Digital Camera System for Recording, Editing and Visualizing Images

• US 20100111489A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silicon Imaging Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ari M. Presler
• Inventors: Presler, Ari M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,565,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/278
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/161 Encoding, multiplexing or demultiplexing different image signal components for multi-view video sequence encoding H04N19/597
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/204 using stereoscopic image cameras stereoscopic photography G03B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/275 from 3D object models, e.g. computer-generated stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/745 Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/75 Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/804 : involving pulse code modulation of the colour picture signal components

Abstract

A digital camera system (20), as illustrated in FIG. 1, includes an optical assembly (22) to gather light (24) from a desired scene (26), a modular imaging subsystem (28) aligned with the optical assembly (22), and an image processing, recording and display subsystem (34).

Claims

1. A high definition digital camera system comprising:

an optical assembly for gathering light from a desired scene; and

an imaging system comprising a imager including an array of pixels aligned with the optical assembly, and a minimum resolution and frame rate to produce a serial data rate of at least 48 megabytes per second, wherein the array produces a minimum of 10-bits per pixel of color data; and

a frame grabber for capturing raw image data output from the imager on a selective continuous or intermittent basis;

wherein light gathered by the optical assembly is received by the imager for generating and outputting raw image data at film or video rates.

2. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein a lens mount interconnects the optical assembly and modular imaging system, provides for film or video lenses to be removably connected to the modular imaging system.

3. The digital camera system of claim 1, further comprising a processing system receiving output from the frame grabber, providing image processing and communication of the output from the frame grabber, wherein the processing unit executes reprogrammable software to perform an image processing function for visualization, analysis, or storage.

4. The digital camera system of claim 3, wherein the image processing function is selected from one or more of a group consisting of image correction, defect pixel detection or correction, interpolation, white balance, white balance extraction, color correction, 3D look-up-table color transformation, 3D look-up-table creation, pixel shading, motion detection, audio interleaving, metadata interleaving, object detection and classification, tracking, triangulation, calibration, color keying, image mixing, image saving, indicator overlay, focus detection and overlay, exposure metering, histogram, false color data representation, zooming, scaling, data packing, pattern matching, pattern recognition, biometric recognition, data rate analysis, image enhancement, compression, decompression, transmission, recording or playback.

5. The digital camera system of claim 3, wherein the optical assembly and the imaging system are located remotely from the processing unit.

6. The digital camera system of claim 3, wherein the processing system performs processing, recording or display functions at a location remote to the imaging system.

7. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the array of pixels comprises a plurality of arrays of pixels.

8. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the frame grabber outputs motion picture imagery directly to a display.

9. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system receives control signals for timing synchronization or record initiation.

10. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein a number of the pixels of the array from the image sensor is selectively scanned and transmitted to the frame grabber and wherein the size and position of the subset is controlled by one of the frame grabber or processor.

11. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the imager is time synchronized with audio input.

12. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the frame grabber can transmit non-interpolated color filtered pixel data and uncompressed data.

13. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the data can be selectively be coded or not coded, and a wavelet codec having at least 10-bits per pixel precision input codes the data.

14. The digital camera system of claim 13, wherein the coded data is entirely stored on a removable storage media with a minimum sustained writing speed of 10 Megabytes per second.

15. The digital camera system of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface providing for transmission of image data to a remote recording, processing or visualization system.

16. The digital camera system of claim 1, wherein the frame grabber includes a buffer having capacity to capture images at rates faster than channel capacity and transmits selective images or data.

17. A method for recording, editing and visualizing images taken by a digital cinema camera system, comprising:

generating scalable resolution, bit-depth and frame rate raw or color processed images from one or imaging modules at precise film or video rates;

capturing the raw or color processed images;

processing the raw or color processed images;

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a mechanism for timing synchronization of exposure and readout cycles from the one or more imaging modules.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising combining live imagery with previously stored imagery or computer generated virtual sets while simultaneously recording the raw, broadcast format, or visualization processed imagery in its original or near original representation.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising using a unified software or operator interface to control the capture, processing and non-destructive visualization from one or more imaging modules.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting either the raw sensor data or processed raw on the same or different links utilizing industry standard cabling infrastructure.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating multiple streams including a first stream for recording at high data rates and at least one additional stream for recording at lower data rates for remote transmission.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising recording one or multiple image streams using a common removable storage device.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising mixing the data from the multiple data streams for outputting to a display.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising utilizing metadata encoded in a recorded data stream to adjust stereographic effect and depth perception on the display.