Regional Imaging Conditions for Still and Motion Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laminated type image sensors lack the ability to divide an image into multiple imaging regions or pixel groups and apply different imaging conditions to each, limiting their usability.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with an input unit to set and record imaging conditions for each imaging region or pixel group, and a recording control unit to correlate and store this data, enabling differentiated imaging operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional laminated type image sensor is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ability to divide into multiple imaging regions with different imaging conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to divide into multiple imaging regionsVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into multiple imaging regions (first imaging region and second imaging region) that can be controlled independently. Each region can have different imaging conditions applied, allowing the sensor to capture different parts of the image with different parameters simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different imaging conditions are applied to different imaging regions. For example, the first imaging region may use conditions optimized for still images while the second imaging region uses conditions optimized for motion images, allowing each region to have optimized local properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If different imaging conditions are applied to different imaging regions, then image quality and flexibility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in capturing still and motion imagesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging conditions for each region can be dynamically adjusted based on the capture requirements. The system can switch between different imaging conditions (still image mode, motion image mode) for each region independently, providing flexible adaptation to different capture scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing both still images and motion images simultaneously in different regions. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace separate devices for still image capture and motion image capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If imaging conditions are set for each imaging region, then the adaptability for different capture scenarios is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability for different capture scenariosVSAvoidease of setting imaging conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically divides the imaging area into multiple regions and applies appropriate imaging conditions based on the capture scenario. The user simply needs to select the capture mode (still image or motion image), and the system automatically configures the imaging conditions for each region without requiring manual adjustment of complex parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250274562A1Electronic apparatus, reproduction device, reproduction method, recording medium, and recording method

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 NIKON CORP

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes: an input unit that inputs data for imaging conditions for each of a plurality of imaging regions included in an image capturing unit, different imaging conditions being set for each of the imaging regions; and a recording control unit that correlates the data for imaging conditions inputted from the input unit with the imaging regions and records correlated data in a recording unit.