Motion Encoding of Still Images for Burst Capture Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression methods, such as JPEG, are inefficient for capturing and storing large numbers of successive images due to redundant data, quickly filling memory cards and temporary storage, especially with features like bracketing and repetition modes that produce similar images.
Innovation Solution
A motion encoding system that treats a series of images as frames, using the first image as a base and subsequent images as delta information, reducing storage by encoding only changes, allowing for a single file on the storage medium and subsequent separation into individual images upon transfer to a higher-capacity system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If JPEG compression is used to reduce individual image size, then storage efficiency per image is improved, but total storage capacity for successive images is still insufficient due to redundant data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple successive images into a single compressed file by treating them as a sequence where the first image is stored in full (I1) and subsequent images are stored as differential data relative to the previous image (I2-I1, I3-I2, etc.). This combining approach exploits the temporal redundancy between successive images to achieve compression ratios far exceeding traditional per-image JPEG compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression parameter from per-image compression to inter-image differential compression. Instead of compressing each image independently using standard JPEG algorithms, the system transforms the representation by storing only the differences between consecutive images, fundamentally changing how the data is encoded and stored.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple successive images are captured using bracketing or repetition modes, then image quality and capture flexibility are improved, but memory card capacity is quickly exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple images captured in bracketing or repetition modes into a single compressed file by storing the first image in full and subsequent images as differentials. This allows cameras to capture sequences of 50+ images in these modes without quickly filling memory cards, while maintaining the ability to retrieve any individual image from the sequence.
3Manufacturing precision
If each successive image is stored in full resolution, then image quality is maintained, but temporary memory capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameter from full-resolution storage to differential storage. By storing only the differences between consecutive images at full resolution, the system maintains complete image quality for reconstruction while reducing temporary memory requirements by a factor of 10 or more during burst capture sequences.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional compression algorithms are used, then individual image file size is reduced, but overall storage efficiency for image sequences remains low due to redundant data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compression approach from spatial compression (JPEG) to temporal compression by exploiting the time dimension between successive images. By storing images as differentials relative to the previous frame, the system eliminates redundant information that would otherwise be repeated in each full image file.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for encoding a series of still images. The first image is captured and stored, then for each subsequent image of the series, that image is captured and compared to the first image or the previous image and difference information between the first or previous image and each subsequent image of the series is stored, resulting in one output file that contains the base image and difference information for each subsequent image, thereby reducing the amount of storage needed to store a series of images.