Image Capture Apparatus Invisible Light Metadata Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture apparatuses lack the capability to effectively assist external devices in improving the visibility of visible-light images using information from invisible-light images, and they do not provide suitable information for dynamic range expansion of visible-light images shot with varying exposure amounts.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus that determines the appropriate method for using invisible-light image information to process visible-light images, generates associated data, and records it for external processing, enabling improved visibility and dynamic range expansion of visible-light images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an image capture apparatus records both visible-light images and invisible-light images, then the potential for improving visible-light image visibility exists, but the apparatus cannot provide suitable information to external devices for executing the improvement processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary information structure (metadata containing determination results) that mediates between the image capture apparatus and external processing devices. This metadata serves as a standardized interface that guides external devices on how to process invisible-light image information to improve visible-light image visibility, resolving the contradiction by providing structured guidance without increasing fundamental system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture apparatus performs preliminary determination and generates guidance information about the suitability and method of using invisible-light image data before external processing occurs. This preliminary action enables external devices to execute appropriate processing without needing to independently analyze image quality, thereby improving reliability while keeping the external device complexity low
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple visible-light images with different exposure amounts are recorded, then dynamic range expansion becomes possible, but the apparatus lacks information to guide external devices in executing the expansion processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses metadata as an intermediary to convey determination results about dynamic range expansion suitability and methods. This intermediary structure preserves the necessary processing guidance information that would otherwise be lost, enabling external devices to perform high-precision dynamic range expansion by following the recorded determination information
Solution Approach 2:
The determination results and processing guidance are copied into a standardized data structure (metadata) that can be stored with the image data. This copying ensures that the critical processing information is preserved and transmitted to external devices without loss, maintaining image quality precision while preventing information loss
3Reliability
If invisible-light image information is recorded without determination of usage method, then data is preserved, but external devices cannot efficiently apply processing to improve visible-light image visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the suitability and method for using invisible-light image information before external processing. This preliminary action records guidance data that enables external devices to efficiently execute appropriate processing without needing to independently analyze image characteristics, thereby improving both reliability and processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The determination results are fed back to external devices through metadata, providing them with information about how to best use the invisible-light image data. This feedback mechanism ensures that external devices can apply processing efficiently and reliably, as they receive direct guidance on the appropriate processing methods based on the actual image characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in an image capture apparatus that can acquire a visible-light image and an invisible-light image. The apparatus determines a method of using information in order to apply predetermined processing to the visible-light image, wherein the information is based on the invisible-light image. The apparatus generates information based on the invisible-light image in accordance with the result of the determination and record, in a recording medium, a data file with which the visible-light image, information indicating the result of the determination, and the information based on the invisible-light image are associated.