Imaging Module Transition for Seamless Digital Zoom

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deviation of color or brightness is visible to users when imaging modules with different spectral sensitivities, such as wide-angle and telephoto modules, are replaced during digital zoom in smartphones, leading to an unsatisfactory image transition.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus with a processor that captures images using both modules and adjusts the output image information, such as white balance gain and brightness, to ensure a seamless transition by correcting the image information to maintain a certain level of similarity between the two modules, thereby minimizing visible deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If imaging modules with different spectral sensitivities are replaced during digital zoom, then zoom functionality is achieved, but visible deviation in color or brightness occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvezoom functionalityVSAvoidcolor and brightness consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting white balance gains and brightness parameters of the telephoto imaging module to match those of the wide-angle imaging module. The processor modifies these parameters dynamically during module replacement to ensure continuous color and brightness consistency, thereby resolving the visible deviation issue while maintaining zoom functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that mediates between the wide-angle and telephoto imaging modules. It captures images from both modules, compares their output image information, and applies corrective adjustments to the telephoto module's output to match the wide-angle module's characteristics, ensuring seamless transition during zoom operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple imaging modules are used to achieve different focal lengths, then imaging versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor performs multiple functions including capturing images from both imaging modules, comparing output image information, adjusting white balance gains, modifying brightness parameters, and determining when to replace modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining imaging versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If imaging modules are replaced frequently during digital zoom, then zoom resolution is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvezoom resolutionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines when to replace imaging modules based on zoom level requirements. The processor monitors the current zoom state and only activates the telephoto imaging module when high-resolution zoom is needed, while keeping the wide-angle module active for lower zoom levels. This dynamic operation optimizes power consumption by minimizing the activation frequency of the power-intensive telephoto module while maintaining appropriate zoom resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3656121B1Imaging apparatus and imaging method
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3656121B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3656121B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3656121B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Provided are an imaging apparatus, an imaging method and a computer program product capable of reducing the deviation of an output image when imaging modules with different spectral sensitivities are replaced with each other, an imaging method, and a computer program product. The imaging apparatus includes a processor that selectively obtains one of the first captured image and the second captured image to be output as an output image based on a magnification characteristic of the output image; based on the first image being replaced with the second image as the output image, corrects image information of the second captured image based on first output image information of the first captured image and second output image information of the second captured image; and outputs the output image according to a correction to the second captured image based on the corrected image information of the second captured image.