Virtual Camera Switching with Pre-Cached Frames for Low Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera switching methods in virtual cameras experience excessively long delays when switching between front and rear cameras.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a camera switching method where data frames cached in the buffer include image acquisition parameters, ensuring each frame is complete, allowing immediate switching without waiting for parameter caching, thus reducing delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic device waits for data frames carrying image acquisition parameters to be cached in the buffer before camera switching, then the integrity of data frames is ensured, but the camera switching delay becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching image acquisition parameters (such as exposure compensation values, maximum frame rates, and coding schemes) in the buffer before camera switching is initiated. This allows the parameters to be readily available when switching occurs, eliminating the need to wait for parameter caching during the switch and thereby reducing switching delay while ensuring data frame integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the electronic device reserves buffer time to wait for parameter caching, then complete data frames are available, but the switching efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares data frames with complete image acquisition parameters in advance by caching them in the buffer before switching is needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when camera switching occurs, complete data frames are immediately available without requiring the system to slow down and wait for parameter caching, thereby maintaining both data frame completeness and high switching efficiency.
3Speed
If the system immediately switches cameras without waiting for parameter caching, then switching speed is improved, but image acquisition parameters may be lost or incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary caching of image acquisition parameters in the buffer before camera switching is initiated. This ensures that when the switch occurs immediately without delay, the parameters are already prepared and available, preventing any loss or incompleteness of image acquisition parameters while maintaining high switching speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer acts as an intermediary storage mechanism that temporarily holds image acquisition parameters between the camera module and the processing system. This intermediary buffer ensures that parameters are preserved and readily available during camera switching, preventing parameter loss while allowing immediate switching to occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a camera switching method and a related electronic device. The method includes: displaying, by a first electronic device, a first interface, where the first interface includes a preview area and a switching control, the preview area displays a first image, the first image is an image acquired by a first camera, the first camera is a camera of the first electronic device, and the first image is acquired by the first camera based on a parameter value of an image acquisition parameter; switching, by the first electronic device, a camera for image acquisition to a second camera at a first moment in response to a first input operation, where the second camera is a camera of a second electronic device; displaying, by the first electronic device, a second image in the preview area at a second moment, where the second image is an image acquired by the second camera; responding to a second input operation performed on the switching control at a third moment; and displaying, by the first electronic device, a third image in the preview area at a fourth moment, where the third image is an image acquired by a third camera.