Flicker Noise Detection in Multi-Exposure Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in accurately detecting and suppressing flicker noise in images captured under different exposure conditions, especially when using a line exposure sequential readout scheme, as the accuracy of flicker detection decreases with changing exposure times, leading to uneven brightness and color tone issues.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquires multiple images with different exposures, selects images for flicker noise detection, computes correction values to suppress flicker noise, and applies these corrections to images captured with non-standard shutter speeds, allowing for effective flicker noise reduction across varying exposure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple flicker detectors are realized as hardware circuits for each image with different exposure conditions, then flicker detection accuracy is improved, but the scale of hardware (mounting area and cost) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single flicker detector that processes multiple images with different exposure conditions sequentially. This universal detector handles various exposure scenarios without requiring separate hardware instances, thereby maintaining flicker detection accuracy while avoiding the hardware scale increase that would result from multiple dedicated detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flicker detection function into a single processing unit that handles multiple images. By merging what would otherwise require separate hardware detectors into one shared resource, the system achieves the same flicker detection capability across different exposure conditions without proportionally increasing hardware scale.
2Measurement precision
If multiple flicker detectors are realized as software for each image with different exposure conditions, then flicker detection accuracy is improved, but the processing load of the processor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing task by selecting only specific images (those captured with non-predetermined shutter speeds) for flicker detection. This segmentation reduces the number of images requiring intensive software-based flicker analysis, thereby maintaining detection accuracy for relevant images while reducing overall processor power consumption compared to analyzing all images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flicker detection processing selectively rather than universally. By performing flicker detection only on images with non-predetermined shutter speeds and not on all captured images, the system achieves sufficient flicker detection accuracy for problematic cases while avoiding the excessive processing load that would result from analyzing every image.
3Manufacturing precision
If exposure time is changed for multiple image captures (bracket capture or HDR), then image quality range is improved, but flicker detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary filtering by identifying images with non-predetermined shutter speeds before performing flicker detection. This preliminary action allows the system to focus computational resources on images most likely to contain flicker artifacts, thereby maintaining flicker detection accuracy across varying exposure conditions without requiring excessive processing of all images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different images based on their exposure characteristics. Images with non-predetermined shutter speeds receive flicker detection and correction processing, while other images follow standard processing workflows. This localized quality approach ensures flicker detection accuracy is maintained where needed without uniformly increasing processing load across all images.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus that can accurately detect and/or suppress flicker in multiple images with different exposure conditions using a simple configuration is provided. The apparatus acquires a plurality of image data captured using different exposures; selects an image data on which flicker noise detection is to be performed among the plurality of image data; applies flicker noise detection processing to the image data selected by the selection unit; computes, if flicker noise is detected, a correction value for suppressing the flicker noise; and applies the correction value to image data of the same type as the image data selected, wherein the apparatus selects image data being captured with a shutter speed not having a predetermined value, from among the plurality of image data.