Dual Imaging Sensor Exposure Synchronization for Dynamic Range and Distance Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies face challenges in performing distance measurement with high accuracy while generating a wide dynamic range image, as noise amplification from equalizing exposure levels and non-linear image processing deteriorate accuracy, and vice versa, making it difficult to achieve both high accuracy and wide dynamic range simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus comprising a first and second imaging section, signal processors, a characteristic amount calculator, and an exposure amount controller that synchronizes exposure amounts and timings to minimize differences between images shot by both sections, allowing for accurate distance measurement and wide dynamic range image generation by controlling exposure to achieve equal or near-equal exposure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If different exposure amounts are used for wide dynamic range image generation, then the dynamic range is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to noise amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into a first imaging section for wide dynamic range image generation and a second imaging section for accurate distance measurement. Each section independently captures images with appropriate exposure settings, allowing the system to segment the conflicting requirements of dynamic range expansion and measurement precision into separate functional units.
Solution Approach 2:
Different exposure strategies are applied to different imaging sections based on their specific purposes. The first imaging section uses multiple exposure amounts (including different and equal exposure amounts) optimized for dynamic range, while the second imaging section uses equal exposure amounts optimized for measurement accuracy. This local quality differentiation allows each section to excel at its intended function.
2Measurement precision
If equal exposure amounts are used for distance measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the dynamic range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the outputs of two imaging sections with different exposure strategies. The first imaging section generates a wide dynamic range image through synthesis of multiple images with different exposure amounts, while the second imaging section provides accurate distance measurement data. These two results are combined to produce a final output that achieves both wide dynamic range and high measurement precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging apparatus achieves multi-functionality by enabling both wide dynamic range image generation and accurate distance measurement using the same overall system architecture. The controller coordinates both imaging sections to perform their respective functions, making the system universal in handling both photographic quality requirements and measurement accuracy requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple images with different exposure amounts are synthesized, then the dynamic range is improved, but flicker phenomena occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-coordinates the exposure timing of both imaging sections to maintain equal exposure amounts at corresponding time points. This preliminary synchronization of exposure timing prevents flicker phenomena that would otherwise occur during image synthesis, while still allowing the first imaging section to use multiple different exposure amounts for dynamic range expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an imaging apparatus that includes a first imaging section that sequentially shoots a plurality of images including a first image, a second imaging section that shoots at least one image including a second image, a signal processor that synthesizes the plurality of images shot by the first imaging section, a characteristic amount calculator that calculates a characteristic amount of a subject based on the first image and the second image, and an exposure amount controller that controls exposure amounts of the first imaging section and the second imaging section to reduce a difference between the exposure amount of the first image and the exposure amount of the second image.