Imaging Apparatus Display Blackout Prevention via Frame Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging apparatuses, the blackout of the display unit during exposure preparation processing causes user discomfort and potential operation mistakes due to the temporary loss of displayed image feedback when the release button is pressed.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a frame memory and a control unit that stores and displays images until exposure preparation for recording is complete, preventing the blackout by continuing to show the stored image from the frame memory during exposure preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If exposure preparation processing is started in response to release button operation, then image recording can be performed, but the display unit goes black and user cannot confirm the display image
Solution Approach 1:
The frame memory stores the live view image before the blackout occurs, preparing the display content in advance. When exposure preparation starts and the display would normally go black, the stored image is immediately displayed instead, preventing the blackout without delaying the image recording process.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame memory acts as an intermediary buffer between the imaging element and the display unit. It captures and holds the live view image data, allowing the display unit to show the stored image during exposure preparation when the live view imaging is temporarily stopped, thus mediating the transition without blackout.
2Manufacturing precision
If live view imaging is stopped during exposure preparation, then proper exposure settings can be applied, but display blackout occurs causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The frame memory creates a copy of the live view image before exposure preparation stops the imaging. This copied image data is then displayed during the exposure preparation period, allowing the original live view imaging to be stopped for proper exposure settings while the user continues to see a display image.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capture and storage of the live view image in the frame memory before exposure preparation begins. This allows the imaging element to be stopped for proper exposure configuration while the pre-captured image remains available for display, preventing user discomfort.
3Ease of operation
If display shows stored image from frame memory during exposure preparation, then blackout is prevented, but additional memory storage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The frame memory serves multiple functions: it stores live view images for normal display, captures images for the captured image display screen function, and provides backup display content during exposure preparation. This multi-functionality justifies the memory requirement while achieving display continuity and additional functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame memory preliminarily stores the live view image data in advance, preparing it for potential display during exposure preparation. This preliminary storage action enables the display continuity feature without requiring complex real-time processing or additional specialized memory components.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and method that perform display control to avoid a blackout of a display unit at the time of capturing an image for recording. The apparatus includes an imaging element, a frame memory, a display unit, and a control unit, and the control unit starts exposure preparation processing of the image for recording in response to input detection of image-capturing operation on the imaging apparatus, and executes exposure processing of the image for recording in the imaging element and storage processing of the image for recording in the frame memory after completion of the exposure preparation processing. Moreover, the control unit stops exposure of an image for displaying of the imaging element with the start of the exposure preparation processing, and displays the image for displaying on the display unit until display of the image for recording is enabled, to avoid the blackout.