Image Processing Apparatus Brightness Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing devices struggle with image quality due to a narrow dynamic range, leading to darkened or white spots in images, especially when capturing wide-angle images with large brightness differences, as they lack a method to determine adequate intermediate exposure levels for combined images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that captures multiple images under different exposure conditions, allows user designation of areas within an image, and determines combining conditions based on brightness characteristics to adjust exposure levels, ensuring adequate exposure in the final combined image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple images with different exposure conditions are combined, then the dynamic range is improved, but the intermediate exposure level cannot be determined, resulting in inadequate exposure correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of exposure level by capturing multiple images at different exposure conditions (different brightness levels) and then selectively combining them. This allows the system to overcome the narrow dynamic range limitation by adjusting exposure parameters across multiple captures and synthesizing a final image with adequate exposure throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively combining only certain regions or pixels from different exposure images based on their brightness characteristics. Instead of combining entire images uniformly, the system identifies specific areas that require exposure correction and combines images partially, focusing computational resources on regions with inadequate exposure.
2Area of moving object
If a wide-angle lens is used to capture spherical images, then the angle of view is improved, but the brightness difference within the image increases, causing darkened portions or white spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the wide-angle image differently based on their brightness characteristics. The system identifies specific areas (such as corners or edges) that suffer from darkening or overexposure and applies targeted exposure correction only to those local regions by combining with corresponding regions from other exposure images, rather than uniformly processing the entire image.
3Device complexity
If images are combined based on simple intermediate values between target and current exposure levels, then the combining process is simplified, but the exposure correction accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by evaluating the brightness characteristics of different regions in the captured images and using this information to determine appropriate combining conditions. The system measures the actual brightness levels, compares them against target exposure levels, and adjusts the combining strategy accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes exposure correction accuracy.
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
The solution ensures that the combined image displayed has adequate exposure, effectively addressing the issue of image quality degradation caused by brightness differences, by selecting and combining images based on brightness characteristics to correct exposure levels.
Implementation Method 1
The image capturing device provided with an imaging element, such as a digital camera, performs photoelectric conversion to convert light into an electric signal to obtain an image with brightness information.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit to obtain a plurality of images that have been captured under different exposure conditions; an acceptance unit to receive designation of an area in a first image, the first image being one of the plurality of images; a brightness characteristics acquisition unit to obtain a brightness characteristic value of the designated area in the first image; and a combining unit to: determine a combining condition used for combining the first image and a second image according to the brightness characteristic value, the second image being any one of the plurality of images other than the first image, and combine the first image and the second image based on the combining condition to correct brightness of the designated area for display.