Imaging Device Resolution Control for Data Load Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing amount of data from imaging devices, particularly when processing moving subjects at high speeds, leads to a processing load that may not be able to keep up, resulting in inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The imaging device adjusts its resolution based on features of the captured image, such as distance and subject size, by reducing or increasing the number of pixels in specific regions, thereby reducing the amount of data processed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the resolution of captured images is improved, then the image quality is enhanced, but the amount of data to be processed increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidamount of data
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by setting different resolutions for different regions within the captured image. Specifically, the resolution is set higher in regions where subjects are located and lower in background regions, thereby maintaining image quality for important subjects while reducing the overall data amount.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the amount of data is reduced by lowering resolution, then the processing load decreases, but the image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains image quality by applying different resolution settings to different regions. High resolution is applied to regions containing subjects while low resolution is applied to background regions, ensuring that image quality is preserved where needed while achieving overall data reduction for improved processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If the resolution is uniformly reduced across the entire image, then the data amount decreases, but the image quality is compromised in all regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata amountVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent avoids uniform resolution reduction by implementing region-specific resolution settings. The resolution is determined independently for each region based on the presence and importance of subjects, allowing data reduction in less important areas while maintaining quality in important areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Speed

If the processing speed is increased to handle high-speed moving subjects, then the tracking capability improves, but the processing load may not be able to keep up with the data volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubject tracking speedVSAvoidprocessing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the resolution parameter based on the detected subject position and movement. When subjects are moving at high speed, the system adjusts resolution settings to reduce data volume while maintaining tracking capability, thereby balancing processing speed with processing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3477938B1Imaging device, imaging method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3477938B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477938B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3477938B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to an imaging device, an imaging method, and a program which are capable of setting a resolution based on a distance to a subject. A control unit which changes a resolution of a captured image on the basis of distance information, corresponding to the captured image, regarding a detected distance to a subject included in the image is included. The control unit changes a resolution of a portion of a region of the captured image on the basis of the distance information. The portion of the region is a region distant from another region. The control unit changes the resolution of the portion of the region such that the portion of the region becomes higher than a resolution of another region. The control unit sets a resolution of the subject to be high in a case in which the distance to the subject is longer than a predetermined reference, and sets the resolution of the subject to be low in a case in which the distance to the subject is smaller than the predetermined reference. The present technology is applicable to the imaging device.