HDR Image Capture via Scene Analysis and Selective Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems struggle to capture High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, especially with low-end cameras that do not support HDR, due to limitations in memory, current consumption, and synthesis speed.
Innovation Solution
An HDR image capturing apparatus that determines the number of image frames based on camera movement and analyzes brightness, color, and focus to optimize HDR image processing, enabling HDR image capture even in devices without native HDR support by controlling image acquisition and processing units accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple images are captured and synthesized to create HDR image, then HDR image quality is improved, but memory consumption and current consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by capturing only the necessary number of images for HDR synthesis rather than capturing excessive images. The system determines an appropriate exposure bracketing range and captures images within this optimized range, reducing memory consumption while still achieving the desired HDR image quality. This resolves the contradiction by performing just enough action to achieve the goal without excess.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple images are captured and synthesized to create HDR image, then HDR image quality is improved, but synthesis speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the optimal number of images to capture and pre-setting the exposure bracketing parameters before actual HDR capture begins. This preparation work is done in advance based on scene analysis, which streamlines the subsequent synthesis process and improves synthesis speed while maintaining HDR image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial action by synthesizing only the essential number of images needed for HDR effect rather than processing all captured images. This selective synthesis approach maintains image quality while reducing processing time and improving synthesis speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If HDR image capturing is implemented on low-end cameras without native HDR support, then HDR functionality is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the HDR processing functionality from the hardware level and implements it as a software-based image processing pipeline. By separating the HDR synthesis function from native hardware support, the system can run on low-end cameras without adding physical complexity to the device, achieving HDR functionality through software algorithms that process standard images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a software-based HDR processing pipeline that replicates the functionality of native HDR hardware. Instead of modifying the camera hardware, the patent uses software to copy and simulate HDR effects by processing multiple standard-exposure images, thereby achieving HDR functionality without increasing device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If exposure time is adjusted for multiple image capture, then HDR dynamic range is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a systematic and regular exposure bracketing sequence with predetermined time intervals between captures. This structured periodic approach optimizes the total capture time while ensuring sufficient dynamic range coverage, resolving the contradiction between achieving HDR dynamic range and minimizing time consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a high dynamic range (HDR) image capturing device, which is capable of capturing an HDR image optimized in various situations, and a control method therefor. The HDR image capturing device comprises: an image acquisition unit for capturing and acquiring a predetermined image; a brightness analysis unit for analyzing the brightness of the acquired image; a color analysis unit for analyzing the color of the acquired image; a focus analysis unit for analyzing the focus of the acquired image; and a control unit for controlling the image acquisition unit, the brightness analysis unit, the color analysis unit, and the focus analysis unit according to an HDR capturing mode, which is to be inputted, wherein the control unit can: check whether the image acquisition unit supports the HDR when the HDR capturing mode is input; control the image acquisition unit to perform HDR image capturing, and perform HDR image processing on the captured image when the image acquisition unit supports the HDR; and control the brightness analysis unit, the color analysis unit, and the focus analysis unit so as to analyze the brightness, color, and focus of the acquired image and perform HDR image processing on the captured image according to the analyzed brightness, color, and focus when the image acquisition unit does not support the HDR.