Image Sensor Segmentation for Rapid Photometric Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses require multiple exposures and preliminary flash light firings to perform photometric measurement, leading to increased time consumption and a decrease in guide number during main photography due to the limitations of image sensor dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus divides the image sensor into regions with different light exposure settings or electric charge accumulation times, allowing for simultaneous acquisition of multiple image signals with varying exposures through a single exposure, thereby reducing the need for multiple exposures and shortening photometric measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple exposures are performed to perform photometric measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into a first region and a second region, where the first region accumulates electric charges for a first period and the second region accumulates electric charges for a second period. This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple exposure data in a single shot, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time consumption.
2Measurement precision
If preliminary flash light is fired multiple times to adjust light amount, then photometric measurement precision is improved, but guide number decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into regions that accumulate charges for different periods, enabling photometric measurement with a single preliminary flash firing. This eliminates the need for multiple preliminary flash firings, thereby maintaining guide number while achieving precise photometric measurement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple preliminary flash light firings are performed, then dynamic range limitation is overcome, but electric charge consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is segmented into multiple regions with different charge accumulation periods, allowing the system to capture a wide dynamic range in a single exposure. This eliminates the need for multiple preliminary flash firings, thereby preventing electric charge consumption while maintaining adaptability across different lighting conditions.
4Measurement precision
If multiple exposures are performed with altered exposure conditions, then appropriate exposure is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into regions that simultaneously capture different exposure conditions through different charge accumulation periods. This allows the system to determine appropriate exposure in a single shot, thereby maintaining exposure accuracy while significantly improving photography efficiency.
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
This approach enables quick determination of appropriate exposure and extends the dynamic range of the image sensor, reducing the number of preliminary flash light firings and minimizing the consumption of electric charges, thus shortening photography time and maintaining guide number during main photography.
Implementation Method 1
electric charges accumulated in an image sensor such as a CCD are transferred and read as an image signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image of appropriate exposure is obtained in a short period of time. A controller and timing generator performs photometric measurement by use of an image signal acquired from a CCD, and determines appropriate light exposure. The CCD is divided into a plurality of regions: for example, an odd-number line region and an even-number line region. Timing at which accumulated electric charges are read from the respective regions is changed, thereby changing the light exposure of an image signal read from each of the regions. When the amount of light fired during the main flash is adjusted by means of causing a strobe to fire preliminary light, read timing is changed in such a way that an electric charge accumulation period of the odd-number line regions comes to an arbitrary point in time during the course of firing of preliminary light. The amount of main flash light can be determined by means of acquiring a plurality of image signals having different light exposures or a photometric measurement signal through single firing of preliminary flash light.