Electronic Zoom Image Quality Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing apparatuses with electronic zoom functions experience significant variations in image quality when switching between different reading modes, leading to discontinuous changes in image quality during zoom magnification changes.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus and method that includes an image capturing element, a magnification setting unit, a mode setting unit, an electronic zoom unit, and an image quality adjuster, which sets electronic zoom magnification, adjusts reading modes based on zoom magnification, performs electronic zoom processes, and adjusts image quality using sharpening or softening processes to maintain continuous image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reading modes are switched to achieve different zoom magnifications, then electronic zoom function is enabled, but image quality changes discontinuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the pixel-thinning rate according to the zoom magnification level. Instead of switching between discrete reading modes with fixed pixel-thinning rates, the system continuously varies the pixel-thinning rate parameter to match the desired zoom level, thereby maintaining consistent image quality across all magnifications without discontinuous jumps.
2Speed
If pixel-thinning rate is varied to achieve different zoom levels, then zoom magnification is adjusted, but image quality varies greatly at switching points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the pixel-thinning rate adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the pixel-thinning rate based on the current zoom magnification requirement, allowing smooth transitions between different zoom levels while maintaining consistent image quality. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the discontinuous quality changes that occur when switching between fixed reading modes.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing element which outputs a captured image signal including pixels, a magnification setting unit which sets an electronic zoom magnification, a mode setting unit which sets one of reading modes which vary in a number of the pixels included in the captured image signal according to the electronic zoom magnification, an electronic zoom unit which performs an electronic zoom process on the captured image signal based on the electronic zoom magnification, and an image quality adjuster which performs an image quality adjustment on the captured image signal based on the electronic zoom magnification.