Image Pickup Device Flicker Detection Region Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting flicker due to differences in light amount change periods between regions used for phase difference detection and those not used for phase difference detection, leading to inconsistent flicker detection and correction.
Innovation Solution
An image processing technique that adjusts the driving method of the image pickup device on a region-by-region basis within a frame to synchronize the flicker detection period across all regions, ensuring accurate detection and correction by selecting appropriate flicker detection lines and calculating flicker correction values for each region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase difference detection pixel signals and image pixel signals are read out from the same region, then focus detection capability is improved, but readout time period increases and flicker detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image pickup device is divided into two distinct regions: a first pixel region dedicated to phase difference detection and a second pixel region dedicated to image pixel signal reading. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the readout time conflict that would occur if both signal types were read from the same region.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase difference detection function is extracted from the general image pixel region and placed in a dedicated first pixel region. This extraction separates the phase difference detection signal reading path from the image pixel signal reading path, enabling independent optimization of readout timing for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different readout operations are performed in the same region, then functional versatility is improved, but readout time period increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel regions are segmented into a first pixel region for phase difference detection and a second pixel region for image capture. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous or independently timed readout operations in different regions, avoiding the time penalty that would result from sequential readout operations in the same region.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-region multi-function approach to a multi-region approach, adding the spatial dimension of region separation. This allows the system to maintain functional versatility while controlling readout time by utilizing different spatial zones for different functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If readout time period varies between regions, then region-specific optimization is improved, but flicker detection consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions are assigned different readout time characteristics: the first pixel region uses a longer readout time period optimized for phase difference detection, while the second pixel region uses a shorter readout time period optimized for image capture. The flicker detection process selectively uses signals from the second region where the shorter readout time ensures consistent flicker detection across all lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation of pixel regions allows each region to be optimized for its specific function with appropriate readout timing, while the flicker detection algorithm is designed to work specifically with the second pixel region signals that have consistent timing characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing technique that enables accurate detection of a flicker component even when applied to an image pickup device capable of changing a driving method on a region basis within a frame. A flicker detection section detects a flicker component of an image pixel signal read out from the image pickup device having a pixel region for detecting a phase difference. When the driving method is changed to one for performing phase difference detection, the flicker detection section detects a flicker component such that the period of the flicker component in a region used for phase difference detection within the frame coincides with a period of the flicker component in a region not used for phase difference detection.