Microscope Image Exposure Control with Dynamic Brightness Reference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic exposure control methods in digital cameras, particularly in complex environments like microscopes, often result in poor exposure control due to the use of fixed brightness reference values, leading to loss of important image detail information.

Innovation Solution

Dynamically update the brightness reference value based on the exposure state of the previous frame of image to improve exposure control, thereby avoiding overexposure or underexposure in subsequent frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed brightness reference value is used for automatic exposure control, then the exposure control process is simple and fast, but the exposure control effect deteriorates in complex environments such as microscope environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure control speedVSAvoidexposure control effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed brightness reference value into a dynamic one that automatically adapts to changing environmental conditions. The system continuously monitors image brightness and adjusts the reference value in real-time, enabling the exposure control to respond to complex lighting variations in microscope environments while maintaining fast operation speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual brightness of acquired images is fed back to adjust the brightness reference value. This closed-loop control allows the system to learn from previous exposure results and automatically optimize subsequent exposure parameters, significantly improving exposure control accuracy in complex environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a fixed brightness reference value is used, then the device complexity is low, but important image detail information is lost due to poor exposure control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure control system complexityVSAvoidimage detail information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the exposure control system to self-adjust and self-optimize without requiring complex external intervention. The system automatically monitors image quality, evaluates exposure status, and modifies the brightness reference value independently, achieving high-quality image capture while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the brightness reference value parameter based on actual image characteristics and exposure conditions. By adapting this key parameter in real-time, the system prevents information loss from overexposure or underexposure while avoiding the need for complex hardware modifications or multiple fixed reference values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If dynamic brightness reference value update is implemented, then the exposure control effect in complex environments is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure control effectVSAvoidimage acquisition processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial adjustment to the brightness reference value based on the degree of exposure deviation. Instead of completely rewriting the reference value every time, the system makes incremental adjustments proportional to the exposure error, achieving good exposure control while minimizing processing time and computational overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements threshold-based skipping logic where if the brightness deviation is within an acceptable range, the system skips the adjustment process entirely and maintains the current reference value. This avoids unnecessary processing time while ensuring that adjustments are only made when truly needed to prevent information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP3989534B1Image collection method and apparatus, and device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3989534B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3989534B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3989534B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application relates to an image acquisition method and apparatus, a device, and a storage medium, and relates to the field of image processing technologies. The method includes: obtaining a latest acquired first image, the first image being an image acquired by controlling an exposure time of an image acquisition component according to a brightness reference value; obtaining an exposure state of the first image; updating the brightness reference value according to the exposure state of the first image, to obtain an updated brightness reference value; controlling the exposure time of the image acquisition component according to the updated brightness reference value; and acquiring a second image. According to the foregoing solution, the brightness reference value is dynamically updated, and an exposure control effect of acquiring images in complex environments is improved, thereby avoiding the loss of important detailed information about a next frame of image as much as possible.