Dual-Camera Imaging Noise Reduction via Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-camera systems in mobile terminals perform poorly in low-light environments due to noise in images captured by telephoto cameras, while wide-angle cameras maintain a relatively good imaging effect but with peripheral distortion.

Innovation Solution

The method involves acquiring images from both wide-angle and telephoto cameras, cropping the wide-angle camera's image to focus on the central region for better quality, and using triangulation ranging to calculate depth information for effective blurring processing, thereby improving imaging in dark environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the telephoto camera is used for imaging in dark environments, then the imaging effect is improved, but noise increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging effectVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the imaging function between two cameras: the wide-angle camera captures the main image in dark environments while the telephoto camera captures only depth information. This segmentation allows each camera to operate in its optimal mode, preventing noise in the final image while maintaining imaging quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different cameras for different purposes: the wide-angle camera (with better low-light performance) is used for the main image, while the telephoto camera is used only for depth calculation in specific regions. This ensures that the final image has high quality without noise, as the telephoto camera's noisy image data is not used for the final image output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the wide-angle camera is used for imaging, then noise is reduced, but peripheral distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidperipheral distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the distorted peripheral regions from the wide-angle camera image, keeping only the central undistorted region for the final image. This extraction eliminates peripheral distortion while preserving the low-noise advantage of the wide-angle camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different processing for different regions: the central region of the wide-angle image is used as-is (undistorted), while the peripheral regions are either cropped or corrected. This ensures that the final image has minimal distortion while maintaining the noise-reduced quality of the wide-angle camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If both cameras are used for imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the functionality of the dual-camera system: one camera (wide-angle) is dedicated to main image capture while the other (telephoto) is dedicated to depth sensing. This clear segmentation simplifies the control logic and processing pipeline compared to using both cameras for the same purpose, reducing system complexity while maintaining imaging quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the telephoto camera serve a dual purpose: it can provide depth information for the wide-angle image and also serve as a secondary imaging option. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high imaging quality across different scenarios without requiring additional hardware, thereby controlling system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances the imaging effect in dark environments by utilizing the wide-angle camera for imaging and the telephoto camera for depth calculation, reducing noise and distortion, and achieving a foreground-focused image processing.

Implementation Method 1

depth information of the photo, so as for subsequent image blurring processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriangulation ranging:

Implementation Method 2

The existing dual cameras have a good imaging effect in a high-luminance environment, but have a poor imaging effect in a dark environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3493520B1Method for dual-camera-based imaging, mobile terminal and storage medium
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3493520B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3493520B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3493520B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are methods for dual-camera-based imaging, a mobile terminal. A first image shot by the wide-angle camera and a second image shot by the telephoto camera are acquired. The first image is cropped according to a target region of the first image to acquire a third image. Depth information of the third image is determined according to the third image and the second image. Blurring processing is performed on the third image according to the depth information, to obtain a fourth image.