Camera System Histogram-Based Bracketing for Brightness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing techniques struggle to capture images with appropriate brightness, especially in environments with backlight or varying lighting conditions, leading to underexposed or overexposed images.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that acquires a reference image, performs bracketing based on the reference image, and conducts additional imaging with a set value different from the bracketing imaging, all based on the histogram of the reference image. This system includes units for reference image acquisition, bracketing, histogram acquisition, and additional imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If bracketing imaging is performed based on reference image, then image brightness coverage is improved, but imaging time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightness accuracyVSAvoidimaging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary histogram analysis on the reference image before executing bracketing imaging. By pre-evaluating the brightness distribution and identifying whether additional imaging is necessary, the system avoids unnecessary bracketing shots in cases where the reference image already has appropriate brightness, thus reducing imaging time while maintaining brightness accuracy when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses histogram feedback from the reference image to dynamically determine whether to perform additional bracketing imaging. The histogram analysis provides feedback on brightness distribution, allowing the system to adaptively decide on further imaging only when necessary, balancing brightness accuracy with time efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If additional imaging is performed based on histogram analysis, then image brightness appropriateness is improved, but device operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness appropriatenessVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the histogram of the reference image and autonomously determining whether additional imaging is needed. The camera control unit automatically adjusts imaging parameters and executes additional shots based on histogram characteristics, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring brightness appropriateness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes imaging parameters (exposure time, aperture, ISO) based on histogram analysis results. When the histogram indicates underexposure or overexposure, the system automatically modifies these parameters for additional imaging, maintaining brightness appropriateness through parameter optimization without requiring complex manual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple imaging shots are captured with different set values, then image quality reliability is improved, but data processing volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality reliabilityVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial action by capturing additional imaging shots only when the histogram analysis indicates it is necessary (e.g., when backlight or extreme lighting conditions are detected). Instead of always performing full bracketing sequences, the system selectively executes additional shots based on actual need, reducing data volume while maintaining image quality reliability when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the necessary additional imaging shots based on histogram characteristics. By analyzing the reference image histogram first, the system identifies specific cases where additional imaging is needed and extracts only those particular shots, rather than processing or storing unnecessary data, thus reducing overall data volume while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250080857A1Information processing system, information processing method, and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 NEC CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes: a reference image acquiring unit that acquires a reference image; a bracketing unit that controls a camera to perform bracketing based on the reference image; a histogram acquiring unit that acquires a histogram of the reference image; and an additional imaging unit that controls the camera to perform additional imaging with a set value different from that of the bracketing imaging, on the basis of the histogram of the reference image. According to such an information processing system, it is possible to capture an appropriate image, regardless of an imaging environment.