Flicker Reduction via Multi-Exposure Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flicker in light sources causes artefacts in captured images, leading to reduced image quality and navigation issues for automated vehicles, as existing methods fail to effectively mitigate these artefacts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving image capture with varying exposures to detect discrepancies and determine flicker indication data, allowing for real-time correction of flicker artefacts in image processing, using a processor to analyze and correct image data from first and second exposures to produce a flicker-reduced version.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image capture is performed with a single exposure, then the capture process is simple and fast, but flicker artefacts appear in the captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture process is segmented into multiple exposures (first image with first exposure, second image with second exposure) to detect and correct flicker artefacts. By dividing the capture process into separate exposures taken at different times, the system can identify flicker patterns and correct them through image processing, thereby maintaining image quality without significantly compromising capture speed.
2Reliability
If multiple images with different exposures are captured, then flicker artefacts can be detected and corrected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by comparing the first image and second image to detect discrepancies caused by flicker. The processor analyzes the differences between the two exposures, determines flicker indication data, and applies corrections based on this feedback. This feedback mechanism enables automatic flicker detection and correction without requiring complex manual intervention or additional hardware.
3Illumination intensity
If exposure time is increased to improve image brightness, then more light is captured, but flicker artefacts become more pronounced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the exposure parameter by capturing images at different exposure levels (first exposure and second exposure). By varying the exposure parameter and comparing the results, the system can detect flicker patterns and correct them through processing, thereby maintaining image brightness while eliminating flicker artefacts that would otherwise be pronounced in single long-exposure images.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing artefacts caused by the presence of flicker during image capture. The method comprises performing image capture to produce image capture data corresponding to an image capture scene, the image capture data including a first image having a first exposure and a second image having a second exposure. The image capture data is processed to: (a) detect a discrepancy in the second image with respect to the first image; and (b) determine flicker indication data indicative of a presence of flicker in the second image. The discrepancy is corrected in dependence upon the flicker indication to produce a flicker-reduced version of the second image.