High Dynamic Range Imaging Aggregating Multiple Exposure Data Sets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image sensors have limited dynamic range, leading to motion artifacts in high dynamic range imaging due to non-overlapping exposures and reduced sensitivity under low light conditions in split-pixel sensors.

Innovation Solution

Generating multiple image data sets with different exposure times and aggregating them to create a virtual long exposure image data set, which reduces motion artifacts and enhances sensitivity by increasing the collective intensity of incident light over various exposures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple image data sets are generated sequentially with different exposure times, then dynamic range is extended, but motion artifacts occur due to non-overlapping exposures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidmotion artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating a first image data set with a first exposure time before generating a second image data set with a second exposure time. This sequential generation with temporal overlap allows the system to capture motion information at multiple exposure stages, thereby extending dynamic range while reducing motion artifacts through the overlapping temporal coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If split-pixel sensors with multiple photodiodes per pixel are used, then high dynamic range imaging is achieved, but sensitivity under low light conditions is reduced due to reduced surface area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh dynamic range imagingVSAvoidsensitivity under low light conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent generates a first image data set with a first exposure time that is longer than a second exposure time used for a second image data set. This preliminary long exposure captures sufficient light signal before shorter exposure captures, thereby improving sensitivity under low light conditions while maintaining high dynamic range imaging capability through the combination of multiple exposure data sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively increases the dynamic range and sensitivity of image sensors, particularly in split-pixel sensors, by minimizing exposure time differences and reducing motion artifacts, thus improving image quality under varying light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

generating N image data sets from an array of photodiodes, each of the N image data sets being generated with a different respective exposure time duration of the array of photodiodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9172869B2Image data aggregating high dynamic range imaging systems and associated methods

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An image data aggregating high dynamic range imaging system includes an image sensor for generating N image data sets from an array of photodiodes, where N is an integer greater than one. The image sensor is adapted to generate each of the N image data sets with a different respective exposure time duration of the array of photodiodes. The system further includes an image data aggregating module for aggregating the N image data sets to obtain a virtual long exposure image data set.