Imaging Apparatus Frame Rate Synthesis for High-Speed Autofocus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed auto focus (AF) functionality due to differences in imaging frame rates and display frame rates, leading to reduced focusing speed and information loss in displayed images.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus incorporates an image synthesis unit that synthesizes image data from current and previous frames, allowing for the generation of evaluation values at higher imaging frame rates while displaying images at lower display frame rates, thereby maintaining image quality and reducing bus bandwidth congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the imaging frame rate is increased to generate more evaluation values for high-speed AF, then the focusing speed is improved, but the bus bandwidth congestion increases and information loss occurs in displayed images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides image data processing into two separate paths: one path processes image data for evaluation value generation at high frame rates for AF control, while the other path processes image data for display at lower frame rates. This segmentation allows each path to operate independently at its optimal frame rate without interfering with the other, thus achieving high-speed AF while preventing information loss in displayed images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image synthesis unit as an intermediary that generates synthetic image data by combining current and previous frame data. This synthetic image data serves as a mediator that can be used for display purposes without requiring the high-frequency raw image data to be transmitted through the bus, thereby reducing bus bandwidth congestion while maintaining display quality.
2Productivity
If the imaging frame rate is increased to generate more evaluation values, then the productivity of AF control is improved, but the bus bandwidth congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for display from the high-frequency image data stream by using the image synthesis unit to create synthetic image data at lower frame rates. This extraction process allows the system to maintain high AF control productivity using full-resolution high-frame-rate data while reducing the quantity of data transmitted on the bus for display purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter for different processing paths: the evaluation value generation path operates at high frame rates (e.g., 120fps or higher) for rapid AF control, while the display path operates at lower frame rates (e.g., 60fps or lower) using synthetic image data. This parameter differentiation optimizes both AF control efficiency and bus bandwidth utilization.
3Quantity of substance
If image data is decimated to reduce bus bandwidth congestion, then the bus bandwidth utilization is improved, but the image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary synthesis of image data from multiple frames before the display process. By pre-processing the image data to create synthetic frames that combine information from multiple captures, the system maintains high image quality in the displayed output while reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted on the bus, thus improving bus bandwidth utilization without sacrificing image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes an image data interface unit that outputs first image data according to a pixel signal input from a solid-state imaging device, an image data reading unit that reads image data from a storage unit and outputs the read image data as second image data, an image synthesis unit that outputs third image data obtained by synthesizing the first image data with second image data, an evaluation value generation unit that generates an evaluation value based on image data, a first image data selection unit that inputs selected image data to the evaluation value generation unit, an image data writing unit that stores image data in the storage unit, a second image data selection unit that inputs selected image data to the image data writing unit, and a display unit that displays an image according to the third read image data read from the storage unit.