in a first readout mode, and to obtain a still image during the live view display, reads out pixel signals from the image sensor in a second readout mode that is different from the first readout mode; and a control unit that controls the readout unit so that a readout time in the first readout mode is equal to a readout time in the second readout mode.