Research Reports

Overview

Summary
Today, using smartphones to take photos has become a popular way for people to record and share everyday memories. Camera performance has also become an important factor for consumers when deciding to purchase a new smartphone. However, unlike traditional digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs), smartphones are designed to be lightweight and slim. Therefore, adopting a larger CMOS image sensor (CIS) or a heavier lens assembly to improve photoshoot is not practical. To overcome this physical limitation, advanced image signal processors (ISPs) and innovative computational photography algorithms are used to significantly enhance the imaging quality of smartphone cameras. These solutions can effectively compensate for the shortcoming of not being able to incorporate larger optical components into a smartphone camera.

Table of Contents
1. Current Challenges in Upgrading Performance of Smartphone Cameras

2. Role That ISP Play in Imaging Process

3. Computational Photography

4. Analysis of Imaging Processing Flow and Architecture of ISP

5. Future Development Direction of ISPs as Seen in Apple’s and Qualcomm’s Technologies for Computational Photography

6. TRI’s View
  (1) Due to Hardware-based Physical Limitations, ISPs and Algorithms for Computational Photography
  Have Emerged As New Paths for Upgrading Performance of Smartphone Cameras
  (2) Chinese Smartphone Brands Will Continue to Develop Dedicated ISPs so as to Create Product
  Differentiation
  (3) AI Represents a Major Direction in Development of Imaging Processing Technology

＜Total Pages：11＞