Image Sensor Pixel Exposure Control for Real-Time HDR
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in adjusting the dynamic range of images captured by image sensors in real-time, particularly when capturing high-quality videos, due to time delays associated with combining multiple images for improved quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an image sensor with pixels of different exposures, such as Long Exposure Pixels (LEPs) and Short Exposure Pixels (SEPs), where a processor determines a reference exposure value based on image information to adjust the exposure of these pixels, allowing for the acquisition of High Dynamic Range (HDR) images by combining images from LEPs and SEPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple images of different exposures are captured and combined to enhance image quality, then the dynamic range adjustment and image quality are improved, but the time delay increases and real-time performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is segmented into multiple pixel groups, where each group captures images with different exposure times simultaneously. This parallel segmentation allows the system to obtain multiple exposure images at the same moment, eliminating the sequential capture time delay while maintaining the ability to combine images for enhanced dynamic range and quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal dimension (sequential image capture at different times) to spatial dimension (simultaneous capture using multiple pixel groups with different exposures). By adding the spatial dimension through multi-pixel-group architecture, the system achieves multi-exposure imaging without time delay, resolving the contradiction between image quality and real-time performance
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple images are captured and combined for improved quality, then the dynamic range is adjusted, but the processing complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple image sensors with different exposures into a single image sensor containing multiple pixel groups. This integration combines the capture and processing functions, reducing the need for separate sensors and complex alignment procedures, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining the capability to produce high-quality HDR images
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is designed with multi-functionality, where a single sensor performs both standard imaging and HDR imaging through its multiple pixel groups. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated HDR sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced image quality capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for acquiring an image in an electronic device are provided. The method includes acquiring a first image using an image sensor that comprises a plurality of first pixels having a first exposure and a plurality of second pixels having a second exposure, determining a reference exposure value based on image information, adjusting at least one of the first exposure or the second exposure based on the reference exposure value, and acquiring a second image using the image sensor based on exposure control.