Imaging Device Image Data Segmentation for Fast Subject Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital cameras often miss capturing desired images of fast-moving subjects due to limitations in continuous shooting modes, where users must sift through numerous images to select the best ones, and the process can be cumbersome, especially when trying to extract high-quality still images from moving images.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device that processes and stores image data without initial compression, allowing for high-speed continuous shooting and enabling users to select and store desired still images from moving images with improved quality, while reducing the processing load during playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous shooting mode is used to capture fast-moving subjects, then the opportunity to photograph is increased, but the number of images to review and select increases, making the process cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopportunity to photographVSAvoidtime to review and select images
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary image data (second image data) for playback and selection, separating it from the full raw image data (first image data). This allows users to review and select images quickly without processing all captured images, thus reducing the time to review while maintaining the ability to capture fast-moving subjects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides image data into two types: first image data (raw data for high-quality storage) and second image data (reduced data for playback). This segmentation allows the system to handle large numbers of captured images efficiently by processing only the reduced data for user review, while preserving the ability to access full-quality images when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If images are processed and stored with high quality, then image quality is maintained, but processing load and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential image data needed for playback (second image data) while maintaining the option to access full-quality raw data (first image data) when needed. This extraction approach allows the system to reduce processing load during playback while preserving high image quality for final output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the data representation parameters by creating reduced image data that maintains sufficient quality for playback while reducing the amount of data to process. This parameter transformation allows efficient playback performance without sacrificing the ability to produce high-quality final images

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If images are compressed to reduce data size, then storage efficiency improves, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments image data into two categories: first image data (raw/uncompressed for high quality) and second image data (compressed/reduced for storage efficiency). This segmentation allows the system to maintain high image quality when needed while achieving storage efficiency through compressed data, resolving the contradiction between quality and storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes data storage parameters by creating a dual-tier data structure where reduced-quality compressed data is used for playback (improving storage efficiency) while full-quality raw data is preserved (maintaining image quality). This parameter transformation allows both storage efficiency and high quality to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If processing is performed during playback, then image quality is maintained, but playback speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidplayback speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing by pre-reducing image data to second image data before playback. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, allowing playback to proceed at high speed without requiring intensive processing during playback itself, thus maintaining both speed and quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9137446B2Imaging device, method of capturing image, and program product for capturing image
Publication Date: 2015.09.15 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • US9137446B2 patent drawing
  • US9137446B2 patent drawing
  • US9137446B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An imaging device, a method of capturing an image, and a program product used to capture a plurality of images, reduce the captured images, transfer second image data correspondent to each of the reduced images, display first images and identify a second image correspondent to the first image, which is instructed by a user.