Imaging Device Video Mode Still Image Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices require users to be conscious of photo opportunities when capturing still images during video recording, leading to difficulties in capturing unexpected events or instantaneous object states, and often result in blurred still images due to shutter speed settings optimized for video quality.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a photo/video mode that automatically sets capturing settings more suitable for still image quality, allowing users to extract high-quality still images from video data recorded in this mode, which prioritizes image quality over video quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shutter speed is set to match frame period for smooth video reproduction, then video quality is improved, but still image quality deteriorates due to motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device dynamically switches between two video modes: first video mode uses shutter speed matched to frame period for smooth video reproduction, while second video mode uses faster shutter speed optimized for capturing clear still images. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for different purposes at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the shutter speed parameter between two distinct video modes. In first video mode, shutter speed is set to match the frame period (e.g., 1/30 second for 30 fps). In second video mode, shutter speed is set to a faster value suitable for still image capture. This parameter change enables the system to prioritize either video smoothness or still image clarity depending on the mode.
2Ease of operation
If user manually captures still image during video recording, then still image can be captured at desired moment, but user must be conscious of photo opportunity which misses unexpected events
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device performs self-service by automatically capturing still images during video recording in the second video mode. The system itself identifies and captures decisive moments without requiring user intervention or consciousness of photo opportunities. This resolves the contradiction by making the system autonomous in capturing unexpected events while maintaining ease of operation through automatic mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the system in advance by setting up two video modes with different optimizations. The second video mode is pre-configured with faster shutter speed and higher frame rate specifically for still image extraction. This preliminary preparation enables the system to automatically capture high-quality still images of unexpected events without requiring real-time user decision-making.
3Reliability
If video is captured with settings optimized for video quality, then smooth video reproduction is achieved, but still images extracted from video have poor quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video capturing function into two distinct modes: first video mode optimized for smooth video reproduction with shutter speed matched to frame period, and second video mode optimized for still image extraction with faster shutter speed. This segmentation allows each mode to be independently optimized for its specific purpose, resolving the contradiction between video quality and still image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device achieves multi-functionality by making the video recording feature serve dual purposes. The second video mode captures video with settings that enable both acceptable video reproduction and high-quality still image extraction. This universal design allows a single video recording function to satisfy both video playback needs and still image extraction needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The imaging device includes: an imaging unit that generates image data from the optical information input through an optical system unit; an image processor that performs a predetermined process to the image data; and a controller that controls the optical system unit, the imaging unit, and the image processor based on a set value relating to video capturing. The controller sets the set value to a corresponding value relating to the video capturing in each of a first and a second video mode, and automatically sets the set value in the second video mode to a value more suitable for recording a still image so that image quality of a still image in the second video mode is greater than image quality of a still image in the first video mode. The video in the second video mode is captured from start to end of a video recording.