Mobile Camera Pixel Array Expansion for Higher Resolution Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication terminals with digital camera functions face limitations due to their small pixel capacity, leading to pixelization when images are enlarged, and existing software interpolation methods reduce image resolution.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating extended pixel array data with a larger size by an image signal processor, which receives pixel values from the image sensor, arranges them in a larger array with additional pixel areas, and performs arithmetic operations to fill in the remaining areas, allowing for higher resolution images without reducing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If software interpolation is used to enlarge images captured by the digital camera, then image enlargement is achieved, but image resolution is markedly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating extended pixel array data before image processing operations. The image signal processor creates a larger pixel array by interpolating and arranging pixel values in advance, so that subsequent encoding, transmission, or display operations work with higher resolution data from the start, avoiding the resolution loss that occurs when enlarging already-processed images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by expanding the pixel array from original dimensions (x×y) to extended dimensions (X×Y) where X>x and Y>y. This is achieved by creating additional pixel rows and columns through arithmetic operations on adjacent pixel values, effectively adding spatial dimensions to the data structure to enable higher resolution output.
2Device complexity
If pixel array data with smaller pixel size is used as source data, then data processing is simpler, but the resolution of the enlarged image is markedly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by performing pixel array extension before any image processing, encoding, or transmission operations. The image signal processor generates the extended pixel array data in advance, ensuring that all subsequent operations work with high-resolution data, thereby maintaining image quality while managing complexity through a single upfront processing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the pixel array parameters from (x×y) to (X×Y) through arithmetic operations. The image signal processor changes the spatial parameters by calculating new pixel values based on adjacent pixels using formulas such as (A+B+C+D)/4 for corner pixels, thereby transforming the data structure to achieve higher resolution without fundamentally changing the processing architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the mobile terminal to produce higher resolution images without pixelization, allowing for efficient display, encoding, and transmission without deteriorating image quality, effectively overcoming the limitations of small pixel capacity.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor having (x×y)-sized pixel capacity, converting an optical signal received via a lens into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a technique for processing pixel array data of a mobile terminal with a digital camera function. A device for processing pixel array data includes: an image sensor having (x×y)-sized pixel capacity, converting an optical signal received via a lens into an electric signal, and generating (x×y)-sized pixel array data; and an image signal processor for generating an (X×Y)-sized extended pixel array data area, receiving pixel values of the (x×y)-sized pixel array data from the image sensor, arranging the pixel values of the (x×y)-sized pixel array data in the (X×Y)-sized extended pixel array data area, arranging pixel values obtained by performing an arithmetical operation on pixel values of (x×y)-sized pixel array data, adjacent to remaining pixel areas of the (X×Y)-sized extended pixel array data other than the pixel areas having the pixel values of the (x×y)-sized pixel array data, in the remaining pixel areas, and outputting the (X×Y)-sized extended pixel array data.