Image Exposure Control for Boundary-Spanning Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses struggle to perform exposure control suitable to the photographic subject, particularly when dividing images into regions, as they often fail to accurately adjust exposure across segment regions that span boundaries between division regions.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a control unit that divides images into multiple segment regions, each with unique exposure control based on information from the underlying division regions, allowing for exposure adjustment according to the characteristics of the segment regions, such as brightness or pixel count, to ensure optimal exposure for the photographic subject.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image is divided into multiple division regions for exposure control, then the exposure can be adjusted for different areas, but the segment regions that span boundaries between division regions cannot be properly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple division regions (first, second, third division regions) with different exposure characteristics. By segmenting the image into distinct regions with different brightness levels, the system can apply different exposure controls to each region, thereby achieving both adaptability and reliability in exposure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different exposure controls to different division regions based on their local characteristics. The first division region (brighter area) receives different exposure treatment than the second and third division regions (darker areas). This local quality approach ensures that each region's exposure is optimized for its specific brightness characteristics, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single exposure value is applied to the entire image, then the processing is simple, but regions with different brightness requirements cannot be properly exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into multiple division regions (first, second, third division regions) with distinct brightness characteristics. This segmentation enables the system to apply different exposure values to different regions, achieving adaptability without excessive complexity by using a structured regional approach rather than pixel-level control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies exposure control to specific division regions rather than the entire image, using partial action. The first division region (brighter area) and second/third division regions (darker areas) receive differentiated exposure treatment. This partial approach provides the necessary adaptability while keeping the system complexity manageable by focusing control on specific regions rather than the whole image.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit that includes an imaging device and outputs an image signal obtained by image capturing of a subject by the imaging device through an image capturing optical system; a control unit that, in a case of controlling an exposure for each of three or more division regions obtained by dividing an image represented by the image signal and in a case of dividing the image into a plurality of segment regions that are different from the division regions and among which a segment region extends across a boundary between some of the division regions, controls an exposure of the segment region in accordance with information about at least one division region among the some of the division regions over which the segment region extends; and a display unit that displays the image for which the exposure is controlled by the control unit.