Electronic Apparatus Capturing VR and Normal Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when trying to capture both VR images and images with a normal field angle, as they need to switch between different imaging apparatuses, potentially missing photo opportunities due to the time required for switching.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a processor and memory that can acquire and process images to record both VR and non-VR images simultaneously, allowing for the capture of VR moving images and non-VR still images using a single device by extracting partial ranges of images and performing VR processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a user wants to capture both VR images and images with a normal field angle, then the user needs to use both an imaging apparatus capable of capturing VR images and an imaging apparatus capable of capturing images with a normal field angle, but this increases device complexity and operation inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to capture both VR and non-VR imagesVSAvoidnumber of imaging apparatuses required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can capture both VR images with a wide field of view (180 degrees or 360 degrees) and images with a normal field angle. The image processing unit processes captured images to generate both VR images and normal field angle images from the same captured image data, making the device universal and eliminating the need for multiple separate imaging apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a user switches between two imaging apparatuses to capture different types of images, then the user can capture both VR and non-VR images, but this increases the time required for switching and may cause the user to miss photo opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to capture both VR and non-VR imagesVSAvoidtime required for switching between devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of two separate imaging apparatuses into a single device. The imaging apparatus includes an image processing unit that can process the same captured image to generate both VR images and normal field angle images simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch between devices and thus saving time and preventing missed photo opportunities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If an imaging apparatus captures both VR images and images with a normal field angle, then the user experience is improved, but the processing complexity increases due to extracting partial ranges and performing VR processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of capturing both VR and non-VR imagesVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing unit segments the captured image data into different portions for different processing purposes. It extracts a partial range of the captured image to generate a normal field angle image, while using the full captured image data to generate a VR image. This segmentation allows the system to handle different image types efficiently from a single captured image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11622175B2Electronic apparatus and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 CANON KK

AI summary

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention, includes at least one memory and at least one processor which function as: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image; and a control unit configured to control so as to extract a partial range of an image acquired by the acquisition unit and record a still image that is not a VR image in a storage, and control so as to record a moving image that is a VR image in the storage based on the acquired image.