Dual Image Sensor Exposure Switching for HDR Depth Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HDR technology requires a minimum of three cameras to identify objects and obtain distance information, which is inefficient and may not accurately capture images with varying brightness levels.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with two image sensors and a processor that alternates between two capture modes: one with differently controlled exposure times and another with identical exposure times, allowing for object identification and distance calculation using a multi-camera setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three or more cameras are used to implement HDR technology and obtain distance information, then object identification accuracy and distance measurement capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single image sensor perform multiple functions by alternating between HDR capture mode and stereo capture mode. During HDR mode, the sensor captures high dynamic range images for object identification. During stereo mode, the same sensor captures images with identical exposure settings to enable depth calculation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, reducing the total camera count from three to two while maintaining both HDR capability and distance measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching between different capture modes at predetermined time intervals. The image sensor alternates between HDR capture mode (with different exposure times) and stereo capture mode (with identical exposure times). This periodic action allows the system to gather data for both HDR processing and stereo depth calculation using the same sensor over time, enabling accurate object identification and distance measurement without requiring three simultaneous cameras
2Illumination intensity
If three or more cameras are used to capture images with varying brightness levels, then image dynamic range is improved, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of exposure times for the image sensor. During HDR capture mode, the sensor uses different exposure times (first exposure time and second exposure time) to capture both bright and dark regions. The processor dynamically adjusts and controls these varying exposure settings to ensure optimal capture across different brightness levels. This dynamic exposure control enables a single sensor to achieve the brightness range coverage that would traditionally require multiple static cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically switches between HDR capture mode and stereo capture mode at predetermined time intervals. During HDR mode, the sensor captures images with different exposure settings to cover various brightness levels. This periodic alternation allows the same sensor to gather data for both HDR processing and stereo depth calculation, achieving comprehensive brightness range coverage without the complexity of a multi-camera system operating simultaneously
3Manufacturing precision
If two cameras are used with different exposure times for HDR, then image quality is improved, but distance information calculation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between capture modes at predetermined time intervals. During the first time interval (HDR mode), the sensor captures images with different exposure times for high-quality HDR processing. During the second time interval (stereo mode), the same sensor captures images with identical exposure settings from both positions, preserving the parallax information needed for accurate distance calculation. This temporal separation of functions allows the system to achieve both high image quality and accurate depth information using only two cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary HDR capture in the first time interval, gathering high-quality image data with varying exposure times. Then in the second time interval, it performs preliminary stereo capture with identical exposure settings to establish the baseline for depth calculation. By preparing both types of data sequentially in advance, the system ensures that both image quality and distance information are preserved without requiring three simultaneous cameras
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device comprises: a first image sensor and a second image sensor; and a processor which alternately performs a first image capture mode, in which a plurality of captured images are acquired by controlling the respective exposure times of the first image sensor and the second image sensor differently, and a second imager capture mode, in which a plurality of captured images are acquired by controlling the respective exposure times of the first image sensor and the second image sensor identically, identifies an object by using the plurality of captured images acquired in the first image capture mode, and acquires distance information about the identified object on the basis of the plurality of captured images acquired in the second image capture mode.