Multi-Sensor Camera Exposure Modes for Wide Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems struggle to capture images with a wide dynamic range, especially in autonomous vehicle applications where motion blur and aberrant light can distort images, making it difficult to identify objects across a vast range of luminance levels.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple image sensors with different exposure settings, where one sensor has a fixed exposure setting and the other has a variable exposure setting based on scene brightness, allows for a larger dynamic range. Images from these sensors are then processed by a processor to identify objects more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image sensor is used with a fixed exposure setting, then the device complexity is low, but the dynamic range coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple independent image sensors, each dedicated to capturing a specific luminance range. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its designated range while collectively covering a broader dynamic range, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and wide adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the imaging capability from a single luminance dimension to multiple luminance dimensions by using multiple sensors with different exposure settings. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous capture of both bright and dark regions that would otherwise be invisible to a single sensor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If exposure duration is extended to capture dark regions, then the luminance range coverage improves, but motion blur increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temporal exposure process into multiple parallel captures with different exposure durations. Each sensor captures for an optimized duration suitable for its luminance range, avoiding the motion blur that would result from a single long exposure while still capturing dark regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the exposure duration parameter for different sensors based on their respective luminance ranges. By adjusting this critical parameter, each sensor optimizes its capture settings to balance between capturing sufficient light for dark regions and minimizing motion blur effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single image sensor is used with variable exposure settings, then the adaptability to different luminance levels improves, but the reliability of capturing both bright and dark objects simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the luminance capture task across multiple sensors with fixed, complementary exposure settings. This eliminates the need for dynamic adjustment while ensuring reliable simultaneous capture of both bright and dark objects, as each sensor is dedicated to its optimal luminance range.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single sensor that adapts its exposure settings dynamically, the patent inverts the approach by using multiple sensors with fixed settings that collectively cover the full luminance range. This inversion achieves reliability through redundancy and specialization rather than through adaptive adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables improved object identification and avoidance in autonomous vehicles by capturing images that span a wider dynamic range than any single image, reducing distortion and enhancing image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The second image sensor receives light from the scene via a neutral-density filter
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to multiple operating modes to expand dynamic range. An example embodiment includes a camera system. The camera system may include a first image sensor having a first dynamic range corresponding to a first range of luminance levels in a scene. The system may also include a second image sensor having a second dynamic range corresponding to a second range of luminance levels in the scene. The camera system may further include a processor coupled to the first image sensor and the second image sensor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to identify objects of a first type in a first image of the scene captured by the first image sensor and identify objects of a second object type in a second image of the scene captured by the second image sensor.