Imaging Apparatus Dynamic Exposure Time Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging technologies face challenges in simultaneously capturing high-quality still images and movies, as the characteristics required for image quality differ significantly between the two formats, leading to suboptimal results when trying to extract still images from movie frames or vice versa.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus and method that dynamically adjust exposure times to separate image capture into distinct modes for still images and movies, using a first exposure time for still images and a second exposure time for movie frames, allowing for simultaneous generation of high-quality still images and movie frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single exposure time is used for both still images and movies, then the imaging process is simple, but the image quality for both formats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging process complexityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the imaging process into two distinct modes: still image photography mode and movie photography mode. Each mode uses optimized exposure time settings specific to its requirements, allowing high-quality output for both formats without requiring complex additional hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging apparatus dynamically switches between different exposure time settings based on the selected photography mode. The control unit adjusts the exposure time of the image sensor according to whether still image or movie photography is being performed, optimizing image quality for each mode without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If exposure time is optimized for still images, then still image quality improves, but movie frame connection smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestill image qualityVSAvoidmovie frame connection smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different exposure time parameters locally to different photography modes. Still image mode uses exposure times optimized for capturing sharp, high-quality single frames, while movie mode uses exposure times optimized for temporal continuity and smooth transitions between frames. Each mode receives the quality optimization appropriate to its specific requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If exposure time is optimized for movies, then movie frame connection smoothness improves, but still image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovie frame connection smoothnessVSAvoidstill image quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies mode-specific exposure time settings where movie photography uses longer exposure times that ensure smooth transitions and natural motion representation between frames, while still image photography uses shorter exposure times that capture sharp, freeze-frame quality images. The control unit automatically selects the appropriate exposure time based on the current photography mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If separate imaging processes are used for still images and movies, then image quality for both formats improves, but the imaging process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality for both formatsVSAvoidimaging process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the still image and movie imaging processes into a single integrated system that uses one image sensor and one control unit. The control unit automatically manages the switching between different exposure time settings based on the selected mode, providing high-quality output for both formats without requiring separate imaging systems or complex manual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both still image and movie photography using the same hardware components. The control unit provides universal control over the image sensor, automatically adjusting exposure times according to the current mode to deliver optimized quality for both photography types from a single device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10432873B2Imaging apparatus and imaging method for concurrently acquiring still images and video

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to generate an image at each of predetermined timings, wherein an exposure time is used at each of predetermined timings. The imaging apparatus includes at least one circuit which divides, according to whether or not a specific photography situation occurs, the exposure time, into a plurality of exposure times including a first exposure time for acquiring still image and a second exposure time for acquiring movie; and generates a still image, based on an image generated by photography with the first exposure time, and generates a movie frame constituting a movie, by using an image generated by photography with the second exposure time.