Apparatus and method for increasing a digital camera image capture rate by delaying image processing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for increasing a digital camera image capture rate, comprising the steps of:
- capturing an image upon detecting an image capture request;
storing the image in a memory device;
repeating the capturing and storing steps if another image capture request is detected;
performing image processing and compression on the image;
halting the image processing/compression step and returning to the capturing step if another image capture request is detected; and
resuming the image processing/compression step after the capturing, storing and repeating steps have been performed.
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Abstract
An apparatus for increasing a digital camera image capture rate comprises an imaging device for capturing raw image data, a frame buffer for receiving the image data, a first RAM spooler for transferring the raw image data to a RAM disk, a first flash spooler for transferring the raw image data from the RAM disk to a flash memory, an image processor for processing and compressing the raw data, a second RAM spooler for storing the compressed image data into the RAM disk, and a second flash spooler for transferring the compressed image data from the RAM disk to the flash memory.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for increasing a digital camera image capture rate, comprising the steps of:
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capturing an image upon detecting an image capture request; storing the image in a memory device; repeating the capturing and storing steps if another image capture request is detected; performing image processing and compression on the image; halting the image processing/compression step and returning to the capturing step if another image capture request is detected; and resuming the image processing/compression step after the capturing, storing and repeating steps have been performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for increasing a digital camera image capture rate, comprising:
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means for capturing an image upon detecting an image capture request; means for storing the image in a memory device; means for repeating the capturing and storing if another image capture request is detected; means for performing image processing and compression on the image; means for halting the image processing and compression means and returning to the capturing means if another image capture request is detected; and means for resuming the image processing and compression means after the capturing, storing and repeating means have been performed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for:
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capturing an image upon detecting an image capture request; storing the image in a memory device; repeating the capturing and storing steps if another image capture request is detected; performing image processing and compression on the image; halting the image processing and compression step and returning to the capturing step if another image capture request is detected; and resuming the image processing and compression step after the capturing, storing and repeating steps have been performed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for increasing a digital camera capture rate, comprising:
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an imaging device for generating raw image data responsive to an image capture request; a memory buffer for initially storing the raw image data; first routines for conveying the initially stored raw image data away from the frame buffer to a second memory location to provide space for storing additional, subsequently captured images, wherein the raw image data is stored in uncompressed form in the second memory location; second routines for processing said raw image data and for storing said processed image data; and a central processing unit coupled to the imaging device and to the memory buffer, for executing according to a predetermined set of priorities the first and second routines; wherein the first routines are assigned priority over the second routines to thereby facilitate the rapid conveyance of raw image data away from the frame buffer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification