Camera Image Quality via Shutter-Off Signal Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed continuous shooting in cameras reduces exposure time, leading to reduced light reception and image quality due to noise amplification in analog/digital amplification and limitations in sensor size without affecting the form factor.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method that includes acquiring image frames with a shutter-off frame, estimating and removing remaining signals from measurement signals using artificial neural network models, and generating target image frames by compensating for these signals, thereby improving image quality in high-speed shooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed continuous shooting is performed with reduced exposure time, then image acquisition speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to reduced light reception and noise amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shutter-off frame acquired before the target image frame to capture remaining signals from the photodiode. By performing this preliminary measurement, the system can estimate and remove the remaining signal from the target image frame, thereby improving image quality without compromising the high-speed acquisition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an artificial neural network model as an intermediary to estimate the remaining signal based on the shutter-off frame and to process the target image frame. This neural network acts as a mediator that separates the remaining signal from the actual image signal, enabling high-speed shooting with improved image quality
2Illumination intensity
If analog/digital amplification is used to compensate for reduced light reception, then light reception amount is improved, but noise amplification occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the remaining signal from the target image frame by comparing it with the shutter-off frame. By removing this unwanted signal component, the system compensates for the reduced light reception without needing to apply amplification, thereby avoiding noise amplification while maintaining image quality
3Illumination intensity
If sensor size is increased to receive more light, then light reception amount is improved, but device size and form factor are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the remaining signal information through the shutter-off frame, which is acquired under the same conditions as the target image frame. By using this copied information to estimate and remove the remaining signal, the system achieves better image quality without increasing sensor size or device dimensions
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
The method effectively enhances image quality by reducing noise and signal deterioration caused by remaining signals, even at high frame rates, while maintaining a compact camera form factor.
Implementation Method 1
An optical camera system may convert light incident through a lens to an imaging sensor into an electrical signal through a photodiode
Data Source
AI summary
A processor-implemented method with image acquisition includes acquiring image frames comprising a shutter-off frame corresponding to a shutter-off through a sensor by performing the shutter-off during continuous shooting, acquiring a measurement signal corresponding to a target image frame, removing, based on a target shutter-off frame corresponding to the target image frame, a first remaining signal corresponding to the target shutter-off frame from a measurement signal corresponding to shutter-off period frames comprising image frames between the target image frame and the target shutter-off frame, and generating a target image frame from which a second remaining signal is removed based on one or more of the shutter-off period frames from which the first remaining signal is removed.