HDR Image Capture with Adaptive Exposure for Moving Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HDR image combination techniques fail to effectively expand the dynamic range while preventing ghost artifacts, especially when moving objects are present, due to improper exposure differences between images.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus that adjusts exposure levels based on the presence of moving objects, ensuring proper alignment and overlap of luminance ranges in captured images to prevent ghost artifacts and maximize dynamic range expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a plurality of images with large exposure difference are captured for HDR combination, then the dynamic range expansion width is increased, but ghost artifacts occur when moving objects are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating exposure control between moving object regions and stationary background regions. For moving objects, a smaller exposure difference is used to prevent ghost artifacts, while for stationary backgrounds, a larger exposure difference maximizes dynamic range expansion. This is achieved by detecting moving objects and applying region-specific exposure adjustments in the HDR combination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the exposure difference adaptive rather than fixed. The exposure control system dynamically adjusts the exposure difference between captured images based on the presence and characteristics of moving objects. When moving objects are detected, the system reduces the exposure difference for those regions; when no moving objects are present, the system maximizes the exposure difference for broader dynamic range coverage.
2Reliability
If exposure difference between images is reduced to prevent ghost artifacts, then image combination quality is improved, but the dynamic range expansion width decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying different exposure strategies to different regions of the image. Stationary background regions use large exposure differences to maximize dynamic range, while moving object regions use smaller exposure differences to ensure proper combination. This regional differentiation allows the system to achieve both high image quality and broad dynamic range simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the exposure parameter dynamically based on scene content. Rather than using a fixed exposure difference for all images, the system adjusts exposure parameters according to the detected presence of moving objects. This parameter adaptation allows optimization of both image combination quality and dynamic range expansion for different scene conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If images are captured at different timings for HDR combination, then the HDR processing capability is enabled, but positional displacement of moving objects causes improper combination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting moving objects and determining appropriate exposure differences before capturing the HDR image sequence. This advance preparation allows the system to configure optimal exposure settings that account for potential moving objects, thereby preventing alignment issues before they occur during the HDR combination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent handles alignment precision by applying region-specific processing. For regions containing moving objects, the system uses smaller exposure differences and applies targeted alignment corrections. For stationary regions, standard HDR alignment procedures are sufficient. This localized approach maintains high alignment accuracy while enabling robust HDR processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image capture apparatus capable of increasing the width by which the dynamic range is expanded by HDR combination, according to whether a moving object exists or not, while preventing occurrence of ghost artifacts or the like, caused by improper combination. An image capture section performs image capture operations with a plurality of different exposure amounts for each frame to thereby generate a plurality of captured images so as to perform HDR combination. An exposure controller sets the plurality of different exposure amounts for the image capture section. A moving object detection section detects a moving object existing in at least one of the plurality of captured images. The exposure controller adjusts the plurality of different exposure amounts according to whether or not a moving object is detected by the moving object detection section.