Dynamic Gain Allocation for High S/N Composite Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image generating devices face challenges in producing composite images with high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio when combining images captured at different shutter times, as they often prioritize analog gain over digital gain, leading to reduced image resolution and S/N ratio.
Innovation Solution
An image generating apparatus that dynamically allocates a total gain between analog and digital gains based on shutter times and compression characteristics, ensuring optimal amplification and compression to maintain a high S/N ratio, by using an image unit to capture and amplify images, an image combination unit to convert and combine pixel values, an amplifier to further amplify digital pixel values, and a compression unit to generate a compressed composite image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If analog gain is used in priority to amplify analog pixel signals, then image amplification is achieved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the amplification parameter from analog domain to digital domain. By converting analog pixel signals to digital pixel signals and then applying digital gain, the system achieves signal amplification without the noise degradation that occurs with analog gain, thus resolving the contradiction between amplification and S/N ratio maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the analog amplification mechanism with a digital amplification mechanism. Instead of using analog circuits to amplify signals (which introduce noise), the system uses digital processing to amplify pixel values, replacing the physical analog mechanism with a computational digital approach that preserves signal quality
2Reliability
If digital gain is used to amplify digital pixel signals, then signal-to-noise ratio is maintained, but image resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain allocation that adjusts the balance between analog and digital gain based on real-time signal characteristics. By dynamically determining the optimal mix of analog and digital amplification, the system maintains high S/N ratio while preserving image resolution through adaptive processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different amplification strategies to different regions or pixel types within the image. By selectively applying analog gain only where necessary and using digital gain elsewhere, the system optimizes both S/N ratio and resolution locally across the image, resolving the global contradiction
3Power
If analog gain is increased to amplify images, then signal level increases, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog amplification mechanism with digital amplification to increase signal level without proportionally increasing noise. By performing amplification in the digital domain after ADC conversion, the system achieves the desired signal level increase while maintaining the original noise characteristics, thus improving S/N ratio
4Power
If total gain is allocated to analog gain, then amplification is achieved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the domain parameter for gain application from analog to digital. By allocating total gain to digital gain instead of analog gain, the system achieves the required amplification while maintaining image quality, as digital processing does not introduce the noise and degradation associated with analog amplification
Data Source
AI summary
In an image generating apparatus, a setter is configured to variably set, for an image capturing task at a next capturing cycle, first and second shutter times and a total gain. The total gain is based on combination of an analog gain and a digital gain. An allocating unit is configured to obtain a threshold gain based on the first and second shutter times and a compression characteristic. The allocating unit is configured to variably allocate the total gain to at least one of the analog gain and the digital gain in accordance with a comparison among the total gain, the threshold gain, and an upper limit for the analog gain.