Digital Camera Brightness Adjustment via Exposure Parameter Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting the brightness of digital camera images, particularly in complex scenes with high-dynamic range and varying illumination, are computationally complex, slow, and have high memory requirements, making them ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates a reference exposure value using capture parameters and an actual exposure value based on ambient illumination, determining a brightness adjustment factor to compensate for overexposure or underexposure by scaling the image accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image statistics extraction methods are used to adjust brightness, then brightness adjustment can be performed, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential exposure information from the image (using simple metrics like mean intensity or histogram moments) rather than extracting comprehensive image statistics. This selective extraction maintains sufficient brightness adjustment accuracy while dramatically reducing computational complexity and processing time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using complex image statistics to using simplified exposure parameters derived from basic image metrics. By transforming the problem into parameter space (exposure value calculation) rather than pixel space (complex statistics processing), the system achieves accurate brightness adjustment with reduced computational burden.
2Measurement precision
If complex algorithms are used for brightness adjustment, then adjustment accuracy may improve, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brightness adjustment process into distinct functional steps: (1) calculating simple image metrics (mean intensity or histogram moments), (2) computing exposure value from these metrics, and (3) applying brightness adjustment. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, maintaining accuracy while improving overall processing speed through efficient algorithm selection at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical image processing operations with more efficient mathematical calculations. Instead of using computationally intensive image statistics extraction and processing, the system uses straightforward mathematical operations (mean calculation, histogram moment computation) to derive exposure values, significantly improving processing speed while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive image statistics are processed, then brightness adjustment can be performed, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the minimal necessary information from the image for brightness adjustment (such as mean intensity or a few histogram moments) rather than processing comprehensive image statistics. This selective extraction maintains sufficient adjustment precision while dramatically reducing memory requirements and data processing burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the essential image characteristics needed for exposure adjustment rather than analyzing all image data comprehensively. This partial processing approach provides sufficient brightness adjustment precision while minimizing memory consumption and processing resources required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting the brightness of a captured image from a digital camera includes calculating a reference exposure value using the capture parameters and calculating an actual exposure value as a function of ambient illumination parameters. The reference exposure and actual exposure values are compared to determine an actual image saturation value. The actual image saturation value is compared with the saturation value of the image sensor to determine a brightness adjustment factor, and the captured image is adjusted to compensate for overexposure or underexposure in response to the brightness adjustment factor. The image is scaled up or down using the brightness adjustment factor if the actual image saturation value is less than or more than the saturation value of the image sensor used to capture the image.