Multi-Component Image Auto-Exposure for Visible and Fluorescence Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auto-exposure algorithms fail to adequately account for both visible light and non-visible light components in multi-component images, leading to overexposure or underexposure of fluorescence content, which can obscure important details.
Innovation Solution
A dual auto-exposure algorithm that separately determines gains for visible light and non-visible light components, allowing for strategic merging of settings to ensure proper exposure of both types of content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional auto-exposure algorithms are used to capture multi-component images, then visible light content is properly exposed, but non-visible light (fluorescence) content becomes overexposed or underexposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into multiple components based on light type (visible light component and non-visible light/fluorescence component). Each component is processed independently with its own auto-exposure gain calculation, allowing precise control over exposure for each light type rather than treating the entire image uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different auto-exposure gain values to different image components based on their specific light characteristics. The visible light component receives one exposure setting while the fluorescence component receives a different exposure setting, ensuring each component achieves optimal exposure quality suited to its specific properties.
2Device complexity
If a single auto-exposure parameter setting is used for the entire image, then processing is simple, but both visible light and fluorescence content cannot be simultaneously optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single auto-exposure parameter into multiple component-specific parameters (first auto-exposure gain for visible light, second auto-exposure gain for fluorescence). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining manageable processing through systematic gain application.
3Measurement precision
If auto-exposure parameters are adjusted to optimize visible light content, then visible light image quality improves, but fluorescence content becomes overexposed or underexposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different auto-exposure gain values to different image components based on their specific light characteristics. The visible light component receives one exposure setting while the fluorescence component receives a different exposure setting, ensuring each component achieves optimal exposure quality suited to its specific properties.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative apparatus may obtain an image frame captured by an image capture system in accordance with a first plurality of auto-exposure parameter settings, the image frame including a first image component associated with visible light and a second image component associated with non-visible light; determine, based on the first image component, a first auto-exposure gain; determine, based on the second image component, a second auto-exposure gain; and determine, based on the first and second auto-exposure gains and in a predetermined order, a second plurality of auto-exposure parameter settings; wherein the second plurality of auto-exposure parameter settings is configured to be used by the image capture system to capture a subsequent image frame.