Image Sensor Black Level Correction Through Online Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing black level correction methods in digital image processing rely on offline calibration, which is inflexible and fails to adapt to changes in gain, temperature, and device usage, leading to inconsistent image quality and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A method for black level correction using active pixels to perform online calibration and correction at the image signal processing end, independent of specific sensor structures, ensuring accurate black level data through exposure component control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If offline calibration is used for black level correction, then the calibration process is simple, but the method fails to adapt to changes in gain, temperature, and device usage, leading to inconsistent image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic black level calibration by continuously monitoring exposure components and automatically adjusting calibration parameters based on real-time changes in gain, temperature, and device usage conditions, transforming the static offline calibration process into an adaptive dynamic system
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor changes in exposure components and use this information to trigger recalibration when necessary, ensuring the black level correction remains accurate under varying operational conditions without requiring continuous manual intervention
2Measurement precision
If online calibration is performed continuously, then the accuracy of black level correction is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic calibration triggered by specific events or time intervals rather than continuous calibration, monitoring for changes in exposure components and performing calibration only when necessary, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing overall processing time and computational resource consumption
3Stability of the object's composition
If multi-sensor calibration is implemented, then the consistency across different sensors is improved, but the coordination complexity between sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration processes of multiple sensors into a unified system, allowing simultaneous calibration of multiple image sensors using shared calibration data and coordinated control, thereby ensuring consistency across sensors while reducing the overall complexity compared to independent calibration of each sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for black level correction, including determining whether the first image sensor and/or the second image sensor triggers a calibration mode based on a calibration signal, performing, in response to the first image sensor triggering the calibration mode and the second image sensor not triggering the calibration mode, first image acquisition through the first image sensor based on a first automatic exposure configuration, and obtaining a calibration result by performing black level calibration, obtaining, in response to the first image sensor not triggering the calibration mode and the second image sensor triggering the calibration mode, an image to be processed by performing second image acquisition through the first image sensor based on a second automatic exposure configuration, and performing black level correction on the image to be processed based on the second automatic exposure configuration and the calibration result.