Flexible Image Signal Processor for Wide Dynamic Range Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensors face challenges in capturing wide dynamic range images due to limitations in dynamic range, leading to issues such as motion blur and compromised image quality, especially in scenarios with high light variations and motion content.
Innovation Solution
A flexible image signal processor is developed, capable of adapting to various Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) techniques by configuring a set of processing blocks to generate WDR images. This includes phase-shifting, checkerboard interpolation, tone mapping, and multiple-sampling with temporal and spatial diversity, allowing for better resolution and reduced motion blur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional image sensors are used to capture images in high light variation scenarios, then the dynamic range is limited, but motion blur and compromised image quality occur
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor array is divided into first and second subsets of pixels, where each subset captures images at different exposure times. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of both bright and dark regions without motion blur, resolving the contradiction between limited dynamic range and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal diversity by capturing images at multiple exposure times (different time dimensions) rather than relying solely on spatial variations. This allows the system to overcome the limited dynamic range of traditional single-exposure sensors while maintaining image quality through multi-temporal synthesis.
2Reliability
If multiple sampling techniques are used to improve WDR image quality, then spatial and temporal resolution are enhanced, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image signal processor is designed with a universal architecture that can handle multiple sampling techniques (temporal diversity, spatial diversity, and their combination) through a unified processing framework. This multi-functionality allows the system to enhance image quality while managing processing complexity through standardized algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the form of different exposure times, gain values, and synthesis weights to achieve WDR image enhancement. By varying these parameters across different pixel subsets and synthesis operations, the system improves image quality without requiring fundamentally complex processing architectures.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to generate wide dynamic range images are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first processing block having first input, second input to receive input data from an image sensor, and first output; a second processing block having third input, fourth input to receive input data from the image sensor, and second output, at least one of the first and second outputs to output a WDR image based on at least two of the first, second, third and fourth inputs; an architecture recognizer having fifth input and third output, the third output to convey an architecture type of the image sensor; a function selector having fourth output to identify at least one of the first and second processing blocks based on the third output; and a sensor adapter having seventh input coupled to the fourth output and having fifth output coupled to the first and third inputs.