Camera Image Sharpness via Intermediate Pixel Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra high definition (UHD) displays suffer from reduced sharpness due to motion blur caused by relative motion of objects during image exposure, leading to lower light sensitivity and a distracting strobe effect when attempting to reduce exposure time or increase frame rate, which results in a compromised viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A camera system that captures image sensor output at multiple points during exposure to generate an improved signal, using a pixel processor to sample and process electrical charges at intermediate points within a frame, thereby reducing motion blur without introducing judder or reducing light sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of frames captured per second is increased to reduce motion blur, then image sharpness is improved, but signal bandwidth consumption increases greatly and light sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous exposure period into multiple discrete sampling points (first intermediate pixel output, second intermediate pixel output, etc.) within a single frame. Instead of capturing multiple complete frames, it captures multiple intermediate values during one exposure and combines them through subtraction to achieve motion blur reduction while maintaining the original frame rate and bandwidth efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If exposure time is reduced using an electronic shutter to reduce motion blur, then motion blur is reduced, but light sensitivity decreases and a strobe effect (judder) is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sampling of pixel outputs at multiple intermediate points during the exposure period before the exposure concludes. By capturing these intermediate values and processing them through subtraction, it proactively reduces motion blur effects while maintaining the full exposure duration, thereby preserving light sensitivity and avoiding the strobe effect that would result from actual exposure time reduction.
3Measurement precision
If exposure time is reduced to reduce motion blur, then motion blur is reduced, but light sensitivity and signal to noise ratio decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically shortening exposure time with an electronic signal processing approach. It maintains the full exposure duration for optimal light sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, then uses electronic subtraction of intermediate pixel outputs to eliminate motion blur effects, substituting a computational method for a temporal reduction method.
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 effectively reduces motion blur in UHD displays by capturing intermediate exposure data, enhancing image sharpness and maintaining light sensitivity, resulting in a smoother and more accurate representation of object motion without the distracting effects of traditional high-frame-rate or electronic shutter methods.
Implementation Method 1
Each pixel receives light photons and accumulates an electrical charge in response to the received photons
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera for capturing video images in a series of frames includes an image sensor having an array of pixels. Each pixel receives an image and accumulates an electrical charge representative of the image during a frame. The camera also includes a pixel processor to sample a pixel output for each of the pixels of the image sensor during an intermediate portion of the frame to produce a signal representative of the image.