Dynamic Light Source Control for Extended Camera Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-capturing devices have a limited dynamic range, making it difficult to capture details in both very dark and very bright areas of a scene, as they cannot provide the necessary range of exposure values within a single exposure, leading to unsatisfactory high-dynamic-range (HDR) images even with existing HDR techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves synchronizing the exposure of image frames with the control of light source intensity, where a higher light intensity is used for frames capturing objects further away and a lower light intensity for frames capturing objects closer to the camera, allowing for the stitching of these frames into a high-dynamic-range image, thereby increasing the dynamic range of the captured scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple standard-exposure images are captured and merged into HDR image, then dynamic range is increased, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light source intensity adjustable and controllable in real-time. The system dynamically changes the light source output between two different intensity levels (first and second intensities) corresponding to different exposure value settings, enabling the camera to capture scenes with extended dynamic range without requiring multiple static cameras or complex post-processing hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-planning and executing multiple exposures with different light source intensities before final image generation. The system captures a first image frame with a first exposure value setting and a second image frame with a second exposure value setting, then merges them to create the final HDR image, thereby preparing all necessary data in advance to avoid complex real-time processing
2Illumination intensity
If multiple standard-exposure images are captured and merged into HDR image, then dynamic range is increased, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by capturing image frames continuously at different exposure values without interrupting the imaging process. The system captures a first image frame and then a second image frame in sequence, merging them to produce the final HDR image, thereby maintaining continuous operation and reducing idle time between exposures
3Loss of information
If light source intensity is increased for high exposure value frames, then detail capture in dark areas improves, but risk of overexposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different light source intensities to different exposure value settings. The system uses a first light source intensity for a first exposure value setting and a second light source intensity for a second exposure value setting, where the second intensity is higher than the first when the second exposure value is higher. This localized adjustment of light intensity for each exposure setting optimizes detail capture in specific brightness regions while preventing overexposure in others
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes controlling a light source to output a first intensity of light while an image-capturing device captures a scene in a first upcoming image frame with a first exposure value setting, controlling the light source to switch from the first to a second intensity of light so the light source outputs the second intensity of light while capturing the scene with a second upcoming image frame with a second exposure value setting, wherein the second intensity of light is higher than the first intensity of light when the second exposure value setting is higher than the first exposure value setting, and the second intensity of light is lower than the first when the second exposure value setting is lower than the first exposure value setting, and stitching the first upcoming image frame with the second upcoming image frame into a high-dynamic range image frame.