Dual-Camera Luminance Adjustment for Backlit Image Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-end and mid-range notebook computers lack high dynamic range (HDR) image processing capabilities due to computational load and hardware limitations, resulting in unclear images in areas with large brightness changes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that utilizes a grayscale image function of an existing camera to adjust luminance values in color images by obtaining a reference area from a grayscale image, calculating luminance values, and adjusting the luminance of the color image accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If HDR function is equipped to handle scenes with large brightness changes, then image quality in high and low brightness areas is improved, but computational load and hardware requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable, lightweight grayscale filter that can be easily applied and removed, rather than implementing a complex, permanent HDR hardware system. This filter provides the necessary luminance information temporarily during image capture, enabling HDR-like processing without the ongoing computational burden of traditional HDR systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential luminance information needed for HDR processing by using a simple grayscale filter, separating this function from the complex color image processing. This extracted luminance data is then used to adjust the color image, achieving HDR effects without requiring the full computational infrastructure of traditional HDR systems.
2Device complexity
If traditional color image capture is used without grayscale assistance, then hardware configuration is simple, but image clarity in areas with large brightness changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a grayscale filter as an intermediary element between the light source and the color image sensor. This filter mediates the capture process by providing additional luminance information that helps resolve the brightness extremes in high-contrast scenes, improving image clarity without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The grayscale filter is applied before the color image capture to pre-process the light entering the sensor. This preliminary action ensures that luminance information is captured alongside color information, preparing the data for subsequent HDR-like processing and ensuring image clarity in high-contrast areas from the outset.
3Manufacturing precision
If HDR processing is implemented in low-end and mid-range notebook computers, then image quality in backlight conditions is improved, but computational resources and processing power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple, disposable grayscale filter approach that requires minimal processing power compared to traditional HDR algorithms. The filter provides the necessary luminance data during capture, and the processing required is significantly reduced, making it suitable for low-end and mid-range notebook computers with limited computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial HDR processing by using only the grayscale filter to obtain luminance information, rather than implementing the full HDR processing pipeline. This partial approach provides sufficient improvement in image quality for backlight conditions while keeping processing power requirements within the capabilities of lower-end devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus and an image processing method are provided. The image processing apparatus includes a first image capturing apparatus, a second image capturing apparatus, a storage apparatus, and a processor. The first image capturing apparatus captures a color image. The second image capturing apparatus captures a grayscale image. The storage apparatus stores multiple program modules. The processor is coupled to the first image capturing apparatus, the second image capturing apparatus, and the storage apparatus. The processor is configured to obtain a reference area according to the grayscale image, calculate a luminance value according to the color image and the reference area, adjust luminance of the color image according to the luminance value, and output the adjusted color image.