Image Sensor Shutter Control for Natural Panning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup apparatuses face challenges in capturing natural panning images due to exposure omission and object distortion when combining multiple frames using mechanical or electronic shutters, leading to unnatural panning states and background discontinuity.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with a mechanical shutter and electronic shutter configuration that controls exposure time and readout to ensure full charge readout in a total exposure time, allowing for continuous image data readout without interrupting exposure, and combining images using various methods to achieve proper exposure and panning state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical shutter consecutive photographing is used, then exposure control is precise, but exposure omission occurs between frames causing discontinuous panning state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image sensor into multiple regions (first region and second region) with different exposure times. The first region uses a shorter exposure time to avoid overexposure and enable continuous readout, while the second region uses a longer exposure time to maintain proper exposure. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of continuous photographing and proper exposure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the exposure time parameter across different regions of the image sensor. By setting different exposure times (first exposure time for first region, second exposure time for second region where second > first), the system adapts to the requirements of continuous readout while maintaining proper exposure for panning effects.
2Productivity
If electronic readout consecutive photographing is used, then continuous readout is achieved, but exposure time is insufficient causing overexposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different exposure characteristics to different regions of the image sensor. The first region (with shorter exposure time) is optimized for continuous readout and avoiding overexposure, while the second region (with longer exposure time) is optimized for proper exposure and panning effects. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between readout speed and exposure accuracy.
3Duration of action of moving object
If long shutter speed is set for panning photographing, then background flow effect is achieved, but exposure amount becomes too large causing excessive exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image sensor into regions with different exposure times. The first region uses a shorter exposure time that prevents overexposure, while the second region uses a longer exposure time that achieves the desired panning effect with proper exposure. This allows the system to simultaneously achieve both goals in different parts of the image.
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 enables the capture of natural combined images with reduced discontinuity and object distortion, achieving proper exposure and panning effects similar to professional single-frame photography.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup device configured to receive an object light image in a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, generate image data
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical shutter disposed on a front surface of the image pickup device and configured to control an exposure time of the image pickup device according to opening and closing actions
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor that reads out an image in a time period Te, a mechanical shutter that opens and closes in a traveling time Tm that satisfies Te>Tm, a system control section that controls the mechanical shutter to set a time period from opening to closing of the mechanical shutter to T1 and causes the image sensor to continuously read out images of a plurality of frames in a time period T2 that satisfies T1>T2, and an image combining section that generates a combined image from the images of the plurality of frames. The system control section performs control to fully read out electric charges exposed in any pixel in the time period T1.