Auto-Exposure Unit Maximizes Image Entropy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image capture devices face challenges in optimizing exposure intervals to balance noise reduction, saturation, and motion blur, often relying on sub-optimal average values that do not suit all images.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus with an auto-exposure unit that calculates an information-amount maximizing exposure interval by considering pixel information-amount data, which includes signal-to-noise ratio, motion blur, and saliency, to determine the optimal exposure for each pixel, thereby adjusting the exposure interval to maximize image entropy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed average exposure interval is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates due to inability to adapt to different image conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic exposure adjustment by calculating an optimal exposure interval for each image based on its specific characteristics (noise level, saturation, motion blur) rather than using a fixed average exposure interval. The auto-exposure unit dynamically determines the exposure interval that maximizes image information content, allowing the system to adapt to varying imaging conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment through the auto-exposure unit that automatically analyzes image properties and determines the optimal exposure interval without external intervention. The method calculates noise levels, saturation, and motion blur from the captured image data itself, then uses this information to self-determine the best exposure parameters for subsequent images.
2Reliability
If the exposure interval is increased, then noise is reduced, but motion blur increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the exposure interval parameter dynamically based on the specific image conditions. Instead of using a fixed or uniformly increased exposure interval, the system calculates an optimized exposure interval for each image by analyzing noise levels, saturation, and motion blur characteristics. This allows the exposure parameter to be adjusted to the minimum necessary value that achieves adequate noise reduction without causing excessive motion blur.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the exposure interval is decreased, then motion blur is reduced, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the exposure interval parameter based on real-time analysis of image properties. The auto-exposure unit calculates noise levels, saturation, and motion blur from captured images and uses this information to determine an optimized exposure interval that balances noise reduction and motion blur minimization for each specific imaging condition.
4Manufacturing precision
If a fixed exposure interval is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to sub-optimal exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic self-adjustment where the auto-exposure unit analyzes captured images and autonomously determines the optimal exposure interval for subsequent images. The system calculates noise levels, saturation, and motion blur characteristics from the image data itself and uses this information to self-determine the best exposure parameters without requiring user intervention or manual settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from captured images to adjust exposure parameters for subsequent images. The auto-exposure unit analyzes the quality characteristics (noise, saturation, motion blur) of captured images and uses this feedback information to optimize the exposure interval for the next capture operation, continuously improving image quality based on actual imaging conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture apparatus may include an image sensor, a motion sensor, and an auto-exposure unit. The auto-exposure unit may obtain an input image captured during an exposure interval and corresponding motion data indicating motion of the image capture apparatus during the exposure interval. The auto-exposure unit may obtain image information-amount data for the input image. The auto-exposure unit may obtain derivative information-amount data based on the information-amount data and a candidate exposure adjustment. The auto-exposure unit may obtain an information-amount maximizing exposure interval based on the information-amount data and the derivative information-amount data. The image capture apparats may control the image sensor to obtain a subsequent input image signal representing a subsequent input image captured during the information-amount maximizing exposure interval, and output or store information representing the subsequent input image.