Bit-Width Buffer Configuration for HDR Multi-Frame Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors have a limited dynamic range, leading to inefficiencies in balancing exposure times to capture details in both bright and dark portions of an image, and the increasing memory requirements for high dynamic range (HDR) photography result in larger buffer memory sizes and higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A buffer memory configuration is implemented based on the bitwidth of image data, adjusting the number of rows and columns of physical memory blocks to match the bitwidth, reducing the memory size needed and power consumption by adapting to the number of exposures in HDR photography.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the buffer memory size is increased to support high dynamic range (HDR) photography with multiple exposures, then the image quality and dynamic range are improved, but the device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory is reconfigured dynamically based on the number of exposures required for HDR photography. When multiple exposures are needed, the buffer memory is expanded to accommodate the additional data. When single exposure suffices, the buffer memory is reduced to minimal size, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining image quality when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The bitwidth of the buffer memory is adjusted according to the number of exposures. For single exposure images, a smaller bitwidth suffices, but for multi-exposure HDR images, the bitwidth is increased to preserve detail in both bright and dark portions, optimizing the balance between image quality and power consumption
2Reliability
If the buffer memory size is increased to support high dynamic range (HDR) photography with multiple exposures, then the image quality and dynamic range are improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory configuration is made dynamic, allowing the device to adjust memory allocation based on the specific imaging requirements. For HDR photography requiring multiple exposures, the buffer memory is expanded. For standard single-exposure imaging, the buffer memory is minimized, thereby reducing the overall device size while maintaining image quality capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer memory is designed to serve multiple functions: it can operate in a reduced capacity for standard imaging tasks and expand to support HDR photography with multiple exposures. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle diverse imaging requirements without requiring separate dedicated memory systems for each mode
3Measurement precision
If the bitwidth is increased to improve resolution and color reproduction, then the image quality is improved, but the buffer memory size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bitwidth parameter of the buffer memory is changed according to the imaging requirements. For images requiring high resolution and color reproduction, the bitwidth is increased to capture more data per pixel. For preview images or less demanding applications, the bitwidth is reduced, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining adequate resolution when needed
4Measurement precision
If the exposure time is increased to improve detail in dark portions, then the detail in dark portions is improved, but the bright portions become saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple exposures with different exposure times. One exposure captures detail in dark portions with longer exposure, while another exposure captures detail in bright portions with shorter exposure. The buffer memory is reconfigured to accommodate both exposures, allowing the system to combine them later to achieve a final image with detail in both dark and bright portions
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for image signal processing that support a bit-width-based buffer memory configuration. In a first aspect, a method of image processing includes receiving image data comprising one or more image frames, each of the one or more image frames having a bitwidth; configuring a plurality of memory blocks of a buffer memory to correspond to the bitwidth; storing at least part of the one or more image frames in the buffer memory; and determining an output image frame based on the at least part of the one or more image frames in the buffer memory. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.